One evening a scholar was addressing the participants on the concept of work culture. One of the participants asked the following question:
"I am a senior manager of Materials Department and I joined an organization 25 years ago as an Engineer Trainee and over the last 25 years I have gone through every experience in the organization.
During the initial part of my career, the job was very challenging and interesting.
However, all those exciting days are gone since I do not find my joy any more interesting because there is nothing new in my job. I am now feeling bored because I am doing a routine job.
However, Sir, I am living in the same house for over forty years, I am the son for the same parents for over forty five years, I am the father for the same children for the past ten years and the husband for the same lady for the past twenty years !( the toughest job!)
In these personal roles I do not feel bored Please tell me why I am bored of the routine in the office and not in the house?"
The response from Scholar was very interesting and convincing. He asked the executive the question: "Please tell me for whom does your Mother cook?"
The executive replied that obviously the mother cooks for others.
Then the Scholar said that the mother "Serves" others and because of this service mindedness, she is not feeling tired or bored. But in an office, we "Work" and not "Serve". Anything we consider, as service will not make us feel bored. That is difference between Serving and Working.
He asked the executive to consider his work as service and not merely a work!! This was a very interesting analysis!! Whenever you put a larger context around your work and see a broader meaning for your work, you will take interest in your work and it will make a very big difference in your internal energy.
Attitude Matters!!!
If you think you are working for the organization you will get frustrated. If you feel you are doing a service and getting some service charges you will feel happy. After all -doing what you like is freedom but liking what you do is happiness! It is just a paradigm shift that is required!
"What I do today is important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it."
Are we WOKING or SERVING ?
Becareful ...... Change in English language is proposed.
The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement has been
reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European
communications, rather than German, which was the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British government conceded that English
spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five-year phased
plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish (Euro for short).
In the first year, "s" will be used instead of the soft "c". Sertainly,
sivil servants will resieve this news with joy.
Also, the hard "c" will be replaced with "k". Not only will this klear up
konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the
troublesome "ph" will be replaced by "f". This will make words like
"fotograf" 20 per sent shorter.
In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to
reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always
ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of
silent "e"s in the languag is disgrasful, and they would go.
By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" by
"z" and "w" by " v".
During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining
"ou", and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of
leters.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze
forst place....
10 Tips for a Happier Life
Don’t worry
Worry is the least productive of all human activities and thoughts….
Don’t let needless fears preoccupy your life...
Most of things we fear never happen!!!
Don’t hold grudges...
That is one of the biggest and most unnecessary weights we carry through our lives..
Take on one problem at a time
It’s the only way to handle things anyway..one by one..
Don’t take your problems to bed with you.
They are bad and unhealthy companions for good natural sleep and rest...
Don’t take on the problems of other people..
They are better equipped to handle their own problems than you are..
Don’t live in the past.
It will always be there in your memories to enjoy..but don’t cling to it. Concentrate on what is happening right now in your life..and you will be happy in the present also..not
just the past.
Be a good listener.
It is only when one listens..that one gets and learns ideas different from ones own...
Do not let frustration ruin and rule your life...
Self pity more than anything..interferes with positive actions..with moving forwards in our lives.
Count your blessings...
Don’t even forget the smallest blessings.. As many small blessings add up to large ones...
12 WAys
TWELVE WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK IN YOUR WAY
1. Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never tell a man he is wrong.
2. The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
3. If you are wrong admit it quickly and emphatically.
4. Begin in a friendly way.
5. Get the other person saying "Yes" "Yes" immediately.
6. Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
7. Let the other person feel that the idea is his.
8. Talk in terms of the other man's interests.
9. Try honestly to see things from the other person's point of view.
10. Appeal to nobler motives.
11. Dramatize your ideas.
12. Throw down a challenge.
The Waste in Worry
If we were to keep a record of all the things we worried about during a given period of time, we would discover, in reviewing them, that the great majority of our anticipated problems or troubles never come to pass. This means that most of the time we devote to worrying, even the constructive kind that prompts us to try to come up with a solution to what is troubling us, is wasted. Thus, we not only caused ourselves unnecessary mental anguish, but also took up valuable minutes and hours that could have been spent elsewhere.
To avoid this, it is often necessary to subject potential sources of worry to the coldly objective and analytical light of reason. Once, sortly before a major concert before a standing-room-only audience, a member of Arturo Toscanini's orchestra approached the great Italian conductor with an expression of sheer terror on his face. "Maestro," the musician fretted, "my instrument is not working properly. I cannot reach the note of E-flat. Whatever will I do? We are to begin in a few moments."
Toscanini looked at the man with utter amazement. Then he smiled kindly and placed an arm around his shoulders. "My friend," the maestro replied, "Do not worry about it. The note E-flat does not appear anywhere in the music that you will be playing this evening."
The next time we find ourselves in the middle of worrying about some matter, we might be wise to stop and ask ourselves what the odds are of the problem really coming to pass. We may be able to go on to something more constructive.
Friendships
Friendships, are all important in life, but they should be cultivated like a flower. This applies specially to one's life-partner.
In all cases friendship depends on the love one can give to the other. Differences in character and taste need to be bridged, a compromise reached in mutual respect.
On the other hand be careful in your choice of friends. You might easily become their victim, object of their projections, infected by their ideas. Many a so-called friendship is based on how one can profit from the other. The acquaintance may be merely used as a means of introduction to a social circle of influential people. Other friendships may be clung on to for warmth, to flee from one's isolation, to find a willing ear, to borrow things/money, to lean on, etc. But if a friendship has no other basis it becomes shallow as it is, based on dependence and serves as a crutch. It should not be a one-way street, unless the relationship is consciously sustained for other reasons as an act of compassion.
Insight in human character makes for true friendships. It means that one should know how the other person functions so that disappointments may be avoided. Only if one is prepared to accept the other for what he/she is and show some form of appreciation will a lasting response grow. So often one projects an image of the ideal person on to the other, expecting responses not in line with his/her character.
