SETU November 1, 2011 no.17if you want to get ahead be a bridge Synergy*Excellence*Transformation*Unlearning Dear Readers, SETU Wishes you peace and happy Holidays with your Loved ones, we leave you with Some illuminating thoughts... Let the brightness of Diwali illuminate our minds and warm our hearts so that we may spread brightness and cheer this festive season and always If you want to get ahead be a bridge Page 1
Spreading Goodness One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... 'Love the people who treat you right.. Pray for the ones who don't.' Life is ten per cent what you make it and ninety per cent how you take it. Author unknown If you want to get ahead be a bridge Page 2
Being Thankful Diwali is a time to wish for prosperity. Prosperity means health, wealth, every happiness. A rich man craves more money and is thus miserable. A powerful man craves more power and is therefore miserable. A satiated man is a happy man for he is a thankful man.prosperity is a quality of the mind. Be Thankful Be thankful that you don t already have everything that you desire If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful that you don t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations. Because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge, Because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you are tired and weary, Because it means you made an effort. It s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment also comes to those who are also thankful for setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, And they can become your blessings. Author Unknown. If you want to get ahead be a bridge Page 3
Imparting ValueThe Touch of the Master's Hand It was battered and scarred, And the auctioneer thought it Hardly worth his while To waste his time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile. "What am I bid, good people", he cried, "Who starts the bidding for me?" "One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?" "Two dollars, who makes it three?" "Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three", But, No, From the room far back a grey haired man Came forward and picked up the bow, Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings, He played a melody, pure and sweet, As sweet as the angel sings. As he held it aloft with its' bow. The audience cheered, But some of them cried, "We just don't understand." "What changed its' worth?" Swift came the reply. "The Touch of the Masters Hand." And many a man with life out of tune, All battered with bourbon and gin, Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd Much like that old violin. A mess of pottage, a glass of wine, A game and he travels on. He is going once, he is going twice, He is going and almost gone. But the Master comes, And the foolish crowd never can quite understand, The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought By the Touch of the Master's Hand. "One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?" "Two thousand, Who makes it three?" "Three thousand once, three thousand twice, Going and gone", said he. The Master's Hand" was written by Myra Brooks Welch If you want to get ahead be a bridge Page 4
Valuing our work A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in ten-digits (phone numbers). The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation: Boy: Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn? Woman: (at the other end of the phone line): I already have someone to cut my lawn. Boy: Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now. Woman: I m very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn. Boy: (with more perseverance): I ll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach, Florida. Woman: No, thank you. With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy. Store Owner: Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job. Boy: No thanks. Store Owner: But you were really pleading for one. Boy: No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to!' This is what we call Self-Appraisal in the rat race...author unknown SETU is a monthly electronic publication of SIBM, Pune previously published as SIBM POLICY NOTES. SETU is published by Director, SIBM, Pune distributed by SIBM, Pune free of cost to corporate patrons with a view to share knowledge and perspectives only. Due care has been taken to ensure that the information published herein is correct and to mention sources of information. The editorial team and publishers take no responsibility for any damage resulting from inadvertent omission or inaccuracy in the publication. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of SIBM, Pune. Website: www.sibm.edu email: sibmsetu@sibm.edu.credits for this issue Dr. Amita Shiroor. SETU team: Ms. Shilpa Ravalallu, Mrs. Saee Gokhale, Mr. Nilesh Kadam. If you want to get ahead be a bridge Page 5