TWENTY TRUTHS TO REMEMBER

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

A Debt is a stain on life.

DEB.T

Because the specia1 offer on "How to Own Your Paychec.k Again" ends tonight (see ad above), I thought I would share this quote from my happiness book with you

"Mone.y can't buy happiness. Well, actually it can. On Skid Row, a little extra mone.y can make a big difference. Wealth and health share this in common: they don't bring joy, but their absence can leave pure misery."

In fact, studies show that the amount of mone.y we require for happiness is the amount to pay for the basic necessities without worrying that we will fall short. Above that level, mone.y can buy us comfort, convenience and other things, but not happiness.

Deb.t, on the other hand, can buy us complete misery, precisely because because we are falling short of what we need for basic necessities.

- So, get out of deb.t.
- Stay out of deb.t.
- Chase more mone.y if you wish, but to get there you should never sacrifice something that can bring happiness.

Critics are remembered

هوئي مــــدة كه "غالب" مر ككيا ثثر يـــاد آتـــا هسس

وه هر ايك بات ثثه كهنا كه يوطط هوتا تو كيا هوتا

I have heard people say that pessimism is a bad thing, infact I am always called a negative thinker and a person to be the first to critize and say what if that would happen and this would happen. The ifs and buts are always considered to be a bad thought and a bad say if someone puts them up the desk but like this verse suggest and like I always say the pessimist is an open minded person who views the cons while people only see the pros. Its vital to have a critic around you to caution you on every step you take. A few days back I had read that people ought to learn from whats pointed out rather than jump to conclusions. Not everybody discourages you or envy you. Be sure to look at the pessimists comment with caution and optimism. :-)

BTW, I am sure like Ghalib I will also be remembered as the most staunchest critic around and you might miss my warning signals too.

ان لفي الشعر حكما

يه مســــائل تصوف، يـــه تيرا بياطط "غـــالب"
تجهسس هم ولي سمجهتسس، جو نه برا خوار هوتا

The Lord and Me are but one!!!

Jab Mein Tha Tab Hari Nahin‚ Jab Hari Hai Mein Nahin
Sab Andhiyara Mit Gaya‚ Jab Deepak Dekhya Mahin

Translation
When "I" was then Hari was not, Now Hari "is" and "I" am not
All the darkness (illusions) mitigated, When I saw the light (illumination) within.

My Understanding
From the root word "Har" (everything) is derived the word "Hari" which is used as yet another name or expression for God – the most common being "Hari Om". In this doha, Kabir explains that till such time we are engrossed within the bounds of our (limited) ego – the mundane "I" – we are not able to experience or realize the all-pervasive attribute of God. Resultantly we are in a state of conflict, chaos and a state of ignorance aptly expressed as darkness or illusion in the doha. This darkness – the state of ignorance – diminishes, rather eliminates, when the all-pervasive effulgence of God (the light within) is perceived, realized or experienced. With this conviction we are able to transcend the bondage enforced by our ego.

At times we just go all around the world looking for the lord while we can find him within our inner self. Then where do we find him you might say. Just shed your ego and self centered thoughts, that has not given us only lonliness, and you will find the lord.

Pothi Padh Padh Kar Jag Mua, Pandit Bhayo Na Koye
Dhai Aakhar Prem Ke, Jo Padhe so Pandit Hoye

Translation
Reading books everyone died, none became any wise
One who reads the word of Love, only becomes wise

Kabir has very well explained the wonderful philosophy of love and wisdom. It is indeed the power of love for humanity, nature and the creation of the lord that can nurture a soul with knowledge and wisdom. People who have read much books have found nor the knowledge or the teachings imparted by the author. True knowledge has always been found by those who light the flame of love within their hearts. Look at the sufis and sants like the Kabir himself, they were taught and brought up in the craddle of mother nature.

The Fatemi philosophy also states that the love for Awliyaullah is the only way to knowledge for it encompasses the love for the lord and his entire creation.

TIme Management Principles.

As a Student, there are some basic Principles of Time Management that you can apply.

1. Identify "Best Time" for Studying: Everyone has high and low periods of attention and concentration. Are you a "morning person" or a "night person". Use your power times to study; use the down times for routines.
2. Study Difficult Subjects First: When you are fresh, you can process information more quickly and save time as a result.
3. Use Distributed Learning and Practice: Study in shorter time blocks with short breaks between. This keeps you from getting fatigued and "wasting time." This type of studying is efficient because while you are taking a break, the brain is still processing the information.
4. Make Sure the Surroundings are Conducive to Studying: This will allow you to reduce distractions which can "waste time." If there are times in the residence halls or your apartment when you know there will be noise and commotion, use that time for mindless tasks.
5. Make Room for Entertainment and Relaxation: College is more than studying. You need to have a social life, yet, you need to have a balance in your life.
6. Make Sure you Have Time to Sleep and Eat Properly: Sleep is often an activity (or lack of activity) that students use as their time management "bank." When they need a few extra hours for studying or socializing, they withdraw a few hours of sleep. Doing this makes the time they spend studying less effective because they will need a couple hours of clock time to get an hour of productive time. This is not a good way to manage yourself in relation to time.
7. Try to Combine Activities: Use the "Twofer" concept. If you are spending time at the laundromat, bring your psychology notes to study. If you are waiting in line for tickets to the concert, bring your biology flashcards to memorize.

T I M E M A N A G E M E N T T E C H N I Q U E S

STUDY WHEN:
• Plan to study hours for every hour you spend in class.
• Study difficult (or boring) subjects first.
• Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions.
• Be aware of your best time of day.
• Use waiting time.
• Use a regular study area.

STUDY WHERE:
• Choose a place that minimizes visual and auditory distractions.
• Use the library or empty classrooms. Get out of a noisy dorm.
• Don't get too comfortable. Sit (or even stand) so that you can remain awake and attentive.
• Find a better place when productivity falls off.

YOU AND THE OUTSIDE WORLD:
• Pay attention to your attention.
• Agree with roommates about study time.
• Avoid noise distractions.
• Notice how others misuse your time.
• Get off the phone.
• Learn to say no.
• Hang a "Do Not Disturb!" sign on your door.
• Ask: "What is one task I can accomplish toward my goal?"
• Ask: "Am I beating myself up?" (lighten up, don't berate self).
• Ask: "Are you a perfectionist"
• Ask: "How did I just waste time?"
• Ask: "Would I pay myself for what I'm doing right now?"
• Ask: "Can I do just one more thing?" (Stretch yourself).

Contributed by
Abdul Quadir Zaheen
aquadir52@yahoo.co.in

PERSEVERANCE

Don't give up. That's about it. Sure, some people get just what they want the first time they try. Others take several attempts. If you give up after three tries, you will never know that you can do it in just four attempts. Don't give up.

How many times will it take for you to reach your goal.