Just for today

Just for today...

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appal me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my ‘luck’ as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don’t want to do —just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticise not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.

Just for today I will have a programme. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Alcohol Withdrawels

Withdrawals Can Be Mild, Moderate or Severe

Alcohol withdrawal refers to a group of symptoms that may occur from suddenly stopping the use of alcohol after chronic or prolonged ingestion.

Not everyone who stops drinking experiences withdrawal symptoms, but most people who have been drinking for a long period of time, or drinking frequently, or drink heavily when they do drink, will experience some form of withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking suddenly.

There is no way to predict how any individual will respond to quitting. If you plan to stop drinking and you have been drinking for years, or if you drink heavily when you do drink, or even if you drink moderately but frequently, you should consult a medical professional before going "cold turkey."

Withdrawal Symptoms:

Mild to moderate psychological symptoms:

• Feeling of jumpiness or nervousness
• Feeling of shakiness
• Anxiety
• Irritability or easily excited
• Emotional volatility, rapid emotional changes
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Difficulty with thinking clearly
• Bad dreams

Mild to moderate physical symptoms:

• Headache - general, pulsating
• Sweating, especially the palms of the hands or the face
• Nausea/Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia, sleeping difficulty
• Paleness/ Tremor of the hands
• Rapid heart rate (palpitations)
• Eyes, pupils different size (enlarged, dilated pupils)
• Skin, clammy
• Abnormal movementsInvoluntary, abnormal movements of the eyelids /


Severe symptoms:

• A state of confusion and hallucinations (visual) -- known as delirium tremens
• Agitation
• Fever
• Convulsions
• "Black outs" -- when the person forgets what happened during the drinking episode.

Heavy Drinking Dangers

I have faced enormous problems during my drinking days.These includes accidents of various forms.
Studies Reveal More Problems Facing Alcoholics...

Two more research studies have emphasized the serious health effects of long-term heavy drinking, from an increased risk for having accidents to developing liver cancer.

Heavy drinking has long be associated with other liver problems, such as cirrhosis, and now a new Italian study links heavy drinking to the development of liver cancer.

Researchers found that drinking more than 60 grams of alcohol a day, equivalent to four to five glasses of wine, was associated with an elevated risk of developing liver cancer for both men and women.

They also found that the risk of developing liver cancer was even greater for patients who had been diagnosed with either hepatitis C or hepatitis B.

Increased Injury Risks

The second study conducted by the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, revealed that recovering alcoholics are much more prone to injury than recovering users of cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs.

The researchers found at the start of a detoxification program, alcoholics were about twice as likely to have suffered a serious injury in the previous six months as compared to illicit drug users.

The significant finding of the study was the surprising revelation that higher injury rates to alcoholics continued for the following two years of detoxification; alcoholics continued to be more accident prone than drug users even after they quit drinking.

Jeffrey H. Samet, the study's senior author, said, "Our hypothesis was simply that when it comes to substance abuse, the consequences vary for each substance and for the group of users. What the substance is may be an important factor in the outcomes of the user."

The Art of 'Zen' Living

The 'Zen' is the art of productive and peaceful living.The 'Zen' has no theory,it is an inner knowing for which there is no clearly stated 'Dogma'.'Zen' deemphasizes the power of the intellect and extols that of intuitive action.It's ultimate aim is to free the individual from anger,illusion and false passion.
'Enlightenment' simply means recognising the inherent harmony of ordinary life.'Zen' teaches that life must be seized at the moment.By living in the present,you are in full contact with yourself and your environment.It is when doing something,you are doing it at the fullest.Those who are patient in trivial things in life and control themselves will one day have the same mastery in great and important things.
You will never learn anything new unless you are ready to accept yourself with your limitations.You must accept the fact that you are capable,in some directions and limited in others, and you must develop your capabilities.Instead of trying to do well in everything,do things perfectly of which you are capable of.One can learn much about 'Zen' from any activity one is engaged in by being aware of one's inner reactions.The key is a constant exercise of awareness,vigilance of the mind and relaxation of the body.Applying 'Zen', free an individual from concern,tension and anxiety about winning or losing.Past is just an illusion.'Vanity' is the only obstacle to life.It is better to strengthen your own line or knowledge than to try and cut your opponents' line.

