HERE FOREVER, I SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT I'M ON FRYING PAN INSTEAD OF BEING IN FIRE!

Being part of the routine of my retired life, that day too after my morning walk as I settled for a while at a small restaurant for my favorite cup of morning tea, I could hear the conversation going on between the Manager and the Waiter..

"Is..... available? Our customer wants!"
"Not available!"
"OK! Is..... available?"
"No.. Not available!"

As the visitor appeared to finally settle with the next available item, the Manager was heard softly correcting the Waiter..

"Don't ever say bluntly in front of our customer

• 'Not available!' 

Instead say

• 'Sorry.. It's just got over!'

Okay?"

At the back of the vast experience with me, I smiled within myself as my further thoughts ran thus..

The Manager was 100% right in advising thus because,

• One shows off a casual approach towards the customer and

• The other depicts a caring attitude for the customer's demand coupled with helplessness as the item prepared was too delicious to be available on the racks for a longer time! 

As I started sipping my tea, slowly I was taken back to the memories of my past work life where in the boss/client interactions that took place were seen moving thru' my mind afresh..

• "You spoke to our customer on phone? Yaar! In this Company the GM or CEO alone can do that. Right now go to him and say sorry for that. And here after, never do this mistake!"

• "You want your GM's permission to come to my place? No problem.. Be prepared to be in my Office in the next 15 minutes!"

• "What dear.. Time is not enough? The Customer wants the item by tomorrow.. Find 25 hrs in your day today and complete the job!"

• "You came to the meeting to tell that your deliveries would be delayed? Right now talk to your GM and get me the right answer else your CEO will make you give that answer!" 

• "I expect you to be the witness to the verbal accusations made at me by your other customer in the meeting. Please sign on these papers!"

• "You were witness to that verbal fight and you yourself address that. I may be your Boss but I don't want to get involved in such sensitive issues!" 

And at the back of those never fading memories, I could equally recollect how the importance of customer had grown in my eyes starting from the initial concept that

• The customer is an important person in our premises.. 

Thru' stages..

• The customer is not just the important person but a VIP, indirectly a king, truly a king, more than a king, like the God in our premises.. 

Rising up to the ultimate..

• The customer is none but the other God in our premises!

It was almost a dream like situation as I lost myself for while with those memories of intense interactive moments at my work life. I suddenly came back to my senses, quickly got up, paid off the bill and as I was moving out of the hotel, I heard the loud voice of a middle aged man next to me on his phone..

• "What? Have you forgotten how tough is the competition in our field? Just leave all that day dreaming of doing a cool job and start showing your competitive skills by working smart. Next time, if it happens, I'm not going to keep quite.. Show me the progress you made when I come to office, okay?" 

The Post is written in line with this week's IndiSpire Prompt Dreams are unlimited.. Day dreams and night dreams.. Share any one of your day dream and a night dream in a humorous,creative and adorable way... #Dreamsunlimted

Keywords: Customer, competition

THE NEVER FADING FRAME OF REFERENCE!

A man initially was careless and was doing less for his people all along making them unhappy thus

• Jeopardizing the Principles of Ethics with him! 

Suddenly, there was a sizable difficulty because of which the man's people were put to certain stress..

They couldn't take it beyond as their man all along as well as there too couldn't do anything to alleviate their pain and soon they vented out the one time anger of theirs on him.

The man became sad and instantly firmed up to do from that moment more for his people to keep them pleased beyond thus once again

• Jeopardizing the Principles of Ethics with him! 

Again, there was a sizable difficulty because of which the man's people were put to certain stress..

There too, they couldn't take it beyond as their man there couldn't do anything to alleviate their pain other than comforting them and soon they vented out the one time anger of theirs on him.

At that moment, it suddenly it struck the man,

"Why at all I got into doing all this less or more? Why not I do the exact

• In line with the Principles of Ethics with me?"

Life soon picked up and all became normal and started leading their life as the pains faded away.

The man too started his life but totally in a new direction where in he just would be doing the right interactions alone.

No doubt, there too certain murmurs were there from his people but soon all of them tapered down with the man all along sticking to his principle..

• 'Smile and Leave the protests!'

No need to say, there was another sizable difficulty in the lives of his people, every one was dull for a while but soon picked up their strengths with the man too extending his helping hand in that time.

Strangely, the man noticed that no blame was aimed at him other than certain routine unpleasantness that too for a short time in which period the man equally found himself energetic to truly help them out to alleviate their dullness. At length, the man mused..

"How effectively sticking to the Truth in my life Viz.,

• 'All are with you but they never belong to you. You have a certain duty towards them all along your life. Just do that to the best of your abilities and beyond keep calm!'

Helped me sail thru' the tough moment of life with all stability!"

Keyword: Ethics

AFTER COLLEGE.. WHAT NEXT? 

