THINKING "OUT OF THE BOX"

Many hundreds of years ago in a small Italian town, a merchant had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to the moneylender. The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the merchant's beautiful daughter so he proposed a bargain. He said he would forgo the merchant's debt if he could marry the daughter. Both the merchant and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.The moneylender told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty bag. The girl would then have to pick one pebble from the bag. If she picked the black pebble, she would become the moneylender's wife and her father's debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven. But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.

They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the merchant's garden. As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag. He then asked the girl to pick her pebble from the bag.

CASE STUDY:

What would you have done if you were the girl?

If you had to advise her, what would you have told her?

Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:

1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.

2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag and expose the moneylender as a cheat.

3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.

The above story is used with the hope that it will make us appreciate the difference between lateral and logical thinking.

The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles. "Oh, how clumsy of me," she said. "But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked." Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one. And since the moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an Impossible situation into an advantageous one.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Most complex problems do have a solution, sometimes we have to think about them in a different way. Winners don’t do different things. They do things differently.

We shall see how Logical thinking is different from Lateral thinking in the following paragraphs.
What is logic?
We can see a few examples.
Gold will Glitter. But all that Glitters is not gold.
Milk is white in colour but all that is White is not Milk.

What is Logical thinking? It is thinking “Out of the Box”. It helps Children to become ‘Smarter’. Logical thinking is an important foundation skill. Unfortunately its role in learning is grossly underestimated and its role in overcoming learning difficulties is neglected. Logical thinking is the process in which one uses reasoning consistently to come to a conclusion. Problems or situations that involve logical thinking call for structure, for relationships between facts, and for chains of reasoning that “make sense”.

Logical thinking is a very important skill that must be taught. Logical thinking is thinking in terms of causes and consequences, which in turn means that it is sequential thinking. Logical thinking means following a train of thought. It is like looking into and predicting the future: If this happens, then what will happen. However this has nothing to do with fortune telling. It is based on the interpretation of certain prevalent conditions and then predicting what will happen if the conditions continue to prevail.

Logical thinking is in a way the opposite of short term memory. Short-term memory is the skill that enables one to keep track of the immediate past. Logical thinking allows one to keep track of the immediate future. The two skills are closely connected. The person who has a poor short-term memory will therefore naturally have a weak ability to think logically because the one leads to another.

The ability to think logically is of immense importance in our daily lives. Day after day, from moment to moment, we are busy interpreting available evidence and making predictions on what will happen next.

Logical thinking is not only of great importance in our everyday lives, but also a skill that is indispensable for children in school. Very little of what happens in any learning situation is not dependant on logical thinking. It is therefore of the utmost importance that parents should as early in life as possible teach their children this very important skill.

Lateral thinking is specifically concerned with changing preconceived notions to bring out new ideas and can be acquired and practised as a skill. It is a special information handling process like Mathematics, logical analysis or computer simulation. Thinking techniques once mastered, can be used both individually and in a group, dispensing with brainstorming. Here unconventionality clearly comes to the fore.

Lateral thinking can save your life as illustrated in this story. Two men were on a jungle safari in Africa. Suddenly, they came across a tiger that started roaring. Both men were frightened and one of them started wearing his shoes. The other one said: How is this going to help?” We can’t outrun the tiger. The first man replied: “I don’t have to outrun the tiger; I only have to outrun you”.

Let all of us start teaching our children on Logical thinking right from their formative years. In this way we will reap benefits as the child grows up thinking “out of the box”.

Be Blissful.
S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com
Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ~Newt Gingrich
Focus on: Action not Intension; Result Not Effort; Outcomes Not Activities;

Think Economically-Act Environmentally.
Working together Works – Aligning Capabilities

INTERESTING FACTS IN TRADITIONAL HINDU MARRIAGE

Kasi Yatra - The Bride Groom Pretends to leave for Kashi but the Bride's Father stops him.

Malai Matral - Both the Bride and the Groom exchange Garlands to symbolise their unification.

Oonjal - They sit on a Swing which represents the ups and downs of life.

Mangala Dharanam - The boy ties the mangala sutra around her neck.

Saptapadi - They take seven steps to promise the following:

You have become my companion, whereby I acquire your friendship. We shall remain together inseparable. Let us make a vow together, we shall share love, share the same food (In different plates), share the strengths (giving the synergy). We shall be of the same mind. We shall observe the vows together.

Reception - Spend an evening with him and her (Bride groom and the Bride).

Hope you enjoyed reading the above details on Hindu Traditional Marriage. It is really nice to follow the tradition which our forefathers have left us which treads us into the righteous path and also gives us peace, security and Happiness.

Call us. We care for you. We give advice on every detail for a smooth function. We go by the paradigm that “the customer is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it.”


Be Well. Be Blissful.

Good Day.
S.SEKAR
Email: sekrajc@yahoo.com
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/Sekar1
Blogsite: http://ssekar.blogspot.com/
Working together Works - Aligning Capabilities

SMILE! SMILE! SMILE! YOU WILL SUCCEED

A Smile costs you nothing and by putting up a smiling face you can enter into fruitful relationships with other people. A smiling person is welcomed by one and all in the society. A simple smile takes you from nowhere to anywhere.

