No one has become successful and maintained it without discipline. Talent, opportunity, passion, ambition, hard work and perseverance all have their contribution to make to success. But without discipline it is highly likely that a genius too will end up as a failure.

So what is discipline? “Discipline is one’s ability to adjust oneself to the given situation,” was the thought the Principal at my school had driven home into our hearts at each school assembly. That means we are not to blame circumstances but instead rise above them by making necessary changes in our attitudes and actions.

Discipline primarily begins with a desire to make best use of resources gifted to us from God. It starts with the understanding that Time that we have at our disposal is short; and we cannot waste it. So to make best use of time, we should plan well. As far as students are concerned, this demands creating time tables and sticking to them.

The next step in discipline is to make priorities. As far as students are concerned, their first priority is not studies. You might be shocked and surprised by that statement, I am sure! But then what is your highest priority. It is to obey your parents and teachers!

Now why do I say this? This is because disobedience and disrespect are so fashionable with today’s young generation. But let me tell you a disobedient child is an undisciplined child. And even if such a child becomes successful the traits of disobedience he or she carries in his or her mind will someday prove to be their downfall.

Let me add one more important thought to this. Many of you aspire to be leaders; don’t you? It is a good thing provided your attitude is to serve others in your leadership role—to be a true minister unto men. The Bible portrays this as servant leadership which Jesus showed when he washed the feet of his disciples the night he was betrayed.

Now if you want to be a leader, obedience is the key. Make a note of the saying, “He who cannot obey cannot command.” Just imagine what chaos will result if there is disobedience in the armed forces? Therefore obedience is the key as far as discipline is concerned.

After desire and priorities, the next step as far is discipline is concerned is to strengthen your resolve and commitment. Just making decisions are good enough to lead a disciplined life. You have to increase your efforts to stick to commitments. Otherwise you will become bored and lazy with routines.

The key is to create good and healthy habits. Once those are formed; it is difficult to break them. Just imagine, the simple act of brushing your teeth every morning. This discipline became part of your life because your parents helped you to form that habit early in life; isn’t it.

Let me conclude with one last thought about a disciplined life. It is a very important thought as well. If you wish to maintain a disciplined and successful life, you have to avoid distractions. As far as youngsters are concerned, let me point out one way in which you are distracted is time you spent with your gadgets. How much time do you waste chatting on WhatsApp and Facebook? How much time do you spent in playing video games? What about time spent in watching movies, cricket and football? If you do not learn to discipline yourselves and limit time you spent for all these; you will regret that later in life. For the quality and vigour of time in youth will never return. Invest the best of your time in life in the best things of life.

So my dear friends learn to adjust yourself to the given situations in life. Discipline yourself and leave behind an inspiring legacy of success!

• 2 Minute Speech for School Children on The Importance of English!
• Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam–the Missile Man of India and a Dreamer!

Dear Friends,

What is your stand on the problem of stray dogs? Let me assume that as an animal lover you would like to protect stray dogs. That is good. There is nothing wrong with such a stand for no one is advocating cruelty against animals.

But what if one stray dog bites you? Or worse still, as happened recently in Kerala, what if a pack of stray dogs tears one of your family members to a horrible death? Will you have the same stand on stray dogs after such a nightmarish and hellish experience?

Do not be angry with me. My point is still the same—No one is advocating cruelty against animals. Instead, my argument is that human life, created in the image and likeness of God the Creator, has far more dignity any day, anywhere, than all the animals of the world combined.

Now let me make a point of comparison and contrast. Stray dogs are animals. We know they cannot think. They are brute beasts on the prowl. But what about people who make laws? We believe that as human beings they can think.

Yet how can we be certain that they have any sense of compassion and sympathetic understanding of the constant threat the common man faces from stray dogs? They act worse than beasts when they make casual remarks in support of stray dogs that tear human beings to shreds and pieces including innocent children and elderly people.

How can they be blind to the bloody reality of the ordeal? Have they seen how people die who are bitten by dogs with rabies? It is the worst kind of death imaginable. Such a death is one of extreme horror which no one can watch without being terribly affected by the sight.

Now what is the cause of the problem of stray dogs? Several reasons have been suggested. One definitely is the improper disposal of garbage. Stray dogs are breeding in plenty because they get enough food in the streets. Some people even throw food to stray dogs on a regular basis. Isn’t this showing love without ownership or responsibility? What do you think?

Recently someone suggested that animal lovers should take responsibility for stray dogs. Either they should show their true love by at least taking one stray dog into their homes or finding common shelters for them. Or at least they should have the kindness to support the family of persons who have been bitten by stray dogs.

But what often happens is that in spite of the terror that people have passed through on account of stray dog bites, animal lovers still raise their voices for stray dogs? Can people be blind to human misery like this? This is an extremely sad state of affairs!

Another idea that has been put forward to control stray dogs is the proposal to sterilize them. Many are arguing in favour of and against this as well. Whatever be the merit of the idea, one awful truth remains. If sterilized dogs bite, the bites are as painful and terror-striking as dogs that have not been sterilized. If that is not the case, who in this country has the guts to come and vouch that sterilized dogs don’t bite? I suppose none will dare to testify like that.

Now let me conclude. Who is to blame? Is it the vaccine companies that are keeping alive the stray dogs so that their medicines can sell? Some argue like that. We do not know what the truth is. Do politicians who make the laws have a hidden agenda? Again, we do not know.

Now what is more important? Human life? Or the lives of stray dogs? If you are asked to vote for one of these, what will you choose? Human life? Or stray dogs? Think about it. How many more human beings have to be mercilessly bitten by blood-hunting stray dogs before the authorities will take action?

If nothing happens, people will pray for stray dogs to lick the blood of those who treat human beings with contempt and do not uphold the sacred dignity of human life.

