Degree of Utilization

Buddha, one day, was on deep thought about the worldly activities and the ways of instilling goodness in human. The following is the text of conversation between him and his disciple.

One of the disciples approached him and said humbly “Oh my teacher! While you are so much concerned about the world and others, why don’t you look into the welfare and needs of your own disciples also”.

Buddha: OK…Tell me how I can help you?

Disciple: Master, My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one please?

Buddha found the robe indeed was in a bad condition which needed replacement. He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on. The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. Though he met his disciple’s requirement, Buddha was not all that contended on his decision. He realized he missed out some point. A while after, he realized, what he should have asked the disciple? He went to his disciple’s place and asked him “Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more?”

Disciple: Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more.
Buddha: Having got the new one, what did you do with your old attire?
Disciple: I am using it as my bedspread.
Buddha: Then…hope you have disposed off your bed spread.
Disciple: No…no…Master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain.
Buddha: What about your old curtain?
Disciple: Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen.
Buddha: Oh…I see…Can you tell me what they did with the old cloth they used in Kitchen?
Disciple: They are being used to wash the floor.
Buddha: Then, the old rug being used to wash the floor…????
Disciple: Master, since they were torn off so much, we could not find any better use, but to use as a twig in the oil lamp, which is right now lit in your study room….

Buddha smiled in contentment and left for his room.

Moral:

If not to this degree of utilization, can we at least attempt to find the best use of all our resources at home and at office….?? It becomes imperative in the critical time of Recession…..

Sent by: Prem Kumar

Two Fishermen

Two men went fishing. One was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh... Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back..



The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing the man waste good fish. "Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.




The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan."




Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throwback the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small.




We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan, yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?



Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way.



You can do all things through God. Nothing is too big for God.




REMEMBER:

Stop telling God you've got big problems.
Tell your problems you've got a BIG GOD!

MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE

An elderly man in Mumbai calls his son in New York and says, 'I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 35 years of marriage.... And that much misery is enough!'

'Dad, what are you talking about?' the son screams.'We can't stand the sight of each other any longer,' the old man says.'We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!'

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.

'Like heck they're getting divorced,' she shouts, 'I'll take care of this.'She calls Mumbai immediately, and screams at the old man, 'You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then , don't do a thing, DO YOU HEAR??' and she hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife.. 'Okay', he says, 'It's all set. They're both coming for our anniversary and paying their own airfare!!

'MORAL:

No man / woman is busy in this world all 365 days.The sky is not going to fall down if you take few days LEAVE and meet your dear ones.

OFFICE WORK IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE and MONEY MAKING IS NOT EVERYTHING IN LIFE.

Sent by: Prem

The flock of birds

“Teamwork is the ability to work together towards a common vision. It is the ability to direct individual accomplishments towards organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” - Andrew Carnegie

During the winter, geese migrate to a warmer place to fight the cold. These large groups of migrating birds fly for long hours to reach their destination. The flock is focused and flies in a ‘V’ formation, which increases their flight efficiency by 71%.

Geese are one of the best examples of excellent teamwork.


Lesson 1: Working as a team and sharing the same direction helps to reach the destination faster. By helping each other, the triumph is greater.

If a goose leaves the ‘V’ formation, it feels the resistance of the air. Hence, rather than flying alone, it comes back to the formation and continues with the flock.

Lesson 2: Always stay in tune with those who are going in a certain direction. This will not only help you to reach the goal with less effort, but you will always be guided by people around you.

When the leader is tired of flying, it drops out of the lead position and fall back into one of the lines of the V. Another bird from the rear rapidly takes the leading position.

Lesson 3: Never miss opportunities to empower others in the team. Always take responsibility and build trust. Respect others in the team. Share difficult problems and tasks with the team.

The geese flying behind the ‘V’ formation quack continuously to encourage the ones leading the flock. This way they maintain the same speed.

Lesson 4: Always appreciate an individual team player’s work. Encouragement helps to motivate the team and, strengthen the bond among the members and this in turn brings positive results.

When a goose falls sick and tired, it leaves the flock. But the flock doesn’t desert it. Some of the geese leave the flock to escort and protect it, till it is well enough to fly again. Then they either catch up with the flock or they form their own ‘V’ formation.

Lessson 5: Always stand beside your team mates, especially at the time of challenges and difficulties.

Bonding together brings up the spirit in the team and it boosts up courage to meet the challenges.

Dining Etiquette - India

A melting pot of cultures and religions, business in India is an amalgamation of influences from both within the sub continent as well as from the West and the Middle East. Indian business culture tends to be polite and bordering on formal.

• Most Indians literally live out the belief - Atithi Devo Bhava, which literally translated into 'guest is God and should be treated like a deity'. This extends into the business realm as well.
  
• Business lunches are common in India, and it is acceptable to discuss business at lunch.
  
• Do not be more than half an hour late when invited to an Indian associates' home.
  
