Contribute

Stop worrying and contribute.
Not because it is your job, but because you are good at it :)

Simple green living options

Simple steps to go green:

1. Go solar for your electricity supply, heating water, lighting and so on
2. Change mode of transportation: bicycle, walk, use public transport, travel by train, use an electric vehicle or carpooling
3. Change your food: Check for greener options(literally) or at least vegetarian, eat local, eat organic, buy food in bulk and avoid unnecessary packaging
4. Reduce, refuse, recycle and reuse
5. Be vocal about it

Know breath, know life

Pooja Venugopal sent this beautiful  piece.

One of the acharyas of Ayurveda has said, ‘‘Rase sidhe karishyami nirdaridryam idam jagath which means ‘‘I am giving this knowledge of Ayurveda to take away suffering from the world’’. So, the approach of Ayurveda towards life is wholistic.

Life has four characteristics, it exists, evolves, expresses and extinguishes. For this, it depends on five elements: the earth, water, air, ether and fire. To make it easier to understand we can bring in the five senses and its objects: sight, smell, taste, sound and touch. The study of life is Ayurveda (‘Ved’ means to know, ‘Ayur’ is life).

According to Ayurveda, life or existence is not a rigid compartment, but a harmonious flow. Even these five elements of which the whole universe is made of, are not tight compartments of defined objects. They flow into one another. Each one of the elements contains the other four.

The subtlest in us is space, which the mind is made up of, and the gross is the earth element, which our bones and marrows, and the skin and the structure is made of. This is further divided into three Doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

It is a way to understand the physiology, its characteristics and its reflection on the mind.

When an illness arises, it comes first in the thought form, the subtlest aspect, then the sound form, and then the light form, that is, in the aura. It is only then that the illness manifests in the body. Simple symptoms arise in the fluid form, which can be irradicated, and then it manifests in the most gross form, where it needs medication.

In treatments such as aromatherapy, an illness can be cured just through fragrance. It is mostly focussed on the preventive aspect. The holistic approach of Ayurveda includes exercise, breathing and meditation. It is very interesting to notice the relationship between breath and the different Doshas in the body, namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These three Doshas affect certain parts of the body more than the other parts.

For example, Vata Dosha is predominant in the lower part of the body — stomach, intestine, etc. Diseases like gastric problems and joint aches are caused due to the Vata imbalance. Kapha dosha is predominant in the middle part of the body. Cough is mainly a result of Kapha imbalance. (Perhaps the word cough has come from the sanskrit word Kapha). And Pitta, affects the upper part of the body ie, the head. Short temper is a sign of Pitta.

Yoga, or breathing techniques like Sudarshan Kriya (The Art Of Living Healing Breath Technique) and the three-stage pranayama (channelising Prana or life force to different parts of the body) have an effect on these three Doshas.

Among different pranayama and other breathing techniques, there are specific breathing exercises for the lower, middle and the upper parts of the body which help bring balance to the respective areas.

How do we bring good health to our system? First, by attending to the ether element — the mind. If your mind is bogged with too many impressions and thoughts, and it is draining you of your resistance power, that is where it is preparing your body for some illness. If the mind is clear, calm, meditative, and pleasant, the resistance in the body would increase. Because it would not allow an illness to come into the body.

The first remedy is calming the mind, coming from the subtlest aspect of creation, the ether. And then comes the air element, the breathing. Aromatherapy, etc comes in this category. Next is the light element; here comes the colour therapy. Before an illness manifests in the body you can see that in the aura of a person. And by energising our system with the prana or life energy one can clear the aura and prevent the illness.

That is what yoga does. The purpose of yoga is, ‘‘stopping the sorrow before it arises’’. To burn the seed of sorrow before it sprouts. And then comes the water element.

Fasting with water or purifying the system with water can bring a lot of balance in the system. And the final recourse is different medicinal herbs, medicines, and surgery. All this comes when everything else fails or when we neglect these other steps.

