"Be The Change"

Top Ten Things to Think About If You Want to Change the World

Mahatma Gandhi believed that we must be the change we want to see in the world. This was well demonstrated when he helped India gain its independence.

Gandhi was a revolutionary man, but he accomplished India's emergence as a nation without starting a revolution. In fact, he advocated no violence.

One of the most powerful countries in the world yielded to the commitment of one man and the dream of millions.

What change can we effect? What's the difference we want to make in the world?

Gandhi said, "In a gentle way you can shake the world." Here are some things to think about how to do just that …

1. Know that all significant change throughout history has occurred not because of nations, armies, governments and certainly not committees. They happened as a result of the courage and commitment of individuals. People like Joan of Ark, Albert Einstein, Clara Barton, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Rosa Parks. They might not have done it alone, but they were, without question, the change makers.

2. Believe that you have a unique purpose and potential in the world. It's not so much something to create as to be discovered. And it's up to you to discover it. Believe that you can and will make a difference.

3. Recognize that everything you do, every step you take, every sentence you write, every word you speak-or DON'T speak--counts. Nothing is trivial. The world may be big, but there are no small things. Everything matters.

4. To be the change you want to see in the world, you don't have to be loud. You don't have to be eloquent. You don't have to be elected. You don't even have to be particularly smart or well educated. You do, however, have to be committed.

5. Take personal responsibility. Never think "it's not my job". It's a cop-out to say, "What can I do, I'm only one person." You don't need everyone's cooperation or anyone's permission to make changes. Remember this little gem, "If it's to be, it's up to me."

6. Don't get caught up in the how of things. If you're clear on what you want to change and why you want to change it, the how will come. Many significant things have been left undone because someone let the problem solving interfere with the decision-making.

7. Don't wait for things to be right in order to begin. Change is messy. Things will never be just right. Follow Teddy Roosevelt's timeless advice, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

8. The genesis for change is awareness. We cannot change what we don't acknowledge. Most of the time, we aren't aware of what's wrong or what's not working. We don't see what could be. By becoming more aware, we begin the process of change.

9. Take to heart these words from Albert Einstein--arguably one of the smartest change masters who ever lived: "All meaningful and lasting change starts first in your imagination and then works its way out. Imagination is more important than knowledge."

10. In order for things to change, YOU have to change. We can't change others; we can only change ourselves. However, when WE change, it changes everything. And in doing so, we truly can be the change we want to see in the world.

The following is inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.) …

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world.

Since my 10-point list above was inspired by Gandhi's belief, it seems appropriate to end with another of his quotes:

"Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger and we will make not only our own happiness, but that of the world at large."

Better Life

40 Tips for Better Life



1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Sleep for 7 hours.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Play more games.
6. Read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink plenty of water.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
14. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
15. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
16. 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.
17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
18. Smile and laugh more.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Forgive everyone for everything.
26.. What other people think of you is none of your business.
27. GOD ! heals everything.
28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
29. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
30. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
32. The best is yet to come.
33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
34. Do the right thing!
35. Call your family often.
36. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy..
37. Each day give something good to others.
38. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
39. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
40. Forward this to everyone you care about

"Beyond Ordinary"

NADI JYOTISHYAM

Nadi (pronounced 'naadi') Jyotishyam, is a unique way of unravelling a person's past, present and future. Popular in Tamil Nadu, this is a system where any person who gives his or her thumb impression, can know details of previous birth(s), sins, virtues, the rationale behind one's present birth, one's future in this birth and also details of future birth(s).


It is claimed that sage Agastya had the knowledge and vision of the reasons for the birth of each human being. He wrote this down on palm leaves called Yedugal, meaning books, in Tamil. During the reign of King Sarabhoji of Tanjavur (circa 18th century A.D.), these were rewritten and referred to as Volai Chchuvadugal, meaning leaf prints. These prints form the keys to the thumbprints in the prediction process.

Today a few families, from places like Chidambaram and Kancheepuram, in Tamil Nadu, have inherited these palm leaf prints, for generations and are involved in predictions for seekers, both within the country and from abroad.

