An inspirational story-Dr.Prema Dhanraj

All that is striking and beautiful is not always good but that which is good is always beautiful.

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DR PREMA DHANRAJ

I don't mind being burnt again, and again and again," says Dr Prema Dhanraj. "I would happily go through this life all over again, God has been really kind to me."

In anyone else such holy gratitude would be looked at with suspicion. After all it isn't like it's a tan, a breakout of acne, or dark circles. Her face is taut in places, twisted in others, wrinkled, stretched and scarred. But when you sit across Dr Prema Dhanraj, HoD, Department of Plastic Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, what really strikes you is how comfortable she is in her skin. When she talks, you listen, when she laughs, you laugh with her. And what you remember is her grace, her courage, and her love of life.

At the age of eight, a stove burst in Prema's face resulting in 50 per cent burns. She was so burnt, that her neck had melted and her chin was touching her chest. For two days surgeons at the Christian Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Vellore, struggled to put the oxygen tube down her throat without which an operation was not possible.

Prayer and... a promise

While Prema was battling death, her mother, Rosie Stella Dhanraj, sent up a prayer from the little church at the hospital. She promised not only to make a plastic surgeon out of her daughter, but also make sure she served the same hospital, if only God let her live.

Keeping that promise wasn't easy. Not for Prema. Not for her mother. "There were times when I would cry and cry. I didn't want to study," remembers Prema. Schoolmates would shun her and call her `the devil'. But she had a choice to make as the oldest — she could be dependent on her siblings, or make them proud of her. "My mother never forced me to do anything. She'd just make the options very clear."

Prema never saw a mirror during those days. The look of horror, the repulsion and pity on people's face didn't make sense. When she took the bus people would freeze on the steps. "It was almost funny," she says. "I was always worried they'd keep standing there and I would miss my bus," she laughs.

One of the difficult choices Prema made was to stop all surgery. First, medical science in the late 1960s wasn't what it is today. And then, after 14 reconstructive surgeries, Prema simply wanted to get on with life and she did. After earning a graduation and an MBBS, she went to work at CMCH, Vellore, under Dr L.B.M. Joseph, the very same surgeon who had treated her!

In her 26-year career Prema has collected many accolades. Recently she received the "Triumph of Human Spirit Award" from the Rotary Club of Ambattur, Chennai. She has travelled around the world, taught plastic surgeons in Norway, Kenya and Tanzania. She has not only trained Ethiopia's first plastic surgeon but is currently also setting up its first burns unit.

Skilled helping hands

"God might have taken away my looks, but he's more than made up. He has given me such gifted hands, I am really skilled with my hands," she says, snapping a finger to show how fast she is. Today as a leading plastic surgeon, Prema sees scores of patients.

And if you presume that she might scoff at those who come to get that nose a little straighter, the breasts a little bigger or smaller, you are wrong. "I know how serious even pimples can be. It might not be for you and me, but who are we to judge what it means to someone else. I can't dismiss any complaint, because I know how much I craved for little, little things," she says. In India, as elsewhere, there is considerable social stigma for girls with small breasts or breasts that are too large, she says. It leads to a lot of emotional and psychological trauma. Today the technology, the medical knowledge and skill that wasn't available to Prema when she needed it, is at her fingertips.

Sharing courage

Prema also does a considerable amount of reconstructive surgery, particularly for the `Smile Train' project that does free cleft lip and cleft palate operations. She has also started a small foundation called Agni Raksha in Bangalore. It is for burn victims to come together, earn some income through handwork, but more importantly to meet people like them. "It's nice to know that you are not alone. That there might be others who are worse off."

Her courage, her strength she ascribes to her mother. During all the years, Prema has never seen her cry. "I knew she had cried, her eyes would be red and swollen when she'd come out from the prayer room. God's given me such a wonderful family, I don't mind going through everything all over again, if I can also be born into the same family. If I can still be the same person today," she says. Prema's mother is no more, but she did live to see her become a doctor. She shares a close bond with her siblings who she says are really proud of her achievements. "They tell me, we are jealous you are winning awards every other day," she says.

For Prema there's a lot to do. For starters extend Agni Raksha's work. There is also talking about herself and being photographed. She doesn't squirm, she's as conscious as anyone else. In fact less because her face is actually an inspiration to many. When patients want too much, are too depressed, Prema says her juniors bring them to look at her. "I tell them look at my face, it can't be worse than this."

