The Harmony Hollow: A Lesson in Unity from Whispering Woods

 Ollie, the wise old owl, once lived in the enchanted Whispering Woods. Ollie was well-known for his wise counsel and sound judgment.

One day, a fight broke out among the forest animals. The rabbits and squirrels were arguing about how much space they had in their shared burrow. Tensions rose, and the creatures sought Ollie's advice.

Ollie, perched high in his tree, patiently listened to both sides. He proposed a solution that would benefit everyone after careful consideration. Instead of fighting over the burrow, Ollie suggested they collaborate to expand it, making it a more spacious home for everyone.

The animals, initially doubtful, hesitantly agreed to Ollie's idea. Soon, the forest was filled with the sounds of collaboration. Squirrels collected twigs, rabbits dug tunnels, and even birds helped by gathering soft bedding materials.

The animals' sense of unity grew as the burrow expanded. They realized that working together not only solved their immediate problem but also helped to build a stronger community. With a twinkle in his wise eyes, Ollie taught a timeless lesson: "In unity, there is strength."

The Whispering Woods became a haven of peace, where animals of all kinds coexisted peacefully, forever grateful to Ollie, the owl who taught them the enduring power of teamwork.

The Wealth of Contentment: A Tale of the Sadhu and the Merchant

A modest sadhu by the name of Raman lived in a peaceful village at the base of the Himalayas. He was well known for leading an ascetic lifestyle and being content with the bare minimum that life had to offer. Raman held to the profound wisdom that the hunger of the soul surpassed the hunger of the body.

One day, a prosperous trader by the name of Arjun walked through the community. Despite having a large fortune, Arjun's hunger for more money was insatiable. Raman's wisdom was known to him, so he sought his advice.

Arjun begged the wise sadhu, "Teach me the way to real contentment." Despite my infinite wealth, my heart is still unfulfilled.

Raman noticed Arjun's wealth and the hunger that consumed his soul. "Beware, Arjun, for the desire for wealth is insatiable," he warned. One who constantly wants more is never truly satisfied. True wealth, as opposed to material abundance, is found in the richness of the heart.

But Arjun ignored the sage's advice because he was consumed by his desire for wealth. He insisted on accumulating more wealth because he thought it would satisfy his inner need for fulfilment.

Over the years, Arjun accumulated a large fortune. But strangely, his dissatisfaction increased. He wanted more the more he accumulated. He eventually went back to the village, weighed down by his possessions, and asked Raman for advice once more.

Raman said with a sympathetic look, "The hunger you feel is not for food, but for fulfilment. Understanding that material possessions are transient but inner peace is eternal is true wealth.

Arjun finally grasped the sage's teachings after becoming humbled and enlightened. He gave away his wealth to those in need, finding comfort in giving. When the once-rich merchant realised that his desire for material wealth was a road away from true fulfilment, he realised the richness of a contented heart.

The lesson of the tale is that those who are obsessed with acquiring material wealth may end up being spiritually impoverished. True wealth is found not in our material possessions but rather in our inner peace and compassion for others.

Dream to Sucess - The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams - Eleanor Roosevelt

 A young girl named Asha once lived in a small village in India. Asha had always been an idealist. Her eyes sparkled with hope and determination as she looked out at the endless possibilities that stretched out before her.

Asha's family was poor and had few resources. But Asha was undeterred. She had faith in the beauty of her dreams. Her dream was simple but profound: she wanted to bring clean drinking water to her village, which had been impacted by water scarcity for generations.

Asha became more focused on her studies as she grew older. She knew that education was the key to realizing her dream. Despite numerous obstacles, she persisted, excelling in her studies and learning about water management and engineering.

While researching sustainable water solutions, Asha came across a government program that provides funding for community projects. She saw this as a chance to make her dream a reality. She applied for the grant with unwavering determination.

The journey had not been easy. Asha had to overcome bureaucratic obstacles, enlist the help of her village elders, and rally her fellow villagers to her cause. She faced skepticism and doubt, but she never lost faith in her dream's beauty.