In college, you paid money to acquire the basic learning and at work the employer pays you expecting you help him/her out making use of that learning.. 

Remember.. 

No pains; no gains.. 

It's better, you soon start exerting to the requirement!

Your college was a place of acquiring your basic skills at root level and thus the learning there was broader. In employment only a part of those basics will be used repeatedly refining them to touch the sky..

Remember..

Work is worship.. 

It's better, you soon start making that sacred exertion of yours very much streamlined!

Your college had limited working hours as that was basically a Learning Center. In employment, the hours of work will definitely be more as you and your employer have to struggle to sell your work in the market to get the related money..

Remember..

Time and tide wait for none.. 

It's better, you soon start saying 'good bye' to many time wasting activities around you! 

At college a personality of yours was built almost without your knowledge. At employment a skilled professional will be built all along with your full knowledge making it your No1 identification towards the end of your professional career..

Remember.. 

To err is human..

It's better, you soon start correcting your mistakes to help this ultimate personality of yours rise to the peak levels!

Your Principal at college had okayed you to get into the employment thru' issue of the related marks/conduct certificates. Here, your employer/s should okay you for continuation of that employment thru' the related experience/relieving certificates.. 

Remember..

Hard work pays.. 

It's better, you soon start adding to this future experience certificates as many achievements as possible out of your employment!

Your parents would have taken loans to send you to college. At employment you'll receive enough monies to help them clearing off those loans..

Remember..

Take care of pennies, pounds will take care of themselves.. 

It's better, you soon start accounting all your receipts and expenditures as you continue your employment! 

At employment, too much earning in too little time is ever to be avoided as all monies should be earned over the full employment period in the right way alone.. 

Remember..

The golden goose lays only one egg per day.. 

It's better, you soon get into the habit of making use of that sacred receipt in the right way and await for that in store the next day!

Readiness to exert, right capability and sincerity at heart alone become primary tools at your work all along your career..

Remember..

A bad workman quarrels with his tools.. 

It's better, you soon start not allowing these right tools of yours slip away from you at any time in your future work life thru' laxity! 

Your next stage in life is taking up the family responsibilities which is a herculean task for which you will be guided by your elders.. 

Remember.. 

Rome was not built in a day..

It's better, you soon start saving enough finances and get the best work experience by working more hours before taking up that responsibility!

And finally to say.. 

Beyond your work, there's a specific interest in you to express in a particular direction..

Remember..

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy..

It's better, you soon make a note of this interest, find time in your tight scheduled day and do something in that direction to have an ultimate meaning to your life! 

Keywords:

college, work, family, express

IT'S SURE FUN BUT DOUBTLESS.. THE LEARNING TOO!

The boy of 6+ was too much into learning. He had that great interest in him and everywhere the questions were with him to his parents endlessly..

• "Mommy! What's this white thing?"
• "Where should we go now?"
• "Daddy! Why's this kept there?"
• "When will that come again?"
• "Mommy! Which of these red ones should we take?"
• "Who'll come to school today?"
• "Daddy! How does this change it's colors?"

The '6W and 1H Formula' of Mother Nature thru' which the Original Mother eternally teaches everything to everyone around Her in the Universe. Let whatever be the age, wealth, name and fame of the person seeking that knowledge, She sure imparts that to him/her out of a limitless love within Her.

The replica of that basic teaching is again part and parcel of every mom by the side of her child supported by the dad and there too the boy's mom was ever ready to answer her child's endless questions thru' that one known formula there by helping the little one grow to a full fledged individual in his/her life..

Such a keen interest of the boy soon turned towards learning the places and their locations on the globe.. And equally, that quickly made him a master the atlas and globe with him which his Grandpa staying 1000s of miles away purchased with all love and sent to him.
That day as usual it was the distant video call. The child was too active in answering the grandma's quiz about places on the earth and nothing seemed to stop him in quickly grasping and learning the new. The family was astonished with the boy's inquisitive nature and naturally those around were a bit eager to push more learning on the boy..

The grandpa observed that for a while and soon felt that that learning should continue as the child's zeal had to be supported fully without a single lapse but sure it should go in a little softer way to make the learning more interesting. Thus in no time he had seen his unique role there and firmed up to work in that line which ultimately was nothing but making lighter of the entire learning process..

Suddenly in the midst of the video chat, the grandpa asked with a big smile..

"Where's the Great Wall of China?"

The boy instantly was seen trying to recollect from his memory the answer but the next moment laughed aloud saying..

"What? It's in China. You only told that!"

Every one around too laughed aloud with that reply from the child. The fun further continued. The grandpa asked..

"Where's the.......?"

The child of course could not answer that. The grandpa smiled and said..

"It's on the earth.. Where else it can go?"