I hope the newspapers will not have to carry in bold and black the tragic news of such a blood bath. But if it happens, then know that finally justice has been done!

It is quite natural to be anxious about your children. Your children are God’s gift to you. So they are precious. And they are the future.

At their young age, it is as if God has entrusted you with the awesome responsibility to raise them up as God-fearing citizens. It is up to you that they look not for words of advice but for a model and an example which they can emulate and put to practice as well.

Here are a few tips that might prove useful.

#1. Celebrate the uniqueness of your child.

It is quite understandable that you want your child to excel and win the first rank if possible every time. At the same time, it is more important to realize that your child is very unique and different in his talent, temperament, attitudes and passion from even his or her brother or sister. Therefore do not fall into the trap of comparing your child with anyone else. That is playing with fire. Remember, a dog is not a lion and a lion is not an eagle nor is an eagle a dolphin. Each has its own unique role to play.

So the first responsibility you have is to simply cherish your child as a unique person.

#2. Appreciate your child even for small things he or she does well.

Often we shout at our children; don’t we? Even though we know we should not vent our frustration or anger resulting from a bad day at our work on our children, we do that. And often we feel sorry later. But the best thing you can do for your child is to praise him and appreciate him for any small thing he does well. The more you do it, genuinely, the more confident your child will become. He will have a greater sense of worth and dignity. Children who lack appreciation at home and feel rejected seek acceptance somewhere else and in teenage years can land up in bad company quickly. Why? Simply because there he or she is accepted.

So shower you children with praise and appreciation at every opportunity you get.

#3. Spend time with your children.

It is a wrong thinking that your child is satisfied with the best electronic gadgets that you buy for him. Honestly, this is absolutely wrong. Buying the most expensive and trendy things for your child might advertise your money power; but it does not satisfy your child’s basic and most important need. That is quality time you spend with them. Remember time flies. And before you know it, and because you were busy building your status in society and empires of your own, your child would have grown up into adulthood. And then it is useless to cry that you could spend much time with them in their young age.

Remember the greatest gift you can give your child is the quality time you spend with him or her.

#4. Listen to your children.

If you don’t listen to your children, even if what they talk is silly and even plain nonsense, the day will come when they will totally shut up. And then you will never know what they think, who their friends are, what are their difficulties at school or college or the mental pressures they undergo because of their studies or a wrong relationship. God has given you two ears so that you will listen more than you talk. It is not bravado to tell your children that you are busy and yell at them to stop talking. Encourage them to speak. Let them open up. Give them the freedom to talk to you about matters that trouble their heart. In this way you show respect to them as well.

If you listen to your children today, tomorrow you will not to have to regret that they are not listening to you.

#5. Take time to understand your child’s passion, talent and ambition.

As parents, we like our children to fit into the society’s mould. So we pressurize them to become doctors when they want to be engineers, we compel them to do civil services when they want to be journalists and so on. Of course, there are times when the wisdom of parents should overrule the wrong choices children make. But know that children excel in what they are passionate about. So as parents try to understand what their skill sets are. Help them to have good hobbies which are creative, involves physical activity and involves teaming up with others if possible. This is far better than giving them a tablet or laptop or expensive mobile and allowing them to chat or play video games on it for hours. And it is often equally dangerous to try to make children do what we were good at or try to realize our unfulfilled dreams through them (there are occasions when it works but mostly it is not worth the try).

If you can help your child realize what his passion and talent is, you have succeeded in putting him on the right track that leads to success.

#6. Do not label your children negatively.

I have often quarreled with parents because they often label their children negatively in front of others. One of their favourite labels is this: “Oh, my child is an introvert.” This is shocking because most of the time this has nothing to do with reality. May be the child is a bit shy. So what? Given the right environment like a change of school or given more time to play team games with friends, he or she will come up fantastically well. The more parents repeat this kind of negative labelling in front of others the child starts believing a lie about himself. And these sinful words or curse words of parents become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The child becomes an introvert.

Never label your children. Put a guard over your mouth so that you resist the temptation to label your child negatively especially in front of others.

#7. Never forget to pray for your children daily.

So many children who went to wayward living during their teenage years have come to back to their parents and to the forgiving love of God because of the prayers of their parents–especially the heartfelt, tearful, prayers of their mothers! When your children go to school or college commit them and especially that day into God’s care. Pray that they will be given wisdom and discernment to face life’s challenges and also study well. Pray that they will not be drawn to evil things, and bad company; for the Bible warns, “”Bad company corrupts good character.”*

Knowing that parents are praying for them is a great encouragement for children and a surety of your love and care for them.

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” – Jesus Christ.

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*1 Corinthians 15:33, Bible.
Quote on angels, Matthew 18:10, Bible.

2 Minute Speech for School Children on the Importance of English

Magicians communicate effectively. In other words without using words with felicity, one cannot be a successful magician.

A magician is an excellent public speaker. His ability to interact with audiences, elicit desired responses from them and also his ability to persuade them quickly to take certain roles during the magic show is an art all who desire to be good speakers need to learn from.

Often we find magicians use some favourite phrase repeatedly. It not only creates a sense of unity to his entire performance but also creates a sense of anticipation in the audience as something amazing is going to happen. This is something similar to the sound bite “I have a dream” that Rev. Martin Luther King used in his famous speech.

Another impact of the magicians words is that he is able to divert the attention of the audience away from the sleight of hand trick he is going to do. This makes the jaws of the audience drop when the magic happens.

Some magicians make it a point to spread a social or moral message through their magic. For example, many magicians effectively convey the importance of staying united as a team, as a family and as a nation.

Many magicians also have the gift of motivating audience to do better in life. This is good as many need a spark to ignite them to skyrocket to success.

Again, a magician has a tremendous gift of voice modulation. Through effective variations of his voice he is able to create different moods in the mind of the audience as he desires. Combined with the colourful costumes, grand stage settings, the properties he uses and lively music, a magic show leaves us thirsting for more when it ends.

