NARA'S NOTEPAD: February 2017

NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 13

MARCH 2017

NUMBER 3

NARA'S NOTEPAD

SUPPORTED BY READERS

LIKE YOU

NARA’S NOTEPAD

THANK

Prof. T. V. Chalam, Assoc. Dean, ANGRAU (Retd.),

Director, Sri Lakshmi Educational Institutions, Narsingraopet,

Kurnool – 518 004; Ph. 9642657742

for sponsoring Sept. 2016 to Aug. 2017 issues.

IT IS BETTER TO GO BY REASON

THAN BY FAITH

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.