Tuesday, October 23, 2007

THE ART OF UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE…….

(Courtesy: A lesson learned in my 12th English text book; It keeps lingering)


One of the richest hours of my life was spent recently in the company of a woman who had just turned eighty. Though she had been buffeted by what seemed more than her share of ill fortune, had created more happiness for herself and her neighbours than anyone else I’ve known. For years her humble home was a refuge for the troubled in heart. I asked the secret of her serenity and she replied: ‘ I found it when I overcame the bad habit of judging others.’

Come what may, guess the most complicated relation, difficult to reconcile is that of MIL and DIL...though there may be exceptions to this rule too......

There is no other quirk of human nature so common or so malicious. All of us at one time or another have been guilty of this cruelty. And many of us have been the butt of it.

A prominent minister says, “ I have heard people confess to breaking every one of the Ten Commandments except the ninth: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour’. Yet this is the one we all break most often.”

What irreparable damage has been done to innocent people by thoughtless indulgence in this vice!

When a man asked Mohammed how he might make amends for falsely accusing his friend, he was told to place a goose feather on each doorstep in the village. The next day Mohammed said, “Now go and collect the feathers.”

The man protested, That’s impossible-a wind blew all night, and the feathers are scattered beyond recall.’

“Exactly”, said Mohammed, “and so it is with reckless words you spoke against your neighbour.”

A minor poet wrote: “ Stubbornness we deprecate, but firmness we condone, the former is our neighbour’s trait, the latter is our own.”

Why do we garnish our own traits but tarnish the other fellow’s?

The impulse to blame others is a defensive measure so ingrained in our nature that psychologists say that if you want to find out a man’s weak points, note the failings he has the quickest eye for in others.

A woman who was for ever complaining about the untidiness of her neighbour gleefully drew friend to her window and said, “ Look at those clothes on the line, grey and streaked!” The friend replied gently, “ If you’ll look more closely I think you’ll see that it’s your windows, not her clothes that are dirty”.

Lack of compassion in judging others arises from not knowing what lies behind a condemned one’s action. We need to hold in our hearts the Chinese proverb: “Be not disturbed at being misunderstood; be disturbed rather at not being understanding.” In our everyday relations with others we constantly risk blackening someone’s reputation by failing to look beneath the surface with the eye of compassion.

“ A lovely widow with three children moved into our village,” a friend told me, “ and in a few weeks she was the most talked about woman in the place. She was too pretty…..several men had been seen visiting her…She was a poor housekeeper…her children roamed the streets and ate at other peoples houses….she was lazy and spent most of her time lying on the sofa reading.

One morning, our pretty neighbour collapsed in the post office, and the truth soon came out. She was suffering from an incurable disease and couldn’t do her housework. She sent the children away when drugs could not control her pain. ‘ I wanted them to think of me as always happy and gay’, she said. ‘I wanted to pass away alone so that they would never know.’

“ The men visitors were her old family doctor, the lawyer who looked after her estate and her husbands brother. The village was kind to her for the remaining months of her life, but the gossips never forgave themselves.”

We can halt hasty judgement in its tracks by asking ourselves: might I not be as bad, or worse, if I was faced with that person’s troubles and temptations? The habit of judging others tends to reveal about us that unattractive character flaw, self-righteousness. Our very attitude seems to say: ‘I must be good, look at all the bad I’m finding in others.’ Christ’s classic rebuke to self-appointed judges was, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw the stone.” I heard of a businessman who keeps on his desk a stone with the word ‘first’ lettered on it-a strong reminder.

A recent census of opinion among clergymen brought out four simple rules for overcoming the habit of judging others.

First: Be sure you know all the facts, so that your evidence is not merely circumstantial. We share the responsibility of wrong judgements by listening to them. “ Whenever I hear a sensational story at someones expenses,” says R.V. C Bodley in his book, In search of Serenity, “ I try to gauge the mentality and motives of the raconteur and either discard everything that has been said or try to discover what started the yarn. Do it yourlsef before hastily judging the subject of gossip.”