But looking good is important. "They tell me I am the best dressed person in the hospital. And I live up to the compliment. When actresses can do so much to themselves, can't you and I be the best we can?"

Dr Prema Dhanraj doesn't hold the smallest grudge against fate, because she doesn't need to. She is the best she can be.

One of her patients puts it in perspective: "All that is striking and beautiful is not always good but that which is good is always beautiful."

India needs a leader like this!

As elections are approaching I want you all to read this speech by a patriotic leader who really cares for his country.Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks. Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom' 'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.' 'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, Indian citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths. If you agree please SEND THIS ON and ON to as much as Indians you know

What kind of girl you are?

You Are A Blue Girl

Relationships and feelings are the most important things to you. You are empathetic and accepting - and good at avoiding conflict. If someone close to you is in pain, it makes you hurt as well. You try to heal the ones you love with your kind and open heart.

What Color Girl Are You?

Inspirational video

Swami Vivekananda--Quotes

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced.”

"A few heart-whole, sincere, and energetic men and women can do more in a year than a mob in a century."

"Anything that brings spiritual, mental, or physical weakness, touch it not with the toes of your feet."

"We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act"

“If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.”

“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”

“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves!”

"Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way. "

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far. "

"You cannot believe in God until you believe in yourself. "

What is SIMI?

RENDEZVOUS WITH SIMI

10 Aug 2008, Jyoti Punwani

In my initial days of interaction with the Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), I ignored the clear indications of extremism, indulgently attributing them to the over-enthusiasm of youth. If they had their way, they would put everyone in purdah , I was warned. But they were hardly likely to have their way, I laughed.

This was in the mid-'90s.

Some time then, a SIMI member asked me why, since I wrote so much about Muslims, I didn't convert to Islam. I had so many doubts about my own religion, it was hardly likely that I would accept another faith, I replied. "But that's because your religion is so imperfect, sister," came the rejoinder. "Islam is perfect, it has a solution for everything."

The cocky youngster who made this audacious comment laughs embarrassedly now at the memory. He left SIMI soon after it plastered the walls of Mumbai's Muslim areas with the infamous poster, 'Waiting for Ghaznavi' which had as a backdrop the Babri Masjid's domes dripping blood. This was to mark December 6, 2000. Why Ghaznavi, I'd asked him. "These have been printed by the central leadership, I can't understand why," he had replied, obviously ill at ease. But the youngsters hanging around SIMI's office in Kurla weren't ill at ease at all. For them, Ghaznavi was a hero, not just because he broke idols and thereby served Islam, but also because he raided Somnath to liberate the devdasis enslaved there by the priests. Seeing my skepticism, they named certain historians and alleged such 'truths' were never taught to Indians in school.

What about the inflammatory potential of such a poster? That was a stupid question, because this was March 2001 and they'd just successfully inflamed passions in Mumbai over the burning of the Quran in Delhi by the Bajrang Dal. The BJP was in power, and the media had downplayed the incident as a rumour. But SIMI had downloaded a Reuters photograph of the incident from the Internet and published it as a poster. Frantic efforts by community elders and mohalla committees had restrained Muslims across Mumbai, but near SIMI's headquarters, a morcha had been taken out and buses stoned. Then next day, the police had called the morcha participants for questioning. Unable to bear the humiliation of having his name on the police files, a teenager, the first boy in his family to enter college, had committed suicide after his return from the police station.

The futile end to a life full of promise - that's what you achieved by this protest, I told the SIMI youngsters angrily. Of course they were unrepentant. They had diligently performed their duty of alerting their community about the injustices being done to their faith. The 17-year-old had become a shaheed for Islam. How come they never thought of taking out morchas for the other injustices done to their community? Why didn't they join the campaign to get justice for families devastated by the 1992-'93 riots? What about fighting the discrimination their community faced in admission to schools, in jobs?

"Let Muslims in India starve," they finally declared. "That's not our problem. Our duty is to arouse the community whenever Islam is in danger, be it in India, Afghanistan, Bosnia or Chechnya. If we have to come out on the streets for that, we will."

