Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Puzzle - 36

I visited a science exhibition and found a stall that bets over guessing of our weight. When approached that stall owner and asked he said "If I write your correct weight you have to give me 10 bucks, I can't then I will give you 10 bucks". i thought since there is no weighing machine around I will add bit of weight with whatever he guesses and took the bet. Still I ended up loosing in the Bet and paid him 10 bucks. How is it possible?

Answer: He wrote on the paper 'your correct weight' as this is what he promised that he will write

The Joy of Serving

Source: Unknown

I held onto the hand of my shivering granddaughter as we waited our turn to get into the huge barn-like building. We couldn't see inside because of the length of the line up and so we passed our time watching the outside lineups.

Volunteers were busily placing frozen turkeys into bags at the head of one line up and in the other, families and individuals were receiving milk.

The parking lot was filled with trucks and cars and still more were waiting to get onto the lot. Strangely, though vehicles were blocked, no one honked nor appeared impatient. It seemed surreal as though everyone had been touched by something magical.

Finally we could see into the building and I was overcome with emotion as my eyes took in hundreds of overflowing boxes. Each box filled with care represented not only hours of time on the part of volunteers, but the generosity and caring of hundreds of people. The boxes were filled with food for empty stomachs. Some boxes sported brand new toys, gifts from anonymous individuals throughout the town and area, toys for children who might otherwise go without.

I suddenly felt self-conscious, aware that tears were flowing freely down my cheeks. I was touched by the display of kindness. I turned away from the crowds of people to wipe away the tears, and just as I did I was to see everything in a kind of mist and glow-like appearance. How fitting to see the "Angel Project" in this way.

It was four days before Christmas and today marked the climax of the Angel Project. This was the day that families in need could pick up food hampers and toys. Everything was donated through the generosity of strangers.

Finally it was our turn at the table and I found it difficult to speak past the lump in my throat. I was overwhelmed by all that was happening around me. Every box in that massive room represented the love of others. Every toy had been carefully selected, to be given away, yet the receiver and the sender would never meet.

Instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning, instead of baking cookies or decorating a tree, these people had dropped everything to sort, label and number boxes, and to hand out delivery addresses to volunteers to drop off boxes for those who had no transportation.

I could feel something extraordinary there in that building. It wasn't tangible nor quite definable but there was something special, beyond friendliness and I felt privileged to be there and be a part of it all.

People helped us pack the trunk and back seat of my car with food and toys for the first family and we set off to locate the address. As we drove along I felt blessed to have a tank full of gas and the opportunity to be among the delivery people in the "Angel Project."

I was not prepared for the greeting we were about to receive. I located a basement suite and when no one answered after ringing the bell I ventured down a set of steps and began calling out. "Hello, is anyone home?" A lady opened a door and as soon as I mentioned who I was and why I was there the woman began to shout. She was overjoyed and was calling out to some unseen person that we were there. Next she ran ahead of me up the stairs calling out to a neighbor, "they're here, they're here, the Angel people are here."

She ran up to the car, out there in the snow with only socks on her feet and began thanking us. She continued to thank us with each box we unpacked and though we gently reminded her that we were only the delivery people, she could not contain her joy and she continued thanking us again and again.

At the second house there were young children and when we introduced ourselves and explained why we were there, the children were sent upstairs and were admonished not to peek. I knew then that what we were about to unload might very well be the total sum of their Christmas presents.

Jani carried in the teddy bears, the huge craft set and the two other toys, all of which had been specifically chosen by Angel Project volunteers for these children. The mother helped me with the heavier food boxes and I knew this abundant supply would last a number of days.

As we left we exchanged "Merry Christmas" greetings. The woman paused just before the door closed. She looked directly at me and her eyes looked misty as she said "thank you, so much."

I shut my car door, fighting tears and a choked up feeling. This giant surge of emotion burst inside of me as I pictured those children on Christmas morning opening the wonderful gifts chosen by strangers. I could imagine tummies filled and good meals throughout the season. All this, because generous individuals opened their hearts and purse strings for people they did not know.

For Jani and I, we got to spend a special day together being a part of something beautiful and unforgettable. And though we were delivery people that day, I drove away feeling as though I was the one who had received the gift.

No matter what amount of little work you do for charity, The Joy you get out of it is uncomparable and you can never pay a price for it. Do you agree with me? Try this in your own life and you will know what I mean as it can only be felt by experience.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Ice Cream Facts

Are you a lover of Ice Cream? Of course everybody loves to try a single lick at least. Here are some interesting Yummy Ice Cream Facts for you...

