Man proposes & God disposes and other snippets.

 

SHARED THOTS. 24.02.13
=====================================================

 

Man proposes, God disposes... as the saying goes.. is there any consolation when our calculations go wrong?
When Fred found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father would die, he decided he needed a woman to enjoy all the money he would get.
So one evening he went to a singles bar where he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away.
"I may look like just an ordinary man," he said as he walked up to her, "but in just a week or two, my father will die, and Ill inherit 20 million dollars."
Impressed, the woman went home with him that evening and, three days later, she became his stepmother!
=================================================
This is a lovely piece; a good food for thought. It pays to remember as we go on with our lives. it's all about comparison; at any age, at any level, contentment eludes us, due to the 'basic instinct' in us to compare.

So True........................
Once upon a time, there was a teacher and his student lying down under a big tree near a big grass area. Then, suddenly, the student asked the teacher,
Student : Teacher, I'm confused, how can we find our soul-mate? Can you please help me?
Teacher : (Silent for few second, then he answered) Well, it's a pretty hard and easy question.
Student : (Thinking hard) Huh???
Teacher : Look on that way, there are a lot of grass there, why don't you walk there but please never walk backward, just walk straight ahead. On your way, try to find a beautiful grass and pick it up then give it to me. But just one.
Student : Well, ok then... wait for me...(walked straight ahead to the grass field).
A few minutes later...Student : I'm back.
Teacher : Em, well I don't see any beautiful grass on your hand.
Student : On my journey, I found few beautiful grass, but I thought that I would find a better one, so ! I didn't pick it up. But I didn't realize that I'm at the end of the field, and I hadn't picked up any, because you told me not to go back, so I didn't go back.
Teacher : That's what happens in real life.
* Grass - is people around you
* Beautiful Grass - is people that attract you
* Grass Field - is time

In looking for your soul-mate, please don't always compare and Hope that there will be a better one. By doing that, you'll waste your lifetime, cause remember "Time Never Goes Back".
It applies the same in finding your ideal life partner, your suitable career or business, therefore the morale is LOVE & grab hold of the opportunity that
you have now, don't waste time !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.
----------------------------
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.

Three times, even. The total had to be exactly  perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully  placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

"And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick... and I want to buy a miracle."

" I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist.

" His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.

"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"
"I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."
"How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago .
"One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly.

"And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to."

"Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. "

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."
That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. That surgery," her Mom whispered "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents ....

plus the faith of a little child..
===================================================

REFLECTIONS.
HOME IS NOT WHERE YOU LIVE,
BUT WHERE THEY UNDERSTAND YOU.
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF GROWING SLOWLY,
BE AFRAID OF ONLY STANDING STILL.
WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY,
SAY NOTHING.
YOU CAN JUDGE A MAN,
BY HOW HE TREATS THOSE,
WHO CAN DO NOTHING FOR HIM.
ANYONE WHO LOOKS FOR A FRIEND,
WITHOUT FAULT IN THESE TIMES,
WILL REMAIN WITHOUT A FRIEND.

==========================================================

How often are we in such situations ... at home, at work ... I mean, in BOTH the situations... of taking and giving instructions...
A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.

"Careful," he said, "Careful! Put in some more butter! Oh my God! You're cooking too many at once. Too many! Turn them! Turn them now! We need more butter. Oh my God! Where are we going to get more butter? They're going to stick! Careful ...careful! I said be careful! You never listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you crazy? Have you lost your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. Use the salt! The salt!"
The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"
The husband calmly replied, "I wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."

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Have a wonderful week ahead.

MOHANDAS. KP.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/

From my archives – 16.03.07 – thanks to Shirley, Joe.

Courtesy & Professionalism

 

 

SHARED THOUGHTS.....15.03.2013.
=====================================================

During days of travel, it is difficult to sit down and pen your thoughts. Past few days have been one of hectic travel, discussions and meeting many new people – professionals in my business from various parts of the world, converging in Boston USA.