That was the essence of SIMI. They didn't feel they belonged to India, or any one country, but to the global Islamic community. Their lives were ruled not by the Indian Constitution, but by the Quran. The fact that they lived in a country overwhelmingly populated by non-Muslims only strengthened their resolve to convert it into an Islamic State. Living in harmony with the non-Muslim majority, as their community had for centuries, meant abdicating their religious duty as Muslims. If, in working towards an Islamic state, they offended the sensibilities of the majority community or broke a law or two, so be it. The latter were kafirs anyway.

The continuous targeting of Muslims, not just by the BJP, but also by the 'secular' State since 1984, the sell-out of established Muslim politicians, the promising start of SIMI as a religious counter to communism and consumerism - all this made Muslim elders go out of their way to shield SIMI from the consequences of their acts.

The Ghaznavi poster was a turning point. But before that, within SIMI, the disenchantment had begun. Its senior cadre in Mumbai had resigned, publicising SIMI's growing jehadi thrust and ISI influence. Muslims would have completely distanced themselves from the new SIMI - had they found the State committed to curbing the RSS after it banned SIMI. Gujarat 2002, the arrest only of Muslims after every bomb blast, the blackout of the RSS' terrorist acts, and the recent Jammu violence show that has yet to happen.

JAGO PARTY-- What can we hope?

I saw this party's ad in India Today and my first reaction was Oh! One more party ! Another group of corrupt politicians making all false promises.

But this party is with a different mission. At least they say so!
They are against reservations.
Job for all through free English medium education.
Death sentence for terrorism, corruption, murder & rape.
Court judgment in three months.
All voters will get Rs. 600/- per month.
24X7 electricity supply for all towns & villages and comfortable train journey by privatization.
Less government activities & more private enterprises.
No income tax upto Rs. 4.0 Lakh per annum.

I don't think this party will be able to make its presence felt in rural areas of UP, Bihar and other states where leaders are chosen on the basis of castes.

But atleast we, as educated and concerned citizens of India, give this party an opportunity to serve the country.

I hope this party stick to its mission once elected. As their own site says "Smallest action is much better than the noblest intention !"

May be in coming years the basis on which our country votes changes and our people start thinking above caste ,creed and choose deserving candidates.

Website: http://www.jago.in/

Building Life -- An inspirational story

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you.

"What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized that we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

Chankaya Niti-- Some Quotes

About Chankaya---
Chanakya (Kautilya) was the minister of Chandragupta c. 321-c.297 BC Maurya who was the first emperor of the Mauryan empire. Chandragupta came to rule much of India. Chandragupta rose to power under the influence of Chanakya.
Much of our knowledge about state policy under the Mauryas comes from the Arthashastra written by Chanakya.The book, written in Sanskrit, discusses theories and principles of governing a state.
Arthashastra remains unique in all of Indian literature because of its total absence of specious reasoning, or its unabashed advocacy of realpolitik, and scholars continued to study it for its clear cut arguments and formal prose till the twelfth century.

Some quotes from Arthashastra:

"The biggest guru-mantra is:Never share your secrets with anybody.
It will destroy you."

"As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it."

"Education is the best friend.
An educated person is respected everywhere.
Education beats the beauty and the youth."

“A man is great by deeds, not by birth.”

“Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.”

“A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first and Honest people are screwed first.”

“Once you start a working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”

"God is not present in idols. Your feelings are your god. The soul is your temple."

"It is better to be without a kingdom than to rule over a petty one; better to be without a friend than to befriend a rascal; better to be without a disciple than to have a stupid one; and better to be without a wife than to have a bad one."

"Do not inhabit a country where you are not respected, cannot earn your livelihood, have no friends, or cannot acquire knowledge."

"Test a servant while in the discharge of his duty, a relative in difficulty, a friend in adversity, and a wife in misfortune."

"Even from poison extract nectar, wash and take back gold if it has fallen in filth, receive the highest knowledge (Krsna consciousness) from a low born person; so also a girl possessing virtuous qualities (stri-ratna) even if she were born in a disreputable family"

"Though men be endowed with beauty and youth and born in noble families, yet without education they are like the palasa flower, which is void of sweet fragrance"

"A stillborn son is superior to a foolish son endowed with a long life. The first causes grief for but a moment while the latter like a blazing fire consumes his parents in grief for life."

"Consider again and again the following: the right time, the right friends, the right place, the right means of income, the right ways of spending, and from whom you derive your power."

