The wooden Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about grandfather," said the son. I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, ... and those you love, ... today, and everyday!

Do Bheegha Jameen

A Long time ago, there was an Emperor  who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.
Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could.
He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry, thirsty or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.
Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying.
Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area?
Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."  
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard every day to make more money, to gain power and recognition.
We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love to do.  
One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.  
Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about work!
Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. 

Lessons to Learn from the Story:

Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts.

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence.
So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balance lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Past is Experience...!
Present is Experiments....!
Future is Expectations...!
Use your Experience in your Experiments to achieve your Expectations...!!!

Journey of Fairy Queen

The Journey of Fairy Queen will always remain close to my heart. The beauty of Fairy Queen is far beyond the today's train. Now I know why is it called queen.

The staff gave us a red carpet welcome. After doing pooja they gave us garland.

The joy of travelling in the world's oldest working steam engine can perhaps not be mentioned in the words. We felt like a celebrity for these two days.

In this fast pace world; it is the train like Fairy queen; that teaches us that a balance need to be maintained and rest need to be taken after every destination. If we follow this mantra like Fairy queen then we can also live a long life like this train.

What adds on to the train is the hospitality of the staff that provides personal attention to each and every passenger and try to make everyone feel at home.

In one single phrase I would describe it as an "unforgettable journey".

Next time someone starts to spread gossip, think of this

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his
wisdom.

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of
your students?"

Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass
a little test.It's called the Triple Filter Test."

"Triple filter?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my
student let's take a m! oment to filter what you're going to say. The
first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are
about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.
Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are
about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him,
even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though,because there is a third filter - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about
my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True
nor Good nor even Useful,! why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high
esteem.

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love. She is Care, Love, Friend, Warmth, Guidance, Truth, Forgiveness, Patience, Epiome of Sacrifice & Angle. She means "World" to me.
"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers."

Wait for your turn

IT Burnout

Query:
The dictionary defines 'Burnout' as "Its a psychological term for the experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest."

Burnout seems to be 'the common' thing in IT Industry.

Many argue that IT in itself is not an 'Engineering Discipline' like the Civil, Mechanical, Electrical engineering are! Infact there is no 'Discipline'. :-)

At the end of the day the fact remains 'we all are part of it'.

My questions are

1) Can 'IT Burnout' be avoided ? If yes 'How' ?

2) If it cant be avoided, 'How to deal with it' ? or 'How to manage it' ?

I think sharing some 'real life' experiences will help here.

Answer:
Yes, 'IT Burnout' can be eliminated. Someone needs to think two steps ahead of the game. If you visualize the IT process holistic way then dream it at a day time and see it with open eyes. Then try to achieve that dream coolly and calmly with close eyes.

Avoid routine work. Think in terms of process automation, data quality and efficient data access methodology. It's not easy, but human can do this. Always keep focus and avoid IT politics. Break the political grid lock by convincing to your upper management and deliver the project efficiently and in time (not by false deliverable dates).

If all bets are off then find some other company and start all over again. Someday you will be recognized, successes and achieve to cool down "IT BURNOUT".