POST 28 - CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES.. WHAT ARE THEY IN OUR LIFE? #WriteAPageADay

The Great Man forever used to carry the sacred thread on his body. People close to him who observed him for long asked,

"When you preach and practice Oneness so much, why do you still carry this piece of thread on your body?"

The Great Man smiled and said,

"Years back, my mother had tied this thread on my body with a belief in her heart that it does eternal good to me. I'll totally honor that belief of hers by ever carrying this on my body. But if the thread by itself tears off and goes, I, myself will not replace that with a new one!"

That's how Great Men and Women of my country ever carried their importance to the customs and practices of their ancestries indicating the true respect they had therein!

Every one without an exception identifies with his/her

• Parents,
• Mother tongue,
• Native place or place of his/her early years,
• Close associates,
• His/her own personal achievements etc..etc..

I am none to question there his/her identification as well as none to try altering it by force or thru' brain washing..

It's a cruel act, if I am attempting doing that and there I should point out myself and question myself

'If some trys doing that, what is my ultimate personality?'

Sure, a devastated personality..

But

Survival forces are beyond that identification, driven to corner, I am sure going to accept the change..

Keeping an individual in that state, no civilized community should do it if I call myself human being and belong to civilized community..

In this list forever comes next

My Religion/Belief as well as my Non belief

Comprising of my

CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES!

Keywords: CUSTOMS, PRACTICES, #WriteAPageADay  

POST 27 - NO DOUBT, LIFE BEGINS AT 40! #WriteAPageADay

"Agreed..The saying goes..

'Life begins at 40!'

And I concur with that in general as there is some meaning to this saying but not always. At times, I've seen people between 30 and 40 too talking/expressing like people of 50s and above. Seen in such a context, the saying is not that widely correct..

You know.. When I discussed this topic with one of my known very senior citizen, what he said in that context?

'Dear! What you said may be true for some people when they were about to reach 40 say from 37 and above onwards roughly exceptions extending to few years below. But all such cases may not be really out of true maturity but out of something lacking of that!'

I am sure there is something wrong with this senior to say so. At late 60s, he assesses people with him and talks thus. I don't know how people call him a highly matured person. It's not right to think that being senior, he knows everything. Better, we cross check sometimes on what he talks..

I tell you there can't be such great age bar in all these and the statement said is just a generalized statement. For some, maturity can sure come at a young age itself and some may not get that concept even at 50 and above. That's my final assessment!"

Thus was talking a gentleman of early 30s..

Heard later in a private conversation of some of the very senior citizens..

"That person of early 30s, is really a bit insensitive and lacks maturity. For everything almost, he comes forward and says he knows. Knowing is okay and that's not that great, but

When to talk,
Where to talk and most importantly

knowing well that a person of more of his age can't have lesser maturity even if the person had chosen to be dumb in dealing with many issues of life and talking in front of those ages and the issues irrelevant to that age

Itself shows that he is immature the other way and he needs lots of advising not to open his talk thus in certain places!"

Keywords: LIFE, #WriteAPageADay

POST 26 - POINTING OUT #WriteAPageADay

"You know that close cousin of mine.. Last Sunday, we visited the famous.... and this person's house is very close to that place. I rang up to him and said we have come on a holiday to see.... and enquired his welfare.. 

I expected that he would call us home since we came so much distance and in fact went there with a preparation too to see him and spend sometime with his family. But to our surprise, he said he was very busy, just enquired about us and cut the phone!"

"Dear!  This person might have behaved wrongly but forget about the incident and start living your normal life. That's always better!"

"What are you saying, Sir?  How can I forget this? I agree that he was busy and he could not stop his immediate works for me. But is that the way to reply and keep the phone down? He should have at least called us home even though he might be going away on his busy work. Why this min courtesy was lacking with him? I tell you he deliberately did that. It's all very clear here!"

"I agree that you are hurt with all this but still the better way of keeping this relationship is...."

"See Sir, I'm not a saint here to forgive the wrong doings of the other person which hurt me deep. I very much feel here that even if nothing would have been possible too, he could have simply invited us some time later to his house and.... How can he forget his basic duty very much there in our relationship which often every one speaks of?"

"No dear!  I don't mean all that and do what you like since it's your freedom here and you too should behave in a way that he does not take you easy.. 

Leaving that single action remember, 

It is said when one points at the other person with a feeling of revenge, 3 fingers of that person are doing the same to that one reminding the default action in this scenario from that individual.. 

Meaning.. Concentrating on tit for tat.. Are you getting it?"

"xxxxx?"

"What exactly he had done now, you too are planning to do the same at the back of this revenge feeling in you defaulting on yours the same basic duty towards him. If he is very much wrong in such an action, then I can say with a 100% confidence that you too are equally wrong in your such decision.. 

How as an honest listener and adviser I can tick you here as right while striking him off as the wrong doer?