Second: Remember that, however certain another’s guilt may seem, there may be extenuating circumstances. Years ago Sioux Indians had an impressive ritual. A brave who was about to set forth to visit other tribes would raise his hands towards the sky and pray: “ Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked two weeks in his moccasins!”

Third: Give your habit of judging others a “reverse twist” by focusing on the graces of people, not their faults. Dr. Walter Moore tells of a lecturer who began his addresses by pinning a square of white tissue paper on the blackboard. Then he made a tiny black spot in the center. Asked what they all saw, all present replied, “A black dot.” The spaker said, “Don’t any of you see a large square of paper?”

Develop the habit of seeing the good in people. Comment on it. Practise the art of good gossip. It is amazing how this habit of searching out the best in others enlarges our own souls. Look in your mirror when you are inclined to pronounce harsh judgement on another and see how crabbed you look. Then speak well of someone, and watch kindliness flood your face.

Fourth: Leave all judgements of others sins to God. Arrogating to ourselves the functions of the Deity is as presumptuous as it is irreverent. Bishop Fulton Sheen, famous in America for his broadcast sermons, says: “ The separation of people into sheep and goats will come only on the Last Day. Until then we are forbidden to make the classification”.

So: Try to know all the facts; study the circumstances; focus on the good in people, and leave all judgements of others sins to God.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Thrissur-The Cultural Capital of Kerala...



Thrissur city, the Cultural capital of Kerala, until approximately 20 years ago was known as "Thiru-siva-per-oor"; which is derived from the conjugated words thiru(sacred), -Siva (Lord Shiva), per (named) and ooru (place). It means "The place in the name of sacred Lord Shiva". It is built around a 65-acre hillock (called the Thekkinkadu Maidan) which seats the Vadakkumnathan temple. It is believed to have been founded by the legendary saint Parasurama. This area is the city's cultural and spiritual centre, offering --- in addition to religious experiencs --- an array of festivals and historical and natural sights..




Access
Air-The nearest airport is at Cochin, 78 km away.
Rail- Thrissur is linked to most major towns inside and outside Kerala.
Road-Motorable roads connect Thrissur to several important centres. Thrissur city lies on National Highways NH 47 and NH 17.




FACT SHEET
Area 3032 sq. km.
Population (1993) 274,225
Altitude Sea level
Temperature Max : 35oC
Min : 22.5oC
Rainfall 254 cm
Clothing Tropical cottons
Tourist Season September to March But Wanna see the pooram come in May..

54 km long coastal area. South East corner of the District is bounded by Tamil Nadu. Mountains-Machad, Paravattani, Palapalli, Kodeswary & Athirapalli. The Periyar, The Chalakudy, The Karuvannur and The Ponnani (Bharatha Puzha) are the main river systems in the District.



The Town Hall in Thrissur has a magnificent building in a huge area with lawns and gardens. It is a favorite among the tourist who love art. It is famous for its picture gallery or ‘chitralayam.’. The picture gallery exhibits mural paintings brought from the various regions of Kerala. The Town Hall at Thrissur is a very important building where public meetings and numerous cultural programmes are held regularly. It is located about 1km from the city center.

The Kerala State Museum and Zoo is located at Town Hall Road in Chembukavu, 2 km from Thrissur railway station. Established in 1885, the museum is spread over an area of 5.5 hectors of land. The museum complex includes an Art Section with a collection of sculptures, religious idols, Kathakali figures, traditional jewellery of the state and traditional lamps. Besides the Art Museum, a Natural History Museum displaying sample collection of different animals, a Zoological and Botanical Garden are located in this compound




The famous SakthanThampuran palace, now preserved by the Archaeological Department, highlights several interesting and outstanding attributes of the former rulers of Cochin. The palace also known as 'Thoppu', covering an area of 6 acres of land, narrates the history of Thrissur.

