Throwing Starfish In The Ocean

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his journal writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?" The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?" "The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!" The young man listened politely.

Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference to that one."

There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.

Puppies For Sale

A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale." Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner's sign.

"How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50." The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"

The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind.

Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"

The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. 'That is the little puppy that I want to buy."

The store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you." The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."

The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies."

To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"

Life Is About Correcting Mistakes

Priya married Hitesh this day. At the end of the wedding party, Priya's mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook. With Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother: 'Priya, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your marriage life. When there's something happy and memorable happened in your newlife, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line. The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with Hitesh. When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you've had.'

Priya shared this with Hitesh when getting home. They both thought itwas agreat idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit can be made.

This was what they did after certain time:
- 7 Feb: Rs.100, first birthday celebration for Hitesh after marriage
- 1 Mar: Rs.300, salary raise for Priya
- 20 Mar: Rs.200, vacation trip to Bali
- 15 Apr: Rs.2000, Priya got pregnant
- 1 Jun: Rs.1000, Hitesh got promoted ..... and so on...

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing for trivial things. They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the most nasty people in the world.... no more love...Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Priya talked to her Mother:
'Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We agree to divorce. I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!'

Mother: 'Sure, girl, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing first. Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage.'

Priya thought it was true. So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account.

While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record. She looked,and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up her mind. Her eyes were then filled with tears. She left and went home.

When she was home, she handed the passbook to Hitesh, asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, Hitesh gave the passbook back to Priya. She found a newdeposit of Rs.5000. And a line next to the record: 'This is the day I notice how much I've loved you thru out all these years. How much happiness you've brought me.'
They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe.

Do you know how much money they had saved when they retired? I did notask.I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone thru all the good years in their life.
"When you fall, in any way,Don't see the place where you fell, Instead see the place from where you slipped.

Unlock Your Mind

Houdini was a master Magician as well as a fabulous locksmith. He boasted that he could escape from any Jail cell in the World in less than an hour, provided he could go into the cell dressed in street clothes. Houdini became very famous.

A small town in the British Isles built a new Jail, which they were extremely proud of. They issued Houdini a challenge. "Come give us a try", they said. Houdini loved the publicity and the money attached with it, so he accepted.

The day of the challenge came. By the time Houdini arrived, excitement was at a fever pitch. Houdini rode triumphantly into the town and walked into the cell. He proudly walked into the cell and the Big Iron door was closed. Houdini took off his coat and went to work. Secreted in his belt was a flexible tough and durable ten-inch piece of steel, which he used to work on the lock.

At the end of 15 minutes his confident expression had disappeared. At the end of 30 minutes he was looking confused. At the end of an hour he was drenched in perspiration. After two hours ... Houdini literally collapsed against the door - which opened...!

Yes, it had never been locked.........except in his mind..........where he viewed it was as firmly locked as if a thousand locksmiths had put their best efforts in making the lock for it. One little push and Houdini could have easily opened the door..........But he didn't.

People! Many times a little extra push is all you need to open your opportunity door. In the game of life you will discover, as you set your goals and unlock your mind, that the world will unlock its own treasures and rewards to you.

Realistically, Most locked doors are in our minds. Unlock your Mind...Think Great Thoughts...Do Great Things..

Silsila

Main aur meri tanhaai aksar yeh baatein karte hain
Tum hoti to kaisa hota, tum yeh kehti,
tum voh kehti, Tum is baat pe hairaan hoti,
tum us baat pe kitni hansti, Tum hoti to aisa hota,
tum hoti to vaisa hota,
Main aur meri tanhaai aksar yeh baatein karte hain

Yeh raat hai, yeh tumhaari zulfein khulihui hai
Hai chaandni, ya tumhaari nazrein se meri raatein dhuli hui hai
Yeh chaand hai, ya tumhaara kangan
Sitaarein hai, ya tumhaara aanchal
Hawa ka jhonka hai, ya tumhaare badan ki khushboo
Yeh pattiyon ki hai sarsaraahat, ke tumne chupke se kuch kaha hai

Yeh sochta hoon main kab se gumsum
Ke jab ki mujhko bhi yeh khabar hai
Ke tum nahin ho, kahin nahin ho
Magar yeh dil hai, ke keh rahahai
Ke tum yahin ho, yahin kahin ho