Keywords: POINTING, OUT, #WriteAPageADay     

POST 25 - WHEN I SAY.. 'IT'S A NUISCENCE!'.. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? #WriteAPageADay

When I say.. ‘It's a nuisance!’ 

The words have a deep meaning because there is nothing like ‘nuisance’ in the world around me. The living in total is going on..

As the world lives through dynamic moments of life, I continuously interpret the right of every one and give marks for all behaviors around me..

These evaluations are based on a deep feeling in me that.. ‘I am doing the best, I like rest of the people appreciating me every moment and I should not be pointed out at any time!’ This attitude in me alone brings out the definition of ‘Nuisance..'

When questioned if I were wrong, I may quickly go into my cocoon to say that I was only calling a spade a spade.  The fallacy here is that this spade is not a fixed entity but changing continuously in time..

So, can I pause, look into the dynamic aspects of every situation and give a chance for the other person to express/act in the way he/she is propelled but correct only to prevent any serious damage on either side?

Seen this way, nothing is a nuisance but a passing phase of life and in this scenario, I am only waiting patiently for a Natural Change around me; that’s all!

Keyword: NUISCENCE, #WriteAPageADay    

POST 24 - WHAT TO DO? WHAT NOT TO DO? #WriteAPageADay

“Sir! Presently, most of my day goes in taking Care of my

Body,
Working/Earning,
Family Responsibilities and
Personal Activities around..

Thus, almost I find no time to do what I very much want to do in my life and further I don’t see that happening in coming up future too with this type of life style presently with me.. What's the way?"

“Dear! I agree that ultimately, you should do what you like to do in your life and nothing less at anytime but I've a question here.

Do you really know what you want to do in your life?

I doubt very much as none of us know that so easily and may be almost never too in this life..

What you experience that something you want to do is mostly at a very weak level and is never strongly felt at this moment in you as the other forces in you are too strongly covering up there and they can bring in untold misery if not taken care in time..

In fact, if I can say the other way..

The activities you are presently doing are the ones you really like to do at this moment!

So better we continue doing these endless activities you mentioned mostly thru’ out our life and wait patiently for the Almighty’s Grace to descend on us whatever be the level thru’

A Daily Prayer at the end of the day and thus remain Blessed!

The Great Saint alone could take in one hand Gold and in the other mud and could throw both of them into the Sacred River declaring

“Both are the same to me!”

As I am very much Limited in experiencing such a Great Freedom in me at this moment, it's ever safe for me to do that alone

What our elders have repeatedly told us to do and
What the Scripture have reiterated that one should do i.e.,

What you are doing endlessly today!”

Keywords: WHAT, DO, #WriteAPageADay       

POST 23 - A CARE IN THIS DIRECTION IS MUST! #WriteAPageADay

“Father, we are all grown up and are in mid thirties. We live with families and the associated responsibilities. Still we are finding that you many times point us out and admonish us for certain lapses in our doings. We agree that we do mistakes in life but we are correcting ourselves continuously and are coming soon to the right path.. 

All around us also say that we are capable that way. You see, our own responsibilities force us to learn all these! In fact we are managing from this end to that end without a help. We are managing our works, earning decent salaries, saving monies, reasonably spending and living thus. What else we have to do?”

“Yes My dear! What all you have said is true and I can doubly confidently say that it is more than expected for your ages. That way I am happy.”

“Then what else is there? Why is all this admonishing? Why can’t you take rest and leave the rest to us?”

“You see, what all you have described is the way of living the life.This living is a technique and everyone one sooner or later develops these skills except a few. But, one is rarely aware that life for an individual can see all of a sudden the edge of a cliff in front, take a turn in any direction abruptly or may totally take a ‘U’ turn. 

Are you aware and prepared for these eventualities also in life? 

I should always plan in such a way that I, most of the times, will never encounter an edge in life. Next, if I encounter an abrupt turn, I should move with sufficient precautions to see that the turn is minimum. The last, a ‘U’ turn in life means back to earlier levels which Nature forces me if I do not listen to Her. A discipline here saves me from falling into the ditch of taking a ‘U’ turn at any time!

If you are all truly prepared for these three eventualities, you surely are the ones who need no lessons and further the ones who can teach and guide others. Where do you stand now in this scenario?”

Keywords: CARE, #WriteAPageADay 

POST 22 - PREPAREDNESS IN LIFE.. WHAT'S IT ULTIMATELY? #WriteAPageADay

“Sir, what is preparedness in life?”

“My dear! I always live with my wishful thinking and will be interested as well as will be working to see that it reasonably materializes with restoration of the associated happiness.. 

But happenings around would never match with this wishful thinking except to a certain extent due to timely interventions from my side.. 

Thus, as I plan for a sequence of actions to achieve my wishful thinking, the results are also sequential.. 

The sum total of these results should match approximately with my wishful thinking else I would be restless!

