Good Health

Good health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Physical health means a good body health. Another term for physical health is physical wellbeing, which is something a person can achieve by developing all health-related components of his/her lifestyle. Fitness reflects a person's cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition. Other contributors to physical wellbeing include proper nutrition, bodyweight management, drug abuse, avoiding alcohol, responsible sexual behavior, hygiene and good sleep.

Mental health refers to people's emotional well-being. A person who enjoys good mental health will not have a mental disorder. Mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully. Mental health includes the ability to enjoy life, the ability to bounce back from adversity, the ability to achieve balance (moderation), the ability to be flexible and adapt and the ability to feel safe and secure.

Some basic tips for good health are:

Fort the Body
· Do some stretching exercise and deep breathing regularly which helps to stretch the spine and oxygenate the body.
· Eat some raw food like fruits, vegetables and nuts with every meal.
· Maintain the same sleeping schedule every day and at least 6-7 hours.
· Periodic health check. After 40, it is advised to go for health check-ups every year.
· If possible walk few minutes on barefoot on natural earth as opposed to concrete.

For the Mind
· Avoid watching those TV shows which leaves a “bad” feeling at the end.
· Listen to some music that makes you feel happy.
· Learn some meditation techniques and practice 15-20 minutes regularly.

Both body and mind complement to keep each other in good health.
Wish you all a good health

HOW TO BE HAPPY

Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim of human existence. My mind is my Kingdom. When my mind is happy, I am happy and the World seems to be happy. So happiness is the status of your mind.

Happiness is a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction. Life is full of ups & downs. Nobody is going to be happy every moment. Life is just not like that. In order to experience happiness you must experience other emotions, including sadness and anger, to some degree nearly every day

There are several things in this World which can make you happy. Gandhiji said: “Happiness depends upon on what you give, not what you can receive”

So one method of getting happiness is serving the poor. Mother Theresa found happiness through serving the blind, orphans, disabled and old aged people. There is not a single thing that she does for herself. Her every action is devoted to the good of others. And the World believes that she is an extremely happy lady. Also Florence Nightingale found happiness through Nursing the wounded soldiers. So if you want to be happy, make others happy

A famous author George Williams said ”Happiness lies, first of all, in health.” Health is wealth. Good health is very essential for happiness. We can keep a healthy body and mind through regular exercise and meditation.

Be always optimist. Bhagavat Gita says that, whatever happened, it happened for good, What is happening is also for good. Whatever will happen that too will be for good. So do not worry about the past. Work hard & concentrate on the present moments. Definitely it will bring you happiness. Count your blessings. You have a lot of things to be thankful for - a home, a loving family, friends you enjoy, a job, a sunny day, the knowledge you've acquired etc. A mind that counts blessings has no room for un-happiness.

Charity work will give you happiness. Donate your unused kitchen utensils, toys, books, furniture cloths etc to charity. The bonus is that your shelves and cupboards are clutter free and housework is easier.

We would like to refer some practical suggestions to make you happy
1. Keep a healthy body and mind.
2. Try to enjoy your life with what you have.
3. Live everyday as if it is your last.
4. Tell your partner, family and friends that you love them.
5. Go for a walk. This will renew and refresh your mind and body.
6. Don't ever stop dreaming your dreams; they're a very essential part of you.
7. You can't please everybody. Don't let criticism worry you
8. Avoid people who make you unhappy.
9. Control your anger; keep away from hatefulness, greed, jealousy etc.
10. Don't dwell on past mistakes; leave yesterday behind you.
11. Do travel one step at a time, and reach for one goal at a time.
12. Don't forget that there are so many things that are wonderful, rare, and unique about you.

Musings

Adulthood is an important phase in one’s life. The physical and biological changes that take place are something difficult to comprehend. Its nature’s way of expressing the beauties of change. God seems to be a man, otherwise how he can comprehend all the beautiful changes that take place to girls. A best managed adolescent shapes one’s life better and at the same time, this stage brings more damage.

Dating, loving, meeting and living together are a way of life in western society. In India, this is a big taboo. The biggest challenge today is the caste system which has divided the Indian society badly. Education and economic development is slowly changing the ethical aspects of Indian society. Who knows, a day may come when these things become another way of life in India too.