That funny answer took the child to his own ecstasy. Again, the gentleman asked..

"Where's the.....?"

The child knew by then that it was sure fun again.. With all eagerness, he looked at his grandpa to know that funny answer. The grandpa smiled and said,

"It's there in the same place where it was yesterday!"

With that funny reply, the boy instantly burst into a loud laughter. It was truly a great fun for the child and others around..

The grandpa smiled and said,

"All along here, let's add some fun too to the little one's learning.. You all can add the learning and I'm ready to add my fun.. That way, sure our boy's learning becomes 100% complete!"

Keywords: learning, fun

THE SURE'WAY OUT' TO WIN OVER MYSELF!

The Great Man was once approached by a man asking for some food. The Great Personality said,

• “You have to do an equivalent work for me for the food I give you!”

• “Sir, people call you Great! How can you straight away ask me like this when I'm dead hungry and have no energy at all?”

The man shot back.. The Great Man smiled and said,

• “If that is the case, I give you food immediately. But promise me you will do the required work after eating the food!”

The man refused to do that saying that it was too selfish to demand work from a man when he wanted some food just to satisfy his hunger. The Great Man said that he had nothing further to say or do in the situation.

The Highest Message conveyed to me here is..

The Truth in the Universe never changes because I wish in a different way. And if I act according to my wish not caring for the Truth, I've to sure face the consequences that follow. And the sum total of such consequences of my earlier actions alone is the ‘Eternal Conflict’ I'm experiencing in my life today!

To be free from this conflict in my life, the only way in front of me is to win over myself and try following the Truth in life at every moment..

But equally too, it's a fact that I'm not that great to perceive the Truth in life ‘As Is!’ Then what is the way out for me here as an ordinary person?

Sure, there the Almighty kept a ready path of action for me thru'..

Sloka 35, Chapter III of Srimad Bhagavad Gita,

'Shreyan swadharmo vigunah paradharmaat swanusshthitaat
Swadharme nidhanam shreyah paradharmo bhayaavahah.'

'Ever safe is one’s own duty than the duty of another even well discharged.. Better is even death in one’s duty than the duty of another full of fear!'

Equally with an embedded duty therein as part of that Swadharma of mine to remain myself as true human in my life as the Lord further says..

'Shradhhavan labhate jnanam tat parah samyatendriya
jnanam labdhva param santim acirenadhigacchati.'

(Sloka 39, Chapter IV of Srimad Bhagavad Gita)

'One with full faith attentively focused who has conquered the senses, achieves transcendental knowledge and having achieved that knowledge quickly attains supreme peace!'

Which carries an equal message to me on how I should have my own sharddha (attention) here..

“Along with your doings, never get lost. Be alert as much as possible so that unknowingly, you are not dragged too much towards the pitfalls of attractions around you ending up there forever!”

Thus seen, the right way in front of me is

Living thru' attention cum relaxation

To win over myself ultimately!

The Post is written in line with this week's IndiSpire Prompt.. It is easy to win from anyone but win from your self is so hard... #winyourself

Keywords: win, myself

BELIEVE IN 'GOD' OR BELIEVE IN 'MYSELF?'

"Believe in God and beyond only believe in yourself!"

Was the assertion of one young man..

"Believe in yourself and beyond only believe in God!"

Was the equal assertion of another contemporary young personality..

The arguments and counter arguments in that context were endless! A wise man intervened and said..

"Dear! You both are one way correct and one way not.. It depends on the context!"

"Can you elaborate, Sir?"

The youngsters questioned back.. The elder replied,

• "When I am in an endless enjoyment mode with my 'self' remaining at the base gross level, the first statement very much supports..

But

• The moment, I get into a sincere service mode with my 'self' instantly rising to the higher sublimated level, the second statement very much remains supportive!"

"How do you say that?"

• "Because in extended enjoyment modes, I remain the weakest when my 'self' in no time slides down to the lower mundane levels and in such a state, if something goes wrong seriously, I'm just gone the next moment unless a firm belief in God takes care of me and sails me thru' the tough moment all along, my 'self' remaining of no use to me..

But

• When the 'self' remains at higher sublimated levels thru' a sincere service, I'm in my best shape and there believing myself straight away adds a new strength in me to continue those sacred activities with more vigor simultaneously the belief in God by the side streamlining my other basic issues of life!"

Keywords: BELIEVE, GOD, MYSELF

ALL SAID AND DONE.. A TRUE SERVICE IN TOTALITY!

Once, a Master asked a group of disciples thus..

• “Suppose a friend of yours leaves his advance aged parent with you for a day under the pretext of some urgent work but goes around for his own relaxation/merry making..

• You, suppose at that point of time fully knowing the friend's intentions still accept the task not able to say 'NO' there.. 

