Finally, treasures and riches mean what it means. We all love to store up money. Nothing wrong with it when it is made through genuine hard work.
Yet Jesus asked us to store up our riches in heaven where moth doesn’t eat and rust doesn’t corrupt. It points out the uncertainty of riches in this world. And the permanence of what is sacrifially given away out of compassion and love for others.
Let me conclude. When God is promising you such great treasures of darkness and riches stored in secret places, will you settle for less?
The world has seen a very small microbe Covid 19 become a giant global showstopper. Life itself is a big question mark to millions. Economy has slowed down. Man’s busyness has taken a back seat. Death has wrecked havoc in countless homes. We are disrupted in every way.
Now there is every reason to fear. At the same time I would like to encourage you to keep up hope. And not to lose courage. These are times when we need to cling to God and seek his help and ask for his mercy to be shown.
This is a time to hope and to value our loved ones; to keep them close to our hearts and be thankful for the loving relationships that make our life on earth meaningful.
This is a time to hope and to review all our activities and let go those that are simply stealing away our time. Instead focus on those few that will make a meaningful contribution to others.
This is a time to hope and to prepare for the unseen future. It is going to be tough. Jobs might be lost overnight. Prices of essential commodities might soar. Travel might continue to be restricted. Save by minimizing expenses.
This is also a time to hope and not to get lost in the tsunami of social media posts. The time people lose in scrolling from post to post is enormous. True, there is much that is useful and entertaining. But it can make you lose perspective and make you lose initiative.
Let me conclude by asking all of you to be thankful to all in government authority, medical personnel and law-enforcing people who are selflessly working day and night to fight the Covid threat. Let me remind you once again that when fear of what the future is going to be hits you, this is a time to hold on to God in hope.
I stand here today to speak to you because of what happened this morning. One of our classmates had to leave the class in tears. She is our friend; yet our words and actions caused her to leave in shame and distress.
Who is responsible? We all are.
And what is the problem? Somehow we enjoy jokes at other’s expense. Everybody laughs. Maybe even the person about whom the fun was all about also joins in the laughter.
But that doesn’t mean that the fun was cool. Knowingly or without thought we have wrongly succeeded in destroying the sense of worth of another person.
Now why do we crack silly and frivolous comments about someone’s personal appearance or dress or mannerisms? It is an attempt from our part to appear smart by diminishing someone else.
The temptation to do so is great, but with a little patience and effort you can overcome the urge to make fun of others. Instead, if you yield to it; someday it will boomerang on you.
I appeal to all who were involved in making fun of our dear friend to understand the deep hurt you have caused her. For you, it was moment’s joke; for her it is a lifetime of pain and shame.
What did you gain by making fun of her? Let me ask you, do you become smarter when you make fun of others? Or does your beauty increase when you demean others by your thoughtless remarks?
My dear friends, I ask you to try your best to redeem the situation. Reach out to her and say with genuine hearts that you’re sorry. There is still a ray of hope that things can be straightened out. Act before it is too late.
Let me conclude by appealing to the whole student community to put to an end to the insensitive act of making fun of others.
I am sorry.
It takes courage to say those words. For you are taking responsibility for what went wrong.
I am sorry. It shows your humility. For those who are proud well never admit that they are wrong.
I am sorry.
It shows your sincere willingness to change. For there is no point in repeating mistakes again and again.
I am sorry.
It shows that you are a human being and not an automated robot. For we tend to err in spite of all our good intentions and best efforts.
I am sorry. Life is about relationships. Like oil that lubricates hinges which moves huge doors are these words. Saying I am sorry can heal hurts, forgive wrongs, and restore friendships.
So let go of your pride. Take that first step. Instead of arguing that you are right just tell the other person “I am sorry.”
What a joy it is when you are brought back to God and people are brought near to each other with those simple words!
Flowers are lovely. They make the earth beautiful.
Flowers represent life. They show us the promise of life when it buds. They charm us with their youthful loveliness in bloom. When they fade and fall, their glory lies trampled on the ground. It reminds of life that dust is and to dust returns.
Flowers make its appearance in all our occasions in life—be it weddings or funerals, welcome or farewell. The red rose which has become inseparably wedded to love , the white jasmine that has become a garland of purity, and the orchids that stay long with elegance are all very much part of our lives,
Flowers proclaim the wisdom of our Creator. With how infinite variety has he made them all. How much joy flowers create, how varied their colours and how majestic when they bloom in endless rows in wide fields and plains. From the tiny flowers that dot the green pastures to the flowers of aquatic plants, flowers surprise us with joy.
2 Minute Speech on the Meaning of. Life
Flowers beautify our gardens. Flowers in gardens make us nostalgic. They refresh our minds with times we spend together with our loved ones and friends. In this busy world where we are confined to concrete jungles, how relaxing is a walk in a garden full of blooming trees and plants sporting beautiful, lovely flowers!
Flowers create special memories. Who can forget the story of the beautiful blind young girl selling flowers at the beginning of the classic movie by Charlie Chaplin, City Lights. The brilliant end of that movie when the girl who can now see offers Charlie Chaplin the tramp a flower and the moment of recognition when their hands touch is simply unforgettable.
Let me end by saying that when I think of flowers, along with Wordsworth, my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils!
Classrooms are where the future citizens of India are moulded. It is there that men and women of excellence and character are shaped. Classrooms are not just places to increase one’s knowledge. More importantly, classrooms should help to create a well-rounded personality.
Now let me describe the benefits of practising 5A’s in the classroom environment. The 5A’s are Aarogya, Attitude, Academic, Athletic, and Artistic.
First of all, let us look at Aarogya or health. A good mind is found in a good body. It is also known that you need a canvas to paint a picture. Therefore practicing healthy habits inside one’s classroom is important to maintain good health. So coming to class after having a proper bath and in clean dress is important. Eating healthy food is also important to maintain health.
Now let us look at Attitude. It is said that one’s attitude determines one’s altitude. That means attitude determines how much you will climb the ladder of success in life. To do so, one should have a positive, enthusiastic and joyful attitude. It is also important to avoid a jealous attitude. This is so because we live in a competitive world and people try to pull down others to achieve success. That practice is wrong.
