Echo of Life

A family went on a picnic trip to a hilly spot. They roamed about, had meals under the sunny sky, enjoyed the nature and had lot of fun. In the afternoon father along with his son went into the valley for walk. While walking on a shingle track between sky high oaks the son suddenly saw a snake moving on the track going down to valley. He screamed in fear AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!! To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountains "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

He forgot the snake and curious about the scream yelled "Who are you?"
He received the answer "Who are you?"

Angered at the response, he screams "Stupid!"
He received the answer "Stupid!"

He looks to his father and asked "What's going on?"
The father smiles and said "My son, pay attention."

And then father with a loud but subtle voice shouted "Enjoy the nature!"
The voice answered "Enjoy the nature!"

Again father shouted "You are a champ!"
The voice answered: "You are a champ!"

The boy was surprised, but could not understand the phenomena.
Then the father explained "People call this ECHO, but I call it LIFE.

It reciprocate you back with everything you deliver to it.
In fact our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want love in the world, fill your heart with LOVE.
If you demand competence from your team, be competent and show your competence.

If you expect punctuality from your subordinates, be punctual first.

This relationship applies to everything, in all spheres of life;
Life is like a computer and follows the principal of GIGO, garbage in, garbage out. It returns you back what you give to it.

Life is reflection of your actions and will give you back everything you have given to it."

So always try to follow the right path, be truthful, be positive, be patient, be realistic, and be lively. You will enjoy the life and will be remembered with good words after you leave for the final abode.

Loving a Human Being

Loving a human being is accepting the opportunity of truly getting to know them, and enjoying the adventure of exploring and discovering what lies beyond their masks and defences. It is contemplating with tenderness their deepest feelings, fears and insecurities, their dreams and joys, sorrows and aspirations. It is being able to understand that behind their shields and masks, a sensitive and lonely heart is hidden, starving for a friendly hand and a sincere smile where they can feel at home. It is acknowledging with respectful compassion, that the disharmony and chaos in which they sometimes live are the product of their ignorance and unconsciousness, and realizing that if they occasionally cause pain and sorrow, it is because they have not yet learned to cultivate happiness, and sometimes they feel so empty and such lack of sense that they can’t even trust themselves. It is discovering and honouring their true identity beyond all superficial appearances, and to honestly appreciate their infinite greatness as a unique expression of Life itself.

Loving a human being is giving them the opportunity of being listened to with deep attention, interest and respect; accepting their experience not trying to modify it but to understand it. It is offering them a space where they can discover themselves without the fear of feeling questioned, a space where they can feel comfortable sharing their feelings without being forced to reveal the things they consider private. It is acknowledging and displaying the fact that they have the inalienable right to choose their own path, even if it is different from your own. It is allowing them to discover their inner truth by themselves, in their own way. It is appreciating them without conditions, neither judging nor evaluating disapproving of them, and without asking them to adjust themselves to fit your ideals nor expecting them to act and behave according to your standards. It is appreciating them for what they are and not for what you would like them to be. It is trusting their ability to learn from their mistakes and to pick themselves back up when they fall, stronger and more mature. It is communicating your faith in them as a human being.

Loving a human being is daring to show yourself defenceless, revealing your inner truth — naked, honest and transparent. It is uncovering your own feelings and vulnerabilities. It is allowing them to get to know the person you really are, without making up an image designed to cause a favourable impression. It is exposing your desires and needs, without expecting them to be responsible for fulfilling them. It is expressing your thoughts and ideas without intending to convince them that they are correct. It is enjoying the privilege of being yourself without asking for approval, thus discovering new and different aspects of your personality. It is being truthful and, without fear or shame, being able to say: "This is who I am, at this point of my life, and I gladly and freely share it with you... if you wish to receive it."

Loving a human being is wanting to commit yourself voluntarily, and being able to actively respond to their need for personal development. It is believing in them when they doubt themselves, spreading your vitality and enthusiasm when they are about to give up, supporting them in moments of weakness, encouraging them when they feel insecure, holding their hand firmly and guiding them when they feel lost, caressing them with tenderness when they feel a burden — without letting yourself get carried away by their sorrows. It is being able to share each other in the present, enjoying the simple pleasure of being together without any ties or obligations.

Loving a human being is being humble enough to receive their tenderness and affection without pretending not to need anything. It is joyfully accepting what they offer you, without demanding what they can’t or don’t want to give you. It is feeling gratitude towards Life for the wonder of their existence, and feeling their presence as a true blessing in your path. It is enjoying the experience of being together; knowing that each day is an uncertain adventure and tomorrow is an endless question. It is living each instant as if it were the last one you will share with each other, and making each encounter as deep and intense as the first one — turning the 'ordinary' into a new and miraculous creation.

Loving a human being is to spontaneously express your love through your glance glances, your gestures and smiles, your firm and delicate caress, your vigorous embrace, your kisses, with simple and honest words. It is letting them know how much you appreciate them for who they are, how much you appreciate their inner treasures, including the qualities that are yet unknown to them. It is seeing their latent potential, helping the sleeping seed to blossom within them. It is letting them know that their personal growth is truly important to you, and that they can count on you. It is allowing them to discover their creative talents, encouraging them to live up to their full potential. It is revealing unto them their own inner treasures, and collaborating in mutual agreement to make this life a richer and more meaningful experience.

