NARA'S NOTEPAD
VOLUME 10
APRIL 2014
NUMBER 4
Monday, March 31, 2014
MEMO FROM NARA...
People are strong believers on
something like religion and caste. Once they believe on them, they totally
depend on them. No one wants to change their beliefs. Such believes may be
blind or unacceptable for some. Still the belief on religious teachings, the
presence of God and the existence of caste is in the minds of people of our
society. Such believes are passed on to next generation and subsequent
generations too. In fact, our society is organized in a way on these bases
rather than on a scientific basis.
I used to think, why good education is
unable to change such strong believes which often spoil human relationship at
large. People belong to one religion follow certain way of life with a set of
believes, whereas others follow different ways of life as their religion
orders. Such is the case of belief in God or Gods. All religions advise that
there is only one God. But in reality, we have innumerable Gods in all forms,
shapes and sizes loaded with unbelievable stories. All of us want to believe in
all these Gods and their stories out of sheer fear. If they do not believe in
these Gods, there may be sufferings in life such as ill-health, accidents,
poverty etc. Therefore people wish to worship all Gods by visiting innumerable
temples, churches, mosques and other abodes of Gods. In fact, day by day the
number of Gods and their temples is multiplying as the human population
increases. There is no check on it. It is the will and pleasure of the people
at large.
Caste is another worst factor that
divides our society. Families belong to a particular caste used to live
together as a community. Because of urbanization and modern way of life, people
are compelled to live together forgetting the caste factor to some extent.
Inter-caste marriage is one of the ways to demolish caste system in our
society. Such marriages are also happening here and there. Providing
education and allowing women as an independent individual help to promote
inter-caste marriages. The caste factor plays an important role in periodic
elections of our nation. Candidates are selected by political parties on the
basis of a particular caste so that they can mop up maximum votes from people
who belong to their castes. It is sometimes called as caste-based politics or
simply caste-politics.
Is it possible for anyone to change
such set up? I don’t think so because we have a society built on the strong
foundation of caste and religion. It is very difficult for the time-being to
change the existing system. However we don’t know about the future. Probably
the little change coming in the minds of minors may lead to a casteless and
religion-less society in the future. The future is not nearby. So we will live
with the present mind-set of people who love to belong to a particular caste
and religion. That is today’s reality. Whatever we may say or argue, we have to
accept the reality. Let us do so and live with a system whether we like or do
not like.
SPONSOR
NARA’S NOTEPAD thank
Dr. A. Appa Rao, Former Vice-Chancellor
of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University,
Hyderabad
for
sponsoring
March 2014 to
Dec. 2014 issues.
LISTEN...
Listen more often than you
speak – Nowadays, there is always
someone that wants to be the center of attention; conversations easily become
viewed as egoistic competitions. While being the center of attention can feel
great and can be a rewarding experience, it can become consciously dangerous to
your consciousness if it is motivated by your ego. By practicing the act of
listening more often than you speak, you can train yourself to be more
consciously aware of others, while still holding the conscious ability to
politely contribute to a conversation.
MAKING MISTAKES...
Philosophers are mistake makers… While other disciplines specialize in
getting the right answers to their defining questions, philosophers specialize
in all the ways there are of getting things so mixed up, so deeply wrong, that
nobody is even sure what the right questions are, let alone the answers. Asking
the wrong questions risks setting any inquiry off on the wrong foot. Whenever
that happens, this is a job for philosophers! Philosophy – in every field of
inquiry – is what you have to do until you figure out what questions you should
have been asking in the first place.
Mistakes are not just opportunities for learning;
they are, in an important sense, the only opportunity for learning or making
something truly new. Before there can be learning, there must be learners.
There are only two miraculous ways for learners to come to existence: they must
either evolve or be designed and built by learners that evolved. Biological
evolution proceeds by a grand, inexorable process of trial and error – and
without the errors the trials
wouldn’t accomplish anything.
Trials can be either blind or foresighted. You,
who know a lot, but not the answer to the question at hand, can take leaps –
foresighted leaps. You can look before you leap, and hence be somewhat guided
from the outset by what you already know. You need not be guessing at random,
but don‘t look down your nose at random guesses; among its wonderful products
is … you!
The chief trick to making good mistakes is not to hide them
– especially not from you. Instead of turning away in denial when you make
mistake, you should become a connoisseur of your mistakes, turning them over in
your mind as if they are works of art. – Daniel
C. Dennett
GAIN WISDOM FROM OTHERS...
No single person holds all the wisdom of the universe in their brain. For this reason,
it is important to study the wisdom of others and try to apply their wisdom to
your life. As mentioned earlier, everyone has a unique perspective and
knowledge-base to bring to the table. Studying the wisdom of others can be done
in many ways. Examples include: meeting face-to-face with a more consciously
advanced individual and ask them for life advice, reading positivity and
personal development websites from several different sources, or maybe
attending different personal development seminars.
TO QUOTE...
