God is Everywhere : A Touching True Story..

When I was reflecting the life with some memories and trying to have more faith on GOD to help me out in my difficult time, I was going through my collection of stories to stay motivated and found a master piece story, which certainly made me to remain positive.

Here goes the story...

A group of 15 soldiers led by a Major were on their way to the post in Himalayas where they would be deployed for the next 3 months.

The batch who would be relieved waited anxiously. It was cold winter intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb more difficult.

If someone could offer a cup of tea..

the Major thought, knowing it was a futile wish..

They continued for an hour before they came across a dilapidated structure, which looked like a tea shop but locked. It was late in the night.

"No tea boys, bad luck", said the Major. 

But he suggested all take some rest there as they have been walking for 3 hours.

"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea... We will have to break the lock", suggested one Soldier.

The officer was in great dilemma to the unethical suggestion but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him to give the permission.

They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and also packets of biscuits.

The solders had tea biscuits and were ready for the remaining journey.

The major thought, they had broken open lock and had tea biscuits without the permission of the owner. They're not a band of thieves but disciplined soldiers.

So, he took out a Rs. 1000/- note from his wallet, placed it on the counter, pressed under sugar container, so that the owner can see.

The officer was now relieved of his guilt.

He ordered to put the shutter down and proceed.

Three months passed, they continued to do gallantly in their works and were lucky not to loose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency situation.

It was time for another team to replace them.

Soon they were on their way back and stopped at the same tea shop which was open and owner was present in the shop.

The owner an old man with meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.

All of them had tea and biscuits.

They talked to the old man about his life and experience specially selling tea at such a remote place.

The old man had many stories to tell, replete with his faith in God.

"Oh, Baba, if God is there, why should He keep you in such poverty?", commented one of them.

"Do not say like that Saheb ! God actually is there, I got a proof 3 months ago", said the old man.

"I was going through very tough times because my only son had been severely beaten by terrorist who wanted some information from him which he did not have. I had closed my shop to take my son to hospital. Some medicines were to be purchased and I had no money. 

No one would give me loan for fear of the terrorists. There was no hope, Saheb".

"And that day Saheb, I prayed to God for help. And Saheb, God walked into my shop that day."

"When I returned to my shop, I found lock broken, I felt I was finished, I lost whatever little I had. 

But then I saw that God had left Rs 1000/- under the sugar pot. 

I can't tell you Saheb what that money was worth that day. 

GOD exists Sahib. He does."

The faith in his eyes were unflinching.

Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of the officer and read the order in his eyes clear and unambiguous, "Keep quiet".

The officer got up and paid the bill.

He hugged the old man and said, "Yes Baba, I know God does exist."

"And yes, the tea was wonderful."

The 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer, a rare sight.

The truth is "YOU" can be GOD to anyone."

(The above story was shared by a soldier ...a true story in Kupwara Sector- J&K)

Positive Sides of CORONA Chapter...

Corona Virus or COVID-19 has now become extremely popular for it's negative impact on us. It has ruined the daily life of individuals. It did not spare the economy, it impacted the globalization. There is no industry left behind which is not affected by COVID-19. It has now become a bitter experience for everyone. 

Amid this pandemic situation, when the negativity is all around there are several positive sides also discovered which many of us actively experience. Let's talk about them... 

⠗ Family Time - 

All the working men and women who remain busy at their work areas day to day, get the minimum scope to spend quality time with their family members. For many, one day (week day) or two are the buffer time to be with their family. But Corona era forced all of us to stay united with our family members, spending the much needed quality time, understanding our own family values and sharing the precious moments with our loved ones. 

I was interacting with one of my friend in Bengaluru and he said, 'It was blessing now to be with my family, as after starting my job I did not have this type of opportunity to spend quality time with family at least for three months'. I acknowledged him with my similar experience. 

⠗ New Learning - 

During this COVID-19 phase I have spoken to most of my friends and interacted with many colleagues over virtual platforms and realized that more than 80% of them are spending some of their quality time to learn something new. Some have learned how to be perfect in conducting virtual sessions, as they are also engaged with 'work from home'. Some are upgrading their skills through online courses offered by Coursera, Linked-in Learning, e-Cornell and many more platforms. 

