Friday, May 29, 2009

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is
to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, for the greater hazard
is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has
nothing and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they
cannot learn,change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitude they are a slave, they have
forfeited freedom.
Only the person who risks is free.

– Leo Buscagalia

And as another has said, "To risk nothing is to risk everything."

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Winners don't watch things happen. They make them happen.

The point is, "Quitters never win and winners never quit."

"Winners don't watch things happen. They make them happen."

So, if you want to be a winner, begin today by writing down your goals. Then start working towards their fulfillment immediately. Beginning is the hard part. But once you've begun, you're already half done. Then work towards achieving your goals just one step at a time. As it has been said before, "Inch by inch anything's a cinch—but yard by yard it's miles too hard!"

And remember, even the longest race is run only one step at a time.

And if you want to be a real winner, make sure your goals are in harmony with God's will for your life. He wants you to reach your total potential and become a true winner.

Winning is like God said to Joshua hundreds of years ago: "I have given you the promised land. It's yours for the taking, but you must rise, go and possess it for yourself."

That's what God says to each of us today. "I have a plan for your life. I have a potential for you to reach. I will give you good success, too, if you will follow me. I have the gift of forgiveness of sins, and the gift of eternal life for you. All of these are yours for the taking. But you need to respond to my call, arise and claim them for yourself."

The beginning step is to pray, "Dear God, I want to be a winner on your team. I want to discover your purpose and goal for my life. I respond to your call to follow you. I commit my life to you and trust you to lead me in each step I take."

Commit and trust your life to God every day and you, too, will be a winner. As Solomon wrote in Proverbs: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Failure: Never Forever

It is well known that for 28 years Abraham Lincoln experienced one failure after another. In 1833 he had a nervous breakdown. When he ran for speaker in 1838 he was defeated. In 1848 he lost re-nomination to Congress and was rejected for land officer in 1849. These failures didn't stop him from battling on. In 1854 he was defeated for the Senate. Two years later he lost the nomination for vice-president and was again defeated for the Senate in 1858. Yet, despite it all, in 1860 he was elected president and went down in history as one of America's greatest presidents.

Obviously, success isn't the absence of failure. It is having the determination to never quit because "quitters never win and winners never quit."

Almost every person who has achieved anything worthwhile with his or her life has not only experienced failure but experienced it many times. Lincoln experienced innumerable failures, but he was never a failure because he never gave up.

Walt Disney was the same. He went broke several times and had a nervous breakdown before he became successful.

Enrico Caruso failed so many times with his high notes that his voice teacher advised him to give up. He didn't. Instead, he persevered and became one of the world's greatest tenors.

Albert Einstein and Werner von Braun both failed courses in math. Henry Ford was broke when he was 40. Thomas Edison's school teacher called him a dunce, and later he failed over 6,000 times before he perfected the first electric light bulb.

Have a attitude that Never Forever. You will win one day.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

PRINCIPLES OF LIFE

DISCOVER THE 90/10 PRINCIPLE
It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).
What is this principle?

10% OF LIFE IS MADE UP OF WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU.
90% OF LIFE IS DECIDED BY HOW YOU REACT.

What does this mean?

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us.

We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%.The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How? By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction.

Do not let people fool you; You can control how you react.

Let us use an example:

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your
business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.

What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse.

You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over.

She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.

You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school.

She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school.

Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute
delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school.

Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase.

Your day has started to horrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse.

You look forward to coming home, When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your
relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

THE ANSWER IS "D".
You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what
caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time".

Grabbing a towel, you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back
down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves.

You arrive 5 minute s early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different.

WHY? BECAUSE OF HOW YOU REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by
your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle.

If someone says something negative about you, do not be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass.

You do not have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day.

A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic?
• Do you lose your temper?
• Pound on the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall Off)
• Do you curse?
• Does your blood pressure skyrocket?
• Do you u try to bump them?


WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive.

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger.

Why are stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it
and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it.

The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.

The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache.

We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.
IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Research-proven tips for a better memory


Normal age-related changes in the brain can slow some cognitive processes, making it a bit harder to learn new things quickly or to ward off distractions. The good news is that, thanks to decades of research, most of us can sharpen our minds with proven, do-it-yourself strategies. Here are some ways to boost your ability to remember as you age.

