John Blanchard stood up from the bench straightened his Army
uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through
Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he
knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose.
His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida
library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued,
not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in
the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and
insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the
previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort
he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her
a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The
next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II.
During the next year and one month the two grew to know each
other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a
fertile heart. A romance was budding. Blanchard requested a
photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it
wouldn't matter what she looked like.
When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they
scheduled their first meeting - 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Central
Station in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the
red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel." So at 7:00 he was in the
station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face
he'd never seen.
I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell You what happened: A young woman was
coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay
back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as
flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale
green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward
her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a
rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips.
"Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably, I
made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She
was standing almost directly behind the girl. A woman well past
40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. She was more
than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes.
The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as
though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her,
and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had
truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her
pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a
warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped
the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify
me to her.
This would not be love, but it would be something precious,
something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I
had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and
saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I
spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm
Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so
glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?"
The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know
what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in
the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose
on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I
should tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant
across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"
It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's
wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the
unattractive. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "And I
will tell you who you are."
DO NOT FANTASISE ON LOVE MATTERS- LEST YOU ARE NOT TO PUT TO ACID TEST. INSTEAD LOVE YOUR REAL PARTNER AND ENJOY THE TAST OF SWEETNESS.
JK
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
DON'T DO THINGS IN HASTE AND MAKE WASTE
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening
appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as
it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it
seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had
gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. Then the
man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors
and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly
then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body (or head) and
small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly
because he expected that at any moment the wings would enlarge
and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract
in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest
of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled
wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was
that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the
butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of
forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so
that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom
from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God
allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would
cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.
And we could never fly.
Moral: Any hasty decision will be a nasty decision-Prevent it.
JK
appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as
it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it
seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had
gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. Then the
man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors
and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly
then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body (or head) and
small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly
because he expected that at any moment the wings would enlarge
and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract
in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest
of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled
wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was
that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the
butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of
forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so
that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom
from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God
allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would
cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.
And we could never fly.
Moral: Any hasty decision will be a nasty decision-Prevent it.
JK
UP'S AND DOWN'S IN LIFE
UP'S AND DOWN'S IN LIFE :-
Up's and down's in life are inevitable facts, moreso in financial aspect. This happens to majority of the people and only degree and density varies. All the reasons presented herein may be considered as justifiable and acceptable and to be considered as an eye opener to the growing and younger generation. There are many good things one is supposed to inherit from the predecessors, and when this does'nt happen and work, its for the elders in the family to have these inculcated in the children for good.
Money and wealth management is an Art as well as Science. Apply Art whenever required and apply Science wherever required, so that one does not fall into the pit and look for salvation and rescue.
According to me there are two main factors that will help one to escape from falling into the pit arising out of financial constraints.
1.Relationship;
This has become a sinking ship in most of the families and number of ships has sunk and still people don’t learn and realize. Many people who have become the victims of financial constraints did not maintain proper and adequate relationship maintence skills and knowledge within their family members and relatives. The reasons put forth are flimsy, unjustifiable and to put in two words “Mere Non-sense”. All types of relationship, say close knit, middle knit and distant knit have now entangled with irremovable knots, the main reasons being, false promises and not keeping up words, jealous, ego, greed, sore-eye, cheap thrills at ones own kith and kin’s sufferings etc. If only parents take adequate care and precaution for relationship maintenance 90% of the problems will be solved and remaining 10% will vanish after seeing 90% of the problems solved. Ensure to teach children maintaining relationship with Love, respect, cordiality and courtesy to your near and dear ones.
2. Planning: In many of the families you will find no planning. This is yet another root cause. Planning is very essential. This is again the responsibility of the Elders in the family to sit together and workout strategies and plans in advance. If the planning is in its right place, at its right time, it goes without saying the budgeting is also with it, as budgeting is very important in ones life and for ones family. There is a good old saying “DO NOT FAIL TO PLAN, UNLESS YOU HAVE PLANS TO FAIL.”(Bear this in mind and act appropriately) Think several times B4 you spent and don’t think to invest in savings for future. Many of us will come to a stage wherein our earning capacity will diminish and at old age only savings will come handy to make an independent living without making to strain your near and dear ones beyond certain ethical limits. If your near and dear ones wants to help and support you, accept it and may be such helps should be put you in a position to make it as a savings.
