Have you heard about the Starfish story? I came across it recently. Although unaware of the story per se, I have unconsciously done this all my life…. trying my bit…however small……
Here’s the story by Loren Eisley:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”

The story left me shocked..initially and then it sank in. Just like the wise man, we think high about ourselves…even narcissistic sometimes…all talk about doing good and believing in this cause , that cause … but a lot of time it is just that…mere talks- we the arm chair philosophers!

Greatness is not in having opinion, true greatness lies in doing something. Greatness lies not in talking the talk but walking the talk. Helping someone, making a difference..even if for very few. Let me leave you with this thought…how many people you think you have helped in your life and made a difference? When you think of success, I urge you to assess yourself in that matrix

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Have you heard about the Starfish story? I came across it recently. Although unaware of the story per se, I have unconsciously done this all my life…. trying my bit…however small……
Here’s the story by Loren Eisley:

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

“I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”

The story left me shocked..initially and then it sank in. Just like the wise man, we think high about ourselves…even narcissistic sometimes…all talk about doing good and believing in this cause , that cause … but a lot of time it is just that…mere talks- we the arm chair philosophers!

Greatness is not in having opinion, true greatness lies in doing something. Greatness lies not in talking the talk but walking the talk. Helping someone, making a difference..even if for very few. Let me leave you with this thought…how many people you think you have helped in your life and made a difference? When you think of success, I urge you to assess yourself in that matrix

Recently I read a review of a book called “Surviving Uncertainty” by Lane Wallace.

“Here’s an old riddle: There were five frogs on a log. Four decided to jump off. How many were left?…..Five. Because there is a difference between deciding and doing. Most people are like those frogs. When the time comes to take a big step, they never quite get from deciding to doing. Something always seems to hold them back. If it’s time for your big step and you need a push, this book will give you all the stimulus you need. It will invigorate your intentions and translate them to action.”

Name of the reviewer is Mark L. Feldman, Author, Five Frogs on a Log: A CEO’s Field Guide to Mergers, Acquisitions and Gut Wrenching Change.

In these recessionary times, the advice make sense. Now is the time to take that leap, take the action you have been planning on for years, don’t put it off any further…kind of the Nike tag line-”Just do it“.

So, consider this blog post as a call to action, time to welcome some dissonance in life, getting out of that comfort zone and taking the big leap…once again wishing you a Happy New Year!!!

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Recently I read a review of a book called “Surviving Uncertainty by Lane Wallace.

“Here’s an old riddle: There were five frogs on a log. Four decided to jump off. How many were left?…..Five. Because there is a difference between deciding and doing. Most people are like those frogs. When the time comes to take a big step, they never quite get from deciding to doing. Something always seems to hold them back. If it’s time for your big step and you need a push, this book will give you all the stimulus you need. It will invigorate your intentions and translate them to action.”

Name of the reviewer is Mark L. Feldman, Author, Five Frogs on a Log: A CEO’s Field Guide to Mergers, Acquisitions and Gut Wrenching Change.

In these recessionary times, the advice make sense. Now is the time to take that leap, take the action you have been planning on for years, don’t put it off any further…kind of the Nike tag line-”Just do it“.

So, consider this blog post as a call to action, time to welcome some dissonance in life, getting out of that comfort zone and taking the big leap…once again wishing you a Happy New Year!!!

This is from an unknown author, stumbled across it somewhere and immediately found it resonating with my life and my work.

“Eternal God, who can make all things new, we humbly bring before you the record of our lives in the year now ended.

Where life has been good to us, do not let us take more of the credit than we deserve.

Where we have been good to others, help us to forget all thoughts of honor and reward.

Where we have fallen short, forgive us, and free us from brooding over what is past.
Cleanse us by your mercy, guide us by your truth, fill us with your love, and lead us forward in your all-conquering hope

All this we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen”

Happy New Year dear reader, I wish you a wonderful year ahead!!!

>
This is from an unknown author, stumbled across it somewhere and immediately found it resonating with my life and my work.

“Eternal God, who can make all things new, we humbly bring before you the record of our lives in the year now ended.

Where life has been good to us, do not let us take more of the credit than we deserve.

Where we have been good to others, help us to forget all thoughts of honor and reward.

Where we have fallen short, forgive us, and free us from brooding over what is past.
Cleanse us by your mercy, guide us by your truth, fill us with your love, and lead us forward in your all-conquering hope

All this we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen”

Happy New Year dear reader, I wish you a wonderful year ahead!!!

Stumbled across the following poem on teacher, which the poet compares to a force of nature.

“A teacher is like Spring,
Who nurtures new green sprouts,
Encourages and leads them,
Whenever they have doubts.

A teacher is like Summer,
Whose sunny temperament
Makes studying a pleasure,
Preventing discontent.

A teacher is like Fall,
With methods crisp and clear,
Lessons of bright colors
And a happy atmosphere.

A teacher is like Winter,
While it’s snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable,
As a warm and helpful guide.