• The Appeal of Body Language in Speeches and Communication
• 1 Minute Speech for Children on Respect
• 2 Minute Speech for School Children on The Importance of English!
• Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam–the Missile Man of India and a Dreamer!
• 2 Minute Speech on the Meaning of Life!
• Tips to Write Exams Successfully
• Have You Hid Your Talent?

A Short Speech for Christmas_Hope!

2 Minute Speech for Children_Christmas_Star!

1 Minute Speech for Children_Christmas_Gift!

When was the last time you asked an intelligent question? Why is that the frequency of your questions decreased as you grew from a child to an adult? What prevents you from asking questions now? Is it stage fright? These are important questions.

But more importantly, you need to relearn the art of asking questions. Why is this important? This is important because asking questions enable you to think with clarity. It helps you to communicate to the other person that you are serious about the matter under discussion. Questions help us to gather vital information, show genuine interest, clarify doubts, etc.

“It has been said that the whole art of gaining and of communicating knowledge consists in asking the right questions. It could be said that the way to certainty is to have the right kind of doubt.”*

A child is able to ask many questions because the child has a sense of wonder. Most questions begin with “Why?” in childhood. So to ask good questions, you need to be curious.

In a business setting, a few questions like, “How many people will be attending this programme? Are people coming from outside the Company? When do you plan to conduct the first session of the series?” can really get you a lot of information. Having the right kind of information is an absolute must in decision-making; isn’t it?

Basically, there are two types of questions? One is the closed question. The other is the open-ended question. Closed question requires only a short response. Did you watch the movie yesterday? This just requires a Yes or No response.  On the other hand an open-ended question encourages the listener to talk more.  Questions like, “Why do you think there are less women CEO’s in the industry? Is it because they hit the glass ceiling?” can make people talk and air their opinions.

If you ask questions aggressively, it can make people nervous and put them on the defensive. Many people are afraid to face questions because they have terror-filled experiences about it from School.  So you need to be gentle when you ask questions. And show proper respect wherever and to whosoever it is due.

At the same time, asking wrong questions can show your lack of intelligence. It can reveal your ignorance and also make people question your credibility as well. Therefore do a lot of homework before you ask questions.

Finally, if you know how to ask questions, you can trap those who wanted to trap you. Here is a classic example.

Some people wanted to trap Jesus Christ. They came to him saying, “We know you are a man of integrity . . . Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesear or not?” But Jesus knew their evil intent and asked them why they were trying to trap him. He asked them, “Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” When they brought the coin (a denarius) to him, Jesus asked, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Casear’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

This type of asking questions to turn the tables is an art. You too can be good at it if you try. Remember, sometimes the difference between failure and success in life is simply your ability to ask the right questions!

So what is the question you asked today?
________________________________________

*From the book, The Master’s Men by William Barclay

2 Minute Speech for Children on the Importance of English!

Respected teacher and my dear friends,

Family is God’s gift to us. A family in its basic form consists of father, mother and children. It is the first unit that God created and blessed. Therefore we should thank God for families.

It is in families that we grow up. It is here that we are loved and cherished. It is in the family that we have joy and fun.

Families give us our first identity. What a blessing it is to have a home to go to where you are accepted and belong to. It is also a great joy to have grandparents and brothers and sisters, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

There is an atmosphere of love and joy in our family. We have times of prayer together, we eat together and we have fun together as well.

We learn our first lessons in life from our family. The most important lessons we learn are that of love and trust, obedience and respect, hard work and honesty. It is in the family that we learn to share our resources and appreciate the talents and abilities of others.

Festival seasons are joyful occasions in the family. That is a time family members come together, have fun together, visit places together, exchange gifts and even team up together and play. Such colourful occasions remain in our memory for a long time. We often love to see the pictures of such times together in our family photographs and albums as well.

Let me conclude by saying that there are thousands of children in the world without a family. Among them are the homeless and the orphans and even the refugees. Let us remember them in our hearts even as we thank God for the blessing of a family.

Thank you.
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“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” — (Proverbs 1:8 Bible).

“I had always thought that the laughter of the little children in an empty cathedral was the most beautiful of all hymns of praise”

— Corrie ten Boom in her book Tramp for the Lord.

2 Minute Speech for School Children on the Importance of English

Biodata/Résumé/CV though interchangeably used has differences. This article is not trying to highlight the differences but is to help you create a better impression about yourself to your prospective employer.

The first thing to do before you write a résumé is to try to remember and write down everything you know about yourself. Include all unimportant details as well.

The next thing to do is to group them into categories. Categories like Employment History, Education, Personal details, Co-curricular activities, Achievements, Awards and the like.

Now take a good look at the job you are going to apply for. What is the Company/Organisation looking for? That is the most important question. Again ask yourself, what are the skill sets the job demands? Then think, do I have the necessary skill sets to apply for the job?

If the answer is yes, then the next step is write your résumé which will impressively showcase your skill sets that the job demands. Here is where most people fail. They do not take time or effort to package what skills they have in a favourable light. If you do not think this is important, just ask yourselves, why do chocolates, soft drinks, soaps, cosmetics and a host of products come in attractive packages?

Or more importantly, why do they advertise in the best possible manner? It is because they want to capture the attention of customers and also put confidence in them that they can meet their needs.

Therefore organize your material quite effectively.

Many people simply cut-paste an Objective they find in some resume. Most of these objectives are very philosophical or optimistic (unrealistically of course). For example, one that I came across a few days ago: “To obtain a pocisition [position] which will allow me to utilize my capabilities effectively.”

There are two problems here. One, this is a very general statement and it adds nothing to the Interviewer’s/HR’s knowledge about what you will be able to contribute for the Company and its growth.

