Sunday, September 20, 2009
Two Tigers
“Boy, I have two tigers caged within me. One is love and compassion. The other is fear and anger.” The young boy asked, “Which one will win, grandfather?” The old man replied, “The one I feed.”
-Indian tale.
Tea cup
Your teacup is full (Empty your cup)
The teacup story is around in different versions, here are two of them.
Once, a long time ago, there was a wise Zen master. People from far and near would seek his counsel and ask for his wisdom. Many would come and ask him to teach them, enlighten them in the way of Zen. He seldom turned any away.
One day an important man, a man used to command and obedience came to visit the master. “I have come today to ask you to teach me about Zen. Open my mind to enlightenment.” The tone of the important man’s voice was one used to getting his own way.
The Zen master smiled and said that they should discuss the matter over a cup of tea. When the tea was served the master poured his visitor a cup. He poured and he poured and the tea rose to the rim and began to spill over the table and finally onto the robes of the wealthy man. Finally the visitor shouted, “Enough. You are spilling the tea all over. Can’t you see the cup is full?”
The master stopped pouring and smiled at his guest. “You are like this tea cup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”
Nan-in, a Japanese master during the Meiji era, received a university professor who came to inquire about Zen.
Nan-in served tea. He poured his visitor’s cup full, and then kept on pouring. The professor watched the overflow until he no longer could restrain himself. “It is overfull. No more will go in!”
Like this cup, Nan-in said, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
the leader
Leader, leader where are you? Are you still sleeping?
In the history of mankind, the success and fall of a nation lies upon the leader.
In the present time, you can seldom find a true and a dedicated leader doing their job well in the service of mankind. Many leaders nowadays are sad to say, but majority of them were just only after for money, power, as well as recognition. IT HURTS, IT HURTS YOU KNOW! But it's really true - our world suffers because of some selfish leaders!
To become an effective and great leader is one of the most painstaking kinds of job. That's why I have arisen with this question, WHAT MAKES A LEADER?
In this short article, I will share to you, dear readers of what I've learned through my personal readings from the profiles as well as the writings of the great men of excellence and valor. To give you some tips enable you to become also a man of excellence, a man of honor, a man of dignity as well as a man of power!
Now, read carefully the following tips below and apply it to yourself. Dear readers, a great teacher once says, "Teach me and I will forget, show me and I will remember; allow me to do it and I will learn."
The above wise teachings mean, you must apply the tips below and put it into action. Remember, action speaks louder than words! A true effective leader, they are doer; not a talker!
1. Character. Character is one of the best assets in the leadership. If you want to become a good as well as effective leader, encourage yourself to nurture your character, for your character will cover and protect your reputation!
James Legget once says, "Reputation is made in a moment. Character is built in a lifetime."
2. Affirmation. Leader should and must understand that their members has an innate need to be treat like a human being, to be special, to be valued most. Tomas Carlyle reminds you "A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men."
3. Avoid Criticizing. A true effective leader has no time in criticizing, mocking as well as insulting the individuals for their mistakes and failures. They are busy in improving themselves and helping the lowly ones.
4. Learn to control his temper. A true great leader knows how to manage his temper as well as his tongue in times of volcanic eruption period. Always remember this; people will lost their honor and respect if you are a hot - headed individual!
5. Team Work. It is one of the essence as well as best ingredients in leadership. Dale Carnegie, the author of the book How to Win Friends and Influenced People asserted "It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone."
6. Mentoring. A leader cannot be qualified to be called leader without followers. To enable you to become a true, great effective leader, you should learn to become a follower too! Encourage, motivate, nurture and train your flocks to become a good great leader in the future. Always remember this, people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did...but people will never forget how you made them feel!
7. Vision. To become an effective leader you should have always a vision for your group or members. The Word of God exclaims "Without vision people will perish." So remember, the true effective leaders are visionary!
8. Risk. The true great effective leaders are not afraid to take a risk. Stan Toler commended "Leaders are willing to pay a price. They're prepared to barter what they have for what they might gain. They're motivated more by the prospect of success than by the fear of failure. They're adventurers. They're not willing to stay on the porch."
9. Motivation. True great leaders were busy in motivating as well as inspiring people. Stan Toler argued, "The best leaders are those who can inspire others to reach for something greater than themselves."
10. Selfless. True great leaders were not selfish. They are ready and wide open handed in helping his flocks in time of needs. Remember this dear readers, you shall pass through this world but once, any good therefore that you can do or any kindness you can show to any human being let you do it now. Let you not defer or neglect it, for you shall not pass this way again!
11. Build a better you. True great leaders are busy in continuous improvement of their attitude, character, talent, skills as well as relationship with other people. They're not wasting their time for idleness. Every minute are important for them.
Finally, before we depart with each other, I would like to leave a special message for you, dear readers.
Sufi Bayazi says this about himself: "I was a revolutionary when I was young, and all my prayer to God was ... "Lord, give me the energy to change the world."
As I approached middle age and realized that half my life was gone without changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to... "Lord, give me the grace to change all those who came contact with me. Just my family and friends, I shall be content."
Now that I am an old man and my days are remembered, my one prayer is "Lord, give me the grace to change MYSELF."
Had I prayed for this right from the start, I should not have wasted my life.
Wish you many blessings to come and God Bless!
Moises P. Reconalla
About the Author:
Moises P. Reconalla is the School Guidance Counselor at North Davao College, Panabo City, Philippines. He has taught several courses at the college including: Guidance and Counseling, General Psychology, Philippine History: Roots and Development, General Anthropology and Sociology, and Dr. Jose Rizal: Life, Works & Writings.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I will laugh at the world.