Our breath holds a lot of secrets because, for every emotion in the mind, there is a corresponding rhythm in the breath. And each rhythm affects certain parts of the body, physically. You only need to observe it to feel it. For instance, we feel a sense of expansion when we are happy and a sense of contraction when miserable. Though we feel that happiness or misery and the sensation, we fail to notice the connection.

Knowledge is knowing that which expands. What is that? This knowledge, this enquiry is the study of consciousness, is the study of life, that is the study of prana, the study of Ayurveda. Have you ever counted how many times you breathe in a minute? Breathing is the first act of life and it’s the last act of life. In between, the whole life we are breathing in and out, but not attending to the breath.

Ninety percent of the impurities in the body go out through the breath because we are breathing twenty-four hours a day. However, we are using only thirty percent of our lung capacity. We are not breathing enough.

See, the mind is like a kite and the breath, a thread. For the mind to go high the breath needs to be longer. You don’t have to take Prozac if you can attend to the breath.

In one minute we breathe nearly sixteen to seventeen times.

If you are upset it may go up to twenty, if you are extremely tense and angry, it could total twenty-five per minute. Ten if you are very calm and happy, two to three breaths if you are in meditation. Deep meditation can reduce the number of breaths you take.

If you observe an infant, you will be amazed at how balanced they breathe. They breathe from all the three sections of the body. As they breathe in their belly comes out, as they breathe out their belly moves in. But the more nervous and tense you are, you will do the reverse. When you breathe out your tummy will come out and when you breathe in, it goes in.

These things, you don’t have to go to a school or learn from anybody if you have the sharpness of mind. But our mind is so preoccupied with so many things, so many judgements, so many opinions, and so many impressions in the mind so we are unable to observe, perceive the refined things in nature.

So we need to study. The yoga asanas are something which everyone has done as a child. Have you seen a six month old baby lying on its back with its legs up. And it kicks its legs and head also up, almost like what you do with the ab (abdominal) machine. Then it goes on its back and does the ‘cobra’ posture in yoga. And if you observe a sleeping child, its thumb and the index finger slightly touch, a formation which is the ‘Chin mudra’.

Or go to a zoo and observe the monkeys. Even they do many of the asanas to keep themselves healthy. So these are the things that coordinate body, breath, mind and spirit. And Ayurveda attends to this holistic approach. There are so many points in the body which correspond with different sensations but these are reflections of something which is beyond all this. What is that something? That is the source of life.

Health is... Disease-free body/Quiver-free breath/Stress-free mind/Inhibition-free intellect/Obsession-free memory/Ego that includes all/And Soul which is free from sorrow

I ate your candy :)

I love this series. Don't you?

Monday Blues: Run the day

Either you run the day, or the day runs you. –Jim Rohn

All pics displayed here can be downloaded and used for free. Just give a link here. You can find more pics here: t3i photography.

I will wait for the Lord

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9)

Firm as a rock, though surges dash around us!

Firm as a rock, though trials dark may fall!

Yet shall we cling to Him, the Rock of Ages,

Jesus, the Holy One, our All in All! (Fanny J. Crosby, 1823-1915)

Silent diwali

For all those celebrating a noiseless diwali... Thank you.

5 rules of high impact content

The 5 rules of audience engagement

1. Embrace unconventional thinking: Don't stick to the text book rules. If you think something works, go ahead.
2. Never underestimate your audience: They are smarter than you. So don't teach. Even a kid should understand what you are trying to say.
3. Master the art of storytelling: Build a story.
4. Incorporate eye-popping visuals: Spend more time, cost and effort ont he design
5. Make customer-obsessed marketing a team sport: Build a team where everyone is responsible

Finding your happiness

What makes you happy? The simplest way is to stop being miserable and start being happy. Choose being happy. Find your happiness. Today!

Formation day!

