This Is What Hindus Believe About Friday.

God:

Friday or Shukravar is dedicated to Shakti, the Mother Goddess, and Santoshi Mata, an incarnation of Shakti. Goddesses Durga and Kali are worshipped with utmost devotion and devotees flock to the Shakti temples on this day. Devotees listen to Durga Aarti, Kali Aarti and Santoshi Mata Aarti on this day.

Ritual:

Shukravar fasting begins at sunrise and ends with sunset and devotees wear white dress and partakes in the evening meal that consists of white-colored food like 'kheer' or 'payasam' a dessert made og milk and rice.

Great importance is attached to the 'Solah Shukravar Vrats' or the 16 Friday fasts for Santoshi Mata, where a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. It is mandatory on the devotee to avoid any sour food items during this sixteen-week long Friday fasting and offer the goddess 'chana' (Bengal gram) and 'gur' (jaggery or solid molasses). Goddess Santoshi Mata grants devotees any wish or desire if she is amply satisfied with the purity of their devotion. Lord Shukra provides happiness and material wealth and the period of Shukra in the devotees' astrological chart is considered to be most productive and lucky.

Folklore:

According to one story, a devotee dishonors Lord Shukra, and later when he faces several untoward incidents, he realizes his mistake, and then begins rigorous fasting to propitiate the god. He is finally amply rewarded.

Color & Gem:

White, Indigo, orange, violet, purple and burgundy colors are preferred on Friday. Diamond is the preferred gem.

Celestial Body:

Venus or Shukra rules Friday

The secrets, Benefits and Virtues of Friday - (Jumm'ah) (Also Jumm'ah is called a day of 'Eid')

 "O Muslims! Allah Ta'ala has made this day-(Friday) a day of 'Eid'. 
So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswaak."

"Then when the (Jumu`ah) Salat is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much: that you may be successful.'' (62:10)

Friday is the best Day of the week. It is the Mothers of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah.In the sight of Allah it has more greatness than Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid –ul-Adha (Reported in Ibn Majah)

Only that believer is graced with the blessings and benefits of Friday, who looks forward for it most anxiously and eagerly ; and wretched is the negligent one who is least interested in it and who does not even know in the morning which day has dawned ( Imam Ghazali says Ihya ul-Ulum)

- Thus We should make preparations for Jummah from Thursday night, (which is Friday night islamically because is Islam we start with Night and end with the day until the followng night-Maghrib) The person who will receive the most benefit on Friday will be that person who waits for it and makes preparations for it from Thursday.

The Main merits of holy day of Friday are the first six;

1. Allah created Adam alayhis salaam on Friday and he was granted entry into jannah on Friday.

2. Adam alayhis salaam was sent to earth on this day as his vicegerent.

3. Adam alayhis salaam died on a Friday.

4. There is a blessed hour on Friday during which a person is granted anything lawful and good by Allah that he prays for.

5. The blessed hour on Friday is such that Duas are answered and accepted,(from my research its an hour in 'Asr to Maghrib) 

6. The Day of Qiyamah-Resurrection will be on a Friday. It is on this day that the Trumpet will be blown on Friday; There is neither any angels nearest to Allah nor any heaven nor the earth nor the wind and a sea but all of them fear the Day of Jummah,that is why everything in the heavens and the earth including God's most favourite angels and mountains, rivers etc. stand in awe of Friday. 

Its called jumm'ah because sayyiduna Adam alayhis salaam was put togehter on this day, meaning its the day he was born-This Milad. So whoever performs the Jumm'ah salah is actually celebrating Eid Meelid un nabi of sayyiduna Adam alayhis salaam. And "O Muslims! Allah Ta'ala has made this day (Friday) a day of 'Eid'. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswaak." (Ibn Majah).

The point now to those who object to Eid Milad-un-nabi of the Sayyid of the Children of Adam, Sayyiduna Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, is simple either stop praying Jumm'ah which is Kufr or either be quiet with your Munafiq-hypocritical behaviour and please learn your Deen correctly or celebrate the Milad un-nabi of Sayyiduna Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam which is the day he was born and is the greatest of all days. 

