Do You Judge People Fairly?

Once upon a time, three blind kids who have never heard of an elephant, were taken near to the elephant. First kid who touched the elephant from the tail commented that elephant is hairy and thin. Second kid who touched the elephant from legs concluded that elephant is very fat and unmovable thing. Third kid who touched the elephant from the trunk said that elephant is a curvy moving object. Do you think any of the kid said the right thing? Do you think that instant comments by any kid was a right approach? Do you think you behave just like blind kids, that is, giving instantaneous conclusive comments about people instead of judging them properly. In fact, sometimes you behave worst than that. You associate things with people which are never supposed to be concluded in that way. Sometimes you do character assassination of people and put their respect on stake. Isn't it unfair? So how to judge people? Here are some points to be considered:

1- Be positive. Even if you notice any negative thing about someone. Don't conclude about it. There is a chance your brain is thinking against the reality. Don't let your brain cook bad curry. Explore the negative observation extensively but avoid spying on someone. Be straight and be upfront.

2- Physical appearance is not everything. Don't judge people by their looks. A person in normal clothes and in a normal vehicle might be better than a person in brand new Mercedes or BMW. On the contrary, a rich man can also be equally a great person.

3- When judging people look for the Ethical richness such as honesty, truthfulness, simplicity, behavior, friendliness, down-to-earth attitude etc.

4- A fly will always sit on the dirty and rotten part of the tomato. Never do this in your life. Every person has good and bad habits. Look at the positive side of things. If you feel something wrong, talk about it but don't spread negative info about someone. Hate the bad habit, not the person.

Judging a person does not define who they are it defines who you are !!!

Airline Lunch

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight from Gatwick. I'm glad I have a good book to read Perhaps I will get a short sleep,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of British Army Youngsters came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you blokes headed?' I asked the young man seated nearest to me. 'Cyprus. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan.

 .... After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that
lunches were available for five pounds. It would be several hours before we reached Cyprus, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his mate if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just an airline lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five Quid. I'll wait till we get to Cyprus'. His mate agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty Pound note. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers..' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My young bloke was a soldier in Iraq, it's almost like you are doing it for him..'
Picking up ten lunchboxes, she headed up the aisle to where the boys were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked..

She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. This is your thanks.

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. An old bloke stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five Pounds.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he wasn't looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, and said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seat-belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was an army pilot a long time back. Once someone bought me lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A kid who looked about 18 was sitting about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five Pounds In my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to depart. Waiting just inside the aeroplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five Pounds!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their Trip up to their training area.. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five Pounds. 'It will take you some time to reach your training area. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You Blokes.'

Ten young blokes left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow Brits. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A British/Indian Serviceman is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank cheque made payable to 'My Country' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'  That is Honour, and there are way too many foreigners in this country who don't understand it.

And here in INDIA , the Politicians not only robbing our Citizens with Millions and Billions of Dollars but are also robbing the DEAD Soldiers who Died for the Country and Countrymen,The ADARSH SCANDAL, is just one of the known incidents. Get up with your Mighty strength and DRIVE away the SCOUNDRELS with the voting power, do not forget to Educate the Poor and Illiterate who are victim to Bribe, else one day AMERICA and WEST will repeat IRAQ / LIBYA to our Country.

What you can do with Now

Even when the day gets off to a bad start you can still give it a good ending. Just because you have been unproductive doesn't mean you have to stay that way.

Look back at the opportunities you've missed just long enough to give yourself a little inspiration. Then look ahead to the opportunities that you now can fulfill.

What's important now is what you can do with now. This is the first moment of a more effective, more productive, more purposeful you.

The delays, setbacks and disappointments are over. It is now time to leave the excuses behind as you move persistently ahead.

Sit still for a moment and absorb the amazing energy of opportunity that is now yours. Then stand up and get busy making meaningful use of all that opportunity.

What you can do with now is whatever you choose. Choose the best, and find real joy in lifting your whole world higher.

