The strongest confidence is quiet, inner confidence. The surest sign of inherent weakness and lack of confidence is the need to boast.
Practice humility and what you will build is confidence. The less you care about impressing others, the more impressed they will be.
Be honest and authentic, and your confidence will grow. The more fully you realize that there's no need to hide who you are, the more confident you'll become in every endeavour.
Approach each task with understanding and patience. Don't let arrogance infect your attitude, for arrogance is a feeble imitation of confidence that drives real confidence away.
Know where you are going and why. True confidence flows naturally from a clear sense of purpose.
There is a solid, genuine confidence within you, and it can empower all that you do. Live and act to nourish and grow that confidence, and it will surely serve you well.
-- Ralph Marston
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Sunday, February 17, 2008
Not For Brownie Points
The morning of 16th Feb 2008 was the best time I have had in a very long time.
The event for special (autistic) children was organised by Kilikil. I got to know it through I Volunteer's e-mails. I called up the coordinator to confirm that I will be volunteering that day.
I reached Coles Park by 9.30 and met Prarthana from IVolunteer. All her volunteering work is quite impressive. I also met two other volunteers, Krishnaveni and Merlin.
One by one the parents and children reached the park premises. The kids were shy initially but slowly I got to know them. Some 20 kids came running into the play area and occupied the swings, slides and the see-saw. The naughty kids would say to us 'Aunty push! (the swing)'. I learnt that these kids are from the school for the hearing impaired. Some among them were normal kids too. I learnt that the sand pit is also a favorite with the kids. They build castles or play with the sand toys.
Kavita's son Ananth was celebrating his 6th birthday that day along with Sidharth whose birthday was on the following day. There were balloons, caps, cakes, candles, chips and everything needed for a party!!
I couldn't inflate a balloon without the help of a pump. And there was a granny who inflated several balloons with her mouth!! We tied up the colorful balloons along the fence and later distributed one to each kid gathered there.
We got all the kids gathered at one place for the cake cutting and celebration. It was nice to see the smiling faces of all the kids gathered there. They looked adorable wearing the birthday hats. We all sang 'Happy Birthday...' and distributed cake and chips to all those present. All new parents were asked to register. Merlin noted the e-mail IDs and contact numbers of all of them. Finally at around 11.30, it was time to leave. The happy faces of the kids made all the time and effort spent worth it.
I always thought the best way to spend saturday morning was to relax at home. But now, I know that the best way to spend that time is to be with these special kids.
The event for special (autistic) children was organised by Kilikil. I got to know it through I Volunteer's e-mails. I called up the coordinator to confirm that I will be volunteering that day.
I reached Coles Park by 9.30 and met Prarthana from IVolunteer. All her volunteering work is quite impressive. I also met two other volunteers, Krishnaveni and Merlin.
One by one the parents and children reached the park premises. The kids were shy initially but slowly I got to know them. Some 20 kids came running into the play area and occupied the swings, slides and the see-saw. The naughty kids would say to us 'Aunty push! (the swing)'. I learnt that these kids are from the school for the hearing impaired. Some among them were normal kids too. I learnt that the sand pit is also a favorite with the kids. They build castles or play with the sand toys.
Kavita's son Ananth was celebrating his 6th birthday that day along with Sidharth whose birthday was on the following day. There were balloons, caps, cakes, candles, chips and everything needed for a party!!
I couldn't inflate a balloon without the help of a pump. And there was a granny who inflated several balloons with her mouth!! We tied up the colorful balloons along the fence and later distributed one to each kid gathered there.
We got all the kids gathered at one place for the cake cutting and celebration. It was nice to see the smiling faces of all the kids gathered there. They looked adorable wearing the birthday hats. We all sang 'Happy Birthday...' and distributed cake and chips to all those present. All new parents were asked to register. Merlin noted the e-mail IDs and contact numbers of all of them. Finally at around 11.30, it was time to leave. The happy faces of the kids made all the time and effort spent worth it.
I always thought the best way to spend saturday morning was to relax at home. But now, I know that the best way to spend that time is to be with these special kids.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Daasarendare Purandara Daasarayya
This week is the Aradhana of the great poet of Carnatic Music, Sri Purandarasa Daasaru.
He is believed to be an avtar of Narada muni.
He was born as Srinivasa Naik and made a living as a goldsmith. The famous incident when his wife donates her nose ring to a brahmin (Vitthala in disguise), changes Srinivasa Naik's life forever. He gives up all his worldly belongings and becomes a daasa or servant of the Lord.
He wrote songs praising the Lord and his infinite auspicious attributes. It is said that daasaru would compose songs extempore.
For example, when he saw a lady carrying a pot to fetch water, he composed 'Taarakka Bindige, na nireegehoguve..........'. When he saw somebody cleaning the vessels, he wrote, 'Musire toliyabeku, manada musire toliyabeku.....'. A song that sounds like it's about ragi, 'Ragi thandieera....'.