Secondly, (this is no exaggeration), the spelling mistake was really seen in the résumé that I came across. See, your résumé is the first impression about you. And this kind of spelling mistakes sends the red signal to your prospective employer. It tells him that you are not someone who is careful about details and takes things with a happy go-lucky attitude. Is that the image you want to project about yourself?

Make sure that you get a print out of your résumé, proof read it, make corrections in the original soft copy, save the changes and get another print out. Save it in a PDF format so that unexpected changes will not occur by mistake. Get the final printouts in good quality paper as well.

Now coming to inclusion of material in your résumé. Resist the temptation to include everything from your LKG to the present. Here, you have to select the best achievements that will match with the skill set the company is looking for. If the job is for a teacher’s post, it is not relevant to highlight the job you did as DTP operator or the sales job you did to earn some money.

Regarding, the order in which details are to be presented, it is always advisable to go for a reverse chronological order. That is listing recent achievements first and then going backwards.

Regarding length of résumé, it is good to keep it to one page, but do not exceed two pages. As for layout, make it with enough margins and space as far as your material allows you to. It is good to have your name printed at the top in big and bold and give your contact number and email somewhere near. If needed, give all personal information at the last.

Make sure that you keep at least two copies of the résumé you sent to the Company when you are called for the interview.

As a final and most important tip, do not make the mistake of waiting and doing nothing after you have sent a résumé somewhere. Hunt for other possibilities. Ask, seek, knock everywhere. Try to improve your skills. Or try to learn something new which might help in your future career. You can learn a foreign language like French or German or do an MBA or take short-term courses to improve your command of the English language. In short, make your waiting time for a job productive. That will give you a great leverage when you face the interview later. It will show the interview board that you are a person with passion. It will help you succeed.

Motivational Speech: When You Are Worried!

Motivational Speech: When Opportunities Fail to Knock!

To be beautiful and lovely, to be handsome and attractive, to be admired and appreciated; these are the longing of every heart.

Some spend a fortune on cosmetics and apparels, on handbags and shoes, jewellery and ornaments to achieve these goals.

But there are better methods to make yourself an attractive person.

The first and most important of all is cultivating a thankful heart.

It is when we are dissatisfied that we become jealous of others. And when we become jealous all our joy turns into bitter poison that corrupts the heart and darkens our facial features as well.

Therefore stop comparing yourselves with others and feeling inferior. Instead be thankful for all that you are and all that you have.

The next important step to be an attractive person is to cultivate the habit of smiling often.

Nothing compares with the beauty of a baby smiling. We all had smiled as children. Now when did we lose that? We lost it by worrying often. Stop worrying. It accomplishes nothing. Worry increases the wrinkles and frowns on your face.

So don’t lose your attractiveness through constant worry. Try smiling more often.

Possibly the next step you expect me to say is that you should drink a lot of water and sleep well.

That is needed, but more than that why not try to be an encourager.

Make a deliberate effort to speak an encouraging word to someone today. Appreciate others a lot. Try to do a kind deed even as simple as smiling at the person who filled petrol in your car today. Or, saying “Thank you” to the one who took orders at your table in the restaurant.

Remember one good word from you can be the pull that brings back a person to life from the pit of destruction he or she was about to fall into.

Let me conclude.

A thankful heart,
a smile on your face,
and an encouraging word for others
are three secrets of a lovely, attractive, beautiful, and a handsome, winsome personality.

A Short Speech for Christmas_Hope!

2 Minute Speech for Children_Christmas_Star!

1 Minute Speech for Children_Christmas_Gift!

1 Minute Speech for Children on Respect
2 Minute Speech for School Children on The Importance of English!

Every achievement in life springs from a burning desire to succeed. It is this burning desire that helps you conquer fear and break out from inhibitions. Lack of confidence will yield to the relentless drive forward of a burning desire. It is this burning desire that helps you tide over failures as well with a never say die attitude.

Another word for burning desire is passion. What can I compare passion to? It is like a forest fire. It rages wild and burns down everything in its path. Therefore try to fuel passion in life.

One of the most important decisions regarding passion is to cut off friendships which hinder your progress in life. Avoid those who speak negatively all the time. Do not associate with people who tell you “It can’t be done.” Instead choose a couple of friends with whom you can share your needs and fears, your dreams and pursuits, your hopes and goals.

Now let me ask you, “Have you met someone with a real burning desire and passion in life?” One thing you cannot miss about such a person is his or her single-minded aim. He or she is someone who has given up on lesser ambitions and focused sharply on getting one thing done in life. Such a person is a disciplined person who has chiseled away everything else in life that will not contribute to that one aim that has taken hold of his or her heart so powerfully.

Yet another important mark of a passionate person is the ability to utilize time wisely. He will make use of opportunities that come his way. A passionate man knows that time is a resource that is constantly running out and can never be replenished. So he will plan and prioritize and act accordingly.

Finally, know that promotions come to a person with passion. That is because a person with passion is someone who is faithful in the small things of life. Nothing is unimportant to such a person. Whatever he does, he does to the best of his ability and with all of his heart in it. Such a person cannot be stopped from being promoted. As Jesus Christ said,

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”*

Yes, those who live life fully are those who have a burning desire to succeed. Now the question is, “Do you have such a passion?”

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For his farewell Michael Schumacher wore his traditional Schuberth red helmet showing a single thank you message for his fans. “Life is about passions – Thank you for sharing mine” is written on the sides.

* (Luke 16:10 Bible).

Trust in God is one sure way to fight despair. Here are certain promises that God has made which can give you a sure reason to hope.

When people close to you forget you, forsake you or reject you!
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15). “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me—King David (Psalm 27:10).

When you have lost opportunities in life and wasted many years without any productive work!

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).

