Archive for February, 2007

MOTHER

February 28th, 2007

 

This is a truly BEAUTIFUL piece please
read this at a slow pace, digesting every word and in
 leisure…do not hurry….this is a treasure…

  For those lucky to still be blessed with your Mom,
  this is beautiful. For those of us who aren’t, this is
  even more beautiful. For those who are moms, you’ll love this

 
  The young mother set her foot on the path of life. “Is
  this the long way?” she asked.   And the guide said:  ”Yes, and the way is hard.

And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But
  the end  will be better than the beginning.”


  

  But the young mother was happy, and she would not
  believe that  anything could be better than these years. So she
  played with her children, and gathered flowers for
  them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and
  the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,
  “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.”


   

  Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was
  dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother
  drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said,  

“Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.”


 
  
  And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and
  the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.
  But at all times she said to the children,” A little  patience and we are there.”
  So the children climbed, and when they reached the top
  they said, “Mother, we would not have done it without you.”


  

  And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up
  at the stars and said, “This is a better day than the last, for my
  children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage.

Today, I ‘ve given them strength.”

  
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened
  the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped
 and stumbled, and the mother said: “Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.

” And the children looked and saw above the clouds
  an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the
  darkness. And that night the Mother said,

“This is the best day of all, for
  I have shown my children God.”
 
 

  And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and
  the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent.
  But her children were tall and strong, and walked with
  courage.  And when the way was rough, they lifted her,
  for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,
  and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And
  mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end

is better than the beginning, for my children can
  walk alone, and their children after them.” 

 

  And the children said, “You will always walk with us,
  Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.”
  And they stood  and  watched her as she went on alone, and the gates
  closed after her.  And they said: “We cannot see her
 but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory.  She
  is a living presence…….”
 

 

  Your Mother is always with you…. She’s the whisper
  of the leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach
  in your freshly laundered socks; she’s the cool hand
  on your brow when you’re not well. Your Mother lives
  inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop.
  She’s the place you came from, your first home; and
  she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love
  and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can
  separate you.

  Not time, not space… not even death!
 
 
PASS THIS ON TO ALL THE MOTHERS & CHILDREN YOU KNOW.
 MAY WE NEVER TAKE OUR MOTHERS FOR GRANTED…

  Pass it on to the men too because they have mothers too….

India’s Rising Growth Potential - Goldman Sach

February 26th, 2007



Hi,


Please find attached the report titled “India”s Rising Growth Potential” by Goldman Sach, January 22, 2007
The report tries to track economic growth of India since 2003 and reasons fueling this growth. Key take away from this reports are:

Rapid Indian Growth:

  1. India”s economic growth is expected to average around 8% till 2020
  2. GS projects India”s potential average growth to be an 6.9% for the period 2006-2050
  3. India”s GDP is expected to surpass US GDP by 2050, making it second largest economy, next only to China
Primary reasons for this growth would be:
  1. Favorable demography
  2. Turnaround in manufacturing sector
  3. Re-allocation of land, capital, and especially labor from low-productivity agriculture to high-productivity industry and services
  4. Trade openness
  5. Cheap credit
What could emerge as spoil sport for India”s economic party:
  1. Political instability
  2. Social instability
  3. Supply-side constraints in business such as shortfalls in educational attainment
  4. Environmental degradation.
Remedy for sustaining rapid growth: “FORCE”
F : Financial deepening,
O: Openness to trade,
R: Rural to urban migration,
C: Capital deepening,
E : Education and Environment

Hope you enjoy reading it !!!



vacuum cleaner

February 21st, 2007

A new vacuum cleaner salesman knocked on the door on the first house of the street.

A tall lady answered the door.

Before she could speak, the enthusiastic salesman barged into the living room and opened a big black plastic bag and poured all the cow droppings onto the carpet.


“Madam, if i could not clean this up with the use of this new powerful vacuum cleaner, I will eat all this s…!” exclaimed the eager salesman.

Do you need chilli sauce or ketchup with that” asked the lady.

The bewildered salesman asked, “Why, Madam?”
“We just moved in, & there’s no electricity in the house!”

Moral: Gather all required information before working on any project.

Ten Guidelines From Sai

February 20th, 2007

Ten Guidelines From Sai




1. QUIT WORRYING:

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?


2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:

Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can’t help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all…God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.


3. TRUST ME:

Once you’ve given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.


4. LEAVE IT ALONE:

Don’t wake up one morning and say, “Well, I’m feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here.” Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It’s simple. You gave Me your burdens and I’m taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don’t you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.


5. TALK TO ME:

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I’m in control. But there’s one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don’t forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.


6. HAVE FAITH:

I see a lot of things from up here that you can’t see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I’m doing. Trust Me; you wouldn’t want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?


7. SHARE
:

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven’t heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.


8. BE PATIENT:

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.


9. BE KIND:

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.


10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only — to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don’t ever forget……

“Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;
Gurur Shakshat Parambramha
Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah”

May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength, goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.