A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.

Smiling is infectious,

You can catch it like the flu.

Someone smiled at me today,

And I started smiling too.

Smile. Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends? Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over.

Smile. It is a simple act, but sometimes takes a lot of effort. A smile can cause boundaries to melt, hearts to warm up, and distances to reduce. Why don't we smile more often? Is it too tough to smile? The answer lies in our attitude towards life. If we are more accepting of situations, we will be able to smile more easily. Here are some inspiring smile quotes. Always wear a smile. Remember, without your smile, your attire is incomplete.

Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. You're never fully dressed without a 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.

A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours.

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure, but scattered along the life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. The shortest distance between two people is a smile. To receive a smile, give one away.

If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook. Smile, don’t frown. Look up, don’t look down. Believe in yourself. Don’t let yourself go. Just be who you are and let your live flow.

Your relationship skills are much more important than your professional skills. A person who performs his duties happily always gets quick promotion than his other colleagues. A smile on your face while at work is a guarantee that you will get promotion out of turn as everyone will recommend your name and no one will oppose it.

A lively smile on your face is going to give others a positive impression of your personality as a friendly person. People will like to associate with you. Your circle of friends will grow fast without any effort on your part.

If you are feeling depressed due to any reason think of a past joyful event in your life and smile. Smile relieves tension and creates a positive mind frame enabling you to reach at the best solution of the problem without being swayed away by the false fears and unfounded doubts.

Smile attracts happiness and no doubt a happy person is a successful person. Keep on smiling to attract more happiness and success in your life.

If this article brings smile to your face then please refer it to your friends particularly to those who have forgotten to smile. Let there be smiling faces all over the world and happiness all around.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

TEACHER’S DAY

Today is Teachers Day. (5-09-2010). Let us appreciate a Teacher's contribution to the society.

Teachers make a great contribution to the Society by not just helping students achieve success in life, but also in terms of inculcating rational thought and good human values in the impressionable young minds.

A life of Joy and happiness is possible only on the basis of knowledge and science. This knowledge comes from the teacher to the student. Great teachers don't just teach, they are mentors, advisors, role models, guides, and above all, shapers of great human beings. To sum it up I wish to add a few words as under:-

"A Good Teacher Explains
A Great Teacher Inspires"

A Teacher is the third most important person to be worshipped after Mother and Father. The order of worship goes like this: Mother – Father – Teacher – God. Matha Pitha Guru Deva is the saying that goes. It is the Teacher who inculcates Good habits right from Childhood, imparts knowledge to the Child and fulfils the curiosity of the Child by Play way method of Teaching. This will be carried on by the Child from his formative years to adulthood. A teacher should be an Icon and an Idol for the child as he undergoes the learning process by listening and playing with the teacher in his formative years.

There is a saying that what you cannot inculcate by the age of Five will not be cultivated even when you turn Fifty. This is true and should be remembered by all. The passion for teaching helps the teacher contribute more and more for the students and create future leaders in our society. For this to happen we should respect all the teachers and give them credit for their services. This will be a Win-Win situation where the teacher and the taught will benefit mutually. Thus the Teaching fraternity should be regarded and not discarded.

A teacher imparts Knowledge to the child. As you may be aware, Knowledge is Power, Knowledge is Strength and Knowledge is Wealth. We should have great regard towards our teachers and keep them in high esteem which in turn makes the teacher give more and more and stretch himself that extra mile by way of passing the knowledge to the student. Come on all teachers. Lets us be an Inspiration to others.

Wishing every teacher A Very Happy Teacher’s Day.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

UNEASY STATE OF MIND

“Delusion arises from anger. The mind is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed when the mind is bewildered. One falls down when reasoning is destroyed.”
“One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honor and dishonor; and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self.”
……………………… BHAGAVAD GITA

In the Udoya Parva of Mahabharata, Vidhura tries to comfort an anxious and disturbed Dhritarashtra with words of Wisdom that encapsulate the code of ethics – applicable to rulers and individuals alike. Dhritarashtra had sent Sanjaya to Yudhistra to seek peace without giving back Indraprastha to the Pandavas.

Destiny is difficult to cross. It is said that when destiny wishes to protect, there will dawn good sense on the person who will then choose to adhere to the path of Dharma. Conversely, when an individual is destined to suffer, the good sense abdicates and he chooses to tread the unrighteous path. This was the situation of Dhritarashtra who was now a victim of a greater handicap, inner blindness that deprived him of the sense of Dharma.

When Sanjaya returned, he did not mince words to convey his disapproval of the unrighteous and selfish attitude of the king. He said he would convey Yudhishtra’s message the next day as he was exhausted after the mission. Dhritarashtra’s uneasy state of mind at that juncture typifies that of any individual who is still reactive though not responsive to the instinct for righteousness.

Vidhura points out to Dhritarashtra that Yudhishtra has always regarded the king as his own father and respected him. But the king’s attachment to Duryodhana and the kingdom was stronger and deluded him to abandon the path of Dharma. Dhritarashtra cannot hope to get Success if he did not have the heart to view the Pandavas also as his progeny and stopped discriminating. Dhritarashtra is an escapist. If he had adhered to Dharma he would have been able to avert the war. His sleeplessness was caused because he covets another’s wealth or kingdom. If he gave back the Pandavas their due, he could sleep well.