Going round the city, it was wonderful once again, to experience courtesy and professionalism at its best.

I mentioned ‘once again’, only because we need to travel outside of where we come from – Middle East and Asian sub-continent, where courtesy is an alien word and professionalism is unheard of in terms of customer service.

Here in Boston, wherever we went, by and large, we came across people who are patient, polite, courteous, with a ready smile of greeting, even from the joggers; not to mention the calm and quiet on the busy roads and intersections.... no horn, no wild driving, no road rage  ; perhaps the weather and the orderly system are the contributing factors.

Reminded me of a dispatch long back, which I was able to retrieve ( Shared Thoughts 10.08.07), which I would like to share, that reflects what professionalism actually is…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Professionalism = more than just doing your job.

from Mr. Dennis Snow 

I don't like to shop. Clothes shopping, grocery
shopping, car shopping; it doesn't matter -- I don't
like it. I want to get in, get what I want (fast), and
get out. A recent shopping experience, however, was a
pleasant surprise.

This experience showcased customer service at its
best, and at its most simple. Once again I was
reminded that great service isn't about grand acts, it
is about common courtesy, artfully delivered.

While on vacation in Chicago, I needed to buy a pair
of casual shoes (I had forgotten mine). I found myself
in a store called the Walking Company. A friend once
told me it was a good store. It was crowded, so I
almost left. But one of the salespeople made eye
contact with me. It wasn't the kind of eye contact
that said, "Oh no, another customer." Instead, it was
eye contact that said, "I'll be right with you." It
was good eye contact.

So I browsed around for a few minutes and found a pair
of shoes I liked. Sure enough, the salesperson came up
and said, "Sorry about the wait, let's get you some
shoes." I showed her the pair I wanted and asked to
try size 10. She said, "Let's measure your foot just
to make sure." I know I wear size 10, but her whole
demeanour showed that she wanted to make sure I got
the right shoes.

She measured my foot and said, "Size 10 is right, but
you have a very 'Rubenesque' foot. The type of shoe
you've selected won't be the most comfortable for you.
I think this other style would feel much better."

Being the skeptic that I am, I looked at the price of
her suggested shoes to see how much she was up-selling
me. Same price. Hmm. With nothing to lose, I tried on
the style she suggested, and they were extremely
comfortable. I must admit: they are the most
comfortable pair of casual shoes I've ever owned.

As I paid for the shoes, the salesperson continued to
wow me. She said, "If you ever buy a pair of shoes
somewhere else be sure to tell the salesperson that
the arches in your foot have fallen a little, and you
need shoes with some arch support -- like these."

When I get good service like this, I want to keep it
going. I asked her if there is a Walking Company in
Orlando, where I live. "Absolutely, it's at the
Millennium Mall." Since then I've bought two pairs of
dress shoes at the Orlando Walking Company, again with
great service. I can't imagine buying shoes anywhere
else. And I've sent plenty of friends there.

Now, let's look at what this salesperson did that made
this a great shopping experience. I'll analyse the
details in a moment, but one word sums up her style --
professional. This lady was a professional in every
sense of the word. Her skills would apply anywhere, as
applicable in a bank, hospital, theme park, or law
office as they are in a shoe store.

Here are four universal traits of a professional in
any job position:

1. Professionals are responsive: When I entered the
store, the salesperson made immediate eye contact with
me. It was sincere eye contact that said she cared
that I was there. And as soon as she was finished with
her customer she came right over to help me and
apologized for the wait.

The store was busy. But I noticed that everyone was
being helped. The salespeople had mastered the art of
handling more than one customer at a time while making
each customer feel like he/she was the only one. None
of the salespeople looked frantic, just responsive.

2. Professionals are knowledgeable: This salesperson
knew about shoes. On the other hand, I know very
little about shoes. Seeing that this was the case, she
took charge of the situation and made sure that I was
getting shoes that were right for me. I benefited from
her knowledge.