God and Us

One day a construction supervisor from 6th floor of building was calling a worker working on the ground floor. Because of construction noice, the worker on ground floor did not hear his supervisor calling.

Then, to draw the attention of worker, the supervisor threw a 10 rupee note from up which fell right around in front of the worker.

The worker picked up the 10 rupee note, put it in his pocket & continued with his work.

Again to draw the attention of worker, the supervisor now threw 500 rupee note & the worker did the same, picked 500 rupee note, put it in his pocket & started doing his job.

Now to draw attention of the worker, the supervisor picked a small stone & threw on worker. The stone hit exactly the worker head. This time the worker looked up & the supervisor communicated with the worker.

This story is same as of our life. Lord from up wants to communicate with us, but we are busy doing our worldly jobs. Then God gives us small gifts & we just keep it without seeing from where we got it.

Then God gives us amounts (gifts) & we are the same. Just keep the gifts without seeing from where it came & without thanking God. We just say we are LUCKY.

Then when we are hit with a small stone, which we call problems, then we look up & we communicate with God.

So every time we get gifts, we should thank God immediately, and not wait till we are hit by a small stone, and then communicate with God.

Story of a Boy and the Servant

There was a boy who used to be a servant for a rich family. They provided him accommodation, food and everyday some money for tea or snacks. This boy after finishing his morning works used to go to tea stall nearby and spend sometime drinking tea, eating and talking to regular customers. One day he was out to tea stall as usual. There was one beggar newly arrived and stayed put near tea stall. This boy found some kind of attraction towards this beggar. May be sympathy? He bought a tea and some snacks for the beggar and sat near him talking. While leaving he gave beggar whatever money left with him.

This became a routine and continued for sometime. On the other hand, beggar's regular collections started reducing because people now used to him. But he didn't want to move to other place for better income for the beggar felt somewhat attached to the servant boy. Sometimes all the beggar's collection for whole day was what the boy gave to him. The beggar didn't like to move out of their meeting place. One day the boy didn't appear as usual. Beggar got worried but thought he might have some work to finish. Next day also the boy was not seen. Thus gone ten days. By now beggar concluded that the boy might have either gone to his native or found a new job. But beggar was more worried for the boy didn't inform him about these. So he finally decided to move to a better place next morning. That night, somebody disturbed beggar's sleep. When he woke up, he saw the boy sitting near to him and crying. Boy was looking tired. He was locked up inside the house where he worked as servant. He was not given food to eat and allowed to go out for the rich man suspected the boy to stole the necklace of his wife.

Later after ten days of torture, when they found necklace, they thrown him out of their house. It was not boy stole the necklace but the rich man's wife forgotten where she kept. Though mistake was of rich women, the boy was thrown out of house where he served sincerely for many years! Beggar listened to the story patiently. The boy was crying for he still couldn't understand why he was thrown out. Beggar was too matured to get emotional like the boy. For him, these are common and already witnessed things. He advised the boy not to worry and he promised to take the boy with him next morning. Next day beggar took the boy with him and fed him stomachful. After finishing the breakfast, they left for a new place searching for a new experience. Later it's heard that, the boy found a new house to serve. The beggar fixed a place in near area to take care of the boy.

Morals of the story:

1. The boy didn't expect anything in return when given to beggar. All he had was sympathy towards the beggar.

2. Rich family treated boy very well for they want a good faithful servant. But when something went missing the faithful servant became the first suspect. For rich, it's easy to suspect and target poor.

3. When the rich man found his wife to be blamed for missing necklace, he didn't care to punish her or seek pardon from the boy. Instead he thrown the boy out of his house.

4. The boy was careless and spent all money he got for he was not matured to understand - the situations can't be same always. He thought his life will be same always.

5. Even while boy spent money, he spent it for a good cause which came to his rescue when he was in need. Even savings wouldn't have instantly helped as the beggar did.

6. Beggar was faithful for the hands that fed him. When got a chance he was happy to pay it back.

7. Life is a long journey. We don't know who will support us when in need. So treating everyone nicely is important saving for future.