D. Balasubramaniam, 39, of Sri Agathiyar Nadi Jothida Nilayam, from Kancheepuram, is one such Nadi Astrologer. Chennaibest.com spoke to him in this exclusive interview:
Why is this process of Prediction called "Nadi"?

Normally, any astrologer can go to any place, refer to a palm or a horoscope and predict. However, our system involves referring to the ancient palm leaf scriptures, which are in one place and cannot be moved frequently. Hence the person, who wants to know of his or her birth details, has to come to our place and "seek" these details from us. In Tamil the word "nadi" means seeking, among other things.

What is the system of your prediction?

Any person, who seeks this information, has to come to us on any day, except Tuesdays, before 8.00 am, and give us his or her thumbprint. Right thumbprint for men and left thumbprint for women. Based on their thumbprints, we search and refer to the correct collection of palm leaves that belong to that particular person's details.

There is a palm leaf print for every type of thumbprint. As per our system, the thumbprints of human beings are classified into 108 major varieties. Among these 108 varieties, there always are differences. So, we study the prints carefully and pick the concerned palm leaf print/s. Then we check with the concerned person, on parameters like their names, their parents' names, their place of birth etc., which are indicated either directly or indirectly in the palm leaves. If all the parameters are met with and accepted by the person seeking, as correct, we shall proceed with the predictions.

In what language do you predict?

I read from the scriptures, which are in ancient Tamil and not comprehensible by many, today. Hence we also give definitions for certain words and try to explain in understandable Tamil. Today, we are also able to help people with predictions in English, Hindi and a few South Indian Languages.

How about predictions to foreigners?

They may be from different places, religions and of different languages. We have received seekers from many foreign countries. But, today, most of our foreign clients are from Japan. They always bring their own interpreters and we never found it difficult to predict to them. Even if they are from different places and belong to different religions, there are indications in the palm leaves and while checking for the parameters, we found that they do match.

How long does this procedure take?

It takes about 4 hours to search for the correct palm leaf print. Then depending on the person's request for information, it may take another few hours, to predict and explain. If it is in Tamil, we may process in about 4-5 hours. For other languages, it takes more time.

What is the accuracy of your predictions?
99% accurate, as claimed by my clients.
How long have you been practising this?

To my knowledge, our family has been into predicting from the palm-leaf scriptures for about three generations. I had been initiated into studying the palm leaf prints in my teenage. It took me about four years to understand and decipher the ancient script (which is very miniscule and looks like flowing scrawl). It took me a further six years to understand the content of the scriptures, to enable me venture into predictions.

Have you learnt this on your own or did you learn it under anybody's tutelage?
I have learnt the art from my father's younger brother Sri V. S. Arul Siva Arumugam, who became my guru.

Are you training anybody now?

Yes.
Normally this art is found in and around Chidambaram.
How come in Kancheepuram?

I hail from a small village called Valathan Pattinam, near Mayuram of erstwhile Tanjavur and today's Nagai Qaid-e-Millat district of Tamil Nadu

However, I had a foreboding that I will be comfortable in a place, which is an abode of Goddess Amman. Since Kancheepuram is the abode of the Goddess Kamakshi, I came here in the year 1987 and have settled here.

The way clients, from far and wide, throng Sri Agathiyar Nadi Jothida Nilayam, it appears that Balasubramaniam's prediction, for himself, has indeed come true.

"Seizing Every Moment Of Our Lives"

What is real pleasure ?
I have been on net for past one year actively involved in net socializing. i have interacted with many people. some were just seeking sex, some wanted company to share loneliness.... some wanted relationship...the interaction with each and everyone added something new to my perspective towards life.But out of all these interaction, interaction with one changed whole course of life. I got new vision to look at life. i introspected myself a lot , applied all skills of psychology in knowing myself.... as i believe if i know myself i can understand anyone in the world without colouring my perception towards him/her with my own wishes and desires...

