Friday, September 18, 2009

Convey it, before its too late...

This is actually a true story that happened to Sister Mrosola (the teacher) and Mark Eklund . Though some of the details are just to add flavor, most of it is true.
I carry this with me at all times
One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. that Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.
No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.
The funeral auditorium was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher. 'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.' Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark treasured it.' All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.' Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.' 'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary' .Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'
That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again. The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.
Remember, you reap what you sow. What you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Benefits of Prayer

Jaya Jagannath, Our body is like a vehicle and the sole being the driver। As only an awakened and conscious driver can drive a vehicle safely to destination, A state of surrender to devotion with true spiritual rhythmic concentration or prayer is the only wonderful experience to awaken our sole drive us till Moksha। Prayer is a spiritual understanding of Wisdom। It is the thanksgiving for all the ways GOD blesses us. It is the most natural and brilliant meditative means of nourishing and refining our soul causing it to flourish and prosper. Prayer strengthens our body and heart by expelling harmful acidic chemicals from it. Prayer keeps evil souls away, cleanses curses, erases sins, opens all doors of goodness, quicker healing of people from depression, anxiety, and even terminal illnesses. Prayer strengthens our relationships too. When we pray for those we know and love, it helps us to understand that person bit better. It allows us to be more patient and understanding in frustrating situations, and knowing that He will answer our prayers in His time makes it easier. By keeping up an acquaintance with God and of growing in the knowledge of God, prayer purifies our attitude, perception, feelings, and thoughts. There are five types and styles of prayer. Prayer can be prayer of praise, prayer of thanksgiving, prayer of confession or prayer of supplication (asking for help ), the intercessory prayer, where we ask God to care for another person or part of his creation. Four styles of prayer are devotional (scripture-based prayer ), spontaneous prayer ( that naturally flows from our hearts almost without thinking anything ), conversational prayer, prayer of action( where some people hurt or give pain to themselves to express their devotion ).Prayer is the means of communication with the heavenly GOD Father. It can not only be song alone or in group, but also can also be experienced by silent meditation and thus time just spent between an individual and the supreme GOD. May he be in any form, but praying the almighty majestic GOD raises your life values. Please make prayer an uncompromised schedule of your daily routine.
हरे कृष्ण :-)