Months passed, and Asha's efforts were rewarded. She received the grant and started building a water purification system for her village. It was a difficult task, but Asha's faith in her dream kept her going. She worked nonstop, day and night, supervising every aspect of the project.

The project was finally completed after months of hard work and dedication. For the first time in generations, clean drinking water flowed from the taps in Asha's village. The joy and gratitude in her fellow villagers' eyes were immeasurable. Asha's wish had been granted, and her village had been transformed.

The moral of the story 

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Dreams, large or small, have the power to inspire change and make the world a better place. Even the most difficult dreams can be realized with determination, hard work, and unwavering faith. Asha's dream of bringing clean water to her village exemplifies the indomitable human spirit and the incredible impact that one person can have on their community and beyond when they believe in their dreams.

The Passionate Artist - The only way to do great work is to love what you do : Steve Jobs

A young artist named Emily once lived in a quaint little town nestled between rolling hills and a tranquil river. She was well-known for her exceptional painting talent. Every stroke of her brush seemed to bring her canvases to life. People were amazed at how her art could capture the essence of their surroundings.

Emily had always been interested in painting since she was a child. She used to spend hours in her room as a child, filling sketchbooks with her imagination. Her parents, on the other hand, were concerned about her chosen path. They thought art was a nice hobby but not a viable way to make a living. They encouraged her to pursue a more secure career.

Emily, on the other hand, couldn't imagine her life without art. She'd heard Steve Jobs say, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." These words were burned into her soul. She was determined to show that following one's passion could lead to success.

Emily decided to travel to a nearby city in the hopes of showcasing her paintings and making a name for herself as an artist. She set off on the dusty road to the city, her paintings carefully tucked under her arm. She encountered numerous difficulties along the way. People questioned her decision, questioned her work, and questioned her decision. Emily, on the other hand, was unwavering.

Emily discovered a small art gallery in the city centre that was willing to display her paintings. The exhibition day arrived, and people from all walks of life flocked to see her work. They were captivated by the vivid colours and emotions that emanated from her paintings as they entered the gallery. Awe and admiration filled the room.

Among the crowd was a wealthy art collector looking for something unique to add to his collection. He was moved to tears as he looked at Emily's paintings. He approached Emily and made her an attractive offer for one of her masterpieces.

Emily was overjoyed, not only because she had received a financial reward, but also because someone had connected with her art on a deep, emotional level. She realised the quote she had always admired was correct: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." Her passion for painting had brought her success and acclaim.

More opportunities flooded in as word of her success spread. Emily's paintings were in high demand among art collectors, and her exhibitions drew visitors from all over the world. She became a celebrated artist not only because of her talent but also because of the passion that radiated from her work.

The moral of the story is that following one's passion leads to true greatness. Emily's journey demonstrated that when you love what you do, it becomes a part of you, and your authenticity shines through. As Steve Jobs once said, those who are truly passionate about their craft often find success and recognition. Emily's story is an inspiring reminder that following one's passion can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life, where greatness is an unavoidable byproduct of doing what one loves.

 

The Village of Wealth and Kindness

There once was a small village where everyone lived in abundance and enjoyed the blessings of wealth. The majority of the homes were plain and natural, in keeping with the village's modest beginnings. Only two people, Savita and Sarita, struggled to make ends meet despite this wealth, though.

Savita and Sarita's daily routine involved providing their labour in exchange for meagre meals to various households. Sadly, the villagers were not kind and frequently required them to work longer hours than necessary in exchange for their food.

Sarita got sick one fateful day and couldn't go to work. Savita didn't let her friend's absence stop her from carrying out her daily tasks. They had no idea that today would bring about a shocking disaster.

Suddenly, a downpour of rain came down, devastating the village with a flood. Everyone fled to their homes in fear and panic. Savita, however, was caught in the ruthless floodwaters and was fighting for her life. She cried out for assistance, but the villagers turned a blind eye to her frantic cries.