• In such a scenario, if the parent develops some urgent requirement on the health front which needs your time, energy, money and attention and further the friend can't be contacted at that moment, what is the best course of action you would like to follow in that situation?”

A few replied on their own perceptions what to do and the Master smiled and looked at the others who were silent all the while. At length, one disciple with all humility said thus..

“Reverend Sir!

• It's no doubt that one should never leave the responsibility of taking care of such a parent with any one else around for own enjoyment in life and that way the individual is surely committing a great sin in doing that.. 

• And who knowing all this accepts the care of the elderly man just because he could not say 'NO' on the face of the request is equally committing a sin..

• But that having happened, at the time of prime need, the one given the temporary charge of the parent if stops the required service to the elderly person, he is sure committing a greater sin..

• It's imperative in such a situation that the man takes care of the friend’s parent in the best way as required and handover that responsibility as soon as the friend is located or returns on his own.. 

• Further it's better there, he doesn't ask for the return of that spent on the elderly in that connection unless the amounts go beyond his affordability.. 

• It's equally important that he firms up and never feels weak in saying 'NO' in all such future instances whoever be at the other end..

• And finally to say, it's the best discipline if the man subsequently speaks nothing of the service he had done in the absence of the original caretaker thus avoiding criticizing the friend in the process!”

The Master smiled and said,

“God bless you dear! A true service to humanity in total ultimately lies in such actions alone!”

Keywords: humanity, service

THE DEFINITE ROLES I PLAYED/CONTINUE TO PLAY IN MY LIFE!

Sloka 62 and 63, Chapter 2 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita say that in a case a normal human being if not in attention,

'dhyayato visayan pumsah sangas tesupajayate
sangat sanjayate kamah kamat krodho bhijayate

krodhad bhavati sammohah sammohat smrti vibhramah
smrti bhramsad buddhi naso buddhi nasat pranasyati!'

Meaning

'By brooding over sense objects (involving in self gratification), attachment develops, from attachment desires come up, from desires (when not satisfied) anger comes up,

From anger delusion occurs, from delusion bewilderment of memory takes place, after that discrimination capacity goes and losing discrimination one perishes!'

With no exception other than such a god given personality with me who needed continuous correction as I look back into my past, I can easily recapitulate the various roles I played in my life varying from days to years to life long living thru' many travails the number never remaining small.

I feel it's right on my part to broadly divide these roles under 5 sub-headings Viz.,

Close family area
Extended family area
Educational area
Work area and
Social Circle area

• In close family area the primary roles were/are those of a son, brother, brother-in-law, spouse, son-in-law, father, father-in-law and grandfather..

• In extended family area the main roles were/are those of a cousin, nephew, maternal uncle, paternal uncle etc..

• In educational area the roles were those of a pupil, under graduate student and post graduate student..

• In work area the roles were those of a Technical Trainee, Engineer cum supervisor, Junior Manager, Senior Manager, Chief Manager, Dy General manager, Advisory and Consultant, Sub-ordinate, Colleague and Boss and

• In the social circle area the roles were/are those of a friend, neighbor, uncle, well-wisher, Senior citizen etc!

Thus seen the number roles I played/am plying are innumerable with some permanently going into history and some continuing even today.

As far as switching over from one role to other is concerned my practical experience goes thus as I recollect,

• Some roles were automatically with me without my knowledge and equally moved away from me as time passed with little of my notice..

• Some roles came into my life with a certain impact as well as with a force at the back of certain unexplained feelings and in time alone I got adjusted to those roles ultimately taking control of the situation..

• Some roles were highly interesting to me and I was whole and sole into those roles in the right time they were in front and

• Some roles constantly stay with me even this date with continuation of the associated responsibilities..

It's appropriate I close such a subject with a small story..

The highly evolved Great Saint when decided to embrace Sainthood was advised by His Master to have the final experience of one more full life on the earth..

Thus the Saint took the birth of a king, lived thru' that life playing the various roles as a king, family man and the social personality and beyond that alone embraced Spirituality thus becoming Himself the fully qualified Personality to reach the Ultimate!

That shows the importance of living this life in all the roles in front of me to the best of my abilities sincerely correcting the endless mistakes I make in the process forever remembering at the heart the Sacred Message of

Sloka 9 of Bhaja Govindam

'sastangatve nissangatvam, nissangatve nirmohatvam
nirmohatve nischalatatvam,nischalatatve jeevanmuktih'

Meaning

'From the company of seekers of truth (Living thru' awareness) non attachment develops, from non attachment comes freedom from delusion, from the freedom from delusion develops self steadiness and that self steadiness (alone) leads (one) to true liberation!'

The post is written in line with this week's IndiSpire Prompt..

The roles you have played in your real life so far. How easy has it been to switch/transit from one role to another? How many more do you wish to play? #rolespeopleplay

Keywords: life, roles