Thoughts Talk

Love, Work & Give as if you'll die tonight. Dream Like Children as if you're gonna live forever. To gain an understanding of the shortness and preciousness of life and how to make it meaningful we need to reflect on the fact that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain. These points may seem obvious but we rarely stop to accept the truth of them. When we consider that death is certain we can reflect on several points :: there is no possible way to escape death [nobody ever has], life has a definite, inflexible limit and each moment brings us closer to the end of this life, and death comes in a moment and it's time is unexpected [and even while alive we devote very little of our life to spiritual practice]. When reflecting on the fact that the time of death in uncertain we can analyse this further by recognising that :: the duration of our lifespan is uncertain young people can die before old people, the healthy before the sick, etc. ther

इमा नारीरविधवाः सुपत्नीराञ्जनेन सर्पिषा संविशन्तु अनश्रवो.अनमीवाः सुरत्ना आ रोहन्तु जनयोयोनिमग्रे “Let these un-widowed dames with noble husbands adorn themselves with fragrant balm and unguent. Decked with fair jewels, tearless, free from sorrow, first let the dames go up to where he lieth.” ~Rig Veda :: Book 10 :: Section 18, Hymn 7 This means that all the people [including the women who might visit the coffin ahead of men] can attend the ritual of cremation. No one is suggested to be committing sati/suttee. It is also clear that the guests are not required to appear uncharacteristically and hopelessly mournful, dress shabbily or adorn special funeral attire, but present themselves in the most elegant and appealing manner.

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly you can get back your focus on what's important. I learned it in the back of a Harare City taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi and we took off for Westgate. We were driving when all of a sudden a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches! Here's what happened next. The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. How do I know? Ask any Zimbabwean, some words in Harare come with a special face. Now, here's what blew me away. My taxi driver just smiled

"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character." ~Albert Einstein TRUST It is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation. A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, "Public Utilities Board." There was silence. She repeated, "PUB." There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she Heard a lady's voice, "Oh, so this is PUB. Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is." Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just "hello" instead of "PUB". NO POINTING FINGERS A man asked his father-in-law, "Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me

It doesn't seem to me that this fantastically marvelous universe, this tremendous range of time and space and different kinds of animals, and all the different planets, and all these atoms with all their motions, and so on, all this complicated thing can merely be a stage so that God can watch human beings struggle for good and evil - which is the view that religion has. The stage is too big for the drama. ~Richard Feynman

“I am the ‘I’ in INDIA” The day I was born in this country, this country was born in me. I can feel it running through my guts when I am angry and excited. I can feel it throbbing through my veins when I am glad and rejoicing!! Starting today I have decided that I would not point fingers at anyone anymore instead those fingers would be pointed at me. I am the system that does not work. I am the pot hole that does not get filled. I am the FIR that does not get registered. I am the bridge that does not get built. Everything that’s wrong with this country starts with me and will soon end with me. So I take responsibility to contribute my part of action for this country. “I am INDIA and INDIA is me.”

I'm no more courageous than anyone else. I just feel that photography is important. And I will do what is required to show what is happening. I have a sense of the ultimate—death. And sometimes I must say, "To hell with that." ~Larry Burrows [LIFE Photographer Larry Burrows, two-time winner of the Robert Capa award* for "superlative photography requiring exceptional courage and enterprise"] [SOURCE :: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,902838,00.html ?]

There is an amusing story concerning Alexander, the Great. When he came to India, he found that the Indians were a race of brave, fearless people. He made friends with them. When he was about to return to his country, he remembered that his people had asked him to bring to them an Indian yogi. They had heard a lot about yogis and were very desirous of seeing one, meeting him, hearing him speak and receiving his blessings. Alexander was told that the yogis dwelt in the forest. In quest of a yogi he went to a forest. Sure enough, he found one sitting underneath a tree, in deep meditation. He waited patiently until the yogi opened his eyes. They shone with a strange, mystic light. Reverently, Alexander requested the yogi to accompany him to Greece, saying. "I will give you everything you need or ask for. But, pray, do come with me. My people would love to meet you!" The yogi quietly answered, "I need nothing, I am happy where I am!" This was the first time that anyone

[For !st December 2007] Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"? To this Arthur Ashe replied: The world over -- 5 crore children start playing tennis, 50 lakh learn to play tennis, 5 lakh learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD "Why me?". And today in pain I should not be asking GOD "Why me?" Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, Sorrow keeps u Human, Failure Keeps u Humble, Success keeps u Glowing, But only God Keeps u Going...

Do you want something -- Will you pay the price The great sin -- Gossip. The great crippler -- Fear. The greatest mistake -- Giving up. The most satisfying experience -- Doing your duty first. The best action -- Keep the mind clear and judgment good. The greatest blessing -- Good health. The biggest fool - The man who lies to himself. The great gamble -- Substituting hope for facts. The most certain thing in life -- Change. The greatest joy -- Being needed. The cleverest man -- The one who does what he thinks is right. The most potent force -- Positive thinking. The greatest opportunity -- The next one. The greatest thought -- God. The greatest victory -- Victory over self. The best play -- Successful work. The greatest handicap -- Egotism. The most expensive indulgence -- Hate. The most dangerous man -- The liar The most ridiculous trait -- False pride. The greatest loss -- Loss of self confidence. The greatest need -- Common sense.