There is an art to sharing knowledge, I admit. Some
customers may say, "I know what I want. Just get it
for me." By briefly talking to me, however, she
realised she could make a recommendation for me, that
I was flexible. Professionals read the situation and
adapt to the personality and needs of the customer.

Of course, all of this means knowing your product.
Professionals are constantly learning about their
products and their customers. The only way that the
Walking Company salesperson could steer me to the
right pair of shoes was by knowing shoes and feet.
Professionals know their stuff.

3. Professionals care about what they do: My Walking
Company salesperson could have easily brought me the
pair of shoes I originally asked for. But she wasn't
selling shoes -- she was selling the right shoes.
That's the difference. Professionals aren't happy just
selling a product. They want it to be the right
product for the customer.

4. Professionals teach you something: I left the
Walking Company knowing more than when I walked in. I
now know to ask for extra arch support in my shoes.
Not a big deal, but I will always remember that
advice.

Think of some of your best service experiences: the
waiter who made the perfect recommendation, the
computer helpdesk that gave you a tip on how to make
an application more effective, or the clothing store
employee who helped you coordinate colours.

In most cases of outstanding service, the employee
left you more knowledgeable than when he/she found
you. The new information might not change your life
(though it could), but it does make your life a tad
better.

Conclusion: Professional behaviours are simple. What's
not simple is the consistent application of them.
Being a true professional takes thought and effort.
But, once you are truly professional you can go just
about anywhere.

The skills are universal, and they are rare. True
professionals stand out from the crowd and grow
rewarding and satisfying careers. And the customers of
the world know when one is at work.
--------------------------------------------

Dennis Snow is the president of Snow & Associates,
Inc. He worked with the Walt Disney World Company for
20 years and now consults with organisations around
the world helping them achieve their customer service
goals. He is the author of the book, Unleashing
Excellence -- The Complete Guide to Ultimate Customer
Service.
------------------------------------

Useful and simple tips towards making oneself more acceptable ... tho' not very simple to perform in our daily lives as they are worded....

TO ENTERTAIN SOME PEOPLE,
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LISTEN.
---------------------------------------------
IT IS EASIER TO SMILE THAN TO FROWN.
IT TAKES 64 MUSCLES FOR THE FACE TO FROWN,
ONLY 13 TO SMILE.
---------------------------------------------
WHAT COUNTS IS HOW MUCH YOU PUT IN,
NOT THE HOURS YOU PUT IN.
------------------------------ --------------
ITS NOT THE SUGAR THAT MAKES THE TEA SWEET,
BUT THE STIRRING.
----------------------- ----------------------
STOP LOOKING FOR FRIENDSHIP,
AND START BEING FRIENDLY.

===================================================
Have an enjoyable weekend.

from Boston,

 

MOHANDAS. KP.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/

 

Random thoughts on Time.

SHARED THOUGHTS......29.03.13.

Random Thoughts On Time.

 

The elevator stopped at the 12^th level. Two well dressed elderly ladies, certainly looking in their late 70’s at the least, got into the elevator wishing me and my wife, a very good morning. They were bundled up well for the weather outside … a stubborn unrelenting winter determined to give one more demo’ of its mean intentions well demonstrated for the past three months to the weary New Yorkers more than eager to welcome an eluding spring.   

Standing so close, I could not help but overhear their talk. Asked one, “Are we late?”  “Oh,  no problem. We have plenty of time”, said the other, looking at the watch and making sure she was correct.

I looked into my watch and felt we too had plenty of time ourselves… for whatever we planned to do that day, which was not much, really, in that weather condition.

Stepping on the sidewalk outside our hotel and a few steps into the Times Square, I was suddenly seized up by a strong drift of impatience & edginess blowing from the hurried strides of the hundreds of pedestrians; as if each of them was racing against time, to reach their respective destinations in some cubicles or the other in the towering skyscrapers all around, while hundreds of tourists from all corners of the planet seemed to just stand, stroll around and stare, with plenty of time on their hands  ; the unending wave of humanity criss-crossing with and without any purpose was magical; throbbing with Life, even Time could do nothing but to wait and watch …perhaps to strike at the right moment??