The next one is Academic.Wisdom and knowledge are greater than gold and riches. They not only help us to earn our bread and butter; it also helps us to be better human beings. If you look at the world around you, you will find that Mind Power is greater than muscle or money. So time spent in learning is a great investment and it will give us returns in future.
Another important aspect is Athletic. It is a well-known saying that “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” Children are natural lovers of sports and games. They love to spend time playing. It not only gives relaxation but also helps develop team spirit. Sports and games also give valuable exercise to the body. It also lays the foundation for learning to understand that winning and losing is part of the game.
Finally, we come to the Artistic aspect. As we look at the world around we find that God has made this world beautiful in a very creative and artistic way. The beauty of the flowers, the rainbow, the wild seas and forests, the loveliness of a sunset, the twinkling bright stars in the dark night sky; are all examples. And we being created in the image and likeness of God have been given the artistic ability as well. So it is important to use it in our classrooms as well. To point out a simple example, developing a good handwriting is itself an expression of the artistic in students.
After having described the benefits of practising 5As in your classroom environment namely Aarogya, attitude, academic, athletic, artistic; let me conclude in the words of Erin Gruwell: “I realized if you can change a classroom, you can change a community, and if you change enough communities you can change the world.”
The tongue is a small organ in the body; yet it has got awesome power.
It is amazing to note how people lift up their heads, put on a smile and have a spring in their walk when they hear honest, sincere and uplifting words of appreciation.
Let us therefore learn to appreciate people. We can do so by saying positive comments which encourage the individual. Make it specific so that the other person will know exactly what is on your mind.
Let us also remember that words carelessly spoken can tear apart the heart and mind of someone we love. Yes, words are loaded with potential to hurt. They have far more power than nuclear war heads.
Words spoken in anger have destroyed friendships and family relationships. Like someone thoughtlessly rubbing on dirt on a beautiful painting on canvas are some of the words we fling into the air.
In the light of this should we not put a gatekeeper at the door of our mouth to check, scan, and filter the words before they escape and drop as bombshells on people? Yes, the taming of the tongue can be the most rewarding exercise we can attempt to do in life.
Finally, let us admit that we all have failed in keeping our tongues under check. We regret some of the bad words and lies and curse words we have spoken– words that escaped from our mouths even without our noticing it.
Some of our words have spoiled relationships and created wounds deep even Time will find it difficult to heal.
The Bible says that “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is restless evil, full of deadly poision.”*
Therefore let us make an honest effort to tame the tongue. Let us try with God’s help to speak words of love and honest appreciation. In that way let us try to build people up rather than tear them down.
Remember, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Rain comes down from heaven to earth. It makes no distinctions as it showers down on the rich and the poor; the good and the wicked; young and old, men and women; in the watered lands, the deserts and endless seas.
Rain is regarded as a sign of God’s blessings in many cultures of the world. If there is a light drizzle at the time of beginning something new, the elderly people are quick to say that those are showers of blessing.
Rain refreshes, renews and revives. The dusty leaves of plants and trees covered with a film of brown dust looks fresh green, vibrant, and full of youthful zest after a heavy first rain.
Rain is a welcome to kids to play. Some like to jump into puddles, others like to get drenched or play football, a few like to float paper boats, while the careful ones don colouful raincoats or umbrellas to walk in the rain.
Rain has inspired not only peacocks to dance but also great works of art. From stories, poems, and songs of romance and fights in the backdrop of rain in movies, to paintings and photographs, and to the variety of moods it inspires in those who witness the same.
Rain is musical. On a cold night, tucked warmly beneath bed sheets as you listen, the heavy downpour falling on tin sheets, on empty pots, striking against window panes, the howling wind, the croaking frogs all become a blend of sounds pleasing to the ears. It lulls you to sound sleep and sweet dreams.
Rain is a sign of sorrows being washed away. “I always like walking in the rain, so no one can see me crying” is how the famous comedian and actor Charlie Chaplin described his life experience. Yes, there is something about tears that reminds us of the rain.
In spite of the fact lighting and thunder and flash floods sometimes strike terror, the rare sight of a rainbow arching its way across the clouds, can be to you the token of God’s promise to save you and keep you. Rain, ultimately therefore, is a sign of hope. That there will be good times once again. That God’s mercy will rain down yet again:
There shall be showers of blessing:*
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.
There shall be showers of blessing—
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.
My dear friends, if rain were totally absent from this earth, what a dry brown barren desert strewn around with skeletons parched by thirst the world would be. Therefore let us love and cherish the rain, and thank God for the gift of the rain he showers down on us from heaven!
Sleep is one of God’s best gifts to us. It is sleep that gives us needed rest. It is the time our body finds time to repair itself.
Sleep refreshes, relaxes and revives us. It is not the length of sleep that alone matters but the quality of sleep as well. Getting up in the morning feeling refreshed and excited about the coming day is a sign of good sleep.
Keeping yourself active during the day, engaging in physical activity, and finishing all your assigned work or study for the day is a good way to get a good night’s sleep.
With the arrival of mobile phones, tablets and computers; children have developed a habit of browsing the internet, chatting on social media and gaming long into the night. If you discipline yourselves at a young age to sleep at a regular time early then you can succeed in life.
In fact, there is great wisdom in the saying, “Early to bed, early to rise makes a man, healthy, wealthy and wise.” Perhaps eating less sugar and junk foods can also help you sleep better.
Such good habits can give you a healthy heart, good memory, and a fit body. I believe it is not the quality of the bed you sleep on; but a relaxed mind without worry that enables you to sleep best.
In this short speech (Read on LinkedIn) I would like to focus on a few courageous women who dared to dream.
They challenged the sterotype roles imposed on women.
They boldly said that Space was not off-limits to women.
Through their brilliant examples, they persuaded us to leave our comfort zones and push beyond known horizons.
Some of the women like Kalpana Chawla the first Indian woman to go to Space inspired us. Her sense of awe for the heavens started when she was small and lying in her cot looking up at the skies during summer nights. It reminds us that every achievement starts with a vision of reaching there; where your heart is speaking you to go.
Her example like other women who went to Space is a call to go from here to there;
from what is known to the unknown;
from what is seen to what is visible in the dark;
where noise is an eternal silence
and distance is simply vastness unending.
So listen to your heart.
But a lot of people never dare to try to achieve what their heart says to them. The reason is that they look at circumstances and they turn back. But what Sunita Williams, yet another Indian astronaut, who did a lot of spacewalks said should challenge us. She spoke from her heart when she said: “Don’t get bogged down by the notion of limits. There aren’t any.”