Be of use to youngsters at your old age by motivating them, inspiring them, inculcating good and ethical values of living and loving.
No one has ever born in this world with possessions nor will any one die taking something with them. It has never happened nor will happen. Only your good actions and deeds will be remembered that too for a limited period- that’s what is world and that’s how we are leading our lives.
With Love.
JK
Up's and down's in life are inevitable facts, moreso in financial aspect. This happens to majority of the people and only degree and density varies. All the reasons presented herein may be considered as justifiable and acceptable and to be considered as an eye opener to the growing and younger generation. There are many good things one is supposed to inherit from the predecessors, and when this does'nt happen and work, its for the elders in the family to have these inculcated in the children for good.
Money and wealth management is an Art as well as Science. Apply Art whenever required and apply Science wherever required, so that one does not fall into the pit and look for salvation and rescue.
According to me there are two main factors that will help one to escape from falling into the pit arising out of financial constraints.
1.Relationship;
This has become a sinking ship in most of the families and number of ships has sunk and still people don’t learn and realize. Many people who have become the victims of financial constraints did not maintain proper and adequate relationship maintence skills and knowledge within their family members and relatives. The reasons put forth are flimsy, unjustifiable and to put in two words “Mere Non-sense”. All types of relationship, say close knit, middle knit and distant knit have now entangled with irremovable knots, the main reasons being, false promises and not keeping up words, jealous, ego, greed, sore-eye, cheap thrills at ones own kith and kin’s sufferings etc. If only parents take adequate care and precaution for relationship maintenance 90% of the problems will be solved and remaining 10% will vanish after seeing 90% of the problems solved. Ensure to teach children maintaining relationship with Love, respect, cordiality and courtesy to your near and dear ones.
2. Planning: In many of the families you will find no planning. This is yet another root cause. Planning is very essential. This is again the responsibility of the Elders in the family to sit together and workout strategies and plans in advance. If the planning is in its right place, at its right time, it goes without saying the budgeting is also with it, as budgeting is very important in ones life and for ones family. There is a good old saying “DO NOT FAIL TO PLAN, UNLESS YOU HAVE PLANS TO FAIL.”(Bear this in mind and act appropriately) Think several times B4 you spent and don’t think to invest in savings for future. Many of us will come to a stage wherein our earning capacity will diminish and at old age only savings will come handy to make an independent living without making to strain your near and dear ones beyond certain ethical limits. If your near and dear ones wants to help and support you, accept it and may be such helps should be put you in a position to make it as a savings.
Be of use to youngsters at your old age by motivating them, inspiring them, inculcating good and ethical values of living and loving.
No one has ever born in this world with possessions nor will any one die taking something with them. It has never happened nor will happen. Only your good actions and deeds will be remembered that too for a limited period- that’s what is world and that’s how we are leading our lives.
With Love.
JK
Monday, March 19, 2007
TO THINK B4 YOU RETIRE TO SLUMBER
--------------------------------------------------------
Quote for thoght for to-day
--------------------------------------------------------
"Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be
measured by your belief in yourself."
"Confidence is preparation. Everything else is beyond your
control."
"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small
jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger.
If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take
care of themselves."
Quote for thoght for to-day
--------------------------------------------------------
"Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be
measured by your belief in yourself."
"Confidence is preparation. Everything else is beyond your
control."
"Don't be afraid to give your best to what seemingly are small
jobs. Every time you conquer one it makes you that much stronger.
If you do the little jobs well, the big ones will tend to take
care of themselves."
LEARN TO ACCEPT THINGS IN LIF AS IT COMES'
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after
having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San
Francisco.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a
friend I'd like to bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know," the son continued, "he was
hurt pretty bad in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and
lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him
to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find
somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking.
Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We
have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this
interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and
forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone.
The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later,
however, they received a call from the San Francisco police.
Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told.
The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents
flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to
identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their
horror they also discovered something they didn't know --their
son had only one arm and one leg.
Moral of the story: Tune your mind practice to accept things "AS IT IS" in your life.
Anything could happen to any body at any time as living and existence are unguaranteed.
JK
having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San
Francisco.
"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a
friend I'd like to bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know," the son continued, "he was
hurt pretty bad in the fighting. He stepped on a land mind and
lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him
to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find
somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking.
Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We
have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this
interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and
forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone.