Taj Mahal

Recently the 'Taj Mahal' was voted as one of the 'Seven Wonders of the World'.I have personally visited the 'Taj' thrice and can confidently say that it is one of the most beautiful man made structures on Earth.
The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in approximately 1648. A team of designers and craftsmen were responsible for the design, with Ustad Ahmad Lahauri being the principal designer.The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 at a cost of 32 Million Rupees.

The Taj Mahal is generally considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar part of the monument, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures with a beautiful persian garden besides the river Yamuna.

The Brain Scan

Please send your answers to sunder.rangarajan@gmail.com

Part A
1) Complete the series:
1231,1249,14898,110501, ? , ?
2) If 'jeiob' is a 'joker'
What is a triangle?
3)Complete the series:
741258,852369,321456,?
4)Complete the series:
7568,88432,56498231765, ? , ?
5)Complete the series:
B,E,K,Q,?
6)Complete the series:
0,0.5,2,6.5,20,?,182
7)Fill in the blanks:
4,?,1,9,6,9,?,7,9,?,7,5
8)Complete the series:
517,7115,91113,1111111, ? , ?
9)RMWRZ is to MVD WVOSR as
TIEZG YIRGZRM is to ?
10)Complete the series:
6,7,1,4,6,2,5,9,7,4,1,0,?
11)Complete the series:
2,3,1,3,8,2,5,3,3,6,8,?,?,?
12)If 36x94=8530
What is 158x43?
13)If 3x4=7,6+1=6,4/2=2
What is [(7x2)+(3x1)]/2?
14) Complete the series:
1,2,3,4,6,6,16,18,12,?,?,?
15)If 10% of 8890 =1678,
20% of 4000 =2000,
30% of 6660 =5994,
What is 48% of 7840?
16) Complete the series:
V,I,B,?,?,O,R
17) Fill in the Blanks:
123_36_72_90_45=5.
(use'+','-','x','/'signs)
to complete the equation)
18) Fill in the blanks to complete the series:
1,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,_,31.
(use Integers and Logic)
19) Pick the odd one out:
5376/3,3969/7,4032/9,2730/5,8232/6,
3150/2,6776/8,11200/4.
20) 'Truth alone Triumphs' is to
'Honesty is the best policy' as
'Make hay while sun shines' is to ?
21) If XXX=6,YYX=9,YXX=7
What is XYY and XXY?

Part B
You have gone to a movie theatre with your best friend to watch your favourite movie.Suddenly the theatre receives an anonymous phone call saying a Bomb is planted in the movie hall.The word spreads very fast.
Describe the scene in the movie hall that follows the phone call.

Part C
Why do you think, you are a 'Genius'?

Check Out...

http://subhashriassociates.googlepages.com/subhashriassociates

Best of Luck

becoming a genius...

Many times I keep wondering what is a genius or rather who is a genius.Is a person with an estimated IQ=180,a genius? Is a person a genius because of his works? Is a genius in one field a genius in all? What motivates a genius? Does a genius know that he is a genius? Is it that knowledge which motivates him to prove himself?

Genius is beyond the confines of conformity, as it therefore becomes deviant in nature and strives to proliferate innovation on an unparelleled level.
Genius is perhaps a gift, yet it chooses to manifest itself in numerous fashions...

"Even if you are not a genius, you can use the same strategies as Newton and Einstein to harness the power of your creative mind and better manage your future."
The following seven strategies encourage you to think productively, in order to arrive at solutions to problems:
- Look at problems in many different ways, and find new perspectives that no one else has taken (or no one else has publicized!)
- Visualize!
- Produce! A distinguishing characteristic of genius is productivity.
- Make novel combinations. Combine, and recombine, ideas, images, and thoughts into different combinations no matter how incongruent or unusual.
- Form relationships; make connections between dissimilar subjects.
- Think metaphorically. Aristotle considered metaphor a sign of genius.
- Prepare yourself for chance.

Genius may or may not be born.But one can atleast hope to become one by striving for it.