Thus good friendships can be made if one has also something to offer, be willing to listen to the other instead of using his/her presence to vent opinions he/she is not interested in. Everybody capable of forgetting himself, if only for a brief moment, can be a good friend, mean something to the other. If there is a true rapport one may say things unknowingly which are important to the other.
True friendships are beyond time. One does not need to see each other often. The thread may be picked up instantaneously, even after many years.
Looking for the perfect partner?
One day Mulla Nasrudin and a good friend took a walk.
"I’m getting married on the morrow, Mulla," pronounced his friend very excitedly. "Isn’t marriage wonderful, Mulla!
It is quite the best! Have you ever considered getting married, Mulla?"
Nasrudin smiled. "In my youth I thought of nothing else. In fact, I so wanted to find the perfect wife I travelled the world searching for her. In Damascus, I met a beautiful woman who was spiritual, kind and loving, but she had no worldly knowledge. In Isphahan, I met a woman who was kind, loving and worldly, but she was not interested in the spiritual life?"
"Where did you travel to next?" asked his friend.
Nasrudin smiled, "I forget where, but I met a truly beautiful woman who was spiritual, kind, loving and worldly, but she could not communicate well. Finally, I went to Cairo and there, after much searching, I found the perfect wife. She was everything I had wanted her to be. She was perfect."
"Then why did you not marry her, Mulla?"
"Alas," said Nasrudin, shaking his head, "she was, unfortunately, looking for the perfect husband!"
You Are Unique
Enjoy that uniqueness. You do not have to pretend in order to seem more like someone else. You weren't meant to be like someone else. You do not have to lie to conceal the parts of you that are not like what you see in anyone else.
You were meant to be different. Nowhere ever in all of history will the same things be going on in anyone's mind, soul and spirit as are going on in yours right now.
If you did not exist, there would be a hole in creation, a gap in history, something missing from the plan for humankind. Treasure your uniqueness. It is a gift given only to you. Enjoy it and share it!
No one can reach out to others in the same way that you can. No one can speak your words. No one can convey your meanings. No one can comfort with your kind of comfort. No one can bring your kind of understanding to another person.
No one can be cheerful and lighthearted and joyous in your way. No one can smile your smile. No one else can bring the whole unique impact of you to another human being.
Share your uniqueness. Let it be free to flow out among your family and friends and people you meet in the rush and clutter of living wherever you are. That gift of yourself was given you to enjoy and share. Give yourself away!
See it! Receive it! Let it tickle you! Let it form you and nudge you and inspire you!
Steps To Happiness
Everybody Knows:
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.
So:
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of *being you*.
Then:
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.
And you'll be a most vital mortal.
Dare To Believe:
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem
A Walk In The Mountains
A son and his father were walking in the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it."
YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!
How To Make Everything The Bright Side?
For nearly every situation, there is a way to make it seem positive. If you missed the bus, you met an interesting person waiting for the next one. If you lost a loved one, you began to finally value your own life. If you had a "failed" relationship, you learned a valuable lesson.
Going through life with a new paradigm has been serving me well these past few weeks. I have been able to take situations, separate myself from them, and turn them around until I see the positive aspect of the experience. Some may see this as a delusion, but I see it as exercising a choice.
While not every person may have a choice as to what happens, everyone is given a choice as to how they will react. Reaction is the most powerful choice that a person can exercise. Mastering this choice will give you the power to turn hate into love, fear into courage, despair into hope, and death into life.
All you have to understand is that this is your reality. All you have to do is ask yourself: How do I want this to affect me?
12 ways to be a better dad
12 ways to be a better dad
What do I do with a three-year-old who"s grabbing my trouser leg just as I am on an important call?"
"I don"t really want to play house-house or hide and seek or football after a long, hard day at work."
"I"d rather watch the news/ financial channels, instead of watching cartoons."
"How am I going to get this adamant child to eat his food?"
"Isn"t this all in the mommy"s domain? Isn"t my role that a provider?"
And that last is a wail for help! If these questions plague you, then you must be a Dad. And here"s what you can do to remove the struggle out of being Daddy.
1. Spend time with your children
How much time a father spends with his children tells them how important they are to him. Spend at least 15 minutes everyday having FUN with your children on a one to one basis, more when you can.
Find something that both of you enjoy, be it a sport, board games, laughing together, tickling, dancing, painting� absolutely anything that is fun for both of you!
Remember, just filling their cupboards with toys and other material things is not going to build the bond, spending time together is what will get you closer.
2. Respect your children
Talk politely to your children. It is very important for us to respect to them if we want them to respect us. Listening to them when they are talking, not interrupting their conversations, allowing them to make some of their own decisions, all go a long way in showing respect.
3. Communication is important
Talk to your children. Talk about their day-to-day routines and tell them about yours. Be aware of your child"s life, know their friends, the activities they do, their hobbies, and their interests. Get to really know your children.
4. Don"t just hear, LISTEN
When children talk, what they are saying is very important to them. Don"t jump in and start giving advice, just listen to them. Try and understand the feelings behind the words.
Even if the talk seems childish patter to you, it is very important to listen, to really listen to your children.
Be available for them. Keep the newspaper aside, switch off the television, put your mobile on silent. Maintain eye contact and give them your undivided attention.
This will tell your children how important they are to you. It will go a long way in increasing their self-esteem and also set the stage for more meaningful conversations, as your child grows older.
Though if your children come to you at one of those times when you are really busy, tell them you will listen to them once you are done. Fix up a time -- it could be half an hour later -- to listen to what they have to say, and make sure to follow through with it.
5. Teach and encourage
Many times fathers think teaching is something their spouses or the school has to do. But a father who teaches his children about right and wrong, and encourages them to do their best, will see his children make good choices.
Fathers who are involved in the daily routines will teach their children the basic values of life through everyday examples.
6. Discipline with love
All children need guidance and discipline, not as punishment, but to set reasonable limits.
Discipline should always come from a place of love to teach the children responsible behaviour.
You have to keep in mind that as the child grows older, the freedom should be increased and the limits have to be reduced. Take something as simple as bedtime. An older child can stay up till a much later time than a younger one.