Indian Tourism

A nice article by Chindanandan Rajghatta on the tourism in India
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The United States has replaced the United Kingdom as the country sending the largest number of tourists to India, according to India’s tourism ministry. Some 799,000 Americans — around 15% of India’s five million inflow in 2007 — visited hamara bharat mahaan, edging ahead of 796,000 British guests. According to US Commerce Department, more Americans came to India last year than went to Ireland or Thailand. Let’s hope a couple of them check into the visitor’s gallery of the Lok Sabha on Tuesday to see the ‘nuclear’ fireworks in our Parliament.Among several reasons more Americans are trooping in to India is the weak dollar, which is taking a pounding against most currencies but hanging tough against the rupee. New non-stop flights to India help.

While many parts of the world are considered unsafe for Americans, India is kosher, notwithstanding the danger of getting run over by our Formula None maniacs on what passes for roads. Delhi Belly, too, is better than lead in the belly. Then there is the fringe benefit of having the mind and body fixed at one of our ashrams, spas, hospitals etc for a fraction of what it costs in the broken US healthcare system.

American tourists are typically caricatured as loud, brash, and culturally insensitive — wearing a florid Hawaii-an shirt, oversized shorts, sunglasses and straw hat, if one extends the hyperbole. My experience doesn’t match that picture. Most Americans i know are simple, decent, generous, uncomplicated folk — like Adam, a friend who decided to visit India after watching the movie Taal. Efforts to convince him that Indian villages were not teeming with Aishwarya Rai lookalikes didn’t dissuade him. Off he went backpacking into the boonies. La Rai eluded him, but he returned with other lifelong attachments that have made him a repeat visitor.

East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet, said Kipling. But Twain, Mark Twain that is, did meet East. The great American writer visited the region centuries after legendary explorers, itinerants, and travelers like Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta, Hsien Tsang, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and others. Like many, Twain gushed about India, but his perspective is American, and more recent.Here are some excerpts from Twain’s travelogue, ‘Following the Equator’ — ‘‘This is indeed India; the land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendor and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence...the country of a thousand nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of tradition... the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the globe combined...Its marvels are its own; the patents cannot be infringed; imitations are not possible.’’Rather overwrought, huh? Americans aren’t as verbose or eloquent (your call) now. A US general, who was asked to surrender by an Axis commander, is said to have responded with one word — ‘‘Nuts.’’ Asked about their India experience, Americans encapsulate Twain’s sentiment with a single word — ‘‘Wow.’’ Follow up and ask them ‘‘Wow good or wow bad?’’ and they’ll say, ‘‘Wow good and wow crazy.’’

Welcome to India, folks; may your tribe increase, even if the nuclear deal goes into deep freeze.

What colors mean

We live in a colorful world. In many countries, colors represent various holidays; they are also used to express feelings and enliven language. Find your favorite color and see what it means around the world.

Red
For the ancient Romans, a red flag was a signal for battle.

Because of its visibility, stop signs, stoplights, brake lights, and fire equipment are all painted red.

The ancient Egyptians considered themselves a red race and painted their bodies with red dye for emphasis.

In Russia, red means beautiful. The Bolsheviks used a red flag as their symbol when they overthrew the tsar in 1917. That is how red became the color of communism.

In India, red is the symbol for a soldier.

In South Africa, red is the color of mourning.

It's considered good luck to tie a red bow on a new car.

In China, red is the color of good luck and is used as a holiday and wedding color. Chinese babies are given their names at a red-egg ceremony.

Superstitious people think red frightens the devil.

A “red-letter day” is one of special importance and good fortune.

In Greece, eggs are dyed red for good luck at Easter time.

To “paint the town red” is to celebrate.

Red is the color most commonly found in national flags.

To “see red” is to be angry.

A “red herring” is a distraction, something that takes attention away from the real issue.

A “red eye” is an overnight airplane flight.

If a business is “in the red,” it is losing money.

Green
Only one national flag is a solid color: the green flag of Libya.

Ancient Egyptians colored the floors of their temples green.

In ancient Greece, green symbolized victory.

In the highlands of Scotland, people wore green as a mark of honor.

Green is the national color of Ireland.

A “greenback” is slang for a U.S. dollar bill.