Multiple Intelligence - A Study...

The word 'Intelligence' has always fascinated me from a very young age.I used to ponder on the word ''Smart','Intelligent' and 'Wise'.How do we rate a man as an intelligent man? Is it his performance in acadamics or career? What is the role of 'Intelligence' in 'Creative Thinking?
What is intelligence? Intelligence is "the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations ... also : the skilled use of reason". Some people misuse the word smart to mean knowledgeable.That one can lead to the other does not mean that they are the same thing.
Now, Scientists and Psychologists have broadened the definition of the word 'Intelligence'.Now intelligence is not merely numerical or verbal but covers a broad spectrum.

1. Verbal/Linguistic (V/L):
V/L consists of the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Authors and journalists are among those that exhibit high degrees of linguistic intelligence. Our culture often defines those with VL as the most intelligent because they often are adept at using language fluently, at manipulating the structure or syntax of language, and/or have a deep appreciation of its meaning. They can most effectively communicate in words.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of V/L include:
-Creative writing/Storytelling
-Debate/Essay tests
-Journal writing/Vocabulary lists
-Joke telling about the subject
-Reading assignments/Research Papers
-Speeches and class presentations

2. Logical/Mathematical (L/M):
L/M core components include sensitivity to and the ability to discern logical or numerical patterns, and the ability to handle long chains of reasoning. It is fundamental to scientific thinking: establishing a hypothesis, testing, and then modifying it in light of the results. Scientists, accountants, engineers and computer programmers apply L/M regularly.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of L/M include:
-Home finance planning/Economic data analysis
-Calculations/Mathematical formulas/Pattern searches
-Computer programming/Deciphering codes
-Graphic organization of material
-Numerical sequencing of information

3. Visual/Spatial (V/S):
V/S intelligence Includes the ability to perceive the visual-spatial world accurately and the capacity to perform transformations on one's initial perceptions. It includes the ability to mold and shape images seen in the mind's eye. V/S provides the capacity to think in two and three-dimensional ways as do sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, construction workers and architects.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of V/S include:
-Active Imagination
-Cartooning/Drawing/Painting
-Model Building/Set design
-Sculpture

4. Musical (M):
M includes the ability hear musical tones in one's head, and to create in the mind's ear complex musical sounds including a sensitivity to pitch, melody, rhythm and tone. Research has shown that listening to music can enhance both the creative process and learning as complex melodies support complex thinking. Information is more effectively remembered when it is associated with music, a fact relied on by advertisers. Those with musical intelligence often rely on their auditory skills in learning new information.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of M include:
-Musical expressions of all types
-Rhythmic patterns used for recall of information
-Songs relating terminology or concepts

5. Bodily/Kinesthetic (B /K):
The theory of multiple intelligences supports the ancient view of the mind and body as one and regards purposeful physical activity as an intelligence in it's own right. It includes the ability to move one's body with expertise and the capacity to handle objects skillfully. Physical competence includes strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, dexterity, expressiveness, coordination and good reflexes and posture. Surgeons, craftspeople, artists, musicians and athletes all use B/K intelligence. Our culture often sees B/K intelligence as less important than V/L intelligence, but in non-industrialized cultures it is often considered the most important form of intelligence.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of B/K include:
-Athletic competition/Exercise
-Dance/Drama
-Role Playing

6. Social/Interpersonal (S/I) sometimes referred to as Interpersonal (IE):
People with interpersonal intelligence are socially adept and people smart. They have the ability to make fine distinctions in the intentions, motivations, moods, feelings, and thoughts of other people and to relate effectively with others. They often have the capacity to discover key individuals within a group who can help them meet their goals. Leaders usually also have high S/I skills. Current discussions about emotional intelligence reflect the recognition that lifetime success in business and personal relationships is often closely related to S/I. Often, teachers, political leaders, advertising strategists and sales people have high S/I skills.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of S/I include:
-Cooperative learning strategies/Group Projects
-Collaboration/Feedbacks/Reflecting upon feedback
-Decision making simulations
-Peer counseling

