19 November 2009

Peace of Mind :-)

I was reading online somethings related to Peace of Mind and I felt I will share this to you all.
Inner peace ultimately leads to external peace. By creating peace in our inner world, we bring it into the external world, affecting other people too.

Here are a few simple things that can help you attain Peace of Mind:
  • Reduce the amount of time you read the newspapers or watch the news on TV.
  • Stay away from negative conversations and from negative people.
  • Don't hold grudges. Learn to forget and forgive. Nurturing ill feelings and grievances hurts you and causes lack of sleep.
  • Don't be jealous of others. Being jealous means that you have low self-esteem and consider yourself inferior to others. This again, causes lack of inner peace.
  • Accept what cannot be changed. This saves a lot of time, energy and worries. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that's fine, but this is not always possible. We must learn to put up with such things and accept them cheerfully.
  • Learn to be more patient and tolerant with people and events.
  • Don't take everything too personally. Some emotional and mental detachment is desirable. Try to view your life and other people with a little detachment and less involvement. Detachment is not indifference, lack of interest or coldness. It is the ability to think and judge impartially and logically. Don't worry if again and again you fail to manifest detachment. Just keep trying.
  • Let bygones be gone. Forget the past and concentrate on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and immerse yourself in them.
  • Practice some concentration exercises. This will help you to reject unpleasant thoughts and worries that steal away your peace of mind.
  • Learn to practice meditation. Even a few minutes a day will make a change in your life.

These are ten commandments for Peace of Mind:
1. Do not interfere in others' business
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic, and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction.
This kind of attitude on our part denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God, for God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because they are prompted to do so by the Divine within them. There is God to look after everything. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will have your peace.

2. Forget and forgive
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often nurture ill feeling inside our heart for the person who insults or harms us. We forget that the insult or injury was done to us once but by nourishing the grievance we go on excavating the wound forever. Therefore it is essential that we cultivate the art of forgiving and forgetting. Believe in the justice of God and the doctrine of Karma. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forget, forgive, and march on.

3. Do not crave for recognition
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motive. They may praise you today because you are rich and have power but no sooner you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and start criticizing you.
Moreover, no one is perfect. Then why do you value the words of praise of another mortal like you? Why do you crave for recognition? Believe in yourself. People's praises do not last long. Do your duties ethically and sincerely and leave the rest to God.

4. Do not be jealous
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know you work harder than your colleagues in the office but they get promotions, you do not. You started a business several years ago but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. Should you be jealous? No, remember everybody's life is shaped by his previous Karma that has now become his destiny. If you are destined to be rich, not all the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere, but will only give you restlessness.

5. Change yourself according to the environment
If you try to change the environment single handedly, the chances are you may fail. Instead, change yourself to suit the environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has remained unfriendly for you, will mysteriously appear to be congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure what cannot be cured
This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations and accidents that are beyond our control. We must learn to endure them cheerfully thinking, "God will it so, so be it". God's logic is beyond our comprehension. Believe it and you will gain in patience, in inner strength, in will power.

7. Do not bite more than you can chew
This maxim should be always remembered. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable to carry out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Spend your free time on prayers, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind, which make you restless. Fewer the thoughts, greater is the peace of mind.

8. Meditate regularly
Meditation makes the mind thoughtless. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour every day, you will tend to become calm during the remaining twenty-three and a half hours. Your mind will not be disturbed as much as before. This will increase your efficiency and you will turn out more work in less time.

9. Never leave the mind vacant
An empty mind is devil's workshop. All evil deeds start in the mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. You must decide what you value more - money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even if you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.

10. Do not procrastinate and never regret
Do not waste time in wondering "should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Always remember God has His own plan too. Value your time and do things. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can rectify your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET! Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Take it as the will of God. You do not have the power to alter the course of God's will. Why cry?

17 November 2009

Vishwa Tulu Sammelana (Gathering of Tuluvas) – 2009

Tulunadu welcomes you all to Vishwa Tulu Sammelana which will be held from 10th December, 2009 to 13th December, 2009 at Shree Rathnavarma Heggade Stadium, Ujire (5 miles from Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Temple).

Tulunadu is a lovely place of coastal Karnataka and known for its beautiful beaches and great culture. Tulu language which is one of the five Dravidian languages which is mainly spoken in Tulunadu and all over Dakshina Kannada.

The culture, language, tradition allied to Tulu language and Tulunadu will be portrayed in this convention. How Tulunadu was before, the current situation and the what is needed in the future will be highlighted. Tulunadu has wonderful culture and tradition which you can witness in this convention.

Mangalore is preparing for this convention with high spirits and lot of arrangements are organized for the presentation of tradition, literature, music, pardanas, dances, sports, food, dresses, exhibitions and so on which reveals the Tulu culture.

Do visit this convention and I’m sure you’ll love it!

For more information on this convention, please refer: http://www.vishwatulusammelana.com/

Cheers!!!

13 November 2009

Happy Children's Day!!!

Childhood memories!!!
We all have enjoyed our childhood and we have lot of pleasant memories from our childhood. We all have memories to cherish for the rest of the lifetime. It’s not just about any single space or thing, but how we used to feel at that point in life. My own memories like: spending time during my vacations. We used to have a swing attached with one of the guava tree and how we used to enjoy playing in the fields. Small games..lot of happiness. And when I get back home after summer vacations in granny’s place and everything looks different and feel that things are changed from here to there. You feel different, isn't it? And on back home stories from granny’s. Those stories elaborated, long and mysterious and get to know lot of things from the history and how our ancestors lived their life.


Do we realize there is another world where small people live which we do not try to see? Here's a poem which is written on an Indian child.



"Every second child is born malnourished.
Ninety five out of a thousand children Die before they reach their first birthday.
Seventy of every thousand don't even reach the age of five.
These are the little children who hold our dreams in their little close fisted palms.
That light up our lives, our incandescent dreams.
Which we hope will survive through these grubby little beings.
But what if they turn around and question.

What are YOU doing for us?
Where is our drinking water?
Where is that one room shelter you promised us?
What happened to our midday meal?

What is it my friend, that you and I are going to then reveal?

That the government eats up our funds?
That the politician likes his bread well buttered?
That the country’s defence is of far more important
Than your hungry eyes or your empty stomach?"
Every year November 14th we celebrate Children's Day in India. But do we have any idea how many unprivileged children who do not get an opportunity to celebrate this day? Who do not have any pleasant memories with their childhood like we all do have?
Is there anything me or you can do in this regard? May be we cannot do a whole lot of difference. But yeah, we can join hands and make a small difference to bring a smile on these unprivileged children. Let's be their voice. If we cannot outreach to provide education, counselling and basic health services on the street atleast we'll put a smile on an unprivileged child's face. So, I call everyone to celebrate Children's Day in your own way but please try to bring a smile on these unprivileged children who can as we’ll have pleasant memories with their childhood.

As the saying goes: “Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.”

Happy Children's Day and let's make a difference!!!

Cheers!