The Old Cherokee's Lesson

One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said: "My son, the battle is between 'two wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, contentment and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied: "The one you feed."

(Courtesy: Ravi Bhatia)

Learn To Love by Ralph Marston

Learn to love challenge, and you'll fill your life with accomplishment.

Learn to love effort, and your skills will grow more valuable with each passing day.

Learn to love making a difference, and doors will quickly open for you wherever you go.

Learn to love giving freely of yourself, and you'll receive more fulfillment than you ever could imagine.

Learn to love being the authentic person you are, and everything you do will be infused with integrity.

Learn to love whatever work you're doing, and that work will bring abundant rewards.

Learn to love beauty for beauty's sake, and you'll discover a wealth of it in places no one else would even think to look.

Learn to love unconditionally, and there will be no limit to what your love can accomplish.

Learn to love life just because it is, and each day will be a grand new adventure.

Learn to love the moment you're in, and you'll find richness in every direction.

Learn to love the possibilities, and you'll make your way to whatever you seek.

Learn to love no matter what, and you'll discover what a miracle you truly are.

Courtesy: Mario Motha

When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go

Obtaining an Employment visa to the UAE, which ought to have taken ‘three or four days’ (according to my sources in Dubai) ended up taking all of eight weeks… If that sounds like I’m grumbling - No, I’m not … I have found a new kind of peace that is helping me to ride out this situation.

The High Commission of India has taken twenty months now – and there is no end in sight. It’s amazing how much lack of responsibility and empathy exists in the corridors of bureaucracy there! As was frequently mentioned when the Indian Government refused to condemn the Myanmar junta: “India does not necessarily do what is morally right, but what is politically expedient.”

Back to my scene… Until Wednesday, I was twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the UAE visa, which – as I mentioned - took a long time coming. I used the opportunity to wrap up matters with the bloke I am writing about… He has checked all the facts and spellings and given me a carte blanche on creative work.

I have asked to be booked on the December 21st flight to Dubai – to rejoin the country’s community of migrant workers before Christmas.

Fed Up of Procedures? Go, DIE!

The process of renewing a Sri Lankan passport is simple and fast. This morning, we discovered exactly how fast - when Uncle and I decided to get the validity of his passport extended by five years. We visited the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) in Punchi Borella.

The approach to the offices was like a bazaar, with colourful shops and restaurants in which to while away the waiting hours. We entered the building at 11 o’clock sharp.

Having obtained a form from Jetwing Travels and filled it up at home, there was no time lost. It was a simple matter of getting a signature, paying the appropriate fees (LKR 500 for a five-year extension) and waiting for the renewed travel document.

Signboards posted all over suggested that the passport would be ready “within two hours”. The dynamic gentleman behind the counter provided us with entertainment and kept us posted on the status.

Exactly an hour after we had entered the office, we were out – with Uncle’s passport having been renewed till April 2013! Considering that this office frequently handles more than 1,000 renewal requests on a single day, the experience was like a breath of fresh air.

Go, DIE!

Just Motherhood, No Apple Pie

The young mother set foot on the path of life. “Is this the long way?” she asked.

And her guide said: “Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it… But the end will be better than the beginning.”

But the young mother was happy and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, “Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.”

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, “A little patience and we are there.” So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, “Mother, we would not have done it without you.”

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: “Look up. Lift your eyes to the light. And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.”

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather.

And at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.”

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.” And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence..."

Your mother is always with you… She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every teardrop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space... not even death!

Courtesy: Charmaine Webster

When Will We Ever Learn?

Emmanuel Ratnajothi Rajaratnam passed away in Bangalore this morning, after an 81-year stint. My father-in-law was a good man.

In the days when I used to court his daughter with moonlight and roses, I remember him singing this song by Pete Seeger:

"Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the flowers gone?
Girls have picked them every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

"Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young girls gone?
Taken husbands every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

"Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone?
Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

"Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

"Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn?
When will we ever learn?"

On Horns of Bullish Dilemma

I visited Bahrain earlier this week for a round of interviews with a small (US$ 16 million) company called Al Zain Trading Co WLL. I have been short-listed and am expecting them to make me an offer over the next couple of days. I am very excited about this assignment because I see potential in the company that I can help unleash.

The designation would be Group Financial Controller and I didn’t hear a gulp when I quoted my price over the phone. In fact, they went ahead and booked my tickets after that (Emirates via Dubai while going, SriLankan direct while returning).

If I accept their offer, my predecessor will be asked to resign. Yes, the company follows a hire-and-fire kind of policy and I am aware that it could happen to me sometime. But I think I can live up to the expectations of the Managing Director.

Bahrain seems to be a better place to live in than Dubai, with greater savings potential thrown in for good measure… The only negative factors would be:
1. That I would have to say ‘Bye-bye’ to the TATAs and give up that employment-till-you retire safety net.
2. That it would be unfair to Titan after they have been so kind to me… even though they will take their pound of flesh from my final settlement.

