When Buddha Smiled...

Buddha, one day, was on deep thought about the worldly activitiesand the ways of instilling goodness in human. The following is the textof conversation between him and his disciple. One of hisdisciples approached him and said humbly " Oh my teacher ! While youare so much concerned about the world and others, why don't you look into the welfare and needs of your own disciples also." Budhha : "OK.. Tell me how I can help you" Disciple : "Master! My attire is worn out and is beyond the decency to wear the same. Can I get a new one, please." Buddhafound the robe indeed was in a bad condition which needed replacement.He asked the store keeper to give the disciple a new robe to wear on.The disciple thanked Buddha and retired to his room. Though he met his disciple's requirement, Buddha was not all thatcontended on his decision. He realised he missed out some point. Awhile after, he realised what he should have asked the disciple. He went to his disciple's place and asked him "Is your new attire comfortable? Do you need anything more ?" Disciple : "Thank you my Master. The attire is indeed very comfortable. I need nothing more" Buddha : "Having got the new one, what did you do with your old attire?" Disciple : "I am using it as my bed spread" Buddha "Then.. hope you have disposed off your old bed spread" Disciple " No.. no.. master. I am using my old bedspread as my window curtain" Buddha " What about your old Curtain?" Disciple "Being used to handle hot utensils in the kitchen" Buddha : "Oh.. I see.. Can you tell me what did they do with the old cloth they used in Kitchen" Disciple : "They are being used to wash the floor." Buddha " " Then, the old rug being used to wash the floor...???" Disciple " Master, since they were torn off so much, we could notfind any better use, but to use as a twig in the oil lamp, which isright now lit in your study room...." BUDDHA SMILED IN CONTENTMENT AND LEFT FOR HIS ROOM.

The Maths Teacher...

Touching Story [A Bit Long but Worth Reading]

One day Maths teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment,and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in "Kargil" war and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student. She had never attended Funeral of a serviceman before. He looked so handsome, so mature.

The place was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk. The teacher was the last one to bless .

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pall bearer came up to her. "Were you Sanjay's math teacher?" he asked. She nodded: "yes."Then he said: "Sanjay talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Sanjay's former classmates were there. Sanjay's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket "They found this on Sanjay when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the bill fold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of note bookpaper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times.The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Sanjay's classmates had said about him.

"Thank you so much for doing that," Sanjay's mother said. "As you can see, Sanjay treasured it."

All of Sanjay's former classmates started to gather around. Arjun smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."

Prithwiraj's wife said, " Prithwiraj asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Rashmi said. "It's in my diary"

Then Deepali, another classmate, reached into her pocket book, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Deepali said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists"

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Sanjay and for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

And One Way To Accomplish This Is: Forward this message and pass it on and take this wonderful opportunity to do something nice and beautiful.


FROM: Girish Deshpande

Why The Elephants Don't Run

Why The Elephants Don't Run
By Jim Donovan

A number of years ago, I had the rather unique experience of being backstage in Madison Square Garden, in New York, during the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. To say the least, it was a fascinating experience. I was able to walk around looking at the lions, tigers, giraffes and all the other circus animals. As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at any time, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They think the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."
I was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they could not, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? How many of us are being held back by old, outdated beliefs that no longer serve us? Have you avoided trying something new because of a limiting belief? Worse, how many of us are being held back by someone else's limiting beliefs? Do you tell yourself you can't sell because you're not a salesperson?

Particularly in starting or running a business, we are cautioned not to take risks, usually by well intentioned friends and family. How many of us have heard, "You can't do that?" These are the dream stealers who, due to their own limiting beliefs, will attempt to discourage you from living your dreams. You must ignore them at all cost! I am not suggesting that you should not seek advice from qualified individuals and mentors, but that you avoid like the plague, being swayed by the limiting beliefs of others, especially people who are not in their own business.

Challenge your own limiting beliefs by questioning them. If you begin to question a belief, you automatically weaken it. The more you question your limiting beliefs, the more they are weakened. It's like kicking the legs out from under a stool. Once you weaken one leg, the stool begins to lose its balance and fall. Think back to a time when you "sold" someone on yourself. We are selling all the time. You have to sell your ideas to your spouse, your children, and your employees - even your banker. Maybe, as a child, you sold Girl Scout cookies or magazine subscriptions to raise money for your school team. That was selling too!

