NARA’S NOTEPAD
VOLUME 14
FEBRUARY 2018
NUMBER 2
Thursday, February 8, 2018
MEMO FROM NARA
Almost every town/city is situated on either sides of a
river – big or small. River provides mainly water for the inhabitants. In some
rivers we find water in only some seasons. In others water flows all through
the year. Such rivers are perennial in nature. River Seine in Paris, Thames in
London, Tyne in New Castle, Ganga in Varanasi, Coovam in Chennai are good
examples. In fact, human beings preferred to settle on the banks of these
rivers. Most of our human civilization originated on either side of these great
rivers. River water is not salty so it is suitable for drinking and irrigation.
Some kind of fishes also lives in river water. Rivers do bring silt along and
deposit on the river beds. River sand is in great demand nowadays for the huge
construction industry. The origin of river water is rain or melting snow/ice
from mountains. Generally rivers do not flow straight. They flow according to
the slope and often take a zig zag direction touching various spots delivering
water to this thirsty earth.
The flow of river water is checked by check dams built by
men at various points so that they can tap the precious water for farming,
industries and human needs. The topography of the land helps in establishing
big or small dams. These dams discharge the impounded water whenever needed.
The water in the river is partly used and the rest, unused ones reach the sea
and become salty! As the water scarcity is mounting everywhere on earth, people
try to impound it in dams and tanks preventing it to flow into the sea. Some
big rivers are used for transportation. Small boats are used
to go from one place to other carrying goods or crossing
river. A cheap way of transport indeed! Swimming and bathing in river is a real
joy for all. In festival seasons huge crowds go to river to bath and wash off
their sins.
Rivers travel across States of Nations and also across
Nations of the world.
Scarcity of water leads to larger disputes between States
and Nations. Filing cases in courts leads to complications. If more water is
available, then sharing becomes easy. At times, when water becomes limiting all
kinds of problems arise. Each State or Nation fully utilize the water for their
use and the rest is let out to others. This is quite normal. River water
problems exist everywhere on earth. When flooding occurs, rivers overflow and
water enters either side of the rivers and damage crops and human settlements.
In order to cross the river, bridges are being constructed at various points.
Road and rail bridges are generally constructed across rivers. Some of the
bridges are really engineering marvels.
Thus rivers are essential for all living organisms. Some of
the rivers are damaged by dumping trashes and industrial effluents. But in
certain countries like UK and Singapore I witnessed clean rivers with clean
water. So it is possible to have rivers of such standard everywhere on earth if
human beings want.
SUNDER PITCHAI SAYS
1. Think about
what is next.
2. Empower
people.
3. Idea
matters.
4. Take risks.
5. Be an
optimist.
6. Solve
problems.
7. Follow your dreams.
8. Have a good
morning routine.
9. Do what you
love.
10. Push
yourself.
GETTING MORE OUT OF LIFE
1. Stop resisting change and see it as
a constant in life.
2. Learn to enjoy, and value solitude.
3. Never forget that friendship is a
gift, not a possession.
4. Things are rarely as bad as they
seem at first.
5. Do your most important tasks first
thing in the morning.
6. Smiling seems to help with most
things!
7. Schedule margin into your life – as
something unexpected will often change your plans.
8. QTIP: quit taking it personally.
9. Define what’s necessary; say no to
the rest.
10. Take a deep breath and wait before
responding. Don’t react, and say something you’ll regret.
COPING WITH AN AWFUL DAY
1. Distract yourself. Let your mind
wander and think about fun things you’ve planned; or watch a funny movie; or
call up a friend.
2. Play your favorite music.
3. Try and balance out your terrible
day by thinking of something that went really well recently.
4. Try and squeeze in time for
exercise. The endorphins this releases will help to lift your mood.
5. Don’t isolate yourself. Research
shows that we generally feel better if we spend time with others, rather than
retreating and being on our own.