Now daring to dream doesn’t mean the journey is easy. Like any other adventure mission to Space also had its dangers. Some of the women met with tragedy like Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher, who lost her life in the Challenger disaster in 1986. She was such an inspiration to the student community. The then President of the United Sates comforting a nation in grief concluded his speech by saying that the crew had “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God.”
Kalpana Chawala too lost her life when Columbia space shuttle broke apart during reentry to the earth’s atmosphere in 2003. In a glowing tribute from her high school it was said that “She always wanted to reach the stars. She went there, and beyond.” Their deaths while in the path of duty and action remind us that there is a sacrifice involved and a cost to be paid when you follow the dictates of the heart.
We also need to remember that our lives are better today because someone showed us the way ahead. Yes, they did so at great personal cost and sacrifice. They were in the relentless pursuit to better science and humanity. In this context let us look at some of the the pioneers among women in Space expeditions.
The Russioan Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space in 1963. This “First Lady of Space,” said “A bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women.” Her words reflect the fact that God made both men and women in his likeness and to complement each other; and not to fight with each other for supremacy.
Svetlana Savistskaya, became the first woman to walk in space in 1982. She was again the first woman to be sent to space twice. Eileen Collins, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force became the first woman to pilot a space ship in 1995 and later in 1999 the first female to command a space ship. These were small steps but giant leaps of inspiration to women in all walks of life. Women were proving themselves able to blaze new trails and lead with confidence.
Now there are questions of work-life balance being raised everywhere around the world. Especially with working mothers increasing in the workforce. Space exploration was no exception. And it was the American astronaut Anna Lee Fisher who became the first mother to go to Space in 1984 when her eldest daughter was barely two-years old. It was work away from home; the farthest distance possibly achieved by any woman.
That brings us to yet another notable point. Travel to space means spending a lot of time getting prepared for it. There is much physical and emotional stress. The challenges are many. Yet women who went to space took up that challenge; even the test of feeling isolated in the vastness of space.
Above all this, women broke all kinds of sterotypes by their travels to space. There was a time a few decades ago that women were thought best for careers in teaching, nursing, or banking. Today, women have challenged all those sterotyping and has made it big in Space programmes including Space tourism as well.
Let me conclude.In the light of dreaming big, making great sacrifices, showing pioneering spirit, achieving work-life balance, displaying leadership, enduring stress, and challenging stereotypes; women who went to space have impacted our thinking in a big way.
They have truly challenged us to move beyond our comfort zones, say goodbye to our excuses, and set out on a journey of exploration and daring adventure. They have truly reached for the stars and beyond and inspiring us continually to do the same.
God made the trees.
The brown wood and the green leaves are pleasing to the eyes.
A garden full of trees in bloom is a lovely sight too.
They provide birds and animals a home and shelter.
Trees give us fruits.
It gives us shade.
Above all it gives us much needed oxygen.
But today because of man’s greed trees are being cut down in large numbers. Greenery has given way to concrete jungles and bonsai.
Yet there was a time people used to gather together under large trees. They met, they talked, they made friends with each other. But those good old days are gone.
Let us bring back those beautiful memories by planting more and more trees. Thank you.
Isn’t it amazing that for every one human being there might be around 1 million ants in the world. So today, let us learn something from these common ordinary creatures.
Go to the ant. It is a tiny creature. But it is able to accomplish so many things.
Go to the ant. It stores its food in summer. That means it makes hay while the sun shines or it is storing provisions for difficult days ahead. In other words it has great foresight.
Go to the ant. It has tremendous perseverance. As you look closely at the ants moving, you find that they will not quit until they overcome obstacles somehow.
Go to the ant. It shows amazing teamwork. Together, they are able to carry loads that will surprise us. They unite and motivate each other to achieve common goals.
Go to the ant. They keep on communicating with each other. Have you not seen in how short a time the news of availability of some food is conveyed by one ant to many. The unselfishness of ants make them wonderful communicators.
Go to the ant and learn said Solomon the Wise King and Teacher. How wonderful it is that God our Creator has shown us wisdom through such tiny creatures as ants!
“Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
— Proverbs 6:6–8 Bible NIV
Sluggard means a lazy, slow-moving, inactive person.
Ants–Interesting Facts and Figures
Myrmecology (/mɜːrmɪˈkɒlədʒi/; from Greek: μύρμηξ, myrmex, “ant” and λόγος, logos, “study”) is a branch of entomology focusing on the scientific study of ants. [Source: Wikipedia]
Ants can lift objects which have 10 to 50 times their body weight!
Ants have two stomachs. One for holding their own food; the other for sharing with others!
There are more than ten thousand known ant species in the world!
Leiningen Versus the Ants is a Short Story by Carl Stephenson. It grips the reader with the fighting spirit of a man against an army of ants.
What is the purpose of education? Is it just imparting knowledge? Or something more?
Respected teachers and my dear friends,
I stand here today to oppose the topic, “Schools of tomorrow will have no teachers or books.”
Let me try to answer the question about the purpose of education. If it is imparting of knowledge alone; it is a short-sighted goal indeed. What about character formation? What about values like honesty, punctuality, discipline, and respect? These are learned in school in the early years. It has stayed with us; and I am sure will stay with children in future too.
But the argument is that in future when attendance is marked in class, both teachers and books will be missing. I wonder who dreamed about this improbable idea!
Let me ask again: How did the world get the gift of such a fine mind like Helen Keller? Was it not Anne Sullivan’s patient encouragement? And to those who are not aware, Ann Sullivan was the teacher of the blind, deaf and mute genius Helen Keller. And you still want to argue that there will be no teachers in future? Or read the autobiography Wings of Fire. There you will find the missile man of India, the late President Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam paying glowing tributes to the teachers who influenced him to dream big.
When you think about schools, I request you all not to just to think about schools for normal kids alone. What about children who are specially or differently abled? Do you think that such children can come into the mainstream of society without teachers or books? Or do you plan to totally ignore this special group of otherwise talented kids for the sake of embracing the bleeding edge developments in science and technology? Think about it.