Can anyone explain how a relationship begins. An instant flutter in the heart at the sight of someone or a hostile beginning. Is love a decease or something else. We never knew when it will begin to disturb.

Indian cinema portrays innovative ways of making relationships. First it will be a fight, then a crush, then love, then the misunderstanding, then the villain – played by the girl’s dad or brother and finally the happy end. Another villain could be the girl’s brother in law, who will behave as such he has so much responsibility on the girl, but every one knew the man’s hidden agenda. In between, there will be few songs, few fights, dialogues etc. In reel life, this is routine, but in real life, very few could experience these extra ordinary events.

Donkey's Milk

This happened sometime in 1972. Something about the Tamil teacher, an interesting character. Today, every management experts talk of time management. To the extent I know, I can confidently say, he was the first person to practice time management. He had never kept pending any of his assigned jobs for the next day. Why next day, not even to the next hour. Anything to be done should be done at the anointed hour. Immediately after the test is over, he will sit in his place and complete the paper valuations and send back the test papers to the class. Then only, he will leave the place.

He must have been in his mid forties and to our knowledge; he has been practicing this for the last 20 years or so. A much disciplined person.

My elder brother was his student earlier and then studying Tamil literature on his advice. He is very happy that one of his students is studying Tamil literature and due to this he had soft corner to me.

When we were in seventh class, his wife was expecting their second child. We all knew that his first boy was not keeping good health and was always on some medication. Few months back, one day afternoon, he called me to his cabin and asked whether any washer man live in my village. I said yes. Then he asked me whether I can get some donkey’s milk next day. He said it is required for medicinal purpose.

Any request from the teacher is an order only. In fact, it is an honor to get this kind of assignments from the teachers. There is no question of saying no, but this time, the request is something unique.

I didn’t know whether the washer man in our village has milking donkey. If not what is the option. Moreover, the idea of asking milk from the donkey man itself is funny. What the other boys will think. Anyway, I can’t ask him for the reason and purpose. While going back I told Padma about the Tamil teacher and the donkey’s milk. She was also serious like him. Padma was my childhood friend.

In the evening, when he told mom about the Tamil teacher and the donkey’s milk, she was surprised and amused. However, my father was sympathetic and assured that he will arrange. We both went to the washer man’s house.

On seeing us, the man came running. My dad is a respected person in the village, but very simple. Had he wanted something, he could have called the washer man instead of going to his place. The man was tensed.

My dad told him the requirement. He said, he has a milking donkey but very difficult to tame it. As his future was at stake, his dad decided to tame the donkey to get the milk. After two hours of hectic effort, we could milk about 100 ml of sweet milk, a very successful effort. It was yellowish white, but very thick like paste. Those days there was no refrigerator like things to store the milk, but somehow, my mom managed to keep the milk in condition till next day. I reached the milk to the Tamil sir, early morning next day.

Later, we came to know that his wife gave birth to his second child previous night and the child was first fed with the donkey’s milk. It was told that the donkey’s milk will ensure a very good health to the baby. No wonder, the donkeys are healthy. The whole night, the child has fasted for good health. Its funny, but who knows the child may have a very good health. Insah Allah.

The Tribute

I can forget the day

When I first went to school
Holding my mom’s hand…

I can forget the day
When my sister left my home
Holding her hubby’s hand…

I can forget the day
When I first entered college
With scared eyes and twisted legs…

I can forget the day
When the friends left
After the course is done…

I can forget the day
When I joined the first job
After great efforts…

I can forget the day
When I found my sweetheart
After a frantic search…

I can forget the day
When I heard the news of
My son’s birth…

I can forget the day
When my daughter
Gave birth to her daughter...

I can even forget those days
Of old and fragile
Counting on the scars of the past…

I can forget anything, but

It was in eighth standard,
Math class was on
The afternoon was hot…

Many were in trance
The teacher asked me to
Hit on those who were yawning…
It’s a chance to use,
While doing so
I had to pause…

As she was the teacher’s daughter,
My hand couldn’t hit
But touched like a kiss…

A whisper from the air
Is it love.

Felt like a needle
Punctured my heart…

The mind
Flew like a sponge in the sky…
`
And the soul felt like
Touching a wild fire…

I couldn’t forget the whisper
Is it love.

Little things

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Every behavior has an intention and every intention has an agenda. The agendas are invariably of selfish indent but portrayed to be on others’ interest.