Sarita, in spite of her illness, heard Savita's cries for help in the midst of this heartless indifference. Compelled by compassion, she gathered all of her energy and ran to help out her friend. Sarita pulled Savita out of the raging waters with amazing bravery, and they clung to a strong tree branch for safety.

The villagers felt guilty as they witnessed this selfless display of bravery. They acknowledged their mistake in taking advantage of these two kind individuals who had worked tirelessly to help them during their time of need.

Moral:

This story shows us that genuine riches are found in the compassion and kindness we show to others rather than in material wealth. When faced with difficulty, our willingness to lend a hand to those in need, even when it inconveniences us, is what defines our character and improves society.

----- THE END -----

The River of Life and the Wise Saint

    Once upon a time, near the peaceful banks of a river, stood a small hut where a revered saint lived. This saint was well-known for his wisdom and had a sizable following of devotees.

    A devout follower approached the saint with a heavy heart one fine day. "Oh, great saint," he begged for advice, "when can I start living for myself?" My life is overburdened with responsibilities, and I have no time for my own interests."

"I shall provide you with an answer," the saint replied calmly, "but first, let us journey to the other side of the river."

They made their way to the riverbank with eager anticipation. The saint sat on a large rock overlooking the flowing waters.

"Dear saint," the follower begged impatiently, "let us cross this river quickly so that I may receive your guidance."

Looking at the river's current, the saint replied, "I am waiting for the river to dry up, and only then shall we proceed."

The perceptive and quick-witted follower recognised the profound wisdom hidden within the saint's words. He realized there would never be a 'perfect' time to live life fully, to seek happiness, to embark on new ventures, or to seize the initiative.

Moral: Waiting for the 'right' time to live our lives, pursue our dreams, or find happiness is futile. Life's opportunities should not be put off indefinitely. Life moves forward in the same way that the river never stops flowing. As a result, it is up to us to seize the moment and make the most of every opportunity that presents itself.

----- THE END -----

The In-Flight Adventure of the Truly Unbeatable Boxer

Once upon a time, there was a boxer who was convinced he was unbeatable. He'd never lost a single match in his life, and his ego had grown to Superman proportions as a result.

This arrogant boxer found himself on a plane, soaring through the skies one day. However, just as he sat down, the pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that we are experiencing some turbulence due to bad weather." Please wear your seat belts for your own safety."

In his unwavering confidence, the boxer reasoned, "Why should I, the unbeatable Superman, bother with a mere seat belt?"

As the plane continued to sway and jolt, a lovely air hostess approached him and asked, "Sir, could you please fasten your seat belt for safety reasons?"

"Superman doesn't need a seat belt," the boxer retorted with a smug grin. "I'm unbeatable!"

This back-and-forth continued, with the persistent air hostess attempting to persuade the boxer of the importance of wearing his seat belt. Every time, the boxer insisted, "Superman doesn't need a seat belt."

Finally, the flight attendant had had enough. "Well, sir, just to let you know, Superman doesn't need a plane to fly either!" she replied, frustrated and with a twinkle in her eye.

The entire plane burst out laughing, and even the boxer couldn't stop himself from laughing at the witty response. From then on, he realized that even unbeatable boxers must follow the laws of gravity, turbulence, and seat belts when flying in friendly skies.

The shelter of Kindness

 A little bird and her chattering children once lived in a green forest during the rainy season. The raindrops danced through the leaves, creating a calming melody as the forest was alive with activity. The small bird was aware that a relentless and unforgiving downpour might come. She therefore made the decision to find her children shelter.

She noticed two tall trees standing side by side on a nearby hill. She fluttered up to the first tree and asked it kindly, "Dear tree, may I and my children take refuge beneath your branches until the rain subsides?" with hope in her heart.

The first tree, with its strong trunk and thick canopy, cast a downward glance at the tiny bird and her young. I'm sorry, little bird, but I'm unable to provide you with shelter. Please go elsewhere for shelter.