HYPERTHYROIDISM

February 17th, 2007


HYPERTHYROIDISM

 Also known as: Thyrotoxicosis, overactive thyroid


What is hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood are increased and is characterised by a metabolic imbalance. The thyroid gland is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the neck. It produces thyroid hormone, which control various body functions. Hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis results from excess quantities of thyroid hormone in the body.

What are the causes?

There are several causes of hyperthyroidism:

  • Graves' disease is the most common cause and occurs when the immune system produces antibodies that activate and stimulate the thyroid gland, and results in production of hormones in large amounts.



  • hyroiditis, or the inflammation of the thyroid gland, can sometimes lead to excess amounts of thyroid hormone.



  • Hyperthyroidism can occur in patients who take an over-dose of any of the available forms of thyroid hormone.



  • ertain benign or cancerous tumours can also result in increased secretion of thyroid hormone.



  • ome forms of goitres or thyroid enlargements can result in hyperthyroidism.


What are the symptoms?

There are various symptoms of hyperthyroidism which may be present differently in different individuals:

  • Weight loss



  • Increased appetite



  • Anxiety, nervousness and restlessness



  • Heat intolerance



  • Increased sweating



  • Fatigue



  • Muscle cramps



  • Irregular menstrual periods in women



  • Goitre or thyroid enlargement



  • Palpitations and rapid heart rate



  • Protruding eyes



  • Excessive thirst



  • Sleep disturbances



  • Skin colour changes and itching



  • Nausea and vomiting



  • Uncoordinated movement



  • Tremors



  • Breast development in men



  • High blood pressure



  • Hair loss



How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is based on physical examination and laboratory tests. Physical examination may also detect thyroid enlargement or goitre. Laboratory tests include blood tests such as measurement of serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T3 and T4. In some cases, the test to detect antithyroid antibodies may also be useful. A nuclear imaging scan called a thyroid uptake scan, measures how well the thyroid is functioning. This can help diagnose the specific cause of hyperthyroidism. Iodine thyroid scan will show if the cause is a single nodule or the whole gland. X-rays may also be used to diagnose the problem.

What is the treatment?

The main aim of the treatment is to reduce the production of thyroid hormone. This can be done with the help of drugs such as propylthiouracil, methimazole and potassium iodide. Medications called beta-blockers, including atenolol or metoprolol, can also be used to block the effects of thyroid on tissues and to treat symptoms like rapid heart rate, tremors, palpitations, sweating, and anxiety.

Radioactive iodine is the most widely recommended permanent treatment of hyperthyroidism. A radioactive form of iodine is given which gives off radiation which destroy the thyroid cells that preferentially absorb them.

Surgery is another permanent treatment of hyperthyroidism, which may include partial or complete removal of the gland.

Follow the above mentioned tips to lead a healthy and a happy life.
ALWAYS LISTEN TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR



“Being light and love ”

February 17th, 2007








“Being light and love “


People are often unreasonable, illogical,
and self centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win
some false friends And some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
People may cheat you
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
They may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
People will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
And it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

 – Mother Teresa

Manager versus Leader

February 16th, 2007


Manager versus Leader


The manager administers;

the leader innovates.

The manager is a copy;

the leader is an original.

The manager maintains;

the leader develops.


The manager focuses on systems and structure;

the leader focuses on people.

The manager relies on control;

the leader inspires trust.


The manager has a short-range view;

the leader has a long-range perspective.

The managers asks how and when;

the leader asks what and why.


Managers have their eyes on the bottom line;

leaders have their eyes on the horizon.


The manager imitates;

the leader originates.


The manager accepts the status quo;

the leader challenges it.


The manager is the classic good soldier;
the leader is his own person.


The manager does things right;

the leader does the right thing.


Warren Bennis

CELEBRATION OF MAHA SHIVRATRI

February 15th, 2007



CELEBRATION OF MAHA SHIVRATRI

The holiday of Shivratri is frequently celebrated by performing special Shiva puja and Abhishek as well as by remaining awake at night in meditation, kirtan and japa. During the course of the night, the Abhishek can be performed every three hours with water, milk, yogurt, honey, etc.  Bel (bilva) leaves are frequently offered during Shiva puja, as it is believed that Maha Lakshmi resides within them, and it is considered particularly auspicious to offer them on this occasion.

It is said that the offering of Bel leaves on the occasion of Shivratri is so auspicious that even one who offers them unknowingly (as in the case of  the hunter Suswara) will attain liberation.

THE MEANING OF ASH


Bhagwan Shiva is portrayed with ash on his forehead, and devotees of Lord Shiva frequently apply sacred ash to various parts of their body. This symbolizes two things. Everything that today has a form on the Earth once was ash in the ground and again will be reduced to nothing but ash. Therefore, the ash serves to remind us that all that we are, all that we do, all that we earn and acquire will only be reduced to  ash one day, and therefore we should live our lives dedicated to God and dedicated to serving humanity, rather than to the accumulation of temporary possessions and comfort. When we apply the sacred ash or see it, we are reminded Ah yes, it is only by the grace of Lord Shiva that I am still here today, and that I have not yet been turned to ash. It is His grace that my home, my family and my possessions are still with me and that they have not become ash. Therefore, I should remember Him, pray to Him and devote myself to Him.