It seemed ironic that the words of one of the elderly ladies… “we have plenty of time”.. were  to resonate  within me long after, while standing at the centre of Times Square.!! Is Time square and fair? Probably in its unit measure of a day, it is fair. As Abe Lincoln said, even those who have nothing else, have Time.

Irrespective of any parameter, rich or poor, white or black, young or old…all get the days in equal measure – 24 hours to a day, except for just two days in one life time! But how many days do each of us get? With each passing day, Time is running out of our life. We travel towards our future, at the rate of 24 hours per day.

Those two elderly ladies are not late for the given day and given time, but no matter how early or late they are, they sure will be On Time for the final appointment. ‘Time’ makes sure that they are. ‘The late’ is a title conferred by Time as a symbol of final victory over Life.  

“Time was God's first creation”.....(Walter Lang)

Time creates life, while leading life to death. Battle against Time is futile, yet in life we struggle to put up a fight against all odds to overshadow the ravages caused by Time. Time, they say, is the greatest healer of all wounds… that are caused when it is Time.  Time is infinite while life time is finite.

Usage of ‘Time’ is always an oxymoron, the only thing you must spend, in order to earn. Spend some time in college to earn a degree. Earning (or success) depends upon how one spends time. It’s said, a busy person is one who has time for everything.

These were the thoughts racing through my mind, as we strolled around Times Square aimlessly until it was time for us to get back to the warmth of our hotel room. In two days, it is time for me to get back to work.. It’s all about time & Time…!

We have to partner with Time, for as long as we are given the Time. Every one of us, must serve our time, whether in bondage or in freedom (from ourselves). They say, ‘time is money’.  So it is nice indeed to partner with Time and be on friendly terms with it.

==========================================================

 

Time = Life, Therefore, waste your time and waste of your life, or master your time and master your life.
Alan Lakein

 

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.
William Penn

 

Lost time is never found again.
Benjamin Franklin

 

Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.
M. Scott Peck

Time moves in one direction, memory in another.
William Gibson

Time goes, you say? Ah, no!  alas, time stays, we go.
Henry Austin Dobson

===========================================================

Time waits for none.

You must make the most of every moment you have. It was Harvey MacKay who once said..

"Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back."

To purposefully bring into your life the things you truly want, you MUST take advantage of every moment you have.  

from Mary Robinson Reynolds
Author & Founder of Heart Productions & Publishing

===========================================================

Value  of Time –

It appears to me that we live about 1 billion seconds in this world. How much  time we are utilising from this to our family, society, nation and others.??  Each minute, the moment it becomes past will be a waste if you have not utilised that. Thinking and worrying about the past are also  waste of time.  Start doing what you wanted to do .

Teachers should teach the value of time, which we generally lack in our learning method. Every minute is precious. Once the teachers are aware about the value of the time, they can teach their students with experience.

Calculate how much time you have already spent in your life and how much more is left for your future, if you are living for about 85 years. Then calculate how much you are wasting everyday and try to reduce the wastage and utilise fully every minute for positively enjoying and making meaningful life

Time is money for an employer and employee. Many people in the US take $ 10 – 20 million as their bonus for utilising the time and energy perfectly for making the company profitable and taking the company to higher levels.

‘Every breath is taking you towards graveyard’. After each breath, four seconds are reduced from your total number  of seconds allotted for you.

So ‘nimisham jwalitham sreyam na tu dhoomayitum chiram’  = glow and give light and heat to others  even if you are living one second. Never live a life  ejecting smoke for years together.

From Dr. N.Gopalakrishnan, Founder – Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage. (excerpts from his message.359)

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Finally, neither blame Time nor give Time any credit....  when you go thru a bad time or a good time.  

Time is beyond any praise or blame.  Time is just timeless, waiting to be used or wasted                                                           

I had to literally struggle to snatch time to complete this dispatch that started in New York.

Have a good time and a safe week end.

MOHANDAS. KP.

http://mohandas-sharedthoughts.blogspot.com/