Sharpening your Axe

Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work.

The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.

“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”

Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.

“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.

“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

We sometimes get so busy with our work that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but we should make time to sharpen ourselves , our skills so that our hard work and efforts become fruitful.

The right approach

It once happened, on a certain day, a bull and a pheasant were grazing on the field. The bull was grazing on the grass, the pheasant was picking ticks off the bull; they are partners, you know?

Then the pheasant looked at a huge tree which was at the edge of the field, and very nostalgically said, "Alas, there was a time when I could fly to the top most branch of the tree, but today I do not have the strength even to fly to the first branch of the tree"

The bull very nonchalantly said, "That's no problem! Eat a little bit of my dung every day, you will see, within a fortnight's time you will reach the top of the tree."

The pheasant said, "Oh, come off it! How is that possible?"

The bull replied, "Really, please try and see. The whole humanity is on it, you could try, too."

Very hesitantly, the pheasant started pecking at the dung, and on the very first day it reached the first branch of the tree. In a fortnight's time, it reached the topmost branch of the tree. After all it required just  the strength to make up his mind, to climb the tree and the bull did the trick. The Pheasant just went and sat on the topmost branch and just enjoyed the scenery. The old farmer saw a fat old pheasant on the top of the tree. He took out his shotgun and shot him off the tree. 

Any trick can get you to the top, but never lets you stay there. It requires unprecedented efforts to get to the top but clarity and the right approach alone can help you stay there.

Share what you have

One man bought a beautiful house with an orchard. Nearby an envious man lived in the old house. He was constantly trying to ruin the mood of his new neighbor: he threw garbage under his gates and made other nasty things.

One day the man woke up in a good mood, went out onto the porch and saw a bucket of slops there. The man took this bucket, poured out the slops, cleaned a bucket, put the most ripe and delicious apples there and went to his neighbor. The neighbor heard a knock at the door and gleefully thought: “Finally I got it!”

He opened the door expecting for a quarrel. However the man gave him a bucket of apples saying:

The one who is rich with something, shares it with others!!

Dining in the Dark

I was invited to one Friday evening event by one of a MNC Vendor organization who had organized the event to raise funds for the visually handicapped people in a center for blind people.

As usual, since it was a Friday evening, I first thought to skip the event considering it could be a bit boring and rather spend the evening relaxing by some other means.

But being alone and sometimes finding it difficult to kill time, I thought to accept the invitation and registered online for booking. Moreover it was free :) which was another motivation to go to the event. I was looking at the event to pass some time meet few people and nothing else.

When I went there, there were approx 40 people from various industries invited for that event. I found some Indians and naturally talked to them about how life is in Singapore etc etc.
Initially we were shown a video about the visually handicapped center. What are their activities, how are they helping blind people in Singapore to leave more fulfilling life, etc. It was a short 15 minute video and quite inspiring that how people from different walks of life spend time in helping these blind people without expecting anything in return. They shared the satisfaction and fulfillment they get by helping them.

After the video, we all were gathered in a hall and were briefed about next event. The theme of the next event was "Dining in the Dark". And this is the event which turned out to be inspiring and worth sharing.

What is meant was that we all 40+ people were going to have Dinner in a pitch Dark room !!!! The next 2 hours were completely planned, organized , directed and executed by three blind youths. One was a girl (Leader) and other two boys were assistant to her forming a team of three blind volunteers.

The blind leader first gave us tips for dining (These were actual standards the blind people follow in order to make their life easier)

1, When you sit at your table the things will be placed as follows : at 3 o clock of your dish : You will find a spoon. at 9 o clock : Fork;     12 o clock : spoon.      2 o clock : Empty Glass. Dish at the center with Paper napkin tucked at 6 o clock.

2. There will be two large Jugs circulated to you. The Jug with plain walls will have water and the Jug with curved wall will have orange juice.

3. When you get your Jug based on your choice you have to pour it in your glass. You have to dip your forefinger in the glass so that when you fill it and the liquid touches your finger, you have to stop pouring.

She asked whether everyone has understood. All said yes but everyone was confused and trying to remember what she said and confirming with each other. Next 1 1/2 hours we spent were full of fun and learning. In completely pitch dark room where we could not see ANYTHING we were enjoying various delicious food without seeing it.

We all 40 people were taken in groups in the dark hall. Each one was directed by blind person till he/she sits on a chair (We were finding it awkward because actually we are supposed to guide blind people to their destination and help them).

We were Served full five course dinner by this team of three blind people - welcome drinks, appetizers, starters, main course and desserts. The amazing thing was that the team of three blind people were serving exactly vegetarian dishes to vegetarian people who were sitting randomly in the room!