When locusts attack they come in battalions and even the sky is darkened because they fly together closely packed like a huge thick blanket. Nothing green remains in the area they have devoured. All is brown and barren when they leave. So also it might have happened in your life. You might have made bad decisions, wrong choices, and engaged in projects doomed to fail. But God is able to redeem, restore, renew, revive and refresh your life. The only demand he makes is that you return to him with all your heart. Will you?

What if today you feel disheartened because you failed miserably yesterday!

It is interesting that the overwhelming impression about God that people have is of One who is ready to punish every sin, disobedience and mistake that we make. Of course, God is a Judge. And definitely there is a final judgement coming when all people in this world will be judged for the good or bad they did in their life.

But at the same time, God has given great importance to what we call Today. He gives multiple second chances for people to move in the right direction in life. “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22, 23).

So if you are in a bed of despair, thinking that all is lost, why not stake your claim on God’s compassions toward you. They never fail. Moreover they are new every morning. God does not lie. He does what he says. He will still work a miracle in your life if you sincerely seek him with heartfelt tears and cries. It doesn’t matter if nobody believes in you. God is still willing to invest in you.

Finally, what if all doors are closed! What if NO OPPORTUNITY exists!

God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18, 19). Yes, God is capable to creating a new opportunity for you. It does not matter who or what forces are against you. “What is impossible with men is possible with God” – Jesus Christ (Luke 18:27).

So dear friend, there is tomorrow for you. Today is a day of God’s mercy extending to you. Like a river flowing, it floods your heart and drowns all your despair. So rise in the newness of God’s strength and unfailing love towards you. You will live to see your heart’s longings and desires come true.

May God do it for you!

From the time the first wheel started rolling, the world has progressed in leaps and bounds. When the wheel gathered momentum and speed with the arrival of the combustion engine, a new era had dawned in human history.

Soon, it was man’s turn to fly. Travel became faster. And with the arrival of telephones, television, computers, and mobile phones the world shrank to a global village. With the arrival of the internet and a variety of software applications most routine activities like shopping and banking is now at the fingertips.

All this has influenced how people live. Life has become faster and easier. At the same time, this kind of easy life has impacted man’s health as well. Instead of physical activity which can help reduce stress, modern gadgets and equipment has compelled man to move to a sedentary life style.

At the same time we cannot forget the developments science has made in the field of medicine. We even have robotic surgery today. Even when several diseases like Aids and Cancer still plague a good majority of the world’s population the life-saving and health improving developments in the field of medicine are commendable.

Technology has also changed the face of education and the classroom. Teachers and teaching have an added dimension in virtual classrooms. The advantage of this is that the best education can be availed by people even in remote villages if electricity and internet connectivity can be provided. This is a remarkable achievement even when Internet or the Information Super Highway has opened for a man a lot of avenues for exploring evil as well.

That is why whether science is a bane or boon has been debated for a long time now. We have benefited much from science. We owe much to the sacrificial contribution of scientists and researchers worldwide. But in the hand of men with devilish intent, science can be used for destructive purposes as well. Here checks have to be made by appeal to the human conscience and wherever possible by laws and international treaties and understanding.

Another area where man has tried to probe is space. Space exploration is throwing open new horizons and knowledge. Weather forecast and telecommunications have had significant improvement because of satellites in orbit.

However, there is this haunting thought. Every step that man takes forward in science reveals the smallness of man. It tells us how much more is there for man to know under the microscope as well as in the stellar galaxies and beyond.

It is true that science has created great progress. But several inventions like the dynamite and the atom bomb have already created havoc in this world. Not to mention the thoughtless use of plastic. Or for that matter technology invading relationships through the arrival of social media. Do you think your privacy is not under threat when you browse the internet or make a purchase online? You are under watchful eyes of those interested in their market empires. So technology has its downside and hope that frightens you a little bit!

Now let me conclude. Science can be a great instrument in peace and development. At the same time the hope that science will create heaven on earth is largely a myth. Simply because man’s behaviour has not altered over the centuries. And in the hands of the wrong people or a bad decision by a person in leadership science might script the final showdown of man’s history on earth someday. Yes friends, time will prove what is truth.

_________________________________________________________________________

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands” — Bible (King David, Psalm 19:1)

 
Open Up and Say “Yes” to Life!

2 Minute Speech for School Children on the Importance of English

Speech for School Children on Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam the Missile Man of India and a Dreamer

I am a tree. My leaves are green. I give shade and shelter not only for you but for many birds and some animals as well.

I am your friend. I give you flowers and fruits. I give you my wood so that you can build homes, create ornamental furniture, and have fires to cook your food.

I give you good oxygen and store carbon within me. I do play a role in bringing rain. I hold the good soil with my spreading roots.

The higher you grow in life and career, have your roots firmly planted on the ground and spreading deep and wide. Thus you can stand the tests that promotions bring in life.

Some trees stay alive for a long long time. If you give me a chance I can tell you several stories that will thrill your hearts.

Though I am friends with you, some people mercilessly strike my relatives down. What is the crime that we did to you?

Today, man lives in concrete jungles. Isn’t it simply because you lost touch with us? Once in a while come to the forests and spend time with us. And feel the refreshing beauty of nature.

Looking at the trees, you can know the difference in seasons. In spring, it flowers and blooms; in autumn it sheds leaves. In olden days, people came together underneath trees to meet together and communicate with each other.

The greenery of trees and the sway of leaves in the breeze have a soothing effect on the human mind. In short, let me say, I am not just a tree but a symbol of life; healing and wellness, goodness and health.

Love has always been understood as a beautiful feeling. Sometimes it cannot be described in words fully.

But love is more than a feeling. It is a genuine commitment;an absolute decision for the good of the other. The more the husband and wife realize that they were joined together to be one in heart and mind; the more they realize they are no longer two but one, the chances are that they will stay united as one in good and bad weather, in poverty and riches, in sickness and in health.

