Saturday Story from Siva (25): The Story of a Violin and the Value of Fine Tuning It

Hi,
Good morning! Merry Christmas! Glad to bring to you another story this Saturday. Here it goes....
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The Story of a Violin and the Value of Fine-tuning it
An Excerpt from the Book, “You, Inc” by Burke Hedges
Many years ago, an auctioneer was selling off the estate of a wealthy industrialist. As the auction came to close, he held up a dusty, disclored old violin and asked mockingly, “What am I bid for this?...$100?....no takers?....Do I hear...$50?......$23?… $5?..”How about a dollar?” As the audience laughter echoed around, an old man among them said, “Excuse me. May I have a moment of your time?” He took the violin into his hand, plucked each string and expertly adjusted the tuning pegs....and placing the violin under his chin, he began to play. Lovely clear notes filled the room, and the audience sat frozen with awe listening to that heavenly solo. As he ended the solo, handed over the violin to the auctioneer and walked away slowly, the audience burst into spontaneous applause.
The smiling auctioneer held up the old violin and said again, “What am I bid for this MOST EXTRAORDINARY instrument? A $1000 to the man in top hat....I hear $2000 from the woman in the front...$3000...$4000....Do I hear $5000...Five it is...Five going once...Five going twice...SOLD.”
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Once fine-tuned, the value of the violin went up dramatically and people started appreciating it. All that it requires is perhaps a small fine-tuning of what we do and who we are to maximize the value of our work and our lives.

MERRY CRISTMAS! The Best for you always!
With love and regards,
Siva --------------------------------
B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker
Hyderabad 500072, India
value4value@gmail.com
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Saturday Story from Siva (24): The great migration of Bar-tailed Godwits and their secret of success

Hi,
Birds migrate for various reasons. It could be for food, shelter, safety, and breeding opportunities. This week, I would like to share with you the story of Bar-tailed Godwits and their secret of success for the enormous migratory journey they undertake from New Zealand to arctic region and back. What helps these birds capable of making such long flights non-stop? Pls read further..
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Story of Bar-tailed Godwits and their secret for success
Source: Internet info
In 2007, researchers tagged a Bar-tailed Godwit in New Zealand and tracked by satellite its journey to the Yellow Sea in China. The bird flew a distance of 11,026 kilometres non-stop to reach the Yellow Sea. This was the longest known non-stop flight of any bird. The flight took approximately nine days. At least three other Bar-tailed Godwits also appear to have reached the Yellow Sea after non-stop flights from New Zealand." One specific female of the flock, nicknamed "E7", flew onward from China to Alaska and stayed there for the breeding season. Then on 29 August 2007 she departed on a non-stop flight from the Alaska to the Piako River in New Zealand, setting a new known flight record of 11,680 kilometres.
Researchers found that prior to their migration, the godwits eat up large, until up to 55 per cent of their body weight is fat. They then reduce the size of their gut, kidney and liver by up to 25 per cent to compensate for the added weight. They reshuffle proteins in their bodies before they set out and that this allows them to reduce the size of their food-processing organs. The Godwits thus fuel themselves enough for such long flights. They also assess the weather patterns and time their departures to coincide with favourable winds.
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The Bar-tailed Godwit gains the ability to adapt to its circumstances by preparing itself for its future needs. With right preparation any task, however monumental it is, is achievable. As we undertake our life journey, it may be worthwhile to give a thought to learn who we are now and the kind of person we wish to become, and then chart out the right course for it before making the preparation necessary to undertake the same. Preparation is the key to success.
Wishing you the Best always!
With love and regards,
Siva --------------------------------
B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker
Hyderabad 500072, India
value4value@gmail.com
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Saturday Story from Siva (23): The Story of a Little Girl and the Value of Her Kindness

Hi,
This week again, I am very glad to bring to you a story that is said to have had truly happened. Here is the story of a little girl and the value of her kindness...
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The Story of a Little Girl and the Value of Her Kindness
Author: Unknown
Howard Atwood Kelly (1858–1943) was a famous American gynaecologist who founded the Johns Hopkins Division of Gynaecologic Oncology at Johns Hopkins University in 1895.  Dr. Kelly was once on a walking trip through Northern Pennsylvania. He was tired on his way, and stopped by a farm house for a drink of water.  A little girl answered his knock at the door and instead of water, brought him a glass of fresh milk.
Years later, the same girl was admitted to his hospital with a rare disease. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day, he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the girl was saved. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, and then wrote something on it, and the bill was sent to her room. When she looked at it, she read these words: "PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK. (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly."
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Kindness is a virtue that every human is endowed with. It only needs to be expressed. It could be in any form, acts or words. That could give solace to the one in need. Perhaps, helps someone to stand up and move forward in life. Let it be expressed everyday at every given opportunity, at work as well as at home.