Vilangan Kunnu
Vilangan Kunnu alias Vilangan hill is a beautiful green hillock located 5 kms from the city premises. It is a popular picnic spot and recreation center among the youngsters. The hill gives a panoramic view of the whole city from the top.

You also find here big temples, Churches and Mosques:



Cathedral Church

Asia's highest church, the Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthan Pally), Our Lady of Lourdes's Metropolitan Cathedral of Syrian Catholics is noted for its imposing interior. Its main attraction is an underground shrine which is a masterpiece of architectural design. The Sacred Heart Latin Church of Latin Catholics and the Mart Mariam Big Church, Indian headquarters of Chaldean/Assyrian Church of the East, are also situated at Thrissur. The district also houses the headquarters of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church in Thozhiyoor. The ancient port of Muziris or Kodungaloor is the cradle of Christianity and Islam in India. This is where St. Thomas arrived in India. Later he established the first church in India at Palayur.



Kalathode Juma Masjid

Kodungaloor houses the first Muslim mosque of the country built by Cheraman Perumaal, a Hindu king who accepted Islam. It is believed that Adi Shankara spent his last days here.




Kerala Sahitya Academy, an autonomous institution established for the promotion and development of Malayalam language and literature, is also in Thrissur.

Kerala Kalamandalam
The famous art school, Kerala Kalamandalam is located at Cheruthuruthy on the banks of Bharathapuzha at a distance of 29 km north of Thrissur. It was founded in 1930 by the Malayalam poet Vallathol Narayana Menon in order to promote Kerala arts likes Mohiniyattom and Kathakali. The school follows the gurukulam system of training and is a center for teaching traditional music, drama, Ottam thullal, Koodiyattam and Panchavadhyam. Besides regular courses the school also offers crash courses

Punnathoor Kotta
Punnathoor Kotta or Fort, once the abode of the Punnathoor Zamorin (ruler) is now home to elephants brought as ritual offerings to the Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayoor by the devotees. Here the elephants, over 50 in number are trained and groomed in the green wooded environs of the vast compound of the fort. A tour to the fort, just 2kms from the Guruvayoor temple and 35km from Trichur.

And other place near is the Peechi Dam.

Sports:
Football is the most popular sport in Thrissur city. Thrissur has a floodlit stadium, known as Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium. There are three more stadiums (Thope, Kerala Varma College and Agricultural University). It also has two indoor stadiums (V.K.N.Menon Indoor Stadium & Thope Stadium) and a Sports Authority of India (SAI) maintained swimming pool with international facilities. The veteran footballers and former Indian captains C. V. Pappachan, I. M. Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri hail from this city. Thrissur has contributed many national and international bodybuilding stars to India, such as T. V. Poly and V. M. Basheer.

Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple and Thiruvambadi Sree krishna Tempal are the two rival groups participating in Thrissur Pooram.








Thrissur and Pooram, (the festival of festivals with an unmatched pageantry of a hundred drums, dozens of caparisoned elephants and brilliant fireworks) are so inseparably integrated that the extravaganza of Pooram, excites you in the same breath when you hear the name of Trichur.

Wanna see the pooram visit Thrissur in May, it would be too hot here, but you will have something very memorable to cherish..

These are the pictures of Pooram, taken by my BIL...It was at Mission Hospital, in Thrissur that I was born.

DANCE…..


DANCE…..

Is life…
Interpreted in a hundred forms,
Evoked in a thousand rhythms,
Painted in a million gestures…
And expressed in endless emotions….

Dance, along with music, has always dynamically expressed the spirit and personality of every culture. Dance is a global language.