Use choices where possible, though always remember that the choices given should be acceptable to you. Use positive forms of discipline such as logical consequences; wherein the consequence is connected to the misbehaviour.
For example, if the crayons are not put in the box after using them, the child loses the privilege of using them for maybe two days. Be sure to discuss this with your child beforehand and follow through with it the next time the situation occurs.
7. Demonstrate your love
Children need the security of being loved and accepted by their families. Showing affection is a wonderful way to demonstrate the love you have for your child. Hug them, kiss them and be there for them at all times.
Let them know they have your unconditional love and support. This will strengthen the parent-child bond and make your discipline and communication an easier process.
8. Respect your child"s mother
One of the best things a father can do for his children is to respect their mother. If you are married, keep your marriage strong. Show your love and affection for your spouse. When you have a conflict, demonstrate how two people can make up. This teaches your children a lot about relationships.
If you are divorced, it is still important to respect the mother of your children. Don"t ever badmouth your spouse in front of the children. When children see you respecting each other, they are more likely to feel accepted and respected as well.
9. Eat together as a family
Mealtimes are special times for bonding as a family. Sharing a meal together is an important part of healthy family life (breakfast, lunch or dinner).
Besides providing stability to busy days, it is a wonderful opportunity for the entire family to share the happenings of their lives with each other. It is a time of togetherness and strengthening the family ties.
10. Take your children for outings
Take your children to the zoo, museums, the beach. Take them for walks; take them swimming, bowling, to the park. Take them to the temple. Fly kites with them, play Holi with them.
Give them your undivided attention and take the opportunity to teach them at these times. Spend time on a one-to-one basis or as a family. But, most importantly, enjoy yourself with them!
11. Be involved in your children"s lives and make them feel important
Give priority to your children over other things and other people. Attend parents" days, sports day, annual day celebrations and any events they are participating in or which are important to them.
No matter what you say to them, children know you would give your time to those things and those people who are important to you. Remember this the next time you have to take a decision on whether to attend an event that is important to your child.
Being a part of their important days will not only build your child"s self esteem but also go a long way in strengthening your relationship with them.
12. Be a good role model
Practise what you preach. Don"t tell your kids that honesty is the best policy and then ask your spouse to say you are not at home when an unwanted person calls.
Children will model themselves on your actions more than your words.
When you make promises, even to your children, follow through with them. Be the same man behind closed doors as you are in public. This will increase the respect your children have for you.
15 ways to be a better mom
It goes without saying that mothers have an important role to play in their children"s lives. Here are a few tips on how you can be a better parent to your child:
1. Respect and value your child
Always respect your children -- respect and listen to their views and values, their opinions. Give them your complete attention when they want to talk to you. Put whatever activity you are engaged in on hold, and if that"s not possible, set a time for when you can chat, and make sure to stick to it.
Encourage your children every opportunity you get. Make them feel special and express your love for them often. Hug them, kiss them and say "I love you" everyday, not just when they are young but also as they grow older. Let them feel your love and affection as often as you can.
2. Talk to your kids
Conversing with children is the best way to influence their ability and love for learning. Children who are spoken to often as infants will understand more words when they are toddlers and pre-schoolers than others. Communication also strengthens the mother-child bond and eases out the communication barriers, even as kids grow older.
3. Have fun with them
Mothers are so busy with their day-to-day routines that they forget to have fun with their children. Take out one-on-one time to enjoy with your child. Do something that both of you like -- indulge in outdoor games, art and craft, board games, go for a walk, chat, cook -- do anything at all that makes you feel good. Laugh together, tickle each other, dance, sing songs, just have FUN!
4. Read to your little ones
Reading to your children is the best way to inculcate a reading habit in them, which leads to a love of learning as they grow older. Reading also creates an emotional bond between parent and the child, whether it"s lap-time reading, bedtime reading or any other way of doing it that you both enjoy. Moreover, it develops their imagination, creativity, vocabulary and communication skills.
5. Keep your children safe
All parents want to keep their kids safe. Remember to take the necessary precautions, whether it is making them sit in the backseat of the car while driving, or making sure that there is someone responsible with them at all times. Make sure your home is childproof, with electrical outlets out of reach, furniture edges rounded off, glass items out of the way etc.
6. Teach your children values
Make sure to impart good values to your kids -- it"s the best gift you"ll ever give them. Values are the foundation of a child"s character. Teach your children values through everyday interactions, stories and by the way you conduct yourself. While story-telling, however, make sure you don"t connect the story to the child. If, for example, you want to teach your little one about honesty, tell him/ her interesting stories related to it. Do not say, "You should behave in the same manner as so-and-so did and always tell the truth" -- the message will not sink in. To a youngster, this feels like nagging and moralising, which will go in one ear and out the other.
7. Be a good role model
Remember that your kids are watching you all the time and want to ape you in every possible way. Even very young children take in and listen to everything their parents say and do, so remain aware of your actions and behaviour around them. For example, if you talk rudely to the domestic help, you will not be very successful in teaching your children the value of politeness. Model the behaviour that you want them to develop.
8. Keep your kids healthy
Provide nutritious meals for your children, but allow them to make their own choices about what they like or don"t like. Allow them their personal likes and dislikes when it comes to food. As long as you are providing them with nutritious options and not junk food, they will almost always make the right choices. With young children, try and be creative with their meals, so that it"s fun for them. If, for instance, there is cooked vegetable and chapattis for dinner, fold some cooked veggies into each chapatti so that the kids can enjoy it as a roll.
9. Set rules and limits
A good mother is firm and flexible. Don"t leave discipline only to a child"s father. Set reasonable rules and limits and discuss them with your kids beforehand. Follow through with the consequences whenever applicable. However, there are times when you have to be flexible and ease the rules; times when youngsters are tired, sleepy, hungry or not well.
10. Be just and fair
Treat all your children in the same manner. However, don"t try to be overly fair, as it will get in the way -- for example, if you are out shopping and spot a book that one of your kids needs for a reference project, you do not necessarily have to buy something for the other child. Similarly, bring the other child what he/ she requires when it"s needed. As long as you are providing for both of them equally, they will understand and not make an issue. When you try to be overly fair, children tend to find faults with every little thing you do.
