GRATITUDE: A MAJOR LIFE LESSON LEARNT

Every one has his super life story divided into different genres – romantic, comedy, thriller, sad, fiction…

But the blue print of every life still remains the same: 50% uphill and 50%  downhill. The only thing that creates a difference is our personal rating.  One  may give comedy 5 stars and may give the downfalls of his life 0 star!

But most of the time our experiences are either underrated or overrated.

I had conducted a mini survey in my class of 30 students asking them about the happiest and saddest moments in their lives.

For the happiest moments, their answers ranged from winning ‘XYZ’ awards, acing some exams, winning a lottery, the birth of their siblings and for the saddest, the most common one was not being able to pass some exams.

Well, I had asked the very same question to a 4 year old kid whose life experiences made him mature enough to answer this question. His answer had touched my heart.

He said, “The happiest moment in my life was when I was granted a new life and the saddest moment in my life was seeing my mother cry every night by my bed side praying to Allah for my life.”

This 4- year old boy is a cancer survivor. He isn’t any stranger to me. He has now become my best friend.

I wouldn’t have even touched his life if I hadn’t volunteered at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi , UAE.

It has been a year now. Even today I volunteer with full zeal at the hospital trying my level best to comfort my patient friends and to bring beautiful smiles, even if they are momentary, on theirs and their families’ faces.

Every new day unfolds a new story. I meet new faces with varying histories. The reasons for their presence in the hospital varies from car accidents, cancers, different types of syndromes, congenital diseases, coma, loss of mental stability, fractures and so on.

You are no human if these experiences don’t prick your conscience.

Every day we crib for extremely small things. There are times when we feel that the world has come to an end. But for what?

Just because you caught an extremely severe cold that made you unable to make it to an important conference that would have sealed your deal for a 12 million dollars contract

                                                                            Or

                                 you got one mark lower than your competitor.

Woah…. Take a break!

Just close your eyes and feel your breath. Congratulations! You are still living.  With an almost perfect body!

You can still move your fingers, toes; you can still hear, see, feel and talk!

Isn’t that all what that 4 years old and many others like him needed?

Shouldn’t you still be happy with what you have?

Shouldn’t we be thankful for what we have?

Just think about it…

VERSION IS VISION

Beauty lies in the eyes. Beauty cannot be determined by anyone else’s decision. Nor does their version affect us in any way. All that matter is how we see ourselves. Everyone tells us the same thing but it is sometimes hard to accept the fact that a small change in our behavior can bring such a drastic change in our lives.

Often we are told that if we remain positive and we can conquer the world. I mean really, are you sure? To achieve such a big goal, all it takes is the generation of our positive feeling.

NEVER GIVE UP!!!

There are times when things just don’t work out the way we want it to.  Even the though we work harder then anyone else, we still don’t get the fruit. While others who don’t even care about winning or losing, end up winning at the end. How is it even possible?

Those who are accustomed to winning may find such a situation very relevant when they go through a phase of the inability to win. Sometimes our situation may not be in our hand. No matter how much work you put in, you don’t get the desired result. So instead of crying over this spilt milk, how do we put it to our advantage?

Well, let me first tell you that there is no need to worry because everything is fine. This phase is a very natural phase that everyone goes through before they do anything great. This is known as the period of preparation. It is during this period when one can work on their weaknesses and develop their quick thinking skills. Usually during this period, people tend to waste their time regretting their losses and comparing themselves to others who have been enjoying their successes during this period. But let me just remind you that when you were going through your period of successes your colleages must have felt the same way!

Wise utilization of time during the period of preparation would be the most intelligent thing to do. Remember we are more concerned with turning our failures into success and not about the success of others. Of course we should learn from their journey and be happy for them.

Lets start our journey to success-

• ·      Note down all the things that you weren’t able to achieve over this period.
• ·      Write down the points what make you feel are the reasons that pulled you away from your success.
• ·      Work on those aspects.
• ·      Keep a note of your progress by keeping a mentor.
• ·      Do everything it takes to raise in life.
• ·      Don’t let small obstacles stop you and think of alternatives.
• ·      Be positive

  

This is for every teacher - Happy Teachers Day!

They are the umbrellas , when the rain pours heavily. They are the shade, when the sun shines at us mercilessly. Their hands are above our head, tireless, to bless us throughout our lives. They are the ones who sailed us through the journey from I to we. And we are very proud to say that they are our teachers!