Two of our states are celebrating formation day today. I am first an Indian. Then I belong to a state. India is a mighty glorious nation that I am extremely proud of. Doesn't matter which state you are in as long as you are working towards the growth of the nation. Staying united, as one, working with each other as a community, as a force is important.

We are not divided, all one body we
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity!
(Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924)

Know-ember challenge

This November, I put myself to this test. Can I bring you 30 topics/arguments/opinions that would come one at a time? I hope to do that and I hope you would find it as interesting and captivating as I hope it would be. So here it goes the first one!

Kenaf or Gongura in Telugu is a famous ingredient in andhra. One of the most sought out dishes for pickles and curry, kenaf brings in a a soury tingle to the dishes while balancing the fibre content when cooked along high protein ingredients. Now you didn't know gongura is called Kenaf. Did you?

Link to the high res pic.

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Cheeni kitna lethi ho?

Till the day you stop and confront your oppressor, you wouldn't be free. Till the day you rise up and fight for yourself, no one would fight for you.

If you are the oppressor, look into yourself and see what is your problem. Get care and probably medication to sort your demons out. Because there is a force rising and once it rises, it will wash you away, naked, dry and hurt and you will not be able to look yourself in the mirror.

Kudos and praises to the numerous who face transgressions everyday and still come out expecting change. Time to take up change in your hands and  charge.

Here is a brilliant piece by Anurag. Watch, Share and spread like wild fire. For in this country we worship women as Godesses all powerful.

Focus on things that matter

Bother about things you can change, improve and make a difference. Lose focus on things that don't matter. 

Home buyer's sentiment across the country!

Economic times reports: Home buyers across the country expect real estate prices to fall over the next six months, according to the Housing Sentiment Index (HSI). Developed by IIM Bangalore and MagicBricks, the index is based on an online survey of prospective buyers. Here are the other findings of the survey:

Sentiment based on age The older buyers are more bearish on price than the younger ones.

 

Location Buyers across all cities expect the prices to drop. Hyderabad buyers anticipate the steepest fall, while Bangalore is the only city with a slightly positive sentiment.

 

Property Preference

Except for land buyers, all others expect the prices to fall in the next six months.

Budget The buyers who are on the lookout for more expensive property or land expect the prices to fall more.

Profession The sentiment for IT sector respondents and retirees has dropped this quarter.

Be a man

Found this on a friend's facebook page. Lovely it is :)

Dabur's An Immune India mission

There is disease everywhere and in everything. Or some how that is what we are made to believe. This is not just from what we find on doing some research but this scaring info is shared to us on all fronts. Face it you see it everywhere. In news, on tv and in ads and everywhere else. Starting from toothpaste, to soap to skin cream to paints. Everywhere there is disease and you have to guard yourself to be safe. Guard yourself, your family and children from everything possible. Are we paranoid?

While a lot of brands are supporting complete(with a star mark) protection there are very few which will actually help build your immunity. India being a traditionally blessed country with a variety of herbs and natural ingredients, we are also very knowledgeable in terms of traditional medicine. Ayurveda is a well known system of alternative medicine. While other types of medicine are invasive, Ayurveda helps the body gain strength naturally and fight out the disease causing germs and cleanses the human body. 

Building an immune body is important to stay healthy. Some of the well known ingredients to enhance immunity are as follows:

1. Ashwagandha - It has antistress, anti oxidant and immunomodulatory properties
2. Guduchi - It has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and helps to provide strength. It acts as rejuvenator too.
3. Satavari - It helps to promotes general health. It helps improve memory and is found to be beneficial for eyes.
4. Bala - It has anti oxidant properties and acts as a strength promoter
5. Vidarikand - Acts as a rejuvenator.

One of the few products that focuses on building immunity and actually claims three times more immunity is Dabur Chyawanprash. Simply put, immunity is the body’s most reliable defense against diseases and it can be made stronger. It's anti-oxidant properties and helps to strengthen your body's internal defence mechanism - the immune system - thereby protecting you from day to day infections such as cough, cold etc.