11. Don"t interfere in your children"s fights unless it"s necessary
Allow your kids to settle issues on their own. As long as there is no bullying or physical violence, do not get involved in their fights. When you try to resolve their disputes, you will be required to take sides and this will not go down well with one of them. It is better to allow children to handle their own problems as far as possible. If they are not able to do it, or you feel like the situation is getting to you, ask them to play separately till they are able to be civil to each other and find a solution. You will be doing them a favour by teaching them the values of co-operation, problem-solving and compromise in the process.
12. Honour their father
One of the best things a mother can do is honour her children"s father in front of them. Even if you are separated or divorced, never speak ill about your spouse in front of your children. Talk about him with respect and teach your children to respect him too.
13. Get the kids to interact with extended family
Get your children to bond with extended family -- uncles, aunts, cousins. Make an effort so that they interact with both the maternal and paternal sides. Even if you don"t get along with your in-laws, teach your children to respect their grandparents. They will hold you in higher esteem for doing that.
14. Keep your self-respect intact
Always expect to be treated with respect by others in the presence of your kids and by your kids themselves. Do not allow anyone to cross a line. Maintain your dignity under all circumstances; be honest and keep your integrity intact always.
15. Take care of yourself
Sleep well and take out time for yourself. Keep yourself in good health. Remember, a happy, relaxed mother can give more of herself to her children and family than an overworked, tense parent.
5 rupee or ....
A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his Customer,
"This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you."
The barber puts a five rupee coin in one hand and two one rupee coins(1+1=2) in the other, then calls the boy over and asks,
"Which do you want, son?"
The boy takes the two one rupee coins and leaves.
"What did I tell you?" said the barber. "That kid never learns!"
Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of
the ice cream store. "Hey, son! May I ask you a question?
Why did you take two one rupee coins instead of five rupee coin?"
The boy licked his cone and replied,
............
............
............
............
............
............
............
............
............
"Because THE DAY I TAKE THE FIVE RUPEE COIN, THE GAME IS OVER"
Moral: When you think the other person is dumb, you are making a fool of yourself.
An eye opening story through a letter from Son to Dad !
A father passing by his son's bedroom was astonished to see the
bed nicely made up and everything neat and tidy.
Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the pillow. It
was addressed, "Dad". With the worst premonition, he opened the
envelope and read the letter with trembling hands:
Dear Dad,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had
to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene
with you and Mom.
I've been finding real passion with Joan and she is so nice. I
knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings,
tattoos, her tight motorcycle clothes and because she is so much
older than I am but it's not only the passion, Dad, she's pregnant.
Joan says that we are going to be very happy. She owns a trailer
in the woods and has a stack of firewood, enough for the whole
winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Joan has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't
really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it and trading it with the
other people in the commune for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want.
In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for
AIDS so Joan can get better; she sure deserves it!
Don't worry Dad, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take
care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can
get to know your grandchildren.
Your son, Chad
P.S. Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at Tommy's house.
I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than
the report card that's in my desk drawer.
I love you! Call when it is safe for me to come home!
The Costs of Time
People now live longer than they used to. Much work has been
done on this “greying” of the world’s population, and various
estimates tell us what we might expect. One of the main
practical implications is that together with delayed mortality
comes increased morbidity: that is, there will be an ever
growing number of old people with health problems who are
unable, to different degrees, to care for themselves. We have
been seeing this trend for some years.
In the not so distant past, the joint family was the dominant
form of household organisation. It had the “human resources” to
care for the old. A woman and her daughters-in-law would see to
the day to day running of the household, a widowed or unmarried
sister or daughter might be present, and children of varying
ages could be called upon to help.
The norm today is the nuclear family—a married couple and their
children—in which there is little cushioning. There are few
hands to begin with; and no person has much time to spare, given
that all adults are generally engaged in income-earning work
while the young must struggle to prepare for life in a
competitive world.
The less a person can do for herself, the more she needs a
carer. Those who can do nothing for themselves need full-time
carers. In a middle-class household, the carer is generally
someone employed for the purpose: for no member of the family
can afford to do nothing but care for the aged person. A
parallel is the ayah or nanny employed to look after an infant.
The difference is that infants are not chronically ill or
disabled or enfeebled; and their condition does not deteriorate.
Unless the person so employed is a trained nurse or is at any
rate literate and educated, at least one responsible member of
the family must devote time to the care of the old person. This
is often a great deal of time. In addition, because the person
employed cannot usually be counted on to deal even with routine
medication and minor emergencies, one responsible member of the
family is tied down.
We are already in a world in which people in their late fifties
or older, with not many productive years left to them, can do
little productive work because they must care for an elderly
parent or parents.
The economic and other costs of these realities can be
staggering when we consider their spread and magnitude. One aged
person contributes nothing; another person, of necessity
able-bodied, is occupied by little more than the care of the
first; and a third person is physically tied down and left with
little time and space for productive work. Many years are expensive.
Some humorus sign ads
Advertisement
In A Long Island Shop: Guitar, for sale....... Cheap....... ....no strings attached .
Ad..
In Hospital Waiting Room: Smoking Helps You Lose Weight ... One Lung At A Time!
Seen on a bulletin board:
Success Is Relative. More The Success, More The Relatives.
When I Read About The Evils Of Drinking...I Gave Up Reading.
My Grandfather Is Eighty And Still Doesn't Need Glasses... He Drinks Straight Out Of The Bottle.
You Know Your kids Have Grown Up When: Your Daughter Begins To Put On Lipstick.. Or Your Son Starts To Wipe It Off .
Sign In A Bar:
"Those Of You Who Are Drinking To Forget, Please Pay In Advance."
Sign In Driving School:
If Your Wife Wants To Learn To Drive, Don't Stand In Her Way.
Behind Every Great Man, There Is A Surprised Woman.
The Reason Men Lie Is Because Women Ask So Many Questions.
Getting Caught Is The Mother Of Invention.
Laugh And The World Laughs With You, Snore And You sleep Alone.