Marriage is a thousand little things. It’s giving up your
right to be right in the heat of an argument. It’s forgiving another when they
let you down. It’s loving someone enough to step down so they can shine. It’s
friendship. It’s being a cheerleader and trusted confidant. It’s a place of forgiveness that
welcomes one home, and arms they can run to in the midst of a storm. It’s
grace. It’s giving of yourself tirelessly down paths you’d never imagine to
travel. Through sickness and pain, poverty and loss, it’s carrying the weight
of another. It’s being the smile they see in the morning, and the body they
hold close at night. It’s pure love. It’s standing together in the face of
adversity. It’s riding alongside each other in a battle that threatens to tear down your marriage and
seeks to grab hold of your faith. It's strength under pressure. It's endless
compassion. It's love. - Darlene Schacht
JUST TO LAUGH...
A guy phones a law
firm and says, “I want to speak to my lawyer.” The receptionist replies, “ I am
sorry, but your lawyer died last week.” The next day, he calls again for his
lawyer, and the receptionist gives the same reply. The third day, he calls
again, “Excuse me, Sir,” the receptionist says, “This is third time I’m telling
you your lawyer died last week. Why do you keep calling?” The guy
replies,”Because I love hearing it.”
No man can ever be
satisfied with four things in life: mobile, car, television, and wife. Because
there’s always a better model in the neighbourhood!
A wife complains,
“A wall clock almost killed my mother today. It fell only seconds after she got
up from the couch.” Her husband mumbled, “That clock always was slow.”
Husband and wife are like
two wheels of a vehicle. Even one punctures, the vehicle can’t move further.
So, intelligent people always carry a spare.
MAKE OTHERS LAUGH...
Being funny and making others laugh is a great way to ease stress and create a more
positive outlook in life for yourself and for others. Though you may not be an
expert comedian, being able to make others laugh is extremely rewarding and
satisfying. Making others laugh and smile shifts all attention away from pain
and negative emotions, towards one of pure enjoyment and happiness. Jokes and
the ability to laugh can really change your entire perspective from what may
seem like a grim, serious situation, to a happier, more positive outlook.
LINES I LIKED...
Ø
No one has ever
changed for somebody else.
Ø
No one is above
law.
Ø
No one is free
when others are oppressed.
Ø
No one understands
your problem better than you do.
Ø
No one wants to
die.
Ø
No one wins when
the verbal fight gets nasty.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
MEMO FROM NARA...
Someone said that cooking is not just
about mixing ingredients together, it is a fine art. Most of us do not bother
about even the ingredients of the food. We eat the food without trying to know
what the food consists of. People eat food by looking at TV or reading a book
or magazine or talking seriously with others or watching a program in a tablet.
Then how is it possible for anyone to look at and think about the food they
eat? The fine art of cooking is known to hotel chefs or some of our grand-mothers
who are good at preparing aromatic and tasty food. Whether it is breakfast,
lunch or dinner, the items they prepare will be really tasty if one understands
the components and composition of the food. Food is often processed to suit the
taste buds of our tongue. The raw food, as the animals eat does not taste much
for humans. Even the salads are seasoned with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. At
the same time fruits are eaten as such in most cases.
In fact, the food we eat is grown by
someone out there in the farm known as the farmer who is the ‘annadada’ for all of us. The farmer
sows the seeds, irrigates, fertilizes, protects, harvests, threshes, boils,
mills and makes into the white rice and it is sold in the market. We, the
consumers go to the shop and buy depending on our preference for fineness and
aroma. In the real sense, farming is the biggest job on earth. Although we all
know it, most of us are reluctant to do this job, because of obvious reasons.
It involves hard work in the sun and rain. One has to be careful all through
the season to bring out a better crop. The profession of farming is harder than
any other profession. People nowadays try to avoid hard physical work. New
technologies invent machineries to help man to lead an easy and comfortable
life. That is how the farming in every country is progressing and we get our
food without much problem. Farming in future is going to be revolutionized for
producing bumper crop yields to feed the ever increasing population. However it
is our duty to acknowledge the efforts of farmers who feed us every day.
I used to think of the food I eat every time. What
is in the plate? How each item is produced and how it reaches my plate? Which
item is good for me? How much I have to eat? – are the simple questions I pose
myself whenever I eat my food. It is fascinating to go into the details of food
producing, processing and serving. Nowadays food processing has taken a lead in
every country. Processed foods are costly and they are exported to other
countries to earn more money. Thus the trade flourishes. In fact, in the
Western world, serving food itself is an art. The French people as far as I
know are very good at it. They usually take considerable time on the table
discussing the food they prepare. I learned from them the importance of
thinking about what I eat. So it will be worth trying for all of you who read
this memo. Bon appetite!
SPONSOR
NARA’S NOTEPAD thank
Dr. A. Appa Rao, Former Vice-Chancellor
of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University,
Hyderabad
for
sponsoring
March 2014 to
Dec. 2014 issues.
VALUES...
