Accept Change with a smile..............
Sooner or later you'll experience A crisis in your life, And how you meet it will determine Your future happiness and success.
Since the beginning of time, Everyone has been called upon To meet such a crisis.A closer look will show you That most "crisis situations" Are opportunities to either advance Or stay where you are.
In fact, most changes in your life Will take place out either"inspiration" or "desperation."
Whatever comes your way, Give it meaning and transform it Into something of value. Your personal growth is the process Of responding positively to change.
A precious stone cannot be polished without friction,
Nor humanity perfected without trials.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
First Thing First........
First Things First:...............
Prioritizing All the Things You Have to Do
We all have many things on our list to do and there doesn't seem to be enough time and energy to get it all done. Prioritizing is a way to solve this frustrating problem. Prioritizing is about making choices. Here are ideas to help you prioritize.
1. To prioritize effectively, you need to be able to recognize what is important. The important (high priority) tasks are based on what you value and those that help you achieve your goals and provide meaningful and rewarding long-term results. As you perform different tasks, think about where they fit on your priority list.
2. Making a list of all the tasks that need to be done is a good way to begin prioritizing. Prioritize the items on the list by using the ABC method to rank your priorities. For example, Priority A: Must Do (crucial tasks and commitments to do today), Priority B: Should Do (important things that do not need to be done today), and Priority C: Nice to Do (least urgent tasks).
3. Do not think of your priorities as just jobs that need to be done. As you remind yourself to direct yourself to the most important tasks first, you will find yourself letting go of tasks that really didn't need to be done at that time. For example, what's more important? Helping your child with homework or getting a load of laundry done?
4. Also take note of the difference between tasks that you NEED to do and those that you WANT to do. Deciding the order in which you prioritize tasks means you start with the needs first and move to the wants afterwards.
5. It has been said before, but learning to say 'no' is important. Try focusing on the important things that will get done because you used that little word to decline a task that was not a part of your priorities. What are some of the things you should say 'no' to?
6. Interruptions are a normal part of life. If you deal with a lot of interruptions in your life, this can put a damper on your priorities. Learn to limit the number of interruptions in your life.
7.Delegating tasks to someone else is a way to free up some of your time for the jobs that are important for you. It may be tempting to take over if the work is not being done quite to your liking. However, you have to learn that done doesn't have to be perfect. Good enough is often just fine--like allowing your child to fold the laundry, even if it's not perfect.
8.Work on overcoming procrastination. Procrastination can waste a lot of valuable time that could have been used for working on your priorities. When you catch yourself procrastinating, be sure to make the effort to take that first step toward completing the task at hand. Taking that first step will help get the ball rolling toward completion.
9.When you prioritize unplanned activities, keep in mind your goals and rely on your instincts. Your effectiveness in prioritizing in these situations depends on the clarity of your goals.
10.When prioritizing, you need to be able to separate the tasks that need doing from the busy work that tends to eat away at your time. Many tasks that fill up your day may not need doing at all or could be done less frequently. Determine what that busy work is in your career and your life.
11.Priorities change as life changes. Revisit and update your priorities on a regular basis.
12.Keep in mind that everything in your life cannot be a priority. There are many important things that will compete for attention over your lifetime and that there are not enough hours in that lifetime to give attention to everything that is good and worthwhile. You have to be selective.
13.Develop systems to help keep things running smoothly. Many times that can be accomplished by using a personal calendar. In family settings, a master calendar is helpful.
14.Keep the option of 'buying time' in mind. If you have an extremely hectic schedule, it may be reasonable to buy time by selecting goods and services that save you from investing time. For example, paying a neighbor to mow your lawn is one way of buying time. What are other ways you can buy some time?
15.Use technology to help you prioritize tasks. Sometimes an important task can be done more quickly with the use of technology. Instead of meeting an appointment in person, can you do it through a conference call or by e-mail?
16.When prioritizing, make sure to include deadlines for each task. It will make tasks easier to prioritize and give you more focus.
17.Last, but certainly not least, you also need to be one of the priorities you set for yourself. It is important to take care of you and make time for yourself.
Organizing Your Life...............
How do you organize your life when you have so much to do and so little time?...................By proper planning delegation.
Prioritizing All the Things You Have to Do
We all have many things on our list to do and there doesn't seem to be enough time and energy to get it all done. Prioritizing is a way to solve this frustrating problem. Prioritizing is about making choices. Here are ideas to help you prioritize.