In order to see that one would be able to face the reality of happenings, our elders have repeatedly advised us to take certain specific precautions and impose checks at various stages of living so that I would be able to steer my aspirations as well as modify my actions well in time towards this reality.. 

To have such a control and strength to steer my wishful thinking in the direction of happenings as my life moves on, the plans and pre-actions that I would be doing in total is the 

'Preparedness in my life!'

If I break down the events of my life into stages of achievement, the preparedness invariably exists for each stage of achievement.. 

The cost, time and effort involved in being prepared for each one of these stages would never go waste as that may not fulfill all of my wishful thinking but surely return to me a lot in terms of restored confidence throughout my life!”

Keywords: PREPAREDNESS, LIFE, #WriteAPageADay     

POST 21 - THE GREATNESS OF GOODNESS! #WriteAPageADay

Good people with me are my true close people.. 

I generally do not recognize the greatness of those good people till I face a problem with the so called not good person..

I should remember that all good people too have their own personal beliefs independent of their good behavior.. 

These beliefs vary widely and may not match with those of mine..

When I continuously live or interact with such people over a period of time, the original goodness is slowly forgotten and the above personal differences are seen more and more. The Saying ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’ applies very much here too.. 

Those differences propel me to get off quickly from those good people or if forced to live together will result in continuous strained relations..

When I am thus forcibly off from such people in mental plane, another set of people do take their place in my psychological world.. 

Such people are never basically good as they have captured an opportunity.. 

In that way, I become a pawn in their game and if I look back, it is evident that ultimately, I have come away from the best people around me..

Let me always remember that in life problems do exist, they have got to be resolved, that is why I am here and my time too with me. Let me never get away from good people in this process!

Keyword: GOODNESS, #WriteAPageADay  

POST 20 - A TRUE MEANING TO THE FREEDOM WE ENJOY! #WriteAPageADay

The small time grocery shop owner visited a certain modern Hi-Fi Shop on a requirement. As he was checking his buying needs and in process when accidentally overturned a small equipment, the unhappy owner of the shop remarked,

"Hi Dear.. Be careful in handling the equipment here. They are the costliest ones, you know.. It may not strike you as you are familiar with only the rough handling all your years of life!"

The grocery shop owner conveyed his sorry and soon returned with his purchase..

Days passed and it so happened that the rains failed that year. There was acute famine and soon all essential food items were rationed..

One day there was a long queue in front of the grocery shop..

The owner of Hi-Fi equipment shop closed his shop for half day and stood in the queue to secure his rations. When his turn came and as he layed his hand on one of the food items there, the grocery shop owner remarked..

"Hi Dear! Be careful in handling the items here. They are the costliest ones, you know.. It must have struck to you now alone as you were familiar with only fine handling all these years!"

Thus seen, my original freedom stays with me not because I'm self sufficient with many luxury items around me with sizable finances but because I truly remain part of my food production and supply too at a certain minimum level without fail and there I physically contribute for that to happen..

In such a scenario, I can be sure part of

1) Direct food production,
2) Food supply chain,
3) Food preparation and serving,
4) Food storage and preservation or
5) Minimum consumption and preventing food wastage in the process!

If every one of us, in spite of our busy schedules of day to day life, concentrate in the best possible way continuously to remain part of one of these 5 activities with all dedication, we sure are securing the minimum self sufficiency required in our living and thus have our basic freedom with us..

The Great Man who advocated refraining from violence was away from his Ashram on a day.. Seeing the chance, the enemies all of a sudden attacked the Ashram and caused a known damage.. But the inmates kept themselves calm and away during the attack so that they would not become part of the violence..

The Great Personality, on return knowing what happened condemned the inmates' action saying, 

"In stead of keeping quite as cowards, I would haven truly been happier had you given back to the attackers!"

If every one of us carry this spirit in the right sense and thus move in our life with the awareness of danger zones and the likely activities from our end that can cause this disturbance, we sure are securing the minimum safety required in our living and thus have our basic freedom with us..

As we thus start feeling that whatever we do in our life, those primary activities of ours that directly support the active members in the primary areas of,

Food production and Defence 

we sure are knowing the meaning of our freedom and further are supporting the up-keep of the same in the best possible way!

Keywords: FREEDOM, #WriteAPageADay 

POST 19 - THE ONLY WAY AMIDST CRISIS! #WriteAPageADay

A gentleman of mid forties was a person of hectic activities. He never used to rest for a while but continuously remained busy with many, many activities surrounding him on and on.. 

Along with the busy schedules, he was conctantly a worried person too..

“I don’t know how to handle so many works thrust on me at a time. All these works, need lots of attention and energies. You have to keep a look out everywhere and every moment. Finally, no one knows in which direction the results would be coming.. 

I am totally in a fix and feel that I am squarely caught at this stage. I can neither say 'No' to these nor simply keep quite without bothering in that direction. Now, I understand why people’s tensions are multiplied in mid age!”