The Surest Sign That Intelligent Life Exists Elsewhere In The Universe Is The Fact That It Has Never Tried To Contact Us.
Sign At A Barber's Saloon In Detroit: We Need Your Heads To Run Our Business.
A Traffic Slogan: Don't Let Your Kids Drive If They are Not Old Enough Or Else They Will Never Be.
Sign In A Restaurant: All Drinking Water In This Establishment Has Been Personally Passed By The Manager.
Sign On A Famous Beauty Parlor Window: Don't Whistle At The Girls Going Out From Here. She May Be Your Grandmother !
Learn to Value Yourself
I am writing this article in conjunction to having a talk with my friend and his prime complaint was that no body values him and his work. Not exaggerating, but he would use the phrase "People don’t appreciate me" after each complaint. He was so depressed and broken that he decided to quit his job in search for a place where his work would be appreciated and he would be respected.
I inquired about his daily work routine to understand why he felt that he was not being recognized by his boss or his colleagues. Why was it that he was not able to get his work recognized? On speaking with him I understood that he was not showing the value of the work that he did.
From my past experience I understand that a person does not show value in anything if he/she does not value himself/herself. If you value yourself, you automatically start to exhibit value of your work.
This issue of not valuing yourself arises out of two core problems :
1. Low Self-Esteem
Self esteem is good. And the more you have, the better it is for you. No doubt the opposite is also true. Several reasons feed into having a Low Self Esteem. Could be your looks, they way you look at yourself, the confidence that you have to lead your life, etc. Be positive about yourself and always think positive. You are unique and be proud of that.
2. Not being serious in life
This is a very serious issue and requires 10000% more effort compared to when you have low self esteem. Why do people don’t take themselves seriously? It’s because they don’t have goals in life. They don’t know the mission why they were sent to this planet earth. They don’t know what they should accomplish. They try to find the purpose in life and pray to God that He help them. I say that you need to create the purpose in your life. Create that purpose for which you will wake up every morning to achieve. Read more about Achieving goals in 5 disciplined steps.
Create the purpose of your life. Set a goal that you would like to achieve and give it all that it takes to achieve your goal. You might stumble, fumble or fail; but don’t worry about it, keep your focus on your goal. My guru once told me that "What you focus on grows. If you focus on the problem, the problem will grow and if you focus on the solution, the solution will grow". So remember to remained focused on your goal.
Take some time off your daily schedule and go to a place where you feel comfortable. Be solitary there and think about your life and where it’s headed. Think… Think… Think… You will get your answer.
I would like to conclude this article with a story which will help you understand that if you value yourself, the world will as well.
A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a Rupee 500 note. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this Rupee 500 note?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this note to one of you but first let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the note up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth Rupee 500/-.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
You are special. Don't ever forget it! Never let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams.
Forward this article to your friend to help him/her value themselves.
Tips for stress management
The lifestyle that we live today is very different to what we used to live 5 – 10 years ago. Today with the advent of Internet and globalization humans are expected to perform 24/7. I personally call this the evolution as E-Era, where-in Darwin’s Theory of "Survival of the fittest" is applicable. With the ever increasing demands from bosses, competition and family, we are bound to undergo tremendous pressure and stress. The effect of stress is fatal to a human and could result in stroke or a heart failure.
So what is stress? Is it a disease? Is it a virus? What is it? Read on.
What is stress?
Stress is a physical, chemical or emotional factor causing mental tension; possible factor in causing disease. This is a condition or circumstance (not always adverse), which can disturb the normal physical and mental health of an individual. This demand on mind-body occurs when it tries to cope with incessant changes in life. A 'stress' condition seems 'relative' in nature.
Cause of stress?
Stress is caused because of many reasons. Your stress may be linked to outside factors such as the state of the world, the environment in which you live or work, or your family. Your stress can also come from your own irresponsible behavior, negative attitudes and feelings, or unrealistic expectations.
Furthermore, the causes of stress are highly individual. What you consider stressful depends on many factors, including your personality, general outlook on life, problem-solving abilities, and social support system. Something that's stressful to you may be neutral or even enjoyable to someone else. For example, your morning commute may make you anxious and tense because you worry that traffic will make you late. Others, however, may find the trip relaxing because they allow more than enough time and enjoy playing music or listening to books while they drive.
Stressors can be divided into three broad categories:
1. Frustrations – Frustrations are obstacles that prevent you from meeting your needs or achieving personal goals. They can be external—such as discrimination, an unsatisfying job, divorce, or the death of a loved one—or internal. Examples of internal frustrations include physical handicaps, the lack of a desired ability or trait, and other real or perceived personal limitations.
2. Conflicts – Stressors involving two or more incompatible needs or goals are known as conflicts. For example, a working mother might feel torn over a job offer that would advance her career, but take time away from her family. Sometimes the conflict involves a choice between two desirable options, such as deciding between two acceptance offers from equally appealing colleges. At other times, the decision involves disagreeable alternatives.
3. Pressures – Stress can stem from the expectations of others or the demands you place on yourself. You may feel pressure to get good grades in order to please your parents or get into a good school. Or you may feel pressure to excel at work, make a difference in your community, or be the perfect mother.
Effects of stress
The stress response of the body is meant to protect and support us. When faced with a threat, whether it is to our physical safety or emotional equilibrium, the body's defenses kick into high gear in a process known as the "fight or flight" response. The sympathetic nervous system pumps out adrenaline, preparing us for emergency action. Our heart rate and blood flow to the large muscles increase, the blood vessels under the skin constrict to prevent blood loss in case of injury, the pupils dilate so we can see better, and our blood sugar ramps up, giving us an energy boost.
The problem with the stress response is that the more it is activated, the harder it is to shut off. Instead of leveling off once the crisis has passed, your stress hormones, heart rate, and blood pressure remain elevated. Extended or repeated activation of the stress response takes a heavy toll on the body. The physical wear and tear it causes includes damage to the cardiovascular system and immune system suppression. Stress compromises your ability to fight off disease and infection, makes it difficult to conceive a baby, and stunts growth in children. It can even rewire the brain, leaving you more vulnerable to everyday pressures and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. And, of course, the stress of living with a debilitating disease or disorder just adds to the problem.