1. To prioritize effectively, you need to be able to recognize what is important. The important (high priority) tasks are based on what you value and those that help you achieve your goals and provide meaningful and rewarding long-term results. As you perform different tasks, think about where they fit on your priority list.
2. Making a list of all the tasks that need to be done is a good way to begin prioritizing. Prioritize the items on the list by using the ABC method to rank your priorities. For example, Priority A: Must Do (crucial tasks and commitments to do today), Priority B: Should Do (important things that do not need to be done today), and Priority C: Nice to Do (least urgent tasks).
3. Do not think of your priorities as just jobs that need to be done. As you remind yourself to direct yourself to the most important tasks first, you will find yourself letting go of tasks that really didn't need to be done at that time. For example, what's more important? Helping your child with homework or getting a load of laundry done?
4. Also take note of the difference between tasks that you NEED to do and those that you WANT to do. Deciding the order in which you prioritize tasks means you start with the needs first and move to the wants afterwards.
5. It has been said before, but learning to say 'no' is important. Try focusing on the important things that will get done because you used that little word to decline a task that was not a part of your priorities. What are some of the things you should say 'no' to?
6. Interruptions are a normal part of life. If you deal with a lot of interruptions in your life, this can put a damper on your priorities. Learn to limit the number of interruptions in your life.
7.Delegating tasks to someone else is a way to free up some of your time for the jobs that are important for you. It may be tempting to take over if the work is not being done quite to your liking. However, you have to learn that done doesn't have to be perfect. Good enough is often just fine--like allowing your child to fold the laundry, even if it's not perfect.
8.Work on overcoming procrastination. Procrastination can waste a lot of valuable time that could have been used for working on your priorities. When you catch yourself procrastinating, be sure to make the effort to take that first step toward completing the task at hand. Taking that first step will help get the ball rolling toward completion.
9.When you prioritize unplanned activities, keep in mind your goals and rely on your instincts. Your effectiveness in prioritizing in these situations depends on the clarity of your goals.
10.When prioritizing, you need to be able to separate the tasks that need doing from the busy work that tends to eat away at your time. Many tasks that fill up your day may not need doing at all or could be done less frequently. Determine what that busy work is in your career and your life.
11.Priorities change as life changes. Revisit and update your priorities on a regular basis.
12.Keep in mind that everything in your life cannot be a priority. There are many important things that will compete for attention over your lifetime and that there are not enough hours in that lifetime to give attention to everything that is good and worthwhile. You have to be selective.
13.Develop systems to help keep things running smoothly. Many times that can be accomplished by using a personal calendar. In family settings, a master calendar is helpful.
14.Keep the option of 'buying time' in mind. If you have an extremely hectic schedule, it may be reasonable to buy time by selecting goods and services that save you from investing time. For example, paying a neighbor to mow your lawn is one way of buying time. What are other ways you can buy some time?
15.Use technology to help you prioritize tasks. Sometimes an important task can be done more quickly with the use of technology. Instead of meeting an appointment in person, can you do it through a conference call or by e-mail?
16.When prioritizing, make sure to include deadlines for each task. It will make tasks easier to prioritize and give you more focus.
17.Last, but certainly not least, you also need to be one of the priorities you set for yourself. It is important to take care of you and make time for yourself.
Organizing Your Life...............
How do you organize your life when you have so much to do and so little time?...................By proper planning delegation.
This too shall pass..................away
This too shall pass............. away.
Just sit silently and evaluate your own life. "This too will pass." Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent ?......NO..... They all come and pass away.
Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except "The law of change". Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever nor can remainfor ever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.
You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment.....................as..........................They too shall pass away...................& and no one can conquer "LAW OF THE NATURE............
Therefore..........
"Do things rightfully, gracefully, confidently &
articulately, and to end up successfully- this will
gratify many and astonish the rest."
Just sit silently and evaluate your own life. "This too will pass." Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent ?......NO..... They all come and pass away.
Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except "The law of change". Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever nor can remainfor ever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.
You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment.....................as..........................They too shall pass away...................& and no one can conquer "LAW OF THE NATURE............
Therefore..........
"Do things rightfully, gracefully, confidently &
articulately, and to end up successfully- this will
gratify many and astonish the rest."
Self Limiting Beliefs..............
Self Limiting Beliefs............
Self-limiting beliefs are based on fears and doubts that hold You back from doing things you want or need to do. These Negative thoughts dwell on your lack of ability, limited smarts Inferior looks, or, substandard skills and creativity. In other Words, they see your potential as a glass half empty.
When you doubt yourself, you give power to these beliefs.The more you repeat those beliefs in your head the more Powerful they become.