Therefore, I am grappling with my conscience and my sense of security on this decision. What do you think?

Taking Stock of My Life

Over the past nineteen months since I left my home In Bangalore, I have learned the meaning of words like ‘hope’. And ‘frustration’.

I revived a hobby – journalism - and have even made significant progress on writing a book.

Rather late in life, my family learned to truly appreciate all the blessings that we had hitherto taken for granted. Along the way, we also learned some important lessons about life and values. We have become stronger - mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

We have survived the ordeal thus far... This would probably not have been possible without the steadfast support of Titan’s senior management. And we are immensely grateful to them for propping us up when they could have turned away... Through this experience, I discovered that God exists and that he works through people.

But this state of uncertainty could not continue indefinitely…

I needed to explore opportunities beyond Titan, even beyond India. That was a major step, but – with no alternative in sight - one that had to be taken. Accordingly, I arrived in Dubai during September 2007 to explore opportunities there, but got the timing wrong: it was the holy month of Ramadan, when companies work shorter hours.

I am back in Colombo after having spent a good five weeks in Dubai, looking at alternate career options. Of the jobs on offer, I have zeroed in on one with Voltas… as ‘Manager – Finance’ with their International Operations Business Group. The compensation package itself is nothing great, but at least it’s a bird in the hand. The silver lining is that I would continue to be employed by the TATA Group... with the prospect of returning home to India at some later date (after the bureaucrats in Delhi get their act together).

Let’s see what happens… I have not yet resigned from Titan and I certainly hope that the India visa comes through first… But from present indications, I expect to be moving to Dubai during the next fortnight.

Nuggets of Simple Wisdom

Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

Marry a man/ woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

When you say, “I love you”, mean it.

When you say, “I'm sorry”, look the person in the eye.

Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

Believe in love at first sight.

Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

Don't judge people by their relatives.

Talk slowly but think quickly.

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?”

Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

Say “God bless you” when you hear someone sneeze.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

Spend some time alone.

(Courtesy: Marina Motha)

Dubai: Higher, Faster, Hotter!

Look out for a series of posts on Dubai - when I find the time to write!

Letter to Dear Mr Bill Gates

We have bought a computer for our home and we found problems, which I want to bring to your notice.

1. After connecting to internet, we planned to open e-mail account and whenever we fill the form in Hotmail in the password column, only ‘******’ appears, but in the rest of the fields whatever we typed appears. But we face this problem only in password field.

We checked with hardware vendor Santa Singh and he said that there is no problem in keyboard. Because of this, we open the e-mail account with password ‘******’. I request you to check this as we ourselves do not know what the password is.

2. We find there is 'Run' in the menu. One of my friend clicked 'Run' has ran upto Amritsar! So, we request you to change that to ’Sit’, so that we can click that by sitting.

3. One doubt is that any 'Re-scooter' available in system? As I find only'Re-cycle', but I own a scooter at my home.

4. There is 'Find' button but it is not working properly. My wife lost the door key and we tried a lot for tracing the key with this 'Find', but unable to trace. Is it a bug??

5. Please confirm when you are going to give me money for winning 'HEARTS' (playing cards in games). And when are you coming to my home to collect your money?

6. My child learnt 'Microsoft Word'. Now he wants to learn 'Microsoft Sentence'. So when you will provide that?

7. Hey yeh kya hai? I brought computer, CPU, mouse and keypad lekhin there is only one icon with 'MY Computer'. Remaining ka kya huwa?

8. Arre yeh to kamaal hi aap bole raha hi ki 'MY Pictures' lekhin there is not even single photo of mine. So when you will keep my photo in that?

9. Is that 'NOTEPEN' available in system? As I find only ‘NOTEPAD’, tell me fast as I lost my PEN.

10. There is 'MICROSOFT OFFICE'. What about 'MICROSOFT HOME’?

Thanking you,

Banta Singh,
Punjab.

(Courtesy: Jonathan Motha)

Eulogy from Jeremy’s Family

Born: July 7th 1952
Died: June 3rd 2007

In our 29 years of married life, I learned values from Jeremy that are as unforgettable as the man himself. His family meant everything to him and he meant the world to us too. Jeremy was soft-spoken and unassuming, never hesitant to help a human being in need… even people who were unfair to him.

A man of many talents, Jeremy sang particularly well. Blessed with a keen photographer’s eye, he derived delight from the wondrous colours of nature’s palette. His adept hands fixed his children’s toys as confidently as high-tech gadgetry like television sets and computers. Even as he treasured his ‘family time’, he found relaxation in fishing and reading.

Jeremy spread sunshine wherever he went. Being the jovial and joyous person that he was, people loved being in his company, especially when he was in one of his entertaining moods. His magnetic appeal used to attract little children to him and he reciprocated by buying gifts for all who came his way.