I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now. But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow. And as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. Haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough. But I've got loving ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough. I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He's bestowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. I remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin. But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again. So Lord, help me not to gripe, about the tough rows I have hoed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. If God gives me strength and courage, When the way grows steep and rough. I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy, to help

Buddha answers to a question "katham vayam duHkham tyajemeti?" "कथम् वयम् दुःखम् त्यजेमेति?" "ichChaa duHkhasya kAraNam |" "इच्छा दुःखस्य कारणम् ।"

It seems to me that, in every culture, I come across a chapter headed “Wisdom.” And then I know exactly what is going to follow: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” ~Ludwig Josef Johann Wittgenstein (April 26, 1889 – April 29, 1951)

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked. "Oh yeah," said the son. "So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our

भगवान बुद्ध ने अपने शिष्यों को उपदेश देते हुए बताया - " वर्तमान मे हम जो कुछ हें अपने विचारों के कारण हैं और भविष्य में जो कुछ भी बनेंगे , वह भी अपने विचारों के कारण ." Lord Buddha while giving a sermon to his students said: "Whatever we are... We are because of our thoughts. Whatever we become in future, will be because of our thoughts."

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste. To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he wanted to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well. So it is with us. If we build our lives in a distracted way, rea

Happiness is when... what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony... !!..

A brilliant young professor went to meet a famous Zen master to have a discussion with him on Zen. He found himself in front of a modest house. He rang the doorbell and waited. A while later, he heard shuffling footsteps and the door was opened by the Zen master. He invited the professor to sit with him on the dining table. The professor was a little disappointed with the shabby appearance of the Zen master. He started quizzing him immediately on comparative philosophies and the Zen master gave some brief answers. the professor began to debate with him on those answers, the Zen master stopped speaking and kept smiling at him. Finally, the professor got angry. He said, "I have come from a long distance just to understand the relevance of Zenism. But apparently you have nothing to say. I have not learnt anything from you at all. At this point, the Zen master asked the professor to have some tea. When the professor held the cup, the Zen master started pouring tea into it. After some

The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect. *Source: An E-Mail Forward

Deep down the country, there is a village, Where oxen of variety are bred at large, It’s been a custom for farmers in the world, To visit the village picking oxen around. Testing their strength, oxen are picked up, Little they can guess, where they end up, But they’ve liberty, to select their owner, So farmers show off their beauty & glamour. A farmer is known by his name & fame, Oxen at this farmer take up an aim, It’s sure they can not peep-in and see, They hold his hands, beaming in glee. There it stands, the farm of honour, Oxen are yoked to plough at order, Days, weeks and months will pass, Oxen will plough and graze the grass. Then comes for oxen a time of reward, Farmer reaps because they work hard, With gleaming eyes, oxen will wait, Only to see their reward isn’t right. Oxen will group up with fellows alike, To face the farmer with request & strike, For quite a long they hue and cry, One day they stop, their mouths are dry. It’s not, who’s right & who’s wrong,

Steve Jobs Is CEO Of Apple Computers & Pixar Animation Studios. Click To Read The Text Of His Commencement Address To The Student's Of Stanford University.

There was a one hour interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the second richest man who has donated $31 billion to charity. Here are some very interesting aspects of his life: (1) He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late! (2) He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers. (3) He still lives in the same small 3 bedroom house in mid-town omaha, that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence. (4) He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him. (5) He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company. (6) His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. (7) He has given his CEO's only

Ever heard the story of the giant ship engine that failed? The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine. Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom. Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed ! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars. "What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!" So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill." The man sent a bill that read: Tapping wit

A Mafia Godfather finds out that his book-keeper has duped him for ten million bucks. This book-keeper is deaf and it was considered an occupational benefit why he got the job in the first place, since it was assumed that a deaf book-keeper would not be able to hear anything and never have to testify in court. When the Godfather goes to shake down the book-keeper about his missing $10 million bucks, he takes along his lawyer, who knows sign language. The Godfather asks the book-keeper: "Where is the $10 million bucks you embezzled from me?" The lawyer, using sign language, asks the book-keeper where the money is hidden. The book-keeper signs back: "I don't know what you are talking about." The lawyer tells the Godfather: "He says he doesn't know what you'retalking about." That's when the Godfather pulls out a 9mm pistol, puts it to the book-keeper' s temple, cocks it up and says: "Ask him again!" The attorney signs to the unde

Story# 1 When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C. And what did the Russians do...??.. They used a pencil. Story# 2 One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan 's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly! line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. ~William Wordsworth, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," 1804

Life is a possibility , embrace it . Life is beautiful , admire it . Life is wonderful , enjoy it . Life is a dream , follow it . Life is a bewilderment , face it . Life is a mission , fulfill it . Life is a game , play it . Life is a treasure , cherish it . Life is rich , savior it . Life is lovely , revere it . Life is a mystery , uncover it . Life is pain , endure it . Life is a song , sing it . Life is a tragedy , forbear it . Life is luck , benefit from it . Life is an adventure , be regardful of it . Life is very precious , delight in it . Life is a war , learn from it . Life is life , fight for it . ~MOTHER TERESA (Translated in English by Masiela Lusha, "Life")