One of the most important decisions you can make is to
Challenge those self-limiting beliefs, to refuse to accept them As the truth. Self-limiting beliefs exist only in your mind. The Reality is that you have talent, intelligence and the creativity To do great things.Believe that as truth, and your life will change forever!
Self-limiting beliefs are based on fears and doubts that hold You back from doing things you want or need to do. These Negative thoughts dwell on your lack of ability, limited smarts Inferior looks, or, substandard skills and creativity. In other Words, they see your potential as a glass half empty.
When you doubt yourself, you give power to these beliefs.The more you repeat those beliefs in your head the more Powerful they become.
One of the most important decisions you can make is to
Challenge those self-limiting beliefs, to refuse to accept them As the truth. Self-limiting beliefs exist only in your mind. The Reality is that you have talent, intelligence and the creativity To do great things.Believe that as truth, and your life will change forever!
value in Giving...........
Value in Giving........
There have been times When the kindness of another person has changed your life for the better. And it's easy to see that kindness has the power to reach far beyond itself.
In the most difficult of moments kindness heals and re-assures. Kindness gives comfort and hope where there was none before. Kindness can inspire confidence. It changes for the better The perspective of those it touches.
When you seek to make a difference kindness is a great place to start.
Just the simple desire to give it Is all you really must have.
So give kindness freely and without hesitation. Whether you get it back does not really even matter for its true value is in the giving.
Live with kindness and you'll always see life's very best possibilities. For in kindness is the heart of who you truly are.
There have been times When the kindness of another person has changed your life for the better. And it's easy to see that kindness has the power to reach far beyond itself.
In the most difficult of moments kindness heals and re-assures. Kindness gives comfort and hope where there was none before. Kindness can inspire confidence. It changes for the better The perspective of those it touches.
When you seek to make a difference kindness is a great place to start.
Just the simple desire to give it Is all you really must have.
So give kindness freely and without hesitation. Whether you get it back does not really even matter for its true value is in the giving.
Live with kindness and you'll always see life's very best possibilities. For in kindness is the heart of who you truly are.
Follow these simple principles in your life.......
Follow these simple principles inyour life..............
1.Don't expect perfection from yourself nor from any one else.
2.Perfection does not exist in this imperfect world.
3.You have to do your own growing,no matter how tall was your father.
4.Look at the life through "windshield", not through "Rear view Mirror".
5.A certain amount of care, comfort,pain or trouble is necessary for every man at all times.
6.Many great things can be expressed in a simple world such as Freedom,Justice,Honour,Duty,Hope.
7.The simple things are always hard.
8.He who hides reality, and always wants to be seen as perfect, easy going etc. will be accumulating tons of weight.
9.Don't look where you fall,but where you slipped.
10.If you are heading in the wrong direction,, you are allowed a "U" turn.
11.Be nice to people on your way up, because you will need them on your way down.
12. Always keep in mind of those who show you encouragement when you are down
13.While seeking revenge, dig two graves,one for yourself.
14.Let all your words be kind and you will always hear kind echoes as kindness is the oil that takes friction out of life.
15.People may doubt what you say or what you are, but they will believe what you do.
16.While you meet something beautiful, the first thing you do is to share it with your near and dear any where
1.Don't expect perfection from yourself nor from any one else.
2.Perfection does not exist in this imperfect world.
3.You have to do your own growing,no matter how tall was your father.
4.Look at the life through "windshield", not through "Rear view Mirror".
5.A certain amount of care, comfort,pain or trouble is necessary for every man at all times.
6.Many great things can be expressed in a simple world such as Freedom,Justice,Honour,Duty,Hope.
7.The simple things are always hard.
8.He who hides reality, and always wants to be seen as perfect, easy going etc. will be accumulating tons of weight.
9.Don't look where you fall,but where you slipped.
10.If you are heading in the wrong direction,, you are allowed a "U" turn.
11.Be nice to people on your way up, because you will need them on your way down.
12. Always keep in mind of those who show you encouragement when you are down
13.While seeking revenge, dig two graves,one for yourself.
14.Let all your words be kind and you will always hear kind echoes as kindness is the oil that takes friction out of life.
15.People may doubt what you say or what you are, but they will believe what you do.
16.While you meet something beautiful, the first thing you do is to share it with your near and dear any where
What's your Vision??
"If your vision is for 1 year plant.................. Wheat.
If your vision is for 10 years plant................. Tree
If your vision is for Life plant & maintain Relations."
JK
If your vision is for 10 years plant................. Tree
If your vision is for Life plant & maintain Relations."