So what factors might possibly be stealing the joy of marriage? Three words are important here: Expectations, Differences, and Respect.

First of all, when two people, a man and a woman, enter into marriage they come into such a relationship with a lot of expectations. These expectations are based on their dreams, desires, wishes, upbringing, and on knowledge they get from others.

But it won’t take long to realize that married life is first of all about a shaking up of most expectations. And it creates conflicts when the husband wants the wife to change and the wife wants the husband to change.

Now let us look at change. Is it easy to change your habits overnight? I don’t think so. Therefore instead of trying to change your husband or wife decide that you will change.

Secondly, remember there is no perfect husband or wife. It is a myth. If at all any kind of goodness is there in family life it is because each partner remembers that they have decided to love each other and stay in love in spite of differences. Success in marriage is about recognizing differences and celebrating them.

Often quarrels happen when the “I” factor is strong. When one of the partner feels he or she is important and feels ignored or not rightly acknowledged that creates conflict. It can be termed as self righteousness. A constant effort is to be made to control the feel that I am right and I will defend my rights in marriage if there should be smooth sailing.

Some other conflicts happen because men and women do not recognize the fact that men and women are different. There is a marked difference in their physical appearance, their thinking, the way the respond emotionally or logically to situations, and most importantly in the way they communicate. It is good to make an effort to understand these differences so that conflicts arising out of such differences can be minimized.

Finally, husband and wife must respect each other. It basically starts with not taking each other for granted. Respect also includes not calling the past mistakes and failures into remembrance and reckoning in present moment conflicts.

Respect comes from cherishing the other. It is not allowing the feel of love and delight in each other to be lost. As many have said, the secret of a happy married life is to fall in love again and again.

Respect for each other is shown by not letting down one’s husband or wife in front of others; be it relatives or friends or strangers. Respect for each other is nourished by time spent together, by helping each other in the routine tasks of family life, by encouraging each other and being submissive to each other.

The list looks too idealistic, I know. But that is where praying for each other and seeking God’s help to keep married life a joy is so vital.

To conclude, let me say to love is to stay committed to one person in marriage till death separates. To make marriage work one has to get rid of false expectations, learn to celebrate differences instead of saying “I am right and you are wrong” all the time. Along with that have the courage to say “I am sorry” when you make a mistake and show respect for each other.

Above all, I repeat again, seek God’s help. For marriage was God’s creation and not man’s idea. Remember it was God who conducted the first wedding and gave away the wife to man.

So, God can use conflicts in marriage to create better people who can love each other more passionately as time passes by. Cherish, celebrate and thank God for your husband or wife no matter how imperfect or unlovable he or she seems.

Life is too short. So do not miss the miracle of staying together in love for a life time.

Now why did you click on this link?

That is the power of having such a title for your speech. Of course, it should be related to the subject under discussion.

As far as this title goes, it is personal and has a sense of mystery to it. And who does not love mystery stories?

Now if this is the real title of a speech what can I talk about it?

Of course, I can start by asking questions.

Why do people do things in secret?
What do you think?

It can be because they want to surprise others and they do not want others to know what they are doing. This is in a very positive sense. Someone wants to gift his or her loved one with a gift. And he or she goes shopping without letting anyone know about it. And then steals that gift home!

Some others do things in secret because what they are doing is still in the process and they do not want to entertain negative comments before it is finished. Imagine someone is doing a painting or a sculpture. Before the work is finished, if someone comments about its imperfections, it can be disheartening.

Yet there are others who never let others know what they do because they are not team players. They want to do things on their own, will never share credit with others for work they do. Most of the people belonging to this category have a boastful nature. They love to tell others, “I alone did it.”

Now there are a few others who do things in secret because they do not want to be found out. They know plainly that what they do is wrong. Yet they keep on doing it. Mostly these people love to be alone in their rooms, deriving pleasure by spending much time alone with their mobiles, tablets and computers. Some waste hours in chatting secretively destroying the sacredness of marriage!

In this context, it is good to listen to the Bible warning of what the woman Folly loudly says,

“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” “But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.” (Proverbs 9:17, 18 NIV)

So friends, these are just some of the thoughts on why people do things in secret? Now the question is what do you do in secret? Hope what you do in secret will stand the test of light shining in the darkness!

Cartoons are part of a child’s life. Whether watching cartoons is good or bad has been debated much as well.

One of the positive elements said about cartoons is that it helps a child learn words at a very early age quite effortlessly. This happens when the child listens to cartoons and picks up words and phrases and repeats them.

Another positive is that many cartoons often depicting animals convey stories containing morals. This can help in the development of the child’s personality in a very positive sense.

As far as the attitude of parents is concerned, they opt for their children to watch cartoons so that they will be able to do something without children interrupting them. This is not good in the long run. Ideally, parents should make a deliberate effort to spend quality time with their children. They can play with them, go for visiting places together or even go shopping.

In other words, allowing the television and cartoons to take the role of parents spells D.A.N.G.E.R.

The danger of cartoons is that they invade every available space. Try going shopping for the needs of your children. Be it a snacks box, a pencil box, a bag or name slip, or rain coat or whatever else you can name, you get stuff with cartoon characters printed on it. Quite evidently it is a clever marketing technique employed.

Another danger is that cartoons introduce children to a world of violence at a very impressionable age. Many cartoons have violent fights. This definitely influences children. And some cartoons contain violence for which no punishment is given. Both the one who does the violence and the one who prevents it appear in all episodes. So what message does that convey about evil and violence in the real world?

Some parents have raised the concern that their children don’t listen to anything they say. But if they tell their children that this is how this particular cartoon character would like you to behave, they immediately obey. This trend is very dangerous because a child is giving more authority to a cartoon character than his or her real parents.