Thus he was expressing his anxieties to an elderly well-wisher with him who was a person of understanding and advisor among the known circles..

The well-wisher listening to him all the while, smiled and said, 

“My dear! I understand your anxiety. Truly speaking, neither getting into the issues in front of you was your make nor getting out of the issues as planned is your outlook.. 

You have done no mistake here and the happenings too require no permission from you before they happen that way!  Have patience, keep cool and take off the pressure on you at this moment..”

He paused for a while and continued.. 

"But, I just want to ask you a question at this juncture. How is that you have totally forgotten the presence of The All Powerful behind these happenings precipitating towards an end result? 

The Will of Lord alone ultimately prevails in every inch of these. God alone Steers all the Sails of our Ships in the midst of the Ocean of life where many times it is the calm weather but a few times, the rough one too.. 

But where our Prayers are sincere, there the Almighty will be with us and all good will definitely come through that single action at the end of the day. And this alone is the greatest strength of ours for ever in our lives!"

While leaving, the well-wisher just patted him and said,

“But, dear! Don’t forget that along with the Prayer, we should be doing the so called the 'duties' with us in the best way known to us..

The Lord before hand always expects us be doing these duties with all sincerity when we knock at the Lord's door and here God never allows at anytime, a concession for willful non-doing!

Keywords: CRISIS,  #WriteAPageADay 

POST 18 - IT'S SURE A CHALLENGE; NOTHING MORE THAN THAT! #WriteAPageADay

"This Group Head of mine doesn't specify a single activity to be done to the point. He forever talks loose picking up something here and something there and expects us, the Juniors infer in between and take up necessary action. That way, many of us are often confused on what exactly he expects us to do and by mistake if any one of us asks back, this one straight away humiliates him saying,

• 'You are now a Manager.. Can't you just infer what I meant? If you can't read some one, how do you manage so many trivial issues at your work where the head and tail are never specified and your Client ever expects you to meet the requirement therein to the best of your abilities.

• Rise to the occasion, dear! Work life can never be so cool as you think. You have to solely perform here else no go. There's no via media of existing at an average level and take salaries!'

Many times, we are fed up with such constant condemnation. Some times I wonder, why at all I got this promotion. Mondays mean forever a dreaded life!

Compared to this, earlier life was so much cool!"

Thus was pouring out a young Manger his inner tensions at work to his well-wisher on a Sunday Morning..

The well-wisher listened in full to the young man's saying, paused for a while, smiled and said,

"Dear! I understand what you say. You were given a promotion as Manager and your Company wants to see you as a performing Manager bidding bye to the old style of your working where you were given a specific task and asked to just do that..

No doubt, this is the beginning of such tensions at work and as you move up further the ladder of elevation, this questioning becomes much more tough and you are expected to grasp many things from one single line, take timely decisions and act.

But no worries, that's how a typical work life is defined as the individual goes up the ladder of promotions taking up the ever increasing responsibilities. You may be feeling this strange and odd because earlier as a working/supervising personality, you were never tasked with such jobs by your Management.

But no despair here as that is how our life on the earth too is defined if you take a close look at it.

The Almighty had provided a certain environment around us which if rightly made use of would better our lives but if neglected or misused sooner or later, the results sure will be bad.

To tell you the most interesting fact of our life..

• The Lord no doubt provided all that for human to exist at a decent level thru' his/her own effort but never specified what exactly to do in the scenario and how to progress in that context and further never made it clear to human being what happens the next moment totally leaving everything to the individual's understanding, planning and the execution.

When you are managing such vibrant life issues so well at the back of a great enthusiasm all along ascertaining yourself within..

• 'This is my life. I'll make the best out of it and express in the way I want!'

Why are you so much afraid to take up just man made challenges posed to you at your work and instead straight away take with all cool, address and be done away with them?"

Keywords: Manager, Challenge,#WriteAPageADay   

POST 17 -THE SLOW POISON SURE HAD ITS FIRM ROOTS! #WriteAPageADay

• “This is the sacred duty I have taken up in my life. Thru' this work, a great service is done to the humanity. God has truly given me this golden opportunity in my life. I' ll do my best here. Later in my life I sure have to answer the Almighty on this take care!”

Was the proud proclamation of the then man of thirties..

• “These monies involved in the task are the sacred ones. It is said that in all these instances, one is a Trusty and one should work as a Manager to the Trust. I’ll maintain all the details of spending towards development. The records truly speak at any time!” 

Was his assertion at forties..

• “Yes! it looks, spending these monies may not be that much advisable. But how about the chances of giving better life to those involved? The development is at crucial stage. Let me spend in all directions. One or two may go waste but it's still worth the trial. That’s where the true development lies!” 

Was the talk in his fifties..

• “People may talk.. But to do this work, I know how much we have to struggle. Some times, my own monies are spent away because there is no point in waiting. Plus or minus, the welfare activities should go on forever. That’s the aim!” 