What do I think about the product?

• Safe as it only uses over 40 natural ingredients
• Sugar free option called Chyawanprakash makes it elderly-friendly
• Multiple flavours makes it kid-friendly (Mixed fruit, Orange and Mango)
• By addressing the question of immunity it is in the right attitude
• Easy availability with access to over 15 lakh outlets
• Improves memory
• Prevents general weakness
• Good for all seasons

Focus on healthy options for yourself and your kids and let us strive to build an immune India and make us a healthy nation. For more details look at Dabur's link here.

Monday blues: Bloom in diversity

Wait, is it Monday already? What the hell happened to my vacation and weekend? While everyone around are getting ready to celebrate festivals, I am working :) Guess what I am loving it. Whatever you say, the joy in knowing you are wanted and loved is the most important satisfaction in your life. When the going gets hard, the tough need to work harder to pass it through.

This Monday, turn your adversities, struggles in to joy. Look for a positive side and move on. You need to look to bloom, germinate and grow in adversity and the result, trust me, is amazing!

Smile because you are in adversity and while everyone expects you to fail, you can turn it to something beautiful.

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Commotion, confusion and chaos

There are times in all our lives when there is commotion, confusion and chaos all around. Then is the time when you feel helpless, forgotten and lost in eternity. This is the time when you ought to remember that your Lord remembers you and hold you in his palms and his caring, loving and ever gracious countenance is looking down upon you to give you strength and wisdom.

Be strong and wait upon the Lord to show you his grace.

 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 

 I will be exalted among the nations, 

 I will be exalted in the earth.” 

 Psalm 46:10

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Happy Halloween

ESPN’s TMQ columnist Gregg Easterbrook suggests, the appeal of zombie movies and TV shows is more primal — and somewhat disturbing — that: “the heroes can kill, kill, kill without compunctions or consequences.”

That said, here’s my Top 10 zombie pictures:

1. “Night of the Living Dead.” George Romero’s 1968 ultra low-budget black-and-white creepfest that started the modern zombie film. The 1990 remake isn’t bad, either.

2. “Dawn of the Dead.” Romero’s 1978 second entry in what was originally a zombie trilogy might be even better than his first picture as the zombies take over a shopping mall. It was made for $650,000 and made $50 million worldwide.

3. “28 Days Later.” “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle’s 2002 picture upset zombie purists — it’s a disease movie, like “World War Z.” But it was scary and the zombies are fast, not plodding.

4. “Shaun of the Dead.” The best zombie comedy ever, this 2004 British film starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost bitingly sends up the genre, forever bursting its bubble.

5. “Zombieland.” More fun, the 2009 picture feels like a video game with Woody Harrelson mowing down zombies right and left and features a memorable turn by Bill Murray.

6. “White Zombie.” The 1932 original belongs on this list, with Bela Lugosi at his best playing the evil zombie master. It's set in Haiti, where zombies are supposed to originate via voodoo.

7. “Dead Alive.” This bloody, gory, over-the-top 1992 mess comes from Peter Jackson, who, of course, went on to make “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, remake “King Kong,” etc.

8. “Return of the Living Dead.” The first film to have fast-moving zombies rather than the plodding variety, the 1978 picture was also the first to use the cry “Brains.”

9. “Day of the Dead.” The final installment in Romero’s original trilogy (he’s made two more forgettable zombie movies since) wasn’t well received when it came out in 1985. Watch it now.

10. “Planet Terror.” Half of “Grindhouse,” the 2007 exploitation picture, this one comes from Robert Rodriguez, who gets everything about zombie pictures right.

Honorable mention: “World War Z,” the high budget, highfalutin zombie picture that was a modest hit this summer and is now available for home viewing — just in time for Halloween.

Monday Blues: Adjust sails

The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.