Again children who watch violent cartoons can easily show aggressive behaviour. They might try to imitate certain ways in which their favourite cartoon character reacts to situations. Such behaviour may not be acceptable to other children playing with them. This can cause friction and tension between children. It can become ugly if parents take sides.

Yet another point is what cartoons do to a child’s imagination. Cartoons easily draw boundary lines in a child’s mind. A child easily thinks and acts the way his or her favourite cartoon does. It is very difficult for him or her to exercise creativity in more imaginative ways. In that sense the child is limited by the imaginativeness of the cartoons he watches.

On further thought there is the mixing up of reality and fiction. When children see cartoon characters jump from high rise buildings to the ground and suffer no harm, they can get a false notion that they too can do it and survive. Similar is the case when they see a lot of shooting and fight with lethal weapons.

And if parents watch cartoons with a very critical eye, they will see that a lot of subtle or subliminal messages about attractive dressing, boy girl relationships, supernatural and evil forces etc. are conveyed through cartoons which may not prove healthy for their children.

To conclude, let me remind that cartoons will be with us for a long time. Today’s generation grows up with images and catch phrases of cartoon characters all around them.

The challenge is whether parents will yield their moral leadership to cartoons or not. If parents can spend quality time with their children and help them discern what is good and what is bad; then there is hope for kids to have a better tomorrow.

Respected teacher and my dear friends,

This world is a beautiful place. One reason why it is so is because of the lovely gardens in public places as well as our homes. Brindavan Garden in Mysore and Lal Bagh Garden in Bengaluru (Bangalore) are two large and beautiful gardens I have visited.

I too have a garden at my home. It gives me great joy to spend time in my garden. There are several flowering plants in my garden and one tall mango tree as well. My favourite flowers are roses, jasmine and orchids. When they bloom it is like a wave of joyous smile spreading around.

One of the beautiful sights in my garden is that of butterflies flying around. Sometimes I try running around with them too. The wet feel of my feet on the green lawn especially when it has just been watered is a thrill beyond words.

Garden Yellow Flowers

I thank God for my garden. It is where I can enjoy the beauty of flowers; its colours and fragrance. It is the place which makes my home a joy. For here, I spend time with my family. Those are precious moments in life to me.

Let me conclude by saying that God planted a garden so that he can place the man Adam he created there. So gardens are not only my heart’s delight but also God’s too.

Thank you.

Have you ever been lost somewhere in a crowd? And you had to wait for someone to find you out. Then you might have experienced the joy of someone coming in search of you and finding you.

What a relief to know that you were thought about and not forgotten. What a joy to know that someone cared. What good news to be reminded that you belong to someone.

It is in this sense that Christmas is good news of great joy to all the people. It simply tells us that God remembers each one of us. It tells us that none of is forgotten. It reminds us that in spite of all our failures, mistakes and sins; God is ready to clean up the mess. He is willing to dirty his hands to give us a new life.

This is the story of Christmas. This is the good news that God came down to us in Jesus Christ. He came as a baby, a tiny child who came to sacrifice his life by shedding his blood on the cross for all mankind. Through this sacrifice, God is ready to forgive all who come to him and cleanse people of all sin and impurity.

No one is excluded from this joy. People of all tribes and nations, languages and cultures are welcome.

The joy of Christmas is not in the festivity of the season. It is not gifts and stars, cake and wine, new dress and carols and Christmas trees and Christmas cards and not Santa Claus.

The joy of Christmas is that a Saviour came. And it is good news of great joy because it is for all people of the world.

It is for you and for me as well.

And the Oscar for the best director goes to . . .

The world listens in eager anticipation to these words every year.

Yes, films have entertained the world for so many decades now. With technology at one’s finger tips watching movies happens at one’s leisure through mobiles and tablets as well.

But the nagging question is about the influence of movies on youth. Does society influence films or do films influence society? Especially youngsters.

It is true that many script writers find their plots from what they see, hear and experience in society. It is also true that some books have been made into great movies as well.

At the same time we need to consider the impact of the big screen or the silver screen on youngsters.

The first thought is about role models. Youngsters shape their thoughts and subject their emotions to the way their favourite film stars speak and act. Many forget to remember that what is shown on screen is idealistic and not realistic.

The second concern is about violence and crime. Many movies show violence. In many cases we find that those who do these crimes are not duly punished. So movies influence youth to consider violence as a justifiable means to achieve their goals in life.

Thirdly, we need to consider wrong signals some movies communicate about relationships. For example the divine institution of the family is constantly under threat. Several movies portray wrong relationships in a glamorous and desirable manner. This undermines the cherished values of marriage and family.

Again, we have to ask the reason why people rush to the theatres to watch movies? Isn’t it because there is an irresistible pull when a new film is released? If there is no pleasure or entertainment will people especially the youth throng to the movies?

Sometimes it is the dance and the music, at times it is the cinematography or choreography that makes people crowd at the movies. Often films influence youth not only in fashions but also speech patterns. The youngsters learn to use curse words and four letter words from popular English movies.

Again, movies often show physical abuse and violence against women. In a good number of films, women are shown as objects to be desired than as persons to be valued, cherished and respected. Of course not all films portray women negatively. Some do show women at their best in family life as well as careers. But “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”*

Movies also equate money with success, and glamour and beauty a with social acceptability. The flood of such movies cannot be counteracted by the good movies that show courage, heroism, sacrifice, moral values, and patriotic fervour. It is also to be noted that the glorification of scientific fiction in Sci-Fi movies almost desensitize youth to see the real needs of human beings like poverty and injustice around them.

The larger than life images that appear on screen, the glossy images of film stars that are too unreal and appearing on magazine covers and pullouts, the love stories that pepper films; all do influence youth mostly negatively. Immoral lifestyles seen in movies are often imitated by youth in real life.