Signs and symptoms of stress
Intellectual symptoms (How stress can affect your mind)
1. Memory problems.
2. Difficulty making decisions.
3. Inability to concentrate.
4. Confusion.
5. Seeing only the negative.
6. Repetitive or racing thoughts.
7. Poor judgment.
8. Loss of objectivity.
9. Desire to escape or run away.
Emotional symptoms (How stress can make you feel)
1. Moody and hypersensitive.
2. Restlessness and anxiety.
3. Depression.
4. Anger and resentment.
5. Easily irritated and "on edge".
6. Sense of being overwhelmed.
7. Lack of confidence.
8. Apathy.
9. Urge to laugh or cry at inappropriate times
Physical symptoms: (How stress can affect your body)
1. Headaches.
2. Digestive problems.
3. Muscle tension and pain.
4. Sleep disturbances.
5. Fatigue.
6. Chest pain, irregular heartbeat.
7. High blood pressure.
8. Weight gain or loss.
9. Asthma or shortness of breath.
10. Skin problems.
Behavioral symptoms (How stress can affect your behavior)
1. Eating more or less.
2. Sleeping too much or too little.
3. Isolating yourself from others.
4. Neglecting your responsibilities.
5. Increasing alcohol and drug use.
6. Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing).
7. Teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
8. Overdoing activities such as exercising or shopping.
9. Losing your temper.
10. Overreacting to unexpected problem
What is Stress Management
The stress response narrows your ability to think clearly and function effectively. It can disable you physically and emotionally. The goal of stress management is to bring your nervous system back into balance, giving you a sense of calmness and control in your life.
Controlling your life means balancing various aspects of it — work, relationships and leisure — as well as the physical, intellectual and emotional parts. People who effectively manage stress consider life a challenge rather than a series of irritations, and they feel they have control over their lives, even in the face of setbacks.
There are no "one size fits all" solutions to managing stress. Every individual has a unique response to stress, so experiment with a variety of approaches to manage and reduce stress to learn what works best for you.
Tips for stress management
1. Breathe easily
To breathe deeply, begin by putting your hand on your abdomen just below the navel. Inhale slowly through your nose and watch your hand move out as your belly expands. Hold the breath for a few seconds and then exhale slowly. Repeat several times. Always feel the breath enter and leave your body.
2. Visualize calm
Close your eyes, take three long, slow breaths, and spend a few seconds picturing a relaxing scene, such as walking in a meadow, kneeling by a brook, or lying on the beach. Focus on the details -- the sights, the sounds, the smells.
3. Always smile
Smiling is a two-way mechanism. We do it when we're relaxed and happy, but doing it can also make us feel relaxed and happy. Learn to always smile. Smile is the best medicine. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going... and let the smile let all your tensions go. It’s the most difficult to do, but with presence of mind you can smile during any tension.
4. Compose a Mantra
Devise an affirmation -- a short, clear, positive statement that focuses on your coping abilities. Affirmations are a good way to silence the self-critical voice we all carry with us that only adds to our stress. The next time you feel as if your life is one disaster after another, repeat 10 times, "I feel calm. I can handle this."
5. Meditate
Quiet the mind and engage in exercises that help you focus on your breathing, an object, or your body sensations. The goal is to relax the mind, body and spirit. I am in the middle of releasing a 5 minute meditation guide. To receive an update on when the guide is released I would recommend that you signup for newsletter.
6. Take a Walk
It forces you to breathe more deeply and improves circulation. Step outside if you can; if that's not possible, you can gain many of the same benefits simply by walking to the bathroom or water cooler, or by pacing back and forth. The key is to get up and move.
7. Stretch
Muscles tighten during the course of the day, and when we feel stressed out, the process accelerates. Stretching loosens muscles and encourages deep breathing. One of the greatest stress-relieving stretches is a yoga position called the child pose, which stretches the back muscles. On a rug or mat, kneel, sit back on your heels, then lean forward and put your forehead on the floor and your arms alongside your legs, palms up. Hold for one to three minutes.
8 Get yourself a stress ball
Studies have shown that keeping a stress ball with you helps when you feel stressed out. Squeezing the stress ball stimulates your nervous system and thus relaxes you out. Always keep a stress ball handy.
9. Listen to soothing music
Find music that you feel helps you sooth your muscles. Get 4 – 5 such music (MP3 or any format) and listen to it when you feel under stress. In this times when iPod and Mobile phones allow you to play back MP3, relieving yourself from stress anytime/anyplace is possible. 10. Work on your hobby
If you have a hobby, then I would recommend that you participate in it. If you don’t have a hobby, then pick up one. Participating in your hobby helps you focus on something that you enjoy which in turn helps you to relax your mind and body.
When is professional help needed for stress management?
There’s a fine line between feeling stressed out while still being able to function effectively, and the debilitating, even paralyzing phenomenon we think of as burnout or breakdown. The difference is between handling your stress on your own, and being unable to figure out what to do because the pressures of life have become so overwhelming. It's time to seek professional help if you:
Feel that stress is affecting your health.
Feel that it will never end.
Feel so desperate that you think about quitting your job, running away, taking a drug overdose, or injuring yourself.
Feel depressed, sad, tearful, or that life is not worth living.
Lose your appetite and find it difficult to sleep.
Are managing your stress level by eating, sleeping, drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking, or using recreational drugs.
Have worries, feeling and thoughts that are difficult to talk about.
Hear voices telling you what to do.
I am in the process to release a guide on 5 minute meditation signup for newsletter to receive updates on when the article goes online.
Dealing With failure
All of us want to be successful. All of us have big dreams. We all try very hard to achieve them. But on our way to achieving those dreams, if we face a failure, we just break down totally. Sometimes we don't even feel like trying the same job again just because of the failure we faced in the previous attempt. And if we get up and start doing it, we are not able to put our 100% in it. Consciously or unconsciously, the fear of failure affects our performance. Students put so much effort in studying for exams, and if they end up getting a B or C, then they hardly look forward to next semester. If we stop doing everything just because of the fear of failing, then the world will come to an end. Then, what exactly should we do to overcome it? Let's take some moments and see if we are able to conquer the failure or if failure would be able to conquer us!
