The Greedy and The Generous

A devotee was having a conversation with God one day and said. 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.

God led the her to two doors. God opened one of the doors and she looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious. The people sitting around the table were, however, thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The devotee shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. God said, 'You have seen Hell.

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the devotee's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. She said, 'I don't understand.' 'It is simple,' said God. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

It's a Strawberry Leopard of course!

What is a Strawberry Leopard?

Learn more about this rare genetic mutant leopard that makes is stand apart from the other leopards. Its one-of-a-kind animal's survival is threatened by poaching. Click this link to see a rare photo of this creature on National Geographic.

Check out also National Geographics Big Cat Initiative.

Top Ten Ways To Build Credibility On The Internet

#10 - Be visible. Upload an author photo that's an actual photo of you.

#9 - Be real. Use your real first and last name for your author or pen name.

#8 - Be accessible. Use social media channels to network and build relationships.

#7 - Be consistent. Match names, photos, etc. to ensure your audience doesn't get confused.

#6 - Be innovative. Tie in your brand with relevant products.

#5 - Be ethical and transparent. Show people who you really are.

#4 - Be an expert. Target a niche you have experience in.

#3 - Be active. Regularly update your websites and social media channels to stay fresh and current.

#2 - Be professional. Use proper English and be polite.

#1 - Be valuable. Provide high-quality, valuable content to your readers and customers.

Butterflyfish

Butterflyfish is a species of reef fishes that adorn the reef marine scape with amazing diversity. Check out the links below to see more species of this gorgeous fishes. The image here was taken from a snapshot of National Geographics site that featured a short article about this species that inspired me to look for more links to images of butterflyfish.

What are butterfl fish? Find out a summary of this species of marine fish from National Geographic.

Butterflyfish are popular fish in the Marine aquarium industry. Here are links to some of the Marine aquarium sites with images of different species of this fascinating fish.

• Aquacon.com

• Liveaquaria.com

Reflection on Indian Democracy by V Mitchell, New York, NY

It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighbor-hood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.

Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.

The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have come to live; where the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.

Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.

— V Mitchell, New York, NY

A Personal Account of Yogaswami by the former Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

Who Is Yogaswami?
Yogaswami was perhaps the greatest saint from Sri Lanka in modern times. The essence of his teaching was "Siva Thondu and Siva Dhiyanam" which translates as service to God through serving humanity, and Meditation on God through self-inquiry and self-realization.

Through his life, Yogaswami transformed many people's lives around the world. In 2009, I had the privilege of meeting a Yogaswami devotee who was a former Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

By Rishi Thondunathan

In 2007, my dear friend and Yogaswami devotee, Dr. Indra Sivayoham in London, told me that a former Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka was now living in Toronto, Canada. She also mentioned that the High Commissioner had written a book in which he had dedicated a chapter to Yogaswami.

We made several attempts through Dr. Sivayoham’s brother, Dr. Sriskandarajah who lives in Canada, to locate the High Commissioner and arrange a meeting. Two years later, on June 30, 2009 our meeting with the former High Commissioner, Dr. James George took place. Dr. & Mrs. Sriskandarajah accompanied me on the visit to Dr. George. When we arrived at Dr.George’s home that evening I received a very warm welcome from Dr. George and his wife, Barbara. Mrs. George most graciously served tea and we began our conversation.

Dr. George was the Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka from 1960 - 1964. One of Yogaswami’s devotees, Sandaswami, also known as Soulburyswami, was the son of the last British Governor of Sri Lanka, Lord Soulbury. Lord Soulbury’s other son, Peter, also a diplomat, was the person who introduced Dr. George to Yogaswami.

Dr. George says of his first meeting with Yogaswami; “I knocked quietly on the door to his modest thatched hut in Jaffna and a voice from within roared, ‘Is that the Canadian High Commissioner?’ I opened the door to find him seated crosslegged on the floor - an erect, commanding presence, clad in a white robe, with a generous topping of white hair and long white beard. Well Swami, I began, that is just what I do, not what I am. ‘Then come and sit with me’, he laughed uproariously. I felt bonded with him from that moment. He helped me to go deeper towards the discovery of who I am, and to identify less with the role I played.”