Here's a song that's easy to remember because it's about the food items 'Raama naama payasakke, Krishna naama sakkare......'. There's a song about kallusakkare or sugar candy "Kallu sakkare koliro, neevellaru.......'. It sounds like the are songs about the items but are actually in praise of the Lord Vitthala.
It is common for shishyas to write songs in praise of their Guru but probably the only song that a Guru (Vyasarajaru) has sung in praise of his shishya is 'Daasarendare Purandara Daasarayya.....'.
He is believed to be an avtar of Narada muni.
He was born as Srinivasa Naik and made a living as a goldsmith. The famous incident when his wife donates her nose ring to a brahmin (Vitthala in disguise), changes Srinivasa Naik's life forever. He gives up all his worldly belongings and becomes a daasa or servant of the Lord.
He wrote songs praising the Lord and his infinite auspicious attributes. It is said that daasaru would compose songs extempore.
For example, when he saw a lady carrying a pot to fetch water, he composed 'Taarakka Bindige, na nireegehoguve..........'. When he saw somebody cleaning the vessels, he wrote, 'Musire toliyabeku, manada musire toliyabeku.....'. A song that sounds like it's about ragi, 'Ragi thandieera....'.
Here's a song that's easy to remember because it's about the food items 'Raama naama payasakke, Krishna naama sakkare......'. There's a song about kallusakkare or sugar candy "Kallu sakkare koliro, neevellaru.......'. It sounds like the are songs about the items but are actually in praise of the Lord Vitthala.
It is common for shishyas to write songs in praise of their Guru but probably the only song that a Guru (Vyasarajaru) has sung in praise of his shishya is 'Daasarendare Purandara Daasarayya.....'.
Similar Wisdom, Different Language And Location
I listened to a 20 minutes motivational speech by Tony Robbins, at the following link.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc-t-Uwv1I
I couldn't help but notice the similarities between some of the points he mentioned and what we traditionally believe here in India.
Tony says that his life changed when he was 11 and hungry during Thanksgiving and his family received food from total strangers. 6 years after that incident, he started donating food every Thanksgiving starting with 2 families and now after 17years - 2million people. He calls it the most fun, fulfilling thing he ever did.
The importance of Annadaana has been told over and again by our seers. It's the greatest among all 'daanas'. Not only to fellow humans but we must feed the cows, crows, pretas, pitrus, devatas and neivedya to God Himself.
Tony makes another point saying death alone brings true meaning to life. He asks his audience if they knew that they had only 9 days to live, who would they call, what would they say and what would they do?
We already know the answer to that!! In Bhagavata, it is said that when King Parikshith knew he had only 7 days to live, he gave up his all and in total dispassion and complete devotion, spent all 7 days listening to the Bhagavata.
Emotion, Tony says is very important for anything. We believe so too. The bhava or bhavana behind a thought, word or deed is what is important.
Tony also says that fulfillment is the ultimate human need and that doesn't come from achievement. He says it comes from giving and contributing beyond yourself. True. The message of all shastras is do paropakara or service to others.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc-t-Uwv1I
I couldn't help but notice the similarities between some of the points he mentioned and what we traditionally believe here in India.
Tony says that his life changed when he was 11 and hungry during Thanksgiving and his family received food from total strangers. 6 years after that incident, he started donating food every Thanksgiving starting with 2 families and now after 17years - 2million people. He calls it the most fun, fulfilling thing he ever did.
The importance of Annadaana has been told over and again by our seers. It's the greatest among all 'daanas'. Not only to fellow humans but we must feed the cows, crows, pretas, pitrus, devatas and neivedya to God Himself.
Tony makes another point saying death alone brings true meaning to life. He asks his audience if they knew that they had only 9 days to live, who would they call, what would they say and what would they do?
We already know the answer to that!! In Bhagavata, it is said that when King Parikshith knew he had only 7 days to live, he gave up his all and in total dispassion and complete devotion, spent all 7 days listening to the Bhagavata.
Emotion, Tony says is very important for anything. We believe so too. The bhava or bhavana behind a thought, word or deed is what is important.
Tony also says that fulfillment is the ultimate human need and that doesn't come from achievement. He says it comes from giving and contributing beyond yourself. True. The message of all shastras is do paropakara or service to others.
What's Happening????
How can a human look at another and think, 'Let me steal his/her kidney!'? I will never know.
The kidney racket has made news again recently and I still cannot believe that people steal kidneys. Mobiles, watches, wallets, gold get stolen but an organ??????
The kidney racket has made news again recently and I still cannot believe that people steal kidneys. Mobiles, watches, wallets, gold get stolen but an organ??????
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