While registering online we were asked question to choose from "Vegetarian" or "Non vegetarian". I chose Vegetarian. We were so nicely hosted that we did not had to wait in between serves. As we were ending finishing one dish, we were served with the next without any delays.

After approx. 1and half hours of Dining in the dark, the leader asked whether everyone has finished eating. After confirmation she switched on the lights of the dining room. We left the Dining room with tears in our eyes.

We realized how lucky we are and how we have been gifted with beautiful eyes to see the beautiful world. We realized how difficult lives of blind people are (and other handicapped) without being able to see. We realized how uncomfortable we were for just two hours without being able to see anything and how they must be living their lives. We realized how unfortunate we are , that we do not value such simple things in life we have and cry (sometimes louder, sometimes within ourselves) and run after what we don't have for whole of our lives without having time to adore for the things we have.

Be cheerful. Adore whatever you have in life. You may try for whatever you don’t have but never feel sad about it.

How to become a better person

Do not wash your linen in public. It is a huge turn-off.

Do not cross line in any relationship. Your respect is in your hands.

Do not open up too much with anyone. You certainly lose your charm. Keep a certain mystery element that draws them to you.

Talk about good and positive things. Do not bitch. Your positivism and enthusiasm is certainly going to attract people to you.

Talk and walk confidently. Be engaging. Everyone would want to listen to you.

Be good at what you do, or at least be good in one thing that can help you start a great conversation. Be knowledgeable.

Do not crib or complain or give excuses. These are the things every other person will do. 

Try to stand out from the crowd.

Presence of mind and a great sense of humour is another feather on your cap.

Wear a smile! For the whole world stops and stares awhile.

Some inspiring words....

Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.

All Birds find shelter during a rain. But Eagle avoids rain by flying above the Clouds.

Failure will never overtake me if my definition to succeed is strong enough.

Man needs difficulties in life because they are necessary to enjoy the success.

If you want to shine like a sun. First burn like a sun.

It is very easy to defeat someone, but it is very hard to win someone.

All of us do not have equal talent. But , all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness.

Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.

Without your involvement you can't succeed. With your involvement you can't fail.

60 things we should do

1. Exercise daily. 
2. Get serious about gratitude. 
3. See your work as a craft. 
4. Expect the best and prepare for the worst. 
5. Keep a journal. 
6. Read “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin”. 
7. Plan a schedule for your week. 
8. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life. 
9. Say no to distractions. 
10. Drink a lot of water. 
11. Improve your work every single day. 
12. Get a mentor. 
13. Hire a coach. 
14. Get up at 5 am each day. 
15. Eat less food. 
16. Find more heroes. 
17. Be a hero to someone. 
18. Smile at strangers. 
19. Be the most ethical person you know. 
20. Don’t settle for anything less than excellence. 
21. Savor life’s simplest pleasures. 
22. Save 10% of your income each month. 
23. Spend time at art galleries. 
24. Walk in the woods. 
25. Write thank you letters to those who’ve helped you. 
26. Forgive those who’ve wronged you. 
27. Remember that leadership is about influence and impact, not title and accolades. 
28. Create unforgettable moments with those you love. 
29. Have 5 great friends. 
30. Become stunningly polite. 
31. Unplug your TV. 
32. Sell your TV. 
33. Read daily.
34. Avoid the news. 
35. Be content with what you have. 
36. Pursue your dreams. 
37. Be authentic. 
38. Be passionate. 
39. Say sorry when you know you should. 
40. Never miss a moment to celebrate another. 
41. Have a vision for your life. 
42. Know your strengths. 
43. Focus your mind on the good versus the lack. 
44. Be patient. 
45. Don’t give up. 
46. Clean up your messes. 
47. Use impeccable words. 
48. Travel more. 
49. Read “As You Think”. 
50. Honor your parents. 
51. Tip taxi drivers well. 
52. Be a great teammate. 
53. Give no energy to critics. 
54. Spend time in the mountains.
55. Know your top 5 values. 
56. Shift from being busy to achieving results. 
57. Innovate and iterate. 
58. Speak less. Listen more. 
59. Be the best person you know. 
60. Make your life matter.

Our Value

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “who would like this $20 bill?”.  Hands started going up.

He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” 
He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air.

“Well” he replied, “what if we do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it on the floor with his shoe. He picked it up now, all crumpled and dirty, “now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.

“My friends you all have learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.”

Many a times in our life, we are dropped, crumbled and grounded into the dirt by the decisions we make or the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special, don’t ever forget it!