The Best for you always,
With love and regards,
Siva

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B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker

Saturday Stories from Siva (22): The Story of a Woman and Her Secret

Hi,
With the year-end fast approaching, it’s time to learn some secrets so that those unfinished targets and unaccomplished goals could be fast achieved. Pls take a look at this week’s Saturday story, “The Story of a Woman and Her Secret.”
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The Story of a Woman and Her Secret
An excerpt from the book, “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne
She hails from Australia. A few years ago, her life had collapsed around her. Her father died suddenly, and her relationships with her work colleagues and loved ones were in turmoil. Around that time, her daughter gave her a gift that contained the Secret to life, which changed her life. A burning desire to share The Secret consumed her, and the vision of taking The Secret to the world in the form of a film had become fixed in her mind.
She found out that most of the present day teachers who knew that secret lived in the United States. She wanted to film them. She did not secure a confirmation from any one of them. However, she knew the Secret, and so with utter FAITH, she flew from Australia to the United States. Seven weeks later, The Secret team had filmed fifty-five of the greatest teachers, with over 120 hours of the film. They literally magnetized everything and everyone to them. Eight months later, the film was released and received a world-wide acclaim. People who watched the film changed their lives. And she thought, through a book, she could rather reach out and take The Secret and thereby the joy of learning the secret to billions around the world. She is Rhonda Byrne, the producer of the movie and the author of the book, The Secret.
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I have read the book several times, and I have encouraged my family and friends to read it. I am sure some of you who have already read it know the value of reading it. If you haven’t read it yet, you may like to take the earliest opportunity to get a copy of it and read it. More info on secret could be found online at The Secret’s website: http://www.thesecret.tv/

The Best for you always!
With love and regards,
Siva --------------------------------
B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker

Saturday Story from Siva (21): Story of a Student and His Honesty

Hi,
Good morning! Hope you are doing great. Hope you are able to manage to spare a couple of minutes every week to read the Saturday stories. I would also like to thank all of you who have been mailing me your comments. This week, I would like to share with you a true story that has happened recently with an Indian student in the US. Here it is…
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The Story of Aditya Makhija and His Honesty
Aditya Makhija, a lad from Haryana, is a final year student of an undergrad program at Illinois Institute of Technology in the US. This year, on one of the days when his parents were also with him on their vacation, he received a call from one of the Universities where he applied for a summer internship. He was offered an internship with a stipend of US$ 18 per hour, which he immediately agreed and accepted to join them for his internship. Within an hour of this, he received another phone call from another organization with a more exciting offer of internship that included not only US$ 35 per hour stipend but also accommodation and boarding facilities. He did not accept it, and requested them for time to decide and get back to them. His dad who was listening to all this said, “Why did you not tell them that you would not be able to join as you had just accepted another offer? How could you go back on your word? Call them and inform them of your inability to join them.”
When Aditya immediately called up the concerned officer and told him of his inability, the officer asked him, “You have just now requested for time to decide, and what made you to call us back so soon and reject such a good offer?” Aditya replied, “Though yours is a much better offer, I am unable to accept it as I have given a word to someone else just a few minutes before talking to you. My dad advises me that it is proper to keep up my word and lose than to lose my word and gain a benefit, and accordingly to inform you so that you need not wait for my decision and you could make your own plans.”
Soon after this conversation, the General Manager of the company called up Aditya and told him, “We appreciate your decision. We will be glad to have you in our company. Anytime in future, you wish to join us, please contact me.”
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Honesty and sincerity are two great virtues of a person. At times, it might seem that one might have lost out on account of them. But in the long run, they pay rich dividends.
With love and regards,
Siva --------------------------------
B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker
SS Technologies, 401, Rajya Lakshmi Nivas
5-2-26/1, Kukatpally, Hyderabad 500072, India
value4value@gmail.com
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Saturday Story from Siva (20): Story of The Wolf and His Loss

Hi,

Last Saturday I mailed the Saturday Story, but missed posting it on my blog. Here it is...

