Diwali Greeting Send this year (2007)

I was extremely stressed when I wrote this ”Diwali” message to be send to all my fellow Rotarians, and some friends.Later on it was this mail (written by me for others) that inspired me to think differently and come out of the stressful situation.Thanks to my daughter Alisha, who was impressed by the story of Madam Curie, and made me use her example in my greetings.

—————- Diwali Greeting Message ———————————— 

Greetings !

Today is the first day of Diwali. Each of us has a special meaning associated with Diwali Season. I remember that in my childhood days, every year, at Diwali times, I would always remind myself that these are the times with something fun, something to rejoice, and something to cheer about. However, as I grew older, and began to get wrapped up with responsibilities, personal and professional, somewhere along the way I started losing the charm in Diwali, and what it used to be. Luckily, by staying connected with friends like you, I am prompted to introspect my life, and I the message I got is clear – “Use these festive times to remind us of the fun times in life, and help us continue to define the meaning and purpose of our life”.

Did you know that today is also the birthday of the famous physicist, Madame Curie ? In fact, as I read something about her, I thought that it would be worth sharing it with you on this auspicious day of Diwali (and the birthday of Madame Curie)

Marie Curie said “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”

“Each of us must work for our own improvement… share a general responsibility for all humanity.Our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful” Madame Curie said. Becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes (1903, 1911), she says “I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy. I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done,”.

As I send my Diwali wishes and greeting to you, I quoted the above lines so that you are prompted to take some time for yourself and get insights into your life as you prepare to step into the new year.

Enjoy Diwali ! Have a wonderful time !

Cheers,

Anil Kale

“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch … to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!” Ralph Waldo Emerson

It matters how you ask a question

Jack and Max are walking from religious service. Max wonders whether it would be all right to smoke while praying.
Jack replies, “Why don’t you ask the Priest?”
So Max goes up to the Priest and asks, “Priest, may I smoke while I pray?”
But the Priest says, “No, my son, you may not. That’s utter disrespect to our religion.”
Max goes back to his friend and tells him what the good Priest told him.
Jack says, “I’m not surprised. You asked the wrong question. Let me try.”
And so Jack goes up to the Priest and asks, “Priest, may I pray while I smoke?”
To which the Priest eagerly replies, “By all means, my son. By all means.”

A Quote that articulates my present state

 “They deem me mad because I will not sell my days for gold; and I deem them mad because they think my days have a price.”
 ~ Kahlil Gibran

Smile

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Leo F. Buscaglia
     
If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.

A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime  

Don’t go for the looks, it can be quite deceiving. Don’t go for wealth, even that fades away — go for someone who makes you smile because only a smile makes a dark day seem bright. Hope you find that person.

Life Lessons

I’ve learned that I like my teacher
because she cries when we sing “Silent Night”.
Age 6

I’ve learned that our dog doesn’t want to eat my broccoli either.
Age 7

I’ve learned that when I wave to people in the country,
they stop what they are doing and wave back.
Age 9

I’ve learned that just when I get my room the way I like it,
Mom makes me clean it up again.
Age 12

I’ve learned that if you want to cheer yourself up,
you should try cheering someone else up.
Age 14

I’ve learned that although it’s hard to admit it,
I’m secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
Age 15
I’ve learned that silent company is often more healing
than words of advice.
Age 24

I’ve learned that brushing my child’s hair
is one of life’s great pleasures.
Age 26

I’ve learned that wherever I go,
the world’s worst drivers have followed me there.
Age 29

I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me,
I must live so that no one will believe it.
Age 39

I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly
but just don’t know how to show it.
Age 42

I’ve learned that you can make some one’s day
by simply sending them a little note.
Age 44

I’ve learned that the greater a person’s sense of guilt,
the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.
Age 46

I’ve learned that children and grandparents are natural allies.
Age 47

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
Age 48

I’ve learned that singing “Amazing Grace” can lift my spirits for hours.
Age 49

I’ve learned that motel mattresses are
better on the side away from the phone.
Age 50

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a man
by the way he handles these three things:
a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
Age 52

I’ve learned that keeping a vegetable garden
is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.
Age 52

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you miss them terribly after they die.
Age 55

I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
Age 58

I’ve learned that if you want to do something positive for your children,
work to improve your marriage.
Age 61

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
Age 62

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life
with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back.
Age 64

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.
But if you focus on your family, the needs of others,
your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can,
happiness will find you.
Age 65

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with kindness,
I usually make the right decision.
Age 66

I’ve learned that everyone can use a prayer.
Age 72

I’ve learned that it pays to believe in miracles.
And to tell the truth, I’ve seen several.
Age 75

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.
Age 82

I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -
holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
Age 85
I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Age 92

Kathy Mattea Lyrics – Come From The Heart

When I was a young girl, my daddy told me
A lesson he learned, it was a long time ago
If you want to have someone to hold onto
Youre gonna have to learn to let go

You have to sing (sing) like you dont need the money
Love (love) like youll never get hurt
You gotta dance (dance) like nobodys watching
Its got to come from the heart if you want it to work

Now here is the one thing I keep forgetting
When everything is falling apart
In life theres enough no I need to remember
Theres such a thing as trying too hard

You have to sing (sing) like you dont need the money
Love (love) like youll never get hurt
You gotta dance, dance, dance like nobodys watching
Its got to come from the heart if you want it to work

You have to sing sometimes like you dont need the money
Love sometimes like youll never get hurt
You gotta dance, dance, dance like nobodys watching
Its got to come from the heart if you want it to work

To my awesome kids..

One hundred Years from now…it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove but I would have made a difference to the world because I was important in the life of my children.

Therefore, it is a promise from myself to myself that
“I shall invest heavily into the early years of my children. By doing so, I hope that the values I stand for and what I believe in would be a significant part of their lives”…Anil Kale

Speak the Truth ?

“To Speak or NOT to Speak
If it is not truthful and not helpful don’t say it
If it is Truthful and not helpful don’t say it.
If it is Not truthful and helpful don’t say it
If it is both Truthful and Helpful …Wait for the right time” Buddhist Quote

You can’t change the past, but you can create history

Once Mahatma Gandhi was talking to a noted professor of history in Lucknow. The professor was critical of Gandhi’s non-violent movement: “Bapu, my knowledge of history tells me that no great freedom was ever won through non-violence.” Gandhi replied: “Sir, your job is to teach history while mine is to create it.”

The Lighter Side of Management

Some Lessons in Management
 

Lesson Number 1:

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.  A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, “Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long? The crow answered: “Sure, why not.” So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Management Learning:

To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson Number 2:

A turkey was chatting with a bull. “I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy. “Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull. “They’re packed with nutrients.” The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree.  The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.  Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Management Learning:

Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there.

Lesson Number 3:

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold, the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field.  While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.  Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!

Management Learning:

1) Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
3) And when you’re in deep shit, keep your mouth shut!

Lesson Number 4:

The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked.  As they went along, they passed some people who remarked “it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding”. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions. Later, they passed some people that remarked, “What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.” They decided they both would walk! Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So the both rode the donkey! Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying “how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey”.  The boy and man said they were probably right so they decided to carry the donkey. As they crossed a bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

Management Learning:

If you try to please everyone, you will eventually lose your ass.