Was his defensive attitude in late fifties..

• “I'm retired. I said, my task is over and the required is done. But you know.. They expect me to look after some of special tasks myself only. Actually, I've no energies in that direction. Since I was asked, I can’t say ‘NO..'

• I just do the works from now onwards for a reduced salary. That's very much needed at this stage for my living as I don't have regular income from now onwards. More than that, I leave everything.. Others too can easily handle all these works well!”

Was the final soft talk of the fully grey haired man at the back of a broad smile!

Yes.. Some of the welfare activities were truly done.. The beneficiaries, the young adults of twenties were well placed in their life and society.. Really, well done..

But when carefully looked at the development taken place and the total cost of development incurred over all those years, there was a mismatch and the cost appeared to be more even though all that was justified towards the monies forcibly spent during the struggle and chance taking..

And the big figures in the accounts of the retired man were discretely smiling behind all that justification!

Keywords: true, development, #WriteAPageADay 

POST 16 - A STORY OF DIARIES AROUND 30 YRS BACK! #WriteAPageADay

The young man completed his graduation and got into a job of hectic work schedules. He was in high spirits..

“My job is quite interesting and inspiring.  And my take home pay stands at.... I can do wonders at the back of this earning.  I decided to write my daily Diary of Events. That way I will be alert.  My Manager is a nice guy. Last time I personally met him and he treated me….”

All the time, a beautiful Diary was in his hand!

A few years passed. Unfortunately, the timely promotion was delayed. And the attitude too quickly changed.. 

“This routine is boring. The Manger, now days is charging me unnecessarily for no fault of mine. I can't relax even a minute here. Soon I have to change the job or do something on my own. Even my favorite TV program ended yesterday. Next week, we decided to  go on vacation to the Picturesque Spot which I unnecessarily postponed all these days thinking that leave from work may affect....”

And the Diary was collecting dust!

To every one's surprise, he announced on a day about a good Offer he got in another Company based on his experience and was straight away given the Role of the Manager. A big Role in the Dept!  On the day of his joining the new Company, the newness brought an immediate change in his talk.. 

“I am posted as In-Charge of a very good Team of Engineers. This is great!  I think I have now the best in life. The targets are too tight but they keep all of us on our toes. A good Spirit.. I love my Company! I forgot, I should tell all my people to write their daily Diary of....”

Soon a brand new Diary was in his hand!

Some more years passed. Again, there was no escape from routine and the next promotion was years away.. The talk too was different.. 

“Yeah! I am stuck to this routine and with this Company. I've so many Offers around but leaving the Company at this stage has my own personal problems. See you cannot leave it but if you get into it seriously, it eats out your 24 hrs and sometimes demands 25 hrs/ day.You should be smart here and get off with nice excuses. After all personal life is more important!”

The old Diary on his table was not changed for a long time!

After 2 years, he was made the HOD by default as the continuing Boss retired but with a good jump in salary…. He was back with all pride....“Whatever the Past may be, I love this…. See as Head of the Dept.,  you can do many things in your Company…. Earlier I was handicapped everywhere…. And now, I have that Power…. I decided to chalk out the best Program for my Dept…. I don’t allow any delinquency any where anytime…. My Mangers on duty should all the time have their latest Diaries in their hands….”

A few Diaries seemed neatly arranged on one side of his table!

Years passed…. That was the end of his Career as many similar Companies in the field all of a sudden changed the Promotion Rules making it mandatory to have a min experience in the earlier Grade for the next Level which the gentleman  …. Neither he could change his job.... All drive had gone at one stroke…. “All these works will be with us forever…. We too need them else what to do with our time? At the same time, we should not run at this age for small praise or small benefit…. Let this go on as usual but something different has to be done now! All these days that part was not touched…. Heard that certain Discourses were arranged at…. And the Great Man is…. It is time to relax and become more Devotional and Philosophical….”

All Diaries slowly were moved to a shelf behind except a single torn One for daily routine!

Keywords: STORY, DIARY, #WriteAPageADay 

POST 15 - HAPPY MAHA SHIVRATRI.. A SOLUTION BY ITSELF! #WriteAPageADay

The time was 6 o’clock the early morning hrs. The family away at native place reminded the gentleman on telephone that as the day was Mahashivaratri, he should go to Temple and offer his Prayer to Lord Shiva. If can't do so due to busy work schedules, he should atleast, do minimum Puja at home and then only go for his work..

The gentleman because of his urgent works with no holiday on the day had decided to carry out Puja at home in the evening only after his return! 

He was soon ready for the day’s Event. After all, the whole program was because of his great effort put in thru’ all those days and he was equally proud of that. The telephone rang..

• “Sorry, Sir.. There's a small problem. We request you to put up with....!”

The gentleman was instantly annoyed.. 

• “What dear? This'll push my other activities at least by 20 minutes. I have to rush now. OK! Please take care!”