During Dr. George’s four-year stay in Sri Lanka, he visited Yogaswami a dozen times. On one occassion Dr. George began his conversation with Yogaswami... “Swami, I think...” ‘already wrong!’...Yogaswami thundered.” And my mind again went into the non-conceptual state he was such a master at invoking, clearing the way for being.”

I asked Dr. George if he would like to pay tribute to Yogaswami and the followoing was his response:

“I’m very glad to have my turn to pay tribute to Yogaswami. I think of him as one of the greatest spiritual pioneers of my lifetime, and in a broader sense, the catalyst for the gradual coming together of Eastern and Western spirituality. Because, what he was able to do was not only talk to me about the “Gospel According to St. John” and quote “in the beginning was the word” which is how the Gospel begins, and of course as a Christian, that was how I was brought up - but he was able to take me from that all the way to the question of “Who Are You? - you think you are the Canadian High Commissioner - nonsense - that’s not who you are - that’s what you do”! Then the vigor with which he would impress that so it wasn’t just a mental idea, it was an experience - an experience from his presence to my presence. Now, as we’re trying to remember and speak about him, he is here in that presence because that energy is birthless and deathless. That is the energy that the world needs if it is to chart a course away from the destruction it seems to be heading for currently. And, I think the change, the great “turning” its been called, the change of course is coming, and Yogaswami, even so long ago, had a hand in making that turn possible. That shift of consciousness - both in the East and the West.”

After this Dr.George gave me an autographed copy of his book, “Asking for the Earth”- Waking Up to the Spiritual/Ecological Crisis. In this book he has a chapter explaining his meetings with Yogaswami. The following is one excerpt from the book:

“The Tamils of Sri Lanka called Yogaswami “the Sage of Jaffna”. His thousands of devotees, including many Singhalese Buddhists and Christians, called him a saint. Some of those closest to him referred to him as the “Old Lion” for he could be very fierce and unpredictable, chasing away unwelcome supplicants with a stick.”

After two hours of a very warm, spiritual conversation, when Dr. George and I said good-by to each other, in my mind I thought... though Yogaswami lived in a simple, thatched hut in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, he made a global spiritual impact on many levels of humanity.

PS: Dr. James George served in many capacities - as a diplomat, a naval historian, an environmentalist and author - in some of the world’s most interesting countries. Among other dignitaries, the Dalai Lama calls him “my old friend”. The author of two books: The “Little Green Book on Awakening”; and “Asking for the Earth” (chapter on Yogaswami) are available through Amazon Books and this email geojam6@gmail.com I highly recommend these books.

Wisdom From The Dying

A friend sent me this article that appeared on Guardian.co.uk . It is about the top 5 regrets that people on their death bed have. Check out the blog Inspiration and Chai too, the link is below. Very touching.

There was no mention of more sex or bungee jumps. A palliative nurse who has counselled the dying in their last days has revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. And among the top, from men in particular, is 'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'.

Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that she put her observations into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives, and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently," she says, "common themes surfaced again and again."

Here are the top five regrets of the dying, as witnessed by Ware:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

"This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it."

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying."

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again."

What's your greatest regret so far, and what will you set out to achieve or change before you die?

-guardian.co.uk

ARE YOU A MEDIC OR NOT?

Rearrange the letters below to spell out an important part of the human body; which is even more useful when erect. P N E S I                           The Two People who wrote SPINE became doctors........... The Rest are all my friends.........

LAST WILL FROM HUSBAND TO WIFE

Last night my wife and I were sitting in the living room, talking about life... In-between, we talked about the idea of living or dying.

I said to her:

'Dear, never let me live in a vegetative state, totally dependent on machines and liquids from a bottle. If you see me in that state I want you to disconnect all the contraptions that are keeping me alive, I'd much rather die'.

Then my wife got up from the sofa with this real look of admiration towards me... and proceeded to disconnect the TV, the DSTV, the Dish, the DVD, the Computer, the Cell Phone, the iPod, and the Xbox, and then went to the fridge and threw away all my beer!!

I ALMOST DIED!!

Obama and Wife ( Probably fiction )

One night President Obama and his wife Michelle decided to do something out of routine and go for a casual dinner at a restaurant that wasn't too luxurious.

When they were seated, the owner of the restaurant asked the President's secret service if he could please speak to the First Lady in private.

