‪Forgive‬ those who have angered you.[Story]

A teacher asked her students to bring some tomatoes in a plastic bag to school. Each tomato will be given a name of the person whom that child hates. This way, the number of tomatoes will be equal to the number of persons they hate.

On a decided day, the children brought their tomatoes well addressed. Some had two, some had three and some had five, some even had 20 tomatoes in accordance with the number of people each ‪‎student‬ hate thus if a student hates 5 people, he/she will bring 5 tomatoes.

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The teacher told them they have to carry the tomatoes with them everywhere they go for two weeks. As the days passed the children started to complain about the decay and smell of the tomatoes. The students who had many tomatoes complained it was very heavy to carry and the smell was too much.

After a week, the teacher asked the students: "How did you feel this one week?"

The ‪‎Children‬ complained of awful smell & heavy weight of the tomatoes especially those who carried more tomatoes.

The ‪‎teacher‬ said, "This is very similar to what you carry in your heart when you don't like some people. Hatred makes heart unhealthy and you carry that hatred everywhere. If you can't bear the smell of spoiled tomatoes for a week, imagine the impact of bitterness on your ‪‎heart‬ as you carry it daily."

The Heart is a ‪beautiful Garden‬ that needs regular cleaning of unwanted weeds. ‪Forgive‬ those who have angered you. This makes room for storing good things.

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Get better not bitter. Must Share this story with your Kids and Students.

Living in unity

There was a student who after many years of meditation, rituals and temple visits asked the master, “Master, I have been following your lessons for years, practice consistently and stick to all the rules of life you have imposed. Maybe something has changed in me, but it didn’t bring me enlightenment. Are all the things you prescribe really necessary to attain enlightenment?”

The master replied, “Most among us find something in it to hold on to and that is good, but if you put it like that, really necessary for enlightenment, no they are not.”

“But then, what is it, master, please tell me,” the student asked.
“One day of not judging should be enough to be taken up into unity completely,” the master replied.

Only one day! That doesn’t seem too difficult. One day making no distinction at all between what is and that which I want. Not in words, not in thought and not in emotion. Just try.

There is a famous but forgotten poem from ancient China.
It is attributed to Sengtsan and it is called: Hsin hsin ming. Meaning more or less: “Presence of mind”

The first stanzas go as follows :

The perfect path is not hard
For those who don’t know preferences.
Everything is completely and plainly revealed
To those who are free from love and hatred.

Don’t get entangled in the multitude of things
No more turn Emptiness into a place of security.
Find peace in the unity of existence
And every distinction disappears automatically.

Whoever tries to find peace
By stopping movement
Will unabatedly remain a source of restlessness.
As long as you choose one part of the opposites the experience of the whole will never fall to you.

Whoever is awake does not become prey to dreams
when the awareness doesn’t cause a difference, the thousand and one things appear as they are:
one and single essence.Whoever knows the mystery of this unique identity,
Is freed from all confusion.

Whoever witnesses unity in its diversity with equanimity,
And the diversity in its unity,
Returns to the original place
Where he or she lives from time immemorial.

In this “not two” all comes together.
All that is is welcome and embraced.
So the wise see the world
Wherever they live.

The Hsin hsin ming was probably written in the early 7th century of our era. 1400 years ago – but how relevant to our time!

Put the glass down today !!

The Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students “How much do you think this glass weighs?”

’50gms!’….. ’100gms!’ …..’125 gms’ …the students answered.

“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the professor, “but, my question is:

What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”…. .
‘Nothing’ …..the students said.

‘Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?’ the professor asked.
‘Your arm would begin to ache’ said one of the student

“You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?”
“Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!”
….. Ventured another student & all the students laughed

“Very good.

But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?” Asked the professor.

‘No’…. Was the answer.

“Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?”

The students were puzzled.
“What should I do now to come out of pain?” asked professor again.

“Put the glass down!” said one of the students

“Exactly!” said the professor.
Life’s problems are something like this.

Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK.
Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache.

Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

It’s important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to ‘PUT THEM DOWN’ at the end of every day before you go to sleep…

That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!