The bird was discouraged by the first tree's unkindness, but she did not give up. She hopped over to the second tree, which was small and modest, and addressed it in the same way: "Dear tree, may I and my children take refuge beneath your branches until the rain subsides?"

The second tree, who was friendly and welcoming, smiled and replied, "Of course, little bird! It would be an honour for me to house you and your kids. Please, come and find refuge here.

The little bird and her chicks were grateful and relieved as they were sheltered by the second tree's protective branches from the relentless rain.

A violent storm raged through the forest as the downpour continued. Every living thing was put to the test as a result of the lightning and howling wind. The first tree, which had turned away the bird and her young ones, was powerless against the fury of the storm. The tree fell with a thunderous roar as a result of its roots, which were not strong.

Now protected from the branches of the second tree, the small bird said to the downed tree, "You see, my dear friend, you are bearing the consequences of your actions. When I needed shelter, you refused to give it to me; as a result, the storm has now destroyed you.

The fallen tree apologised to the bird in a humble reply. I did not provide shelter for you and your family because I knew that my roots would not be able to withstand this heavy rain.

Now the bird is aware of the first tree's motivation—his desire to protect her and her family. 

The moral of the story is: "It's important not to assume the worst when someone declines your request because a refusal sometimes hides a hidden favour in disguise."

Burnt Toast

After a long day of work, my mother prepared dinner one evening. My father was given a dish with eggs, salad, and burned toast.

Even my father and I saw the burned bread right away. I was watching to see if he would protest, but instead, my father began to eat them with a smile on his face and inquired about my day at school. I was really surprised, but I remained mute because my father made no comment.

Mom expressed regret to my dad for the burned toast.

I'll never forget my dad's response to My mum, "Honey, I love burnt toast!"

Do you really enjoy the burnt toast? I questioned my dad as he came to kiss me goodbye after I had gone to bed.

"Your mother has had a difficult day and she is really tired," he remarked as he gave me a hug. She went above and above to make this supper for us, so why should we hold her accountable and harm her?

Words might be incredibly terrible, but burned toast never injured anyone.

Because no one is flawless and because everyone has the best of intentions, we must learn to appreciate what others do for us, even if it isn't perfect.

Old Grandpa

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in- law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’ s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped, the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in- law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather, ” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’ s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather’ s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Moral: Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child’s future. Let’s be wise builders and role models. Because Children are our future. Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference. Take care of yourself, … and those you love, ... today, ... and everyday!

Relationship & Trust

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.

The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart,please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."

The little girl said,"No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference? Asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.

"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go.

But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

Moral of the story :-

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond. So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold yours...

Peace of Mind

While traveling with a group of his loyal disciples, Buddha came across a peaceful lake. His journey had made him thirsty, so he turned to one of his followers and said, "I need water." Please go to the lake and get some."

The chosen disciple quickly approached the lake, but just as he arrived, a bullock cart began to traverse the water, making it murky and turbid.

When the disciple saw the state of the water, he hesitated, thinking, "How can I offer this muddy water to Buddha for him to drink?" With this in mind, he returned to Buddha and respectfully stated, "The water in the lake has become muddy." I believe it is inappropriate for your consumption."

After about a half-hour, Buddha asked the same disciple to retrieve water from the lake once more. The disciple dutifully retraced his steps and discovered that the water was still in the same state as before. He informed Buddha of his findings.

Buddha later made the same request to the disciple a third time. When the disciple arrived at the lake this time, he was pleasantly surprised to see that the mud had settled, leaving the water clear and pristine. He quickly filled a pot with the now crystal-clear water and returned it to Buddha.

After closely inspecting the water, Buddha turned his gaze to the disciple and imparted his wisdom, saying, "Observe what you have learned from this lake." You let it be, and eventually, the mud settled on its own, leaving you with clear water. This lake represents your mind. Allow it to be when it is disturbed. Give it some time, and it will eventually settle. You don't have to use any force to calm it down. This procedure is simple."