In today’s world, some of Jeremy’s beliefs would appear quaint, like: a family should have just enough for its needs because, if there was an abundance of riches, the family could go astray.

Dadda, you were always there for us, ever so patient, our friend as much as our parent. It’s strange to realise that we will not have your reassuring presence by our side when we walk up the aisle.

We know that you are now with Jesus, watching over us. We will treasure memories of the wonderful times we shared… But, despite those memories, Dadda, we miss you…

- Patricia Fernando and the Children

The Ultimate Lingua Franca

Eric Fernando, who took some amazing photographs, and I visited many interesting places along the coast, witnessing how people had rebuilt their lives after the tsunami. We handed over the 32-page booklet to the printers yesterday – and I am pleased with the effort…! Five hundred copies of the report will be ready in about a week’s time.

As you are probably aware, I am also writing a book - the biography of a Sri Lankan Navy Commander... When I have the time, I also write reports for the Financial Times on Sunday.

When it comes to communicating in English, I seem to be at a slight advantage here. When compared with urban India, written and spoken English skills are mediocre in Sri Lanka. However, among the educated elite (especially the older generation), there are many excellent authors and orators. And such people have reached very senior levels as a consequence of their typically-foreign education. Without intending to sound condescending, I have come across many bloggers who have an excellent command of the language. (I wonder: Do they use those skills to earn some pocket-money, like I do?)

Sri Lanka had a good head-start, having been part of the Commonwealth. But the rulers frittered that advantage away, just as they have done to the many natural advantages that this country had. On the subject of language, for example, they had a short-sighted and chauvinistic policy called ‘Sinhala Only’. This worked to the detriment of all other languages that existed – although the Tamils justifiably claim that it was to subvert their nationhood - and finally to the detriment of the country's BPO potential!

Report Done, It’s Time to Fly

I am implementing plans to visit Dubai next month - long overdue - to check out jobs there as a safety net (if MHA decides that India would be better-off without me). Even if the India visa does come through, this is an opportunity to check out that city… One never knows when I will be footloose and fancy-free again.

I’ve decided to grab the first attractive opportunity that comes my way – and evaluate other options as they emerge...

I got roped in to write a report for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)... Sri Lanka is hosting a UNDP Workshop next month and they needed someone to write a report on their tsunami recovery effort. I have just finished writing the report and handed over the 32-page booklet to the printers yesterday. The style is very un-UN-like and I hope they appreciate it. Five hundred copies will be ready in about a week’s time.

You might be able to read portions of it on my blog after the report is released. I have adopted a relaxed, readable style – unlike typical UN publications that read like they've been written by a constipated parrot. So, watch this space!

Marina to the Rescue

Marina visited New Delhi last week and met with the decision-makers in the Ministry of Home Affairs. They managed to trace my file and my wife explained the case to them in intricate detail. After that, they finally seem to have seen reason and have promised to push things along. Marina has been asked to call again on Monday… It’s like waiting for exam results all over again!

As an employer, Titan has been fantastic, extremely supportive during these difficult times!

Long-term Investment

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease…

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer,
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
"Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down…
But never found the time."

(Courtesy: Ravi Bhatia)

UNICEF Foster Care Ad

(Courtesy: Malaika Fernando)

Noah's Ark Retold: 2007

The Lord came unto Noah, who was living in Canada, and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for forty days and forty nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. "Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

“Then the Hydro One demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

“Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

“When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

“Then the Ministry of the Environment ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

“I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization are checking the Visa status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.

“To make matters worse, Revenue Canada seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark.”

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," replied the Lord. “The Government beat me to it."

(Courtesy: Ravi Bhatia)

FREE-lancing: A Darn Good Deal

Business Editor: "The value of an article is not measured on word count but by whether it’s an assignment or rewritten press release or active story or investigation. Business reporters are paid over and above what news/ features freelancers are.

"The totality of a freelancer’s work is taken into account. That is, if a freelancer is a regular contributor and if it is felt that he/ she should make a reasonable amount for an otherwise lean month, then the payment is upped at the discretion of the editor.

"There is an upper limit for copy. An average of Rs 1,750 per piece is a darn good rate at any newspaper in Sri Lanka."

Comment: It is reassuring to know that what appeared to be inconsistency in payment is actually a deliberate attempt at protecting writers' earnings each month.

Consular Section: “Bureaucracy”

For all intents and purposes, my visa tangle does not seem to have got unraveled one bit. The embassy here promptly sends a reminder to the ministry in New Delhi every month. They then wait – until the next month - for a response; this has been going on since August 2006..!

Titan seems to be losing hope and patience on my case, after having tried – completely ineffectively – to cut through the jungle of red tape. Marina (my better half) is planning a last-ditch mission to Delhi next week to try and make them see reason. If that fails, it would be time to activate ‘Plan B’ - securing alternate employment.