Once you realize you are, in fact, a capable salesperson, you have weakened that old belief and began to replace it with a new, empowering one. Look for references to support the new beliefs you want to cultivate. As in the example of the stool, you want to reinforce your beliefs by adding more and more "legs" to them. Find people who have accomplished what you want to accomplish, discover what they did and model their behavior. Remember back to times in your past when you were successful and use that experience to propel yourself forward. If your challenge is in sales, read sales books and listen to tapes or attend sales seminars. This is a critical area of your business. One that cannot be undermined by limiting beliefs.

There is a technique called "fake it until you make it" that works well. I am not suggesting you live in denial, just that you begin to see yourself succeeding. Visualize your successes. See yourself vividly in your minds eye making the sale and reaching your goals. Affirm, over and over, that you are succeeding.

Write your affirmations daily. Of course, make sure you take the appropriate action. As it says in the Bible, "Faith without works is dead."

Remember that your subconscious mind does not know the difference between real and imaginary. Before you go on a sales call, take a moment and mentally rehearse the scene, just like actors and athletes do. Tell yourself, "I'm a great salesperson." Do this over and over, especially just before a sales call. See the sale being made. See and feel the success. You will be pleasantly amazed at the result. Don't take my word for it. Give it a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It has been said throughout history that what ever you believe, with conviction, you can achieve. Don't be like the poor elephant and go through your life stuck because of a limiting belief you were given or developed years ago. Take charge of your life and live it to the fullest. You deserve the best!

THE POWER OF BREAKING FREE

THE POWER OF BREAKING FREE
by Michael T. Smith

When my son, Justin, was four, he found a caterpillar and put it in a jar.

Each day he fed it fresh grass and leaves. In a few weeks the caterpillar was fat and ready to sleep. One morning we discovered the caterpillar wrapped in a cocoon. It hung from the top of the jar, an example of one of nature's wonders.

Justin was excited. To him, it was like Christmas. He knew a moth or butterfly was about to be born, but he didn't know what kind. He was curious to know what gift nature was about to give him.

"Dad!" he ran to me one day. "Something's happening. Come see!"

He led me to his room. The cocoon had become translucent. We could clearly see the wings of the unborn. A few days later, a beautiful black moth broke free from its silky cage and began to lay eggs on the blades of grass in the jar, completing the life cycle of the little caterpillar.

The next day, I convinced my young son it was time to set the moth free. He took it outside, opened the jar, and the little moth flew out. It circled the yard twice, came back, and landed on Justin's arm. He picked up, tossed it in the air, and the moth repeated its flight pattern. He tried over and over to set it free, but each time it would return to his arm.

Justin gave up. He returned his little pet to the jar. The next day he attempted to set it free again, and after a few return flights to his arm, the moth finally flew off into the tall grass.

Like a person, I believe the moth was afraid to leave what was comfortable. It wanted to stay with something familiar, scared to move on and experience new things.

I was once that little moth. My cocoon was my mother's love. I was comfortable wrapped in it. Like the moth, I didn't want to fly too far from it. My first job required me to move to a new city. I resisted. I was afraid. What would I find there? I liked where I was.

Many times in my life, I have faced a move and resisted. Humans are creatures of habit. We resist change. However, if I hadn't moved, I would not have experienced many new and wonderful things. I also would not have met many of my friends.

The moves have been between cites, provinces, states, and even countries. Each move gave me the opportunity to learn and experience, but best of all, I met friends. I hated leaving my old friends behind, but when I think about it, I didn't lose them.

They're still my friends. I talk to them regularly. However, I have even more friends now.

I'm glad I found my wings, because I met you, my friend.

A Violinist in the Metro

A Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin;it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist.Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over,no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people.

The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour:
Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?