  1. It takes 12 lbs. of milk to make just one gallon of ice cream

  2. Flavored ices may have been eaten in Italy as early as the mid-1500’s

  3. A traditional name for ice cream is Hokey Pokey. The name originated from early ice cream vendors who peddled their product shouting “ecco un poco” – Try a sample

  4. the first real evidence of the existence of ice cream was in China’s Tang period (A.D 618-97). King Shang had 94 ice men on his staff who helped make a dish based on buffalo milk, flour and camphor

  5. The first ice cream parlor is said to have opened in New York City in 1776

  6. In 1843, American Nancy Johnson invented the hand cranked ice cream maker. Johnson’s invention made it possible for many more people to make and enjoy ice cream. Agnes Marshall of England created a similar device later that year

  7. In 1851, Jacob Fussell converted his Baltimore milk plant into the world’s first ice cream factory

  8. The biggest ice cream sundae in history was made in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 1988, and weighed in at over 24 tons. You need many ice cream parlor to store that in

  9. In 2003, Portland, Oregon bought more ice cream per person than any other U.S. city. Looks like everyone else has a lot of catching up to do

  10. The U.S. produces more than 800 million gallons of ice cream every year.

  11. The U.S. enjoys an average of 48 pints of ice cream per person, per year, more than any other country. Maybe we should make ice cream the fifth food group

  12. In U.S, the average amount of ice cream eaten is an amazing 21 litres per person per year

  13. The ice cream cone became popular at the 1904 World’s Fair held in St. Louis. An ice cream vendor reportedly didn't have enough dishes to keep up with the demand, so he teamed up with a waffle vendor who rolled his waffles into cones!

  14. The most ice cream in the world is consumed in America where the average person eats about 15-20 quarts each year

  15. Some types of ice cream are more than 75% air

  16. Most ice cream contains more milk protein weight for weight than is present in milk itself

  17. The ice cream cone is considered one of the most environmentally friendly forms of packaging

  18. Vanilla is still the most popular ice cream flavour for nearly one out of every three people who eat ice cream

  19. Ice cream is second only to cookies as the favorite dessert in North America

  20. Some types of ice cream use "carrageenan' to improve texture and thickness. Carrageenan is a type of seaweed

  21. It takes approximately 50 licks to polish off a single-scoop ice cream cone, try counting your number of licks per scoop

  22. Sharing ice cream with a pet cat or dog is done by approx 5% of people

  23. The first record of a cone being used for serving appears in Mrs Marshall’s Cookery Book in 1888. Before then, ice cream was either licked out of a small glass known as a penny lick or taken away in wrapped in waxed paper

  24. Britain is Europe’s third biggest consumer of ice cream at around 8 litres per person Taking first and second places are Denmark and Sweden

  25. On average, people in Scotland and Northern Ireland eat more ice cream than those in England and Wales

The Right Move

The great Zen teacher, Benzei had many pupils. One day, one of them was caught stealing by his fellow-students and they reported him to Benzei. But he took no action against the boy.

A few days later the same boy was again caught stealing. And again Benzei did nothing. This angered the other students who drew up a petition asking for the dismissal of the thief. They threatened to leave en masse if the boy was allowed to stay.

The teacher called a meeting of the students. When they had assembled he said to them: “You are good boys who know what is right and what is wrong. If you leave you will have no trouble in joining some other school. But what about your brother who does not even know the difference between right and wrong? Who will teach him if I don’t? No, I cannot ask him to go even if it means losing all of you.”
Tears coursed down the cheeks of the boy who had stolen. He never stole again and in later life became renowned for his integrity.

One wrong move could have been spoiled the future of that Student. At times lesson can be taught either in hard way or soft way. This Zen teacher choses the soft way.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Puzzle - 35

This puzzle is bit tricky. Try soloving this puzzle...
You are given with three hour glasses with the measuring of 9, 12 & 14 mins respectively. If you are asked to measure the time of 8 mins to do a certain job with these hourglasses. How will you do it?

Answer:There are few possible way to do this, One is start the 14 min & 9 min hourglass simultaneously. Once the 9 min glass is over start it again. once 14 min glass is over start the 12 min glass. Once the 9 min glass is over, start the job and do it till 12 min glass is over which is 8 mins. For the another one pls check the answer by Lakshmi. There are still some more also. You may try and leave it here...