Moral

So, when you start your day today, Remember friend to ‘PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY! ‘

The Difference A Teacher Can Make

Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic parents, was about to be lost forever, by the U.S. education system. Remarkably, he could read, yet, in spite of his reading skills, Steve was failing. He had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade. Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed... until Miss White.

Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn't take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable! Still, he did not study.

In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly, Steve never missed a day of school.

One day, Miss White's impatient voice broke into his daydreams.

"Steve!!" Startled, he turned to look at her.

"Pay attention!"

Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.

"You all did pretty well," she told the class, "except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but..." She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face.

"...The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class!"

She just stared at Steve, as the class spun around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.

After that, it was war!! Steve still wouldn't do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn.

"Just try it! ONE WEEK!" He was unmoved.

"You're smart enough! You'll see a change!" Nothing fazed him.

"Give yourself a chance! Don't give up on your life!" Nothing.

"Steve! Please! I care about you!"

Wow! Suddenly, Steve got it!! Someone cared about him? Someone, totally unattainable and perfect, CARED ABOUT HIM??!!"

Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering! He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.

The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles! God, she was beautiful! He yearned for her smile to turn on him. It did not.

Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand inhis paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn't resist another look at the lovely woman.

Miss White's face was in total shock! She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up. Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test!

From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it! He discovered that he could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to excel! And he continued this course throughout his school life.

After high-school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. During that time, he met the love of his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. During his Naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began a second career after the Navy, and he continues to inspire others, as an adjunct professor in a nearby college

Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed many lives. I know, because I am the love of his life.

You see, it's simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.

Author -

Jaye Lewis is an award-winning writer who celebrates life from a unique perspective. Jaye lives with her family in the beautiful southern highlands of southwestern Virginia. Jaye is writing her first book, entitled "Entertaining Angels," which illustrates the spiritual, and even the miraculous, in her life. Jaye believes, as her mother did before her, that one should always entertain strangers, because one never knows when one may be entertaining an angel. J

How can I say that I have learnt lesson?

This story is when the five Pandavas used to study in the ashram of Guru Dronacharya. One day Guru Dronacharya taught them to always tell the truth and never tell a lie and, said to remember this throughout their life. He also told them to memorize a certain lesson. The next day the Guru made them stand and turn by turn, memorizing the lesson. All the students memorized the lesson. When it was Yudhister's turn he said, "Guru, I could not learn the lesson".

The Guru punished Yudhisthir and taught the others another lesson. For twenty days Yudhisthir said the same thing. On the twenty-first day, the Guru said angrily, "Oh Yudhisthir, you are a fool. Could you not learn the small lesson till now". Yudhisthir said, "Guru, when you taught to always tell the truth and never tell a lie, I always tell the truth. But, I could not make my words fully true till now. How can I say that I have learnt lesson? Only repeating the line is not learning the lesson, but to follow it, is true study".

Anybody can make difference

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on her very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer-the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

 Anybody can make difference. Everyone have their own role and importance.

Be a True Follower

Once there was a devotee of God who had a longing to meet God. He did not know punjabi language so he and could not understand the holy book of sikhs ,Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He heard of a priest who translates Guru Granth Sahib Ji and narrates the message of the Satguru in English. He went to the priest and joined his congregation. The priest started describing the greatness and the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He conveyed the message of Guru Ji. As Guru instructed he said, God can only be seen by meditating on Him and remembering Him for every moment. Just as you would remember someone you love and he/she is in your mind all the time, remember God and you shall meet Him. The priest was doing holy work but he was only doing it for money. As people would leave, they would present him with some money for his time and that is what priest wanted. The priest himself would not worship God and was concentrating on making as much money as he could.

The devotee of God became a regular follower of the priest. He would come to the priest’s congregation everyday, learn about Guru’s message and while leaving, he would leave some money for the priest. However, in order to travel to the priest’s congregation, the devotee had to cross a river. There was no bridge nearby, so he had to walk 1 mile south to get to the bridge and come back north for about 1 mile. This would take him a lot of time. The devotee decided to ask for a solution from the priest. When he asked, the priest first asked for his fee. The devote paid him and the priest told him that if he worships God from deep within his heart and has trust in Him, God will make him able to walk on water and he will no longer has to walk 2 miles to cross the bridge.