7. Friday is Sayyid-The Master of the week, the best of days, like Ramadhan is Sayyid of the Month and Surah Baraqah is the Sayyid of the Quran.

8. In certain aspects the rank of the night of jumu'ah is even higher than Laylatul Qadr.

10 .One of the reasons for this is that it was on this night that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam appeared in the womb of his mother.

600,000 souls are freed from the fire of Hell each Hour, throughout the day and night of every Friday, even though all of them have deserved condemnation to the fire.

The birds and insects meet with one another on Friday and say "peace be upon you , may it be a good day".

11. Rasulullah's sallallahu alayhi wa sallam appearance in this world was a cause of so much good and blessings both in this world and in the hereafter that they cannot be enumerated.

12. There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted." (Bukhari, Muslim)

13. Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day."

14. The word "shaahid" refers to Friday. There is no day more virtuous than Friday. There is such an hour in this day that no Muslim will make dua in it except that his dua will be accepted. And he does not seek protection from anything except that Allah Ta'ala will grant him protection." (Tirmidhi)

15. The word "shaahid" appears in Surah Burooj. Allah Ta'ala has taken an oath of that day. He says in the Quran: "By the sky in which there are constellations. By the promised day (of judgement). By the day that witnesses (Friday), and the day that is witnessed (day of Arafah)."

16. "Friday is the "mother" of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah Ta'ala. In the sight of Allah Ta'ala it has more greatness than Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Ad'haa." (Ibn Majah)

17. The Muslim who passes away on the night or during the day of Friday, Allah Ta'ala saves him from the punishment of the grave." (Tirmidhi)

Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave, so if you dont die on friday and wont know when we are going to die, its best to read every and memorise this surah also. There is a Surah which will plead for its reciter till it causes him to enter paradise (Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk).

18."The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled therefrom.''[Muslim].

19. "If anyone performs Wudu' properly, then comes to the Friday prayer, listens to the Khutbah (religious talk) attentively and keeps silent, his (minor) sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven, with the addition of three more days; but he who touches pebbles has caused an interruption.''

20. "Either some people (i.e., hypocrites) stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.''

21. Taking a bath (before coming to Friday prayers) is obligatory on every adult.

22. "It suffices to perform Wudu' properly for the Friday prayer; but it is better to take a bath.''

23. Every afternoon, the heat of jahannam is increased. However, through the blessings of jumu'ah, this will not be done on Fridays. (Ihyaa ul-Uloom)

24. The following verse : "This day, I have completed your Deen for you." A Jew was sitting near him. On hearing this verse being recited he remarked : "If this verse was revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day as a day of eid." Ibne Abbas radiallahu anhu replied : "This verse was revealed on two eids, i.e. on the day of jumu'ah and the day of arafah." In other words, what is the need for us to make that day into a day of eid when it was already a day of two eids?

25. "O Muslims! Allah Ta'ala has made this day(Friday) a day of 'Eid'. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the miswaak." (Ibn Majah)

26. "He who takes a bath on Friday, like the bath for ceremonial purity, and then goes (to the mosque), he is like one who offers a camel as a sacrifice to seek the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the second hour is like one who offers a cow to win the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the third hour is like one who offers a ram with horns (in sacrifice); and he who comes at the fourth hour is like one who offers a hen; and he who comes at the fifth hour is like one who offers an egg. And when the Imam ascends the pulpit, the angels (who write the names of those who come to the mosque before the coming of the Imam) close (their record) in order to listen to the Khutbah.''

The bath of Friday, pull out every sin of the man from its root.

One should understand jumm'ah is a day of Eid and so take a bath be neat and tidy, trim your hair or nails and apply perfume and deodorant and also wear a Turban. A tadition says "The Angels invoke blessings upon those who wear a turban on Friday".

THUS THE PERMISSIBILITY OF CELEBRATING EID MILAD-UN-NABI

Now with all this in Mind, that is All the above expressed the virtues of Jummah (Friday) by also saying that Adam (alaihissalaam) was born on that day. Therefore, imagine the virtue of that day when Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was born! Who is the greatest of the all. 

