In Washington DC, at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a Stradivarius violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the DC Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognise talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
So life is short...Enjoy it to the core...Dont even miss single opportunity...
Monday, October 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
How To dance In The Rain
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his
80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.
He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be
over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy
with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got
the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another
doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home
to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for
a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not
recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning,
even though she doesn't know who you are'?
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but
I still know who she is'.
I had to hold back tears as he left; I had goose bumps on my arm,
and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life'.
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an
acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is
one that comes along that has an important message.
This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone you care about. I just did.
'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
But how to dance in the rain'...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
S H M I L Y.....
Again a Short Inspiring Story, Which i read today, As narrated by a little girl of Age 12....
My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word 'shmily' in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving 'shmily' around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged 'shmily' with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding w/ blue food coloring. 'Shmily' was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave 'shmily' on the very last sheet.
There was no end to the places 'shmily' would pop up. Little notes with 'shmily' scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards, and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. 'Shmily' was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparent' house as the furniture.
It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents' game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparent' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection which not everyone is lucky experience.
Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome an old he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew 'how to pick'em'. Before every meal they bowed their heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings: a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in my grandparent' life: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier. As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that way so that she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.
Now the cancer was again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather's steady hand, they went to church every morning. But my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife. Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone.
'Shmily.' It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time. Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her. Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.
S-H-M-I-L-Y : See How Much I Love You.
My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word 'shmily' in a surprise place for the other to find. They took turns leaving 'shmily' around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was their turn to hide it once more.
They dragged 'shmily' with their fingers through the sugar and flour containers to await whoever was preparing the next meal. They smeared it in the dew on the windows overlooking the patio where my grandma always fed us warm, homemade pudding w/ blue food coloring. 'Shmily' was written in the steam left on the mirror after a hot shower, where it would reappear bath after bath. At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave 'shmily' on the very last sheet.
There was no end to the places 'shmily' would pop up. Little notes with 'shmily' scribbled hurriedly were found on dashboards, and car seats, or taped to steering wheels. The notes were stuffed inside shoes and left under pillows. 'Shmily' was written in the dust upon the mantel and traced in the ashes of the fireplace. This mysterious word was as much a part of my grandparent' house as the furniture.
It took me a long time before I was able to fully appreciate my grandparents' game. Skepticism has kept me from believing in true love one that is pure and enduring. However, I never doubted my grandparent' relationship. They had love down pat. It was more than their flirtatious little games; it was a way of life. Their relationship was based on a devotion and passionate affection which not everyone is lucky experience.
Grandma and Grandpa held hands every chance they could. They stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. They finished each other's sentences and shared the daily crossword puzzle and word jumble. My grandma whispered to me about how cute my grandpa was, how handsome an old he had grown to be. She claimed that she really knew 'how to pick'em'. Before every meal they bowed their heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings: a wonderful family, good fortune, and each other.
But there was a dark cloud in my grandparent' life: my grandmother had breast cancer. The disease had first appeared ten years earlier. As always, Grandpa was with her every step of the way. He comforted her in their yellow room, painted that way so that she could always be surrounded by sunshine, even when she was too sick to go outside.
Now the cancer was again attacking her body. With the help of a cane and my grandfather's steady hand, they went to church every morning. But my grandmother grew steadily weaker until, finally, she could not leave the house anymore. For a while, Grandpa would go to church alone, praying to God to watch over his wife. Then one day, what we all dreaded finally happened. Grandma was gone.
'Shmily.' It was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons of my grandmother's funeral bouquet. As the crowd thinned and the last mourners turned to leave, my aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members came forward and gathered around Grandma one last time. Grandpa stepped up to my grandmother's casket and, taking a shaky breath, he began to sing to her. Through his tears and grief, the song came, a deep and throaty lullaby.
Shaking with my own sorrow, I will never forget that moment. For I knew that, although I couldn't begin to fathom the depth of their love, I had been privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.
S-H-M-I-L-Y : See How Much I Love You.
Nice Humans Still On Earth...