⠗ Pursuing Passion - 

Amid COVID-19 lock down period when we were restricted not to go out of our houses at all, many of us found to pursue our passions which probably got extinguished due to negligence or our so called busy schedule. 

I was interacting with my friend from Gurgaon and she mentioned that this lock down period had given her opportunity to learn playing guitar. Many of my L&D friends got into writing blogs. I have again pen down to write my blog after many years. 

⠗ Knowing the Unknown - 

"One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood"....... Lucius Annaeus Seneca

This difficult time is unmasking many untrue friends in our life. We go with the flow considering everyone as our friends whom we interact at work day to day. When the tough time comes they get filtered and show their original characters. 

⠗ Fresh Breath - 

The Corona led lock down period forced several environmental factors towards improvement. "There is a large improvement in air quality, especially in urban areas. The main reason is reduced human activities", said Professor Satheesh, IISC Bangalore. The major contributions to pollution were vehicular emissions, industries, waste burning, crop residue burning. Overall the people get to breath fresh air. 

⠗ Better Practice of Hygiene - 

We always preach for several good practices to inculcate and there is no strong evidence that people after listening to this implement 100%. But, now this global pandemic situation has led us all to practice the basic hygiene activities like hand washing, cleaning cloths regularly, disinfecting daily work stations, personal hygiene care, etc. Those have become part of our daily lives. 

Picture courtesy to unsplash.com

Life Lesson - CHOOSE YOUR WORDS !!

While reflecting on what all I have done today and whom all I have spoken today over phone, I realized that I was engaged with one of my colleague for quite long time to discuss how is life going on and our conversation went on to the news and happenings. Eventually he shared some bitter part of his life how one of his colleague disrespected him in front of many.

While I was listening to his bitter experience, I remembered a story which was told me by someone long ago, though to share with you all.

It is a wise life lesson we all must remember and it is about choosing words which are intended for others. 

Story goes in this way.......

Once upon a time, there lived an old man in a colony. The man spread rumours that his neighbour (a young man) was a thief. As a result, his neighbour was arrested by the police. Days later after the court proceedings, the young man proved to be innocent and was released. 

However, the young man felt humiliated as he walked down to his home. He sued the old man for wrongly accused him. 

In court, the old man responded to the judge, 'They were just comments, did not harm anyone..'

The judge, before passing sentence on the case, told the old man, 'Write all the things you said about him on a piece of paper. Cut them up and throw the paper out on your way home. Tomorrow, come back to hear the sentence.'

The next day, the judge told the old man, 'Before receiving the sentence, you need to go out and collect all the papers you threw out yesterday and come back'.

The old man said, 'I can not do that. The wind must have spread them out and I don't know where to find them.'

The judge then replied, 'The same way, simple comment can destroy the reputation of a man which he can not fix it up anymore.'

The old man realized his mistake and asked for forgiveness.

Now, we all can conclude with the moral of this wise story. Have you ever used some words to destroy other's reputation? If yes, then think several times, if the same would have happened to you what you would have done? It takes a lot to gain the respect and reputation. It is earned over the period of time. But it takes a moment to ruin it.

I have experienced the same from few of my colleagues, who pretended to be my dear one, but proved to be the man of 'untrustworthy words'. At some point, because of their loose words about me, my reputation went down in the eyes of my superior, however it took a lot to regain the old respect. I feel pity for them, as they walk away with the pride of their lies thinking that they have won every battle of life. But probably they do not know that 'Karma gives back everything which they do in their lives'.

Better choose your word wisely before you say it, it can make a relation and can break it as well.

Motivational Thoughts..... 'Moment of Truth'

When life teaches us important lessons time to time we must learn from it, we should not ignore them which most of us do. 

With my experience in life so far I have realized few hard facts of life. Thanks to the motivators, speakers, mentors and my dearest friends and colleagues for the experiences.

I feel to share them with you all..

