People think, "I can enjoy this material world very nicely. Everyone is having such a good time. There is no reason I can't enjoy myself as much as they." This idea is illusion because there is no real enjoyment in the material world. We may be very good-looking, famous, well educated, wealthy and powerful, and we may have a very beautiful wife and children and hold the highest position in the country—but at any moment we are subject to be shot down. This is the nature of this world. There is no question of having pleasure without impediments. Even when the pleasures are earned after a great deal of struggle and sacrifice, they are temporary. In this material world there is no pleasure that can give us constant and unending enjoyment. One has to understand he is not the material body. Then one immediately becomes joyful. Just like if you are implicated in some undesirable affair and your lawyer advises, "Oh, you are free from this implication. The law does not bind you," you feel pleasure, "Oh, I'm free from this implication?" "Yes," similarly, as soon as one is convinced that "I am not this material body," then immediately he becomes joyful. What is that joyfulness? There is no hankering, no lamentation. Only Krishna can give us that. Therefore Krishna instructs in Bhagavad-gita that it is the welfare of every living entity to give up this material activity and just surrender unto Him, He will give protection from all sinful reactions. Unfortunately, people are so attracted by the glitter of material nature that they cannot do it. People always fear that by surrendering to Krishna they will lose something but Krishna is so kind that if He takes anything away, He will reward us a thousand-fold.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Smile more
A research done in England found that a baby smiles 400 times a day, an adolescent 17 times and an adult doesn't smile at all! The more successful one keeps a very stiff face. Is roughness a sign of success? Is being stressed a sign of prosperity, growth or dignity?
You should smile more. Every day, every morning, look at the mirror and give a good smile to yourself. You know what happens when you smile? All the muscles in your face get relaxed. The nerves in your brain get relaxation, and you get the confidence, courage and energy to move on in life.
You know, your smile is so fragile! Just one telephone call is enough to take it away! Just see why your smiles go away? It may be because somebody said something stupid to you. And why did they say a stupid thing? Because they had some garbage they needed to throw out and you were there, ready to catch it! And once you have caught it, you hold on to it so passionately!
Wake up! Don't let your smile be snatched away by anybody!
You should smile more. Every day, every morning, look at the mirror and give a good smile to yourself. You know what happens when you smile? All the muscles in your face get relaxed. The nerves in your brain get relaxation, and you get the confidence, courage and energy to move on in life.
You know, your smile is so fragile! Just one telephone call is enough to take it away! Just see why your smiles go away? It may be because somebody said something stupid to you. And why did they say a stupid thing? Because they had some garbage they needed to throw out and you were there, ready to catch it! And once you have caught it, you hold on to it so passionately!
Wake up! Don't let your smile be snatched away by anybody!
An Website for pregnant Womens
MedHelp's free Pregnancy Calendar helps women keep track of everything happening during this special time - from baby kicks to pregnancy weight gain, from food aversions to food cravings, and from counting down the number of days until the due date to the test results of every ultrasound. Whether you're in your first or third trimester, you'll want to use our interactive pregnancy calendar to remember the details forever. Share your progress with others by displaying a ticker on other sites, so everyone can share in this special journey.
http://www.medhelp.org/land/pregnancy-calendar
http://www.medhelp.org/land/pregnancy-calendar
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
US edges closer to default as debt talks collapse
"For the first time in history, our country's triple-A credit rating would be downgraded, leaving investors around the world to wonder whether the United States is still a good bet," Obama said in remarks at the White House.
The United States edged closer to a devastating default on Tuesday, as President Barack Obama's Democrats and their Republican rivals were deadlocked over competing plans to raise the debt ceiling, one week before a deadline to act.
With no compromise in sight and the threat of a far-reaching US credit downgrade looming, IMF chief Christine Lagarde urged swift resolution of the political impasse in Washington, warning that failure to reach an agreement would have serious consequences for the world economy.
"The clock is ticking and clearly the issue needs to be resolved immediately," Lagarde told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank, according to a text of her remarks.
Obama, in a televised address late on Monday aimed at rallying public support for a package proposed by Senate Democrats, said failure to increase the $14.3 trillion US borrowing limit would severely hurt the nation.
