Seeds Never Die

I was a seed; a small one and dark brown in color. I was deformed in shape, bending to myself. I was not handsome. I bore wrinkles on my body. I was hard and looked lifeless.

I preferred loneliness. I talked to none, beckoned not any one for an evening coffee. In fact I stopped eating and drinking after I became a seed. I had distaste for life. I bend and bend and squeezed myself into a deformed shape which men call a ‘nut shape’. I had no clothing except a thin skin in dark brown color. That was enough to protect me for I had no zeal for life.

Once I was a part of a promising stalk of grain, green in color which on maturity became golden yellow. It was such a beauty that all those who walk by stopped and envied us. There in the sun and water we grew and matured.

Maturity is a big problem. My bad days started as I began to grow and ripen. You are cared and appreciated as long as you remain unripe in green color.

Importance of Individual Resource Management

Poverty is bad resource management

Introduction

This study is about the importance of individual resource management.
Collective resource management, as in a corporate office, is not discussed here.
Every individual has resources sufficient for reaching the summit of success.
It is our choice to manage the resources well and succeed or neglect and fail.

For illustrating my argument I am using reference from history as cited in the Bible, a parable of Jesus and the famous quote about the African gazelle and the lion.

The study is secular and no theological argument is intended.

Lessons from a farmer

A farmer indeed is a wise person. He is the bread provider of the world. Without him the world would go hungry and waste. Hence he may be called the wisest person in the world.

He is wise because he knows the secret to success. He brings out success from the cursed land. He successfully uses his knowledge and skill to feed the world.

He is an entrepreneur whose success is shared with the world. His success is life to the world; his failure is the death of the world.

He proclaims excellent lessons for success.

How to face challenges

Running away only increases the distance

Running away from a problem only increases the distance between you and the problem. It does not solve any problem.

I too agree with many present day motivators that perception and description can create a difference. How we perceive a situation and how we describe a situation is very important in overcoming or conquering the situation. The perception has a key role. The description continues the perception. You may solve, overcome and conquer the situation according to your perception and the description of that perception.

Honor is death in war

“Die in harness” (death in harness) means to die with armor on; to die while actively engaged in work or duty.

This phrase is often used to refer to Government or Non government servants who die while in active service.

The phrase has roots in Roman culture and tradition.

In ancient Roman culture, all soldiers were dedicated as bridegrooms to the goddesses of war. They were not permitted to marry or have a family. They were 24x7 soldiers. Once they joined the military service, they discarded all ties with their family. All of them were unmarried young men.

The Blind Cat

There were two good friends. They were friends since their childhood. Never quarreled, never envied and never parted.

One of them was very intelligent and a multi facet talented fellow. He was nimble in action. He was pure white in color – white as snow. He had sharp eyesight, a brilliant brain and a sound physique. But he was always hungry and complained about it.

His friend was black in complexion. He was slow in action and has not exhibited any amazing talents. None so far has commented on his intellect since no incident had ever occurred worthy of comment. His physique, of course was not bad. But he always showed lethargy to involve in any adventurous attempts. All these characteristics had a sad backdrop. He was blind, could not see even an elephant in day or night.

Run towards the roar

I have read the following narration somewhere I do not remember now. But it is sure that I have read it in some book of inspiring thoughts. It is about a trick used by African lions to catch innocent lambs. I believe this behavior of African lions is true and reliable.

As lions grow old, it is natural to them to become weak physically. Their sound is distorted, their limbs become weak, tooth falls and body becomes lean. The whole appearance announces their old age. They cannot run fast as they used to, they cannot roar as they did in their young days and they cannot pounce upon their prey as they could before. They sleep most of the times and roar with hunger while they are awake. Hunger does not give space to old age and its weakness. They feel hungry but cannot catch prey as before.

However we should not assume that old lions lay idle waiting for death. It is not so. They run after animals and try to jump over them with all their strength. But often, the animals are faster and nimble than the old lions. Always, in 99 out of 100 cases, animals escape. This adds to the frustration of old lions.

Hunger, frustration, anger and physical weakness - they live with memories of young days and the realities of the present day. 

Fortunately for them, their younger ones used to come for their help. They have a trick played from their ancestors to this day to catch animals for the old weak lions. They roam together, though the old ones cannot keep their pace with the young ones, till they spot innocent animals grazing in open fields or drinking at a shallow stream. Once they find their prey, they part in two groups, the young ones go in one direction and the old weak lions go in the opposite direction. This places their prey in between the two groups. There is wisdom in selecting the places where the two group stand for the prey. The old lions are expert in analyzing the direction of the wind. They lift their head, listen with their ears and see with their eyes and finally declare the direction of the wind – from where it comes and where it goes. The old lions go against the wind and stays in the direction of the wind so that the scent of lions and the harsh though weak roar of the old lions reach the grazing animals with the wind. The young lions go in the direction of the wind and stays with the wind so that the scent of the young lions will be carried by the wind away from the animals.