Majboor yeh haalaat, idhar bhi hai udhar bhi
Tanhaai ki ek raat, idhar bhi hai udhar bhi
Kehne ko bahut kuch hai, magar kisse kahe
hum Kab tak yunhi khaamosh rahe aur sahe hum
Dil kehta hai, duniya ki har ek rasm utha de
Deevaar jo hum dono mein hai, aaj gira de
Kyoon dil mein sulagte rahe, logon ko bata de
Haan humko mohabbat hai, mohabbat hai, mohabbat
Ab dil mein yehi baat, idhar bhi hai udhar bhi

Kabhi Kabhi

kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai
ke zindagi teri zulfon ki narm chaon mein
guzarne pati, to SHADAB (delightful) ho bhi sakti thi,
ye ranj-o-gum (grief) ki sahi jo dil pe chaye hai,
teri nazar ki SHUAON mein kho bhi sakti thi,

Magar yeh ho na saka,
magar yeh ho na saka aur ab yeh aalam hai,
ke tu nahin, tera gham, teri JUSTJOO (search) bhi nahin,
guzar rahi hai kuch is tarah zindagi jaise,
ise kisi ke sahare ki aarzoo bhi nahin

na koi raah, na manzil, na roshni ka suragh (trace)
bhatak rahi hai andheron mein zindagi meri,
inheen andheron mein rah jaaonga kabhi kho kar,
main jaanta hoon meri HUMNAFAS (friend), magar yunhi

kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai

Ethics and Principles

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma City. My friend and proud father Bobby Lewis was taking his two little boys to play miniature golf. He walked up to the fellow at the ticket counter and said, "How much is it to get in?"

The young man replied, "$3.00 for you and $3.00 for any kid who is older than six. We let them in free if they are six or younger. How old are they?"

Bobby replied, "The lawyer's three and the doctor is seven, so I guess I owe you $6.00."
The man at the ticket counter said, "Hey, Mister, did you just win the lottery or something? You could have saved yourself three bucks. You could have told me that the older one was six; I wouldn't have known the difference."

Bobby replied, "Yes, that may be true, but the kids would have known the difference."
As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying."

In challenging times when ethics are more important than ever before, make sure you set a good example for everyone you work and live with.

Excel - For Your Own Satisfaction

A gentleman once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, "Do you need two statues of the same idol?" "No," said the sculptor without looking up, "We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage."

The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage. "Where is the damage?" he asked. "There is a scratch on the nose of the idol." said the sculptor, still busy with his work. "Where are you going to install the idol?" The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high. "If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?" the gentleman asked.

The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and said, "I know it and God knows it!"

The desire to excel should be exclusive of the fact whether someone appreciates it or not. "Excellence" is a drive from inside, not outside. Excel at a task today - not necessarily for someone else to notice but for your own satisfaction.

Cutting Edge Technology!!!

Back when telegraph was the fastest method of long distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code Operator. Answering an advertisement in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of telegraph in the background.

A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the Manager’s office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up,crossed the room to the door of the manager’s office and walked right in. Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that hadn’t heard any summons yet.

They assumed that the young man who had gone into the office had made a mistake and would be disqualified. Within a few minutes however, the manager escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming but the job has been filled.”

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, “Wait a minute, I don’t understand! He was the last to come in, and we never got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair.”

The manager said. “ I am sorry, but all the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse code: “ If you understand this message ,then come right in. The job is your’s”.

None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his.

So my dear friends, Life has its own subtle ways of whispering wisdom, pre-empting opportunities, echoing answers, directing courses ………….
Who said “The world outside is tough”. It is only challenging ………Live in awareness ….. else we will miss it all.

Knowledge & Efforts!!!

A giant ship engine failed. The ship's owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.

Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a young. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, top to bottom.

Two of the ship's owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man reached into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. Instantly, the engine lurched into life. He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed!

A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for ten thousand dollars.
"What?!" the owners exclaimed. "He hardly did anything!"
So they wrote the old man a note saying, "Please send us an itemized bill."
The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer...... ......... ........ $ 2.00

Knowing where to tap.......... ......... ...... $ 9,998.00

Effort is important, but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference