The Diamond And The Dewdrop (posted by Priya Deelchand)

A beautiful diamond that a princess
dropped one day lay lost in a meadow.
Just above it shone a drop of dew,
hanging from a shoot of grass.

The sun made them both shine, and the
modest dewdrop admired the noble stone.
A large beetle who was passing by
recognized in the diamond someone of
high origin.

"Sir, I give you homage," the beetle
said.

"Thank you," the diamond responded
haughtily.

Turning its head, the beetle saw the
drop of dew. "One of your relatives I
presume?" the beetle said, nodding
toward the diamond.

The diamond burst out laughing. "How
can you place me on the same level as
this vulgar being? Its beauty is only
imitation. It shines but it doesn't
last."

The beetle was flabbergasted, and the
drop of dew felt completely humiliated.
Then a bird flew down and pecked at the
diamond.

"Ah no," the bird said, disappointed,
"I thought you were a drop of water,
but you are only a diamond. My beak is
dry, I feel like I'm going to die of
thirst."

"Oh well, what's one bird more or
less," the diamond laughed again.

But at the same time the dewdrop
resolved to help the bird. "Can I be of
use to you?" it said.

The bird raised its head. "Oh
precious friend, you have saved my
life!"

"Come then," said the dewdrop. And
the bird drank it up and flew away,
revived.

"Here is a lesson I won't soon
forget," thought the beetle, continuing
on its way. "Simple merit is worth more
than rank or wealth that has no modesty
or devotion. There can be no real
beauty in that."

- Author unknown-

Posted by Priya Deelchand

Do it now! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

"And what if the tomorrow that I take for
granted never comes? Or what if tomorrow is
my last day on earth?"

Martha, an old woman of 85, was obsessed with
thoughts like these. She lived alone in her big
apartment, surrounded by objects from her past.

She would worry all night long, getting up
to walk around, then returning to her empty bed,
turning the thoughts over and over in her mind
like a dog gnawing an old bone. She did it so
much that finally her fear turned into wisdom.

The next morning she made herself a promise.
"I am going to live each and every day as if it
were my last! That's the only way to really enjoy
life."

Now Martha reads a lot and spends (a-take out)
less time dusting old furniture. She admires the
flowers in her garden without worrying too much
about the weeds that crop up here and there.

She invites people she likes to her home, but
doesn't sit there waiting for them to arrive. And
when they do arrive, she uses her best china to
serve tea and cake, without worrying about a
precious cup or plate getting dirty or being
broken.

She's started wearing the beautiful red cashmere
jacket her grandchildren gave her for Christmas.
She even wears it to go out walking, and puts a
dab of her best perfume behind her ears.

But most importantly, Martha has stopped saying,
"I'll do that one day, when I have the time."

Now she says, "If it's worth doing, I'm going to
do it now!"

Like Martha, you, too, should think about what
you'd do if someone said, "This is your last day on earth!"

You would realize that priorities fall into place
naturally, that many things resolve themselves and
that whatever is superfluous in your life disappears.
Don't wait for the day when tragedy strikes to force
you to consider what it is you really want to do in
life.

- Author unknown -

Posted by Priya Deelchand

The Story of The Teacup! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Here is a story that I would like to share with you. The author is unknown.

A couple vacationing in Europe went strolling down a little street and saw a quaint little gift shop with a beautiful teacup in the window. The lady collected teacups and she wanted this one for her collection, so she went inside to buy the teacup, and as the story goes the teacup spoke and said:

"I want you to know that I have not always looked like this. It took the process of pain to bring me to this point. You see, there was a time when I was just clay and the Master came and he pounded me and he squeezed me and he kneaded me and I screamed: "STOP THAT!". But he just smiled and said, "Not yet".

Then he took me and put me on the shelf and I went round and round and round and round... and while I was spinning and getting dizzier and dizzier I screamed again and I said, "Please get me off this thing... please get me off!!!" And the Master was looking at me and he was smiling, as he said, "Not yet".

Then he took me and walked toward the oven and shut the door and turned up the heat and I could see him through the window of the oven and it was getting hotter and hotter and I thought, "He's going to burn me to death!".

And I started pounding on the inside of the oven and I said, "Master, let me out, let me out, let me out!", and I could see that he was smiling as he said "Not yet". Then he opened the door and I was fresh and free and he took me out of the oven and he put me on the table and then he got some paint and a paintbrush.

He started dabbing me and making swirls all over me and I started to gag and I said: "Master, stop it... stop it... stop it please... you're making me gag". He just smiled as he said "not yet".

Then very gently he picked me up again and he started walking toward the oven and I said, "Master, NO!! Not again, pleeeease!!". He opened the oven door and he slipped me inside and he shut the door and this time he turned the heat up twice as hot as before and I thought, "He's going to kill me!!", and I looked through the window of the oven and I started to pound on it, saying, "Master... Master, please let me out... please let me out... let me out!".

I could see that he was smiling but I also noticed a tear trickle down his cheek as I watched him mouth the words, "Not yet!"

Just as I thought I was about to die, the door opened and he reached in ever so gently and took me out, fresh and free and he went and placed me on a high shelf and he said: "There, I have created what I intended. Would you like to see your yourself?" I said, "Yes". He handed me a mirror and I looked and I looked again and I said, "That's not me, I'm just a lump of clay".

He said, "Yes, that IS you, but it took the process of pain to bring you to this place. You see, had I not worked you when you were clay, then you would have dried up.

If I had not subjected you to the stress of the wheel you would have crumbled. If I had not put you into the heat of the oven you would have cracked. If I had not painted you there would be no color in your life. But, it was the second oven that gave you the strength to endure. Now you are everything I intended you to be - from the beginning." And I, the teacup, heard myself saying something I never thought I would hear myself saying, "Master, forgive me, I did not trust you. I thought you were going to harm me, I did not know you had a glorious future and a hope for me. I was too shortsighted, but I want to thank you.

I want to thank you for the suffering. I want to thank you for the process of pain. Here I am! I give you myself - fill me; pour from me, use me as you see fit. I really want to be a vessel that brings you glory within my life."

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,
Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

5 Simple Rules To Be Happy! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing great!

Here is a story that I would like to share with you. The author is unknown.

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room .... just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged, it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away, just for this time in my life."

She went on to explain, "Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing."

And with a smile, she said, "Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less."

Have an awesome day!

Much Love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

Forgive and Forget! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing great!

Here is a wonderful story that I would like to share with you today.

A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life's experience, they chose a potato, wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of their bags were quite heavy.

They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty smelly slime.

This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves!

I know that it may be hard to forgive but as Isabelle Holland rightly said:

"As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind."

We cannot avoid daily resentment and thoughts of guilt. They are a part of human nature. What we can do is release their grip on us. We can forgive others and ourselves daily.

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

A Life of Joy! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing great!

Here is a great lesson written by Steve Goodier that I would like to share with you.

Do you know how to have a life of joy?

A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said, "Bill, I

want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains

cremated." "And what," his friend asked, "do you want me to do with

your ashes?" The businessman said, "Just put them in an envelope and

mail them to the Internal Revenue Service and write on the envelope,

`NOW YOU HAVE EVERYTHING!'"

Paying taxes is not usually a joy. But GIVING can be joyful. We pay

the taxes because we have to. But when we CHOOSE to give time or

money, then giving can add to our overall happiness.

Mother Teresa teaches us an important lesson about happiness. She

was one of those people who emanated joy. Born in 1910 in Eastern

Europe, she felt called as a teenager to move to Calcutta, India. Some

months later she saw a sight that completely revolutionized her life.

Shortly after moving to Calcutta she spotted a homeless, dying woman

lying in the gutter, being eaten by rats. After seeing that,

compassion compelled her to beg an abandoned Hindu temple from the

government and convert it into a crude, make-shift hospital for the

dying. "Nobody should die alone" she would later say. Mother Teresa

went on to establish homes for the destitute dying in numerous cities.

But in spite of devoting her life to people in such dire straits, she

radiated joy and happiness.

This incredible woman was once interviewed by Malcolm Muggeridge from

the BBC News. He asked her an unusual question: "Mother Teresa, the

thing I noticed about you and the hundreds of sisters who now form

your team is that you all look so happy. Is that a put-on?"

Here was a woman who had none of the things we like to think of as

bringing happiness: a home, a family, prosperity… Rather, she lived in

near-poverty and spent her time wiping dirt and various body fluids

from half-dead cancer and leprosy victims…and appeared to be

blissfully happy. "Is that a put-on" she was asked?

She replied, "Oh no, not at all. Nothing makes you happier than when

you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt."

She would agree that happiness does not come from acquiring, but is a

by-product of giving: time, money, love. Do you want a life of joy?

Start with a lifestyle of giving!

Wish you all a life filled with joy!

Much Love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

Always be kind and compassionate (Posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing awesome.

Here is the story that I would like to share with you. The author is unknown.

It was a bitter, cold evening in northern Virginia many years ago. The old man's beard was glazed by winter's frost while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path.

Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend. He let the first one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by, and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow statue.

As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot."

Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard." Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old man not just across the river, but to his destination, which was just a few miles away. As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let several other riders pass by without making an effort to secure a ride. Then I came up and you immediately asked me for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night, you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and left you there?"

The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the rider straight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around these here parts for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good." The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. I knew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need."

Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply. "I'm most grateful for what you have said," he told the old man. "May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion." With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his way back to the White House.

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=143&uid=129163323764942

The Power of Positive Talk (Posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing great! Here is a great lesson that I would like to share with you today!

The Power of Positive Talk by Dr Abdul Kalam

I remember my dad teaching me the power of language at a very young age. Not only did my dad understand that specific words affect our mental pictures, but he understood words are a powerful programming factor in lifelong success.
One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around upside down from the rafters of our lake house. So, it came to no surprise for my dad to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so high.

My older cousin, Tammy, was also in the same tree. She was hanging on the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Tammy's mother also noticed us at the exact time my dad did. About that time a huge gust of wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and the tree begin to sway. I remember my dad's voice over the wind yell, "Hold on tightly." So I did. The next thing I know, I heard Tammy screaming at the top of her lungs, laying flat on the ground. She had fallen out of the tree.

I scampered down the tree to safety. My dad later told me why she fell and I did not. Apparently, when Tammy's mother felt the gust of wind, she yelled out, "Tammy, don't fall!" And Tammy did. fall.

My dad then explained to me that the mind has a very difficult time processing a negative image. In fact, people who rely on internal pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for Tammy to process the command of not falling, her nine-year-old brain had to first imagine falling, then try to tell the brain not to do what it just imagined. Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal image of me hanging on tightly.

This concept is especially useful when you are attempting to break a habit or set a goal . You can't visualize not doing something. The only way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a word for what you want to do and visualize that. For example, when I was thirteen years old, I played for my junior high school football team. I tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together at that age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was running out for a pass, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the ball.

My coaches were not skilled enough to teach us proper "self-talk." They just thought some kids could catch and others couldn't. I'll never make it pro, but I'm now a pretty good Sunday afternoon football player, because all my internal dialogue is positive and encourages me to win. I wish my dad had coached me playing football instead of just climbing trees. I might have had a longer football career.

Here is a very easy demonstration to teach your kids and your friends the power of a toxic vocabulary. Ask them to hold a pen or pencil. Hand it to them. Now, follow my instructions carefully. Say to them, "Okay, try to drop the pencil." Observe what they do.

Most people release their hands and watch the pencil hit the floor. You respond, "You weren't paying attention. I said TRY to drop the pencil. Now please do it again." Most people then pick up the pencil and pretend to be in excruciating pain while their hand tries but fails to drop the pencil.

The point is made
If you tell your brain you will "give it a try," you are actually telling your brain to fail. I have a "no try" rule in my house and with everyone I interact with. Either people will do it or they won't. Either they will be at the party or they won't. I'm brutal when people attempt to lie to me by using the word try. Do they think I don't know they are really telegraphing to the world they have no intention of doing it but they want me to give them brownie points for pretended effort? You will never hear the words "I'll try" come out of my mouth unless I'm teaching this concept in a seminar.

If you "try" and do something, your unconscious mind has permission not to succeed. If I truly can't make a decision I will tell the truth. "Sorry John. I'm not sure if I will be at your party or not. I've got an outstanding commitment. If that falls through, I will be here. Otherwise, I will not. Thanks for the invite."
People respect honesty. So remove the word "try" from your vocabulary.
My dad also told me that psychologists claim it takes seventeen positive statements to offset one negative statement. I have no idea if it is true, but the logic holds true. It might take up to seventeen compliments to offset the emotional damage of one harsh criticism.

These are concepts that are especially useful when raising children.
Ask yourself how many compliments you give yourself daily versus how many criticisms. Heck, I know you are talking to yourself all day long. We all have internal voices that give us direction.

So, are you giving yourself the 17:1 ratio or are you shortchanging yourself with toxic self-talk like, " I'm fat. Nobody will like me. I'll try this diet. I'm not good enough. I'm so stupid. I'm broke, etc. etc."

If our parents can set a lifetime of programming with one wrong statement, imagine the kind of programming you are doing on a daily basis with your own internal dialogue.
Here is a list of Toxic Vocabulary words.
Notice when you or other people use them.
Ø But: Negates any words that are stated before it.
Ø Try: Presupposes failure.
Ø If: Presupposes that you may not.
Ø Might: It does nothing definite. It leaves options for your listener..
Ø Would Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen.
Ø Should Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen (and implies guilt.)
Ø Could Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen but the person tries to take credit as if it did happen.
Ø Can't/Don't: These words force the listener to focus on exactly the opposite of what you want. This is a classic mistake that parents and coaches make without knowing the damage of this linguistic error.

Examples:
Toxic phrase: "Don't drop the ball!"
Likely result: Drops the ball
Better language: "Catch the ball!"
Toxic phrase: "You shouldn't watch so much television."
Likely result: Watches more television.
Better language: "I read that too much television makes people stupid." You might find yourself turning that TV off and picking up one of those books more often!

Exercise:
Take a moment to write down all the phrases you use on a daily basis or any Toxic self-talk that you have noticed yourself using. Write these phrases down so you will begin to catch yourself as they occur and change them.
These are concepts that are especially useful when raising children.

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,
Priya:))
Posted by Priya Deelchand
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=278&uid=127442177279870

Your Life Is A Reflection Of You (Posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing awesome.

Here is the story that I would like to share with you today. The author is unknown.

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!”
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Curious, he yells: “Who are you?”
He receives the answer: “Who are you?”
And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!”
The voice answers: “I admire you!”
Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!”
He receives the answer: “Coward!”
He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?”
The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.”
Again the man screams: “You are a champion!”
The voice answers: “You are a champion!”
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO,
but really this is LIFE.”
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world,
create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team,
improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”
“Your life is not a coincidence. It’s a reflection of you!”

Wish you a very happy weekend!

Much Love,
Priya:))
Posted by Priya Deelchand

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