Green means “go.” When “all systems are green,” it means everything is in order.

The green room of a concert hall or theater is where performers relax before going onstage.

The “green-eyed monster” is jealousy.

A greenhorn is a newcomer or unsophisticated person.

Green is youthful.

Being “green around the gills” is looking pale and sickly.

“Green with envy” means full of envy or jealousy.

A person with a “green thumb” is good at making plants grow.

A green, or common, is a town park.

Green is a healing color, the color of nature.

Blue
In ancient Rome, public servants wore blue. Today, police and other public servants wear blue.

In Iran, blue is the color of mourning.

Blue was used as protection against witches, who supposedly dislike the color.

If you are “true blue,” you are loyal and faithful.

Blue stands for love, which is why a bride carries or wears something blue on her wedding day.

A room painted blue is said to be relaxing.

“Feeling blue” is feeling sad. “Blue devils” are feelings of depression.

Something “out of the blue” is from an unknown source at an unexpected time.

A bluebook is a list of socially prominent people.

The first prize gets a blue ribbon.

A blue blood is a person of noble descent. This is probably from the blue veins of the fair-complexioned aristocrats who first used this term.

“Into the blue” means into the unknown.

A “bluenose” is a strict, puritanical person.

A “bluestocking” used to be a scholarly or highly knowledgeable woman.

The “blues” is a style of music derived from southern African-American secular songs.

“Blue laws” are used to enforce moral standards.

A blue ribbon panel is a group of especially qualified people.

Purple, Violet

The Egyptian queen Cleopatra loved purple. To obtain one ounce of Tyrian purple dye, she had her servants soak 20,000 Purpura snails for 10 days.
In Thailand, purple is worn by a widow mourning her husband's death.

A “purple heart” is a U.S. military decoration for soldiers wounded or killed in battle.

Purple is a royal color.

Purple robes are an emblem of authority and rank.

“Purple speech” is profane talk.

“Purple prose” is writing that is full of exaggerated literary effects and ornamentation.

Leonardo da Vinci believed that the power of meditation increases 10 times when done in a purple light, as in the purple light of stained glass.

Purple in a child's room is said to help develop the imagination according to color theory.

Yellow
In Egypt and Burma, yellow signifies mourning.

In Spain, executioners once wore yellow.

In tenth-century France, the doors of traitors and criminals were painted yellow.

Hindus in India wear yellow to celebrate the festival of spring.

If someone is said to have a “yellow streak,” that person is considered a coward.

A yellow ribbon is a sign of support for soldiers at the front.

Yellow is a symbol of jealousy and deceit.

In the Middle Ages, actors portraying the dead in a play wore yellow.

To holistic healers, yellow is the color of peace.

Yellow has good visibility and is often used as a color of warning. It is also a symbol for quarantine, an area marked off because of danger.

“Yellow journalism” refers to irresponsible and alarmist reporting.

White

A white flag is the universal symbol for truce.

White means mourning in China and Japan.

Angels are usually depicted wearing white robes.

The ancient Greeks wore white to bed to ensure pleasant dreams.

The Egyptian pharaohs wore white crowns.

The ancient Persians believed all gods wore white.

A “white elephant” is a rare, pale elephant considered sacred to the people of India, Thailand, Burma, and Sri Lanka; in this country, it is either a possession that costs more than it is worth to keep or an item that the owner doesn't want but can't get rid of.

It's considered good luck to be married in a white garment.

White heat is a state of intense enthusiasm, anger, devotion, or passion.

A white list contains favored items (as opposed to a blacklist). A “whiteout” occurs when there is zero visibility during a blizzard.

A white room is a clean room as well as a temperature-controlled, dust-free room for precision instruments.

White water is the foamy, frothy water in rapids and waterfalls.

Black

The ancient Egyptians and Romans used black for mourning, as do most Europeans and Americans today.

The “Blackshirts” were the security troops in Hitler's German army, also known as the S.S.

Black often stands for secrecy.

Black humor is morbid or unhealthy and gloomy humor.

A “blackhearted” person is evil.

If a business is “in the black,” it is making money.

A “blacklist” is a list of persons or organizations to be boycotted or punished.

Black is associated with sophistication and elegance. A “black tie” event is formal.

A black flag in a car race is the signal for a driver to go to the pits.