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Story of The Wolf and His Loss

An Excerpt from Panchatantra by Vishnu Sharma

One day, a wolf was wandering in the forest with a piece of meat in his mouth. When he saw a fish in the river water, he put down the piece of meat and ran to catch the fish. Just then, an owl swooped down upon the piece of meat and flew away with it. On the other hand, the fish too swam back deep into the river. The wolf lost both and had nothing to eat.
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There is also a saying, “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.” It is important to take a look at what we already possess in our hand. It is perhaps time to sit down and make an inventory of what we have at hand as of now: the property we earned (both cash and kind), the skills we learned, the accomplishments we made, the good things we did, the best friends we made, the work contacts and partnerships we developed, the virtues we imbibed, etc., This weekend, I would like to sit down and make a list of all these and possibly develop a plan on how to preserve so as not to lose them. How about you??
Wishing you The Best always!
With love and regards,
Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (19): The Story of a Buzzard, a Bat, and a Bumble Bee and their Flight Vs. Plight

Hi,

Hope you have had a great week. Today, I would be sharing with you some facts in the form of a story. Here goes the story of the three interesting creatures: The Buzzard, The Bat, and The Bumble Bee...

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A Buzzard, a Bat, and a Bumble Bee: Their Flight vs. Plight
Anonymous
Buzzard is a large bird of prey with a good wingspan that gives the bird the ability to fly at great heights. However, if you put a buzzard in a pen of six or eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of his ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten or twelve feet. Without space to run, as is his habit, he will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
Second, the ordinary bat that flies around at night is a remarkable nimble creature in the air. However, it cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
The third, a Bumblebee! He is one of the busiest guys around flying several kilometres of distance every single day. However, if dropped into an open tumbler, it will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way at a place where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
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In many ways, like the buzzard, the bat and the bee, we the people also encounter similar situations struggling to find a way out of problems and frustrations. Perhaps, an effort to think out of the box or changing a habit and trying to do it differently helps. The answer often lies there itself...very close.
Wishing you The Best always!
With love and regards,
Siva
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Saturday Story from Siva (18): The Story of a carpenter and the way he built the house

Hi,

This week, I would like to share with you the story of a carpenter and the efforts he had put in to build a house.......

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The Carpenter and The Way He Built The House Anonymous (Source: Internet Info) There lived a carpenter who worked for several years under a contractor. Having no satisfaction in what did, he wanted to quit his job. So, he told his employer that he wanted to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favour. The carpenter agreed, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way, but he could not put in his best efforts. When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the keys of the house to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."

The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But, we cannot go back. We are the carpenter, and every day we hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project. Your attitude and the choices you make today help build the 'house' you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, build wisely.”

To your continued SUCCESS,

With love and regards,

Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (15): The Story of Pandavas and.....

Hi,
Festive time again! This time, it is Dussehra, the festival of Victory of Good over Evil. Remembering the Pandavas who recovered their weapons and came out of their life in incognito on the day of Vijayadasami, I thought we could read a short story from the great epic, The Mahabharata.... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Story of Pandavas and the way they chose their Commander before the Kurukshetra War An excerpt from MAHABHARATA retold by C. Rajagopalachary
When faced with the dilemma of who should be chosen as the Commander of the Pandava Army for the Kurukshetra war, Yudhishthira first asked Sahadeva, his youngest brother: "We should select a Supreme Commander. Who do you think is most fitted for this responsibility?"
Sahadeva replied, "Let us take as our Supreme Commander the king of Virata who helped us when we lived in disguise and with whose support we now demand our share of the kingdom." Followed by him, Nakula said, "It seems to me best to make Drupada the Generalissimo, for, in point of age, wisdom, courage, birth and strength, he is supreme."

Dharmaputra then asked Arjuna for his opinion. "I think Dhrishtadyumna should be our chief in the battlefield... He is the only man fitted to be our commander. I can think of no one else," replied Arjuna. And then, Bhimasena said his opinion. Yudhishthira finally asked Sri Krishna for his opinion who said, “Each one of the warriors mentioned is worthy of selection. All things considered, I would endorse Arjuna's choice." Accordingly, Dhrishtadyumna was anointed Supreme Commander of the Pandava army.
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Rajaji narrates that in the olden days, it was the practice to ascertain the views of younger people first, before consulting elders. This instilled enthusiasm and self-confidence in the younger folk. If the elders were consulted first, it would not be possible for others to speak with freedom, and even honest differences of opinion might savour of disrespect. To reap the full benefit of wisdom available, it may be appropriate even today to follow this practice, while brainstorming in the teams at work or among the members of a family. Let there be opportunity for expression of true ideas. And, that’s possible when the leaders/elders ask for the opinion of younger and meeker ones before expressing their own.