Hi All,
Today...(18th of August 2010 B.C),I went to my univ as usual late at 8.50am for a 8.30 am class...since there was a real accident today near the univ exit from the highway, Then attended a class...which was interesting, since it was a tutorial of solving problems in Project Management, there i met a guy, obviously by his looks i could figure it out, he must me an Indian. Had a warm greetings and asked about hometown, as i know he was from my hometown chennai, we got closer and he invited me for their home in our first meet itself. So kind of him....Then, we drove to his place which is 5kms away from univ and had a chat there. He was like a open Book, said about this personal life, frankly and his nature and attitude. I always likes person, who speaks out frankly, on face and say" This is how i am, thats my nature", than the guys who acts smart in front and have something cunning in their mind and heart...Then we had a chat for like half an hour and he shared many things about the univ and life there in that suburb...We shared a lot about our Past, Present and Future as a brief. He shared me lot of stuffs about the studies and univ and detailed my about all the subjects in the first meet itself. He touched my heart and stole my day. Still i am thinking about the meeting and the stuffs he shared with me...So still Good Souls are living in this earth..The thing is that how we meet them, they act accordingly how we speak to them...So be a good soul to get as many good souls as possible surrounding you always...It matters a lot...It speaks about you...It can even you be alive in this earth, in many hearts even your body leaves this earth...
Always With Lots of Love & Care,
Dinse.
Today...(18th of August 2010 B.C),I went to my univ as usual late at 8.50am for a 8.30 am class...since there was a real accident today near the univ exit from the highway, Then attended a class...which was interesting, since it was a tutorial of solving problems in Project Management, there i met a guy, obviously by his looks i could figure it out, he must me an Indian. Had a warm greetings and asked about hometown, as i know he was from my hometown chennai, we got closer and he invited me for their home in our first meet itself. So kind of him....Then, we drove to his place which is 5kms away from univ and had a chat there. He was like a open Book, said about this personal life, frankly and his nature and attitude. I always likes person, who speaks out frankly, on face and say" This is how i am, thats my nature", than the guys who acts smart in front and have something cunning in their mind and heart...Then we had a chat for like half an hour and he shared many things about the univ and life there in that suburb...We shared a lot about our Past, Present and Future as a brief. He shared me lot of stuffs about the studies and univ and detailed my about all the subjects in the first meet itself. He touched my heart and stole my day. Still i am thinking about the meeting and the stuffs he shared with me...So still Good Souls are living in this earth..The thing is that how we meet them, they act accordingly how we speak to them...So be a good soul to get as many good souls as possible surrounding you always...It matters a lot...It speaks about you...It can even you be alive in this earth, in many hearts even your body leaves this earth...
Always With Lots of Love & Care,
Dinse.
Treasure every moment you have
To realize
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to:
A premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week::
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the a train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
And to realize
The value of one- millisecond:
Ask an athlete who lost his
Lost his medal in a race.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
Remember.....
Hold on tight to the ones you love!!!
The value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth to:
A premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week::
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the a train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
And to realize
The value of one- millisecond:
Ask an athlete who lost his
Lost his medal in a race.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when
You can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
LOSE ONE.
Remember.....
Hold on tight to the ones you love!!!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Don't be serious, be sincere
Here i would like to say something which i read some days back...from chetan Bhagat, one of the simple but powerful Indian writer. Usually i don't like to read long novels, But i tried started many but bored always, i started one story of this author and it was quite interesting and completed it within few days...Here is one of his thought which i liked to share...
Everyone always asks. this question...How the Life should be...? We always blabber something...but he keeps it very simple...I liked it...I want my life to be in this way "Life is not to be serious...but sincere". Hope u all enjoy it...
Everyone always asks. this question...How the Life should be...? We always blabber something...but he keeps it very simple...I liked it...I want my life to be in this way "Life is not to be serious...but sincere". Hope u all enjoy it...
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Life:It does not matter what you do...It matters how you do it...