Expect the unexpected

Once upon a time there was a little sparrow, who hated to fly south for the winter. He dreaded the thought of leaving his home so much that he decided he would delay the journey until the last possible moment.

After bidding farewell to all his sparrow friends, he went back to his nest and stayed for an additional four weeks. Finally, the weather turned so bitterly cold that he could delay no longer. As the little sparrow took off and started to fly south, it began to rain. In a short time, ice began to form on his little wings. Almost dead from cold and exhaustion, he fell to earth in a barnyard. As he was breathing what he thought was his last breath, a horse walked out of the barn and proceeded to cover the little bird with fertilizer. At first the sparrow could think of nothing except that this was a terrible way to die. But as the fertilizer started to sink into his feathers, it warmed him and life began to return to his body. He also found that he had enough room to breathe. Suddenly the little sparrow was so happy that he started to sing.

At that moment a large cat came into the barnyard and, hearing the chirping of the little bird, began digging in the pile of fertilizer to find out where the sound was coming from. The cat finally uncovered the bird and ate him.

Morals from this story are:
1) Not everyone who craps on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who takes crap off you is your friend.
3) When you are warm and comfortable, even if it is in a pile of crap, keep your mouth shut.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Piggy Facts

A New Chinese New Year will be born less than a month. Every new year is named with 12 Animals name in cycle. In that row the upcoming year is going to be year of PIG. In that regard here are some interesting facts about the PIG.
  • Pigs are very intelligent and learn very quickly

  • Pig's average life span is about ten years

  • They have an excellent sense of smell

  • Pigs do not sweat because they have no sweat glands, which is why they enjoy rolling in mud to cool off

  • A female can give birth to 10 or more piglets

  • Pigs usually give birth to about two pig litters a year

  • Potbellied pigs originate from the Far East; records show them being kept as pets by a Chinese emperor as far back as 6000 BC

  • Full grown potbellied pigs weight an average of 70-150 pounds (keep in mind domestic pigs are 600-1500lbs!)

  • They average 3 feet long and 15 inches tall

  • Full growth is not reached until about 5 years of age

  • Colors range from solid black to solid white, with a variety of spots in between

  • Most pigs do not like to be picked up or held. Unlike cats and dogs, pigs are prey not predators, so being lifted up or restrained causes them extreme alarm

  • True to their nature, these pigs live to eat and can become overweight very easily

  • Pigs are forth in line of intelligence: 1.Humans, 2.Apes, 3.Dolphins, and 4.Pigs

Do you like to know some more interesting facts about Pigs? Click Here

Butterfly Kisses

We often learn the most from our children.

Some time ago, a friend of mine punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy." He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside of it?"

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, " Oh, Daddy it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

If You...

  • If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

  • If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

  • If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

  • If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

  • If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

  • If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States.

  • If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

  • If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder ... you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

  • If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
So, Be Thankful to GOD for whatever we are given with...

Puzzles - 34


If You are carrying a sack of grain and your friend is carrying two sacks along with you, Who is carrying more load and why?

Just Push

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Creator appeared. The Creator told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Creator explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it," thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough." And that is what he planned to do, until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Creator. "Creator," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?" The Creator responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push."
"Now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back is sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith in my wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."

At times, when we hear a word from the Creator, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what the Creator wants is just obedience and faith in Him.... By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still the Creator who moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong ... just P.U.S.H.!
When the job gets you down ... just P.U.S.H.!
When people don't react the way you think they should ... just P.U.S.H.!
When your money looks gone and the bills are due ... just P.U.S.H.!
When people just don't understand you... Just PUSH!

P.S: P.U.S.H - Pray Until Something Happens!!!!!

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Causes for sleep disorders

My Dad who is at his early 60s, Nowadays he has always been complaining about the sleeping disorders in the recent years especially after the retirement. I read this interesting article on my way back in the Flight that was appeared in the popular Indian Daily Hindu. After reading this I am thinking about suggesting my Dad to eliminate the root cause of the problems mentioned in the article. Here is the very same article for you to read and get benefited as well...

Puzzle - 33

There is a barrel that weighs 10 kg with some liquid content in it, and then I put something in it. It now weighs less than 10 kg.

What did I put in it?

Answer: A Hole

The White & Black Wolf

When I read this story, I immediately remembered the song called Kadavul paathi Mirugam Paathi Kalanthu Seitha Kalavai Naan (I'm mixutre of God & Animal) written by Poet Vairamuthu for Kamal's Movie Alavandan. I hope you understand the moral in it after reading this story.

