Inspirational living

The famous motivator Dale Carnegie in one of his book said,

“Did you ever see an unhappy horse?

Did you ever see a bird that had the blues?

One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses.” True words of wisdom. It gives us a subtle message. It implies that many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. Happiness is not something that is attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. Let’s play the game of life with the aim of being happy and spreading happiness.

Playing The Game

Life is a game with a glorious prize,

If we can only play it right.

It is give and take, build and break,

And often it ends in a fight;

But he surely wins who honestly tries

(Regardless of wealth or fame),

He can never despair who plays it fair -

How are you playing the game?

Do you wilt and whine, if you fail to win

In the manner you think your due?

Do you sneer at the man in case that he can

And does, do better than you?

Do you take your rebuffs with a knowing grin?

Do you laugh tho’ you pull up lame?

Does your faith hold true when the whole world’s blue?

How are you playing the game?

Get into the thick of it - wade in, boys!

Whatever your cherished goal;

Brace up your will till your pulses thrill,

And you dare - to your very soul!

Do something more than make a noise;

Let your purpose leap into flame

As you plunge with a cry, “I shall do or die,”

Then you will be playing the game.

Happiness is one of the most precious virtues in humans. Happiness is as contagious as gloom. As Aristotle had stated, “Happiness depends upon ourselves”. At the same time, it is our duty to let others know of our gladness when we are happy. Each and every human makes his own happiness and is responsible for his own problems. We humans have the ability to determine our happiness hour by hour and day by day, through our thoughts and actions. We make that choice every morning when we get out of bed. Lets share a wonderful poem depicting the importance of 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.

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 to solve, but a gift to cherish.

And you’ll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.

What is simplicity? A great attribute yet relatively undervalued quality. Hans Hofmann said, “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” But in these days, simplicity is hard to find. In other words, simple is no more appealing. In fact the attitude towards simplicity is changed. We all know, our attitudes control our lives. Because Attitudes are a secret power working 24 hours a day, for good or bad. So it is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control our attitude towards simplicity. Because simplicity is a great strength. It sits lightly on our shoulders. It is a quality which is as vital to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. Simplicity manages to overcome almost everything, even nature.

Simplicity…

Simplicity

Is removing the

Masks of Life that

Puzzle and

Limit our progress

In the journey towards

Contentment

Inner peace and the

Tranquility all

Yearn for.

Simplicity

Is

More,

Perhaps, than simply

Letters on a page.

It holds a message

Clear, no

Incongruity to confuse

The senses now or

Yesterday…..

: - John McLeod

For the last one month, we have shared many wonderful poems. These poems manage to affect us in a positive way. Isn’t it surprising to find few well structured words managing to affect us in such a major way? Most of the times, these poems convey our innermost feelings of love, affection, strength, fear, longing ness amongst others. We almost, always, relate to a poem. It touches few chords here and there. Today I would be sharing a poem which is about “poem” itself.

Poems Are The Friends…

Poems are the Friends we make them

Expressing in words a thought

Of happiness, sadness, caring,

Experience dearly bought.

Poems have their own sweet language

That buds and comes to bloom,

Showing their many colours…

Light in a darkened room.

Poems let us say: “I love you…”

Poems let us say: “Goodbye…”

Poems can be strong, or gentle,

Raising a smile or sigh…

For poems are about our living

The road that we, daily, take,

Of Love and of selfless giving…

Poems are the Friends we make!

It’s so important to live in the present moment. We need to remind ourselves that this very moment is the only one we know we have for sure.

Breathe. Let go. Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. What we need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring us to this very moment. And this is the moment we can choose to make everything new. Right now.

Let’s relish a poem which emphasizes the need of enjoying the present moment.

A Motivational Poem - Moments in Life

There are moments in life when you miss someone

So much that you just want to pick them from

Your dreams and hug them for real!

When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one, which has been opened for us.

Don’t go for looks; they can deceive.

Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to

Make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go;

Be what you want to be, because you have only one life

And one chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,

Enough trials to make you strong,

Enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything;

They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past;

you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone

Around you are crying.

Don’t count the years-count the memories………..

: - By Author Unknown

Life is an interesting concept. In fact this is an interesting concept. It has given inspiration to many philosophies, poems, thesis and what not! Life resembles to a multifaceted prism, which gives diverse colored images, when viewed from different angles. Though, life is same but it appears different to different people. Today, I would be sharing its one color, seen by one person but it will hold true and similar to many of us.

a. Life is a struggle, face it.

b. Life is a lesson, learn it.

c. Life is a brief intermission, between birth and death, enjoy it.

d. Life is work, work is life.

e. Life is not a joke, take it seriously.

f. Life, without a wife, is no life

g. Life is a dream, to be realized.

h. Life is an ocean, fathom it

i. Life is to be lived, enjoy it.

j. Life is not a bed of roses.

k. Life is what you make it.

l. Life is an opportunity, don’t miss it.

m. Life without love is desolate.

n. Life is a goldmine, exploit it.

o. Life lies in optimism. Be a positive thinker.

p. Life is like a game of snakes and ladders; one faces many pitfalls before one reaches the top.

q. Life will be a pleasure, if you love your work.

r. Life without goals, is groping in darkness.

s. Life without trust is a life in turmoil.

t. Life is a journey; make it as pleasant as possible.

u. Life doesn’t mean bread alone.

v. Life is meaningful, only if there is a mission.

w. Life is enriched by good friendship.

x. Life doesn’t mean years alone: “IT IS THE LIFE IN THOSE YEARS”

y. Life is useful, if you contribute something, which will outlive it.

z. Life lies in diversity, not in monotony.

  : - Courtesy M. K. Soni

We humans tend to find comfort zone. It makes us feel comfortable and secured. We often forget to venture out of this comfort zone. And the cost we pay is, missing out on new experiments, new experiences of life. But the truth is, we can only grow if we are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when we try something new. It has been said that, “If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness”! How true! We must break out of your current comfort zone and become comfortable with the unfamiliar and the unknown.

Let’s read out this wonderful poem depicting the need of getting out of our comfort zone.

My Comfort Zone

I used to have a comfort zone

Where I knew I wouldn’t fail.

The same four walls and busywork

Were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,

But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.

I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.

I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,

But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.

I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,

I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you’re in a comfort zone,

Afraid to venture out,

Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.

A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.

Reach for your future with a smile;

Success is there for you!

: - By Author Unknown

We all come across millions of obstacles in our life and we are meant to overcome these obstacles. And the most crucial factor in overcoming those obstacles is our own inner strength. The inner strength to overcome along with the support of others, are intense motivators when attempting to prevail over the obstacles that lie ahead. The objectives we envisage, create, along with our strength of mind to succeed are considerable factors in conquering any challenge. As Dale Carnegie said, “Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it… that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear.” True words of wisdom! Once fear of obstacles conquered, success is there for taking. Success which could be anything ranging from, money, career, fame, happiness amongst other things.

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty,

To find the best in others,

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,

A garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded

: - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Internet can be called encyclopedia of knowledge. One comes across so many fascinating things which otherwise we would not have found. Few of the things manage in hang in there, in the back of your mind. And they stay that way because of their sheer quality and authenticity. There was this article called “We Learned It All in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum.

He mentioned it so correctly that most of the basic things we learn in kindergarten. Things like how to live, what to do and how to be are taught in kindergarten. The point is wisdom does not come out of doing graduation; rather it’s inherent in basics of childhood.

We need to remind ourselves of many of these basic learning at every phase of life. Some of them are:-

·        Save everything.

·        Play fair.

·        Put things back where you found them

·        Don’t hit people.

·        Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody

·        Clean up your own mess.

·        Don’t take things that aren’t yours.

·        Live a balanced life.

·        Wash your hands before you eat.

·        Learn some and think some, and draw and sing and dance and play and

·        work every day some