John Maxwell

Wait for the Lord

"I waited patiently for the Lord" (Psa 40:1a)

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Monday Blues: Stay patient

Patience is the secret! Doctors need patience to perform successful surgeries. Engineers need patience to build complex structures. Teachers need patience to produce distinguished scholars. Parents need patience to raise responsible children. Scientists need patience to explore shrouded mysteries. Spouses need patience to build harmonious families.

Stay patient as God has a plan. Wait and see what that is while he is working on you.

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Monday Blues: Try a different angle

This monday, try looking at your regular day's work with a different angle. Try finding a better way of doing it. Can you?

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Seeking daily grace

I would not ask for earthly store — Thou wilt my need supply; 

But I would covet, more and more, the clear and single eye, 

To see my duty face to face, and trust Thee, Lord, for daily grace! 

 J.J. Maxfield


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Guard my soul!

O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still, 

Above the storms of passion the murmurs of self-will; 

O speak to reassure me to hasten or control; 

O speak and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul ! 

(John E. Bode, 1816-1874)

Celebrating freedom

For years women had to adjust or live up to the fact that jeans are men's domain. Not any more. I am looking at this beautiful ad and am loving it just for the fact that the need is deciphered and conveyed to you. So even if you didn't know that it existed, you now know and you are now aware.

I love the way it is shot, in different elements, shaded, leaving a lot to imagination and mystique look. It would go to the top of my best ads list for this year.

As a marketer your job doesn't end in showing how better your product is in comparison to x, y and z brands but it is in deducing the requirement and the hidden need and highlight that to showcase how your product fits in. Isn't it the most important element of your job? Isn't it the only one?

Monday Blues: Lust for success

Lust is a typically sad word and is used in negative connotation but I guess it is justified when I use it to show how desperate and passionate you should be for success.

Lusting for success doesn't mean that you have to turn evil and do bad things to achieve success but it means be as stringent and strict to win and keep at it till you win. May God be with you in your endeavors :)

Be brave

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world

1 John 4:4

Seek thy creator

Go, ere the clouds of sorrow steal o'er the bloom of youth;

Defer not till tomorrow, go now, and buy the truth—

Go, seek thy great Creator, learn early to be wise;

Go, place upon His altar a morning sacrifice! (Songs and Solos 1128)

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Monday blues: Take care

Take care of your problems, worries and issues. You don't need to just put bitterness off for a while and let it come back. You need to take care of it.

Monday blues: Ignore

If your heart is pleasing to God, you don't have to worry about what other people say about ability. Stay committed and consistent. God will help you achieve what you are made for.

You will be my song

DON MOEN's free download!

You know my needs

All that’s unspoken

You hold the pieces

Of all that's been broken

Even when a melody won’t come

Even when my words are not enough

You will be my song

You will be my praise

You will be my voice

When I’m lost for words to say

You will be my strength

You will lift me up

You will be my portion

And my everlasting love

You will be my song

Before I call

I know You'll hear me

When hope is gone

Still You are near me

Even when the answer is delayed

Even through the darkness I will say

You will be my song

You will be my praise

You will be my voice

When I’m lost for words to say

You will be my strength

You will lift me up

You will be my portion

And my everlasting love

You will be my song

Oh

Oh

Oh

Oh

Even when I feel like I’m alone

I know You'll never leave me on my own

You will be my song

You will be my praise

You will be my voice

When I’m lost for words to say

You will be my strength

You will lift me up

You will be my portion

And my everlasting love

You will be my song

You will be my praise

You will be my voice

When I’m lost for words to say

You will be my strength

You will lift me up

You will be my portion

And my everlasting love

You will be my song

Trust in the Lord

On Christ the solid Rock I stand; 

All other ground is sinking sand!

Edward Mote (1797-1874)

Nature's pace

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Monday blues: Life is a fire test

When you face the fire, problems, challenges in life, be happy. Face them with courage for the fire is there in your life with a purpose, with a reason. 