Most of us go through life always wanting more and better. Being
in this state of constant desire does not coexist with peace of mind. It is
normal to want a better life for ourselves and our families, but we have to
balance our goals with the cost. How much does this promotion, vacation, new
purchase, cost in terms of real life? Corporations and their advertisers are
out to make money. Advertising is one-way communication persuading us to buy
things we may not need or want. The good things in life are free, life itself,
friendship and nature. Whatever we do possess in the end we must leave it all
behind.
BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD
v Always
be looking (Notice the ground beneath your feet)
v Consider
everything alive and animate.
v Everything
is interesting, look closer.
v Alter
your course often.
v Notice
the stories going on around you.
v Document
your findings.
v Observe
movements.
v Create
a personal dialogue with your environment. Talk to it.
v Trace
things back to their origins.
v Use
all of the senses in your investigations.
TO QUOTE...
Being
right keeps you in place, being wrong
forces you to explore. – Steven Johnson
Discontent is the first necessity of progress. – Thomas Alva Edison
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second
best time is now. – Chinese Proverb.
Nothing binds you except your thoughts; nothing limits you
except your fear; and nothing controls you except your beliefs. – Marianne Williamson
LINES I LIKED...
Ø
Listen to advice
but do what feels right for you.
Ø
Every problem has
its inbuilt solution.
Ø
No breakthrough
can happen without effort.
Ø
Don’t create
complications where there is none.
Ø
Think of
repercussions before you speak your mind.
AGED TO NOTE...
1. Never say 'I am too old:” There are three ages, chronological, biological,
and psychological. The first is calculated based on our date of birth; the
second is determined by the health conditions and the third is how old you feel
you are.
2. Health is wealth: If you really love your kids and kin, taking care
of yourself and your health should be your priority. Thus, you will not be a
burden to them. Have an annual health check-up and take the prescribed
medicines regularly. Take out a health care insurance coverage.
3. Money is important: Money is essential for meeting the
basic necessities of life, keeping good health and earning family respect and
security. Don't spend beyond your means even for your children. You have lived
for them throughout, and it is time you enjoyed a harmonious life with your
spouse. If your children are grateful they should take care of you. But never
take it for granted.
4. Relaxation and recreation: The most relaxing and
recreating forces are healthy, good sleep, music and laughter. Learn to
sleep well, love good music, and see the fun side of life.
5. Time is precious It is almost like holding a horse's
reins. When they are in your hands, you can control them. Imagine that every
day you are born again. Yesterday is a paid cheque. Tomorrow is a promissory
note. "Today is ready cash; use it profitably. Live this moment".
6. Change is the only permanent thing: We should accept change;
it is inevitable. The only way to make sense out of change is to join the
dance. Change has brought about many pleasant things.
7. Enlightened selfishness: All of us are basically selfish. Whatever we do, we
expect something in return. We should definitely be grateful to those who stood
by us. But, our focus should be on the internal satisfaction and happiness we
derive by doing good to others, without expecting anything in return but
the warm glow we get, which in the end, is what we really want.
8. Forgive, then Forget: Don't be bothered too much about others' mistakes.
We are not spiritual enough to show our other cheek when we are slapped on one
cheek. But, for the sake of our own health and happiness, let us forgive and
forget them. Otherwise, we will only be increasing our BP.
9. Everything has a reason; a purpose: Take life as it comes.
Accept yourself as you are, and also accept others for what they are. Everybody
is unique and right in their own ways.
10. Overcome the fear of death: We all know that one day
we have to leave this world. Still we are afraid of death. We think that our
spouse and children will be unable to withstand our loss. But the truth is that
no one is going to die for you; they may be depressed for some time. Time heals
everything and they will carry on. Remember, no one leaves this world alive.
JUST TO LAUGH...
A woman walked into the
kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter.
“What
are you doing?” she asked.
“Hunting
flies,” he responded.
“Oh!
Killing any?” she asked.
“Yep,
3 males, 2 females,” he replied
Intrigued,
she asked, “How can you tell them apart?” He responded, 3 were on a beer can, 2
were on the telephone.”
During a
‘generation-gap’ quarrel with his parents, young Sunny cried, ‘I want
excitement, adventure, money and beautiful women. I’ll never find it here at
home, so I’m leaving. Don’t try and stop me!’ With that he headed for the door.
His father rose and followed closed behind.
Didn’t you hear what I said? I don’t want you to try and stop me. ‘Who
is trying to stop you?’ replied his father. ‘If you wait a minute, I’ll go with
you.’
THE PAST...
Worrying
about something that has already happened is a complete waste of time. There is
absolutely nothing you can do to change it. Consider it a learning experience
that will make you smarter and a better person. Review what has happened enough
to draw conclusions about what to do, and what not to do, in the future. Then
forget the experience permanently.
Always say
YES to opportunities!
Meet you
next month – April, 2014
Professor
A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP
Ph : 0422 2423017 Mobile : 098422 42301
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)