Finding 'Peace of Mind' is not a difficult task; it unfolds naturally with time and patience, much like the lake's waters.

Turtles

A picnic was attended by a turtle family. The turtles required seven years to be ready for their excursions since they move slowly by nature. The turtle family eventually left their home to hunt for a suitable location.

They discovered it in the second year of their quest. They made the preparations, unloaded the picnic basket, and cleaned up the place for roughly six months. The salt had been forgotten, they realised. They all agreed that a picnic without salt would be disastrous. The decision to send the youngest turtle home with the salt was made after much deliberation. The small turtle complained, wept, and wobbled in his shell despite the fact that he was the fastest of the slow-moving turtles. He consented to go with the one stipulation that no one would eat until he got back. The small turtle left when the family gave their approval.

The little turtle was not to be found after three years. The eldest turtle finally gave in to his hunger after being gone for five, six, and eventually seven years. He started to unwrap a sandwich after announcing that he was going to eat.

The small turtle then abruptly emerged from behind a tree while yelling, "See, I knew you wouldn't wait!" I won't be going to acquire the salt right now.

Moral of the story

Some of us waste time waiting for others to meet our standards. We don't take any action because we are too worried about what others are doing.

Rocks and Sand

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, rocks about 2" in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. 

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The students laughed. The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the  and filled up everything else. 

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things - your family, your partner, your health, your children - anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.

"The sand is everything else. The small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the rocks first - the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

Fable of the porcupine…

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one  wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.

After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen.

So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.  Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

The Moral of the story!


The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.

LEARN TO LOVE THE PRICKS IN YOUR LIFE.

Source : Vinita Bhandari - Blog Reader

OH GOD, Please ! Make Me Women

A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife stayed home. He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed: " Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home.I want her to know what I go through, so please allow her body to switch with mine for a day. A men. God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man's wish.

The next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as a woman. He arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, awakened the kids,Set out their school clothes, fed them breakfast, packed their lunches, Drove them to school, came home and picked up the dry cleaning, took it to the cleaners And stopped at the bank to make a deposit, went grocery shopping, Then drove home to put away the groceries,Paid the bills and balanced the checkbook. He cleaned the cat's litter box and bathed the dog. Then it was already 1 P.M.and he hurried to make he beds,do the laundry, vacuum, dust, and sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Ran to the school to pick up the kids and got into an argument with them on the way home.Set out milk and cookies and got the kids organized to do their homework, Then set up the ironing board and watched TV while he did the ironing.

At 4:30 he began peeling potatoes and washing vegetables for salad, breaded the pork chops and snapped fresh beans for supper.After supper, he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, folded laundry, bathed the kids, and put them to bed. At 9 P.M. He was exhausted And, though his daily chores weren't finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love, which he managed to get through without complaint. The next morning, he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said, Lord, I don't know what I was thinking. I was so wrong to envy my wife's being able to stay home all day. Please, oh please, let us trade back."The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied:-

"My son, I feel you have learned Your lesson and I will be happy to change things back to the way they were. You'll just have to wait nine months,though. You got pregnant last night."

ACRES OF DAIMONDS

There was a farmer in Africa who was happy and content. He was happy because he was content. He was content because he was happy. One day a wise man came to him and told him about the glory of diamonds and the power that goes along with them. The wise man said, "If you had a diamond the size of your thumb, you could have your own city.

If you had a diamond the size of your fist, you could probably own your own country." And then he went away. That night the farmer couldn't sleep. He was unhappy and he was discontent. He was unhappy because he was discontent and discontent because he was unhappy.

 The next morning he made arrangements to sell off his farm, took care of his family and went in search of diamonds. He looked all over Africa and couldn't find any. He looked all through Europe and couldn't find any.  When he got to Spain, he was emotionally, physically and financially broke. He got so disheartened that he threw himself into the Barcelona River and committed suicide. 