JK
Abhivadhaye................Humour
Subject: Abhivadhaye... : Humour..............
This is yet another fine humourous piece of writing, obviously, by a Kerlite Iyer settled in the US. To get the right flavour one should be familiar with the peculiar accent the Keralite Iyers speak Tamil in, as the dialogue at many places is in Tamil but written in English. Though I've translated the dialogues into English for the benefit of non-Tamil readers, I am afraid it may not convey the essence and flavour of the mail.
This would also give you in a nutshell an insight into the journey -
and progress - of poor Iyers from their tiny hamlets in Kerala to Chennai, Mumbai, Calcutta and finally now to the US.
The story is akin to that of Pilgrim Fathers, the original Britons and other Europeans who sailed for and made permanent settlement in the US.
Cris iyer
America Gothrasya..
Middle class Kerala Iyers have lot in common with gypsies. "Udhara Nimitham" they travel to far way places. Srinivasan, armed with a certificate in typewriting & Pitman's short hand, few pencils and borrowed twenty -thirty rupees , would reach Madras(now Chennai ) Central and wire home - " Arrived safe - send Padhu ". By the time his brother Padhu - Padmanabhan - is able to muster enough money for his emigration, Srini would have located a small room in Triplicane or Mylapore , the house owner willing to overlook double occupancy for an additional one rupee. Not only that, he would have secured a job and also would have enrolled himself in night college for higher studies. Later Padhu would reach Madras and wire for Rangu, Ranganathan, their athai's son. This migratory chain has improved lot of struggling families financially and has helped to provide a better launching pad for their children.
Once a gypsy always a gypsy. The children of these emigrants to Chennai, Mumbai and Calcutta have the nomad bug in their blood. So if they seek greener pastures elsewhere, the fault is not in them but in their genes. Most of the second generation of Iyers- boys & girls are in the States. This dawned on me when I attended a marriage in Chennai recently.
Gone are the days when " mamas' used to discuss A.G's office, audit reports, superiority of PPF over LIC for saving , procedures for getting MIG houses allotted, carnatic music & cricket, though not necessary in the same order. Gone too are the days when "Mamis' used to discuss kanjeevaram saris, ' vishesham ' (ceremony) or the lack of it for all recently married girls around them, cookery & their child prodigies - again not necessarily in the same order.
Now the gents discuss Computers, US economy vis-a-vis Indian economy, Clinton, Tiger Woods & baseball while the ladies debate on what they would have done to Clinton if they were in Hillary's shoes. Not only the topics of conversation has changed but also the attitudes.
I was surprised to see my " Ammanji " (nephew) in Levis jeans and Bradford shirt. All through his service in GIC he had attended his office in dhothi and slack shirt -always white.
" Enna Ammanji, rombha change ayutele ?"(Hey, nephew, u hv changed a lot!) I asked him.
" Dressaa! Yellarum kekhara. OHIO poiruthena, pazhkamaittudhu . Pullayandaan chonnaan- appaku ithuthan nanarukunu. Nee America poyirukoyo. You've to go & see. What a country , I say. Ange yellarum start counting with the thumb. Nammala mathri chinna veralalla. What saving of energy. I say. (O, this dress? Everyone keeps asking me – had been to Ohio - son says this dress will be ideal for kaka. Have you been to America ? – u hv to go & see. What a country. There everyone counts with their thumb like we do with our fingers)
" Parukutti enke iruka ". I enquired about his daughter. (Where’s ur daughter, Parukutti?)
"She's in Washington. Mappilai vandhu Compaq le irukkan. Ava angaye veedu vankiyachu. House documents vandhu one single sheet of paper thaan. Ingamathri papdakettu alla. Nee veedu vankinatha chonnale. Evalvu achu? " (She’s in Washington. Son-in-law is working for Compaq. They have bought a house there – and the document consists of a single sheet! – not like the pack of papads we have in India. I’m told you too have bought a house – how much did you pay?)
" Ten lakhs " I said.
"Oh! Just one million ! " said Ammanji with a typical American shrug.
His wife joined us. I observed that she has come back to sari from 18 muzham (half a yard) and there was slight tinge of lipstick. Knowing well that she had, years ago, starved Ammanji for a whole day, just because he accidentally rubbed against a lady in 29C Perambur Bus, I needled her.
" Enna Mami, Clinton Eppadiirukkar. " (Hello, Aunty, Hows Clinton?)