"For the first time in history, our country's triple-A credit rating would be downgraded, leaving investors around the world to wonder whether the United States is still a good bet," he said in remarks at the White House.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers, despite weeks of intense talks, are far apart on a deal to reduce the budget deficit, which would clear the way for Congress to lift the debt ceiling by the Aug. 2 deadline, when the country runs out of cash to pay all of its of its bills. Democrats control the Senate. Republicans control the House of Representatives.
Markets have been rattled by the descent of negotiations into an acrimonious stalemate, with both sides offering competing plans that are unlikely to win bipartisan support.
"Every day that goes by without a deal will see investors become a bit more defensive," said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington.
'I AM CONFIDENT' A key element of the standoff has been congressional Republicans refusing to allow any tax increase in deficit reduction packages.
Obama said a default would inflict the equivalent of a tax hike on all Americans by pushing up borrowing costs on things like credit card loans and mortgages, but he sought to assure markets a deal could be reached.
"I have told leaders of both parties that they must come up with a fair compromise in the next few days that can pass both houses of Congress -- a compromise I can sign. And I am confident we can reach this compromise," he said.
The dollar fell across the board, hitting a record low against the safe-haven Swiss franc, as Obama's comments indicated a swift breakthrough in the debt talks was unlikely.
Gold, seen as another safe haven from the American and European debt woes, rose to a record high on Monday and hovered near that level on Tuesday. However, financial markets are not showing any sign of panic.
Rating agency S&P warns it could downgrade the United States unless lawmakers agree on steps to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over 10 years.
A credit rating cut would be felt around the world. Investors will likely demand a higher return for holding US government debt, a benchmark for almost all other financial markets, forcing up interest rates and sapping asset prices.
Republicans and Democrats both insist they will not allow the United States to default and many investors expect the two sides to come to an agreement as well.
Despite little sign of movement, Gene Sperling, Obama's top economic adviser said on Tuesday that Republicans and Democrats were still capable of reaching a budget deal this week if the sides show a "minimum amount of compromise."
Investors are also still holding out hope for a deal. "My personal belief is that the US lawmakers will eventually raise the debt ceiling because the alternative is so much worse," said Guan Ong, former chief investment officer of Korea Investment Corp, South Korea's sovereign wealth fund, who now manages his own fund.
"But before we get there, I expect some level of volatility to occur and it will get worse with each day. This would be brinkmanship at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it," he said.
Still, India's central bank said it was prepared for any market repercussions should the United States default on its debt. Central bank Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said at a news conference that India had sufficient market liquidity to deal with the impact of a default.
Democrats want to shield cherished healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and say any spending cuts in these must be balanced by changes in the US tax code that generate more revenue in the future.
But Republican lawmakers are adamant they will not vote for a deal that includes tax increases, reflecting the determination of Tea Party conservatives elected last year to shrink government.
House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, must placate these demands and on Monday advanced a two-stage deficit reduction plan that would start with an initial $1.2 trillion in savings over 10 years.
It is sure to be rejected by Obama though because it would raise the debt limit for only a few months. The issue would have to be revisited in early 2012 ahead of elections due in November, making it even harder for lawmakers to come to an agreement.
Democrats formally presented their competing plan to reduce the deficit by $2.7 trillion over the next decade, proposing an increase in the debt limit that would carry through the November 2012 election, when Obama and many lawmakers are up for re-election.
The Obama administration has not ruled out invoking the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution to sell debt, even if Congress fails to raise the borrowing ceiling.
With no compromise in sight and the threat of a far-reaching US credit downgrade looming, IMF chief Christine Lagarde urged swift resolution of the political impasse in Washington, warning that failure to reach an agreement would have serious consequences for the world economy.
"The clock is ticking and clearly the issue needs to be resolved immediately," Lagarde told the Council on Foreign Relations think tank, according to a text of her remarks.
Obama, in a televised address late on Monday aimed at rallying public support for a package proposed by Senate Democrats, said failure to increase the $14.3 trillion US borrowing limit would severely hurt the nation.
