Nature is my friend!-1

Hot hot peanuts in my hand
Walking with the gusty wind
This climate is hard to find
Many sweet memories in my mind
Nature is always my friend!!

- My first attempt after watching the Neelam cyclone. Shall expand this further!

அடி உதவுவது போல் அண்ணன் தம்பி உதவ மாட்டார்

I am sure most of you would have heard of this statement. Like many, I understood this statement in its literal meaning. It was only after I listened to one discourse on Mahabaratham, I came to know the exact meaning of this statement.
The exact meaning of this statement is that:
Even in critical situation or trouble times, siblings / relatives may not be able to help us. Surrender at the feet of Lord(adi) , HE will save us. One should always surrender at the feet of God. Catch hold of HIS feet. HE is the one who will help us and attain Mukthi. In Bhagvad Gita, chapter 18 (Perfection of Renunciation), Lord Krishna says:

                                                   sarva-dharman parityajya
                                                   mam ekam saranam vraja(what you see in Lord Oppiliappan shrine)
                                                   aham twam sarva papebhyo
                                                   mokshayisyami ma sucah

This is what other religions also say in their own language, in different forms, in different ways!. 

Interesting isn't it!

Signing off,

SPH

The King and 4 wives

This is the story of a King who had 4 wives. Among the 4 wives, he loved the 4th one the most!. He ensured that his 4th wife gets the best in everything!.

He loved the other wives too. His 3rd wife looked more beautiful. He was proud of her and was showing her off to the neighboring kingdoms. He had a fear in him that she might leave him and go with other men!

His 2nd wife was a confident, strong and provided support to him. She helped him in his difficult times.

His 1st wife was very loyal, made greater contributions to maintaining his wealth, kingdom. She loved him deeply while the King did not love the 1st wife and he hardly took notice of her!.

Days passed by and the King fell ill. He knew his end was nearing. So, he called his wives and asked his 4th wife whom he loved the most,"I have always loved you the most and took great care of you, gave you the best in everything. If I die, I will be alone. Will you give me company?".

His 4th wife replied, "No way!" and walked off.

He asked his 3rd wife,"I loved you. Will you come with me after I die?".

His 3rd wife replied, "It is not possible. If you die, I will re-marry. I want to live long".

His 2nd wife when asked the same question, replied, "I am sorry that I can not help you this time!".

The king was totally devastated. He expected one of his 3 wives whom he liked a lot would give company.

There was a voice heard, "I will come with you. No matter wherever you go!, I will be with you always!". The King turned back to his surprise saw it was his 1st wife, skinny and malnutrition. He was shocked. "I should have taken care of you very well. I ignored you totally!. I am sorry!"

We relate the 4 wives to our lives!

4th wife - Body - No matter how much ever we lavish on it, and try to keep it radiant, glowing, it will leave us when we die!.

3rd wife - Our possessions, status and wealth. Some one will take it when we die. It is not going to come with us!

2nd wife - Family, Friends - They are with us most of the times, help us in trouble. Still, they won't accompany when we die!.

1st wife - Soul - Often neglected, full of jealousy, ego in pursuit of wealth, fame, power, and all wordly pleasures. We fail to take care of it as it is the only one that will accompany us wherever we go!.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

(This story was told to me by my little nephew. He listened to this in a lecture today and told the full story without any mistake!).

The fight between mind and hand

When you read the title, you may wonder what I am going to post!.

When something gets too much on you, you either quit or get addicted to it... I take no exception to it... I would not call it addiction because I felt I was obsessed with logging in repeatedly. I began spending more than the time required on Facebook posting whatever came to my mind (after all, it says what is in your mind). Realizing it will become too much (on an average I spent 1 and half to 2  hours), I decided to put a temporary halt to it( did I say temporary?). Hence, decided not to log in to FB for sometime and guess what I succeeded in not posting or commenting on any status. Giving up any activity on a single day is a little tough task... So, I consciously decided to log in, not spending much time in it and just to find out whats happening around the world!.. :D. It has been a fight between my mind and the hand.. My hand went on to type the site address while my mind resisted it.My mind won!

I feel happy of not getting in to the addiction stage - It helps in a greater way - May be one can use that time to do quality work. I do not know when I will start posting; but for sure, this break helps me a lot!. I had been contemplating on quitting Facebook for sometime... Thanks to my friend Shubha who partly attributed to my thought of being away for some time rather than quitting...The total time I spend on Facebook is reduced to 10 minutes only irrespective of how many ever times I log in!(practicing it since June 26).. Ain't it good?

It is all in the mind - When you say, come what may I will not do this and practice the same for 21 days, you will surely be out of it..