The wise always pray for the ability to use the intellect/ good sense at all times, and especially when crucial decisions have to be taken. Arjuna, who was confused about the war, pleaded with Lord Krishna (Bagavad Gita, Chapter 2) to advise him and lead him through the right path that would be beneficial. Lord Krishna, during the course of his most interesting and instructive talk with Arjuna, revealed the profound, sublime and soul-stirring spiritual truths, and expounded to him the rare secrets of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti and Karma. All the teachings of Lord Krishna were subsequently recorded as Bhagavad Gita by Bhagavan Vyasa for the benefit of Humanity at large.

It should be borne in mind that only those who are self-controlled and are endowed with faith can reap the full benefit of the Gita, which is the Science of the Soul.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

COMPASSION AS BHAKTI

Today we will see how a person should be compassionate to others. This act itself becomes Bhakti. Please see the following information which I am pleased to share with you all.

To imbibe the essence of scriptures is a great challenge and demands a similar ability as that of a Swan that can sift only the milk even when it is mixed with water.

Depending on the three Gunas – Satva, Rajas and Tamas – each individual’s actions assume value. For instance, a person may offer worship to the Lord with love, but may be also filled with pride or envy because of ignorance (Tamas). Another might worship God with the hope of material benefits, fame or wealth, and such a person is motivated by Rajas. Those who worship Him with the sole desire to get liberated will automatically be devoid of the sense of I and Mine and aim to be detached from worldly attractions. This type of devotion is of the Satvic type.

The highest type is when the three modes are transcended and there are no ulterior motives. Overcoming the influence of the senses and practicing an austere way of life with no attachment to the worldly pulls, a person becomes an exponent of Bhakti Yoga. The Lord says that such a person instantly approaches Him just as the sense of smell catches the aroma when it is carried by air from its source.

The Lord focuses on easy ways that teach one to perceive God realistically based on One’s attitude of mind rather than on practice of austerities or rituals. One has to develop a sense of compassion and this happens when one is able to see the presence of God in the entire range of creation. Then all actions automatically become an offering to God. Even watering a plant with a thought for it to grow well is an act of kindness. When there is drought and we scramble for water, if one seeks to also share the water with a withering plant, then it is an act of compassion.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekarajc@yahoo.com

CHILDHOOD

The joy of childhood is immeasurable. We should feel lucky that we had experienced something called childhood.

The joy of getting into the right college. The thrill of bringing home your first pay cheque. The warm glow of a picture-perfect wedding day. The fulfillment of building a better life for your family is a thing which stands in your mind eternally. The transformation that goes on from being a child and becoming an adult from passing out of the portals of an institution and getting a life partner after marriage and building a bond in the family.

There is a saying that we can see god in every child as god can be seen in the smile of a child. Though I say that childhood is an important factor in everyone’s life, I didn’t have the opportunity of a memorable childhood. That shows up in your life when you grow old and you don’t tend to show any pleasure when you see a child unless under compelling situations. I am doubly convinced that it is the solemn duty of every parent to show affection and give their children all the happiness even during the formative years and continue the same eternally. This creates an indelible impression on the child about their parents and grows into a bond which will last for ever.

Childhood is a stage like “ignorance is bliss” and where you aren’t exposed enough to the harsh realities. The world appears to be a very good place. When we reach adulthood, like it was said, all this innocence gets lost and we get to face a harsh and a stern test with reality. Then you reach a stage of saturation where you get to feel that you can get the good things out of life and ignore the bad. So this feeling can again drive us back to childhood days, the difference is that we have attained an understanding. So we would start to cherish those lighter moments and ignore the bad ones. The one who attains this faster will have a chance to see the world yet again full of unimaginable kind of magnificence.

A memory is a photograph taken by the heart to make a special moment that will last for ever. Childhood memories are such beautiful feelings, which can excite anyone. It’s something, which puts smile on your face and you crave to go back to those lovely days. I know it’s not possible to go back into your sweet childhood days again, but you can definitely cheer your life with those lovely memories. Childhood memories are some of our most precious memories we possess. Certain people like our parents and grand parents played a pivotal role in the creation of those memories.

Lastly, what is it about our childhood that as adults we tend to look back at so many fond memories? I don’t think that it has anything to do with being born rich or poor, but rather just being a child exploring everything new. When we reflect on our childhood, we tend to forget the bad, and only think of all the good times. We think of the close bond we had with our parents, our brothers and sisters as may be the case. Festivals, Functions and birthdays are especially the fond memories that you may recall. We always say things just aren’t the same anymore. That is true. They are not. We are not children anymore, and to say that things are not the same, it is only to us that it feels that way.

As parents we should give our children happiness and see joy in their faces under all circumstances. Remember it is not only the child but you also can have fond memories in your old age. Let all of us remember the proverb “As you sow, so you reap” and create harmony at home and make our children happy for only in happiness we attain bliss.

S.SEKAR
Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com