No living creature can laugh except man. Trees may bleed when they are wounded, and beasts in the field will cry in pain and hunger, yet I have the gift of laughter and it is mine to use whenever I choose. Henceforth I will cultivate the habit of laughter.
I will smile and my digestion will improve; I will chuckle and my burdens will be lightened; I will laugh and my fife will be lengthened for this is the secret of long life and now it is mine.
I will laugh at the world.
And most of all, I will laugh at myself for man is most comical when he takes himself too seriously. Never will I fall into this trap of the mind. For though I be nature's greatest miracle am I not still a mere gram tossed about by the winds of time? Do I truly know whence I came or whither I am bound? Will my concern for this day not seem foolish ten years hence? Why should I permit the petty happenings of today to disturb me? What can take place before the sun sets which will not seem insignificant in the river of centuries?
Source: Og Mandino, "The Greatest Secret In The World", P. 97-98
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.
Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day.
Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do Draw out every cent, of course
Each of us has such a bank. It's name is TIME.
Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.
Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose.
It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.
If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against "tomorrow."
You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!
The clock is running!! Make the most of today.
To realise the value of one year, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realise the value of one month, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realise the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of one hour, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realise the value of one minute, ask a person who just missed a train.
To realise the value of one second, ask someone who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of one millisecond, ask the person who won a silver medal at the olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with. And remember time waits for no one.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present.
a small touching story
a small touching story mainly for professionals. ..
A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door. SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?" replied the man.
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily.
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make 100 bucks an hour."
SON: "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow 50 bucks?" The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then
you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that 50 bucks and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door. "Are you asleep, son?" He asked.
"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.
"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man.
"It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you.. Here's the 50 bucks you asked for."
The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled.
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.
The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up
at his father.
"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled.
"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy, I have 100 bucks now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.
It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
PART ( Perception, Appreciation, Recognition of talent )
No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaging $100.
This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?
One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
- If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Decision Making
Decision Making (Train Track and Children)
This is thought provoking... thought I would share
Decision Making
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track. The train came, and you were just beside the track interchange. It was not possible to stop the train but you could make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way? Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make...
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. To save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, normally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?
Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the law-abiding, responsible minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are. The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.
To make the proper decision is not try to change the course of the train because the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe.
If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one. "Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."
Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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 provide him with the level of education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, he 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 same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
2) What goes around comes around.
3) Work like you don't need the money.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Socrates' Test of Three
Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear or are about to repeat a rumor.
In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who
ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?"
"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you
to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."
"The TEST of THREE?" the man asked.
That's correct," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"
"No, on the contrary . . . "
"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"
The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.
Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test- the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really . . "
"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"
The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.
This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Remember to put the Glass Down
Study this small story, Hope that makes a BIG change in YOU
Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students
"How much do you think this glass weighs?"
'50gms!' .... '100gms!' .....'125gms' ...the students answered.
"I really don't know unless I weigh it," said the professor, "but, my question is:
What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?"
'Nothing' …..the students said.
'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.
'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the student
"You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?"
"Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!"
….. ventured another student & all the students laughed
"Very good.
But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?"
asked the professor.
'No'…. Was the answer.
"Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?"
The students were puzzled.
"What should I do now to come out of pain?" asked professor again.
"Put the glass down!" said one of the students
"Exactly!" said the professor.
Life's problems are something like this.
Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK.
Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache.
Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.
It's important to think of the challenges or problems in your life,
But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to 'PUT THEM DOWN' at the end of every day before You go to sleep.
That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
So, when you leave office today,
Remember friend to
'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY! '
BEST MANAGEMENT QUOTATIONS
“The conventional definition of management is getting work done through people, but real management is developing people through work.”– Agha Hasan Abedi
“Good management is the art of making problems so interesting and their solutions so constructive that everyone wants to get to work and deal with them.”– Paul Hawken
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”– Peter Drucker
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” – Peter Drucker
“The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said.” – Peter Drucker
“Management by objectives works if you first think through your objectives. Ninety percent of the time you haven't.” – Peter Drucker
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw
“I am definitely going to take a course on time management...just as soon as I can work it into my schedule.”– Louis E. Boone
“Management manages by making decisions and by seeing that those decisions are implemented.” – Harold S. Geneen
“When a management team with a reputation for brilliance tackles a business with a reputation for bad economics, it is the reputation of the business that remains intact.”– Warren Buffett
“Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.” – Warren Buffett
“In the business world, the rear view mirror is always clearer than the windshield.”– Warren Buffett
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.” – Warren Buffett
“If you don't have a competitive advantage, don't compete.” – Jack Welch
“The success combination in business is: Do what you do better... and do more of what you do...”- David Joseph Schwartz
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”– Henry Ford
“Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.”– Henry Ford
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” – Unknown
Nice Thought ..Just read on
One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them
water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo
seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.
In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo see.
I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over
100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."
He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been
growing roots?"
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."
"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make
the forest beautiful."
"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and bring back this story.
I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.
Do,s & Don't in life
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your resent happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
The Difference between Focusing on Problems and Focusing on Solutions
Case 1
When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface).
To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
And what did the Russians do...?? They used a Pencil!!!
Case 2
One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soap box, which happened in one of Japan 's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soap box that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to the delivery department.
For some reason, one soap box went through the assembly line empty. Management asked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soap boxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.
But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution………………He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soap box passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.
Moral
Always look for simple solutions. Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems.
An ant can be killed in two ways......
#1) By squashing it with your hand....
#2) By bombarding it with a missile
choose your way!!