This Is Good! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are doing great!

Here is the story of today.

An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!" "What do you mean,'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."

So dearest friends, everything that happens in our life happens for a reason and it is always good!!!

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

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The Power of Encouragement (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are doing awesome.

Here is a great story that I would like to share with you. The author is unknown.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.

Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man. The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti's judgment.

He then apologized for taking up Rossetti's time, but would he just look at a few more drawings - these done by a young art student? Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."

Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?" "No," said the old man sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon."

So dearest friends, never give up on your dreams!

Have an excellent day!

Much love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand in the group "Empower Your Life"

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Beauty Is Soul Deep! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing awesome!

The story that I would like to share with you today is about beauty.
This wonderful story was written by Steve Goodier. Here it is.

Abraham Lincoln loved to tell stories on himself. One of his
favorites concerned itself with physical appearance.

In the days when Lincoln used to be on the circuit (traveling on
horseback from one county court to another), he was once approached
by a stranger who said, "Excuse me, sir, but I have an article which
belongs to you."

"How is that?" Lincoln asked in astonishment.

The stranger took a jack-knife from his pocket. "This knife," he said
"was placed in my hand some years ago, with the injunction that I was
to keep it until I found a man homelier-looking than I am myself. I
have carried that knife for many years. Now I pass it on to you."

Lincoln added wryly, "I've carried that knife ever since."

One of Lincoln's greatest assets was his ability to laugh at himself.
And he frequently laughed at his physical appearance. But history
does not remember him as an "ugly" individual -- in fact, often just
the
opposite. His outer appearance was clothed in magnificently beautiful
garments: character, honesty, humor and courage. But there are other
clothes he wore equally well -- such as humility and forgiveness.

We say that beauty is skin deep. But it isn't really. It has very
little to do with the skin. True beauty is soul deep. It is a fabric
that is woven in the soul and worn in plain view.

The Bible speaks of something similar. It teaches us to clothe
ourselves with "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience." Then "over all of these put on love, which binds them in
perfect unity." Regardless of how good looking we may otherwise be,
it is these clothes that will determine our actual beauty.

This was taught to me by a woman who used to think that if she were
granted only one wish, it would be to be beautiful. She saw her
wheel-chair dependent body as unsightly and, therefore, she missed
her more attractive assets. But when she was finally convinced of
some of her beautiful personality traits by her friends, she came to
a different point of view. Today she says, "Now I know I AM
beautiful. Very beautiful."

Beauty is soul deep. Learn that and you may realize that you are far
more attractive than you ever imagined!

Have a excellent day all my beautiful friends!:))

Much Love,
Priya:))
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A Life of Joy! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing great!

Here is a great lesson written by Steve Goodier that I would like to share with you.


Do you know how to have a life of joy?

A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said, "Bill, I
want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains
cremated." "And what," his friend asked, "do you want me to do with
your ashes?" The businessman said, "Just put them in an envelope and
mail them to the Internal Revenue Service and write on the envelope,
`NOW YOU HAVE EVERYTHING!'"

Paying taxes is not usually a joy. But GIVING can be joyful. We pay
the taxes because we have to. But when we CHOOSE to give time or
money, then giving can add to our overall happiness.

Mother Teresa teaches us an important lesson about happiness. She
was one of those people who emanated joy. Born in 1910 in Eastern
Europe, she felt called as a teenager to move to Calcutta, India. Some
months later she saw a sight that completely revolutionized her life.

Shortly after moving to Calcutta she spotted a homeless, dying woman
lying in the gutter, being eaten by rats. After seeing that,
compassion compelled her to beg an abandoned Hindu temple from the
government and convert it into a crude, make-shift hospital for the
dying. "Nobody should die alone" she would later say. Mother Teresa
went on to establish homes for the destitute dying in numerous cities.
But in spite of devoting her life to people in such dire straits, she
radiated joy and happiness.

This incredible woman was once interviewed by Malcolm Muggeridge from
the BBC News. He asked her an unusual question: "Mother Teresa, the
thing I noticed about you and the hundreds of sisters who now form
your team is that you all look so happy. Is that a put-on?"

Here was a woman who had none of the things we like to think of as
bringing happiness: a home, a family, prosperity… Rather, she lived in
near-poverty and spent her time wiping dirt and various body fluids
from half-dead cancer and leprosy victims…and appeared to be
blissfully happy. "Is that a put-on" she was asked?

She replied, "Oh no, not at all. Nothing makes you happier than when
you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt."

She would agree that happiness does not come from acquiring, but is a
by-product of giving: time, money, love. Do you want a life of joy?
Start with a lifestyle of giving!

Wish you all a life filled with joy!

Much Love,
Priya:))
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Always be kind and compassionate (Posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing awesome.

Here is the story that I would like to share with you. The author is unknown.

It was a bitter, cold evening in northern Virginia many years ago. The old man's beard was glazed by winter's frost while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves galloping along the frozen path.

Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend. He let the first one pass by without an effort to get his attention. Then another passed by, and another. Finally, the last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow statue.

As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's eye and said, "Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot."

Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard." Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto the horse. The horseman took the old man not just across the river, but to his destination, which was just a few miles away. As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let several other riders pass by without making an effort to secure a ride. Then I came up and you immediately asked me for a ride. I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night, you would wait and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and left you there?"

The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the rider straight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around these here parts for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good." The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. I knew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need."

Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply. "I'm most grateful for what you have said," he told the old man. "May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion." With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his way back to the White House.

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,
Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand
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Forgive and Forget! (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,

Hope you are all doing great!

Here is a wonderful story that I would like to share with you today.

A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life's experience, they chose a potato, wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of their bags were quite heavy.

They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty smelly slime.

This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity! Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves!

I know that it may be hard to forgive but as Isabelle Holland rightly said:
"As long as you don't forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind."

We cannot avoid daily resentment and thoughts of guilt. They are a part of human nature. What we can do is release their grip on us. We can forgive others and ourselves daily.

Have an excellent day!

Much Love,
Priya:))
Posted by Priya Deelchand
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Your Life Is A Reflection Of You (Posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,
Hope you are all doing awesome.
Here is the story that I would like to share with you today. The author is unknown.
A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!”
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Curious, he yells: “Who are you?”
He receives the answer: “Who are you?”
And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!”
The voice answers: “I admire you!”
Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!”
He receives the answer: “Coward!”
He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?”
The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.”
Again the man screams: “You are a champion!”
The voice answers: “You are a champion!”
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO,
but really this is LIFE.”
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world,
create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team,
improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”
“Your life is not a coincidence. It’s a reflection of you!”
Wish you a very happy weekend!
Much Love,
Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

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How do you react to criticism? (posted by Priya Deelchand)

My dearest friends,


Hope you are doing great!


Here is a true story (author unknown) that I would like to share with you.


How a person reacts to criticism often means the difference between success and failure. Take the case of Ole Bull, the famous Norwegian violinist of the past century.


His practical father, a chemist, sent him to the University of Christiania to study for the ministry and forbade him to play his beloved violin. He promptly flunked out and, defying his father, devoted all his time and energy to the violin. Unfortunately, though he had great ability, his teachers were relatively unskilled, so that by the time he was ready to start his concert tour he wasn't prepared.


In Italy a Milan newspaper critic wrote: "He is an untrained musician. If he be a diamond, he is certainly in the rough and unpolished."


There were two ways Ole Bull could have reacted to that criticism. He could have let it make him angry, or he could learn from it. Fortunately he chose the latter. He went to the newspaper office and asked to see the critic. The astounded editor introduced him. Ole spent the evening with the 70-year-old critic, asked about his faults, and sought the older man's advice on how to correct them.


Then he canceled the rest of his tour, returned home, and spent the next six months studying under really able teachers. He practiced hours upon hours to overcome his faults. Finally, he returned to his concerts and, when only 26, became the sensation of Europe.

Have a joy-filled day!

Much Love,

Priya:))

Posted by Priya Deelchand

Live Fully (shared by Priya Deelchand)

An army chaplain tells of the time he was asked to preach at a church
some 20 miles from the base. He took his family along, but had
ne glected to tell his six-year-old daughter where they were going.
After a few miles on the road, she asked, “Dad, when we get to where
we’re going, where will we be?” A good question! And one all of us
should try to answer for ourselves.

Think of your life’s journey. When you get to where you’re going,
where will you be? One year, five years, or even 20 years from now, if
you keep heading in the same direction you are head ing and keep doing
what you are doing, what will your life look like? Not only
vocationally and fi nancially, but what kind of person will you be? Do
you have a pretty clear picture of the way you would like things to
turn out, or will you be as surprised when it happens as everybody
else?

It has been my experience that most people do not spend much time with
these questions. But as Henry David Thoreau once said, “In the long
run, we only hit what we aim at.”

To live aimlessly is to waste this precious gift of life. But to live
with direction is to live fully.

Author unnknown
Shared by Priya Deelchand

Story of the monkey (posted by Priya Deelchand)

A monkey that had climbed on the roof
of a house summoned all the passers by.

He made great gestures, rolled up its lips,
made the clown, joining Pirouettes and making
funny faces specific of its nature.

Soon a crowd piled up to the house, and an
external observer saw all the faces raised
towards the monkey, split by a great smile.

After the monkey had left, an ant-eater who
would've given anything for a bit of popularity,
took its place on the roof and tried to imitate
the monkey.

In a few minutes the crowd had dispersed.
Scarcely had the ant-eater succeeded in making
some teeth squeak and making fun of the curious,
he was trying to imitate the monkey and dislocated
a leg as well as broke several tiles.

"Go back to your den you will be more useful
there!" they shouted at him or still: "who called
you, ant-eater, to make us laugh, you're not really
that gifted."

The owner of the house was furious and sent
2 servants armed with brooms to thrash the intruder.

The only thing that the ant-eater got for trying
to imitate the monkey was a broken leg, a pressed
horn and bruises all over, which amused the monkey.


Moral: Appearances are deceptive. Don't try to
be someone you're not.


" The appearance is the clothing of the personality.
Uncovered, we finally recognize it for what it is."
Mark Durggel

- Author unknown-
Posted by Priya Deelchand