We don’t need a single day to express our appreciation and  gratitude towards our teachers.  Every day and every moment of our lives we thank them to make us who we are

 Dr Radhakrishnan believed that "teachers should be the best minds in the country". Since 1962, his birthday is celebrated in India as Teachers' Day on 5 September.

But indeed we all believe that they are the best minds in the world.

Our teachers taught us that one man can make a difference in this world.

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.

After all they do for us, sometimes it is hard to find the right words to thank them.

We can just say -

You gave us strength.

We were glad you were our teacher .

Thank you for giving us courage.

You made us  better people.

We’ll never forget you.

You gave us confidence in ourselves.

Thank you for your patience.

You helped us see what we could be.

You are the best teachers ever!

 

 

It's all a matter of choice....

Whenever we feel that the world has come to a standstill that's when the world turns round. Everybody' s new face is unleashed and we realise their true identity. Does life always have to be this way? Whenever we feel that we can trust someone, why does he have to change all of a sudden? I guess that is what is called life, just so unpredictable. Why can't life always be perfect?

I guess this how it is suppose to be. I guess it all depends upon us. I depends on how we embrace the good times of our life and ignore the others with a sense of humility. It depends on how we learn from our mistakes and prepare ourselves for a challenge. It depends on how we see the love for us in someone else's eyes who is trying to hide it from us. Well it all depends upon us....

Life is as beautiful as it can be. There are its pros and cons, it's peaks, it's elements, it's unpredictable nature. But that's what makes it so graceful. Accepting life with grace is a lot harder than it seems. But it isn't impossible. There might be certain fears of ours that would discourage us, but overcoming them would reap us the sweetest fruit. 

We always seek for a hand that would lift us from our conditions and provide us with some inspiration. But why do we have to depend upon others. We are strong enough to lift ourselves. Once we start encouraging ourselves, life will automatically change its path and pave itself the way we want it.  We can change our entire life by just trusting ourselves and our abilities. To love ourselves and to respect ourselves is the most important factor to be happy and we can change our world through our happiness.

It is just a matter of choice.......

Smile Can Do Wonders

“ Smile, an everlasting smile, a smile can bring you near to me.” This is a line of a famous song ‘Words’ by the band, Boyzone. We usually hear this song for entertainment. But did we ever pay attention to its real meaning?  Well, the meaning is simple – smile is the only thing left with us that is ever lasting and it is capable of doing wonders.

A smile can provide happiness to millions. It can provide a few hours of satisfaction to your parents assuring to them that you are perfectly alright. It could provide comfort to an unknown child. It can remind your grandparents of their childhood. It can at the same time free you from your worries.

Well, most of you enjoy the company of small babies. Why do you think you get attracted to them?       

The answer is straight. The babies carry their beauty along with them wherever they go, their simple innocent smile. He neither needs any make up nor any jewellery to attract people. This is not in the case of babies, but it is applicable to all. No one needs jewellery or make up to look attractive. Smile is the beauty of one’s face. Just smile and it will do all its jobs.

Try to smile at everybody, from your family members to unknown, from rich to poor and so on. Don’t hesitate to pass a smile. It is one of the free things in the world that everyone owns. It wouldn’t harm us or anyone else. It would just make someone realize that how special they are to us.

We must even take out quality time to smile at the person in the mirror. We must go easy on ourselves and must look at us as a beautiful work in progress. Relax and just smile at that person in the mirror and make him/ her feel that he/ she is special. Then just see the wonders it does…….. 

UNADULTERATED WISH

Living the day like an angel,

Dressing like a dove;

This is what you want.

This is what I want.

All the happiness

From all over the world,

To be distributed equally to all,

So that between anyone there should be no wall.

A child would surely ask these from god,

And thinks that these are the only things that he would ever aspire,

When soon Prada, Bugatti, Ferrari and Gucci takes over there life,

And cuts their previous wishes like a knife.

Now of more concern is their falling business, their family problems,

Nail shape, hair texture.

They have lost their inner child.

With selfishness they have gone wild.

Is this what has happened to you?

Realizing after a glimpse of your past.

If this is the case then get over it,

You deserve a life, enjoying more of it.

Gain an attitude that would change the world.

Be more of yourself rather than being someone else's expectations.

Don't worry about the society,

They would bring nothing but anxiety.

Relive your inner child and your heavenly wish,

And go out to save the world with your humbleness.

This is what we were born to do,

To spread laughter, happiness and sweetness too.

Once we have spread the love

The problems would eradicate itself.

What else do we need!

We have got everything other than greed.

We just have to understand that

Life is simple and doesn't need any complications.

We just need a magic spark,

Which will only lighten by following our heart.