Back home, the person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at a stream that ran through the farm. Across the stream, the rays of the morning sun hit a stone and made it sparkle like a rainbow. He thought it would look good on the mantle piece. He picked up the stone and put it in the living room.

That afternoon the wise man came and saw the stone sparkling. He asked, "Is Hafiz back?" The new owner said, "No, why do you ask?" The wise man said, "Because that is a diamond. I recognize one when I see one." The man said, no, that's just a stone I picked up from the stream. Come, I'll show you.

There are many more." They went and picked some samples and sent them for analysis. Sure enough, the stones were diamonds. They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds.*  

Moral of the Story:

What is the moral of this story? There are five morals:

 1. When our attitude is right, we realize that we are a ll walking on acres and acres of diamonds. Opportunity is always under our feet. We don't have to go anywhere. All we need to do is recognize it. 

2. The grass on the other side always looks greener. 

3. While we are dyeing the grass on the other side, there are others who are dyeing the grass on our side. They would be happy to trade places with us.  

4. When people don't know how to recognize opportunity, they complain of noise when it knocks. 

5. The same opportunity never knocks twice. The next one may be better or worse, but it is never the same one.

The Elephant and the Rope

As my friend was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not. My friend saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free." My friend was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

How many of us are being held back by old, outdated beliefs that no longer serve us? How many of us have avoided trying something new because of a limiting belief? Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else's limiting beliefs?

Whatever you can conceive and believe, you can achieve!

So make an attempt to grow further.... Why shouldn't we try it again?

You are a Masterpiece

A plum once said, just because a banana lover came by, I converted myself into a banana. Unfortunately, his taste changed after a few months and so I became an orange. When he said I was bitter I became an apple, but he went in search of grapes. Yielding to the opinions of so many people, I have changed so many times that I no more know who I am. How I wish I had remained a plum and waited for a plum lover.

Just because a group of people do not accept you as you are, there is no necessity for you to strip yourself of your originality. You need to think good of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate. Never stop down in order to gain recognition. Never let go of your true self to win a relationship. In the long run, you will regret that you traded your greatest glory - your uniqueness, for momentary validation. Even Gandhi was not accepted by many people. The group that does not accept you the way you are, is not your world.

There is a world for each one of you, where you shall reign as king / queen by just being yourself. Find that world... in fact, that world will find you.

What water can do, gasoline cannot and what copper can, gold cannot. The fragility of the ant enables it to move and the rigidity of the tree enables it to stay rooted. Everything and everybody has been designed with a proportion of uniqueness to serve a purpose that we can fulfill only by being our unique self. You as you alone can serve your purpose and I as I alone can serve my purpose. You are here to be you... just you.

There was a time in this world when a Krishna was required and he was sent; a time when a Christ was required and he was sent; a time when a Mahatma was required and he was sent; There came a time when you were required on this planet and hence you were sent. Let us be the best we can be. Don't miss yourself and let the world not miss you.

In the history of the universe, there has been nobody like you and to the infinite of time to come, there will be no one like you. Existence should have loved you so much that it broke the mould after making you, so that another of your kind will never get repeated. You are original. You are rare. You are unique. You are a wonder. You are a masterpiece... your Master's piece. Celebrate your Uniqueness.

Five More Minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. “He’s a fine looking boy” the man said. “That’s my daughter on the bike in the white dress.”

Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter. “What do you say we go, Melissa?” Melissa pleaded, “Just five more minutes, Dad. Please? Just five more minutes.” The man nodded and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart’s content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his daughter. “Time to go now?”

Again Melissa pleaded, “Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes.” The man smiled and said, “OK.” “My, you certainly are a patient father,” the woman responded.

The man smiled and then said, “Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here. I never spent much time with Tommy and now I’d give anything for just five more minutes with him. I’ve vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa. She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch her play.”

Moral: Life is all about making priorities, and family is one and only priority on top of all other, so spend all time you can with loved ones.