A blackguard is a scoundrel.

The ancient Egyptians believed that black cats had divine powers.

Blackmail is getting things by threat.

Black market is illegal trade in goods or money.

A black sheep is an outcast.

“Blackwash” (as opposed to “whitewash”) is to uncover or bring out in the light.

A blackout is a period of darkness from the loss of electricity, for protection against nighttime air raids, or, in the theater, to separate scenes in a play.

When you “black out,” you temporarily lose consciousness.

Death of a innocent

Death of an Innocentby: Elizabeth Beeson, Source Unknown

I went to a party, Mom,
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink,
So I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing,Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending,
As everyone is driving out of sight

.As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me
So responsible and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me,,
And hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk,"
And now I'm the one who will pay

I'm lying here dying, Mom....
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say,
I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank And I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking,
Mom,And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you,you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?

A touching story

There was once this guy who is very much in love with his girl. This romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of paper cranes as a gift to his girl.Although, at that time he was just a small fry in his company, his future didn"t seem too bright, they were very happy together.

Until one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris and will never come back. She also told him that she cannot visualize any future for the both of them, so they went their own ways there and then...Heartbroken, the guy agreed. But when he regained his confidence, he worked hard day and night, slogging his body and mind just to make something out of himself.Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends, this guy had set up his own company .You never fail until you stop trying.

One rainy day, while this guy was driving, he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain walk ing to some destination. Even with the umbrella, they were still drenched. It didn"t take him long to realize they were his girl"s parents.With a heart in getting back at them, he drove slowly beside the couple, wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan. He wanted them to know that he wasn"t the same any more; he had his own company, car, condo, etc. He made it! What he saw next confused him, the couple was walking towards a cemetery, and so he got out of his car and followed...and he saw his girl, a photograph of her smiling sweetly as ever at him from her tombstone and he saw his paper cranes right beside her...

Her parents saw him. He asked them why this had happened. They explained, she did not leave for France at all. She was ill with cancer. She had believed that he will make it someday, but she did not want to be his obstacle... therefore she had chosen to leave him.Just because someone doesn"t love you the way you wa nt them to, doesn"t mean they don"t love you with all they have. She had wanted her parents to put his paper cranes beside her, because, if the day comes when fate brings him to her again...he can take some of those back with him...

Once you have loved, you will always love. For what"s in your mind may escape but what"s in your heart will remain forever.The guy just wept...

The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside her knowing you can"t have her, see her or be with her ever again.........hope you understand.

Find time to realize that there is one person who means so much to you, for you might wake up one morning losing that person who you thought meant nothing to you.

UN survey

A worldwide survey was conducted by the UN.

The question asked was:

"Would u please give your honest opinion about
solutions to the food shortage in the rest of the world?"

THE SURVEY WAS HUGE FAILURE

In South America they didn't know what "please" meant.


In Middle East they didn't know what "solution" meant.


In Africa they didn't know what "food" meant.


In Western Europe they didn't know what "shortage" meant.In China they didn't know what "opinion" meant.

And in the USA they didn't know what "the rest of world"meant.

Love your greatness more than you fear its price---(Ezine Ready)

Author: Brian McClellan

People who have achieved greatness in their chosen field are confident people. It is no secret that one must believe before he or she can achieve. However, this confidence manifests much differently than you may realize. For the great ones, confidence is not bravado. It is not the appearance of unflappability. It is not the ability to perform flawlessly under the most extreme of pressure situations. Confidence is none of the above. The truly great people have at least one thing in common, one decision they have all made. They love their greatness more than they fear its price.

What is the price of greatness? The price of greatness is making a commitment to excellence, to getting better every day. Those committed to greatness will get better at something in their “field of study” every day. They have explicitly committed to being a better professional, a better hobbyist, or a better person and they take a step every day in the direction of their greatness. The great ones make their intent to be great and the progress made on their journeys public at least to a degree. They are courageous enough to submit their quest for greatness for review, feedback and sometimes criticism.

Why? This courage comes from a belief in two ideas with absolute certainty. First, the great ones believe that greatness does not happen in a vacuum. All great people need help and feedback to achieve their desired place in the Hall of Fame of their choosing. In other words, they believe that greatness does not come without both great coaching and a great willingness to be coached. Secondly, and more importantly, the great ones love even the opportunity for greatness more than they fear its price. They would rather enjoy the spoils of greatness; even if it means the temporary pain of a bruised ego, than enjoy the false security that one enjoys before the greatness quest begins.