“No more teachers or books” means just one thing. There will be many a graveyard and valley of dry bones in the world where the unfulfilled potential of children will lie buried. Great talent that went unnoticed. Great torches that went unlit because there was no one to light the spark. Do you still wish to entertain the foolishness that in future, schools will have no teachers? I pity you!
Now let me come to books. Just take a look at Amazon where one of the largest percentage of books are being purchased online. Printed books have not died out just because ebooks are the in thing today. Neither has reading of books taken a downward plunge in spite of all the information and entertainment available in the internet at your finger tips.
My dear friends, books are not just storehouses of knowledge. They are our companions. There is a nostalgic flavour to the reading of books that no futuristic classroom can do away with.
Let me take you to yet another field. Sports and games. In spite of all the modern technology available why do individual players and teams have coaches? It is simply because the personal care of a teacher and mentoring cannot be substituted by anything else. So also future schools of tomorrow cannot do away with teachers.
Let me conclude. Many of the problems teenagers face today cannot be solved by artificial intelligence or smart classrooms. Relationship issues, substance abuse, stress because of broken homes, the search for meaning of life are part and parcel of young lives. Do you think absence of teachers are going to help them in any way? Or do you think more smart gadgets and smarter apps are going to make youngsters have better emotional quotient?
My dear friends, schools of tomorrow will continue to have better teachers and inspiring books as well. Thank you.
It is said that man is born with at least two fears.
Basophobia–the fear of falling
Phonophobia–the fear of big sounds.
Some add Xenophobia–the fear of strangers to the list as well.
Respected judges, teachers and friends,
A warm good morning to one and all.
As man grows up a lot more phobias get added to this list. In other words the list of phobias too keep growing. Today let me tell you about another phobia that has made it into the list of phobias in recent times.
Nomophobia or no mobile phone phobia is the irrational fear of being without your mobile phone or unable to use your mobile phone for a certain reason. Some people do not think it is a phobia because Nomophobia or NO MObile PHone Phobia is not strictly irrational. Running out of battery or being in a situation where signal is weak are real problems that need to be addressed.
At the same time Nomophobia raises a few questions. Let me try to answer some of them.
First of all, the question that is asked is, “Is Nomophobia a real thing?”
Well, it is real. Many people struggle with it. Surveys show that a large percentage of men and women, young and old are affected by this kind of anxiety disorder. But doctors today are looking into it seriously as Nomophobia can be considered a real problem affecting the mental health of users of digital media. It is reported that many do not even switch off their phone and feel stressed if at all their phones get switched off.
The second question is, “What is the impact of Nomophobia?”
Stress, anxiety, nervousness, depression, in extreme cases panic attacks; all these are related to Nomophobia. The fear that one will not be able to be connected to people can paralyze a few if not all. As people are depending on the mobile for practically everything; even simple things like remembering the phone numbers of close family members have become a lost art. In that sense, human memory and its capability seems also to be affected. Nomophobia can also be considered a non-drug addiction even.
The third and final question i want to raise is, “How can Nomophobia be reduced or overcome?”
Let me spell out a few techniques:
One, make it a point to spend quality time with your loved ones and friends and talk with them face to face. As you put human relationships and real life interaction with people a priority, your dependence on mobile phones will grow less and less. The point is engage in real human contact more and more.
Two, discipline your life as how you treat mobile phones. Set certain times to check your phone. Try to keep it at a distance when you are at home especially when you sleep at night. At least switch off your cell phone one hour before bed. Let mobile phones be your servant rather than you being its slave. The key word is discipline.
Three, set goals in life that are other-people focused. Why is this important? Mobile phones with social media sharing, selfies, and the craze after getting more likes for your posts have made people fall in love with themselves. This has made them addicted to cell phones. It is no secret that psychologists are employed by social media giants to get people more and more hooked to their chat platforms. But when you seek to empower others and help others achieve their dreams, you addiction to mobile phones might be reduced.
Let me repeat those three key words for you. Relationships, discipline, and goals that are other-people focused.
Now let me conclude.
As long as mobile phones and apps and social media are present in this world, Nomophobia will be on the increase. But like warning signals you find while you drive on the road, people are now being alerted to the overuse and misuse of mobile phones. If you are wise you will heed these warnings and find a meaningful life ahead. Let me end by saying mobile phones cannot be avoided but they can be better managed.
The Bible declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters”— (Psalm 24:1, 2).1
Respected Principal, Beloved Teachers, and my dear Friends,
Lend me your ears; and close your eyes for a moment. As you open them again, let me call your attention to the beautiful blue and white jewel that spins its way in space around the sun. The Earth we live in, God-designed perfectly for human life.
The atmosphere, land and water where countless number of birds fly, animals live, and fishes swim; provide this earth with an ecosystem unmatched and unparalleled in the entire known universe.
The brown soil, the deep blue oceans and the vast endless skies, the snow-capped majesty of the towering mountains, the greenery of the vegetation, the beauty and the fragrance of the flowers:
On this earth live Men and Women, the crown of God’s creation. But all is not well. The News is bad. Earth is reeling under pressure of Man’s greed and selfishness and thoughtlessness. Tomorrow looks bleak.
Pollution is the main villain. It comes in all forms. Air, water, food; all are contaminated. Plastics, pesticides, fossil fuels; all contribute to the problem. Once upon a time, if it was the green trees that dotted the landscape; now in its place have risen skyscrapers. Deforestation has spelled disaster.
On the one side are natural calamities and disasters. Tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes all create havoc. Scorching heat at times, torrential rains that flood on other occasions; life is becoming more and more unpredictable. Clean drinkable water sources are fast disappearing and we are buying water in plastic bottles.
The debris that is dumped into the oceans is disturbing marine life too; while the debris we have left behind in space as an aftermath of space exploration programmes also will create trouble in coming years.
Who or what is to be blamed? Certainly, man’s selfishness and his greed and exploitation of natural resources.
Without doubt; climate change, global warming, emission of greenhouse gases, damage to ecosystems, rising sea levels are all matters of great concern. Not to mention the threat of a nuclear warfare, and possible takeover of the human race by robots empowered by Artificial Intelligence!
Will some debris from outer space hit the earth in future?
Will the earth reel under its impact?
Will human life survive?
Will the earth survive?
Will it handle the population explosion that is predicted?
Or is population explosion just a myth?
Is it just maldistribution of resources that is the problem?