He was soon in his car. Yes.. He should be moving else nothing moves. At a junction, there was certain traffic jam..

• “The road is blocked. They are diverting the traffic!” 

Some one was saying.. He took out his phone..

• "Dear! I am held up on the way. Immediately, take care of that work which we discussed yesterday. I'll buy the required planned....” 

He diverted his car into a lane and moved to a near by Market Area to make few purchases..

• “Sir! For the past 3 days, there's a Strike going on in. Some of these items are presently not available….”
• “God! Where else I get them? I need these very urgently….”
• “You can try at….”

Soon, the gentleman rushed to the place suggested. While returning with the required items, the telephone rang up..

• “Sir! It seems our payments have not reached the party. They are holding the release of….”
• "Oh! Dear! What I've to do now?”
• “You can give a call to their Chief….”

The gentleman was confused for a while. It was already 1230 PM. As he was about to dial the number, the telephone rang up..

• “Sir! You have to come urgently to....”
• “Yaar! Sorry, I forgot!”
• “Sir! At least you can spend 15 mts here and oversee the minimum required. Rest we'll manage!”

The gentleman involuntarily made a U turn. As he speeded up, all of a sudden the front tyre gave way..

There was exactly 4 hrs time for the Event to start and it was total chaos and utter confusion in front. He quickly parked the car to a side, hired a taxi and started moving feeling totally helpless..

At the immediate next signal point as the taxi stopped, he suddenly heard the Sacred Panchakshara (The Five-syllable) Mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya' being recited melodiously on the loud speakers near Lord Shiva Temple at a distance..

The gentleman involuntarily closed his eyes and started reciting the Sacred Mantra in low tone in tune with what was being heard. And to his great surprise he found himself instantly at peace his mind slowly becoming cool and calm in spite of having a big challenge in front in few hrs of time.. 

There was a Unique Message..

"Feeling totally helpless, as one surrenders with an unfailing Faith that None other than the Lord alone Moves the Entire, Peace is instantly bestowed upon the individual in place of the earlier despair and turmoil!" 

Keywords: 

Mahashivaratri,#WriteAPageADay 

POST 14 - HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.. THE EXEMPLARY STAMINA OF THE YOUTH! #WriteAPageADay

“Take precautions everywhere!”

Was the message that an elderly Head of a joint family constantly used to give to the youth of the family. But as usual, many times preparedness was lacking with them and that was constantly replaced by love towards experimentation on and on..

Once, all those young ones had planned an adventurous 'Outing' into the nearby forest. And the elderly was advised by other senior members of the family to accompany them. Knowing well the attitudes of the young, the elderly silently carried with him all the essentials and known gadgets without revealing the same to them..

The adventure began.  Soon they were deep into the jungle valley, the time being past 12 midnight with incessant rain pouring and the temperatures touching the lowest. Exactly there only, the vehicle gave way.  Self repair did not work and outside help was out of sight for the rest of the night..

The young people were totally dumbstruck in the situation.  The elderly immediately took out all that he had brought and made them comfortable and safe for the rest of the night in the vehicle itself with food, warm woolens etc without any need to venture out. The next day morning, they took some help, cut short their adventure and were returning home..

The elderly gentleman was proud. On the way, he said, 

“My dear! See how your lack of preparedness had brought you to a ‘No-Go’ situation.  Suddenly, you had to face pitch darkness where you could see nothing, hunger in the stomach which is a real pain, cold temperatures making you shiver and wild creatures if you venture out. Since I brought many essentials and safety gadgets, we managed. So always follow the Golden Rule.. 

Everywhere precautions and preparedness!”

One of the young person said very politely, “Dadaji, a similar incident happened earlier too. Actually, at that time we had gone into much deeper trouble. We did not tell all that at home!”

“God Bless you! You concealed all that from us, the elders? What happened?”

“We got the help too. One kind gentleman gave us lift but unfortunately his vehicle too gave trouble when we had gone further deep into the valley to exit out!”

“So?”

“That’s all! Nothing happened. We bravely faced the situation without essentials and with no safety around that night and till next day noon. Finally we were out at noon from there with some help!”

Suddenly, it struck the elderly gentleman that youth have an extreme stamina of withstanding a tough situation to the limits that helps them many times come out of dangers unknowingly they get into where people of his age had lost that!

Keywords: STAMINA, YOUTH, #WriteAPageADay    

POST 13 - MY GAIN IS EVER THE PRODUCT OF CONTRIBUTIONS PEOPLE AROUND! #WriteAPageADay

A middle aged man once arranged a grand Social Function. People of all levels from various quarters were invited and the best arrangements were planned for the conduct the function. But sadly, all working around were driven to their portion of work a little beyond when the Head started supervising most of the activities by himself in person at the back of extra strictness. Thus every individual there bore the brunt of the Head to some extent but equally there was no go for them too in the situation..