"One's deeds are shown to Allah on Monday and Thursday, and they are shown to Prophets as well as fathers and mothers on Fridays, at which time they rejoice for the good deeds, and the latter increase the brightness and light of their faces. Therefore be wary of Allah and do not harm your dead." 

What Ibaadah to do on Friday

After Salaatul Jum'ah Recite:-
Soorah Al Ikhlaas (112)..7 times
Soorah Al Falaq (113) ....7 times
Soorah An Naas (114)... 7 times 
Allah gives the person who recites the above 3 Surahs, protection from evil till the next Jum'ah.

The person who after completion of Salaat ul Jum'ah recites:
Subhaan Allaahil 'Azeemi Wa Bihamdihee . . .100 times.
Glorified is Allaah the Greatest and Praised.
When he does this Allaah will forgive his 1,000 sins and 24,000 sins of his parents.

The one who performs 2 raka'at after Maghrib on Friday night (the night between Thursday and Friday ) and reads in every rakaat once Suratul-Al Fatiha and Suratul Zilzaal ( Iza zul zilatil Ardhu ) 15 times-
Allah will ease for him the Sakaraat of Death ( the moment of death ) and will save him from the punishment of the grave and make easy for him the crossing of the Siraat.

It is mentioned in a Hadith that the person who fasts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of every sacred month, he will receive the reward of making ibaadah for 700 years.

The person who recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will have a bright light lit up for him till the next Friday. (Nasai) Also Whoever learns and preserves, in heart and practice, the first ten Ayahs of al-Kahf, he will be protected from al-Dajjal

Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah). Also the reward is as if they gave 10,000 Dinars gold coins in sadaqah.

‘Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’” The surah may be read during the night or the day of Jumu’ah. The night of Jumu’ah starts from sunset on Thursday, and the day of Jumu’ah ends at sunset. Therefore the time for reading this soorah extends from sunset on Thursday to sunset on Friday.

The person who recites Surah Ad-Dukhan on Friday night, will have 70,000 angels imploring Allah for his forgiveness with the result that he will have all his sins forgiven. (Tirmizi)

It is in accordance with the Sunnah to recite Surah Ha Mim Sajdah (41) and Súrah Ad-Dahr (76) in the Fajr Prayer on Friday.

It is in accordance with the Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Jum'ah (62) and Al-Munafiqun (62), or Surah Al-A'ala (87) and Al-Ghashiyah (88) in the Friday Prayer.

The best Dhikr one can do is Salawat ala Rasul or Durood Shareef as much as possible.

The Prophet SAW said that of all days, Friday is the most virtuous. Send abundant Durood on me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day.


Whoever recites the following Salawat eighty times immediately after 'Asr Salat on Friday, before standing up from his place - Allah will forgive eighty years of sins, and grant him the reward equivalent to eighty years of worship -

"Allahumma Solli 'Alaa Muhammadinin Nabiyyil Ummiyyi Wa 'ala Aalihi Wasallim Tasleema." (Jami' As-Sagheer)
"O Allah bless Muhammad, the unlettered Prophet, and his family and grant them best of peace."

On Friday one should invoke Allah as often as possible for His blessings on the Holy Prophet, for the Holy Prophet has said : The best day for you is Friday because Adam was created on Friday and he died on Friday and Resurrection will take place on Friday. Therefore, you should invoke Alláh blessings for me frequently on this day, because your invocations in this regard are presented before me.

It is Allah's right on every Muslim to bathe during every seven days, by washing his head and body

It is also recommended that one should clip his nails for Jummah..

The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, insisted on wearing his best clothes on Friday therefore we should do likewise.

Friday Prayer is Obligatory Fard-e-'ayn

The Friday prayer is obligatory on the person who after observing it can return home before the nightfall. 

Jum'ah is obligatory for every Muslim, except the slave, the woman, the child and the sick.