Everyone in this world is lonely, unsatisfied,... feeling of vacum, incompleteness is hovering everyone, despite of thier sound social position, fanances,and many realtionship they enjoyed. but no one could achieve the desired level of satisfaction, feeling of being complete.

Almost everyone has similar story.Every one is searching pleasure, in pursuit of this they tried to grab top most position in there professional world, they earned name, fame, money and many good physically satisfying relationship. enjoyed the pleasure out of all achieved things.... but every pleasure was momentry, it lost its worth, charm and charisma with time. again search for pleasure started.........

Somehow i feel, we people fail to define pleasure because we don't undrestand who we are? what we actually want out of life..? I beleive in maslow, who says life is a journey..ultimate aim of this life is self actualization.... in this journey we need to first achieve the satisfaction for biological and social needs thn we can achieve ever lasting pleasure by self actualization.

Its so easy to satisfy biological needs but satisfaction of social need especially need for belongingness and association has become so impossible now a days..we try to associated with our parents but this association breaks when they depart.. then we make friends.. but this momentry feeling of belongingness doesn't last long , they have their own life.... we make gal/ boy friend.... here we get satisfaction, but it also fades whn they leave you for someone else.then search of permanent relationship i.e. soul mate starts..... but getting soul mate and making him belive in his feeling for u is also very difficult.

Finally most of human being reverse back to biological needs and try to exract satisfaction out of sex or physical relationship...but with every harmonal cycle the so called achieved satisfaction fades out... and we humans just get entangled into this vicious circle... find ourself stressed out and burned out frequently... this also results in many psycho somatic illnesses like, BP, heart illnesses, frequent attcks of allergic reactions, insomania, diabeties etc......

Finally we depart from this world without knowing ourself , fail to accomplish god's work to serve others, find pleausre out of giving pleausre to others... helping god in making this world beautiful and livable .The reason is simple we fail in junior class of needs after easily passing primary class of needs....

When company of soul mate can give long lasting pleasure, can satisfy need of belongingness, why don't we believe in our feelings and emotions when we get aquainted with our soul mate? what's the point in living in pain, getting struck to the lower level of heirarchy of needs? why are we wasting another birth in understanding and accepting the soul mate send by god....why are we going against god and living in pain? every soul has been gifted with one soul mate... but we humans fail to catch the signals. understand our mate because of our ego, self inflicting values and barriers...

Until the time two souls wont unite long lasting pleasure , sense of completeness, cann0t be attained without union we cannot progess spiritually.... let's not waste this birth as well ... let's help God in making this world beautiful...let's overcome all barriers and unite with the soul mate and achive higher goals unite with the supreme power, forever.......

"Better Outlook,For A Better Future"

HOPE

Hope is knowing that a positive outcome awaits.

Hope is not only expecting a dream to come true,

but also having a deep assurance that it's within your reach.

Hope is saying you can.

Hope is knowing that you can improve

and that you always get better with practice.

Hope is knowing that you can achieve your goals

through hard work and persistence.

Hope is looking to the future with joy

and having an expectation of better things to come.

Hope is the knowledge that life is everlasting,

and that miracles happen every day.

Hope is something that never abandons you.

Even when your life is filled with sadness and disappointment,

a spark remains inside to help youget through the rough times.

Hope is one of God's greatest gifts to you,

because it's the magic that inspires youto keep trying,

learning, loving, and living.

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back!

"DARE TO DREAM"

Let nothing hold you back from exploring your wildest fantasies,wishes, and aspirations.
Don't be afraid to dream big and to follow your dreams wherever they may lead you.

"Open your eyes to their beauty;"

"Open your mind to their magic;"

"Open your heart to their possibilities."

"Dare to dream."

Whether they are in color or in black and white,
whether they are big or small,easily attainable or almost impossible,look to your dreams,and make them become reality.
Wishes and hopes are nothing until you take the first step towards making them something!

Don't be afraid,be brave!"Dare to dream"

Because only by dreaming,will you ever discover who you are, what you want, and what you can do.

Don't be afraid to take risks,to become involved,to make commitment.