A distant relative and a well-wisher to the Head who was at the venue one day before happened to see this excess and at once decided to advice the man. The same evening as he met him, he casually enquired about the progress of all activities. The Head proudly announced,

“Sir! It's a 1500 guest Function. The numbers are never less and nothing less should happen. When I'm behind all the works, there's no doubt. All are under control.The Function is going to be really a grand success!”

The elderly smiled and said,

“My dear, I wish you the best of luck and am happy with the effort you are putting in here. But I wish to say that something is missing here and am able to see that. Are you aware of that?”

When the man looked at the elderly not able to understand what he was saying, the well-wisher said,

“The people who work for you are missing your gratitude!”

The man immediately retorted,

“What sir, all these people are paid well more than what any one gives them for such a work and many have a job because of this, what else is to be given?”

“See my dear!

'They are doing your work for money'

is different from

'They are working for your Cause.'

They may be just doing your work now but equally, the earliest they want to get away from you. It's not their fault and it's not due to the hard work they do but the excess authority of yours alone is making them think like that..

Do you know that if all these people working around you for a moment together decide to get away from you whatever you may offer, what type of Function you yourself can conduct? You would be zero in no time and would be worse than an ordinary man conducting a Function with a small strength of his own people around.. Are you understanding this?”

“Oh! I never thought really so deep!”

“That’s the problem! Our ignorance is too powerful. Anyhow, from now onwards be humane to these people, smile for a while and appreciate their efforts too once in a way along with your deligent follow up.. That’s good enough!”

While departing, the elderly quipped,

“Let a similar feeling prevail in your heart too towards your guests who will visit you tomorrow to grace the Function that they really bestowed their grace on you instead of you counting their numbers and the gifts they bring. If they too together decide to boycott you, finally would there be a Function at all?”

Keywords: MY, GAIN, #WriteAPageADay

POST 12 - SENIORITY IN SERVICE! #WriteAPageADay

“Sir! Being a senior member at work, I'm not compensated properly by my Company in respect of my promotion/s and salary. I feel sad. How can my Management do this to me by not giving due weight-age to my seniority in the Organization?"

"Dear! I understand your problem and I too wish that your management should have taken care of you properly in giving timely promotion/s..

When we look at the importance of seniority in service, it is instantly evident that the employee at work over years of service..

Becomes an expert in the related skills of his/her field and thus automatically would know the ‘IN’ and ‘OUT’ ofhis/her work.. 

Further to that, 

He/she also matures himself/herself in the general management of day to day issues at and around in the work area.. 

And 

In general, a sort of maturity in life too joins all that in the back ground..

The above 3 together is called

'The Seniority in Service' in the Employment Arena..

This seniority, has it's own value at work and continues to enjoy all the support and benefits in the work area provided..

The employee is honest at his/her work, exerts without hesitation and follows all the rules and regulations to core

And

The employee does not suffer from any serious disabilities or health problems like

A Senior Caterer of a Catering Service when attacked by severe cold too is forced to keep off from active serving and if the cold becomes chronic, may have to be out of catering service itself..

He/she is not too much out-dated in his/her's skills as in such cases the new entrants become more useful in the same job like

An old Potter having no job amidst the use of coolers..

At the backdrop of such a work life, one's seniority carries its respect and value in the Organization and will generally be compensated well in all such cases..

It's unfortunate that your Management is delinquent in this aspect in spite of you being satisfying all the above conditions at your employment but beyond a point they too are not at fault because..

It's the concept of free enterprise everywhere in the field of employment except in few services and certain specific appointments and the employer out of own freedom can still choose some one else for his/her work in your place but

Here you too have a 100% chance to continue with your present employer or not.. 

Your contract of appointment can just be closed with the issue of a certain notice period from either side as per the terms and conditions of your appointment and you can take up similar senior position in the contemporary organization/s at the back of your rich work experience..

Why are you not thinking on these lines if you really want to give true regard and value to your senior status?"

Keywords: SENIORITY, SERVICE, #WriteAPageADay 

POST 11 - LEARNING IS TIMELESS! #WriteAPageADay

A middle aged Manager was a little unhappy that at work as one of his young Assistants even though most of the times was listening to him and following what he said, at times refused to heed to his advise if not the Order..

He expected his Assistants to take his advice on all issues which he generally gave out of his maturity for their own benefit..

On one of the days, the Manager met a Senior Colleague and brought the issue to his notice. He wanted to know what exactly was making the young man a little adamant not to listen to him on some of the welfare issues..

The Senior person was a good Mentor and a person of deep thinking and wisdom. He listened to his friend’s problem, paused a while and said, 

“My dear! I understand the personality of this young man as I too observed his actions from time to time. He is not simply a person of principles like you. He is an individual who is able to perceive the deeper Truth in many of the advices and actions around.. 