They obliged and Michelle had a conversation with the owner. Following this conversation President Obama asked  Michelle, why was he so interested in talking to you.

She mentioned that in her teenage years, he had been madly in love with her.

President Obama then said, "so if you had married him, you would now be the owner of this lovely restaurant", to which Michelle responded, ...........

no, if I had married him, he would now be the President."

Important Information for Vegetarians

An article on the side effects on eating an unbalanced vegetarian diet appeared recently on National Geographic. The article recognizes that vegetarianism is a very healthy diet choice but it emphasizes that vegetarians must "pay attention to nutritional requirements and follow a balanced eating plan." It goes on to reveal a food pyramid created by the Mayo Clinic and explains nutritional deficiencies that vegetarians should be aware of such as B-12 deficiency, iron deficiency etc. and how to avoid them.

Click Here to read Side Effects of Becoming a Vegetarian on National Geographic's site.

Monk Against Mining the Ganga

The simple activity of mining for sand and stones from riverbeds can have far reaching and disastrous effects for communities living around a river. I always wondered how this happens and this article on National Geographic that highlights a swami's prolonged struggle against mining Ganga's riverbed explains it. Basically when the river is deepened from the mining the depth of the water table under ground also deepens making water less accessible to plants and bore wells. It can cause water shortage and crop failure, even deserts in the surrounding area of the river.

Click Here to read this Article: A Swami's Hunger Strike Ends Mining On A Stretch Of The Ganges River on National Geographic.

Pilgrimage Overload in Amarnath

India is the second most populated place in the world. It is also unfortunately very polluted in its large cities. It is of concern to see how pollution created by humans is now stressing India's ancient pilgrimage sites. This article on National Geographic links the problem not only on the need to control the number of pilgrims who can go to places like Amarnath every year but also highlights to me one of India's biggest problems, which is general civil disrespect of the environment by both Indian public and government. I would expect that Hindus who believe in the concept of Bhumidevi as a deity would at least understand that leaving garbage, especially the un-biodegradable ones is part of caring for Bhumidevi. Yet both pilgrims and government more often than not give a blind-eye to such issues. It is unfortunately considered mundane and unimportant to the economic development of India. What a shame!

Please read this article on National Geographic and get involved in environmental issues. They are imperative to the survival and quality of life for future generations.

Click Here to read: Massive Hindu Pilgrimage Melting Sacred Glacier

National Geographics & Dr. Spencer Wells Genographic Project

Are you interested in the earliest orgins of your particular ancestor. Who they might have been 10,000 or even 100,000 years ago, how they migrated on foot around the world, then this project of a lifetime is yours. For about US 99 you can get a comprehensive analysis of either your mitochondrial or Y chromosome DNA, that will tell the story of your descendants and your origins. If you are interested do check out National Geographics page for more information and how to participate in this historic undertaking. Click here to go to The Genographic Project webpage.

Temple discovery reveals clues of Indonesia's past

Archaeologists in Indonesia have uncovered a 1,000-year-old temple that could shed light on the country's Hindu past.

The intricately carved statues and reliefs are some of the best preserved in Indonesia, but the dig is being conducted under tight security to protect the site from well-organised relic thieves.

The temple was found on the grounds of Yogyakarta's Islamic University as workers probed the ground to lay foundations for a new library, and they realised the earth beneath their feet was not stable.....Click here to continue reading this article on ABC News Website

A Controversy About Devotion

A 'devotee' wrote a letter to the editor of an indian newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to the Temple . 'I've gone for 30 years now, he wrote, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 mantras.

But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the Gurus are wasting theirs by giving services at all.

This started a real controversy in the 'Letters to the Editor' column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals.

But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.

If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to the Temple for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!

When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! 

An Award Winning Joke

A Chinese walks into a bar in America late one night and he saw Steven
Spielberg. As he was a great fan of his movies, he rushes over to him,
and asks for his autograph.

Instead, Spielberg gives him a slap and says, "You Chinese people bombed
our Pearl Habour, get outta here."

The astonished Chinese man replied, "It was not the Chinese who bombed
your Pearl Harbour, it was the Japanese".

"Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, you're all the same," replied Spielberg.

In return, the Chinese gives Spielberg a slap and says, "You sank the
Titanic, my forefathers were on that ship."

Shocked, Spielberg replies, "It was the iceberg that sank the ship, not
me."