There was grandfather, his little grandson often came in the evenings to sit at his knee and ask the many questions that children ask. One day the grandson came to his grandfather with a look of anger on his face. Grandfather said, "Come, sit, tell me what has happened today."

The child sat and leaned his chin on his Grandfather's knee. Looking up into the wrinkled, nut brown face and the kind dark eyes; the child's anger turned to quite tears. The boy said, "I went to the town today, with my father, to trade the furs he has collected over the past several months. I was happy to go, because father said that since I had helped him with the trapping, I could get something for me. Something that I wanted. I was so excited to be in the trading post, I have not been there before. I looked at many things and finally found a metal knife! It was small, but good size for me, so father got it for me."

Here the boy laid his head against his grandfather's knee and became silent. The Grandfather, softly placed his hand on the boys raven hair and said, "and then what happened?". Without lifting his head, the boy said, "I went outside to wait for father, and to admire my new knife in the sunlight. Some town boys came by and saw me, they got all around me and starting saying bad things. They called me dirty and stupid and said that I should not have such a fine knife. The largest of these boys, pushed me back and I fell over one of the other boys. I dropped my knife and one of them snatched it up and they all ran away, laughing."

Here the boy's anger returned, "I hate them, I hate them all!" The Grandfather, with eyes that have seen too much, lifted his grandson's face so his eyes looked into the boys. Grandfather said, "let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking posion and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me, one is white and one is black.

The White Wolf is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. But will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But, the Black Wolf, is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy, looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes, and asked "which one wins Grandfather?"

The Grandfather, smiled and said, "The one I feed."

Hello Buddies

Hello Friends, How are you all? My sincere apologies for not updating my blog for last few weeks. I made a short trip to my home town in India to live my good old childhood days during Pongal Festival (The place where I was brought up)...I could share with you some of the interesting shots I took during my trip as well. I shall try to be regular in my day to day postings reguarly in future. Hope to get all your continuous participation in our famous puzzle section.

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Puzzle - 32

A father lived in Middle East having own Horse Firm asked his 2 sons to race their camels from Point A to Point B. His methodology in winning the game was whose Horse comes last considered winner. Hearing this the brothers, really slowed down as much as they could but still cannot reach the specified point because each other want to be slower than other as a result they moved only very few yards away from Point A at the same time Point B is miles away from it, They happen to meet a wise person and got a brilliant idea. After talking to the wise person they instantly got up on the Horses and chase them to the maximum fast as to reach Point B.

The Question is What did the wise person advise them?

Answer: He asked them to swap their horses

Solve Elderly people appetite problem

Ageing is something that cannot be avoided by us. At the same time you might have noticed that there is a change in the appetite. They eat little amount of food and only two times or one time a day. This is a very common problem that is faced among the elderly people. Many of us always puzzled and worried about how to solve this kind of problem. Recently I came across an interesting article in Today News Paper(A free circulation news paper in Singapore) that explains why such issues occur and how we can change their life style to stay healthy. So, here is a link for you to read and get benefited by following the methods suggested.

One more on the similar topic can be found here

Shake It Off

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to
getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of
our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
  1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive

  2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen

  3. Live simply and appreciate what you have

  4. Give before you ask

  5. Expect your needs to be fulfilled, but not your Wants

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

A lot to Give


Who made this boy believe that he couldn't stand the test that as a human being he was different from the rest. A father who told him "Son you've come out all wrong" Never would he fit in, nor would he belong.

Why does the little girl live all alone with her fears that daddy's next punch will leave her with more than tears "I'm sorry daddy, please, it's probably all my fault" She really wants to say "I don't need this bloody assault"

When did the little boy stop seeking physical affection and shy away from any that was aimed in his direction

Who was the bastard who stole away his cheeky little grin for innocence lost the pervert should pay the ultimate price for his sin

How come the little girl believes all the crap that she is told day after day on verbal abuse she has been sold "Not good enough, too fat, too thin, you just don't fit in"

Chanted over and over by children standing around her in a ring All these children aren't the first, sadly they are not the last. They will bear forever the scars of a hated past.

Can anyone help them change the beliefs they have been given or to the needle, weed and booze to escape they will be driven?

Who out there is willing to estimate how much it is they've lost for with pain, fear, terror and tears they have paid the cost?

Can anybody out there show them they are worthy to live for to this world they really have quite a lot to give?

Next Time please don't chase your kids for failing up on achieving something higher, because they have a lot to give. Just that you might never know when they will bring out the hidden talents in them.

