240. Nothing can remain the same yet we want certain things to continue as they are and invite grief! What begins, ends.

- Sujit Mukerji

239. Man is born free but is everywhere in chains.

- Rousseau

238.    Shouldn’t we seek hope

Even when there is no scope;

… As in darkness

For light we grope?

- Sujit Mukerji

237. We may be said to have an idea only when we put forth an effort to realize it.

- Mahatma Gandhi

236. Suffering well borne is suffering removed.

235. What we waste deliberately we shall be sadly wanting someday.

234. The one who does not dare to do great things is not likely to come to grief and yet, one has to be bold to achieve something.

233. A child is instinctively driven by its likes and dislikes. That is where the role of an elder comes in. If the child is allowed to have its way, the only thing that grows unchecked would be its instincts. In other words, it grows into an animal! So, it needs to be checked as per the old dictum of checks-and-balances. But, it is often noticed that the elder, at times, has the tendency to be guided by his own convenience rather than the child’s welfare. So, we have elders, who would rather load the child with the things of its liking or, maybe, create opportunities for the child to have its way so that it could be steered in the direction that suits only the elders and has nothing to do with the child’s ultimate welfare! We even see parents scolding their children for the flimsiest of reasons just because the child must be causing them some discomfort or, maybe, doing something which is not to the parents’ tastes, even if such an act is beneficial for the child in the ultimate analysis. Like, for instance, playing with a free mind, no matter if the clothes get dirty. Sooner or later, the child realizes that its elders, more often than not, keep showing tendencies to manipulate it to suit themselves. So, it learns to manipulate even its “own” people.

- Sujit Mukerji

232. Try, we should;

Else, lament: “we could”!

- Sujit Mukerji

231. PATIENCE PLEASE …

… And balance, of course, without which nothing good can ever be possible…

- daughter, Josheca Mukerji

Most of the time, we are unsuccessful due to lack of patience. This is one of the most important things in our life. If we have patience, we can solve our difficulties easily. I have been hearing many moral stories/proverbs from the time when I was too small; at the age when we do not have the capacity to understand things when said in a metaphorical way but rather take them by their literal meanings. “Patience and perseverance bears fruit.” I have been hearing this from my earliest days when I thought patience and perseverance were names of people and they carried fruits! I find it very difficult, at rimes, to have patience but I have realized fully well that I do not have any choice if I want to succeed.

Many a times we are in a hurry and say that we want to save our time. Let us consider the case when we are caught up in a traffic jam at a railway level crossing where the gates are closed. We see many people losing patience and walking past the closed gates to reach the other side. Let us consider another case from our day-to-day life where lack of patience either proves fatal or leads to a person’s becoming a permanent patient – rash driving. It is better to reach late than never reach at all. Impatience or hurrying to “save time” can lead to time otherwise and ill-spent or, in simple terms – wastage of time. In our bid to reach our destination “in time”, we end up at the hospital before time to spend a whole length of time (i.e. if we have any time left; which is to say, if we are alive) at another place for an entirely different and undesirable reason. The time factor is extremely important. We know that time never waits for anyone and wasted time never returns. A fruitful utilization of time is what maters. It is upon us how we utilize the time. Accordingly, we have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ times. We fear bad times and welcome good times. Hence, it is all the more important to understand the importance of patience.

It is also important that we don’t get bogged down or swept away by our experiences. Once again, we should remind ourselves the importance of patience and balance and that nothing is permanent. I remember having heard a popular story where a man visits a learned sage to know how he should deal with life. The sage simply handed him two folded pieces of paper and asked him to open one when he was happy and the other when he was sad. In both the pieces of paper, only one message was written – “This time will pass.” The moral of the story, therefore, is that during bad times, we need patience because such times will pass and during good times, we need balance so that we are not swept off the ground and we do not go overboard, because, again, such time too will pass.

If a person does not have the patience to give the examination for a job, he wouldn’t get the job. Likewise, if we fail to have patience while giving the exams that our life takes from us, then? The only result would be that we would fail. Thus, it can be safely concluded that the role of patience and balance on the major decisions of our life can not be over-emphasized.

Last but not the least, I would like to quote something which I read somewhere; I don’t remember who said it but I am sure it would fit here – “Half of what I say is meaningless but I say so, so that the other half may reach you.”

230. Hard work pays,

But luck denies or delays;

To quench your thirst,

You’ve to dig a well first;

The well may be dry,

But it’s still worth the try …

- Sujit Mukerji

229. The end of all knowledge is the beginning of character.

- Mahatma Gandhi

228. Whether you think you can or you can’t, either way you are right.

- Henry Frod

227. Eat to live, but do not live to eat.

- Benjamin Franklin

226. If you sing before breakfast, you’ll cry before dinner.

225. A Chance To Learn

- Sujit Mukerji

With the trumpets gone

And the clowns thrown out

(Little shares in little joys

That’s what their life was partly about);

She sits back to pout;

But life goes on …

Her mind flits between

Now and then …

Life, she concludes,

Was a shameless feast

At whatever cost …

The feast was over;

The crumbs remained,

But that’s what God ordained!