You can download a free PDF copy of “MAHABHARATA retold by C. Rajagopalachary” at the link given below: http://www.gita-society.com/bhagavad-gita-section3/mahabharata.pdf

Happy Dussehra! With love and regards,
Siva --------------------------------
B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker
SS Technologies, 401, Rajya Lakshmi Nivas
5-2-26/1, Kukatpally, Hyderabad 500072, India
Tel +91-9963969797
Email: value4value@gmail.com
Skype: sivaprasad.bandarupalli
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Saturday Story from Siva (14): The Story of a Kid Who Made a Difference

Hi,
Good morning! Great coming back to you with yet another story. This Saturday, I would like to share with you a true story of a kid from South Africa, who was rated among the top 10 South Africans ever lived and contributed to the nation. Here it goes...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Story of Nkosi Johnson, a South African Kid who chose to make a difference Source: Internet info
Nkosi Johnson was born in 1989 in a township slum east of Johannesburg. His mother was HIV-positive and passed along the virus to her unborn baby. But Nkosi was a fighter. He survived beyond his second birthday, which is unusual in HIV-infected babies. He was adopted by a volunteer worker, Ms. Gail Johnson at the age of two.
He was denied admission into a primary school, as there was opposition from some parents because of his HIV-positive status. Ms Johnson, his foster mother went public with a complaint and won her case. The school reversed the decision, and Nkosi went to school. That made provincial education departments across the country to draw up new policies. His big moment came when he addressed delegates at the international AIDS conference in Durban. He told about an audience of 10,000 the story of his birth and his life. He finished his speech with the words: "Care for us and accept us - we are all human beings. We are normal. We have hands. We have feet. We can walk, we can talk, we have needs just like everyone else - don't be afraid of us - we are all the same!" That made a powerful impact on public perceptions of the HIV pandemic and its effects. Nkosi founded a refuge for HIV positive mothers and their children: “Nkosi's Haven”. He died in 2001 at the age of twelve. In Nov 2005, he was posthumously awarded the International Children's Peace Prize. He was also ranked fifth in a public survey of SABC3's Great South Africans, the first 4 being Nelson Mandela, Christian Barnard, F. W. de Klerk, and Mahatma Gandhi.
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Nkosi, despite the limitations he battled with, made a difference. He lived only for 12 years. But, he left a legacy behind him that will live for generations. Everyone has been endowed with enough of what it takes to make a difference. Realizing the purpose of life and channelizing the energies on a chosen goal, every person, despite the limitations he or she may have, could find a way to make this world a better place to live.
Sources for more info: 1. Nkosi Johnson - biography http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=5164837&blogId=222866978#ixzz11mdN41Xe 2. The 10 Greatest South Africans of all time http://www.biz-community.com/Article.aspx?ai=4673&c=11 3. Nkosi Johnson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nkosi_Johnson
With love and regards,
Siva --------------------------------
B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker
SS Technologies, 401, Rajya Lakshmi Nivas
5-2-26/1, Kukatpally, Hyderabad 500072, India
Tel +91-9963969797
Email: value4value@gmail.com
Skype: sivaprasad.bandarupalli
--------------------------------
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Saturday Story from Siva (13): The Story of MK Gandhi and His Experiments With Truth

Hi,

Good morning! Today is 2nd October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a man who preached and practised truth and non-violence and made an enormous difference with a significant impact on the lives of billions of people around the world. Here is an excerpt from his autobiography, “The Story of My Experiments With Truth”...

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An Excerpt from "The Story of My Experiments With Truth"

By Mohandas K Gandhi

There was an incident during the time when I was in the seventh standard. Dorabji Edulji Gimi was the headmaster then. He had made gymnastics and cricket compulsory for boys of the upper standards. I disliked both. The reason of my dislike for gymnastics was my keen desire to serve as nurse to my father. As soon as the school closed, I would hurry home and begin serving him. Compulsory exercise came directly in the way of this service. I requested Mr. Gimi to exempt me from gymnastics so that I might be free to serve my father. But he would not listen to me.