Have you ever appreciated a hair dresser for the good cut. Generally, we intend to criticize the wrongs done by him than appreciating the good work. There are people who always go to the same saloon and look for the same expert to cut. We get tensed if we are forced to give our head to some one unknown or to a new guy. After all, it’s a matter of ten days – even a bad cut will get covered up.

Other day, I was waiting for my turn at the saloon where I frequent. There were two guys of whom one is known and the other is new. I wished the known guy should attend to me. Many a time, it will be just the opposite. The new guy got the chance to work on me. In the end, it was really a good cut. I thought I should appreciate the guy and said to him that he has done a very good job. The guy was so happy for the complement and said in his 10 years of service that was the first time he received such a compliment. For him, a no complaint from the client itself is the best appreciation. But one thing clear is that every one wants recognition.

Ten Important Words in Life

The Most Selfish " 1 " letter word.
" I " ---> Avoid It

The Most Satisfying " 2 " letter words.
" We " ---> Use It..

The Most Poisonous " 3 " letter word.
" Ego" ---> Kill It..

The Most Used " 4 " letter word.
" LOVE " --> Value It.

The Pleasing " 5 " letter words.
" SMILE " --> Keep It.

The Fastest Spreading " 6 " letter word.
" RUMOUR " --> Ignore it..

The Hardest working " 7 " Letter Word.
"SUCCESS " --> Achieve it..

The Most enviable " 8 " letter word.
" JEALOUSY " --> Distance It..

The Most Powerful " 9 " letter word..
" KNOWLEDGE " --> Acquire It.

The Most essential " 10 " letter word
" CONFIDENCE " -- > "Trust It.

Wise Parenting

Wise Parenting

It is said that when a child is born, a new mother and father are also born. The message is that with the child, the parents should also grow.

We watch our children grow right before our eyes. It seems like yesterday they were a baby trying to crawl, walk and feed themselves and now they’re in school, making friends and learning to be more and more independent.

When children grow, they develop their own unique personality and temperament. We need to redevelop our parenting skills around the individual needs of our child. No two children are exactly alike and therefore neither should our parenting style. Some children may need more guidance and some may be very intrinsically motivated.

While you encourage their independence, it’s also important that you also encourage their ability to ask for help when needed and continue to praise good deeds, actions and traits.

The most important tools we have in order to successfully adjust our parenting skills are our eyes and ears. We have to see what’s going on with our child and we have to hear what they are telling us. It’s important that we encourage our child to be their own individual while still being available to them at all times. A child may not need us to be as directly involved with their schooling to ensure their overall academic success, but they may need us to be more involved in their social life as they may be feeling a bit shaky or scared when it comes to making new friends or meeting new people.

So the bottom line is: as your child grows and changes, so should your parenting skills. Keep your eyes and ears open and communicate honestly and openly with your child and you’ll both mature gracefully.

Praising a child correctly is important to the development of positive behaviors. It’s a great way to encourage constructive future behavior.

When you praise, you are giving your child a feeling of positive feedback, which increases their sense of confidence and self esteem. When you praise, you are pointing out the way they’ve acted, an action they’ve taken or simply who they are. When your child looks good, tell him so. When your child does anything that pleases you, let him know. You should also praise a child’s effort to do well, even if it doesn’t come out so good in the end. You should find something each day about your child to praise.
Be on the lookout constantly for behaviors or actions deserving of praise, but don’t be over the top about it.

Message for the MonthIf anger, pride or selfishness comes, you are to return them to God. If you don’t, you will not be able to change.

TWELVE COMMANDMENTS

1. Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.
2.Make best of your circumstances. No one has everything, and everyone has something of sorrow intermingled with gladness of life. The trick is to make the laughter outweigh the tears.
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Don’t think that somehow you should be protected from misfortune that befalls other people.
4. You can’t please everybody. Don’t let criticism worry you.
5. Don’t let your neighbor set your standards. Be yourself.
6.Do the things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.
7.Never borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than real ones.
8. Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish jealously, Avoid people who make you unhappy.
9. Have many interests. If can’t travel, read about new places
10. Don’t hold postmortems. Don’t spend your time brooding over sorrows or mistakes. Don’t be one who never gets over things.
11.Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.
12. Keep busy at something. A busy person never has time to be unhappy.