We do our lot –

That’s exactly His plot …

If we want more,

We will end up with a heart too sore –

Experience will make us of that very sure …

We learn from the past,

But shouldn’t dwell on it

If we want to keep us steady and fit …

Take things as they come –

This wisdom is shared but only by some!

Face the facts of life

And do not look so glum;

We need to realize

That happiness is only an interval –

Which we can’t spell

(Neither can we on it dwell) –

Between two miseries;

While misery is the gap –

That’s devoid of any sap –

Between two moments of happiness

And is responsible for our grumpiness …

It creeps in challenging our fortitude,

Tending to increase in magnitude;

We can learn from the mountain –

Of course, only if we have the will;

No use if we sit back and wail,

Concentrating merely on our trail;

The river does its duty,

In that lies its beauty;

Its paths are filled with ups and downs,

But does it ever wait with frowns?

It goes on and on

And its life becomes a beautiful song …

The river that dares carry along,

Expands and becomes large and long;

Stillness signifies death

And motion speaks of life …

So we should be on the move

– But only ahead –

And explore life’s endless treasure trove …

224. He lacks most who desires most.

223. Advice when most needed is least heeded.

222. The storm comes but only to pass,

Admittedly, it touches the trees and the grass;

But there is also the obdurate mountain,

Which continues to give the life’s fountain

And stands high and tall not just to appal,

It has lessons to teach without having to preach;

We might have many axes to grind,

But “if winter is here can spring be far behind?”

- Sujit Mukerji

221. Weaknesses at even one small point may prove disastrous to the strength of an entire object, argument etc.

220.  Industry is fortune’s right hand, frugality her left.

- Ray

219. He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill.

- Ray

218. A pampered child grows up believing that everything could be had so easily. He finds it absolutely unacceptable when, on growing up, he discovers that the case is just the reverse. One has to struggle for any achievement, whatsoever. He experiences a tough time trying to come to terms with life and, in his frustration, panics to such an extent that he finds himself driven to extremes. He grows up believing that it is his birthright to get whatever he desires whenever he wants.

- Sujit Mukerji

217. We don’t see the things the way they are. We see things the way we are.

- Talmund

216.  True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but their worth and choice.

- Ben Johnson

215. Never dam the bridge that you have crossed. You may have to cross it again … Isolation is not the best policy.

214. Prosperity gains ‘friends’.

213. ‘Bad’ times test ‘good’ friends.

212. Dig for the worm and out comes the snake!

211. Appearance loses beauty on microscopic analysis.

- Sujit Mukerji

210. To a brave man, good and bad luck are like his left and right hands. He uses both.

- St. Catherine of Siena

209. Today kids can be heard trying out various means to extract benefits from the elders! Love and respect are being weighed in monetary terms. Where are the values? Who is responsible? Our parents did not have to exchange gifts to prove that they loved each other. Nor, for that matter, did they have to say that they loved each other. It was clearly evident from their attitudes. They valued each other more than anything else. That is the secret of inter-personnel relationships.

- Sujit Mukerji

208. The merits of a good thing will prove themselves without the need of advertising.

207. Wars are not won by evacuation.

- Winston Churchill

206. If two men ride on a horse, one must ride behind.

- William Shakespeare

205. If equal love there cannot be

Let the more loving one be me …

- Auden

204. Failure to practice and advocate a balanced approach towards life results in the growth of raw instincts with no control over it of reasoning. Consequently, one becomes increasingly prone to giving in uncontrollably to lust and that has in it the tendency for corruption.

- Sujit Mukerji

203. When there is lack of security or, in other words, there is a sense of insecurity then there can be a tendency to seek and/or build a support system coupled with the tendency to influence others’ thoughts, words and deeds – going, at times, even to the extent of adopting every conceivable means to ‘force’ people to become agreeable and supportive – as per one’s own requirements. Same holds true in case of self-seekers as also those having exploitative tendencies with malafide intentions resorting to unscrupulous manipulations. The wisest action would be to steer oneself clear from such sticky situations and refrain from getting unduly involved, adopting the stance: ‘it’s your life, your prerogative, your choice …’ ; for the simple reason that in such cases, as is mostly seen, once the needs are met – or whatever the outcome –  the ‘seeker’ changes colours and the ‘supporter’ is ditched, even harmed, particularly if things go against the ‘seeker’s’ wishes.

- Sujit Mukerji

202. Be not the first to quarrel, nor the last to make it up.

201. The worst misfortunes are those that never happen.

200.  Actual possession of property gives a person the prescriptive right to it.

199. No outside force can break a team if the bond is strong enough.

- Sujit Mukerji

198. Jealously – like all negativities – means inability i.e. failure, and admitting it!

- Sujit Mukerji

197. None preaches better than the ant and she says nothing.

- Benjamin Franklin

196. The eyes see all, but the mind shows us what we want to see.

- Shankaracharya

195. Giving too much money in a child’s hands seems to be the ‘in’ thing nowadays. The explanation is that this serves to create a zest in the child’s life which, in turn, promotes his eagerness for betterment. Economics says, create a need which acts as a motivation for growth. But, moral science advocates satisfaction. Complacency would thwart economic growth. Conceded. It would, however, promote the growth of peace. Wouldn’t it be wise to strike a balance somewhere? Urge for growth could be treated as a game so as not to affect the state of mind adversely. But, is the child taught that?