" Aanglaana konjamellam irukkathaan irukum. Ithelaam poi perisakkindu. Hillarye othuporatha ivangluku ethuku impeachment vendi kidaku. Saniangal ". (Males will always be males – a reference to Clinton’s affair with Monica – people should not make too much noise about it. When his wife Hillary has forgiven him, why the bast.rds are talking about his impeachment?)
I moved away and joined my Athaan, whose son was also in the States. He too had just returned after visiting his son and was extolling the virtues of American system to a group ,who was hanging on to each of his words. " Brahmaopadesam- 2000 ". Perhaps.
"....they value time. Nammalamathiri vettipechu onum kidayathu. There, you cannot even walk into your son's house without appointement. Son vanthu pathi nallakum officeke pogamattan. Lap tople work panni he will connect it to his office computer. Zoom ..... . Data ellaam anke poaychu. Son ippo Pennsylvanialeyakum. Aduthu transferundu. Oregon ku poran. Pakkamthaan. Kerala-Tamilnadu mathiri. " (They value time and don’t while away their time like we do. There, you cannot even walk into your son’s house without appointment. My son doesn’t go to office but will work from home on his laptop and zoom! and the data all transferred. Son is in Pennsylvania but is likely to be transferred to Oregon shortly, very
close to each other like Kerala-Tamil Nadu)
While the children are busy creating computer history in America, their parents are keeping themselves busy changing American geography!
Somebody was nudging me from back. It was my cousin Seshu. Dr. Seshadhri, in fact. His father, a rice merchant, had purchased him a medical degree from Patna Medical College. Since they are only enquiring into fodder scam, his medical degree is safe. For the time being. Though wealthy by birth and not dependent on his profession for lively hood, he was not in his elements when I last met him. The joke then going round was that, his patients used to insist that his compounder see them and used to take his prescriptions only if the compounder approved.
Today he looked very radiant.
"Ennadda, neeyum Americava" I asked. (Hey, you too are in America?)
"Nee onnu. Nan ippo specialist akkum " (you dunno, I’m a specialist)
"Enna Patna le M.D ium vikkaraala ". I couldn't resist. (Why, in Patna, even MD degrees are sold?)
" Kindala !. Inge vanthrukkale. Pathiperuku ethathu America connection iruku. Meethi padhiku vaytherichal. America poga mudiyalayenu. They are my patients. I specialise in " American Heartburn ". Ennodu clinic nee ippo parukanam. Ore American ambience than. Visitors roomle koodi SPAN magazine thaan padikka vechirukken. Nan ippo Glaxo, Boots onnum ezuthardhuille. American Remedies mathramthan. Nalla busy. Full tight work." (Poking fun at me! Half my relatives have some America connection, and the rest have heartburn they couldn’t make it. You must see my clinic – it has an American ambience – you will find SPAN magazine in visitors room. Now I don’t prescribe Glaxo or Boots medicines – but only American Remedies. Very busy, full tight work)
I met our family priest. " Ponnuku kalyanamaacho " (your daughter is married now?)I enquired.
" Onnum sariyayitulle. Ethaadhu case irundha chollu ". (No, nothing has worked out. If you have a boy known to u, let me know)
" Oru case irukku. Anal ashtasahasram akkum ". I said. (Yeah, I know of a case, but his gothra is Ashtashastram)
"Aiyo yo. Vendam. Vendam . Nangal Vadamalakkum. Brihacharanthukukoodi ponna kudupen. Eightthousandku matten". He said with great disdain. (Aiyyayyo! Shucks, no, no, we don’t accept a boy other than from our sub-sect, Vadamal.)
"Pullai America le computer engineer akkum".I threw a bait. (The Boy is a computer engineer in America – I threw a bait!)
There was a long pause. " Kadal kadantha sub-sect/ gothram onum parukandanu Periyavale chollirukar. Nee jathakam vangitha ". (We have come crossing the seven seas – even the learned ones have said we need not bother about gothram and sub-sect being in agreement.
Perhaps America might unify the divided and subdivided Iyers. Don't be surprised if your grandson comes back, says his Abhivadana sloka
"Abhivadaye,.... America Gothrasiya.. .
This is yet another fine humourous piece of writing, obviously, by a Kerlite Iyer settled in the US. To get the right flavour one should be familiar with the peculiar accent the Keralite Iyers speak Tamil in, as the dialogue at many places is in Tamil but written in English. Though I've translated the dialogues into English for the benefit of non-Tamil readers, I am afraid it may not convey the essence and flavour of the mail.
This would also give you in a nutshell an insight into the journey -
and progress - of poor Iyers from their tiny hamlets in Kerala to Chennai, Mumbai, Calcutta and finally now to the US.