Once they position themselves, they get ready for the game. The old lions stand in the direction of the wind letting the wind to carry the scent of lions to the animals. The animals in between the two groups smell the scent of lions. Through the scent they sense the presence of lions somewhere near. They are wise enough to decide to run for their life. Their practice is to run away from the direction from which the scent of lions comes. Then comes the roar of lions. The old lions roar with all their strength. The wind carries the roar to the animals. A shiver passes through the body of animals. They decide to run. Which direction? Surely, away from the roaring lions.

They run, holding life in their hands, with a throbbing heart, death just following them. They run away from the scent of lions and the roar of lions. They run in the opposite direction. They are running for their life.

But what awaits them in the opposite direction? The young lions have placed themselves in that direction, opposite to the roaring old lions. Poor animals, they run fast into the mouth of the young lions. There is no escape from them. They fall into their trap. The young lions are quick and strong in action. No animal can escape their paws. The young lions paunch upon the innocent animals, kill them and prepares a feast for the whole group of young and old lions.

What went wrong with the animals? Their action was wise and correct. They should run for life. They should run away from the enemies.

Still the fact is that, if they would have run towards the roaring lions, they could escape from death. The roaring lions were old and weak. They could not run after animals. Hence, the animals could run away from the old lions. The young ones did not roar, but were strong and nimble. None could escape from them.

What should we learn?

RUN TOWARDS THE ROAR.

This is the secret of success. Face the roaring lions and do your best to defeat them.

There is risk. But there is no success without risk.

You need courage to run towards the roar. Success is not for the coward.

It is a life or death fight. Only the positive result of such a fight is called success.

We may die, may be defeated. Death by fighting is glorious. Death of a defeated person is the most inglorious happening in this world. Remember, one may be defeated, but cannot be destroyed.

Professor Jacob Abraham

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Winners create history

Winners make laws. Losers follow them.

We are familiar with the dictum that history is written by the victors. History is always ‘his story’ the story of the winner. History is not always a record of the truth. It is a story narrated as seen by the narrator. The narrator wishes his successor to remember the events in a particular way as sees them. Hence history is not always an objective record; it is often subjective recordings endorsed by the government of a nation. Recorded history of the same event endorsed by a nation is different from that endorsed by another nation.

Victors write history. Victors make laws. Victors change history and laws. Victors change the world.

And the victims and the losers follow them.

The world accepts nothing from a loser. The only lesson he passes to others is not to follow his paths. No memorials are made to him. No poetry is written for him. No days are separated for him.

Jesus is still worshiped because he was a winner. He knew the secret power of success. His disciples understood the power of success in changing the world. So St. Paul advised Christians to live a triumphant life. Jesus would not have influenced the world so much if His life story ended with the cross. It went beyond the cross to the grave and to resurrection. The story did not end there too. It continued through his disciples conquering people. The life story of Jesus continues. It is a story of success.

I mean, only winners make history. Victims follow them.

Why a follower? Why can’t we be winners and create or change history?

Henry Ford did it. Bill Gates is doing it. Steve Jobs did it. Tata did it. Gandhiji did it. The Uncle Sam of USA, the poor butcher added a chapter to history.

Great men are born ordinary. Great men are created by their success in life. Success is a choice not a gift of fate. In fact, we all are born to be winners. There is no god or any supernatural power that wishes us to live a failure. We are placed in this world to conquer. Nobody is working against you stopping your journey to success. Success is only a matter of choice.

Decide. Arise. Walk towards success. Be a winner.

Do not be a follower, but be a leader.

Professor Jacob Abraham

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Problems, Rivers and the Ocean

What relation is there between problems, rivers and ocean?

The answer to the question is the answer to another question: why do rivers flow zigzag? There is no river in this world that flows in a straight line. Even the rivers in the Garden of Eden flowed through winding paths to their destination, the ocean. If they could ever flow in a straight line they could save many miles in distance.

The answer to the question “why do rivers flow winding?” is very simple. Rivers flow through winding paths because of the obstacles in their way. The natural tendency of rivers is to flow straight. They always prefer to do so. Still if they find a rock, a huge tree or landslide on their way, they find a new path turning left or right. Rivers have no power to overcome these obstacles. They do not try to flow over these obstacles.