My dear friends, life is not going to be easy in the coming years. Not all problems can be solved. But we can certainly make an honest attempt. It is the fruit of trees planted by our forefathers that we enjoy today. So, we owe our next generations a generous giving that they too may have a chance to live life with dignity.
The change will not begin in international summits; it can begin only in the backyard of our homes. There is something you alone can do. Do not wait for others to do it. Let life continue; for there is no other planet which sustains life in the entire universe. We have been gifted this earth as our home!
Inter-stellar and inter-galactic missions, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan will continue. But let us not forget our earth; our home where we live and move and have our being. We bear the imprint of the dust of the earth but have in us the breath of heaven. Let us not forget that!
So friends, let us make a brave effort to preserve something of the beauty and richness of our Planet Earth for the next generations. Thank you.
Red says STOP. When the light is red, do not act; do not move, do not proceed. You can escape so many tears and heartbreaks in life; if you simply learn to see Red.
There are many who will offer you your tomorrow today. And you might feel the irresistible pull to go along.
But wait a minute. Did you forget to see the colour Red? Did you forget that one simple yet power-packed word you can and should say? NO! “No” is the bold word you should say when you see red!
Remember that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Don’t seek instant pleasure and satisfaction in anything. Secret things can thrill; but they also kill. It is one moment’s thoughtless adventure but a lifelong journey down to the depths of hell.
So learn to see red. And when you see red, say NO.
Know that consequences are there for every stand you take and every move you make. But you have got everything to lose if you dance to the tune others play for you.
So stand strong. And be bold. A fierce lion-like stance once you say NO might be your only hope.
As a young girl, there is nothing you need to learn that is more important than the word NO. Always, keep it ready like an arrow pulled back on the string. Shoot it without a second thought.
It will hurt some; but it is worth the risk. For it is your safety that matters most. A glass jar; if it breaks might not just be the same even if you glue it back again. So be bold enough to say NO.
Let me conclude. Life is beautiful; but there is red everywhere. Trust in God; be bold, and say NO when you see red.
I do not dream of greatness, but I do dream of making my life meaningful. You ask me, “How?” I can simply say, by showing love and genuine concern for others.
I do not dream of being famous, but I do dream of being a person of influence. You ask me “How?” I can simply say, by disciplining myself to do the best I can and excel every single time I am called to act.
I do not dream of becoming rich, but I do dream of giving as much as I can out of all that I have. You ask me “Why?” Well, there are things that money can’t buy; it can’t stretch your life by a nano second nor can it buy a heart of love. So let me do all the good I can and count myself rich by all that I can do without.
Finally, I dream of making the most of opportunities; and not let them go.
I dream of having a few real good friends; and not fall for a million likes and followers in the world of fantasy.
I dream, yet again, that I might be given grace to love those who are close to me; to value and cherish them, and hold them dear before like a lone bird on a barren tree my life becomes.
I dream, my friends, of fighting back when defeats come; of rising above my occasional loss of confidence and of making it to the finishing tape to win the race set out for me.
Above all this, I dream of finding my life’s purpose; the reason why God put me on Planet Earth. If I can not only dream but also fulfil all that God has called me to do; then my dream shall find its wings and soar high with great joy!
This is my dream, my friends, and I believe that this dream will come to pass with God helping me to make it come true not only for me but for each one of you too.
On one side, man is exploiting, polluting, and wasting drinkable water. On the other side man is spending billions of dollars seeking signs of water in other planets. Pitiable, to say the least!
Water, I believe, is one of God’s priceless gifts to mankind. In the past civilizations and cultures took shape in the banks of rivers in acknowledgement of this fact.
Today, the post-modern culture revolves around bottled water. In this we see a loss of goodness that once was seen in offering a stranger a cup of cold water to drink as he walked by our homes.
Those of us who have constant access to fresh water resources should pause a moment and think about millions who do not enjoy this privilege. In fact, there are many, especially women and children who die for the lack of safe drinking water.
Now just thinking won’t do much good. We need action. In this case, we need practical steps to preserve our water resources for our children.
Think about it. How can the next generation survive if after having the best education and highly skilled jobs they don’t have water to drink?
The simplest thing you can do is to see that your taps don’t leak or drip. Once you are about to leave home ensure that all taps are closed.
Then explore the possibility of taking a shorter bath, consider reusing water from the kitchen for gardening, or using stored water in a bucket to wash dishes instead of running water.
There are several more of these practical tips. It is not creativity that is lacking to implement them; instead it is the will to do so. Remember the saying “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Perhaps there is no better way to end these thoughts than to quote what the missile man of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam predicted, “Future wars will be over water.”
With atomic, nuclear, chemical and biological weapons kept ready for the need and the hour, another world war would contaminate what little safe water that remains. Let us therefore unite to save water to save lives!
Before I conclude, let me remind you that water quenches thirst. It satisfies. Especially after having walked in the hot sun, how refreshing a splash of water onto one’s face and drink of cold water. Therefore water is a powerful symbol of the longing of man for truth, for God, for the meaning of life and for all that ultimately satisfies.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” — Jesus Christ
–(John 4:13, 14 Bible NIV.)
World Water Day–March 22
Life is
limited by time,
happening in space,
and destined for eternity.
Let me explore Time, Space, and Eternity one by one.
First of all Time is the stuff life on earth is made of. Though 24 hours is equally made available to all, the length of years one lives is beyond the scope of man to determine.
Time given is best utilized when one realizes that life has a purpose on earth and it has been God-ordained.
Secondly, Space is the platform on which life happens. Earth is just a tiny speck of dust; a blue and white jewel in the endless galaxies and stellar regions of space.
The stars shining at night are a constant reminder that life on earth is no accident and it has been God-designed in wisdom and sustained by his mighty power!
It is when you think of the vastness of space and its endless wonders that you cannot but exclaim with the Hebrew poet, “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”*
Thirdly, God has set eternity in the hearts of men. Death is by no means the end of life.
Life becomes meaningful when it is lived in the perspective of eternity. What determines the quality of life in eternity are the choices we make here and now.
Life we live on earth is just a preparation; and what we sow here is reaped for ever and ever.
Let me conclude. In the light of what was spoken about Time, Space, and Eternity, go throw a pebble into the still waters of a pond and see what happens!
Isn’t there more to life than what you have seen so far? Truly,
“No eye has see,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him.”
