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Tuesday, February 28, 2017
MEMO FROM NARA
“Why only few people come forward to express their views
boldly and openly...not others?” – a question stirred my brain for a long time.
Many answers came to my mind, but none of them appeared satisfactory. Normally
most of us do not bother very much about things that do not concern us and we
do not bother to express our views about them. Issues that bother us, in fact,
induce us to show our concern in the form of views or opinion, sometimes by
suitable actions also.
The few people mentioned above are the ones who are somehow
affected directly or indirectly by a particular incident. The demonetization of
500 and 1000 rupee currency notes by the Prime Minister of India on 8 November
2016 was one of the issues faced by every individual in India. So, not few people,
many people especially belonging to the non BJP expressed their views as
forcefully as possible. Day and night they expressed vehemently their views
against demonetization all over the country. We were not knowing whether their
views were correct or not. However they appeared to be appealing because of the
non-availability of new currency notes. But these views had certainly a
political colour. People felt a slowdown of economy because of non-availability
of cash. However, transaction of cash through electronic means progressed
further to establish a cashless economy for India. Good thinking indeed!
Introduction of any technology or change brings in the habit
of opposing with all sorts of arguments expressed boldly and sometimes in
unpleasant ways. That was what happened in the demonetization issue also.
Abolition of black money, corruption and terrorist financing, cashless economy
were cited as some of the advantages of demonetization. But the views expressed
were that demonetization was not the way forward to achieve these sacred goals.
Some of us side these views too.
Last year just before occupying the Presidency of the US,
Donald Trump called the United Nation as a Club for people to have a good time.
The view was a bold one and Trump had no fear to say that. Thus he became one
of those few people who have the guts to express their views so boldly and
openly without hesitation.
One thing is obviously true from all these, that unless some
people openly and boldly express their views representing many others, no good
thing happens on earth. So expressing views is essential in
any democratic country including India.
THINGS TO GIVE FOR HAPPINESS
1.
Give up your need to always be right.
2.
Give up your need for control.
3.
Give up blaming others.
4.
Give up your self-defeating self-talk.
5.
Give up your limiting beliefs.
6.
Give up complaining.
7.
Give up the luxury of criticism.
8.
Give up your need for to impress others.
9.
Give up your resistance to change.
10.
Give up your fears.
11.
Give up your excuses.
12.
Give up your past.
13.
Give up attachment.
14.
Give up living your life to others.
15.
Give up ignorance.
LOVE OF PEOPLE
“To feel the love of people whom we love is a fire that feeds our life.
But to feel the affections that comes from those whom we do not know, from
those unknown to us, who are watching over our dangers and our weaknesses –
that is something greater and more beautiful because it widens out the
boundaries of our being, and unites all living things. – Pablo Neruda, Chilean Poet, Nobel Laureate.
JUST TO LAUGH
The HR Manager of an
automobile manufacturing company confronted an employee for being habitually
late by claiming that. ‘the company could have manufactured five extra cars in
the time wasted by your late arrival!’ To which the employee quipped, ‘but the
additional cars would mean worse traffic, and I’d be here even later!’
In 1969 Leonard Brezhnev was told Americans
had landed men on the moon. “Tell them our cosmonauts are ready to land on the
Sun.” His horrified aide said this was impossible; the cosmonauts would be
vaporized. “Do you take me for a fool?”
said Brezhnev, “we’ll land them at night.”
WAYS TO DE-STRESS
1. Massage your ears. The ear massage is
a fantastic way to release endorphins in your brain and make you feel good.
Start by gently rubbing your earlobes with your thumb and index finger. Then
squeeze the outer edges of your ears all the way to the top. These parts of
your ears have tiny reflex points that can relax specific areas of your body.
Finish by using your index fingers and middle fingers to massage behind the
ears on the bony part of your skull.
2. Finger paint. Finger painting allows
you to have fun, be artistic and play in a child like way. It gives you
permission to express your creativity and spontaneity without expectations.
3. Declutter. Take note of how much stuff
you have lying around your room. Then, get rid of anything and everything you
don’t use or need. It’s easier to relax when you are not surrounded by stuff –
especially stuff like, work, electronics and even reading materials because
your subconscious mind then feels you’ve things to do.
4. Try laughing yoga. We all know that
laughter has a wonderful effect on our mood and is one of the best feel good
things we can do. However, the opportunity to laugh like this doesn’t always
come easily and often. A fun and crazy way to make yourself laugh
uncontrollably is to find (google) a class, club or yoga studio in your area
that offers laughing yoga.
5. Procrastinate. Make a list of things to
do and then don’t do it. Call it your procrastination list. Then make the
decision to engage in something you really feel like doing. If and when you
become inspired to do something on your procrastination list then go for it.
6. Be brutally honest. Instead of bottling
things up inside you, which causes stress and tensions, why not let it go
through the power of honest speech. Express your emotions and tell people how you
really feel without being rude or obnoxious. Notice how relieved you feel.
7. Dance in the rain. Next time it rains,
have a little fun, get wet and do a little dance. Engage all your senses and
enjoy the moment. If you live in a colder climate, try dancing in the snow or
making snow angels.
8. Enjoy a
staycation. Instead of travelling somewhere on a holiday, stay at home and
enjoy a local vacation. Maybe try a new hobby or activity, or just visit some
local cafes, bars or restaurants.
LINES I LIKED
Man is always after something or other, even things that may cause him suffering.
Man is
haunted by his own restlessness, his greed, anger, hatred and jealousy.
Man is no
doubt the best of all animals, yet sometimes he is as bad as animal as any
other.
It is much easier to destroy than to build!