Hi all, I often need some motivation, inspiration and touching stories, which might not be too long but the truth and knowledge behind is very deep as like Pacific Ocean...to keep me go in my life...
Here comes a short story about U.S First man which is of that sort as mentioned....
Here comes a short story about U.S First man which is of that sort as mentioned....
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Reasons to Respect A Women...
Always i respect women...they are in various forms of life...you can see women as everything in your life, that any other human can't be...always i have a women in my life in my to share my happiness and encourage me in my hardships...I love them a lot, More than,I respect a true women...
Beautiful Lies of A Mother....
This story begins when I was a child:
I was born poor. Often we hadn't enough to eat. Whenever we had some food, Mother often gave me her portion of rice. While she was transferring her rice into my bowl, she would say "Eat this rice, son! I'm not hungry."
This was Mother's First Lie.
As I grew, Mother gave up her spare time to fish in a river near our house; she hoped that from the fish she caught, she could give me a little bit more nutritious food for my growth. Once she had caught just two fish, she would make fish soup. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the what was still left on the bone of the fish I had eaten, My heart was touched when I saw it. Once I gave the other fish to her on my chopstick but she immediately refused it and said, "Eat this fish, son! I don't really like fish."
This was Mother's Second Lie.
Then, in order to fund my education, Mother went to a Match Factory to bring home some used matchboxes, which she filled with fresh matchsticks. This helped her get some money to cover our needs. One wintry night I awoke to find Mother filling the matchboxes by candlelight. So I said, "Mother, go to sleep; it's late: you can continue working tomorrow morning." Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep, son! I'm not tired."
This was Mother's Third Lie.
When I had to sit my Final Examination, Mother accompanied me. After dawn, Mother waited for me for hours in the heat of the sun. When the bell rang, I ran to meet her.. Mother embraced me and poured me a glass of tea that she had prepared in a thermos. The tea was not as strong as my Mother's love, Seeing Mother covered with perspiration, I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son! I'm not thirsty!".
This was Mother's Fourth Lie.
After Father's death, Mother had to play the role of a single parent. She held on to her former job; she had to fund our needs alone. Our family's life was more complicated. We suffered from starvation. Seeing our family's condition worsening, my kind Uncle who lived near my house came to help us solve our problems big and small. Our other neighbors saw that we were poverty stricken so they often advised my mother to marry again. But Mother refused to remarry saying "I don't need love."
This was Mother's Fifth Lie.
After I had finished my studies and gotten a job, it was time for my old Mother to retire but she carried on going to the market every morning just to sell a few vegetables. I kept sending her money but she was steadfast and even sent the money back to me. She said, "I have enough money."
That was Mother's Sixth Lie.
I continued my part-time studies for my Master's Degree. Funded by the American Corporation for which I worked, I succeeded in my studies. With a big jump in my salary, I decided to bring Mother to enjoy life in America but Mother didn't want to bother her son; she said to me "I'm not used to high living."
That was Mother's Seventh Lie.
In her dotage, Mother was attacked by cancer and had to be hospitalized. Now living far across the ocean, I went home to visit Mother who was bedridden after an operation. Mother tried to smile but I was heartbroken because she was so thin and feeble but Mother said, "Don't cry, son! I'm not in pain."
That was Mother's Eighth Lie.
Telling me this, her eighth lie, she died. YES, MOTHER WAS AN ANGEL!
M - O - T - H - E - R
"M" is for the Million things she gave me,
"O" means Only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the Tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her Heart of gold,
"E" is for her Eyes with love-light shining in them,
"R" means Right, and right she'll always be,
Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER" a word that means the world to me.
For those of you who are lucky to be still blessed with your Mom's presence on Earth, this story is beautiful. For those who aren't so blessed, this is even more beautiful.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Godliness Personified....Inspiration...
"I always knew I was going to be rich. I don't think I ever doubted it for a minute" - Warren Buffett
He is just one of the icon whom the world knows to take as inspiration. But there are lot of them in each and every corner of the universe...not even a human, an ant, which works all day to live..bees...the examples extends like a novel...thanks to my friend for being my inspiration...and posted a blog for me...!!!