Now it so happened that one Saturday, when we had school in the morning, I had to go from home to the school for gymnastics at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I had no watch, and the clouds deceived me. Before I reached the school the boys had all left. The next day Mr. Gimi, examining the roll, found me marked absent. Being asked the reason for absence, I told him what had happened. He refused to believe me and ordered me to pay a fine of one or two annas (I cannot now recall how much).

I was convicted of lying! That deeply pained me. How was I to prove my innocence? There was no way. I cried in deep anguish. I saw that a man of truth must also be a man of care. This was the first and last instance of my carelessness in school.

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A man of truth must also be a man of care. Else, one should be prepared to pay the price, the way Gandhi ji did it at that instance. But the realization helped him becoming more careful and remaining a man of truth. Truthfulness helps build trust among people, and therefore it is said to be the foundation of all human virtues. Truth Alone Triumphs. It’s just a matter of time.

You can read an online copy of “The Story of My Experiments With Truth” of MK Gandhi at the link given below:

http://www.mkgandhi.org/linktoautobio.htm

To your continued SUCCESS,

With love and regards,

Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (12): The Story of a Boy and His Father

Hi,

Good morning! Hope you had a great week. I would like to share with you this Saturday the Story of a Boy and His Father. Here it goes.......

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"Using All of Your Strength" Author Unknown
A young boy was walking with his father along a country road. When they came across a large boulder, the boy asked, "Do you think I could push that boulder?" 

His father answered, "If you use all your strength, I'm sure you can."


The boy tried to lift, pull, and push the boulder, but he couldn't move it. Determined, the little Boy struggled harder, but every time he thought he had made some progress, the boulder tipped and rolled back hurting his chubby fingers. Finally he burst into tears of frustration and said, "Dad, you were wrong. I can't do it."


His Dad said, "Son, why didn't you use all the strength that you had available?" The boy said, "But I did, Daddy, I did! I used all the strength that I had, but I couldn’t push it!"


His dad said, "Try again." This time, as the boy struggled with the boulder, his father joined him and together they pushed the boulder aside. "Son," the father said, "you didn't use all your strength earlier. You didn't ask me to help. Don't you think your dad is also your strength?"

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We have many resources available with us, and it is important that we use all of our strength so as to be able to accomplish many of the tasks that we perform in our daily life. In the process, we should be willing to ask for help from others as much as we are willing to help others. That includes our own family members, friends, and colleagues. Seven years ago, only when I lost my father, I realized what kind of a strength and force he had been to me in my life and repented how I had always underestimated it. Sometimes we fail to ask for help because of pride or stubbornness. Sometimes we think it's a sign of weakness to admit we need a hand. And sometimes we don't even think about asking for help. It may be the right time now to ponder and prepare an inventory of our strengths, including the innate as well as acquired resources. That includes the people we live and work with.

Reinforcing this thought, here is a video of an amazing story of Patrick Henry Hughes, a boy born blind and wheelchair-bound. Recognizing Patrick's passion for music, his father helped him overcome the odds to live out a dream. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg&feature=player_embedded.html

To your continued SUCCESS,

With love and regards,

Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (11): The Story of an Army Officer and His Father

Hi,
Here is another true story, a story of an Army Officer and His Father, and the legacy they carried forward from his Grandfather.....
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An excerpt from "A Lesson in Ethics by an Army Officer"
By Retd Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch (Contribution by Jagadish C Majumdar)

It was the summer of 1967. I was sixteen years old. My father, who was then working for Indian Army as a colonel never allowed any of our family members use the office jeep for family use, while most others routinely did so. I was so upset, one day I mustered up enough courage and asked my father, "Why don't you let us use the office jeep sometimes, Dad?"

He replied, "I would son, but the pear would not go down my throat."

"What pear?" I asked.

Father narrated this amazing tale. "When I was a kid your age, I had gone out to play with my friends. On the farther side of the village there was a beautiful orchard of pears. We crawled under the fence and took all that we could carry before scampering back to safety. I took my share of the loot home. Your grandfather was sitting in the veranda, and I offered him a plate with the freshly cut pears. I don't know what I expected to get from him; praise or appreciation. What I got, however, was something totally different. He said that the pear would not go down his throat as he found it impossible to eat anything that had not been honestly obtained."