➽ We all give our ears to eavesdrops, rumors, criticisms and the evil parts of life. We often get sad with these while sharing with others. We blame our life, we blame our surroundings. We actually abuse the circumstances. But are we 'OK' to abuse ourselves? I am sure the answer will be 'NO', then why to do so.

➽ Not always you will find that someone is coming to cheering you up. At times in your life ladder no one will push you up. It is 'YOU' who should cheer yourself. Be your own cheerleader. Always consider that 'I am concerned about myself'. No obstacles can beat you.

➽ Our MIND plays the game always, Mind is a tricky thing. Each day you need to give that extra to push yourself up. Don't let it get saddened. Win over your mind. 

➽ Give yourself a small victory each day. Each day you have choice to choose the great news and the not so great news. To stay motivated always you better feed your mind with the so called great news. Each day you need to give that extra. Your mind will show the response in positive way.

➽ Firelight yourself each day. You are the great source of motivation than anyone else. Do not get over powered by the negatives. 

➽ To be a good human being one of the amazing quality we should have is 'Listening'. Listen to the people who care for you. Nothing in this world is permanent. The more you care your well-wishers you will remain in positive mind. Get away from the people who always have some complains on anything in life.

➽ Live the moment before it is too late. Living forward begins today. Make friends with everything around you. Be the player. Be the person people are talking about. People spend more of their life thinking how to live the life, but you should not.

➽ We always talk about 'RULES' in life, but there are no RULES of life. Life has it's own plan. It changes according to it's wish and circumstances. It is your adaptability to those changes matter the most. Look at the present pandemic situation, COVID-19, who expected this? No one. But it has changed the life of everyone in spite of having several full proof plan. 

Give Your Best always !!

Sometimes I observe that when someone leaves the organization or is in the notice period, becomes lethargic to work as if they are not fully committed. Those people become reluctant from their mind and they decide not to work wholehearted way as they are anyways going to be with the organization for few days or months only. This happens with most of the people especially after putting down the paper. They might have worked very diligently earlier. 

I was eventually having a conversation with one of my friend who was working in Pune. He expressed his mental state of mind of not to work just because he was in notice period. I asked him the reason. He kind of spilled out the anger which he was experiencing at work day by day and he chose to be reluctant. 

Few days later I caught up with a conversation with one of my old colleague from Chennai, during the conversation with him I could sense that he was tremendously busy and he could spare just few minutes to speak to me. I was glad that he did, but happy too. 

The reason for my happiness was seeing the commitment of him at work even till the last working day he was getting paid for. I liked it very much.

Two different individuals having different thought process are obvious, but it is us who should choose which one to support.

While writing this I remember a short story which some years back I read in some article or magazine. Thought to mention here keeping the relevancy of above context.

It was the story of a Carpenter. 

A carpenter was about to retire from his job after a long working tenure with his contractor. He communicated his contractor about his plan to leave the house building work to settle down with his family in leisure doing farming.  

The contractor felt little upset for a moment that his best carpenter is leaving the job, but he requested the carpenter to build just one more house before he leaves.

Carpenter agreed to do so but his heart was not into work how he used be earlier. He had shown the slow workmanship and used inferior materials to build the last house of his career.

It was an unfortunate was of ending his career. 

When the carpenter finished his work the contractor came to inspect the house. He looked around the house and just before he exited the house he handed over the front door key to the carpenter and said, 'This is your new house. A gift from me to you.'

Although it was supposed to be a good surprise but the carpenter was not feeling happy as he felt deeply ashamed from inside. If he had known he was building the house for himself he would have used the superior materials and he could have put his best into it. 

He would have done it so differently. Now he had to live in the same home which was not built that well.

Like the CARPENTER, we build our lives in a distracted way, reacting other than acting, willing to put up with less rather than our best. Always GIVE YOUR BEST !!

Your attitudes and the choices you make today will be your life tomorrow, so build it wisely.

Be the 'SHOULDER' to support !!

After finishing my scheduled webinar yesterday I was going through the list of attendees against their Employee IDs to record it in attendance sheet and I received a text from one of our team member. 