Do whatever it takes to make your dreams come true.

Always believe in miracles,and always believe in you!

Speak & Stand up for what you want

Our life is what we make out of it!Maybe people have different situations & status in the society but i believe that we have the power to make it better.If you realized that you are in a situation you don't want to be involved in the first place,everyone of us have a choice to enhance our lives.

You should find within yourself what you truly want,Ask yourself if you are contented & happy with what's happening in your life?

E.g. A 32 yr old woman who has been working in a government office as a clerk for 10yrs.,who keeps complaining about her work that she is tired with her usual routine but all she does is to complain with her situation but not doing a anything to change her situation by taking action.Why won't she just resign her present job so she can find a better one even if she have still no assurance what will be her next job after her resignation the point is she have the guts to leave her previous job bec. she want changed,being afraid to look for the unknown or scared to step up with no definite destinaton what's holding most of us to move forward leaving us trapped in a situation that we are not satisfied anymore bec. we cannot feel the fullfilment that is missing inside us.

If you wanted something you should act to make things better.If someone complains about his/her situation,acting like a victim bec. he/she is living in miseries,i think the problem is them who can not let go or afraid to move on to find what will make them happy.It might be not easy or painful at the start but what is more painful?ending your miseries or being trapped in a situation your whole life.Just taking all the pain that you are afraid to turn your back to.

If we really want to experience change we should be willing to sacrifice what we have in the present.

"CHANGE IS ALL WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER WORLD FOR OUR CHILDREN"

"If you will help someone & you're the same person who will pull him down it is better not to help at all."

"Cheaters are the sisters of liars who celebrates their victory decieving the innocent,for them i pity bec. they are not aware that the real victims are those who commited the sin,for they will be haunted till their last breath."

"It's better to live alone than to live with bunch of hypocrites."

"Self-trust,knowing your true self-worth has a big difference between being arrogant.Arrogance, are those people who are to proud of themselves using their advantaged to pull other people down.Self-trust, inspires people to be better."

"You should believe in yourself even others don't ,even the world go against you,if you know you are right,stand up & have the courage to fight for what you believe."

"You might be a LOSER to the eyes of the majority but come to think of it,The true FOOLS are those people who just goes with the flow without using their heads."

"Gossiping is a manifestation of people who live their lives in misery,they are so desperate that they waste their time minding other lives."

"Practice helping others just for the sake of helping not expecting any in return."

"WE should start the changed within ourselves & our own homes."

If we will just really analyzed the situation that we experienced & the problems that we are encountering we will realized that the SOLUTION to our problems are has been there all the time rigth in front of us.The problem with us is our resistance to accept the fact that we could resolve all the problems that we are facing no matter how big or small it is,the important thing is the WILLINGNESS to change & eagerness to end the problem from the root not just putting a temporary remedy.If we looked at it we can say that it may seems impossible but if we think & believe in our strength & capabilities we can change our lives & make a difference.For us to help others we must start to help ourselves first,helping is not all about money or material things it is how we influence one another to become a better person/citizen to our nation.

First is the ACCEPTANCE of our mistakes,this is very important bec. if we cannot admit our mistakes,and if we are in denial to see the real picture of the problem,we cannot solve anything. Escaping is not the solution,bec. if we do this we will just putting a reliever but not solving anything still we can see ourselves trapped in the shadow of our problems that will keep on haunting us.So,the solution is to have courage to face the problems...I know that this is not as easy as it was said but running will not do anything good.I think it is all about mind setting on what we really want to achieve in life,in any area or aspects of life whether it could be family,financial,political & spiritual issues.

Second is to ANALYZE the root of the problem & what will be the corresponding action that should be taken.This process will not be easy bec. we need clarity in deciding,even sometimes it would not be the best choice to make bec. we need to sacrifice for some intances.Because most of the time people want to get away with a situation but really not willing to let go.There is no sense if the willingness will not be put to action.There are people who are always complaining about their problems & seeking for symphaty so their weakness & cowardness will be justified.