7. Intrapersonal (IA):
People with intrapersonal intelligence have a high level of self understanding and access to the "real" self, that inner core that remains the same even as a person grows and develops. People with IA intelligence effectively use their knowledge in planning their lives. The clergy, psychologists and philosophers are among those who exhibit high IA skills.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of IA include:
-Decision making strategies
-Discussion of the emotional impact of a field of study
-Journal writing focused on response to learning
-In-depth analysis/Introspection
-Leadership studies
-Metacognition Techniques

8. Naturalist (N):
Those with Naturalist Intelligence show skills in observing, understanding and organizing patterns in the natural environment. They are sensitive to seasonal and even daily environmental changes. Biologist, environmentalists and traditional healers often have highly developed N skills.

Classroom (and out of classroom) activities to encourage the development or expression of N include:
-Field trips
-Garden experiments
-Observations of nature

9. Existential/Spiritual (E/S)
E intelligence is expressed in "capturing and pondering the fundamental questions of existence." Philosophical thinkers use this form of intelligence.

Classroom activities to encourage the development or expression of E include:
-Discussion or reading about the philosophical underpinning of a field of study
-Discussion of ethical behavior in a discipline
-Opportunities to discuss the impact of one's personal philosophy on their relationship to the field of study
_______________

The Twelve Steps...

for Alcoholics (courtesy:Alcoholic Anonymous)
and it works...
It has been my personal experience that nothing can stop an alcoholic from Self-Destruction.Except for the will of an 'Higher Power',no medical practitioner,no medicine,no man ,no might on earth can save an alcoholic.The three prominent emotions that drive an alcoholic crazy are 'Resentments','Guilt',and 'Self-Pity'.And these emotions take him to a road of absolute destruction.His Self-Esteem is severely affected and he does not know how to salvage his life.The twelve steps of the 'Alcoholic Anonymous' Program is the only hope....
It worked for me and it can work for anyone.

The Twelve Steps

Step 1:
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol -- that our lives had become unmanageable.
After many years of denial, recovery can begin when with one simple admission of being powerless over alcohol -- for alcoholics and their friends and family.

Step2:
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
It seems to be a spiritual truth, that before a higher power can begin to operate, you must first believe that it can.

Step3:
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
A lifetime of self-will run riot can come to a screeching halt, and change forever, by making a simple decision to turn it all over to a higher power.

Step4:
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
There is a saying in the 12-step programs that recovery is a process, not an event. The same can be said for this step -- more will surely be revealed.

Step5:
Admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Probably the most difficult of all the steps to face, Step 5 is also the one that provides the greatest opportunity for growth.

Step6: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
The key to Step 6 is acceptance -- accepting character defects exactly as they are and becoming entirely willing to let them go.

Step7:
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
The spiritual focus of Step 7 is humility, asking a higher power to do something that cannot be done by self-will or mere determination.

Step8:
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
Making a list of those harmed before coming into recovery may sound simple. Becoming willing to actually make those amends is the difficult part.

Step9:
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them.
Making amends may seem like a bitter pill to swallow, but for those serious about recovery it can be great medicine for the spirit and soul.

Step10:
Continued to take person inventory, and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Nobody likes to admit to being wrong. But it is absolutely necessary to maintain spiritual progress in recovery.

Step11:
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
The purpose of Step 11 is to discover the plan God as you understand Him has for your life.

Step12:
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
For those in recovery programs, practicing Step 12 is simply "how it works."

Theory of Willing Choices...

-Everyone has a right to choose.
-You do not have a right not to choose.
-You cannot choose the consequences
of what you choose.
Any major decision will influence your smaller decisions.
The decision you make should be taken in the interest of:
God
Family
Society
and the sequence should be as mentioned.
You take interest of 'GOD' first and then 'Family'.

'Relationship', a thought...

'Relationship Building' is forming a relation with someone which would evoke some consequences.The consequences can be positive or negative.One can build relation with some animate object or people.One can also build relation with inanimate objects.This is more so with addicts who have build such intimate relation with the bottle that all other relations take a second stand.
Relationships can be primary or secondary.Primary relations is family and others are secondary.Casual acquantances are often seasonal relationships.But sometimes these seasonal relations can turn into primary or secondary relations for some reason(i.e marriage).
Relationships can lead to dependency which in turn would make us lazy or useless.Breaking of relations can make a person lonely leading to depressions,having a 'Claustrophobic Effect'.Too much influence of relationships can also lead to a 'Feeling of Suffocation'.

few words to ponder on ...