It was not the regular one. The message had a tensed, confused and pleading voice. I was taken aback for a moment, called the employee in curious voice to understand the meaning of that message. 

There I realized that CHIRAG (the employee, name changed) was being laid off from his job.

He was not crying nor complaining to me about anyone, instead he was seeking inspiration from me to be strong enough to handle the situation.

We all know that the current COVID-19 pandemic situation is not only affecting the human lives but also it is hampering the business in all segments. As a result many have lost their jobs meanwhile and many will probably in upcoming days. 

CHIRAG was not the exception in this rule, he was also axed from his duty. I know him since last three years when he did his industrial training from a hotel where I was the L&D Manager at that point of time. 

Very dedicated, calm minded and with positive attitude he always performs his task with his lovely smile. No complains about the colleagues or job. A true HEARTIST one can call him. He was working in his current organization since almost a year. Got appreciated by his managers multiple times.

When he was requesting me to charge him up to face such challenging situation, I was overwhelmed for a moment. I connect hearts all around me. Probably that is much needed as my profession demands every time and I have shaped myself up to it. 

I calmly listened to him first and then advised few tips to tackle the situation with brave mind. After almost 15 minutes, Chirag had his smile on face and expressed his confidence to handle himself. 

Few of his words were struck in my ear, I remember he was mentioning, 'Sir, after getting this bad news I just though to call you only, as I know you are the one who can motivate me to handle the situation.' My eyes were filled with tears for a moment after hearing from him. 

When we undergo a difficult phase in our life, we seek for someone to listen to us, we search for a shoulder to support us motivate us and makes us stronger.

And at this point I was being put to inspire someone. I tried my best to charge him up and became partially successful. Partially because although I know what the person is undergoing now is controlled after the mentoring session, but in his heart he must be shocked and still not ready to accept the fact which just happened to him.

A golden line which over the period of time I frequently use when in difficult time is 'Consider this as New Beginning', start from here as your another innings is yet to start. Be positive, stay calm, tell yourself that 'I can handle this'. This time too shall pass.

At the end I felt sorry for Chirag, but felt happy that I offered myself to be the shoulder for his mental support. God bless him.

Just a Thought - 'SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE'...

While is current situation is checking everyone's pulse in terms of health, wealth and mental stability, there are thousands of thoughts creating waves in our mind. At times it leads to depression, however again the reality hits back and pushes us to be strong and to have patience.

Today when I was looking outside my window for quiet a long time watching the guava tree and the birds on it fighting among themselves to occupy the most comfortable nest part, I was very focused on what are they trying to do. It looked like just a fun they were having, at times I realized that their nest is broken due to the cyclone two weeks back. And due to that they were trying to adjust themselves to relax....

By watching the bird's scene I remembered the quality of EAGLE. 

Do you know that the EAGLE can foresee when a storm is approaching before it hits the surface?

Instead of hiding, the eagle flies very high to find some high point and wait for the wind to come.

When the storm hits, the eagle sets it's wings so that the wind can pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle soars above it.

The eagle does not escape or hide from the storm, instead it used the storm to lift it higher. 

The moral here is when the life hits us with storm or challenges we should rise above them and soar like the eagle which ride the winds of the storm. 

Don't be afraid of the storm, it is part of our life. Most of the time it is unpredictable. But we can win over it.

To be like eagle, we must have our PATIENCE, we must not loose our GROUND, we must keep our mind POSITIVE. The challenge too shall pass.

Aarogya Setu App User Guide....

Off-late, we are accessing many posters and videos related to the awareness of Corona Virus and how to take precautions from it. Several mediums have published the guidelines, including FSSAI, other Government bodies as well. 

In line with the same Government of India has launched a mobile application called "Aarogya Setu" App, which can be downloaded in any android mobile or apple phones. 

The app will navigate you to access the COVID related news and affected status of states in India. It will also show you the COVID affected numbers in the vicinity of your area of residence, kilometer-wise, which indirectly alert us to stay safe.

Have prepared a handy-guide on 'how to use the Aarogya Setu app' with simple navigation.