Weakness or Strength

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese Judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know.” – the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grap your left arm.”

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength. Sometimes our biggest weakness can become our biggest strength. Get Inspired … Inspire others ……. Share with loved ones

Appreciate little things

This story you're about to read has an important lesson for you to learn. So, read it carefully...

A young married woman whose husband was a wealthy man was expecting a birthday gift from her husband. For quite a number of months she had admired a very beautiful diamond ring in a showroom, and she knowing that her husband could afford it, if he would, told him that was all she wanted for her birthday, and nothing more. As her birthday was drawing nigh, this lady awaited signs that her husband had bought the diamond ring.

At last, her birthday finally came. On the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his room. He told her how proud he was to have such a good wife as her and told her how much he loved her. After telling her all sort of sweet talks, he finally handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box. Very excited and curious, the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the her name embossed in gold. Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, 'With all your money, a Bible was all you could give me?!!' And stormed out of the house, leaving her husband.

Many years passed and the lady was very successful in all her dealings and business. She managed to settle for a more beautiful house ,more luxury, but realized her husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should say him a visit because she had not seen him for so many years. But before she could make travelling arrangements, she received a text message telling her that her husband had died, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things. When she arrived at her husband's house, sudden sadness and regret filled her heart. She began to search through her husband's important papers and saw the Bible, still as new as when it was presented to her, she had left it years before. With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, which reads 'And if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father, who is in heaven, give what is good to those who ask Him?' As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a diamond ring, with her name engraved on it-the same diamond ring which she saw at the showroom! On the tag, the date of her birth, and the words. 'LUV U ALWAYS' were inscribed. How many times do we miss God's blessings, because they are not packaged as we expected? Do not spoil what you have, by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

Moral of the story: Always appreciate little things, irrespective of how small they seem to be. 

Important things in Life

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”

“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your Life Partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.

The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.

Thought to Ponder: If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Spend time with your life partner. Take your parents out. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, and do your daily work.

Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Unfulfilled Journey to Udupi

Place Name: Udupi

Distance from Bangalore: approx 400 KM from Majestic

Route: Via Dharmastala or via Mangalore

Duration: 2 day Trip

Road Condition: Good

Best time to visit: October to Feb

places nearby to visit: Dharmastala, Mangalore

 

It was a pleasant surprise to receive the call from my long time buddy. His voice seemed excited as he revealed that he was to get married and the venue was in Udupi, his hometown. This invite brought the much awaited trip to Udupi. We started our journey on a Saturday, with the plans roadmap of the places to explore, along with the marriage celebrations of my friend.

 

As we reached our destination in the wee hours of morning, we checked in the hotel nearby and freshened up to greet the dawn. We set out to the very popular shrine – Udupi Krishna Matt. The overwhelming devotion of the devotees and the mesmerizing idol of Sri Krishna held us spell bound. The Pooja is offered to the lord which is placed opposite to the entrance which is called the Kanakana Kindi, which goes after the story of the ardent devotee – Bhakta Kanaka Dasa. Finishing our prayers, we headed straight to the Manipal University. The vast campus, with lush greenery and well maintained gardens, the famous “End Point” was the key highlights of this place. It is definitely a respite from the blazing sun. We next set out to the famous Kapu Beach, the place where sea speaks. The roaring waves and the beauty of the beach is enchanting to the eyes of the beholder. There is a lighthouse around which was built in 1901. However, we could not manage to get atop the lighthouse. Enjoying there for a while and with the intention of capturing the sunset at its best, we travelled to the Malpe beach which is 7 Km from Udupi. We reached there by 5 pm and visited the Malpe harbor and saw steamer boats and variety of fishes, which added on the fishy odour of this place. Strikingly this beach is opposite to the roaring Kapu beach, with silent waves hitting the shores. I was filled with nostalgic memories of the Kite festival, as I saw Many people flying kites on this beach. One can spot the St. Mary’s island from the coast of Malpe Beach. But unfortunately, it was closed during the time of June-October. As we waited for the sun to set, to capture the scenic beauty, the clouds played havoc, dampening our spirits. With the dusk setting in, we started to join the celebrations of my friend’s wedding. Relishing the best Udupi food and enjoying the function, we started our way back to Bangalore the next day.

 

Udupi was a refreshing journey, but the contentment of my soul was yet to be satiated, because of the pending visit to the St. Mary’s Island, and the Annegudde Ganesha Temple. I am eagerly looking forward to the next journey to Udupi.

manipal campus

View from End point manipal

Light house at Kapu beach

Roaring Kapu

Silent malpe beach

St.marys island

Temple at malpe beach

Time to re-think

Once upon a time a strong woodcutter asked a timber merchant for a job. The timber merchant was happy to oblige. The pay was good and so were the work conditions. Therefore the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

The timber merchant presented the woodcutter with an axe and showed him where to work. The first day, the woodcutter brought eighteen trees.

“Congratulations!” the boss said. “Go on working like that!”

Motivated by the boss’ words the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could cut down only fifteen trees. The third day he tried even harder but cut down only ten trees. Day after day he brought fewer and fewer trees.

“I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He went to the timber merchant and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the timber merchant asked.

“Sharpened? I have had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been busy trying to cut trees,” said the woodcutter.

Moral: We sometimes become so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen our axe. There’s nothing wrong to work hard, but we should not become so busy that we neglect what’s truly important in life. If we don’t take time to sharpen our axe, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness. So start TODAY.

Power of silence

There once was a farmer who discovered that he had lost his watch in the barn. It was no ordinary watch because it had sentimental value for him.

After searching high and low among the hay for a long while; he gave up and enlisted the help of a group of children playing outside the barn.

He promised them that the person who found it would be rewarded.

Hearing this, the children hurried inside the barn, went through and around the entire stack of hay but still could not find the watch. Just when the farmer was about to give up looking for his watch, a little boy went up to him and asked to be given another chance. The farmer looked at him and thought, “Why not? After all, this kid looks sincere enough.”

So the farmer sent the little boy back in the barn. After a while the little boy came out with the watch in his hand! The farmer was both happy and surprised and so he asked the boy how he succeeded where the rest had failed.

The boy replied, “I did nothing but sit on the ground and listen. In the silence, I heard the ticking of the watch and just looked for it in that direction.”

Moral : A peaceful mind can think better than a worked up mind. Practice few minutes of silence to your mind every day, and see, how sharply it helps you to set your life the way you expect it to be!  The soul always knows what to do to heal itself..The challenge is to silence the mind….

Its all about Time

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.
Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.
Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”
“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”
A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”
Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”
Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”
When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.
Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.
On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”
Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”
“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”
“The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love.
Only with time do we realize the IMPORTANCE OF LOVE. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”