FROM: Corinne Rodrigues

THE PAINTING ON THE WALL

THE PAINTING ON THE WALL There was a king who was a great admirer of art. He encouraged artists from all over his country and gave them valuable gifts. One day an artist came and said to the king, "Oh King! Give me a blank wall in your palace and let me paint a picture on it. It will be more beautiful than anything you have ever seen before. I promise you shall not be disappointed." Now,the king happened to be constructing a big hall at the rear end of the palace. So he said, "Alright you may work on one of the walls in the new hall." So the artist was given the job and he was very pleased indeed. Just then, another young man said, "Oh King! Please allow me to work on the opposite wall. I too am an artist." The king said, "What would you like to make?" The man said, "My Lord, I shall make exactly what that man will make on the opposite wall. Moreover, I shall do so,without looking at his work. I would even request you to have a thick curtain put up between the two walls so that either of us can not seethe other." Now, that was a tall statement. Everyone in the king's court, including the king and the first artist were intrigued. But the king loved surprise sand he decided to give the young fellow a chance. The following day a thick curtain was put into place and both the artists got to work. The first artist brought in a regular supply of paint, oil, water etc. The second one would some with a cloth and a bucket of water every day. After a month the first artist told the king that his work was complete and he would like to show it to the king. The king sent for the second artist and asked him, "Young man, when would your work be ready? I am coming to see the first wall this evening." The man said, "My Lord, my wall is ready too!" The king went to see the first artist's wall. He was very, very impressed with the painting and gave a hefty sum as a reward to the artist. He then asked for the curtain to be opened up. Lo and behold! The same painting was to be seen on the opposite wall too! Amazing! But true! Each line, each minor detail was exactly as it was on the first wall. But this man had not been seeing what was going on, on the other side of the curtain. So how had he done it? The king wanted to know the secret. He gave a double reward to the fellow. Then he said, "Young man, I am indeed very happy with your work. But you must tell me; how did you do it?" The lad said simply, "It's very easy! I just polished the wall every day!" It was a wall made of white marble! The fellow polished it till it shone like a mirror. The reflection of the painting across the room, showed up in it! That is what it means to polish your self. For when we polish our hearts and souls we see God's reflection within. It is said that the world is a reflection of you. Whatever you are, the world will seem to be that too. If you are happy, the world will look to be happy. If you are sad; jealous; dejected; angry; restless ... that is what the world will seem to be to you!

THE DAYS IN BETWEEN

THE DAYS IN BETWEEN

By Bob Perks © 2007

Sometimes I need to see my life differently. Like stepping outside it and seeing it from a different angle. Maybe walking around it, underneath it or climbing on top.

Better yet, through the eyes of a child. There is nothing complex about what I am about to share with you. In fact, the beauty of it lies in the simplicity.

I was talking to a friend about all the things I've been going through lately. We were sitting at a table in an open coffee shop located in the center of a mall.

I love coffee and I love conversation.

Just as we began speaking a woman with two teenage girls took the table just behind us. They were rowdy and unsettled as they were talking about all the shopping they were doing. Mom reminded them to sit quietly while she placed their order at the counter.

Remarkably, they quieted down immediately.

"All I want to do is to get through it," I said as we continued our chat.

"I know what you mean," my friend replied.

Then I said, "When I look back over my life all I see is me dealing with a problem and sooner or later another one pops up."

Without hesitation I heard, "What about all the days in between?"

I looked at my friend and he shook his head as he said, "I didn't say that."

"I did!" a young voice replied.

Then from behind him one of the girls turned around, smiled, and repeated, "What about all the days in between?"

I smiled. I thought it wonderful that she felt she had something to offer us.

"Explain." I said.

"Well, this is just my opinion, but people always think about their problems. What about all those days in between? Those days we throw away worrying about what happened and what might happen," she said.

"Those days are good days, probably more of those than the bad ones!" the other girl added.

Just then the woman returned. "Are they bothering you?" she asked.

"No, they helped me see my life differently," I said. "Now I see the days in between."

"More of those than the bad ones!" my friend added.

What do you see?

The Book Of Your LIFE

The most important Book – The Book Of Your LIFE

Are we Obsessed with acquiring…
Money,
Property,
Prestige ???

When we die,all our Money, Power, Property…
All Possessions pass on…
To belong to somebody else !

What remains ?
Not much ! In the sands of time …

Only memories remain, in the minds of those people that we have helped!

What would you wish to leave behind you …?
Beautiful remembrances of happy times !

Or…
Pages you wish you could tear out forever...?

Today you have been given a grand opportunity To re-write with a fresh sheet –
Make your own script ...

It’s up to you to choose the colors –
Even in adversity, you can add soft pastels of serenity....

If you knew you had only one more day to live –
How would you use this precious time ???

Would you now be able to appreciate the golden rays of the sun… the gentle breeze?
– a page that you will treasure.

Enjoy this new day !
– Take inventory of all the good things in your life
Live each hour with cheer.

Love and affection for the special people in your life – all the things you never did before it’s too late …

People we sometimes take for granted – tell them how you feel ! Offer a helping hand…

Live each day, as if there was no tomorrow !
Be Happy
Give Thanks

PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE OF JOY
TO ALL THOSE YOU CARE FOR !!


FROM: Nisha Wadhwa

Chinese Gooseberries and Oprah?