The story is akin to that of Pilgrim Fathers, the original Britons and other Europeans who sailed for and made permanent settlement in the US.
Cris iyer
America Gothrasya..
Middle class Kerala Iyers have lot in common with gypsies. "Udhara Nimitham" they travel to far way places. Srinivasan, armed with a certificate in typewriting & Pitman's short hand, few pencils and borrowed twenty -thirty rupees , would reach Madras(now Chennai ) Central and wire home - " Arrived safe - send Padhu ". By the time his brother Padhu - Padmanabhan - is able to muster enough money for his emigration, Srini would have located a small room in Triplicane or Mylapore , the house owner willing to overlook double occupancy for an additional one rupee. Not only that, he would have secured a job and also would have enrolled himself in night college for higher studies. Later Padhu would reach Madras and wire for Rangu, Ranganathan, their athai's son. This migratory chain has improved lot of struggling families financially and has helped to provide a better launching pad for their children.
Once a gypsy always a gypsy. The children of these emigrants to Chennai, Mumbai and Calcutta have the nomad bug in their blood. So if they seek greener pastures elsewhere, the fault is not in them but in their genes. Most of the second generation of Iyers- boys & girls are in the States. This dawned on me when I attended a marriage in Chennai recently.
Gone are the days when " mamas' used to discuss A.G's office, audit reports, superiority of PPF over LIC for saving , procedures for getting MIG houses allotted, carnatic music & cricket, though not necessary in the same order. Gone too are the days when "Mamis' used to discuss kanjeevaram saris, ' vishesham ' (ceremony) or the lack of it for all recently married girls around them, cookery & their child prodigies - again not necessarily in the same order.
Now the gents discuss Computers, US economy vis-a-vis Indian economy, Clinton, Tiger Woods & baseball while the ladies debate on what they would have done to Clinton if they were in Hillary's shoes. Not only the topics of conversation has changed but also the attitudes.
I was surprised to see my " Ammanji " (nephew) in Levis jeans and Bradford shirt. All through his service in GIC he had attended his office in dhothi and slack shirt -always white.
" Enna Ammanji, rombha change ayutele ?"(Hey, nephew, u hv changed a lot!) I asked him.
" Dressaa! Yellarum kekhara. OHIO poiruthena, pazhkamaittudhu . Pullayandaan chonnaan- appaku ithuthan nanarukunu. Nee America poyirukoyo. You've to go & see. What a country , I say. Ange yellarum start counting with the thumb. Nammala mathri chinna veralalla. What saving of energy. I say. (O, this dress? Everyone keeps asking me – had been to Ohio - son says this dress will be ideal for kaka. Have you been to America ? – u hv to go & see. What a country. There everyone counts with their thumb like we do with our fingers)
" Parukutti enke iruka ". I enquired about his daughter. (Where’s ur daughter, Parukutti?)
"She's in Washington. Mappilai vandhu Compaq le irukkan. Ava angaye veedu vankiyachu. House documents vandhu one single sheet of paper thaan. Ingamathri papdakettu alla. Nee veedu vankinatha chonnale. Evalvu achu? " (She’s in Washington. Son-in-law is working for Compaq. They have bought a house there – and the document consists of a single sheet! – not like the pack of papads we have in India. I’m told you too have bought a house – how much did you pay?)
" Ten lakhs " I said.
"Oh! Just one million ! " said Ammanji with a typical American shrug.
His wife joined us. I observed that she has come back to sari from 18 muzham (half a yard) and there was slight tinge of lipstick. Knowing well that she had, years ago, starved Ammanji for a whole day, just because he accidentally rubbed against a lady in 29C Perambur Bus, I needled her.
" Enna Mami, Clinton Eppadiirukkar. " (Hello, Aunty, Hows Clinton?)
" Aanglaana konjamellam irukkathaan irukum. Ithelaam poi perisakkindu. Hillarye othuporatha ivangluku ethuku impeachment vendi kidaku. Saniangal ". (Males will always be males – a reference to Clinton’s affair with Monica – people should not make too much noise about it. When his wife Hillary has forgiven him, why the bast.rds are talking about his impeachment?)
I moved away and joined my Athaan, whose son was also in the States. He too had just returned after visiting his son and was extolling the virtues of American system to a group ,who was hanging on to each of his words. " Brahmaopadesam- 2000 ". Perhaps.