LORD SHIVA AS THE “MAHA DEVA” - SWALLOWING THE POISON


The stories and the messages of Bhagwan Shiva are innumerable; however, one of the most important is the story of how He for the sake of humanity swallowed the poison which emerged from the ocean.

The story says that the devas and their brothers, the demons, were churning the ocean together in search of the pot of the nectar of immortality.  However, after a great deal of effort, what emerged was not nectar, but poison!!  This happens frequently in life as well. When we embark upon a divine plan or when we undertake a noble challenge, frequently before the success comes, before our effort bears fruit, we face failure or condemnation or seemingly insurmountable hurdles. Yet, we must never give up.

The devas and demons knew that in order to continue churning, and ultimately to unearth the Divine nectar, they could not simply toss the poison aside.  Someone had to drink it. But, naturally, no one was willing to drink the poison. Everyone had some excuse for why he or she was too valuable to be sacrificed. Finally, Bhagwan Shiva came forward, very calmly and with serene poise. He said I will drink the poison if it will preserve peace in the family and enable my brothers and sisters to attain the nectar of immortality.

After drinking the poison, and thereby enabling the churning to continue, Bhagwan Shiva held the poison  in his throat hence the name Neelkanth which means Blue Throat and sat peacefully in meditation for eternity.


HOW TO DEAL WITH THE POISON IN OUR OWN LIVES


In our lives, in our families, so much poison emerges between parents and children, between husband and wife, between in-laws. We wait and wait for the divine nectar to emerge, but it seems that only poison comes. So many times people come to me, complaining, But why should I always be the one to compromise? Why should I always be the one to sacrifice? Why should I always say Im sorry? Its not fair!

On this night of Shivratri, as we worship Bhagwan Shiva, it is also the night that we must pray for the strength to take his message to heart! Let us not only worship him, but let us emulate him.  He who is willing to peacefully swallow the poison, he who is willing to sacrifice for the family, for the community and for humanity is the true Mahadeva.

Bhagwan Shiva went to the Himalayas, to the land now called Neelkanth to meditate after he drank the poison. The message is that when poison emerges in the home, when poison emerges anywhere in our lives, when we feel like if we swallow it we will die, but if we dont drink it then the fight will continue the secret is to meditate! You dont have to go  to the Himalayas. Just create your own Himalayas. Wherever you are. First, be the one to accept the poison. Be the one to sacrifice, apologize and concede humbly.  Then go, sit and meditate peacefully. This is not weakness, but strength.

Poison always comes; obstacles always come. When we work for good causes, when we embark upon divine work, the poison always comes before the nectar. However, we must never get discouraged. We must never give up. If the devas and demons had forfeited the churning at the sign of poison, the nectar of immortality would never have emerged, and it would have been a tragedy for the world. Similarly, we must always have faith that the nectar WILL come. It is only a matter of time. We must be willing to churn and churn, no matter what comes be it poison or nectar.

On the night of Shivratri as we remember the churning between the devas and demons for the nectar of immortality, we must take anoter lesson to heart. After the nectar emerged, the demons tried to abscond with it. Thus they would be ever more powerful and ever more able to destroy their brothers, the devas. However, through a series of divine interventions, the devas emerged the victors and the ones with the gift of immortality.

The night of Shivratri is especially auspicious for winning this same battle within ourselves the battle between good and evil, between right and wrong, between poison and nectar, between death and immortality. Let us use our puja, our prayers, our meditations on this night to pray for divine intervention so that within ourselves the good might vanquish the evil, the nectar within us might emerge, rather than poison, and that we too may be carried from death to immortality.

May God bless you all and all of your families.

With love and blessings.

In the service of God and humanity,
Swami Chidanand Saraswati
                                                             

A friend is someone we turn to

February 6th, 2007

A friend is someone we turn to
when our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure
for our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
with beauty, joy, and grace.
And makes the whole world we live in
a better and happier place.

AND
Friendship is a priceless gift,
that cannot be bought or sold.
But it’s value is far greater
than a mountain made of gold.

For gold is cold and lifeless,
it can neither see nor hear.
And in a time of trouble,
it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen,
no heart to understand.
It cannot bring you comfort,
or reach out a helping hand.

So when you ask God for a gift,
be thankful if he sends…
Not diamonds, pearls or riches,
but the love of real true friends.

love v/s sex….. if u believe in God

February 4th, 2007

  love v/s sex….. if u believe in God

A teenage girl about 17 had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year.

She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone.
She wasn”t afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.

As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.

When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it.

However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.

She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God”s protection.

Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.

When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.

Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.

The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him.

She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.

The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.

She asked if they would ask the man one question.

Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her.


When the policeman asked him, he answered, “Because she wasn”t alone.
She had two tall men walking on either side of her.”


Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you”re never alone. Did you know that 98% of teenagers will not stand up for God?


Repost this as Love vs. Sex if you truly believe in God.


PS: God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what…..and if you stand up 4 him he will stand up for you.
I bet 93% of the people that read this wont repost it.
I read this and reposted it.
Well I bet you read this note because of the title..didn”t you?

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