And don’t forget to always be thankful. And Thank God for today

Good breathing

There is a saying that “Life is breath and breath is life”. So long as there is breath in the body there is life.

Our physical health, mental balance and emotional stability are all affected in the manner that we breathe. When we breathe well our respiratory system works its best, by using full capacity of the lungs. There is a remarkable improvement in digestive, circulation and eliminative process. This will improve our state of mind and physically we will feel better. The quality of our breathing also affects the functioning of all the systems of the body and the quality of your life.
Improper breathing is the root cause to a number illness. Good breathing technique has many benefits. It is slow, full, deep and rhythmic.
1. It improves our sleep pattern.
2. It aids in calming the mind, nerves and emotion.
3. It improves all mental processes including concentration and memory.
4. It releases the tension.
5. It supplies more oxygen to the body cells and so blood is purified.
6. It helps to overcome tiredness and to rejuvenate energy.
When we breathe in, oxygen is absorbed by every cell of the body to carry on activities of our life. When we breathe out, we throw out waste products of inhalation, which is carbon dioxide. Inhaling more oxygen means more energy to the cells.
It is suggested to learn good breathing techniques from a master. Even otherwise, practice to inhale more oxygen in a rhythmic way.

Simple Breathing Techniques
The nose has a left and a right side; we use both to inhale and exhale. Actually they are different. The right side represents the sun, left side represents the moon.

During a headache, try to close your right nose and use your left nose to breathe. In about 15 minutes, the head ache will go.

If you feel tired, just reverse, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose. After a while, you will feel you are refreshed.

Tips for the month

Just walking for 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week is enough to combat aging.

To reduce the strain on your heart, sleep on your right side, or on your back.

Time and Tide wait for None

No one is so powerful to stop the march of time – this is what the phrase ‘time and tide wait for none’ means. It signifies the importance of time. Time is a precious commodity. It’s as important as life itself. How do we define time? We often refer to the term ‘lifetime’. What makes a life is not the whole life at one go. Rather it consists of moments stitched together. We should live life in parts, so to say. Live a whole lifetime in a whole day. Live as if there’s no tomorrow. This doesn’t mean being rash. But start enjoying your life. Opportunity is here, similarly, time is here and now. Time should never be wasted.

We have to move ahead with the time to conquer it. Generally what we do is that we move where life takes us. Thus, we allow to be driven by time, and to dominate us. If we stand still we will reach nowhere and time won’t stop for us, to take us along.

Men may come and men may go but time stays on just like ‘the brook’. But, again just as water is never the same in a flowing river, time too never repeats itself. Time once past cannot be recalled. Time doesn’t give you chances. There are no retakes in real life. Time teaches you with experience but it has been the cruelest teacher. Why? Because it never waits and you can’t change your actions later. No matter how many pains you take, you cannot use the ‘undo’ command in life and edit again.

Another quality of time is its uniformity and impartial nature. It works at the same pace for the wealthiest and for the poorest. An hour means sixty minutes both for a king and a pauper. All are slaves of time. What we can do is make the most of the time at hand, as the old proverb goes ‘make hay while the sun shines’ – Kaatrulla pothe thuutrikkoL.

We can broadly divide time in to three categories – past, present and future. But actually time is indivisible. It’s a wonder how soon a past is created. You wink the eye and the moment is past. You will never find back the time wasted by you, there will only be tales of past. Future too is not revealed to us. We never know what is going to happen. ‘There’s many a slip between the cup and the lip’. So we should live in the present. It is only in the present that the essence of life is contained. We cannot depend on either the past or future which is not in front of us. Live life as it unfolds itself before us, that is, in the form of present.

There is a time and place for everything. So when opportunity knocks at your door don’t turn around. Grab the offer with both hands. Act spontaneously. The moment you act will be the right time. You never know when the time runs out or the tide turns unfavorable. Time is like the sand fast pouring out of your hands. It is just like the onion being layer after layer and in the end you find there’s nothing remaining. It’s now or never.

The great saying "Time and Tide Wait for None" is extremely correct. If we have to complete some task we should complete it as soon as possible because we never know what can happen in the next minute. So do it right now and never say that let the right time come. We never know "JO AAJ HAI KAL HO NA HO” means Indru iruppathu naLai irukkalaam; illaamalum pokalaam.