Ease out those first date blues.......

First dates have always been a cause of worry. Sweaty palms, butterflies in the tummy and a dazed feeling that makes you feel so unsure of what to say or do are all trademarks of the first date. To make matters worse, it's the success of this meeting that decides your chances of more dates. And all this pressure can surely be a kill joy.

However, there's no need to fret for you are not alone. Rehaan Ali, a third year English Honours student says, "There was this girl in my class whom I really liked but I was afraid to approach her. Eventually, I mustered the courage and asked her out. but all through the evening I kept wondering, 'How do I know if she likes me?'"

Impressing the opposite seems to be mission, more so if you are on a date. That said, constantly worrying about whether you are doing the right thing can also kill the mood. Instead, there are ways in which you can subtly find out what's on your date's mind. Reading your date's body language is one easy way of knowing how you are progressing.

For example if your date is standing with her arms folded or wrapped across her body, you can be sure you're not saying the right things! If on the other hand she looks directly into your eyes during the conversation and occasionally reaches out to touch your hand or arm, you are on the right track and are obviously saying the right things.

The idea is not to come on too strong. You have to listen to what your date is talking about. Don't ramble on and on about yourself. Show her or him some sensitivity, be sympathetic to her or his problems.

If you find your date continuously looking at her or his watch or at the floor, or over your shoulder — that's a sure sign that things are not progressing the way they should.

"Change the way the conversation is going. Crack a few good jokes. Make her or him laugh. Ask a question about a topic that interest her or him," advises student counsellor Pravin Kumar, adding, "This will ensure that your date slowly becomes more involved in the conversation. "

Yet another way of telling that you are on the right track and you are creating an impression is to look at your date's feet. They "should be pointing towards you and not away," says Kumar. "Away from you means that she is not really interested in you

— yet!" he adds. the most obvious sign that your date likes you is if she/he promises to see you again!

Instant Message from God

"God : Hello. Did you call me?
Me: Called you? N-no.. who is this?
God : This is GOD - I heard your prayers - thought we'd chat.
Me: Well, I do pray - makes me feel good - but I'm actually busy right now. I'm in the midst of something.
God : What're you busy at? Ants are busy, too.
Me: Don't know. But I can't find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand, but I still can't figure it out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.
God : Well, I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?
God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we NOT worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

God : Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God : Diamonds cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials but don't necessarily have to suffer because of them. With their experiences, their life ought to become better, not bitter.
Me: You mean to say such experiences are useful?
God : Yes. In everyday terms, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?

God : Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we're heading....
God : If you look outside, you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast enough seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God : Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Me: In tough times, how can we stay motivated?
God : Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Me: What surprises you about people?

God : When they suffer they ask, "Why me?" When they prosper, they never ask, "Why me?" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, yet few want to be on the side of the truth.
Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I? why am I here? I can't get the answer.
God : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God : Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God : There are no unanswered prayers. Sometimes the answer is simply NO.
Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.

God : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live."

PUT THE GLASS DOWN

A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it.

He held it up for all to see; asked the students,' How much do you think this glass weighs?'

'50gms!' .... '100gms!' ......'125gms' ......the students answered.

'I really don't know unless I weigh it,' said the professor,'but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?'

'Nothing' the students said.

'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour? ' the professor asked.

'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.

'You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'

'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress; paralysis;

Have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student; all the students laughed.

'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change? ' asked

The professor. 'No' the students said.

Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?'

The students were puzzled.

'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.

'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this.

Hold it for a few minutes in your head; they seem OK.

Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep.

PUT THE GLASS DOWN

That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh & strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!'


Remember to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!