It is up to you

Up to you to what??? Read through this till the end...


One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.


One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.


One life can make the difference,
You See, IT'S UP TO YOU

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

Are you drinking the right tea?

Each Type of Tea has its unique quality in terms of providing benefits to us. If you ever wondered what tea should you be taking to achieve a certain state like want to study late night or balance my health or have diabetics. Here are some choices for you...
  • People who use their "brain" to work or students who study hard day and night should drink more chrysanthemum Tea

  • People who need a lot of body energy to work or those people that do a lot of exercise everyday should drink Wu Loong Tea

  • People who travel on a bike or work in dirty and polluted places should drink Green Tea

  • For people who likes to sit down all day long and not doing anything even exercising must drink Green Tea and Flower Tea

  • People who smoke and drink alot of alcoholic drinks should drink more Green Tea

  • Carnivores (those people who must eat meat at least once a day, or feel sick or not feeling well try to drink some Wu Loong Tea

  • People who go to the washroom too often or too less should drink more Honey Tea

  • People with high cholesterol and high blood pressure Wu Loong Tea,Green Tea

  • Those who work with computers everyday need to drink any type of Tea (This helps you moving at least).

Whenever you are working with the computer, you should make some tea, drink it when you are free. Drinking Tea is healthy, it can protect and prevent the harmful Ultraviolet light from harming us (when using computer).

Monday, January 08, 2007

Puzzle - 31

This might be simple one to solve, Try solving this...

A Truck Driver and A Mechanic joined together to go for a movie. Mechanic is the father of the Truck Driver's son. How is this possible

Answer:
Truck Driver is the mother of the Kid

Don't We All?

Source: Unknown; Author : Unknown

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what the society would consider a BUM. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes and no money. There are times when you feel generous and there are other times that you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those ‘don’t want to be bothered times’. ‘I hope he doesn’t ask for any money’, I thought. He didn’t. He came and laid down on the old bench in front of the bus stop and closed his eyes, but he did not look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he opened his eyes looked at me and said. "That’s a very pretty car", he said. He was ragged but had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blonde beard kept more than his face warm. I said, "Thanks" and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside me said ‘Ask him if he needs any help’. I was sure that he would say ‘Yes’ but I held true to the inner voice. ‘Do you need any help?’, I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. Instead, he spoke the three words that shook me down to my roots. "Don’t we all?", he asked. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shot gun. DON'T WE ALL? I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached for my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare but enough to get a warm meal, and a shelter for the day.

Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it is just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don’t have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from the daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that! Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in himself. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him up like a bum, then said, "Go minister to that man cleaning the car. That man needs help !!"

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Life Is A Gift


Today before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished
they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another remember that you have to face your own conscience and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

Life is a gift
Live it
Celebrate it

EMBRACE IT
And fulfill it

10 Golden Principles to Preserve One's Love

Principle 1: We will not simultaneously get angry. Be cool as water whenever another one being fire.

Principle 2: We will not shout into each others faces beside our house is accidentally on fire.

Principle 3: Nobody loves to be criticized. When talking of what you dislike or need his/ her improvement, use soft & sweet words.

Principle 4 We will not revive any bad old practices, but only our romaces.

Principle 5 Make him/ her know how much he/she means to you.

Principle 6 Promise me that we will not peevish over-night. Talk face to face not back-chat.

Principle 7 Tell him or her more about anything in your life to tie you up together.

Principle 8 Don't be shy to show him/her your apology When you have something mistaken

Principle 9 Don't misunderstand that being together always is to show your heedfulness.

Principle 10 Lastly, realize him/ her that your love still exists and will be eternally last.

Thoughts change when status changes

This story might be small but the moral is real big. Hope you get it and apply it in your life.

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she's blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He's always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she can see everything, including her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend is blind too, and refused to marry him.

Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying.
"Just take care of my eyes dear."

This is how human mental thoughts changes when their status changed. Only few remember what life was before, and who's always been there even in the most painful situations.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Who shines better

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.
All claimed that they were the best.
The most important.
The most useful.
The favorite.

Green said:
"Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."

Blue interrupted:
"You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."

Yellow chuckled:
"You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me there would be no fun."

Orange started next to blow her trumpet:
"I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you."

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out:
"I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy."

Purple rose up to his full height:
He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey."

Finally Indigo spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."

And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort.

In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak:
"You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."

Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands.

The rain continued:
"From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

Sometimes when things are united together it gives a different dimension all together in a much beautiful way...Be United and Live in Peace...