"....they value time. Nammalamathiri vettipechu onum kidayathu. There, you cannot even walk into your son's house without appointement. Son vanthu pathi nallakum officeke pogamattan. Lap tople work panni he will connect it to his office computer. Zoom ..... . Data ellaam anke poaychu. Son ippo Pennsylvanialeyakum. Aduthu transferundu. Oregon ku poran. Pakkamthaan. Kerala-Tamilnadu mathiri. " (They value time and don’t while away their time like we do. There, you cannot even walk into your son’s house without appointment. My son doesn’t go to office but will work from home on his laptop and zoom! and the data all transferred. Son is in Pennsylvania but is likely to be transferred to Oregon shortly, very
close to each other like Kerala-Tamil Nadu)
While the children are busy creating computer history in America, their parents are keeping themselves busy changing American geography!
Somebody was nudging me from back. It was my cousin Seshu. Dr. Seshadhri, in fact. His father, a rice merchant, had purchased him a medical degree from Patna Medical College. Since they are only enquiring into fodder scam, his medical degree is safe. For the time being. Though wealthy by birth and not dependent on his profession for lively hood, he was not in his elements when I last met him. The joke then going round was that, his patients used to insist that his compounder see them and used to take his prescriptions only if the compounder approved.
Today he looked very radiant.
"Ennadda, neeyum Americava" I asked. (Hey, you too are in America?)
"Nee onnu. Nan ippo specialist akkum " (you dunno, I’m a specialist)
"Enna Patna le M.D ium vikkaraala ". I couldn't resist. (Why, in Patna, even MD degrees are sold?)
" Kindala !. Inge vanthrukkale. Pathiperuku ethathu America connection iruku. Meethi padhiku vaytherichal. America poga mudiyalayenu. They are my patients. I specialise in " American Heartburn ". Ennodu clinic nee ippo parukanam. Ore American ambience than. Visitors roomle koodi SPAN magazine thaan padikka vechirukken. Nan ippo Glaxo, Boots onnum ezuthardhuille. American Remedies mathramthan. Nalla busy. Full tight work." (Poking fun at me! Half my relatives have some America connection, and the rest have heartburn they couldn’t make it. You must see my clinic – it has an American ambience – you will find SPAN magazine in visitors room. Now I don’t prescribe Glaxo or Boots medicines – but only American Remedies. Very busy, full tight work)
I met our family priest. " Ponnuku kalyanamaacho " (your daughter is married now?)I enquired.
" Onnum sariyayitulle. Ethaadhu case irundha chollu ". (No, nothing has worked out. If you have a boy known to u, let me know)
" Oru case irukku. Anal ashtasahasram akkum ". I said. (Yeah, I know of a case, but his gothra is Ashtashastram)
"Aiyo yo. Vendam. Vendam . Nangal Vadamalakkum. Brihacharanthukukoodi ponna kudupen. Eightthousandku matten". He said with great disdain. (Aiyyayyo! Shucks, no, no, we don’t accept a boy other than from our sub-sect, Vadamal.)
"Pullai America le computer engineer akkum".I threw a bait. (The Boy is a computer engineer in America – I threw a bait!)
There was a long pause. " Kadal kadantha sub-sect/ gothram onum parukandanu Periyavale chollirukar. Nee jathakam vangitha ". (We have come crossing the seven seas – even the learned ones have said we need not bother about gothram and sub-sect being in agreement.
Perhaps America might unify the divided and subdivided Iyers. Don't be surprised if your grandson comes back, says his Abhivadana sloka
"Abhivadaye,.... America Gothrasiya.. .
Trust your assertiveness...........
Trust your assertiveness..................
When you trust your assertiveness, you have the Ability to express yourself and the ability to Communicate your feelings, wants and needs. You areLess dependent on others and more in control of your Own life.
When you assert yourself, you make your own Choices. You make room for your confidence to Explode. Practice confident assertion by saying,
"Yes" to the things you want to do and, "No" to the Things you don't.
Don't be afraid or feel guilty for asserting yourself.You have nothing to lose. You will only become Stronger and more self sufficient, and in turn your Self respect and self worth will shine!
When you trust your assertiveness, you have the Ability to express yourself and the ability to Communicate your feelings, wants and needs. You areLess dependent on others and more in control of your Own life.
When you assert yourself, you make your own Choices. You make room for your confidence to Explode. Practice confident assertion by saying,
"Yes" to the things you want to do and, "No" to the Things you don't.
Don't be afraid or feel guilty for asserting yourself.You have nothing to lose. You will only become Stronger and more self sufficient, and in turn your Self respect and self worth will shine!
Do not postpone your Happiness........
Happiness.....................Do not Postpone yours.