Changing point of view--First of all, we have to stop looking at failure in a negative way. People tend to link failure with weakness, stupidity, and dumbness. I totally disagree with that. I believe if you are doing something, and you think you are just perfect in it, that means something seriously is going wrong with it. When a person thinks he is perfect, he has closed all doors for any growth or improvement. Whenever there is imperfection, there are million chances of improvement. A person keeps on growing, but a so called 'perfect person' just stops growing. He is in this illusion of being perfect which hinders his growth forever. Look at failure as another step toward success. Make yourself positive enough to see the good sides of failure.
Don't label yourself a 'failure'-- If you fail in something, don't think of yourself as a failure. It just means that you haven't succeeded in doing the work you were doing. It means that you are only some steps away from achieving your goal. By labeling yourself as a failure you close the door for all possibilities of achieving success. Let me explain this with a beautiful example. There was a man who failed in business at the age of 21; was defeated in a legislative race at the age of 22; failed again in business at 24; overcome the death of his girlfriend at 26; had a nervous breakdown at 27; lost a congressional race at age of 34; lost a senatorial race at age 45; failed to become Vice President at the age 47; lost a senatorial race at 49; and was elected as the President of the United States at the age of 52! He was none other than Abraham Lincoln. He could have labeled himself a failure and ruin his whole life. Instead, he decided to ignore failure and fight against all odds.
Don't behave like a machine--Always remember that only highly intelligent people face big failures. They are the ones who cannot get things done in a right manner in first attempt. The reason for this is very simple. A person who follows orders and fulfills them right away, without thinking, is like a machine. There is no difference between that person and a machine. You tell him something and he will do it. However, a successful person is very different. If you tell him to do something in a certain way, he will ask you why he can't do it in other way. He will not follow your order blindly. He always say, "Why not the other way?" He always thinks different from crowd and that's where he succeeds.
An average student will follow what his professor has to say. He will learn the whole book and his professor's lecture word to word. But a genius-minded student would ask the professor so many questions about the whys and teh wherefores. His questions will be beyond the coursework.
That average student might end up getting a better grade than that genius student. But in long term, it will be that genius student whose name will be remembered for a long time. However, that average student remains average forever his life. So, stop thinking that you are a weak or dumb student if you end up getting a low grade in spite of asking so many questions in every class. Rather be proud of yourself that your mind is much more polished than other students in the class.
See what you have learned--When you fail to do something, look back and see how much you have learned. You will be surprised to see that you have learned so much that you would not have learnt if you succeeded in the first attempt. Thomas Edison failed approximately 10,000 times while he was practicing on the light bulb! When people asked him to quit this project, his reply was, "I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward...." If you have this kind of attitude, there is no way why you won't be successful. Every failure teaches you something. You just have to see what mistakes you made and learn from them. The more mistakes you make, the smarter you will become. Just don't make the same mistake twice because that will make you stupid. Learn from your first mistake and don't repeat it.
Never give up--No matter how people react to your failure, you should never ever give up. If you start giving up after your every failure, you will see that you will accomplish literally nothing in life. You will start doing something and will quit it forever after you fail in it. In this way, your skills will never be polished. Your dreams will never see the light of day.
Every success story is also a story of a great failure. The only difference is that the successful people never gave up. Instead, they bounced back with a much more energy and enthusiasm every time they failed. There was a partially deaf child who was expelled from school because his teachers considered him too stupid to learn. His mother decided to teach him and show everyone how intelligent her son is. Her son was none other than the great Thomas Edison. Edison had only three years of formal schooling.
Be Patient --Don't get discouraged if it is taking a little longer than you expected. The more time it will take the better performance it will give. Don't think that you will never achieve your goal or you will never get you want. Failure might cause your goals a little delay but it doesn't mean that you will never achieve them. It simply means that it will take just little longer. When Beethoven was young, everybody used to tell him that he has no talent for music. He knew that he will be the best composer after a considerable time. Today everyone knows that he gave the world some of the best music.
Finally,we need to update our dictionaries. We have to remove some of the words and change the meaning of some of them. 'Failure' is one of those words whose meaning needs to be changed. Today onwards, see failure as a chance to bounce back with full of energy. Look at failure as an opportunity to improve more and polish your skills. View your failure as a road to success. I am sure if you follow the above suggestions sincerely, then you will be one of those rare people who make it big no matter what circumstances are.
Think & Learn !
An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45
years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.
The Father asked his Son, "What is this?"
The Son replied "It is a crow".
After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, "What is
this?"
The Son said "Father, I have just now told you "It's a crow".
After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time,
What is this?"
At this time some ex-pression of irritation was felt in the Son's tone
when he said to his Father with a rebuff. "It's a crow, a crow".
A little after, the Father again asked his Son t he 4th time, "What is
this?"
This time the Son shouted at his Father, "Why do you keep asking me the
same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT
IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?"
A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old
tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening
a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the
following words were written in the diary :-
"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a
crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and
I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly
each time h e asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I
did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent
child".
While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this", the Father had
felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when
today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son
felt irritated and annoyed.
So..
If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a
burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and
kind to them. Be considerate to your parents.From today say this aloud, "I
want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I
was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.
They crossed all mountains and valleys of the life without seeing the
storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today".
Say a prayer to God, "I will serve my old parents in the BEST way. I will
say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.
Inspirational Thoughts
Destiny is not a matter of chance,It's a matter of choice; It's not a thing to be waited for,It's a thing to be achieved.
~William Jennings Bryan
When you know what you want, and you want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it.
~Jim Rohn
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.
~ Albert Einstein
The only limits are, as always, those of vision.
~James Broughton
Someone once asked me why do you always insist on taking the hard road? and I replied why do you assume I see two roads?
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
~ Henry David Thoreau
Argue for your limitations and sure enough they are yours.~ Richard Bach
Adversity cause some men to break; others to break records.
Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
~ William Feather
A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.
~ Charles Schwab
Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
~ Joshua J. Marine
The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen.
~ Frank Lloyd Wright
I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
~ Thomas Jefferson
He is the most unfortunate who's today is not better than yesterday.
~Muhammad (PBUH)
Success can never be controlled, but performance always can.
~John F. Murray
If you are not big enough to lose, you are not big enough to win.
~Walter Reuther
Never stand begging for what you have the power to earn.
There are two ways of meeting difficulties: you alter the difficulties, or you alter yourself to meet them.
~Phyllis Bottome
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.
You always pass failure on the way to success.
~Mickey Rooney
Whenever I hear, 'It can't be done,' I know I'm close to success
~ Michael Flatley
Without a sense of urgency, desire loses its value.
~ Jim Rohn
God gives every bird it's food, but does not always drop it into the nest.
Kites rise highest against the wind not with it
~ Sir Winston Churchill
To make yourself exceptional is the biggest achievement of your life.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Abraham Lincoln's letter to headmaster
A letter written by Abraham Lincoln to the Headmaster of a school in which his son was studying. It contains an advice, which is still relevant today for executives, workers, teachers, parents and students.
Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.
It will take time, I know; but teach him, if you can, that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found.
Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy the winning.
Steer him away from envy, if you can .
Teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn early that bullies are easiest to lick.
Teach him if you can the wonder of books…but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill-side.
In school teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon.
Teach him to listen to all men but teach him also to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and take only the good that comes through.
Teach him if you can how to laugh when he is sad.
Teach him there is no shame in tears.
Teach him to scoff at cynics and be aware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell of his brawn and brain to the highest bidders; but never put a price tag on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob…and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently; but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel .
Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself because then he will always have sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order; but see what you can do…he is such a fine little fellow, my son
~Abraham Lincoln
Quotes of Greats
The virtue of the imagination is its reaching, by intuition and
intensity, a more essential truth than is seen at the surface of
things.
-John Ruskin
The two states, waking and dream, are filled up by forms and names,
which are the creations of the restless mind;
therefore they are alike unreal.
-Ramana Maharshi
If you believe in prayer, pray; if you believe in serving, serve; if
you believe in giving, give.
-William Arthur Ward
Those who do too much for their children,will soon discover they can
do nothing with their children.
-Neal A. Maxwell
The trouble with opportunity is that it only knocks. Temptation kicks
the door in.
-Unknown
If we really want to be blessed, and make others blessed, we must go
deeper. The first step is not to disturb the mind,
not to associate with persons whose ideas are disturbing.
-Swami Vivekananda
Marlon Shirley
At the age of 5 when all kids should and laughing with friends and family, Marlon Shirley was living on streets and being moved in and out of orphanages. Shirley's story is all the more impressive because of what he's overcome. Marlon Shirley saw his fair share of struggles as a young boy, living with his mother who was gone a lot and moved frequently to keep trouble from catching up with her. Marlon was five years old when he was picked up by social services and dropped off at an orphanage where he began the “pinball life of an institutional orphan.” In 1984, Marlon lost his foot in an accident with a lawnmower. The caretaker of the orphanage was letting the kids jump on an off the riding lawnmower while he mowed the lawn around the facility. Marlon slipped and the caretaker ran over his leg where the damage was done. Marlon later woke up with an amputation above the ankle.
Marlon bounced around to various foster homes over the years until he was adopted by a family from Utah in 1987. He took the Shirley’s last name and feels blessed to have been found by them.
Marlon struggled through high school, trying to overcome the habits and tendencies of his past—of simply trying to survive. Mid-way through his senior year in 1997, close to flunking out and humiliated, Marlon had had it. He decided to do something with his life and signed up to participate in the Simplot Games in Idaho, the largest open high school indoor track meet west of the Mississippi. He hoped to get offered a college scholarship, but the odds were against him. Marlon had little track experience and was hobbling on crutches due to a fractured bone in his leg he obtained from dunking a basketball a few weeks earlier.
Marlon felt he had to do it. He entered the high jump, where he hopped over on his good leg and dove headfirst over the bar. He cleared 6’6”, which just happened to be the Paralympic world record. A month later, Marlon competed in the Disabled Sports USA track meet in California, where he left $13,000 richer.
Marlon Shirley has endured many situations which would have brought the average person to shambles. He has not only found a way to prevail, but has also found a way to be a world class athlete. He owns two world records: the 100-meter dash and the long jump. In 2000, at the Para-Olympic Games in Sydney he won the 100m dash and took silver in the high jump. Since then, not only has he become the first and only lower leg amputee to break the 11.00 seconds mark (10.97), Marlon has also run the fastest 200m dash to date.
At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Marlon Shirley won the Paralympic 100-meter gold medal for the second straight time. He has been called “the world’s fastest amputee.”
Marlon said, "It's something I train for every single day. It's almost just like an automatic movement of my body springing down the track. We all have our own type of disabilities—mine just happens to be physical, and you can see it very easily when I run. But you can't tell it by the time I get done racing."
Shirley's prosthetic foot is made of carbon fiber titanium, materials developed in the aerospace industry. He is clearly testing the limits of what a prosthetic foot can do.
"The feet? They've lasted me forever," he said. "I remember running around on crutches just like I'd run around if I had another foot," he said. "I definitely never looked at myself any differently than anyone else."
Marlon is a 10-time World Champion and Olympic Champion. He is the spokesperson for the Paralympic Movement and other sponsors. Marlon’s biggest and most desirable goal is to be the first amputee to qualify for the 100m dash at the US Nationals against athletes with all limbs. Marlon Shirley is the fastest amputee in the world. Not only is he fast, but he also jumps farther than any other amputee.
Marlon is an avid pilot with training and schooling in Aeronautical Engineering and also helped design the sprint foot that he and many of the T44 athletes use in competition around the world. Still a kid at heart, he enjoys designing and flying R/C airplanes, helicopters and trucks. Other hobbies include: golf, flying, motorcycles, snowboarding and anything else people tell him he can't do!