The Chinese replies, "Iceberg, Spielberg, Carlsberg, you're all the
same."

This particular joke won an award for the best joke in a competition
organized in Britain

The Business of the Global '2 Cows'

SOCIALISM :You have 2 cows, so you give one to your neighbour.

COMMUNISM :You have 2 cows. The State takes both and gives you some milk.

FASCISM : You have 2 cows.. The State takes both and sells you some milk.

NAZISM : You have 2 cows. The State takes both and shoots you.

TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM :You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull. Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows. You sell them and retire on the income.

MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT LINKED    CORPORATION : You have two cows. You employ mainly bumiputras to milk them. But both cows have been sent to the kenduri, so the State gives you more cows and write off the
losses of the first two. After several kenduris later, you invite an American or German Corporation to turnaround the losses. The Japanese have however already taken their two original cows back home to Japan .

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION :You have two cows. You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.Later, you hire a consultant to analyse why the cow has dropped dead.

ENRON VENTURE CAPITALISM :You have two cows. You sell three of them to your publicly listed company, using letters
of credit opened by your brother-in-law at the bank, then execute a debt/equity swap with an associated general offer so that you get all four cows back, with a tax exemption for five cows. The milk rights of the six cows are transferred via an intermediary to a Cayman Island Company secretly owned by the majority shareholder who sells the rights to all seven cows back to your listed company. The annual report says the company owns eight cows, with an option on one more. Sell one cow to buy a new president of the United States , leaving you with nine cows. No balance sheet provided with the release. The public buys your bull, too.

A FRENCH CORPORATION! : You have two cows. You go on strike, organise a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION :You have two cows. You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk. You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION :You have two cows. You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION :You have two cows, but you don't know where they are. You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION :You have two cows. You count them and learn you have five cows. You count them again and learn yo! u have 42 cows. You count them again and learn you have 2 cows. You stop counting cows because you're
sobering up and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION :You have 5,000 cows. None of them belong to you. You charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINA CORPORATION :You have two cows. You have 300 people milking them. You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity, and arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION :You have two cows. You worship them

A BRITISH CORPORATION :You have two cows. Both are mad. 

Trivia

  
In the 1400's a law was set forth in England that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb.
Hence we have 'the rule of thumb'
 ------------ 
 Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented.
It was ruled 'Gentlemen Only...Ladies Forbidden'.. . and thus, the word GOLF entered into the English language. 
------------ 
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV was Fred and Wilma Flintstone 
------------ 

Coca-Cola was originally green.
 ------------ 
 It is impossible to lick your elbow. 
------------
 
The cost of raising a medium-size dog
to the age of eleven:
£ 10,120.00 
------------ 
The first novel ever
written on a typewriter, Tom Sawyer.
 ------------ 
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents
a great king from history: 
Spades - King David

Hearts - Charlemagne

Clubs -Alexander, the Great

Diamonds - Julius Caesar 
------------ 
111,111,111 x
111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987, 654,321 
------------ 
If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle.
If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died because of wounds received in battle.
If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died
of natural causes 
------------ 

Q.. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'? 
A. One thousand 
------------ 
Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers have in common?

A. All were invented by women.
 ------------ 
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?

A. Honey 
------------
 In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened,
making the bed firmer to sleep on.
Hence the phrase...'Goodnight , sleep tight' 
------------ 
It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon. 
------------ 
 In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts....
So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down. It's where we get the phrase:                               'mind your P's and Q's' 
------------ 
Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle'
is the phrase inspired by this practice. 

------------ 
At least 75% of people who read this will try to
lick their elbow!
 
------------ 
Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not,
you can read it. 

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the
first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a
taotl mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. This
is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by

istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? 
 ------------
 
YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2011 when...
 
1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave. 

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
 
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family
of  three.
 4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you. 
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your mobile phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries... 
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom
of the screen

8. Leaving the house without your mobile phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it 
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting
your coffee
 11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : ) 
12 You're reading this and nodding and laughing. 
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
 14. You are too busy to notice there was no 9 on this list. 
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't
a 9 on this list 

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ 

NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

Go on, forward this to your friends.
You know you want to!

And stop trying to lick your elbow! 

How do you write 4 in between 5?

F(IV)E