We postpone our Happiness........"I will be happy when the house loan is paid off,when we go to Bali or Hawaii for vacation,when I find a better job etc.
We look back to the past and say........"If I have known today was going to be so awful, I would have been happy yesterday.
Happiness is not a WHEN............Happiness is a NOW.
Lots of people will tell..........."I will be happier if my job was easier". But when work get easier, they quit and look for another challenge.
The truth is we love challenge,Let's stop kidding ourselves! Nearly every job is repetitious.
Often the secret of enjoying a job is not to challenge your job,but to change your ATTITUDE.
According to Law of Progress, everything has UPs and Downs and nothing travels in straight lines. This applies to your own progress in any project. Keep your eye on your target,keep putting in efforts and you reach the target despite the UPs and Downs.
Successful people realise that they reach their goals by continuously correcting. Get "off course" correct and get back "on course".......Ships do it, Rockets and missiles do it...........CORRECT-CORRECT-CORRECT-.
The key to happiness is not that you never get upset,frustrated or irritated.....................but how quickly you decide to SNAP out of it.
And....................................................................
happiness is not dependent on your circumstances or your bank balance........but is a daily every minute decision.
We postpone our Happiness........"I will be happy when the house loan is paid off,when we go to Bali or Hawaii for vacation,when I find a better job etc.
We look back to the past and say........"If I have known today was going to be so awful, I would have been happy yesterday.
Happiness is not a WHEN............Happiness is a NOW.
Lots of people will tell..........."I will be happier if my job was easier". But when work get easier, they quit and look for another challenge.
The truth is we love challenge,Let's stop kidding ourselves! Nearly every job is repetitious.
Often the secret of enjoying a job is not to challenge your job,but to change your ATTITUDE.
According to Law of Progress, everything has UPs and Downs and nothing travels in straight lines. This applies to your own progress in any project. Keep your eye on your target,keep putting in efforts and you reach the target despite the UPs and Downs.
Successful people realise that they reach their goals by continuously correcting. Get "off course" correct and get back "on course".......Ships do it, Rockets and missiles do it...........CORRECT-CORRECT-CORRECT-.
The key to happiness is not that you never get upset,frustrated or irritated.....................but how quickly you decide to SNAP out of it.
And....................................................................
happiness is not dependent on your circumstances or your bank balance........but is a daily every minute decision.
Join the Queue...........
Join the queue ...............For Lighter Vein reading pl
A man was leaving a cafe when he noticed an unusual funeral. A funeral coffin was followed by a second one. Behind the second coffin was a solitary man walking with a black dog. Behind him was a queue of 200 men walking in single line. The man couldn't stand his curiosity. He approached the man walking with the dog,
"I am so sorry to disturb you, but I've never seen a funeral like this with so many of you walking in single line.”
"Whose funeral is it?"
The man replied, "that first coffin is for my wife."
"What happened to her?" .
"My dog attacked and killed her."
"Well, who is in the second coffin? "
"My mother-in-law. She was trying to help my wife when the dog attacked and killed her also."
A thoughtful moment of silence passes between the two men.
Then the first one asks in excitement , "Can I borrow the dog?"
The man replied, "Join the queue"
A man was leaving a cafe when he noticed an unusual funeral. A funeral coffin was followed by a second one. Behind the second coffin was a solitary man walking with a black dog. Behind him was a queue of 200 men walking in single line. The man couldn't stand his curiosity. He approached the man walking with the dog,
"I am so sorry to disturb you, but I've never seen a funeral like this with so many of you walking in single line.”
"Whose funeral is it?"
The man replied, "that first coffin is for my wife."
"What happened to her?" .
"My dog attacked and killed her."
"Well, who is in the second coffin? "
"My mother-in-law. She was trying to help my wife when the dog attacked and killed her also."
A thoughtful moment of silence passes between the two men.
Then the first one asks in excitement , "Can I borrow the dog?"
The man replied, "Join the queue"
Old but still holds...........................
Old but still holds!..........................True
Marc Faber comment on US economy............Pl read
Investment analyst and entrepreneur Dr. Marc Faber concluded his monthly bulletin (June 2008) with the Following:
''The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US."....................and now from JK............
The Americans think they are too great, contrary to the fact.Let them judge as to what they are????
Marc Faber comment on US economy............Pl read
Investment analyst and entrepreneur Dr. Marc Faber concluded his monthly bulletin (June 2008) with the Following:
''The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US."....................and now from JK............
The Americans think they are too great, contrary to the fact.Let them judge as to what they are????
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