In kerala we have our own dance forms:

1. KUTIYATTAM:
One of the most remarkable traditions of the world theater. It is an artistic tradition that goes beyond 2000 years. It is the only ancient form of Sanskrit theater, which has kept alive its vibrant tradition till date. Kutiyatom is recognized by the UNESCO as one of the master pieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity…..It is a unique theater form that takes you to a world of scintillating colour immaculate dramatics and captivating orchestra.

2. MOHINIYATTAM:
Literally interpreted as the dance of Mohini, the celestial enchantress of Hindu mythology is the female classical solo dance of Kerala. Noted for its graceful and sensuous movements with no tense footwork, Mohiniyattam reminds one of the gentle swaying of the green paddy fields and coconut fronds that dot the length and breadth of kerala.

3. KATHAKALI:
This 400 year old, worlde renowned classical dance form of kerala combines facets of ballet, opera, mosque and pantomime. Kathankali explicates events and stories from the Indian epics and puranas, with an unparalled array of colour, music, drama and dance. Accompanied by facial expressions and sophisticated sign languages called mudras the characters in Kathakali are discernable through make up and costume, which transform them both mentally and physically into the characters they portray.

4. NANGIARKOOTHU:
An offshoot of Kutiyattam, it is a solo performance with an antiquity of 800 years. Nangiarkoothu is the sole domain of female artists known as Nangiars, the female members of Nambiar community. The stories for the performance are taken from the text Sree Krishna Charitam, depecting the life of Lord Krishna. During the performance, the actress presents the long winded stories of Lord Krishna through handgestures, facial expressions and body movements to the accompaniment of the resonant Mozhaavu…

5. OTTAMTHULLAL:
It is a typical solo dance performance that has themes from the puranas, which also relates to aspects of everyday life, often satirising the evils in societies. It owes its genesis to Kunchan Nambiar, an eminent poet of Kerala. In Ottam Thullal, the performer sings and dances to the sounding of the cymbals and beating of the drum and acts the incidents narrated in the song.

And now from other states:

6. BHARATANATYAM:
This 2000 year old dance form is poetry in motion. The dance is full of unfettered rhythmic movements and expressions, which is devotional in spirit, highly stylized and sophisticated in technique. The musical components of Bharatanatyam uses Sanskrit, Telegu and Kannada besides Tamil. Symmetrical lines of the body, escuberant laps and bends contrasting with subtle neck and eye movements, and crisp, intricate footwork are the hallmarks of Bharatanatyam.

7. KUTCHIPUDI:
Kuchipudi dance hails from the village of Kuchelapuri or Kuchelapuram in the Krishna Distirict of Andhra Pradesh and has a history of nearby two millennia. Since its origin, it has remained a continuous and living dance traditon of A.P. Its geneses, like most Indian classical dances is associated with religions and for a long time was presented only at temples. Kuchipudi involves brisk and rhythmic footwork with gestures and subtle facial expressions forming part of acting.

8. MANIPURI:
The dance Manipuri takes its name from the North Eastern State of India, Manipur. It is perhaps the only classical dance of India that has completely dedicated its prowess to highlight the many elements of devotion and eternal love, which is the epicenter of relationship between Lord Krishna and his Beloved Radha. The prevalent ambiance during a Manipuri Performance is very much devotional. The richly bedecked costumes, graceful moments, gentle strides make Manipuri a delightful lyrical recitation.

9. ODISSI:
This enchanting classical dance form of orissa, traces its origin to the temple dances of the ‘Deva Dasis; (temple dancers) An unparalleled grace and bewitching charm makes odissi a performers delight, often attaining postures to a sculptors delight. Odissi diligently portrays the aesthetic charm of ;Natya’(acting) and the brilliance of Nritta (dance) Taking most of its themes from Jayadevas ‘Geeta Govinda’, which is replete with elements of love and devotion, odissi serves as the ideal abode for its espression.

10. KATHAK:
Kathak carries the quaint charm of folk arts and a happy synthesis of Hindu and Muslim traditions. A centuries of old dance form moulded in time from a temple ritual to a rich and colourful courtly entertainment. Intricate footwork and rapid pirouettes are the dominant and most endearing features of Kathak.