"I took the plate back with an overriding sense of pain and guilt. Away from your grandfather's eyes, I took a bite of the pear to see if there was any truth in the assumption. Well, the pear wouldn't go down my throat either." "Life offers many temptations, son, but some of us cannot get the pear down our throats."
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Fruits obtained through labour in a fair and just manner are always sweet, rewarding true happiness to the one who rightfully deserved it. Those obtained, through unfair means, even if appear to be good in the short-term, eventually cause undue worry and unhappiness. I am sure you would agree with me that we find the days on which we put in our best efforts more fulfilling and the rewards they fetch more blissful.

You can read the complete story written by Dhruv Katoch at http://www.indiandefencereview.com/2010/08/a-lesson-in-ethics-by-an-army-officer.html

To your continued SUCCESS,

With love and regards,
Siva

Saturday Story from Siva(10): The Story of The Farmer and The Mule

Hi,
I would like to share with you another old fable that most of us have read as a child. Here goes the story of The farmer and Old Mule.......
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The Story of The Farmer and The Old Mule
Anonymous
The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying' - or - whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbours together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbours continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back: he should shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up! It wasn't long before the old mule stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Each one of us has been blessed with great success in life in some form or the other right from the birth. For some, it is perhaps in the form of survival itself against many odds and for some others it is through prosperity and fame. It could be those early steps we walked when we stood up despite many falls we experienced as a toddler, or those difficult poems we memorized at school despite our mistakes and the tantrums of our teachers, or those races we ran and the games we played despite the bruises we had, or those of several accomplishments we managed despite all the obstacles and challenges we experienced. 

Disappointment, discouragement, and deterrents are something we all experience as we undertake tasks and move forward with our goals and mission in life. It is perhaps time to look back and see how triumphant we have been thus far, and all that we may have to do the next time we face a disappointment or a discouragement is to say to ourselves is, “Shake it off and step up.”


To your continued success,
With love and prayers,
Siva

Saturday story from Siva (9): The Story of consciousness and character

Hi,

While the Teachers’ Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries, we in India celebrate it tomorrow, the 5th Sep, which is birthday of Dr S. Radhakrishnan, a great teacher, philosopher and also the 2nd President of India. It is our teachers at early school and also in colleges who sow the seeds of good character and moral values in us through many of those stories as well as their real life experiences. Here goes the story, “A Penny’s Worth of Character” written by Jesse Hilton Stuart (1907-1984), who was a great teacher and also a short story writer. 
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A Penny's Worth of Character

by Jesse Hilton Stuart
Shan Shelton is going to the store for his mother. If he had a dime, he could buy his favourite treat, a chocolate bar and a lemon soda pop.

Shan knows that Mr. Conley, the storekeeper, pays a penny each for good used paper sacks returned to the store. There are ten sacks at home, but Shan's mother tells him to take only nine to Mr. Conley, because the tenth sack has a hole in it. Shan wants a chocolate bar and a lemon soda pop so much, he disobeys his mother and takes the tenth sack. He carries the sack with the hole in it concealed among the nine good sacks, hoping Mr. Conley won't notice it.

Mr. Conley overlooks it, but Shan, eating his chocolate bar and drinking his lemon soda pop, discovers something is wrong inside him and all around him.
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1. Live your life as though your every act would become a universal law.
2. Carry yourself as though everyone is watching you even though no one is watching you.
3. One of the things we know about men and women of great character is that they set very high standards for themselves. And the standards they set for themselves are higher than those anyone else will set for them.
4. They imagine that they are being watched in cameras everywhere, and they conduct themselves as though they were the kind of people they would like to be.
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At the end, consciousness prevails. There exists an opportunity to become from good to great. All that one may have to do is to listen to one's own consciousness and follow its prescription to greatness. As a reinforcement of the great message pronounced by Jesse Stuart, I would like to share with you the means by which one could practice universal maxim suggested by Brian Tracy, another great teacher as given below: 
"I am firm in my belief that a teacher lives on and on through his students. Good teaching is forever and the teacher is immortal." 
_ Jesse Stuart

Expressing gratitude to all of my teachers, 

With love and regards,

Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (8): The Story of a King and his definition of Peace

Hi,

Good morning. Good to come back to you with another short story this Saturday. This one was shared with me by a friend of mine. Found it to be good and felt like sharing it with you immediately. This is the "Story of a King and his definition of Peace." Here it goes...