- Sujit Mukerji

194. We try to make others understand whereas most often, if not always, we need to make ourselves understand.

- Sujit Mukerji

193.  Even an ocean can not equal the life-saving droplet of water.

- Sujit Mukerji

192. Nothing surprises me! Everything is so natural!! All we have to do is to remember everything, understand the nature, the logic, the psychology etc. and nothing will seem out of place.

- Sujit Mukerji

191. It is a real tragedy when the children do not feel free to discuss everything, particularly their personal issues, with their parents/guardians. This often has serious consequences leading even to the youngster’s heartbreak(s), personality disorder(s), taking wrong choices, getting into problems etc. For this, only the parents/guardians can be held responsible. From the very beginning, the attitude or approach of the parents/guardians should be such that the child feels totally uninhibited, comfortable and confident to interact with them. This should be from the very beginning because if it is not so, a kind of mental block sets in and it becomes very difficult for the child and the parents/guardians to be relaxed with each other on every issue.

- Sujit Mukerji

190. To be angry is to avenge the fault of others on ourselves.

- Alexander Pope

189. A wise person when alone has all the occupation and interest he needs for reflection and communing with himself.

188. He is richest that has the fewest wants.

- Cicero

187. Why can’t we learn from the gardener who keeps the sapling tied to a straight stick till it becomes tough enough to stand erect on its own? Disciplining is of the utmost necessity but, alas, it is often realized when it is already too late and nothing is left to be done. Pampering, shockingly, is even justified at times. It is our duty to let the kid live life fully and enjoy its infancy, babyhood and childhood days, it is contended. Granted.  But, isn’t it also true that excess of anything is bad. It is bound to backfire. To an extent things can be justified. But, only to an extent.

- Sujit Mukerji

186. If we have –

Patience, tolerance, the will to sacrifice and do penance, devotion and respect;

Then we will get –

Love, care, peace, respect, position, grace, dignity, distinctive identity … all the positive things (you name it).

- Sujit Mukerji

185. Love means giving, not getting. True love calls for a lot of sacrifice. It means one doesn’t impose anything on the loved one. It means one dedicates oneself for the ultimate well-being of the loved one.

- Sujit Mukerji

184. Even a cheat doesn’t want to be cheated.

- Sujit Mukerji

183. Strong reasons make strong actions.

- William Shakespeare

182. The used key is always bright.

181. Some men are wise and some are otherwise.

- Smollett

180.  Self-respect and egoism are opposites. Examples:

(a) A person with the sense of self-respect wouldn’t hesitate to acknowledge his/her mistake(s) and apologize for the same even in public. Such a person can even go to the extent of standing up for the others, taking upon the self the responsibility for the others’ mistake(s) and of apologizing for them despite being innocent. In doing so, the person with the sense of self-respect gains respectability.

(b) An egoistic person, on the other hand, just wouldn’t acknowledge his/her mistake(s), even if it is proved, let alone apologize for the same or stand up for anyone else. In doing so, an egoistic person loses respectability.

- Sujit Mukerji

179. Our life depends on our responses which depend on our personality traits – the attitudinal, behavioural, language etc. patterns – that we have inherently or acquired since our childhood. Hence, to understand the life of an adult, we have to go to his/her childhood stage so as to be able to trace the origins and development of his/her particular personality aspects. A person is born with and, over the years, picks up and develops certain qualities according to which he/she thinks and, therefore, acts and gets the results. He/she is either positively or negatively inclined and seldom balanced. Tragedy is when he/she shows negative propensities. For example, stubbornness, cheating, violence etc. So, let us go to his/her childhood days. A child becomes stubborn if it learns that its wishes can get fulfilled if it resorts to stubbornness. Similarly, it learns to cheat, by telling lies etc., and getting away with it. Not just that, it even learns to gain by lying. Needless to say, it learns this from its elders and its environment. The elders might themselves be doing just that. Or maybe, they are just too loving. So much so, that they would rather turn a blind eye to the faults of their wards, forgetting that this same ward of today would be the adult of tomorrow.

- Sujit Mukerji

178. Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no help at all.

- Dale Carnegie.

177. Worry is the interest we pay on trouble before it is due.

- Dean Inge

176. Flattery brings friends, truth enemies.

175. Goodness has a price but that can be treated as a test of the self.

- Sujit Mukerji

174. Even the noblest of souls and deeds are/have been criticized. Should criticism necessarily be a deterrent?

- Sujit Mukerji

173. The Present is born out of the Past and nurtures, in its womb, the Future.

172. To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan but also believe.

- Anatole  France.

171.  Who spends more than he should, shall not have to spend when he would.

- Ray