The devotee was impressed. He had a great trust in God and started worshipping him even more than he used to. He would wake up at 3AM in the morning, take a bath and mediate on God. He would also meditate on him while running errands and working. He recited the Name of God for each moment he could.

A month passed and the devotee was walking along the bank of the river and he was getting late. He thought if be walked a mile to the bridge and then a mile back, he would miss the most of the day’s sermon. So he decided to go through the river. As he stepped in the water, he did not become wet and neither did his foot sink in the water. He was actually walking on water. He was filled with joy and thanked God. He crossed the river by walking on the water and reached the congregation of the priest.

After that day, he never crossed the bridge; he would walk on the water to go to the priest's congregation. One day, the devotee invited the priest to his house for a meal to thank him for his guidance. The priest accepted his invitation and headed along with him to his house. As they approached the river, the priest wanted to cross the river from the bridge. The devotee replied that he doesn’t cross the bridge anymore and goes through the river. The priest asked that why does he go through the river, doesn’t he get wet? The devotee replied that he never gets wet, he walks on water. The priest was astonished. The priest asked the devotee to cross the river first.

The devotee crossed the river by walking on water. The priest had never seen anything like this before. He was wonderstruck and filled with astonishment. When the devotee reached the other side, he asked the priest to cross the river. Having not meditated on God, priest hesitated but to preserve his honor he thought to give it a try. As he stepped in the water, he drowned. The devotee had to pull the priest out of the river.

 

Moral : Hypocrites talk about God and teachings of God but they seldom follow the teachings themselves. God is always with the true followers , even if the followers obtains their knowledge about God from a hypocrite.

Vivekananda and professor of University

I don't think it's a real life story... Anyway good whatsapp fwd...

When Swami Vivekanand was studying law at the University College, London, a white professor, whose last name was Peters, disliked him intensely.

One day, Mr. Peters was having lunch at the dining room when Vivekanand came along with his tray and sat next to the professor.

The professor said, "Mr Vivekanand , you do not understand. A pig and a bird do not sit together to eat."

Vivekanandji looked at him as a parent would look at a rude child and calmly replied, "You do not worry professor. I'll fly away," and he went and sat at another table.

Mr. Peters, reddened with rage, decided to take revenge.

The next day in Class he posed the following question: "Mr.Vivekanand , if you were walking down the street and found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and another bag with money, which one would you take ?"

Without hesitating, Vivekanandji responded, "The one with the money, of course."

Mr. Peters , smiling sarcastically said, "I, in your place, would have taken the wisdom."

Swami Vivekanand shrugged and responded, "Each one takes what he doesn't have."

Mr. Peters, by this time was fit to be tied. So great was his anger that he wrote on Swami Vivekanand's exam sheet the word "idiot" and gave it to Swami Vivekanand.

Vivekanandji took the exam sheet and sat down at his desk trying very hard to remain calm while he contemplated his next move.

A few minutes later, Swami Vivekanand got up, went to the professor and told him in a dignified polite tone, "Mr. Peters, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me the grade."

 

Never mess with intelligent.

Be happy and live a life positively!

One day a professor entered the classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They waited anxiously at their desks for the test to begin. The professor handed out the question paper, with the text facing down as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked his students to turn the page and begin. To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions….just a black dot in the center of the page. The professor seeing the expression on everyone’s face, told them the following:

“I want you to write what you see there.”

The students confused, got started on the inexplicable task. At the end of the class, the professor took all the answer papers and started reading each one of them aloud in front of all the students. All of them with no exceptions, described the black dot, trying to explain its position in the middle of the sheet, etc. etc. etc. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor began to explain:

“I am not going to grade on you this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot – and the same happens in our lives. We have a white paper to observe and enjoy, but we always focus on the dark spots. Our life is a gift given to us by God, with love and care, and we always have reasons to celebrate – nature renewing itself everyday, our friends around us, the job that provides our livelihood, the miracles we see everyday…….

However we insist on focusing only on the dark spots – the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend etc
The dark spots are very small compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds.

Take your eyes away from the black spots in your life. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you.

Be happy and live a life positively!