Chinese Gooseberries and Oprah?

by Fran Briggs

Oprah and Harpo Productions, have consistently reaped awe-inspiring progress, and record-breaking profits for more than two decades now. While Oprah consistently soars with stellar growth, the rest of the industry seems to stumble, tumble, fumble ... or even disappear. Just what is it about Oprah that has her consistently reaping hilacious growth for all this time and still present fresh, and vivacious as ever?

Oprah Winfrey has reinvented herself so smoothly, so successfully, and with such precision, very few have consciously noticed. This is what I know for sure. Oprah Winfrey is not an "annual," which is dormant for seasons at a time. No, Oprah is -- and will always be -- a "perennial classic."

Oprah consistently manifests phenomenal growth professionally, intellectually, spiritually, financially and socially every "season" of her year. Whereas others, seem content to rely primarily on the harvest of their "falls." Oprah is not only acutely aware of her environment, but she plans (and plants) so well, so meticulously ... she evens reaps harvests during her "winters!"

Chinese Gooseberries didn't sell well at all until they were renamed, Kiwi fruit. Seemingly overnight, this humble, quaint-looking, fuzzy fruit was "reinvented" into an exotic, all-of-a-sudden-much-desired, green intricacy. The "Queen of Personality" went from "The Oprah Winfrey Show," to "Oprah!" to O! magazine. Her reinventions are powerful, yet short and simple. Through it all, her core -- and all that's inside -- has never been compromised.

The key to reinvention is real simple. Keep it short; but powerful! Even Einstein kept it down to: E= mc2, yet he reinvented and rocked the science world. Don't limit yourself to just replanting your life. Learn how to identify which sections need to be up-rooted; which sections need to be cultivated, and which sections need to be left alone.

Now, while you're reading this, Oprah is hard at work cultivating her next "row."

Isn't it time you got busy, too?

PEAS BIRYANI

A Bit Long but WORTH reading Steaming hot Peas Biryani! Mouth-watering! Delicious! Mother usually made Peas Biryani on Wednesday afternoons in winter. It was her favourite dish to prepare, for it was easy to make, yet a hot favourite amongst the kids. Moreover fresh peas were in season and tasted heavenly! She heated some oil in a pan and added a spoonful of cumin seeds. Then she added a handful of chopped onions. She proceeded to add some green peas and seasoned them with salt and turmeric powder. Having sautéed them for a couple of minutes she turned in the cleaned and washed riceand poured in a good amount of water. She covered the pan with a lid and let it cook on a slow flame. Strangely, the ingredients in the simmering pot started a conversation.The rice was the first to say, 'I am the most important of all of us present here for I am pure white and wholesome. I am the key ingredient to making Peas Biryani. I am Sathya, this is the Truth.' The yellow turmeric powder chuckled and said, 'No longer are you white my dear, for I have dyed you in my own colour. I am Dharma. This is my duty.' The peas smiled peacefully and said, 'What is Peas Biryani, without peas, eh? We are the most attractive and delicious part of this preparation. We are shanti. We are peace. We are peas (peace) and our colour too is green that is the colour of peace!' The salt mused to itself and said, 'Who would ever be able to eat Peas Biryani, without salt? I am the most important of all. If I were not there Peas Biryani would be unpalatable. My taste shall be infused in each particle. I am prema. I love each one of you equally.' The onions said, 'We add the tang to this dish. We add flavour. We are the soul of all vegetarian food. We are ahimsa. We tolerate all other flavours, yet retain our own!' The pan spoke up and said, 'It's I who is holding all of you in here.But for me, you would all have been separate identities. I have held you together, so that jointly, you can become a delicious dish. Where would you be without me? I am discipline and I am indispensable. ' The cumin seeds were dancing up and down in the boiling water and said,'Try making Biryani, without us! It shall be quite tasteless. We sizzle in the hot oil first of all for we are devoted to spreading our flavour, wherever we go. We are devotion.' The Biryani was almost ready and the oil glistened on every grain ofrice. It said, 'I ensure that each grain of rice, each pea and each cumin seed, retains its individual identity. I prevent stickiness. I am discrimination! ' The water was almost completely absorbed by now. It smiled contentedly and said, 'I was determined to permeate into each particle of all of you. Without me could peas Biryani ever have been made? I am determination and I am the most important of all!' Mother came by and checked to see, if the Biryani was done. The gas flame smiled quietly to itself and said, 'Each one is so full of itsown importance. Without the power of heat provided by me, what would they be? It is the power of God vested in me that I can give the energy to cook. But alas, who remembers the power of God?' God smiled to Himself as the lady turned off the gas and waited, till He was needed again. Each one of us in this world is so full of his or her importance. We conveniently forget God who gives us the power to do everything.Whether acknowledged or not, whether remembered or not, God is the power behind doing and making everything, even Peas Biryani! FROM: Shoba M.K

Balance of Life...