Teacher, you do all these things,
With a pleasant attitude;
You’re a teacher for all seasons,
And you have my gratitude!

By Joanna Fuchs “

I have been both a student and a teacher, and yes some time I do get praised by my students, and I realize this happens when I pour my heart into it, when I start talking passionately about the subject…teaching could really be a joy..if you love the subject

>
Stumbled across the following poem on teacher, which the poet compares to a force of nature.

“A teacher is like Spring,
Who nurtures new green sprouts,
Encourages and leads them,
Whenever they have doubts.

A teacher is like Summer,
Whose sunny temperament
Makes studying a pleasure,
Preventing discontent.

A teacher is like Fall,
With methods crisp and clear,
Lessons of bright colors
And a happy atmosphere.

A teacher is like Winter,
While it’s snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable,
As a warm and helpful guide.

Teacher, you do all these things,
With a pleasant attitude;
You’re a teacher for all seasons,
And you have my gratitude!

By Joanna Fuchs “

I have been both a student and a teacher, and yes some time I do get praised by my students, and I realize this happens when I pour my heart into it, when I start talking passionately about the subject…teaching could really be a joy..if you love the subject

I had the opportunity to watch the legendary ghazal singer Jagjeet Singh live last weekend. He performed back to back in Oakland , California followed by Vancouver , BC. The guy is getting older and I had low expectation on his vocal quality as I headed to the theater. Upon entering the theater, I heard his all so familiar voice introducing his other team members..could not catch their names. What followed really seemed like an out of world experience. He just immersed himself into the music and seemed like he was thoroughly enjoying himself as he explained the nuances of the urdu lyrics …(Kaha Maikhane Ka Darwaaza Gaalib, Aur Kaha Waaiz…written by Mirza Ghalib, I would never have known what waaiz means..a tea-totaller ).

The soulful rendition coming straight from his heart, created such a surreal atmosphere…I felt I could have sat there the whole night ( ..darn the manic Mondays!). His team was equally good, the jugalbandhi between the violinist and the flute player was simply mind blowing. There is something about live music, no matter if you had a Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound stereo (or now a 7.1) , it just isn’t the same. May be it is the emotion that the singer is able to weave or the connection he is able to make with his audience( more so when it happens to be a legend like Jagjeet Singh), or just the cheering crowd, there is something about it that the home stereo player can never match.

I have watched Ghulam Ali perform also when he came to San Francisco couple of years ago, and I am a big fan of him too…but seemed like Jagjeet was better able to convey the underlying emotions of the ghajals ( and I realize in big scheme of things Mehdi Hasan and Ghulam Ali are probably a notch higher than Jagjeet). I understand Jagjeet had a personal setback ( his teenage son died in a road accident) and probably that is where all that “dard” is coming from. I was pleasantly surprised when it became apparent his age ( at 68) has had not even an iota of impact on his voice. A testimony to what practice (riyaaz) can do . I went there as much to celebrate his success, as to hear him, and I am glad , I learnt a thing or two about passion, persistence, perseverance, hard work and how this all results into enduring success!

>
I had the opportunity to watch the legendary ghazal singer Jagjeet Singh live last weekend. He performed back to back in Oakland , California followed by Vancouver , BC. The guy is getting older and I had low expectation on his vocal quality as I headed to the theater. Upon entering the theater, I heard his all so familiar voice introducing his other team members..could not catch their names. What followed really seemed like an out of world experience. He just immersed himself into the music and seemed like he was thoroughly enjoying himself as he explained the nuances of the urdu lyrics …(Kaha Maikhane Ka Darwaaza Gaalib, Aur Kaha Waaiz…written by Mirza Ghalib, I would never have known what waaiz means..a tea-totaller ).

The soulful rendition coming straight from his heart, created such a surreal atmosphere…I felt I could have sat there the whole night ( ..darn the manic Mondays!). His team was equally good, the jugalbandhi between the violinist and the flute player was simply mind blowing. There is something about live music, no matter if you had a Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound stereo (or now a 7.1) , it just isn’t the same. May be it is the emotion that the singer is able to weave or the connection he is able to make with his audience( more so when it happens to be a legend like Jagjeet Singh), or just the cheering crowd, there is something about it that the home stereo player can never match.

I have watched Ghulam Ali perform also when he came to San Francisco couple of years ago, and I am a big fan of him too…but seemed like Jagjeet was better able to convey the underlying emotions of the ghajals ( and I realize in big scheme of things Mehdi Hasan and Ghulam Ali are probably a notch higher than Jagjeet). I understand Jagjeet had a personal setback ( his teenage son died in a road accident) and probably that is where all that “dard” is coming from. I was pleasantly surprised when it became apparent his age ( at 68) has had not even an iota of impact on his voice. A testimony to what practice (riyaaz) can do . I went there as much to celebrate his success, as to hear him, and I am glad , I learnt a thing or two about passion, persistence, perseverance, hard work and how this all results into enduring success!