11. YAKSHAGANA:
True to its name, Yakshagana (the music of celestial beings) is a 400 year old dance form born in costal Karnataka, South India, that enchants the discerning viewers with its blissful charm. This traditional theatre form or dance opera emphasis distinctive make up and footwork than actual dance. An intriguing amalgam of colour, rhythm, song and gestures, yakshagana is a cherished cultural art.

12. SATRIYA:
Characterized by its elegant simplicity, satriya traces its origins to Majuli, an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra river in Assam, North-East India. A 15th century discovery of Mahapurush Sankaradeva, the Vaishnavi saint, ‘Satriya’ was created synchronizing the tenants of Natya sastra and the ancient kumruki dance. Combining discipline, physical demands and the alluring grace of classical dance, satriya is a unique dance form.

These are just the 12 individual dance forms. Then there are

INDIA AND FOLK DANCE:
There is really no such genre as folk dancing. Rather, there is a large body of unrelated non-classical dance forms. The only thing common among these dance forms is their rural origins.

Many folk dances are performed by ordinary people rather than professional dancers. It is very usual that on special occasions, the villagers will gather and sing and dance, accompanying themselves on a variety of folk instruments. Such special occasions include harvesting, planting, marriages and religious holidays.
Sometimes the folk dances are performed by professionals. There is the institution of the folk theatre. Professional musicians, actors and dancers travel from village to village performing their dance dramas. This seems to be a rural extension of the ancient theatrical tradition found in the Natya Shastra. However, it appears to have degenerated into a rural tradition. One example of the folk theatre is the Yaksha Gana of Karnatika.

It would be more correct to divide these folk dances into two categories: folk and tribal. The difference between the two is cultural. Folk dances are the rural extensions of the larger Indian population. Examples are the Bhangra and the Garba. However, the tribal dances are performed by India's aboriginal populations. These people, known as adivasi, have a culture which is very distinct from the larger Indian population. Attempting to relate Indian tribal dances with Indian folk dances is very much like trying to relate the dances of the Cherokee Indians to the "Cotton Eyed Joe". A common example of a tribal dance is the Santhali
It may be academically desirable to separate tribal from simple folk dances, however this is generally not done. Artists do not concern themselves with these academic matters. Therefore the following list does not make any distinctions.
The following is a very short and incomplete list of folk and tribal dances.

In kerala we have dances like:
Thiruvathirakalli, Karshakanrithyam, Upana, Margamkalli

Dances from other parts of India:

Bathakamma
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Bihu
Bihu is a folk dance from Assam. It is a very brisk and aggressive dance performed by both boys and girls.
Bagurumba
This is a folk dance from Assam. It is performed by the Bodos and is known for its colourful attire.
Bhangra
This is a folk dance from the Northwest Indian state of Punjab. It is a lively, powerful dance.
Chah Baganar Jumur Nach
This is a Dance from Assam. It is a dance of the tea gardens.
Changu
The changu dance is a folk dance found in Odissa and Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from the changu, which is a simple tambourine (daf) that is used to accompany this dance.
Dandaria
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Dasakathia
This is a folk theatre of Odissa. It is performed by a pair of performers who entertain the audience with dance, songs, and stories.
Dhamal
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Gair
This is a dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by groups of dancers moving in and out with an almost military precision.
Garba
This is a folk dance from Gujarat. It is traditionally danced at marriages and during the time of Navaratri.
Geendad
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It is very similar to the Gair.
Ghoomar
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It derives its name from its characteristic pirouettes.
Ghanta Patua
This is a folk dance of Odissa. Its name is derived from the large brass gongs known as ghanta. It is performed in the Hindu month of Chaitra. This dance is most notable because it is performed on stilts.
Gobbi
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Jhoomar
This is a dance of the Mundas and Mahantas of Odissa.
Kacchhi Ghodhi
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan that is performed with a dummy horse.
Kandhei
(see Sakhi Nata)
Kavadi
This is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. It is played with a wooden pole upon which are tied two pots. The stick is then balanced upon the shoulder.
Karagam
This is a folk dance of Tamil Nadu. It is played with a pot balanced on the head.
Kela Keluni
This is a dance performed by the Kelas of Odissa.
Mathuri
A folk dance of Andhra Pradesh.
Raas
This is a folk dance from Gujarat. It is traditionally danced at marriages and during the time of Navaratri.
Sakhi Nata
This is the puppet dance of Odissa.
Terahtali
This is a folk dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by women while they are seated.
Therukoothu
This is a folk theatre from the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Yaksha Gana
This is a folk theatre from the south Indian state of Karnatika.