Most of the time, your principles meant good for the people and society were in line with Truth and so the young man follows them but for you it appears as if he had followed your advice.. 

In a few, your advice may lack Truth. In such cases alone he does not heed to your advice. Actually in all issues with him, he follows a discipline nearer to Truth whether you tell him or not.”

The Manager was taken a back. He said, 

"It is surprising.. I valued my principles so much from my childhood, lived all my life strictly adhering to them and never encountered an opposition. How can they lack Truth?”

The wise man smiled and said, 

“I do not say so. But I want to say that 

Sticking to principles in life is different from perceiving the Truth

Sometimes they both differ because Truth is Unique and principles have the color of individual ego.. 

There alone, this young man differs.. 

Truly speaking, the right way here is to support him in all such cases and be ready to learn from him and modify our own principles in life rather than 

Exhibiting our ego and ending up playing the 'Power Games' on him!”

Keywords: TRUTH, PRINCIPLES, #WriteAPageADay    

POST 10 - WHOLESOMENESS IS PEACE; DIVISION IS PAIN! #WriteAPageADay

Two gentlemen with two distinct problems of theirs in their life visited the Head of an Ashram on the same day at the same time seeking a solution for the peculiar problems they faced. The Head welcomed both and listened to their problems together with their permission. After hearing, He said to them,

"Be disciplined in your life for about 3 months on the lines of truth best known to you and come back to me!"

The 2 gentlemen took permission and left the place.

On the day the Saint mentioned, the two re-visited Him at His Place. One was seen happy and cheerful; the other as usual was sad. When asked by the Saint how their disciplined life was going on, the sad looking person said,

“Sir, I've done my best here. I don't know, still my problem persists!”

The cheerful person said,

“Sir! You opened up my eyes. I could clearly see my mistake here. Now, there's no problem!”

The Saint blessed them both further advising to continue the disciplined life. After they left, a disciple observing all that urged his Master to tell him what would have happened in the 2 cases. The Head smiled and said,

“Dear! The basic indiscipline of an individual along with a tendency to expand in life beyond is the root cause of all evils of life and the problems related to day to day dealings in life take birth from not able to see the correction required here from one's end..

Here the happy person with my advice could see instantly this indiscipline and expanding tendency in him as his real problem. Having understood that firmly, without much brooding over his troubling problem he sincerely started doing that whatever required in the situation with a smile and new vigor..

In that way, he automatically became disciplined both inward as well as outward..

The other one could not grasp that in depth and is continuously seeing his problem and his indiscipline as two different issues with him even today. Thus, for him, the problem continued at his psychological level even though he became a 100% disciplined but only at the physical level.

In that way he is totally untouched at the psychological level wherein the original craving for a superior feeling still continues! 

Of course here in both cases, I only told them continue this living further, that's all..

The cheerful person is lucky but the sad one has no go other than wait patiently for the dawn of that Unique Understanding in him!"

Keywords: WHOLESOMENESS, PEACE, DIVISION, #WriteAPageADay    

POST 9 - THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE 'INDISPENSABLE PERSONALITY!' #WriteAPageADay

“Sir! This is the Offer Letter of my new job and this is my resignation letter. Please accept it and relieve me at the earliest!"

“What Mr Ganesh! you are leaving? What's less here, dear? The work is interesting and prospects are good. Please think over. We'll see what best can be done for exceptional people like you. Can you give me some time?”

No go, the Manager's resignation was accepted soon and in few days, he was relieved. The next day his Assistant was with the Boss..

“Sir! Every one knows that Mr Ganesh was the backbone of the present activities in our Dept. He started all this from scratch and brought to this level. His leaving is sure a big loss for all of us. Why didn’t our Management think of retaining him? For a few extra Rupees, we lost such a good and required person in our Department!”

“Yes, Dear! I agree to your point and Our Chief also tried his best to pay max here. More than that we can't compensate him in this case. If he wants more, he has to go!”

“Why so, Sir?”

“See.. In business, monies are precious and they are always limited. Our salaries depend not only on the

Profits of our Company

But also on the

The annual turnover,
The Orders on hand and
Those in the pipeline!

All these parameters together decide the salary structure in any Company and there would be almost little cushion to accommodate any changes as the worth of the business itself is at that level in the Market..

If a person is offered more salary elsewhere means, he is shifting to a business of higher worth where such salaries fit in correctly. So Mr Ganesh's place from now onwards is in such Companies only and never with us..

Whatever be this man’s worth, our business monies can't accommodate such a costly man. Instead of becoming useful to us, soon he becomes a burden on the Company which indirectly means that our Customers are forced to pay heavily for getting their job done..

Our aim forever is that our business prospers. If he is not there, another one in his place struggles and learns to do the work for the same salary or sometimes even for less too!”

While leaving the Boss smiled and said,

"No problem, I sensed this long back and already made arrangements for the impending change. You'll soon see that!"

Keywords: business, resignation, #WriteAPageADay