You may wonder what is this 21 days math all about - Well, don't read too much in to it - This is just a random number I typed!..

PS: This is not for people who log in to social networking site once a month or even once a week..

Have a great day!

Signing off,

SPH

 

Go Spain all the way! - (Torre)sensational match!

It seemed a gala time for the Spanish nation as it witnessed a terrific victory!...

Last night, I watched one of the world's most sensational tournament - EURO 2012.. It was a spectacular match needless to say!!

Although ,initially for the first few minutes it seemed a dull start, it picked its momentum very quickly. The Azzuries got a psychological blow in the fourteenth minute when Spain's mid-fielder Silva opened the account with a neat header. The first goal was enough for Spain to bring down Italy. Having defeated Germany in the semis, the road to finals was not easy for Italy. & so was for Spain winning the semis only through a penalty shootout against Portugal.

What went wrong for Italy?

Italy looked a positive side more after an emphatic victory over the Germans!. Was it enough to win a world title? The answer is certainly No. When the match began, it seemed Italy had more possession than Spain. Later, I guess their mental fitness started to go down after the save from Casillas & Spain's first goal. Fatigue and injuries took a great toll on Italy. Poor Italy's task became tougher and tougher as every single opportunity to convert in to a goal was efficiently stopped by the goal keeper. The paralysis came to Italy in the form of team shrinking down to 10 players when Motta pulled off an injury. The team could have worked on converting passes to goals.The team did build some crucial blocks; but they were not enough to get converted. Italy's attacking was more erratic. And above all, the Lady luck did not prove in favor of Italy!

What did Spain do differently?

Spain started off amidst tight controversies that their game is boring!.. It is tough to start a finals with that note.. Undeterred, the mighty Spanish armada started off with absolute conviction .

There is a saying.. "Little things make big difference".. Exactly!. The tiki-taka (quick -touch passing & slick combinations) passes that got its name after Euro 2008 helped Spain in a great way!. The Spaniards continued to impress with their incisive forward passing and above all the coach's trust on their team. The key to their victory is their trademark passing & more so, using it as a lethal weapon when required.

Spain made a historic treble trouncing Italy 4-0. Winning Euro 08, WC 2010, Euro 2012, the Spanish wave is here to continue for some more time and entertain us with lovely football. Felicitaciones España!

Hope the defeat will give Azzuris a great lesson & will help them become a stronger team!. It was an interesting match at the end of the day!

My 2 cents worth!

Signing off,

SPH

Happiness - the search within

I listened to this very short story today and felt worth sharing..

Socrates ( great Greek Philosopher) used to go to shops in the streets of Athens, not to buy anything, but to do window shopping.. This went on for a few days.. His friends observed this and asked him - "You go to shop every day, but seem not to buy anything!. Why a philosopher should do that?".

Socrates replied, "When I look at all the things displayed, I realise that there are many things I can do without."

Many of us, seek happiness from external sources like wealth and we are constantly engaged in the search.. any happiness that an external source can bring is short lived.. according to Ramana Maharishi, ther is perpetual source of happiness that can be seen / visualised only if we know how to tap it!!

I have found happiness sharing this small story.. Hope you also enjoyed reading it!..

Signing off,

SPH

Crab, Waves & Friendship!

Once there was a crab living near the shore... Everyday as it ran on the seashore, its footprints were removed & cleared by the approaching waves. The crab got angry & upset. It waited for a couple of days.
The waves cleared the footprints daily.
The crab went up to the waves & asked in a raised tone... "Why are you clearing my beautiful footprints?"
The waves smiled & replied, "When you run, you leave your footprints.. The fishermen sees this & follows your footprints to catch you.. That is why I cleared it off in order to protect you."
The crab realized this & thanked the waves.


"Good friends are always there to protect you from any danger!!! - How true it is!."


My mother listened to this somewhere & shared this very short story with me.. Interesting isn't it!.Too short story, yet a great one!


Signing off,
SPH

A-Z of Acquiring Abundance with Zeal

As we bid adieu to 2011, here's my note welcoming and wishing everyone a great new year. Let this year bestow us with:

Abundance of good health!
Beautiful minds!
Cherishing moments!
Determination to chase your dreams!
Ecstatic moods!
Fantastic times!
Great year!
Happy health!
Immense wealth!
Joyful months!
Kindle to achieve your goals!
Lovable life!
Melodic moments!
Nice happenings!
Outstanding performances!
Penchant for learning!
Quiet times!
Raving appreciations!
Sane thoughts!
Trail-blazing research!
Understanding heart!
Victory at work!
Wonderful friends!
eXpress yourself!
Young heart!
Zeal to succeed!

Signing off,

SPH