Speaking is a matter of joy. So keep aside your fears. Seek God’s help, read much on your topic, get guidance from parents and teachers, and you are ready to go.
First of all think about a good beginning. It should get the attention of the audience. It can be a quote, a very short story or even an experience from your life said quickly.
Something like,
“When I was a child, my father used to take us to the children’s library in my hometown. Soon, primarily through the world of comics I entered into the world of fairy tales, fables, heroes, heroines, villains, and imaginative stories. Little did I know that I was going to fall in love with reading. But one thing I know, it has added depth to my understanding of the meaning of life, people, cultures, and the world at large.”
Now you can tell them the topic of the day. If you can use some creative ways to phrase your topic, it will be great. For example, “Is the Habit of Reading a Lost Art? Even plainly stating the topic, “The Importance of Reading,” is fine.
Follow it up with a quick statement of what all things your audience can expect from your speech. For example if you are speaking on The Importance of Reading, you can say something like, “Today I will be helping you to understand how reading informs, entertains, and inspires you.”
Now the audience knows that your speech will cover three main points. The expectation is clearly established. And they know what they will get to carry home with them from your speech.
Next try to find logical ideas and examples to support each main point you are dealing with.
For example, you can say that the reading of a book on Questions and Answers had given you basic knowledge about the human body, deep sea fishes, artificial intelligence, inventions and discoveries, computers etc; the reading of C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia had entertained you, and the reading of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam‘s autobiography The Wings of Fire had inspired you.
Now you can tell your audience about how to make reading a habit. If you have a habit of reading the Bible the first thing in the morning, you can tell them it is a good way to begin the day by seeking God and his wisdom.*
You can then tell them how to bring variety in your reading by mixing story books, travelogues, science fiction, comics, poetry, drama, novels and so on.
Perhaps, you can also tell them how to write notes about what they read so that they will be able to recall and put to good use what they have read.
Now it is time to conclude. Before you do so you can try to cement the importance of reading by using a well known quote from Bacon, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested,” or from Milton, “A good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life.”
After saying that, you can tell them what you told them till then. Something like “the headlines once again” as you hear in the reading of the NEWS on television. “Today, I have tried to show you how reading informs, entertains, and inspires you.”
Now you can try a flow chart to touch down.
If you want to remind them of the importance of reading say something like, “I hope that the habit of reading will grow along with you like an ever-widening and deepening stream.”
Or if you want to persuade them to take action, end by asking, “The libraries of the world have many books. You can’t read all of them . But still there are some you cannot afford to miss. So start reading today.”
Yet again you want an inspirational ending, go for this: “If my short speech has ignited your imagination and inspired you to open the windows of your mind a little wider through reading, I am sure you will build a life on solid rock, chiselled by discipline, and trusted for its character.
Ambition is the burning desire that enables you to achieve your goals in life. Without ambition no one has ever succeeded. Therefore it is important to have a healthy ambition in life.
Ambition keeps you motivated. So many people are like a football. They need to be kicked to move forward. But people with ambition are fuelled from within and fires forward like a rocket.
Again, ambition helps you to have a fighting attitude. See, life is no easy game; neither is it a fairy tale ending minus all the hardships that go before it. Defeats, failures, mistakes, setbacks, criticism, and opposition are plenty in the lives of all achievers. But it is ambition to achieve that helps them move on in spite of all this.
A distinction to be made however is between ambition and wishful thinking. So many people live in fool’s paradise thinking that they have great ambition. But when you question them, you will soon know that they are simply living on borrowed motivation. They are not realistic nor are they prepared to count the cost of high achievement.
Yet again, ambition can be spurred on by knowledge. Those who are driven by ambition are those who get maximum available information about where they are heading to? Do you think Christopher Columbus set out on his ambitious voyages without available maps, compass, and seasoned sailors? Unthinkable, isn’t it?
Finally, the ambitious ones always aim high. They are like eagles that soar high. Lesser things of life do not distract them. They do not waste time in frivolities nor do they take pleasure in finding fault with others. Instead, they discipline themselves to harness their full potential and resources to achieve greatness in life.
What Gladys Aylward, the British Missionary to China said, is relevant in this context. She said: “The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers.”
Therefore you will find that those with ambition are in passionate love with excellence. And when it is rooted in strong character, they are unstoppable. That is why the world stands in admiration when the ambitious record wins, stand on top of summits, and touch the skies in their upward flight.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness” is a phrase that was first recorded in a sermon by John Wesley in 1778.
The first thought about it is related to spirituality itself. What would you think about a place of worship littered with dirty plastic cups and garbage? Would you feel like worshipping there? Would you feel the presence of God there? The simple answer is No. Without maintaining a clean environment it is not possible to have a meaningful spirituality.
The second thought is about health. Maintaining good physical and mental health is closely related to cleanliness. A sound mind can only reside in a healthy body. To have a healthy body cleanliness is a must. Think about it this way. A hospital is a place where patients are treated. What if hospitals are not maintaining proper cleanliness? The very place that is supposed to bring health and healing and wholeness will become the place where diseases and epidemics spread from. So it is very evident that cleanliness is an absolute must as far as health is concerned.
Now let us turn our thoughts to children going to school. They come in uniforms; don’t they? What if a huge majority of children come to school in dirty uniforms? That will be total lack of discipline and self-respect. Children and teachers when they come in neat and modest dress create an atmosphere in school where study becomes a joy and not a burden. There is a general sense of well-being. As we stretch this example, one of the impacts created by the armed forces as they march during the republic parade is the absolute clean dress codes they maintain. What a sense of pride in the nation they give to us!
Again, cleanliness in our surroundings is a civic responsibility. Each citizen of India is responsible for keeping our streets and open spaces clean. Most people have a selfish thought that they can dirty their neigbour’s place in order keep their own compounds clean. But that it a bad attitude. We need to work together to achieve cleanliness on a nationwide scale. We need to clean up our homes and neighbourhoods, residential areas and public places, streets and highways, and places of cultural heritage and tourist importance as well.
Let me now conclude. Would you like to visit a beach that is fully littered with plastic waste? I am sure you along with other visitors would prefer a place with clean surroundings; isn’t it? Again, when you travel and enter a wayside hotel or restaurant what if you are served food in an unwashed plate and the hotel itself has not been cleaned for days! Would you eat food there. NO. So it is very clear that cleanliness is next to godliness and those who wish to succeed in life should make it a discipline and habit to maintain cleanliness in life. Thank you.