So, what do you love? Too many love that false security. Too many love the notion “I can be great whenever I choose to be great. I’ll start tomorrow.” Too many love the notion “I can do great things on my own, so I will work in complete secrecy.” Too many love the false pride over never being wrong publicly over the risk of stretching their skills publicly so they can grow. Too many love their pride more than the prospect of greatness. Ultimately, in effect, they love mediocrity more than greatness as they are unwilling to shed the trappings of mediocrity. Don’t be one of those people!

How do you want to live? I have never reached a great achievement in my life and then later thought that it “cost too much.” The prize, if it’s the right prize, is always worth the work. I bet you feel the same way! A great athlete does not say, I enjoy being great, but I would trade it for being a bench player who spent more time on the couch and less time in the gym. Someone who has lost 100 pounds does not say, I like being 100 pounds lighter, but I would take weight back for the memory of enjoying a year’s worth of chocolate cake. A company CEO does not say, I like being the boss, but I would give up the power and its attendant salary to be a middle manager who worked less over the years. In our mind’s eye, our pride of achievement always overpowers the memory of the work it took to get there. Every one of these achievers had to risk their pride in some fashion to reach their goals. Will you?So, again, I will ask “What do you love more, greatness or mediocrity?” If greatness is the answer, make your declaration! Assemble your team! Tell your coach that you are ready to report for practice! Make the decision that proves to be so daunting for so many! Love your greatness more than you fear its price.

Source: Submit Articles at ArticlesBase.com

the Author: Brian McClellan is the cofounder and CEO of BAMSTRONG Presentations, the author of The Real Bling: How to Get the Only Thing You Need, a Sherian Publishing title, and a powerful motivational speaker.
To learn more about Brian, please visit http://www.bamstrong.com/
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-improvement-articles/love-your-greatness-more-than-you-fear-its

searching for happiness?

Everyone everywhere keeps searching for the "eternal happiness". Some work day and night to earn money far more than their needs, so that they'll be happy at last.they hope that the sense of security that their bank balance gives, is the perfect way to get happy. For them more the money more is the happiness.
Some don't need money even for any security.they need it for their social stature.they wear the best clothes,even if they don't feel comfortable in them,ride the best cars.build the most beautiful houses even if they don't get time to make it a home.ask them why? And they will think you are crazy.For them all this pomp n show is a must because it makes their so called friends envy them and so it satisfies their ego.
Why do we get so carried away by the opulence of this world that inspite of knowing that this is not the aim of our life we get happy and sad over petty things. Why inspite of getting so many signs that life is not forever we get so emotional over trivial issue.
Why is it that we avoid the smoke of funeral or hate talking about death? Though we know that it is an absolute truth.If we really think about death do you think we would have time to fight over God? Almost every religion tells us about the perfect way to live, asks us not to fear death, and says if we live according to our religious texts, God himself will come to take us. But most of us are more concerned whether the person next door is praying in the same way as we do.
We love our God we follow our religion and we will kill the other person for its sake. But why do we pray, what is its aim we dont care to understand. if we love God why are we afraid of death?
I think if we spend even a minute over the fragility of human body daily, we ll worry quite less, there will be no greed so no sins. Stop being so afraid of death you can't avoid it.
I know these are no new thoughts but still the way we spend our life made me think over it.

The world is a bridge. Pass over it but build no house upon it, for whoever hopes for one hour, hopes for all eternity. The world is one hour. Spend it in prayer, for the rest is unseen”.
---Inscribed on the Buland Darwaza or Sublime Gateway by the Mughal emperor Akbar

Full glass of milk

A nice story to spread to...

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay, for his hungry stomach, decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.On the way through school, he found he had only one thin dime left and he was very hungry.

However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.

The woman thought he looked hungry, so brought him a large glass of milk.He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us,never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said..."Then I thank you from my heart."

Year's later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city,where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life,from that day he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.

The woman feared opening it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all.Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk." Signed, Dr.Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed,"Thank You, God,that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands."

Now you have two choices.You can send this page on and spread a positive message. Or ignore it and pretend it never touched your heart.