1. Believe in yourself.

Myths about aging can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and older learners do worse on memory tasks when exposed to negative stereotypes about aging and memory, and better if exposed to messages about memory preservation into old age.

2. Economize your brain use.

Take advantage of calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders, and address books to keep routine information accessible. Designate a place at home for your glasses, keys, and other items you use frequently.


3. Organize your thoughts.

New information that’s broken into smaller chunks, such as the hyphenated sections of a phone or social security number, is easier to remember than a single long list, such as financial account numbers or the name of everyone in a classroom.


4. Use all your senses.

The more senses you use when you learn something, the more of your brain will be involved in retaining the memory. For example, odors are famous for conjuring memories from the distant past, especially those with strong emotional content, such as visits to a cookie-baking grandparent.


5. Expand your brain.

Widen the brain regions involved in learning by reading aloud, drawing a picture, or writing down the information you want to learn (even if you never look back at your notes). Just forming a visual image of something makes it easier to remember and understand; it forces you to make the information more precise.

6. Repeat after me.

When you want to remember something you have just heard or thought about, repeat it out loud. For example, if you’ve just been told someone’s name, use it when you speak with him or her: “So Rekha, where did you meet her?”

7. Space it out.

Instead of repeating something many times in a short period, as if you were cramming for an exam, re-study the essentials after increasingly longer periods of time — once an hour, then every few hours, then every day. Spacing out periods of study is particularly valuable when you are trying to master complicated information.

8. Challenge yourself.

Engaging in activities that require you to concentrate and tax your memory will help you maintain skills as you age. Discuss books, do crossword puzzles, try new recipes, travel, and undertake projects or hobbies that require skills you aren’t familiar or comfortable with.

Monday, May 11, 2009

How to Develop Better Concentration When Studying

Self-Help Information: How to Develop Better Concentration When Studying 

Think of concentration improvement as a three-step process:
1.Learn the causes of poor concentration and decide which apply to you.
2.Understand what you can do to control these factors.
3.Make your control habitual. Even if you lapse into old habits of distraction and daydreaming, keep insisting of yourself that you concentrate using these controls until you can routinely concentrate well on your studies for fifty minutes of every hour.
 
External Causes
Environmental distractions: TV, chairs that are too comfortable, snacks, other people, etc.
Leave or re-arrange a distracting environment. Go to a library or a classroom when you seriously intend to study.
 
Noise: Music with words, conversations
Train yourself to study away from others and in silence.

Internal Causes
Physical distractions: hunger, drowsiness.
Plan to study when you are most alert. Eat a high-protein snack. Do five minutes of light exercise to wake up.
 
Boredom, dislike, disinterest
Find a reason that satisfies you for taking the class; talk with other students and the professor.
 
Anxiety about studies
Make sure you know how to study effectively. Put the course in perspective.
 
Intimidating study tasks
Break up large tasks into achievable subtasks. Do the most intimidating task first. Give yourself rewards for progress.
 
Daydreaming
Separate daydreams from studying. When your mind starts to wander, write down the interrupting thought and continue studying. Or, recall important points and then turn away from your book and continue to daydream. When you're ready to read again, do so. The trick is not to daydream and read at the same time.
 
Personal worries
Identify and define the problem and develop a concrete, specific plan to resolve personal worries. Talk with someone who can help: a friend, a counselor, or a specialist.
The art or practice of concentration, no matter if studying biology or playing pool, is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction. We all have the ability to concentrate -- sometimes. Think of the times when you were "lost" in something you enjoy. But at other times your mind wanders from one thing to another. Your worries distract you. Outside distractions take you away before you know it. The material is boring, difficult, and/or not interesting to you.

These tips may help:

"Here I Study"

1.Get a dedicated space, chair, table, lighting and environment.
2.If you like music in the background, OK, but don't let it be a distraction.
3.Stick to a routine, efficient study schedule.
4.Accommodate your day/nighttime energy levels.
5.Before you begin studying, take a few minutes to summarize a few objectives, gather what you will need, and think of a general strategy of accomplishment.
6.Incentives and Rewards: Create an incentive or reward for successfully completing a task, such as calling a friend, a food treat, a walk, etc.
7.Change topics: Changing the subject you study every one to two hours for variety.
8.Vary your study activities: Alternate reading with more active learning exercises.
9.Ask yourself how you could increase your activity level while studying? Perhaps a group will be best? Creating study questions?
10.Take regular, scheduled breaks that fit you.