Meet you next month – April, 2017
Professor A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP
E-mail: arumugakannu@gmail.com
Ph : 0422 4393017 Mobile : 098422 42301
(NARA’S DIGEST)
(NARA’S NOTEPAD)
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
MEMO FROM NARA
One of
the environmental pollutions we all encounter in our day-to-day life is the
NOISE produced by railways, vehicular traffics, aeroplanes, industrial
machinery, various gadgets we use daily at home and office, loud speakers and
many other such things. In fact, every one of us in this world is subjected to
the pressure of NOISE pollution. Even a small wall clock in my room is making a
‘tick’, ‘tick’ sound throughout night
and day and similarly the ceiling fans make an awful lot of NOISE. We feel as
if the NOISE has engulfed our environment.
NOISE
at less magnitude does not bother us very much, but loud NOISES annoy us to a
great extent. They cause headache, increase blood pressure, create loss of
concentration, speech interference, loss of working efficiency and even
accidents at times. Some of the workers are permanently exposed to constant
NOISE pollution. Vehicles like motor-bikes create hell of NOISE for which the
driver and others on the road are exposed to. Everyone is used to this menace
of NOISE. NOISE control measures are been taken by the concerned agencies of
the government. However substantial control is not being achieved because of
the gigantic number of people who generate NOISE through their vehicles and
other machineries.
Excessive
honking is produced in the city area especially where hospitals and schools are
situated causing hindrance to the ailing patients and young children.
Technologies are available to manufacture noiseless vehicles and other
instruments and equipment we use at home and public places. But still the
NOISE surrounds us and annoys us. The Central Pollution Control Board of
Government of India issued a gazette notification on zoning of urban areas into
industrial area, commercial area and silence zone. It also indicated permissible
NOCE levels for these zones. However, such measures are not strictly followed
because NOICE is taken
as not an immediate killer. But everyone knows that it is a slow poison for all
of us.
India
is a country of festivals ... because of its diversity of cultures. During
these periods crackers and loud speakers generate deafening NOISE. Some young
people may like it loud and they enjoy at the cost of harassing the old sick
people who are already in pain owing to all kinds of illness. Is it possible to
live in a noiseless environment? – a question asked by me along with millions
of others. Unfortunately, the answer is a big NO. In future, we have to bear
louder noises all around us. We
have to adapt to NOISE. I have seen some people cannot sleep without the NOISE
of the ceiling fans or the humming NOISE of their air-conditioners. Therefore
it is obvious that human beings are adapting to NOISE environment in spite of
all control measures!
LOVE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
1.
Tell them how great they are and how much you appreciate them.
2. Be genuine and
real in your relationships. Don’t pretend and wear a mask but share your true,
authentic self.
3. Note, however,
that being genuine doesn’t mean always dumping your garbage on those around
you. Be respectful of their needs and feelings too – and recognize that we
influence and affect others’ moods. That is, we can choose to either brighten
or pollute the atmosphere.
4. Be a great
listener. We feel loved and valued when others really listen to us (and
demonstrate they’re listening through their nonverbal cues).
5. Don’t try to
fix, change and make them into different people. Instead, provide them with the
freedom to simply be themselves.
6. We don’t have to agree with, or
respect, each others’ choices in order to have a good relationship with them.
We can still be kind, and just agree to disagree.
TO QUOTE
In three words I can sum up
everything I’ve learned in life. IT GOES ON. – Robert Frost
It’s so simple: If you say you’re
going to do something, do it. If you start something, finish it. -
Epictetus
SIMPLE WAYS TO SAY 'NO'
1.
“I can’t commit to this as I have other priorities at the moment.” This lets
the person know your plate is full at the moment.
2. “Now’s not a
good time as I’m in the middle of something. How about we reconnect at X time?”
This lets the person know it’s not a good time. However, you also convey your
desire to help by suggesting another time (at your convenience). This way, the
person doesn’t feel blown off.
3. “I’d love to do
this, but …” This is a gentle way of saying no. It’s encouraging as it lets the
person know you like the idea but I can’t take part due to other reasons, such
as prior commitments.
4. “Let me think
about it first and I’ll get back to you.” This is more like a “Maybe” than a
straight out “No”. If you are interested but you don’t want to say ‘yes’ just
yet, use this.
5. “This doesn’t
fit with what I’m looking for now - but I’ll keep you in mind.” Sometimes it is
just best to turn the person/ offer down. Otherwise, the discussion can drag on
and on.
6. “I’m not the
best person to help on this. Why don’t you try X?” Again, sometimes it is best
to say you’re the wrong person to help etc. If possible, refer them to a lead
they can follow-up on instead.
7. “No, I can’t.” The simplest and most
direct way to say no.
JUST TO LAUGH
Two men Tom and Frank, had loved cricket
more than anything their entire lives. One day Tom says to Frank, ‘If you die
before me, promise me you’ll come back and tell me if there is cricket in
Heaven.’ Frank agrees and makes Tom promise the same thing. About a week later,
Tom dies. One night, Frank wakes up to someone calling his name. Scared he
asks, ‘Who’s there?’ Suddenly Tom appears and says ‘Hi Frank, I’m speaking from
Heaven. I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news first: there’s
cricket in heaven.’ Frank gets very excited and then asks, ‘What is the bad
news?’ Tom looks at him grimly and says, ‘I looked at the line-up for tomorrow
and you’re opening the batting.’
LINES I LIKED
Ø
Man creates
his own destiny through his actions.
Ø
Man invented
God out of fear, and religions evolved thereafter.
Ø
Man is a
peculiar mixture of good and evil.
Ø
Man is a
wonderful creature, but he must be trained and developed to be used.
If you want extraordinary results, take risk!
Meet you next month –March, 2017
Professor A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP
E-mail: arumugakannu@gmail.com
Ph : 0422 4393017 Mobile : 098422 42301
(NARA’S DIGEST)
(NARA’S NOTEPAD)
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