Rivers seem to be week before rocks and other obstacles.  They do never stand before a rock, muster up strength and overcome the rock. Instead they flow left or right creating a zigzag path.

Let us note down five characteristics of rivers in connection with problems:

1.       Rivers are weak before problems.          

2.       They do not wait to must up strength to overcome problems.

3.       They prefer to flow always and go on flowing.

4.       They evade problems, never face challenges.

5.       They are not over comers, not victors, but victims.

Ocean is the destination of every river. Still ocean is different in facing problems. Ocean is a gathering of rivers. It has gathered the strength of many rivers. Hence ocean never accepts problems. It never turns away from problems. Whenever it faces a problem, it smashes at it with all its gathered might and overcomes it. Ocean conquers, subdues and flows over problems. It sinks problems to its bottom and challenges the world. Its posture is that of a challenger. It is never scary of problems. Ocean is a mighty force. It fills its territory and allows pilferers. It is not a coward and never gives way for problems.

1.       Ocean is courageous before problems.

2.       Ocean has gathered strength of many rivers.

3.       Ocean never turns away from problems, but faces it.

4.       Ocean conquers every problem.

5.       Ocean is always a victor, never a victim.

Rivers will never accept challenges. It has a history of evading problems. Ocean never accepts failures. It always has been a conqueror.

Be a conqueror.

Be a victor, not a victim.

Professor Jacob Abraham

The White Rabbit

He was not a failure as a farmer. He had a fertile ranch somewhere in the western side of America. He moved to this new farm a year ago dreaming of richness and success. He carefully surveyed the farm before he purchased it from its former owner. He found many possibilities of richness and wealth in it. He was not a dreamy gold hunter, but he expected valuable stones, oil or even precious metals in the farm. He worked hard farming in the land and spent many hours a day in search of precious stones and metals. He was not avaricious, but an ideal farmer who had justifiable desire to become a success in his life. he pursued his dream with perseverance.

His character and passion for his dream impressed the gods. His hardworking and indefatigable pursuit for success moved gods to reward him. Heaven decided to turn his life into a success. Gods had their own way to meet the farmer and reward him. They unanimously appointed a beautiful goddess to reward the farmer with richness.

One beautiful evening of autumn was selected by the supernatural goddess to visit the farm. She came down with a large basket full of gold, silver, diamonds and other precious stones. This was more than enough to turn the darkness into light. The basket with all its content would be sufficient to keep his many generations wealthy.

The goddess met the farmer in his ranch house sipping his evening coffee. He has completed his daily work and usual walk around searching for shining stones and metals. He was not frustrated but sad because he could not materialize his dream yet. One more day is dying without success. He made a deep sigh and drank the last ounce of coffee from the coffee cup. He might have a refreshing bath and rest in the night dreaming light and sparks of gold and diamonds.

Unexpectedly the goddess appeared before him and greeted in sweet heavenly voice. She announced to him the heavenly decision to reward his diligence and truthfulness. She informed him how the gods are really impressed by his passion for his dream. She added that though the land is not poor in richness, it would be hard for him to unearth all its richness. Hence gods were pleased to reward him with a large basket of gold, silver, diamonds and other precious stones. She again informed him that the basket is placed under the apple tree in the garden in the west side of the farm. If he goes looking straight at the setting sun, he will not fail the exact apple tree. Everything he finds there in the golden basket was his forever.

What an announcement! The goddess was fading into the air. The farmer was in ecstasy. Just before she went out of sight, she added a warning to all what she has already said. The farmer might walk westwards looking at the setting sun so as not to miss the path to the apple tree. There was one problem in the garden. There was a White Rabbit in the garden. It was there since the first day he came to the farm. The happy news is that it will disappear once the farmer picked up the basket. The farmer should not think about this White Rabbit, never look around to see it as he walked towards the apple tree and the basket. With this warning the goddess disappeared.

The farmer was so excited. He had been rewarded by gods. What a miracle. He rushed out of his farm house, looked straight at the setting sun and the apple tree. Behold! There is a golden basket full of gold coins, silver coins, diamonds and many other precious metals. The light emanated from the basket transformed the entire surrounding into a heaven. He rushed, walked and ran towards. Alas! Suddenly he remembered the White Rabbit. His pace slowed, his mind waved and his eyes moved unsteady. And everything disappeared!

Friends, forget the white rabbit in your life.  

I cannot …..

I am not efficient for …..

My nature happened to be this …..

I am not capable of …….

I am not wealthy enough for ……………..

Forget all these white rabbits.

Focus on your dream and run for it. If you cannot run, crawl to success.

Professor Jacob Abraham