Western Dancing

Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances, mostly of European origin. Types of folk dance include clogging, English country dance, international folk dance, Irish dance, Maypole dance, Morris dance, Nordic polska dance, Ball de bastons, square dance, and sword dance. Some choreographed dances such as contra dance, Israeli folk dance, Scottish country dance, and modern Western square dance, are called folk dances, though this is not true in the strictest sense. Country dance overlaps with contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Most country dances and ballroom dances originated from folk dances, with gradual refinement over the years
East began to move West with the pioneers. Worldly pleasures such as dancing were often frowned upon, and when not altogether banned, were designed to keep contact and spontaneity at a minimum. Consequently, it was the minuet, cotillion, pattern dances, courtly processions, and "safe" folk dances that were favored by the early settlers.

Modern western dance is part of this global language and its roots run wide and deep. They can be traced to the taverns of Ireland and to the ballrooms of Europe, to the Czarist palaces of Russia and further back still to the fluid tribal rituals of Africa. Representatives from all of these cultures brought their native dances when they landed in America. Widely differing peoples who had little or no exposure to one another gathered and danced on common ground.
The western population included such groups as Poles, Germans, French, Irish, Jews, Scandinavians, Czechs and Russians and each still enjoyed their own folk dances, but many found common refuge in the polka. New hybrids were also developed, creating offspring such as the Varsouvianna and the Two Step. German settlers in El Paso, Texas developed the Schottische and line dances which were important precursors of modern western dances such as the Cotton-Eyed Joe.
By the turn of the century carnivals, minstrel shows, medicine shows and eventually vaudeville routines frequently showcased Black dancers or White imitators. The Black dance style was referred to as "jazz" or "eccentric dancing". These fast, gyrating, acrobatic and tap dances had names like the Turkey Trot, Grizzly Bear, Kangaroo Dip and Chicken Scratch.

Throughout the 1920's, radio brought music to the whole nation. Chicago radio station WLS began broadcasting the "National Barn Dance" in 1924. A year later the now famous "Grand Ole Opry" from Nashville was initiated.

In the late 1920's, George "Shorty" Snowden brought the entire Savoy Ballroom audience to its feet with his rapid, break-away solo steps. Charles Lindbergh had crossed the Atlantic in 1927 in one dramatic "hop", and when Snowden was asked what his dance was called, he replied, the "Lindy Hop".

A new musical tempo could be heard after the Second Word War. Be-bop, a kind of wild and dizzying swing offshoot popular in big cities quickly gave birth to "pop" music. Rockabilly arrived in the '50's and by the middle of the decade had become known as rock 'n roll
Couple dancing regained popularity in the mid 1970's with the emergence of Disco. In the late 1970's as Disco died and country music continued to rise in rapid popularity, a resurgence of interest in western dance emerged. Older dancers suddenly became models for a new generation.