• Eating with the hands is the most common and accepted practice, but no one would raise eyebrows if you used cutlery.
  
• Both beef and pork have religious sentiments attached to it, so be careful if you are ordering meat dishes.
  
• Almost always the host would foot the bill, if you are dining at a restaurant on business related issues or at an informal gathering. If you have plans on going dutch, do inform the host when you accept the invitation.

Source: Internet

Social and Gifting Etiquette - India

A melting pot of cultures and religions, business in India is an amalgamation of influences from both within the sub continent as well as from the West and the Middle East. Indian business culture tends to be polite and bordering on formal.

• Casual clothes are acceptable to social gatherings. However, if a foreigner makes an effort to wear traditional India garb, it would be well received and seen as a sign of friendship.

• If you are visiting the home of an Indian business associate during a festival, a box of sweets would be an appropriate gift.

• Be cautious in giving a leather item as a gift, as it has religious connotations. So does alcohol.

• Flowers, a box of chocolates, a curio from a foreign country or a piece of art would be well received. A bouquet of roses or orchids would be a safe choice. Do be aware that frangipanis are associated with funerals.

• Don't wrap gifts in black or white, which are considered unlucky colors. Instead, use green, red, and yellow, since they are thought to be lucky colors.

• In the Indian sub continent, gifts are not usually opened in the presence of the giver. If you receive a wrapped gift, set it aside until the giver leaves or insists that you open the gift.

Source: Internet

Office Etiquette - India

A melting pot of cultures and religions, business in India is an amalgamation of influences from both within the sub continent as well as from the West and the Middle East. Indian business culture tends to be polite and bordering on formal.

• A short handshake is the customary start to most business meeting. The important rule is to shake hands with a woman only if she has put out her hand. Else a greeting would suffice.

• Punctuality is vital to doing business in India, though occasional lapses are accepted. Most meetings indulge in the introductory small talk and then moves on to business issues. In fact, it is quite possible that no business will be discussed at the first meeting.

• It is advisable to address Indian colleagues with the title that signifies their status especially in the initial meetings. "Professor ..." or "Mr. ..." or Ms ..." with the name that follows the title being the surname and not a first name.

• Formal clothing is the accepted business attire. Men mostly dress in a suit and tie. Women could be dressed in conservative dresses or pantsuits.

• Business cards should be exchanged at the beginning of a business meeting. Be prepared with enough cards to be passed on to everyone at the meeting table. Always accept the card with your right hand, as the left hand is thought to be unclean.

• Body language is closely watched in business scenarios. Do avoid aggressive stances like standing with your hands on your hip or talking in loud voices or with angry gestures.

• Business etiquette in India urges cell phones to be put on the silent mode and calls not be answered or made during a meeting, except in case of an emergency.

• Always send a detailed agenda in advance. Send back-up materials and charts and other data as well. This allows everyone to review and become comfortable with the material prior to the meeting.

Source: Internet

He gave up a 5-star job to feed the mentally ill

A Ganesh Nadar in Madurai

'I don't feed beggars. They can look after themselves. The mentally ill won't ask anyone for food or money,' says N Krishnan who has been feeding them thrice a day for the past seven years.

N Krishnan feeds 400 mentally ill people on the streets of Madurai three times a day, every day, all 365 days of the year.

The 28 year old has been doing this for seven years via a charity called the Akshaya Trust.

A look into the kitchen reveals a spotlessly clean room. Sparkling vessels stacked neatly, groceries and provisions all lined up in rows -- rice, dal, vegetables, spices -- all of the best quality. One would think this was the kitchen of a five star hotel. Maybe Krishnan achieves that effect because he was once a chef at a five star hotel in Bengaluru."Today's lunch is curd rice, with home made pickle, please taste it," he says, serving me on a plate made of dried leaves.The food is excellent."I change the menu for different days of the week. They will get bored if I serve the same food every day," he says with an enthusiastic and infectious smile.

Image: N Krishnan feeds a mentally ill person on a Madurai street

Photographs: A Ganesh Nadar

For more information on N Krishnan's trust, log on to: http://www.akshayatrust.org/

Source: http://news.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/aug/12/slide-show-1-he-gave-up-a-5-star-job-to-feed-the-mentally-ill.htm

Embracing Imperfection

Story by a girl

When I was a little girl, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned toast in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said. 'Baby, I love burned toast.'

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night, and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, 'Debbie, your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides-a little burnt toast never hurt anyone! You know, life is full of imperfect things...and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook.'

What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is the one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. Burnt toast should never be a deal breaker. We could extend this to any relationship in fact - as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!!"

Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - but into your own.

People will always forget what you do, and they will always forget what you say, but they will never, ever forget the way you make them feel

Management Lesson

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops - a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.

At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.

Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically week? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened - Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next.

This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff.

By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what's more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!"

The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, "And why not?"

With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a bus pass."

Management Lesson:

"Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one."