The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later,
however, they received a call from the San Francisco police.
Their son had died after falling from a building, they were told.
The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents
flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to
identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their
horror they also discovered something they didn't know --their
son had only one arm and one leg.
Moral of the story: Tune your mind practice to accept things "AS IT IS" in your life.
Anything could happen to any body at any time as living and existence are unguaranteed.
JK
Thursday, March 15, 2007
MYSTIC TRUTHS
Mystic Truths
Brahma Jnana is the awareness of God’s presence in all objects of creation and Brahma Dhyana is the meditation on this truth. To realize that all differences in form, name and tendencies are superficial while the indwelling soul is the essence of the eternal truth. The underlying theme in the Upanishads is the establishing the identity of the Brahman and the jeevathma. Since different seers reveal the eternal truth from different angles to enable individuals with varying aptitudes to comprehend it. the Upanishads continue to have a universal appeal. Such open-ended views eschew any trace of dogmatism also.
The stories in the Upanishads set forth the Vedic doctrines such as self-realization, yoga, meditation, karma, reincarnation etc. that are hidden and not easily grasped. The effort and commitment that is needed when one seeks to gain enlightenment about Brahma Jnana is well illustrated in the stories of Janasruthi and Satyakama related in the Chandogya Upanishad.
Janasruthi came to know of Raikva’s fame through the conversation of two celestials in the form of a swan. With offerings that bespoke his munificence, Janasruthi sought Raikva’s instruction. Raikva taught that it is difficult to perceive the Brahman who dwells variously, as He is the self of all celestials, the creator of all beings, and who finally annihilates all
Sathyakama’s enlightenment from Gauthama highlights, the value of straightforwardness and the sanctity of Guru-Shishya relationship. Sathyakama gained Gautahama as his preceptor, because he spoke the truth about his lineage. Gautahama had asked him to tend cows and he did this with utmost commitment for some time. Then the celestials in the form of a bull, fire, swan, water, and bird taught him the subtleties of Brahma Jnana. The preceptor saw the effulgence of Brahma Jnana in the boy, and questioned him about it. The boy replied that though others had taught him, he still wished to be taught by the seer since the knowledge directly learnt from one’s own teacher becomes most beneficial.
From the discourse by Velukkudi Krishnan.
In nutshell without the grace and blessings from Guru (Teacher/Master) No grace and blessings from God- You got to believe it.
J.KANNAN
Brahma Jnana is the awareness of God’s presence in all objects of creation and Brahma Dhyana is the meditation on this truth. To realize that all differences in form, name and tendencies are superficial while the indwelling soul is the essence of the eternal truth. The underlying theme in the Upanishads is the establishing the identity of the Brahman and the jeevathma. Since different seers reveal the eternal truth from different angles to enable individuals with varying aptitudes to comprehend it. the Upanishads continue to have a universal appeal. Such open-ended views eschew any trace of dogmatism also.
The stories in the Upanishads set forth the Vedic doctrines such as self-realization, yoga, meditation, karma, reincarnation etc. that are hidden and not easily grasped. The effort and commitment that is needed when one seeks to gain enlightenment about Brahma Jnana is well illustrated in the stories of Janasruthi and Satyakama related in the Chandogya Upanishad.
Janasruthi came to know of Raikva’s fame through the conversation of two celestials in the form of a swan. With offerings that bespoke his munificence, Janasruthi sought Raikva’s instruction. Raikva taught that it is difficult to perceive the Brahman who dwells variously, as He is the self of all celestials, the creator of all beings, and who finally annihilates all
Sathyakama’s enlightenment from Gauthama highlights, the value of straightforwardness and the sanctity of Guru-Shishya relationship. Sathyakama gained Gautahama as his preceptor, because he spoke the truth about his lineage. Gautahama had asked him to tend cows and he did this with utmost commitment for some time. Then the celestials in the form of a bull, fire, swan, water, and bird taught him the subtleties of Brahma Jnana. The preceptor saw the effulgence of Brahma Jnana in the boy, and questioned him about it. The boy replied that though others had taught him, he still wished to be taught by the seer since the knowledge directly learnt from one’s own teacher becomes most beneficial.
From the discourse by Velukkudi Krishnan.
In nutshell without the grace and blessings from Guru (Teacher/Master) No grace and blessings from God- You got to believe it.
J.KANNAN
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