Ballet is academic dance form and technique which is taught in ballet schools according to specific methods. There are many ballet schools around the world that specialize in various styles of ballet and different techniques offered. Works of dance choreographed using this technique are called ballets, and usually include dance, mime, acting, and music (usually orchestral but occasionally vocal). Ballet is best known for its unique features and techniques, such as pointe work, turn-out of the legs; its graceful, flowing, precise movements; and its ethereal qualities.

Now that swing is back, people are dancing with a smile, a hat and a friendly attitude!

Take Time.....

Two things that people often complain of being short is Money and Time. But we do find both for what we (individual perception) feel is most important. These are matters of priority. As Achan often said: Time and Tide waits for no man…..

Favourate quote as gifted by Ajex:

TAKE TIME

Take time to work,
It is the price of success
Take time to Meditate,
It is the price of power
Take time to play
It is the secret of perpetual youth,
Take time to read
It is the way to knowledge,
Take time to be friendly,
It is the road to happiness,
Take time to laugh,
It is the music of the soul,
Most important of all,
Take time to love and be loved.

Saturday, October 13, 2007

What is important? Money or Happiness

I was too fascinated by this question in the community Fuzzier thought Firmer View in orkut,

What is important? Money or Happiness
Please note this is my inaugural topic. This topic is very fuzzy to me. People say both needs to be there. But there is only 1 answer and your response should indicate one or the other but not both.

My firmer opinion is money because I rarely see happy people who do not have money. If I have money, I see many faces smiling at me else no one cares about me. I see I can buy happiness for them with money because all I see is requests for material things.

I do care for someone needs to be translated only by fulfilling their wishes which requires money.


It does not matter if you are unhappy by pursuing money because if you want to be happy, the world will be unhappy with you.

From: http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=39276565&tid=2555366010596117930&start=1
________________________________________________

It was part of my question put ten years back, what is most important:

Money 2. Power 3. Intelligence/Knowledge 4. Beauty

Well my finding is put in the conclusion below, but first let us analyse this question:


Definitely both are needed for the existence of a comman human being. But in case one say ‘there is only 1 answer and your response should indicate one or the other but not both.’

My answer was Happiness Always!! Though I belive that Poverty is the greatest sin, the greatest curse, the greatest sorrow in once life.

To come to this conclusion, let me ask you two questions, definitely its an extreme case:

What would you prefer?

Lot of money with no family, friends or loved ones around (Remember the story of the Midas touch)
Good and supporting people around, with no money.

As rightly pointed out: ‘If I have money, I see many faces smiling at me else no one cares about me’. So definitely, only a poor man knows who his true friends are. As one of my cousin said, its easier to have many glass mates, but difficult to have good classmates.

Now let us analyse each of the above individually.

MONEY: It is very important, and essential thing in life. Money is ‘something’ but not ‘everything’ in life. It is like a bog, a mirage, once you are behind it, you will never be satisfied. Tell me how much money do you want??? Definitely cannot say!!!

Guess the theme of the Tamil movie ‘Kana Kanden’ , there are many today who like the smell of currency…….

HAPPINESS: Gambler, mystic, crook and saints all are looking for one and the same thing, though all have different ideas of what constitutes it. For example: Gambler wants money, and thus happiness…….Saint wants peace and thus happiness……

The ultimate thing for which all life searches is happiness, and it may be found only in the ourself. For some true its more money more happiness, for some solitude gives happiness, for some work, for some loved ones around means happiness, for others smoking, drinking or gambling.....it would all depend....What gives happiness for one, may be sorrow for another...Say of two siblings, one would be happy to have parents around, but other would have sorrow by having them...(Baghban- The movie that reminds me of may things)

Quotable Quote: The secret of happiness is simple, find our what you truely love to do, and then direct all of your energy towards doing it. Once you do this, abudance flows into your life and all your desires are filled with ease and grace.

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness. (Frank Tyger). Happiness is about freedom and it begins in the ... your life, what you like doing, how you want your life to be, and go for it.