An Inspirational Story, Motivational Story -
Balance of Life
by Catherine Pulsifer

Mary and Susan were friends for years. They grew up together and attended the same schools. They were now both in their 40's, and both had great careers. They both had a similar upbringing - same education,same family values, similar support and financial position. But there was one main difference. Mary never seemed to have enough time. She watched her life long friend Susan. She had similar responsibilities and interests. Susan had a career, she had three children, she had her hobbies, one of which included golf. Over lunch, Susan was telling Mary about the golf game that she played last weekend.

"Susan,where do you find the time to play golf?" asked Mary. "I never seem to have the time, now with the children older and doing there own thing I thought I would have time to play golf like we did when we were in college."

Susan looked at Mary and laughed, "Mary, we both have the same hours in a day. You do have the time to play golf!"

With a sigh Mary replied, "That's easy for you to say. I never seem to have time. My work takes so much of my time. I am in the office at 7:30, I leave at 6:30 in the evening. By the time I get home and have dinner,it is 8:00! And, then I usually have a briefcase full of work. The weekends are full of more work. Just to keep up, I have to put in the hours. You know what it is like!"

"Of course, I know what it is like," Mary said. "But what would happen tomorrow if you got sick? Who would do the work?"

"Sick. Who has time to get sick! exclaimed Mary. "But if I did get sick, someone else would do the work, I suppose."

"You know something, Mary, I used to be like you. I worked night and day and of course on weekends. When I got home I was exhausted but I would push myself and read my children a bedtime story. By the time I went to bed,I would be more than exhausted. The boss I had was very demanding. She was there early in the morning, late at night, and she always workedweekends. I felt I had to do the same - I needed the job to help support my family - just as you did. But then I had a change of bosses.The man I worked for was older and much wiser, I might add! Of course,I continued to work the hours I had been working. One day he came to my desk and passed me a card that had a quote on it which said, 'What I do today is important, because I will never have today again' - then he left.

I sat there stunned. I suddenly thought of what was important to me. While my work was important, I realized my children were more important. I also realized that time for me was important. It was 4:30, the official closing time of the office. I straightened my desk, felt a twinge of guilt about leaving, but I forced myself to leave. I was home by 5:00.My children and husband were surprised. I had a wonderful evening. It was not a chore to read that bedtime story that evening."

Mary was looking at her friend thoughtfully and then questioned Susan about the work she had left on her desk.

Susan replied, "I never thought this possible, but I actually accomplished more the next day then I had in weeks. As I was leaving the next day I stopped at my new boss's office and thanked him for the quote. He told me a story about advice his dad had given him many years ago when he was working night and day. He referred to it as 'Balance of Life'. His dad told him to keep balance in his work, in his family life and in time for himself. He explained to me, while all aspects of our life are important, without a balance, you become addicted and like all addictions you lose-

- no balance with your family - you lose them

- no balance with your work - you lose your perspective and you actually lose focus on the important aspects of

your job.

- no balance with yourself - you forget who you are and when you retire you have nothing! Or worse than that, if you lose your job through a company sale or downsizing you lose your identity.

He went on to tell me that who we are is NOT what we do to make a living.Who we are is a balance of our family, our work, ourselves! It truly was the best advice I ever received."

Mary took a drink of her tea and tearfully looked at her friend, "But I would never get my work done if I left at 4:30!"

Susan looked thoughtfully at her, "When you go to work on Monday, look at what you have on your desk. Make a list of everything you have to get done and beside that list write the impact of not doing it. Then focusonly on the top three items that have the most impact. Do that everyday for a week. At first, you will find it difficult to leave. But, after a while, you will find that you will have more energy, and you will be more focused in your work because you have BALANCE! There are times when we have to lose balance - a special project at work, or a family matter at home - but consciously focusing on balance keeps everything in check."

Mary smiled at her friend, "Thanks for talking with me. We have been friends for so long. Thank heavens I have balance with your friendship! You have convinced me. I will leave the work in my briefcase this weekend.On Monday, I will make the list first thing. Perhaps next weekend, I will have the time to go golfing with you!"