HARD WORK IS ITS OWN REWARD

In August this year, newspapers were full of the story of the discovery of a great Italian painter and sculpture, Pordenone Montanari, 73, who had shut himself away from the world for 18 years to exclusively devote himself to his work and relying for his bare necessities on his wife. He was discovered when his wife was putting up a “For Sale” sign to the gate post and a local businessman of Indian origin was passing by. The businessman bought the house within hours and, in partnership with another Indian businessman, bought the rights to the artist’s work.

His work prompt comparison to Cézanne, Braque, Bacon, and Picasso. Dr. Rossana Pitteli, art expert at the Italian Cultural Institute said, “Montanari is a truly exciting new Italian discovery.”

Edward Lucie-Smith, a leading British art historian to whom the work was shown by the buyers, said that Montanari was unique. She said, “Some contemporary artists pursue fame; others find in an obstacle in the path of their highest ambitions. Montanari belongs to the second category.”

I would like to make two points here.

In Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjun, “You have right to action only; not to its results. Don’t be attached to the results to your actions; and don’t be without action too.”

It means to do one’s duty without bothering much for its results and rewards.

Mind you, this was taught by Krishna with a view to persuade Arjun to fight the great was of Mahabharat.

In the world great people, artist, writers, and scientists do work without directly being much bothered about the results and rewards.

In India, nobody knows who wrote their great Vedas and Upanishads. In fact, they seem to be the combined effort of many people over a long period of time.

The second point is that success comes after long and lonely hard work and many times after many failures. Some say that for success in any field seven years of hard work is necessary. Get Rich Overnight, Get Famous Overnight, or Get Successful Overnight schemes don’t work in real world. Only hard work over many years bears fruit.

In this connection, please, also ponder over the following:life history of one of the greatest ‘failures’ of the world:

1. Age: 21 years :Failure in business.

2. Age: 22 years :Failure in elections.

3. Age: 24 years :Failure in business.

4. Age: 26 years :Death of wife.

5. Age: 27 years :Nervous breakdown.

6. Age: 34 years :Defeat in Congress elections.

7. Age: 45 years :Defeat in Senate elections.

8. Age: 47 years :Defeat in attempt to become Vice-President.

Who was this man?

Abraham Lincoln who became President of America at the age of 52

BE SUCCESSFUL!

RUNNING IN THE OLYMPICS WITHOUT LEGS

Physical disability is no bar to live one's dream. In the

history of humankind there are many men and women who lived

their dream despite physical disability. The obvious names

which come to mind are those of Helen Keller, Stephen Hawking,

and numerous blind musicians and singer and poets.



Helen Keller was deaf and blind. Stephen Hawing suffers from a

disease known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which

is a progressive, usually fatal, neurodegenerative disease

caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells

in the central nervous system that control voluntary

muscle movement.



However, most of them had to revise their dreams to suit

their disability. Helen Keller could read only Braille,

Stephen Hawing lives in the world of mind (and theoretical

science) and many others excel in the fields unrelated to

their disability.



But here is the example of somebody who fought against all

odds and excelled in the same field for which he was not

well equipped.



This is the story of Oscar Pistorius who was born without

fibulas (the thin outer bone between the knee and ankle) and

was 11 months old when his legs were amputated below the

knee. He now uses prosthetics. Pistorius holds the 400m

Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds, but that time is

outside the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.55. He

could also be included in South African Olympic 1,600 relay

squad.



On January 14, 2008, the International Amateur Athletics

Federation (IAAF), ruled him ineligible for competitions

conducted under the IAAF rules, including the 2008 Summer

Olympics. But on May 16, 2008, Court of Arbitration for

Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, overturned the ruling. And now

even IAAF says that it accepts the binding decision. Its

President said that he is an inspirational man and we look

forward to admiring his achievements in the future.



All this goes to prove that persistence and will power

overcomes all hurdles.



Live The Life Beautiful!

Be Happy! Be Healthy! Be Successful!

Now, Year Round and Forever!

DEAR MOTHER!

Imagine if you could remember everything in your life!

Then you would surely remember your birth, enfancy, childhood, and a constant presence, life-support, and abode of infinte love and care--your dear mother.

Your mother bore you nine and half months in her womb. She nourished you there from her blood. She carried you inside her mindful of your safety and care. She sacrificed her comforts, life style and food habits for you. Your mother might have even sacrificed her career and health for you.

Then Your mother went through excruciating pain while giving birth to you. She endnagered her own life and health while giving birth to you. It is said that child birth is second life for the mother--because she could have died during it.

After your birth, you were totally dependent on the mother for all of your needs--love and care, security, and nourishment. She nourished you with her milk. She slept pitfully waking at every movement and cry of yours. You pissed and defecated all over her. Your mother did not mind. You scattered food and water all around the house. She did not care. When you fell sick your mother sat awake all night looking at your face.

When you grew up a little, she taught you all sorts of things and carried you all around proudly and carefully. She worried everytime when you went outside. She imagined all sorts of bad things happening to you. She worried no end.

But, of course, you don't remember all that. You think that you were born adult! That's why even today you don't remember your mother. To serve one's mother is the greatest bliss on earth. Those are fortunate whose mother is alive.

If you are a girl, you may be looking eagerly to motherhood. If you are already a mother, you must be taking care of your son or daughter. Then how could you forget somebody who took similar care of yours.

If you are a man with children seeing your wife taking care of your children with love, think of your mother too.

Are you not ashamed that you have practically forgotten your mother? You have left her to fend for herself in her old age. What would have happned if your mother too had abandoned you at your enfancy? You could not have survived. How, then, you imagine that your mother can survive without your care and love in this old age?

Even if your mother is not old and incapable, she still loves you and wants to be near you and your family. Give her opportunities to be a part of your family.

And, if she is still with you in a joint family, don't treat her as a burden. This is a great opportunity to serve your mother.

On this mother's day, give her the gift of love and care. This is the greatest gift you could give her. She really does not want anything else from you.

But in your childhood you pestered her for millions of things and she gave you thousands of gift. So, on this special Mother's Day give her some gift which she would love and cherish.

Above all, don't forget Mother's Day. Plan for it from this moment. And choose your gifts (don't give her just one!) with love and care. Don't let money come between you. Sky is the limit where mother's love (or gift) is concerned!

Happy Mother's Day!

MOTHER OF ALL BOOKS!

GIFTS FOR DEAR MOTHER!