Be Here Now
This deceptively simple strategy is probably the most effective. When you notice your thoughts wandering astray, say to yourself, "Be here now," and gently bring your attention back to where you want it.

Worry or Think Time
Research has proven that people who use a worry time find themselves worrying 35 percent less of the time within four weeks. Set aside a specific time each day to think about the things that keep entering your mind and interfering with your concentration. When you become aware of a distracting thought, remind yourself that you have a special time to think about them.

Tallying Your Mental Wanderings
Have a 3 x 5-inch card handy. Draw two lines dividing the card into three sections. Label them "morning," "afternoon," and "evening." Each time your mind wanders make a tally in the appropriate section. Keep a card for each day. As your skills build, you'll see the number of tallies decrease.

Maximize Your Energy Level
When is your energy level at its highest? When are your low energy times? Study your most difficult courses at your high-energy times.

Visualize
As an exercise before you begin studying, think of those times when concentration is not a problem for you--no matter what situation. Now try to feel or image yourself in that situation. Recapture that experience immediately before your studies by placing yourself in that moment.

Monday, May 4, 2009

GONE ARE THE DAYS
Gone are the days!!
When
The school reopened in June,
And we settled in our new desks and
benches!

When we queued up in book depot,
And got our new books
and notes!

When we wanted two Sundays and no Mondays, yet
managed to line up daily for the morning prayers.
We learnt writing with
slates and pencils, and
Progressed To fountain pens and ball pens and then Micro tips!

When we began drawing with crayons and evolved to
Color pencils and finally sketch pens!

When we started calculating
first with tables and then with
Clarke's tables and advanced to
Calculators and computers!

When we chased one another in the
corridors in Intervals, and returned to the classrooms
Drenched in sweat!

When we had lunch in classrooms, corridors,
Playgrounds,
under the trees and even in cycle sheds!

When all the colors in the world,
Decorated the campus on the Second Saturdays!

When a single P.T. period in the week's Time Table,
Was awaited more eagerly than the monsoons!

When cricket was played with writing pads as bats,
And Neckties and socks rolled into balls!

When few played
"kabadi" and "Kho-Kho" in scorching sun,
While others simply played
"book cricket" in the
Confines of classroom!
Of fights but no conspiracies,
Of Competitions but seldom jealousy!

When we used to
watch Live Cricket telecast,
In the opposite house in Intervals and Lunch breaks!

When few rushed at 3:45 to
"Conquer" window seats in our School bus!
While few others had "Big Fun", "peppermint",
"kulfi", " milk ice !" and "sharbat !" at 4o Clock!

Gone are the days
Of Sports Day,
and the annual School Day ,
And the one-month long
preparations for them.

Gone are the days
Of the stressful Quarterly,
Half Yearly and Annual Exams, And the most
enjoyed holidays after them!

Gone are the days
Of tenth and twelfth standards, when
We Spent almost the whole year writing revision tests!
We learnt,
We enjoyed,
We played,
We won,
We lost,
We laughed,
We cried,
We fought,
We thought.
With so much fun in them, so many friends,
So much experience, all this and more!

Gone are the days
When we used
to talk for hours with our friends!
Now we don't have time to say a `Hi'!

Gone are the days
When we played games on the road!
Now we
Code on the road with laptop!

Gone are the days
When we saw stars
Shining at Night!
Now we see stars when our code doesn't Work!

Gone are the days
When we sat to chat with Friends on grounds!
Now we chat in chat rooms.....!

Gone are the days
Where we
studied just to pass!
Now we study to save our job!

Gone are the days
Where we had no money in our pockets and still fun filled on our hearts!!
Now we have the ATM as well as credit card but with an empty heart!!

Gone are the days
Where we shouted on the road!
Now we don't shout even at home

Gone are the days
Where we got lectures from all!
Now we give lectures to all... like the one I'm doing now....!!

Gone are the days
But not the memories, which will be
Lingering in our hearts for ever and ever and
Ever and ever and ever .....

Gone are the Days.... But still there are lot more Days to come in our Life!!
NO MATTER HOW BUSY YOU ARE,
DONT FORGET TO
LIVE THE LIFE THAT STILL
EXISTS......