Rabindranath Tagore opens one of his poems with these words, “Where the mind is without fear and head is held high.” But as we look around today, we find a young generation with their heads bowed down all the time. From the time of their birth they grew up with mobile phones and social media. They knew nothing better.
Now let us think about the impact of social media on youth.
First of all the impact is that of bad example. As we look at families today we find each one busy with social media; not just youngsters. See, youngsters look up to parents as their role models especially in the early stages of life. And what do they see. They find parents on social media all the time. WhatsApp and Facebook are the stuff they find joy in. And children are often neglected. No wonder they feel rejected.
Secondly, there is the impact of wrong priorities. Youth should learn that what they invest in now will yield benefits later in life. Now is the time to study and dream about a great career ahead. If that valuable time is stolen from them through social media chats, then they lose sense of priority.
Thirdly, there is the impact of wrong relationships. God has kept boundaries in life. This is for our freedom and highest good. The virtual world of social media with its ease of quick and instant communication encourages youngsters to cross boundaries. They chat on topics in private which they might not dare to talk about in front of others. This often leads youngsters to fall into relationships that promise great things. But usually they fall into traps, into blackmailing and disgrace.
Yet another impact is on health. The amount of time spent on social media creates health issues with the spine, neck, fingers, and eyes. Usually these problems show up only later in life. But then it is too late. Some youngsters spend hours chatting and also eat junk food while doing so. This leads to other health issues like obesity and diabetes which is a silent killer.
Finally there is the impact on personal safety and security. Often youngsters post selfies on social media. They reveal their travel plans and personal details like birthdays, names of parents and their work etc. These vital information can lead to blackmailing and other dangerous situation.
Let me conclude. The impact of social media on youth can be understood in the context of impact of bad example, the impact of wrong priorities, the impact of wrong relationships, the impact on health and the impact on personal safety.
Youngsters should remember that life is not without accountability. They should remember that the digital footprints they leave behind on social media are not just impacting them here a few hours but they are going to impact them for a life time.
Self-control is not a popular term with teens; but freedom is. Now freedom in excess without restrictions makes people slaves to whatever has mastered them.
So there is a responsibility on your part to exercise self-control. It can be in many areas.
One, exercise self-control in the area of speech. Too much talk can make you lose respect with teachers and elderly. It can create conflicts and quarrels with the best of friends.
Two, exercise self-control in the area of relationships. You cannot take advantage of others and expect to live a happy life. Avoiding haste in getting involved in relationships, maintaining purity in motives, and treating others with kindness instead of becoming judgmental; are all measures of self-control.
Three, exercise self-control in the area of food. Eating is necessary to live, but living to eat is yet another matter. Junk food is everywhere. When food is made a god, bad eating and drinking habits can prove harmful.
Four, exercise self-control in the area of social media. Do not spend too much time in it. Remember all your digital footprints are tracked. There is no escape. And do not be naive and reveal your personal information on social media.
Five, exercise self-control in money matters. Do not fall into the living on credit cards trap. Do not not spend lavishly on non-essentials. Money is so uncertain; there a hundred different ways through which a rich man can become penniless.
Six, exercise self-control in management of time. We are all given 24 hours a day. But no one knows for how long. Reduce time you spend for entertainment and try to live life in a purposeful manner. If you can utilize 15 minutes a day to learn a new skill, think about what difference it can make in your life and career.
Seven, and finally, exercise self-control in your thoughts. No one can read your mind but your eyes and face will bear the marks of what you think. Imagination is a wonderful gift; but make every effort to think on the lovely and the pure.* Try to think on achieving excellence. Do not leave your mind empty but fill it with good thoughts, reading great books, and generate ideas along with friends.
There are many other areas where one can learn to exercise self control. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls,”* says the Bible. So discipline yourself. Exercise self-control. If not, your mind and behaviour will be like untamed horses running wild in the woods!
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
*Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 25:28 Bible.
For those who stay connected to God, the Bible says that God himself will produce in people self-control. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).”
Sad to say, many look for happiness outside themselves. They look for riches, fame, power, and even entertainment to bring them happiness. Riches can be lost, fame can burst like a soap bubble, power can be taken away, and entertainment that excited you yesterday might not be enough for today’s happiness. But one thing is sure: men and women are constantly in the pursuit of happiness.
The whole world of advertisements, it seems, revolve around the concept of happiness. People are told that they will be happy if they have a new car, a dream home, travel to an exotic destination and so on. Anything is offered on credit. Surprisingly, the more attractive the advertisement sounds, the more people are ready to buy and invest.
Now if you want to be happy, there are a few things you can do. Be thankful.Have good friendships. Maintain contact with people you value and love. Have a passion in life. Study well. Do your work with skill, enthusiasm, and integrity. Give to others your time, talent, and treasure. Try to help others achieve their dreams. These are meaningful ways to find happiness.
At the same time many fall for the trap of happiness for the moment. For example, it can be entertaining wrong relationships. It can be substance abuse. It can be gambling. But somehow people in spite of warnings and red signals fail to read the price tag. It can spells the D’s–Despair, Disillusionment, Deception, Destruction, and finally Death. So happiness for the moment is not worth the game. You need to look for happiness that lasts.
Again, think about all those things that you don’t need. People love to accumulate things and try to find happiness in possessions. But when it is time to die, nothing matters except the love you had for others. Similarly technology these days is bringing more and more gadgets that makes you slaves to them. Think about it. Do gadgets make your really happy?
Finally, there has been many songs in the past titled, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Is it that simple? The truth possibly is people worry about not being happy. It is like a dog who went round and round trying to catch happiness which it believed was in its tail. While another dog seeing the other’s struggle simply said, “My happiness is also in my tail. But it follows me wherever I go!”
There are more than one lakh planes flying every day world wide. Can you imagine them take off and land without pilots listening to instructions from the control tower?
Similarly life and its safe flying depends much on listening to the control tower called wisdom. The Bible says, “The fear of the LORD–that is wisdom, to shun evil is understanding.”*
The fear of the Lord means to acknowledge that God is holy and he is to be worshipped with reverence and awe. It means to accept that God is the source of all true wisdom. Once you do so, you have a solid foundation to build your life upon.