"For the first time in history, our country's triple-A credit rating would be downgraded, leaving investors around the world to wonder whether the United States is still a good bet," he said in remarks at the White House.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers, despite weeks of intense talks, are far apart on a deal to reduce the budget deficit, which would clear the way for Congress to lift the debt ceiling by the Aug. 2 deadline, when the country runs out of cash to pay all of its of its bills. Democrats control the Senate. Republicans control the House of Representatives.
Markets have been rattled by the descent of negotiations into an acrimonious stalemate, with both sides offering competing plans that are unlikely to win bipartisan support.
"Every day that goes by without a deal will see investors become a bit more defensive," said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington.
'I AM CONFIDENT' A key element of the standoff has been congressional Republicans refusing to allow any tax increase in deficit reduction packages.
Obama said a default would inflict the equivalent of a tax hike on all Americans by pushing up borrowing costs on things like credit card loans and mortgages, but he sought to assure markets a deal could be reached.
"I have told leaders of both parties that they must come up with a fair compromise in the next few days that can pass both houses of Congress -- a compromise I can sign. And I am confident we can reach this compromise," he said.
The dollar fell across the board, hitting a record low against the safe-haven Swiss franc, as Obama's comments indicated a swift breakthrough in the debt talks was unlikely.
Gold, seen as another safe haven from the American and European debt woes, rose to a record high on Monday and hovered near that level on Tuesday. However, financial markets are not showing any sign of panic.
Rating agency S&P warns it could downgrade the United States unless lawmakers agree on steps to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over 10 years.
A credit rating cut would be felt around the world. Investors will likely demand a higher return for holding US government debt, a benchmark for almost all other financial markets, forcing up interest rates and sapping asset prices.
Republicans and Democrats both insist they will not allow the United States to default and many investors expect the two sides to come to an agreement as well.
Despite little sign of movement, Gene Sperling, Obama's top economic adviser said on Tuesday that Republicans and Democrats were still capable of reaching a budget deal this week if the sides show a "minimum amount of compromise."
Investors are also still holding out hope for a deal. "My personal belief is that the US lawmakers will eventually raise the debt ceiling because the alternative is so much worse," said Guan Ong, former chief investment officer of Korea Investment Corp, South Korea's sovereign wealth fund, who now manages his own fund.
"But before we get there, I expect some level of volatility to occur and it will get worse with each day. This would be brinkmanship at its best, or worst, depending on how you look at it," he said.
Still, India's central bank said it was prepared for any market repercussions should the United States default on its debt. Central bank Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said at a news conference that India had sufficient market liquidity to deal with the impact of a default.
Democrats want to shield cherished healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid and say any spending cuts in these must be balanced by changes in the US tax code that generate more revenue in the future.
But Republican lawmakers are adamant they will not vote for a deal that includes tax increases, reflecting the determination of Tea Party conservatives elected last year to shrink government.
House Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, must placate these demands and on Monday advanced a two-stage deficit reduction plan that would start with an initial $1.2 trillion in savings over 10 years.
It is sure to be rejected by Obama though because it would raise the debt limit for only a few months. The issue would have to be revisited in early 2012 ahead of elections due in November, making it even harder for lawmakers to come to an agreement.
Democrats formally presented their competing plan to reduce the deficit by $2.7 trillion over the next decade, proposing an increase in the debt limit that would carry through the November 2012 election, when Obama and many lawmakers are up for re-election.
The Obama administration has not ruled out invoking the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution to sell debt, even if Congress fails to raise the borrowing ceiling.
Put the glass down!
A professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see and asked the students,' How much do you think this glass weighs?'
'50gms!'.... '100gms!'.....'125gms'...the students answered.
What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?
'Nothing' the students said.
'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.
'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'
'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student and all the students laughed.
'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?’ asked the professor.
'No'
'Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?'
'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.
'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this.Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you.'
It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN more important to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
So, when you leave office today, remember to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!'
'50gms!'.... '100gms!'.....'125gms'...the students answered.
What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?
'Nothing' the students said.
'Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?' the professor asked.
'Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'
'Your arm could go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!' ventured another student and all the students laughed.
'Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?’ asked the professor.
'No'
'Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?'
'Put the glass down!' said one of the students.
'Exactly!' said the professor.' Life's problems are something like this.Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache. Hold it even longer and they begin to paralyze you.'
It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but EVEN more important to 'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
So, when you leave office today, remember to 'PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!'
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