He is just one of the icon whom the world knows to take as inspiration. But there are lot of them in each and every corner of the universe...not even a human, an ant, which works all day to live..bees...the examples extends like a novel...thanks to my friend for being my inspiration...and posted a blog for me...!!!
Colors Symbolize...A Lot...
Colors on ROSE
I have read this somewhere and noted it for future use.
Black Roses signify Death...
Coral Rose conveys desire...
Lavender Roses symbolize love at first sight and enhancement...
Orange Roses indicate enthusiasm, desire and fascination...
Pink (Deep) says Thank You...
Pink (Light) Rose conveys admiration, gentleness, grace, gladness, joy and sweetness...
Pink Rose carry the message of happiness, gracefulness and gentleness...
Red Roses symbolize sincere Love, Respect, Courage & Passion...
Red (Dark) Rose reveals unconscious beauty...
Red (Single) means "I Love You"...
Red & White Roses together signify unity...
Single Rose in any color expresses simplicity and gratitude...
White Roses express Purity/heavenly, secrecy, silence, innocence and charm...
White (Bridal) Rose symbolizes a happy love...
Yellow Roses indicate joy, gladness, friendship and "I Care"...
Yellow Rose with Red Tip indicates friendship falling in Love...
Sunday, July 25, 2010
My First Title...My life....
Hi all...I am Dinesh Asokan...I like calling me Dinse...Its (Di-N-shh)...not (Din-see)....I would like to keep all my sweet memories in my life in all formats...may be some as gifts...lots as pictures...some times some only in my and others heart...some personals in life not revealed to anyone...
I am the only child for my parents...so lot of love, care and affection. So till end of my life, i will return my love care and affection to them in any form...that could make them happy..i thought of writing all these in a dairy..but it will mostly become single read or sometime unnoticed to all of my frnds...
I am in social networks, such as facebook and orkut, In this modern life...that too for those who are miles away from hometown its a microseconds bridge to connect to all our family and frnds...
You can catch me on the following links below...
http://www.orkut.com/Main#Profile?rl=mp&uid=11694500303472712218
http://www.facebook.com/asokandinesh
you can find a lot abt me...in various categories like social, professional and personal...i have read in one of my frnds orkut status, under personal column..
"Learn some Decency Please..Itz Ma Personal.."
It was nice...but i am to some extend a open book..so you can know abt me...
Tht friend too blogs...after seeing their blog i had a feeling to start a blog of my own...i messaged and i got a reply...
"wow :) im happy to know that I ve inspired U :) have a good start :) Happy blogging :) do post me ur URL :) "
So thats how i started blogging...
Thanx to that frnd of mine...hope all my family and frnds enjoys it... If anyone have any objections or praisals towards my blogs...welcome anytime to have a comment on it..
With love and care,
Dinse.
I am the only child for my parents...so lot of love, care and affection. So till end of my life, i will return my love care and affection to them in any form...that could make them happy..i thought of writing all these in a dairy..but it will mostly become single read or sometime unnoticed to all of my frnds...
I am in social networks, such as facebook and orkut, In this modern life...that too for those who are miles away from hometown its a microseconds bridge to connect to all our family and frnds...
You can catch me on the following links below...
http://www.orkut.com/Main#Profile?rl=mp&uid=11694500303472712218
http://www.facebook.com/asokandinesh
you can find a lot abt me...in various categories like social, professional and personal...i have read in one of my frnds orkut status, under personal column..
"Learn some Decency Please..Itz Ma Personal.."
It was nice...but i am to some extend a open book..so you can know abt me...
Tht friend too blogs...after seeing their blog i had a feeling to start a blog of my own...i messaged and i got a reply...
"wow :) im happy to know that I ve inspired U :) have a good start :) Happy blogging :) do post me ur URL :) "
So thats how i started blogging...
Thanx to that frnd of mine...hope all my family and frnds enjoys it... If anyone have any objections or praisals towards my blogs...welcome anytime to have a comment on it..
With love and care,
Dinse.
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