6. Try to maintain perspective. Ask
yourself, “How much will this matter - a week, month or year from now?”
7. Try journaling. Many people find
that just writing things down helps to drain away the negativity.
8. Go to bed early and try to fall
asleep … And remember that tomorrow is another day.
JUST TO LAUGH
A man asks a farmer near a field, “Sorry sir, would you mind
if I crossed your field instead of going around it? You see, I have to catch
the 4:23 train.”
The farmer says, “Sure, go right ahead. And if my bull sees you, you’ll even catch the 4:11 one.”
The farmer says, “Sure, go right ahead. And if my bull sees you, you’ll even catch the 4:11 one.”
“My wife suffers from a drinking problem.”
-“Oh is she an alcoholic?”
-“No, I am, but she’s the one who suffers.”
Doctor: Hello, did you come to see me with an eye problem?
Patient: Wow, yes, how can you tell?
Doctor: Because you came in through the window instead of the door.
EMOTIONS
There are only two emotions – love and fear.
All the others we feel are built around those two central aspects. If we feel
compassionate, kind, gentle, supportive, caring, empathic, humorous, joyful,
these emotions are all based upon love. Wanting what is best for someone,
helping an elderly lady across the road or a friend dismantle his motorbike,
these are actions based upon love.
Think about all the different kinds of love.
There’s parental love, filial love, sisterly/brotherly love, love of nature and
animals, love of good food and wine, love for mankind, sexual love, and
platonic love and so on.
Fear is the basis for what we regard as the
“darker” emotions – anger, jealousy, hatred, self-righteousness, envy,
selfishness, superiority, inferiority, and so on. Violence comes from fear, as
do the feelings that drive it. Sarcasm comes from fear. Putting others down is
fear-based. If we were able to get under the skin of these feelings, we would
find fear based upon early or even primitive stuff. Some of the fears will be
personal to ourselves, some will be archetypal. – Jonny Chuter
LINES I LIKED
- Ø A life with no imagination is a life of imprisonment.
- Ø A life with no inspiration is a life of stagnation.
- Ø A little rest will recreate forces but too much rest degenerates into laziness and brainless, dreamy longings.
- Ø A lot of people always focus on the negative.
Friday, January 12, 2018
MEMO FROM NARA
We appreciate people who perform
better than others. So appreciation is considered as the reward for them. In
fact, everyone likes to be appreciated because appreciation brings both
happiness and encouragement. Sometimes it acts as a tonic. Sportsmen and women
do their best in National and International competitions and get appreciated by
gold/silver/bronze medals. Similarly teachers who train students and make them
knowledgeable and responsible citizens of our country also get great
appreciation. Thus all kinds of activities deserve appreciation which is
expressed in various forms. The activities are recognized, respected, admired
and awarded. In everyday life we see people appreciate the good deeds done by
some and also talk high about the good qualities of such personalities of
repute.
Appreciation is not communicated in
words or expressed explicit but only felt within the mind. On the other hand,
nowadays appreciations are expressed openly by offering a certificate of
appreciation or mementos or cash prize.
Competition in sports and games is
recognized by offering millions of dollars for the winning person or teams.
Such awards are offered to appreciate the outstanding achievements. The
services of a person are appreciated at the time of his/her retirement.
Personalities who have contributed
to the well-being of human society are highly appreciated. Authors of good books
are also appreciated by the readers of those books. Music, dance, painting,
acting, teaching, treating patients, designing are some of the professions
where people excel and achieve greatness. They deserve appreciation.
Likewise, nature, flowers, gardens,
monuments, art etc. are also being appreciated. Beautiful things are generally
appreciated at least by saying they are good, excellent, awesome, and fabulous
or super. In fact, I find such comments from friends for my postings in
Facebook. Such appreciations encourage me to post more of interesting messages
and photos. So a person who is appreciated will certainly do more than what is
expected from him/her.