Loving a human being is also being able to establish your own limits and to firmly sustain them. It is respecting yourself, not allowing the other to transgress what you consider your personal rights. It is having so much confidence in yourself and the other that, without fear of damaging the relationship, you can feel free to express your anger without offending them, declaring whatever bothers or intimidates you without intending to hurt their feelings. It is acknowledging and respecting their limitations, seeing them with appreciation but without idealization. It is sharing and enjoying the agreements and accepting the disagreements. And if there ever came a day in which your paths diverged unavoidably, loving another is being able to part in peace and harmony, in such a way that both can remember each other with gratitude for the treasures you once shared.

Loving a human being is moving beyond their individuality; it is perceiving and appreciating them as a sample of humanity as a whole, as an expression of Mankind, as a evident manifestation of that transcendental and intangible essence called "human being", of which you are a part. It is acknowledging through them, the indescribable miracle of human nature, which is your own nature, with all its magnificence and limitations. It is appreciating the radiant and shining facets of humanity as well as its dark sides. Loving a human being, in essence, is loving human nature for what it really is. Therefore, loving a human being is loving you, feeling proud to be a note in the symphony of this world.

Be That Friend

Have you ever felt like you were all alone? That nothing in your life seemed right and there was no light at the end of the tunnel? Those who face serious illness, financial setbacks, loss of loved ones, or even roadblocks in trying to achieve their goals and dreams often feel totally alone in their darkest hour.

Usually, I write about ways that we can help ourselves through challenges like this—like calling upon God, having faith, reframing the situation, looking for the silver lining, and basically hanging on until the light comes. But today, I’d like to talk about what you can do when you have a friend or loved one who is going through these types of challenges. How can you be there to support them and back them up?

Listen To Them
Sometimes all you need in your most challenging moments is a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. Really listen to your friend or loved one. Ask them questions to help them verbalize and think through solutions to their problems. If you listen carefully, you can often find the root of the problem. By asking the right questions and letting them talk it through, they’ll be able to discover their own solutions. One of dear friend has taught me the power of the interrogative statement. He says, “I never give advice; even if a client asks for it. This may sound stringent, but I believe that giving advice is a huge disservice to my clients. I believe that clients can find their own answers and that when they find the answer, it will be infinitely better than any advice I could have given.”

Empathize
Although you may have never experienced the exact problem your friend or loved one is experiencing, you most likely have endured something similar. Your friend may be having doubts about decisions they’ve made. Your friend may have started a business that isn’t taking off, and this could be causing a lot of stress for them. Even if you’ve never had your own business, you may still have experienced similar moments in your life where you doubted yourself, doubted your decisions, and even doubted your own self-worth. You can draw upon those feelings you had in your challenges to help your friend know that you understand the feelings and emotions that they are having. If you can’t relate to their problem at all, find someone who can, and talk to them about the feelings that are associated with this type of challenge and how they worked through it so you can better understand and support your friend.

It helps to know that you’re not alone—that there is someone out there who understands your pain, that you have a shoulder to cry on, and that the feelings you have are perfectly normal.

Give A Little Push
A friend of mine told me recently that the bigger the challenge or problem you’re pushing against in your life, the more you need someone behind you pushing you along. In other words, when you’re trying to move a heavy rock, it sure helps to have an extra set of arms and shoulders to bear the load. From your objective point of view, you may be able to see answers that your friend is too close to see. In a loving, but firm way, you can give them insights into their challenges so that they can have more options for solutions. You can give them the strength to keep on going and never give up.

One word of caution, you do need to be careful when you push people that you don’t overdo it. You can’t beat people over the head with a club to get them to see their solutions; you’ll only knock them senseless. It is always darkest before the dawn, and it is in the moment of your greatest darkness that you want to give up, lose confidence and quit. It sure helps to have a friend who gently, yet firmly gives you the nudge you need to proceed into the light.

Inspire Them
I would dare say that every challenge that we face in life could be overcome with faith. Faith that tomorrow will be a brighter day, faith that this too shall pass. Stay in contact with your struggling friend. Call them just to see how they are doing, pick them up and take them to lunch. Send them inspiring quotes, notes, or cards to give them little packets of sunlight to brighten their way. Even one small star in the night can help to light someone’s way.

Love Them Unconditionally
Love them for who they are as well as for who they can become. I think the truest friend is one who knows your potential, who sees all the great things in you, and gives you the strength, courage and vision to reach your full potential. A true friend doesn’t belittle you or love you any less for your shortcomings, but points out your strengths and helps you work to overcome your weaknesses. A true friend leaves you better than they found you.

There is nothing so rewarding as helping a friend to the light. I challenge each of us to reach out to those around us. Instead of saying, “Oh, that’s too bad” when someone has a problem, actually do something about it! Be there for them, help them, love them, inspire them and get behind that load and push. Don’t be afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing; just be there for them. As I told a friend the other day, we’re not living on an episode of Touched by an Angel here. God isn’t going to send Monica in a glow of light, but he does send friends who love us to let us know we are not alone. Be that angel to those around you, and not only will they be strengthened, but also your life will never be the same again.