Thursday, January 04, 2007

Puzzle - 30


You need to put in the numbers from One till Nine into each area that appears to be closed. At the end total of the numbers in individual circle should be the same as rest of the circles. That is sum of all numbers in individual circle should be common to all circle totals. Digit 1 is already placed in of the closed area.

You can post your answer in the following order,
Top row 3 numbers
Middle row 4 numbers
Bottom row 2 numbers

something like

123
4567
89

The Answer is

Concept of GOD

An atheist professor of Philosophy speaks to his class on the problem Science has with God, The Almighty.

He asks one of his new students to stand and.....

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof: Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student: Yes.

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him.
Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God
good then? Hmm?

(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student: No.

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From...God...

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil?

(Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things
exist in the world, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir.

Prof: So, who created them?

(Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes.

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes, Faith. And that is the problem science has.

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't.

(The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 273 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent. The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir... The link between man & God is FAITH. That is all that keeps things moving & alive.

NB: I believe you have enjoyed the conversation...and if so...you'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same...won't you?. This is a true story, and the student was none other than our Great Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam , The President of India.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Cute One Line Quotes

Listening is just as important as talking

Good times are even better when they're shared

When it comes to "bonding", females do it better

Everyone needs someone with whom to share their secrets

Sometimes you just need a shoulder to cry on

The only way to have a friend is to be one

Puzzle - 29

John, Vinay, and Michael, were playing together at Richard's house. There was a parcel delivered in a gift box where outside is plan and cannot see anything inside. Each of them guessed about the content in the box, But only one kid guessed it right. Can you figure out what was in the box and who got it right based on the guesses mentioned below?


John said, "It looks like a laptop"
Vinay said, "I'm pretty sure that it's a jewellery box."
Michael said, "I think either a book or a laptop is in the box."
"Definitely It's a book," said Richard.

Answer:
Right away, you can tell that Micheal can't be right, because if He is, then Richard would also be right (they both said book), and no more than one can be right. And since Micheal is wrong, then John is wrong, too, because they both said laptop. That means that Vinay is correct, it's a Jewellery box.

Are You a Bucket-Filler or a Dipper?

You have heard of the cup that overflowed. This is a story of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it is an invisible bucket. Everyone has one. It determines how we feel about ourselves, about others, and how we get along with people. Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things which made you want to be good to people for a week? At that time, your bucket was full.

A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen. When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher. There must be a million ways to raise the level in another's bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him, knowing the names of his children, expressing sympathy for his loss, giving him a hand when his work is heavy, taking time for conversation, or, perhaps more important, listing to him.

When one's bucket is full of this emotional support, one can express warmth and friendliness to people. But, remember, this is a theory about a bucket and a dipper. Other people have dippers and they can get their dippers in your bucket. This, too, can be done in a million ways.

Lets say I am at a dinner and inadvertently upset a glass of thick, sticky chocolate milk that spills over the table cloth, on a lady's skirt, down onto the carpet. I am embarrassed. "Bright Eyes" across the table says, "You upset that glass of chocolate milk." I made a mistake, I know I did, and then he told me about it! He got his dipper in my bucket! Think of the times a person makes a mistake, feels terrible about it, only to have someone tell him about the known mistake ("Red pencil" mentality!)

Buckets are filled and buckets are emptied ? emptied many times because people don't really think about what are doing. When a person's bucket is emptied, he is very different than when it is full. You say to a person whose bucket is empty, "That is a pretty tie you have," and he may reply in a very irritated, defensive manner.

Although there is a limit to such an analogy, there are people who seem to have holes in their buckets. When a person has a hole in his bucket, he irritates lots of people by trying to get his dipper in their buckets. This is when he really needs somebody to pour it in his bucket because he keeps losing.

The story of our lives is the interplay of the bucket and the dipper. Everyone has both. The unyielding secret of the bucket and the dipper is that when you fill another's bucket it does not take anything out of your own bucket. The level in our own bucket gets higher when we fill another's, and, on the other hand, when we dip into another's bucket we do not fill our own ... we lose a little.

For a variety of reasons, people hesitate filling the bucket of another and consequently do not experience the fun, joy, happiness, fulfillment, and satisfaction connected with making another person happy. Some reasons for this hesitancy are that people think it sounds "fakey," or the other person will be suspicious of the motive, or it is "brown-nosing."

Therefore, let us put aside our dipper and resolve to touch someone's life in order to fill their bucket.