The joy one
derives from the appreciations received from others – known or unknown – is
immense. It is more so with children. Every activity they do has to be
appreciated. That makes them happy and keeps them encouraged. Indeed, it is a
motivation! Such appreciations go long way to shape the future of children.
This mantra is known to mothers and teachers. So appreciation is a wonderful
tool; it recognizes what is excellent in others and us as well.
It is better to know a few things which are good and
necessary than many things which are useless and mediocre. What a great treasure
can be hidden in a small, selected library! A company of the wisest and the
most deserving people from all the civilized countries of the world, for
thousands of years can make the results of their studies and their wisdom
available to us. The thought which they might not even reveal to their best
friends is written here in clear words for us, people from another century.
Yes, we should be grateful for the best books, for the best spiritual
achievement in our lives. – R. W. Emerson
HOW TO BE SOCIAL?
1.
Give your energy level a boost.
It’s hard to be friendly, and to focus on others, if you’re feeling really
tired and would rather be in bed. To keep going, grab some coffee or a bite to
eat, or go outside for a few minutes, and get some cool, fresh air.
2.
Have some tactics at the ready if you
don’t know the people – or if you have to be with people
you would rather avoid. For example, if you don’t like the people, ask a friend
to go with you … and have a great excuse for leaving once you’ve done the
minimum.
3.
Plan ahead to avoid conflict.
Aim to stay in control of your reactions and emotions – and resist the pressure
to take part in arguments.
4.
Control your contribution.
If you’re quiet and introverted then value you who you are. Don’t expect
yourself to be a party animal. Show respect for yourself by taking time out if
you need to, and only talk to people that you want to be around.
5.
See it as a chance to practices a
few social skills. Take the pressure off yourself by practicing your social skills.
For example, ask a few open questions, and keep the focus on the speaker. Try
and come across as friendly through your use of body language – like making
good eye contact and smiling while you talk.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT):
It
is based on the principle that thoughts influence feelings, feelings influence
actions, and actions influence results, or life circumstances. In other words,
situations don’t make us feel certain ways. People don’t make us feel certain
ways. It’s how we interpret (or think about) situations or things people say or
do that influences how we feel.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
JUST TO LAUGH
Patient to his doctor: I have forgotten
so many things lately, and it’s getting worse. What can I do?
Doctor: Yes, this is a known illness, unfortunately it has no cure. I’d also like to remind you about the Rs. 1000 that you owe me?
Doctor: Yes, this is a known illness, unfortunately it has no cure. I’d also like to remind you about the Rs. 1000 that you owe me?
Judge: “Why did you steal the car?”
Man: “I had to get to work.”
Judge: “Why didn’t you take the bus?”
Man: I don’t have a driver’s license for the bus.
Man: “I had to get to work.”
Judge: “Why didn’t you take the bus?”
Man: I don’t have a driver’s license for the bus.
I’ve read so many horrible things about drinking and smoking recently that I made a new, firm New Year’s resolution: NO MORE READING!
THE THREE Is
IMAGINATION: A child’s imagination is a wealth of
ideas and innovations. This contributes to creativity, flexible thinking and
endless inspiration extending into adulthood. It requires time for personal
reflection and free play through tasks that the children are personally
interested in.
INQUISITIVENESS: Creative people are inquisitive
enough to identify problems and then persistently explore them until they come
up with new solutions. Children should be encouraged to be curious and always
ask “why” and “why not” instead of losing that spark as they grow older and
learn that answers are more important questions.
INTERCONNECTIONS: According to neuroscience, innovation
draws on the whole brain. School curriculum should drive students to “join the
dots” and make rich, deep and unexpected links between the different things
they learn. Much innovation happens when unexpected skills collide across
different fields.
LINES I LIKED
A kind word will give more
pleasure than a present.
Ø A large majority of people are
controlled by their habits.
Ø A lawyer makes an asset out of
his lie-ability.
Ø A liar needs a good memory.
Ø A lie told with good intention is
also truth.
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