‘The things that we desire in life are expensive, but the truth is that the things that really satisfy us are absolutely free…. Love, joy, laughter and friends….’ Most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or brought by us……Just as most beautiful things in the life are never seen but felt by the heart.

Money and power that you have today, you may loose tomorrow, but love and plesentness that you cultivate within you, you are not going to loose it until you want to.

No wonder life is richer for those who aspire to reach higher and higher, progess is life, stagnation is death…Do your duty, do what will make you happy, and that will not hurt others, and the reward will follow. Kochuouseph Chittalappillys family would feel that they are not rich as Ambanis, Ambanis would compare themselves to TATAS, TATAS to some international ………That’s life……So also in sports or other fields of life…Sky is the limit, we need to reach for the stars, keeping the contant, changing the format….

Yes, with regard to the children, when we ourselves are not contented, why blame them for asking more? Happiness comes into family, not when there is more money, but when the children and spouse is understanding and cooperative. Together they can overcome poverty.

Its not like parents abroad earning money, and years later once they celebrate onam together you say its the first onam!!! When there are people in front of them who do not have either of their parent- Will they never have onam in their lifetime??

I do not have money to give you, but if you have reached a firmer view as your answer to this question, guess both of us would be happy!! Right.

Conclusion:

The most essential thing is ‘DEVOTION’ , as you know, if you are devoted to your work, you will get promotion, which will increase your salary, and you will have money, so is the case with business, or those who are into spiritual path. Devotion to your loved ones, will give you their support, now and always. You ignore people today, saying you can live without them. Right. But whom you reject today, it is difficult that they will accept you tomorrow, who knows you may need them tomorrow.

Then comes ‘Intelligence’, which embodies the ability to discriminate between things as they appear to be and as they really are. It doesnot just mean the academic marks or qualifications, but the wisdom and ability to bring harmony, think big, and the use of the same for constructive and not destructive activities.......

This I suppose will give you Happiness!!!

Many fail to realise but how many of us:

Catch up with events like blood donation annually.
Visit orphanage, old age home, and govt. hospital at least once a year. Share their sorrows. Take care of your own ones and others too. Don’t be like those, who once married forget their parents. Take up responsibilities.
At home give others (underprivileged, some one who is not blessed as you in yor family or your servents kids etc.) the opportunity to enjoy what you have. Service do help gain one both happiness and money.
Need money for SMOKING??? Keep burning Rs. 3/- why do you hurt two souls?? During corporate meetings you have to run to the toilet often, and you feel ockward, and want to hide it when others come in front of you. So many times you burn this money, when there is so many in need of the same??


The moment you become obsessed by desire to play a part in society, there is always the danger that those desire will keep you too busy to attend to quiet thought. Good to have such forums, or else people would think of it too late.

Well, whichever path you choose, all road leads to the common door, Death is a common factor in everybodys life, and what is important is how you live........Which is a matter of choice+ how big you grow depends on where you stand and Your 'perception'.

And the even in the secret manthra for success 'AHA AHA AHA' the ingredient is not money but Happiness!!! Hope you are aware that AHA stands for Attitude, Happiness and Action!!!

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The Secret Message:

Every human being on the planet wants to be happy. Anything that anyone desires is because they think their desire will make them happy. Whether it is health, money, a loving relationship, material things, accomplishments, a job, or anything at all, the desire for happiness is the bottom line of all of them. But remember that happiness is a state inside of us, and something on the outside can only bring fleeting happiness, because material things are impermanent.

Let go to live. Enjoy the moment. Be happy. Life happens for you, it does not happen to you.. Empty your cup. Love yourself, only then you will attract the right kind of person.

There are two parameters you can live in. If you are in a joyful state and at peace, you will get more. If you are grumpy, you will not attract the right kind of person.

Choices make your destiny. 

Permanent happiness comes from you choosing to be permanently happy. When you choose happiness, then you attract all the happy things as well. The happy things are the icing on the cake, but the cake is happiness.