8. Who to give and whom to give, who to connect with whom all decided by previous births. The boy was particularly attracted by this beggar shows some kind of past connection between them. So to fight or to embrace someone is what decided by us through our karma.

9. Also the people we meet, we love, we like, we hate, we fight, we depend are sort of steps towards our journey.

Expert Advice for Safety of Women

1) What should a woman do if she finds herself alone in the company of a strange male as she prepares to enter a lift in a high-rise apartment late at night?

Experts Say: Enter the lift. If you need to reach the 13th floor, press all the buttons up to your destination. No one will dare attack you in a lift that stops on every floor.

2) What to do if a stranger tries to attack you when you are alone in your house, run into the kitchen.

Experts Say: You alone know where the chili powder and turmeric are kept. And where the knives and plates are. All these can be turned into deadly weapons. If nothing else, start throwing plates and utensils all over. Let them break. Scream. Remember that noise is the greatest enemy of a molester. He does not want to be caught.

3} Taking an Auto or Taxi at Night.

Experts Say: Before getting into an auto at night, note down its registration number. Then use the mobile to call your family or friend and pass on the details to them in the language the driver understands .Even if no one answers your call, pretend you are in a conversation. The driver now knows someone has his details and he will be in serious trouble if anything goes wrong. He is now bound to take you home safe and sound. A potential attacker is now your de facto protector!

4} What if the driver turns into a street he is not supposed to - and you feel you are entering a danger zone?

Experts Say: Use the handle of your purse or your stole (dupatta) to wrap around his neck and pull him back. Within seconds, he will feel choked and helpless. In case you don't have a purse or stole just pull him back by his collar. The top button of his shirt would then do the same trick.

5} If you are stalked at night.

Expert Say: enter a shop or a house and explain your predicament. If it is night and shops are not open, go inside an ATM box. ATM centers always have security guards. They are also monitored by close circuit television.

Fearing identification, no one will dare attack you.

After all, being mentally alert is the greatest weapon you can ever have.

Please spread it to all those women u care & spread awareness as this is the least we can do for a social & moral cause and for d safety of women.

The Art of Giving - Everyone Must Know

"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others!

 

Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

 

The first question is:
When should one give? 
We all know the famous incident from Mahabharat.
Yudhisthir asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhim rejoices that Yudhisthir his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will be around the next day to give. Yudhisthir gets the message.
One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give!
The time to give therefore is now.

 

The next question is:
'How much to give?'

One recalls the famous incident from history.
Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army, he had lost his wealth, and most important, he had lost hope, his will to fight. At that time, in his darkest hour, his erstwhile minister, Bhamasha, came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.
The answer to this question how much to give is:
"Give as much as one can!

 

The next question is:
'What to give?'
It is not only money that can be given away. It could be a flower or even a smile.
 
It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters. When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks!

 

"You can give anything but you must give with all your heart!"
One also needs answer to this question  whom to give?
Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking. However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving is not justified.

"Give without being judgmental!"

 

Next we have to answer:
'How to give?'
Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor the giver feels proud by giving.
 
In giving, follow the advice 'Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives? Charity without publicity and fanfare is the highest form of charity.'

'Give quietly!'

While giving, let not the recipient feel small or humiliated. After all, what we give never really belonged to us. We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing. The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period. Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us?
Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude.

 

"What should one feel after giving?"
We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru Dakshina, he unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya.  
There is a little known sequel to this story.
Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb. He replied, and the reply has to be believed to be true, as it was asked to him when he was dying.
 
His reply was "Yes! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son, Ashwathama, and had stopped fighting. It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb. If the thumb was there, no one could have dared hurt my Guru?

 

The message to us is clear.
Give and never regret giving! 

And the last question is:
'How much should we provide for our heirs?'
Ask yourself 'are we taking away from them the gift of work? - A source of happiness?
The answer is given by Warren Buffett:  
"Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing!"

 

I would conclude by saying:
Let us learn the Art of Giving,
and quoting the Saint Kabir:
"When the wealth in the house increases, when water fills a boat, throw them out with both hands!"
This is the wise thing to do!