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The Story of a King and his definition of PeaceAnonymous
(Contribution by D. Edakhe)
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest-in perfect peace.


The king chose the second picture for the Prize. "Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart.
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There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.

There is hustle and bustle everywhere now-a-days. Stress at work and home have become the order of the day. Everyone is more or less on the run in search of prosperity, and may be peace too. There is so much beauty and peace in the work we do and the life we live. The time has come for us to spare a few minutes each day to sit quietly, introspect, and find the goodness in what we do. Joy and peacefulness should be the result.

The Best for you, always!

With love and regards

Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (7): The Story of "Six Blind men and the Elephant"

Hi,
I would like to share with you an old Indian fable, "The Story of Six Blind men and the Elephant." Here it is.....
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The Blind Men and the Elephant
Anonymous

A long time ago in the valley of the Brahmaputra River in India there lived six men who had all been blind since birth. They would compete with each other at every given opportunity. One day, they fell to arguing about how an elephant would look like. Since they had never seen or felt an elephant, they hired a young guide, Dookiram by name, who took them to the forest so that they could have their first encounter with an elephant.

The man who felt the elephant's side said that the animal was a big, flat thing. The one who felt the elephant's leg thought the elephant was like a column. Another felt only the elephant's trunk, and described the animal as being very much like a snake. Similarly, others also expressed their view of the elephant differently. Since they approached the beast from different directions, they all ended up with different impressions of the elephant. After sharing their perceptions, the men began disputing loud and long, each of them convinced that he was right and all the others were wrong.
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None of the men is wrong, exactly. All are faithfully reporting their honest, first-hand impressions. And yet each of them has gotten a false impression because his experience has been limited to just a part of the whole of the elephant. We too encounter in our daily life many such instances where we get to hear others' opinions that are quite contrasting from those of ours. While we may believe that we are right, perhaps, there exists an opportunity to consider others' point of view too to get a holistic picture of the situation and make right decisions.

The Best for you.
With love and regards,
Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (6): The Big John Doesn't Pay

Hi,

Here goes the Saturday Story # 6. This is the story of Big John.

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The Story of Big John

Anonymous

(Contribution by M Chandiramani)

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops, a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well. At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down at the back.

The driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek... Naturally, he didn't argue with Big John, but he wasn't happy about it. The next day the same thing happened -Big John got on again, said "Big John doesn't pay!" and sat down. And the next day, and the one after that, and so forth. This irritated the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of his size. Finally he could stand it no longer.

He signed up for a body building program, karate, judo and all that good stuff. By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; So on the next Monday, when Big John got on the bus and said, "Big John doesn't pay!" the driver stood up, glared back and screamed, "And why not?" With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, "Big John has a Bus Pass."

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It has been my experience to view the irksome issues with a magnifying lens, allow my mind to work excessively on them, and presume their consequences in a disastrous manner, only to realise at some time later, that those issues were never a real problem. At times, the whole process appeared to be a big joke, and I had to laugh at myself for the way I made a mountain out of a mole hill. I am sure you too have had such an experience.

The Best for you!
With love and regards,
Siva

Saturday Story From Siva (4): Story of a farmer with a cracked pot

Here goes my Saturday Story for today.....
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Story of a farmer with a cracked pot
Anonymous

An elderly farmer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the farmer bringing home only one and a half pots of water. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the farmer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The farmer smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table in our home. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace our home."

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Each of us has our own flaw(s), of which one or many of them could not perhaps be repaired just as in the case of cracked pot. However, like what the farmer did, we could perhaps look into the opportunity of taking advantage of it for our own benefit and also to the benefit of others. Similarly, we could also appreciate each person for what they are and look for the opportunity of helping them achieve their best, despite as well as out of the flaws they may possess.

Have a great weekend!
With love and regards,
Siva
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B. Sivaprasad
Corporate Trainer and Motivational Speaker
SS Technologies, 401, Rajya Lakshmi Nivas
5-2-26/1, Kukatpally, Hyderabad 500072, India
value4value@gmail.com
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Saturday Story From Siva (3): Story of a Scottish Farmer and his son

Hi,
Here goes the story of a Scottish Farmer and his son. Even if you have read it earlier, it may be worth reading it for one more time.
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His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.

"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."

And that he did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

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While some say that this is a true story, others suggest that it is a fiction. Whether it is true or not, the story definitely reveals "what goes around comes around". When I look back into my own life, I find several instances of my own acts, good or bad, that have already reflected the consequences in equal or greater measure. I am sure you too will.