Whether youngsters know to choose the good and leave the bad is a question that I leave open ended.

Thank you.

_______________________
Quote on Leaven, Galatians 5:9, Bible.
Featured Image: Director Danny Boyle with the cast of Slumdog Millionaire.

The Tree of Life!
The Joy of Lost and Found!
Cartoons!

Companies and Organisations are looking for people who can deliver. Are you one who has the potential to be selected?

Employability is not just about getting a job but making yourself an asset to the company.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Company is paying you a salary so that you can deliver a greater return to the Company. So it is not your growth that the Company is primarily interested in, but how your abilities and skills and resources can be best tapped to further the exponential growth of the Company.

Now the question is, “Are you good enough?” Check out these qualities that Employers are expecting from you.

Attitude
This is of utmost importance. Ideally, you should have a positive attitude. You should be willing to learn. Moreover you should have the skill and discipline to adapt to given situations. Negative, defiant, and stubborn attitudes will never be tolerated.

Knowledge
You should have a minimum knowledge prescribed for the job. But more than that, you should be willing to update your knowledge constantly. An employer will be impressed if you did a Course in the time gap that occurred between your completion of study and the time you got a job. If that course you did is going to add value to the job you have applied for that is impressive.

Language and Communication Skills
You are expected both to speak and write well.

Your command in the English language does matter. What have you done to improve your skills in the English language?

Do you know to write a business email? It is important that you learn to write with the intention that the recipient understands the context. When you write, make sure that you refer to earlier mails or phone calls. Do mention what action was taken and what is yet to be done. Beyond all this, check for spelling and grammar. Write in simple English.

As far as speaking is concerned you will have to talk to your teammates as well as your clients. Make sure that you can speak with clarity.

Team Playing Skills
There are not many jobs available which do not demand team playing skills. So make sure that you get along with people. Try to understand other people’s point of view. Disagree without being disagreeable.

Leadership
Most people think that leadership is a position. This is a traditional concept of leadership.
Today you are confronted with a more functional model of leadership. Whether you like it or not you are a leader in some way or the other.

Basically, the question is can you be entrusted with responsibility? Shouldering responsibility involves a cheerful willingness to get things done within specified time limits. In an important sense, if things go wrong as sometimes it does, are you willing to accept the blame instead of passing it on someone else?

The ability to make decisions and manage them is also part of leadership.

Willingness to go the Extra Mile
Many people desire a 9 to 5 job. In today’s competitive world this ideal is not always met. Do you have the willingness to spend more time at the Office when needed and get the work done?

Being Interested in the Company
Some candidates go for interviews with great confidence in their academic achievements. They do not take time to check out the Company’s website or get to know more about the organisation. During the interview some questions will definitely be asked to test the candidate’s knowledge and interest in the Company/Organisation. Go for an interview after having done a comprehensive research on the Company’s objectives and goals, their competition, current status in the share market and their plans for growth. In one word, show passion.

Flexibility
There are occasions when you will have to play a different role than the one you are used to. Can the Organisation depend on you? Do you resist change? Or are you someone who can embrace change and step into helping your organisation achieve their objectives?

Presentation Skills
We live in a communication jungle today. A lot of noise is created without much meaning. So the challenge is to present your data in a simple, colourful, imaginative way. Most important is your ability to separate the relevant from the irrelevant data.

Then you need to learn to organise data. And if you are using power point presentations, make sure that you can do so without any technical hassle spoiling your presentation. Do not pack every slide with too much information. Less the words and less the bulleted points, the better it is for the audience. Make sure you maintain proper eye contact with the audience during your presentation.

Numeric and IT Skills
There are several other skills that can make you employable. If you are good with numbers, that can be an asset. Again, your ability with computers and your ability to gather relevant data from the Internet can also give you a value addition.

Appearance
Your dress code also matters. Make sure that your appearance is neat and modest and does not draw unnecessary attention to the apparel or accessories you are wearing.

Radiate Confidence
Beyond all this, be confident. And radiate confidence in the way you talk and walk and interact with others. Show initiative. Have a smile on your face.

The Joy of Lost and Found!
The Tree of Life!

• Motivational Speech: When You Are Worried!
• Motivational Speech: When Opportunities Fail to Knock!

The Book of Revelation says,

“they overcame him* by the blood of the Lamb.”

The precious blood of Jesus which he shed on the cross of Calvary for the sins of all mankind has tremendous power.

First of all, it is the innocent blood of the Son of God.

Secondly, this blood is the result of the perfect obedience of the Son and his submission to his Father’s will. And it is by this blood that God has opened a new way for us to approach his throne of grace with boldness and confidence.

Thirdly, there is cleansing and pardon for all our sins in this precious blood. Let us allow this cleansing fountain to flow over us; and in and through us, and allow God to purify us and cleanse us from all our sins.

Let us remember the slain Lamb of God and drink deeply of this blood. God draws near to us like no other time when we plead the blood of Jesus in our prayers.

Finally, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and his precious blood shed there is the final answer to our pride. The blood of Jesus tells us that man cannot earn his salvation through any other means. Our salvation is not based on our merit but it comes by God’s grace alone.

Yes, the blood of Jesus reminds us that we need a Saviour.
It also tells us that the redemption of man is costly.

May the blood of Jesus cleanse, purify, sanctify and make your heart as white as snow
as you listen to this song that celebrates the power of the blood of the Lamb of God.

May you find reconciliation with God and forgiveness for all your sins as you make this song
your prayer to the God of mercy, compassion and great tenderness.

_____________________________
This script was used to introduce the song,

“Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood.”

during the Easter Concert by Melody Singers at the Christ Church Centenary Hall,
Thiruvananthapuram, on 10 April 2016.

Click here for full lyrics of the song.

*him in the quoted verse from Revelation 12:11 in the Bible refers to the devil.

Every Drop of Blood