The practical part of wisdom is avoiding evil. You cannot fear God on one side and allow yourself not to listen to his life-giving instructions on the other. Today, evil comes in innocent-looking attractive packages. It gnaws away at your life without you even being aware of it.
To avoid being trapped by them, ask yourself three questions:
Question number one,
“How much time are gadgets stealing away from my time to study?” Question number two,
“Does what I am doing a clear disobedience of instructions given by my parents and teachers?” Question number three,
“Are my relationships and friendships influencing me for good or bad?”
Time, obedience, relationships. If you can keep tabs on these three watchwords, you can walk in the ways of wisdom.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
*Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:16, 4:22
Two related thoughts from the wise king, Solomon: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7).” and “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).”
and one from Psalms:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105).
A role model is a person whom I can look up to; learn from, and imitate. I can also be inspired to succeed the way he or she has done in his or her life.
A role model can be my father or mother; it can be my teacher, my best friend, a sports personality or a leader in my neighbourhood or community. What makes a role model impact my life is not the position he or she holds; but the positive influence and the way he or she sets an example by his or her behaviour, speech and courageous action.
Now we need to note that we either consciously choose role models or sometimes we are influenced by them without our even knowing it.
So just ask yourself this question, “Who am I looking up to as a standard of behaviour, and reference point to emulate or follow?” The next question to ask yourself is “What makes his or her life a success?” Once you have identified those elements like honesty, discipline or courage; the third question to ask is, “What character traits of that person can I copy, implement, and reproduce in my life so that I too can shine a light for others?”
Again, a role model is one who brings about a positive change in me. He or she is someone whom I can relate to in my struggles as well as my dreams.
Personally, I have had not one; but many role models in my life. At each stage of life’s journey I have looked up to someone for motivation to live life better.
If I look at them close; they may not be perfect but there is something good about them which makes me respect and admire them and also push myself to excel in life.
Surprisingly, many role models that I have had are not public figures, but unsung heroes and heroines whose lives shone a bright light for me!
If you have got one true friend, you are rich.
If you have got two, you are a billionaire.
If you say, you have more; you know nothing about friendship.
Well, you may not agree. But good friends are rare.
Friends are, I believe, God’s priceless gifts to us.
Valuing, cherishing, nurturing, and maintaining friendship is the way we say “thank you” for what has been gifted to us.
Friendship primarily is a relationship. It is based on love, acceptance, and mutual respect.
That means you love not to get something out of your friend, but to give the best you have.
That means you accept your friend with all his goodness and shortcomings as well.
Beyond all this it is a relationship that seeks to honour your friend and never take him for granted.
Friendship again is an investment. It takes time to build good friendships.
You need to invest quality time with your friend on a regular basis. Social media can help; but is never a substitute for face to face interaction.
Time that you get in your school and college days will never come back.
So utilize that to the maximum to build a solid foundation so that after graduation when you move out for work, you still have a huge deposit of memories, of conversations, and of good things you did together with your friend.
Friendship can also be a reflection.
A good friend is a mirror that reflects who you truly are.
It does not hide what is ugly, what is marred, and what is lacking in you.
It speaks truth.
In the words of King Solomon, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted; but an enemy multiplies kisses.”*
Friendship, again, is a bridge-building exercise.
Not always will you find your friend at his best.
Not always will you find him meeting your demands on his time, talent, or resources.
There will be times when he misunderstands you.
But one thing I have learned to do in those tough times is to think of the best things he has been to me.
It is in those challenging times that I deliberately focus on the kindnesses he has shown me in the past.
And then my heart warms up again.
Within no time I take the initiative to make a call and talk.
And it is good old times back again.
Life is too short. If God has given you good friends, thank God for them.
Value them, cherish them, be loyal to them, and above all, remember them in your daily prayers.
If you are yet to create good friendships, choose them carefully. Charm can be deceptive; beauty fleeting; handsomeness can turn ugly when you get close; and smiling faces can be masks whose paint washes off in the first rain.
So be warned; choose your friends carefully.
For a friend can build you up strong like a stone fortress or give you a massive pull down a black hole.
Finally, let me conclude by saying that a good friend brings out the best in you.
He does not yield to your stories of defeat and despair.
Instead he motivates you to be the best God wanted you to be.
So thank God for your friend who holds you true to your God-given purpose in life. Thank you.
Short Speeches of Introduction, Welcome, Felicitation, Vote of Thanks!
*Proverbs 27:6
Quotes on friendship
“My father always used to say that when you die, if you’ve got five real friends, then you’ve had a great life.” — Lee Iacocca (Former Chairman, Chrysler Corporation and Former President, Ford Motor Company.).
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” — King Solomon (Proverbs 27:17).
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” — Jesus Christ (John 15:13).
The most important thing it has taught me is sportsman spirit. There are good days and bad days in cricket. One cannot be at his best on all days, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. I also earned to treat the opposition with respect, and not to underestimate a weak team.
Yet another lesson learned was how to plan an innings. Playing cricket also helped me learn to persevere, which has been that one quality that has kept me going through tough times in life.
I cannot but mention some of the leadership lessons cricket has taught me as I got opportunities to captain my team.
Captaincy is an art. The most important quality you need as a leader is calmness under pressure. This I had in plenty then. One should have deep reservoirs of optimism even when everything around you is falling apart. Sudden loss of wickets or the opposition team tearing your bowling attack apart should not pull you down.
Again, the art of captaincy demands that your thinking should be fast forward. Decisive action and ability to communicate commands effectively are leadership qualities a cricket captain has to exercise and I got well-trained in it.
Daniela B. Peter @ 3 years playing cricket in the evening at terrace of our home.
But beyond all this cricket as a hobby gave me great joy. More than the physical exercise it provided, it was the gelling between friends that provided the greatest satisfaction. Even today memories of matches played bring a smile on my face.
And if you want me to pick out one thing—yes, that one thing that I fine-tuned, polished, and brought to a class act through playing cricket, it is the art of finishing strong and finishing well. For nothing has given me a greater sense of satisfaction than hitting the winning run or taking the final wicket.
Let me conclude by saying that cricket is a beautiful game. It not only entertains but educates as well. Winning a game of cricket remains a great art. And not all teams win all the time. Perhaps more important is how you played the game.