You have to make the best out of the tests in life. You got to take away lessons, leadership, perseverance from the struggle. Use this as an opportunity to learn and grow. This monday, welcome challenges in life.

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Monday blues: Life is a journey

Life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride. Be prepared for obstacles, challenges and movements. Learn, lead and live. Make it worthwhile.

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Monday blues: Lead to the golden street

Have patience, perseverance and consistency.

Only a little while of walking with weary feet,
Patiently over the thorny way that leads to the golden street!

(M.P.A. Crozier)

Let me not go astray!

Looking off unto Jesus, I go not astray; 

My eyes are on Him, and He shows me the way; 

The path may seem dark as He leads me along, 

But following Jesus I cannot go wrong! (Darby)

Join a movement

Join a movement or start one!

Lessons from a fish market

I am sure you have been in a noisy class before and one of your teachers/professors might have used the phrase comparing the noisy classroom to a fish market. Here is a reply for that. I found the picture online and this is a spontaneous post. I am sure you can add more to this list.

Fish market is probably where one could learn more lessons in life.

1. Bargain - U can get a better piece for lesser price
2. Speed: The more you wait, the lesser are you chances
3. Catch at the other vendor is always better
4. You end up at a price you feel is good but once you reach home you feel you have paid more
5. You can't earn money with out the stink
6. Your hard-work is ultimately measured by someone else's need
7. What ever you do, you still have to clean up after the deal
8. The txn at the fish market is just the beginning of the deal - You have to clean, cook, consume and so on to take the full utility
9. Size doesn't matter. Or does it?
10. A small live deal is better than a dead large one
11. Sometimes you have to pay more to finish your txn faster/outrun competition by buying out
12. Nature is abundant in resource
13. Skill pays
14. You never know what deal you are going to get
15. Fishing is like life - uncertain. But the returns for hard work are good
16. Ultimately you are doing all this for your survival, your family and your loved ones. And so is the vendor
17. A little smile helps
18. Loyalty pays: You need to lose some to win some
19. Handling loyal customer well pays: A repeat customer is easy as he trusts you. Win your customers over with service, they might ignore the price, turn loyal
20. Sell value/utility not products
21. It is noisier and more down to earth than a classroom because it is real
22. You don't need a classroom to learn
23. Business is messy but you have to do it - dirty your shoes, ignore the smell, be one of them, beat competition, think fast, check quality, be realistic, change with market conditions, update yourself about the prices, weather and what not, be ready, spontaneous....
24. Whatever you do, be ready to get a negative feedback from your boss - in the fish market scenario it could be your wife, partner about the texture, color, quality and almost everything - everything you might have thought about, accounted for and decided
25. All your achievement is past and you got to catch more fish tomorrow to be in the race
26. Regardless of anything you do - it effects about your family, your health and well-being - either positively or otherwise
27. You can cheat your customers - Once
28. You might never get a fair deal - Life is like that, accept it
29. On a good day you might make a lot of money/gains - it is not permanent
30. Save - for the rainy day
31. Skill never retires

Do decently and in order

Every one loves a neat job. Set things in place. Set things in order. Set a time-frame, a time-table and then move forward.

Here is a wonderful quote from the Bible: "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor 14:40)

Can you do that today?

Monday blues: Change is good

Change is disturbing

• moving
• stirring
• real
• enhancing
• deterring
• difficult
• opposed

but change is good.

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Monday blues: Time for review

This Monday as we enter into a new month, it is the time for review. When did you last do an open-minded and honest review? A review of your life, time spent, choices, and decisions?

Can you do it today. You don't have to lie to anyone as you don't have to share the result of your review with anyone. I hope it helps you to grow, dream, chase your dreams and still meet what you planned to set out for this year.

Kick your lazy blues and kick start active, passionate, progressive change.

Seek the Lord

Let us seek the courage needed 

Our high calling to fulfill— 

That mankind may know the blessing 

Of the doing of God's will! 

(Thomas A. Jackson)