I believe it,because I hope for it.-Leon Blum.

You see what power is - holding someone else's fear
in your hand and showing it to them.-Amy tan.

When you're in love,it's the most glorious
two-and-a-half minutes of your life.-Richard Lewis.

Underpromise,Overdeliver.-Tom Peters.

Spilling your guts is just exactly as charming
as it sounds.-Fran Lebowitz.

The world is a dangerous place to live in;
not because of those who do evil,
but because of those who look on
and do nothing.-Albert Einstein.

A man who has attained mastery of an art
reveals it in his every action.-Samurai Maxim.

Knowing others is wisdom,knowing yourself is
enlightenment.-Lao-Tzu.

Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.-Han Dynasty.

When you seek it,you cannot find it.-Zen Riddle.

To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles
is not the highest skill.To subdue the enemy without
fighting is the highest skill.-Sun-Tzu.

I can defeat you physically with or without a reason.
But I can only defeat your mind only with a reason.-Jim Lau.

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.
-George Bernard Shaw.

Nature at its full GLORY...

Forest
The night was still and quiet,
The silver moon showered the light;
The stars were peeping from the sky
And the dark hills looked very high.
The deep forest was airy,
The tall trees were in merry;
And the green leaves of the trees
Were dancing in the breeze.
Some animals were snoring
The others buzy roaring
And the birds were taking rest
On their tree-top nest.
The winds from the bay
Made all the trees to sway,
Surely, the night of the forest
Is natures' creation at its best.
- Sunder Rangarajan


Monsoon
The moist air,The wet ground,
The grey sky,The dark clouds,
The croaking frogs in flooded pond
The pouring rain in flooded lane.
The peacocks dancing happily
The children playing gaily
The birds singing softly
The rainbow scattered beautifully.
The lovesome trees slashing
The heavy thunders clashing
The raising waves lashing
In this wet season of monsoon.
-Sunder Rangarajan

A Patriotic Poem...

My Love,My India
In the beginning of human civilisation
When there were no nation
There existed a holy land
There existed my motherland.
When civilisations were few
And urbanisation was new
There was Harappa and Mohen-jo-Daro
Lothal,Kalibangan and Chanho-Daro.

This was the land of Sanskrit
of Pali,of Prakrit
This was the land of Gautama Buddha
of Chandragupta of Magadha,
This was the land of Ashoka,
of Mahavir and Kanishka;
This was the land of great souls
With great minds and greater goals.

This was the land of Milk and Honey,
of Gold,Silver and Money;
This was the land of age-old culture,
Of art,history and architecture.
This was the land of glory and pride
For which great heroes had died,
This was the land of teachings
Of knowledge and preachings.

Then came the foreign invaders,
Then came the ruthless raiders,
Who came here as merchants to sell
Who came here as butchers to kill.
Some came from Asia,
From Afganistan, From Persia;
Some came from Europe,
With some ambition,some hope.

People were subjected to cruelty
To torture and brutality,
People were made to weep
And their sorrows ran deep.
People looked on with helplessness and pity
As this nation was reduced to poverty,
And there was a time
When patriotism was a crime.

Then there came a 'Messiah'
A noble son of 'Mother India'
A simple man clad in Khadi
And named 'Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi'.
He spread all around India
The concept of 'Quit India'
And suddenly with patriotic cries
Rose the daring 'Satyagrahis'.

People began to revolt
People made their own salt
People began to fight
For a cause,just and right.
The foreigners were forced to quit
Slow and steady,bit by bit;
And with the beats of the drum
One day India got freedom.

And today there is faith and aspiration,
That through people's perspiration,
There shall be a new tommorrow
When there will be no sorrow;
When every Indian will one day
With pride and honour say,
My India,I Love You
I Love You,I Love You.

- Sunder Rangarajan.