With love and regards,
Siva

Saturday Stories From Siva (2): The Wise Woman's Stone

Hi,

Given below is the story with a great message: "The Wise Woman's Stone"

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The Wise Woman’s Stone ( http://www.mjhb.net/?p=45 )

Author Unknown

A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.”

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To your SUCCESS,
With love and regards,
Siva

Saturday Story from Siva (1): Story of an African Farmer

Hi,
Lemme also post the saturday stories that I mailed earlier this month. The one I first mailed on 10 July is reproduced below.
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Story of an African farmer
The story was about a farmer who lived in Africa and through a visitor became tremendously excited about looking for diamonds. Diamonds were already discovered in abundance on the African continent and this farmer got so excited about the idea of millions of dollars worth of diamonds that he sold his farm to head out to the diamond line. He wandered all over the continent, as the years slipped by, constantly searching for diamonds, wealth, which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and threw himself into a river and drowned.

Meanwhile, the new owner of his farm picked up an unusual looking rock about the size of a country egg and put it on his mantle as a sort of curiosity. A visitor stopped by and in viewing the rock practically went into terminal convulsions. He told the new owner of the farm that the funny looking rock on his mantle was about the biggest diamond that had ever been found. The new owner of the farm said, "Heck, the whole farm is covered with them" - and sure enough it was.

The farm turned out to be the Kimberly Diamond Mine … the richest the world has ever known. The original farmer was literally standing on "Acres of Diamonds" until he sold his farm.
Each of us is right in the middle of our own "Acre of Diamonds", if only we would realize it and develop the ground we are standing on before charging off in search of greener pastures. This story does not get old … it will be true forever …

Opportunity does not just "come along" - it is there all the time - we just have to see it.
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This is an excerpt from the book, “Acres of Diamonds” by Russel H. Conwell.
"Many of us spend our lives searching for success when it is usually so close that we can reach out and touch it." _ Russel H. Conwell

A free copy of eBook, “Acres of Diamonds” by Russel H. Conwell could be downloaded at the following URL:
http://moya-public-domain-books.s3.amazonaws.com/russell-conwell-acres-of-diamonds.pdf

To your SUCCESS,
With love and regards,
Siva
value4value@gmail.com

Saturday Story From Siva : Every adversity brings with it the seed of an equivalent opportunity

Hi,
I have started mailing Saturday stories to contacts in my mailing list on 10 Jul 2010. I have been able to continue to do that for the next 3 Saturdays. While mailing my story today, I thought why not place it on my blog and also link it to my LinkedIn and Facebook so that those of my connections who are not on my mailing lists could read my blog and get the benefit of my Saturday stories.

This week, I picked up an excerpt from the all time classic book of "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, the story of a salesman of a grocery store. Here it is..
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During a depression, a salesman in a grocery store found himself without a position. Having had some bookkeeping experience, he took a special course in accounting, familiarized himself with all the latest bookkeeping and office equipment, and went into business for himself. Starting with the grocer for whom he had formerly worked, he made contract with more than 100 small merchants to keep their books at a very nominal monthly fee. His idea was so practical that he soon found it necessary to set up a portable office in a light delivery truck, which he equipped with modern book keeping and accounting machinery.

He now has a fleet of these "bookkeeping offices on wheels" and employs a large staff of assistants, thus providing small merchants with accounting services equal to the best that money can buy, at very nominal cost. Lat year, the owner of that business paid an income tax of almost ten times as much as was paid by the merchant for whom he worked when the depression forced upon him a temporary adversity which proved to be a blessing in disguise.
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Each one of us faces hurdles and hardships on our way. On the face of it, they may seem a misfortune, but in reality, they bring along with them an equal or greater opportunity. We should only be able to dig deep to find it. As Napoleon Hill says, "EVERY ADVERSITY BRINGS WITH IT THE SEED OF AN EQUIVALENT ADVANTAGE." With faith, the handicaps can be converted into stepping stones on which one may climb toward a worthy goal.

The complete unabridged classic "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill is available for immediate FREE download in PDF Format as an eBook at the URL given below:
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/tagr.htm

I will be back with my next Saturday story again. At least that is going to keep me active on my blog. I hope to catch up and share with you my thoughts more often than what I have been able to so far.

With love and prayers for greater SUCCESS to you and your family!
Siva