“People used to come from their halting places and highlands for the Friday Prayer”. (Bukhari)

Hadrat Abu Hurairah says : The Holy Prophet said : 
“Listen! Some of you take their flocks of goats a mile or two miles away in search of food, but when Friday comes, they do not bother to come here to offer the Prayer. (He repeated this sentence thrice, and then said) The heart of such a one will sealed”.

“Allah will seal the heart of the man, who does not pray three Friday prayers out of negligence”

"The name of the person who abandons the Friday Salaat without a genuine reason, will be recorded as a hypocrite in the Book (the Preserved Tablet), whose writings can neither be scraped out nor tampered with.

Command for Friday Prayer: Its Merits and Importance

Friday Prayer is obligatory and this is supported by the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the consensus of the Muslims. It occupies an important place among the distinctive features of Islam. A person who does not believe in the obligatory status of the Friday Prayer falls outside the pale of Islam, and the one who abandons it due to negligence and carelessness, without a genuine reason, becomes a sinner. The Qur’án says:

O Believers! When you hear the call to the Friday Prayer, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave your trading; this is better for you only if you know it. (62 9)

Here remembrance means the Friday Sermon and the congregational service, and hastening implies that one should make necessary preparations for it and attend the mosque promptly.

This unusual stress throws light on the unique importance of the Friday Prayer.

The other prayers can be offered without the congregation and, if missed, can be offered later also. But not so the Friday Prayer. It is conditioned upon congregation and, if missed, cannot be offered later.

Therefore, as soon as the call for it is given, the Believers are commanded to leave their business and trading and hasten to the mosque for the remembrance of Allah.

The fact is that the remembrance of Allah for a little while and bowing and prostrating oneself before Him along with the congregation in full consciousness yield[s] eternal benefits for man far greater in value and worth than the temporary and meagre material gains that he craves for in the world.The Holy Prophet has said :

1. The Friday Congregational Prayer is obligatory for every Muslim, except the slave, the woman, the child and the sick. (Abu Da ud)

2. The Friday Prayer is obligatory on every person who believes in Allàh and the Last day; the one who ignores it on account of sport or fun, or trade and business, will be ignored by Allah, Who is Pure and Self-Sufficient. (Daraquini)

3. The name of the person who abandons the Friday Prayer without a genuine reason, will be recorded as a hypocrite in the Book (the Preserved Tablet), whose writings can neither be scraped out nor tampered with.(Mishkat)

4.I wish I should appoint someone as Imam in my place, and should go and set fire to the houses of the people who stay back at home and neglect the Friday Prayer. (Muslim)

5. Hadrat Ibn Umair and Hadrat Abu Hurairah have reported that they heard the Holy Prophet say on the pulpit : People are warned against neglecting the Friday Prayer, otherwise Allah will seal their hearts, and they will be condemned to negligence (for ever). (Muslim)

6.The one who hears the call to the Friday Praayer and does not turn up for it on one Friday, and then on the second Friday and the third Friday consecutively, has his heart sealed and is turned a hypocrite (Tabáranì) Alláma Sarakhsi says :

The Friday Prayer is obligatory according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah and theconsensus of the Muslims. (Al-Mabsut, Vol. II, p. 22)

Prayer's obligatory status is established by the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Ummah is that the person who denies this is outside the pale of Islam." (Fath-al-Qadir, Vol. I, p. 407)

Ibn Abbas says :The person who misses several Friday Prayers consecutively, has abandoned Islam.

The Holy Prophet has described the merits of the Friday Prayer thus:The one who had [a] bath on Friday, cleaned himself fully, used oil and perfume, then went to the mosque early in the afternoon and took his place quietly without pushing or disturbing the people ; then offered the Sunnat prayer; then listened to the sermon peacefully, he will have all his sins committed since the previous Friday forgiven. (Bukharì)

There are three types of men who come to offer the Friday Prayer:
(1) He who comes and indulges in irrelevant talk : such a one does not gain anything beside this.
(2) He who busies himself in meditation and supplications to Allah, which Allah may or may not grant.
(3) He who takes his place quietly and peacefully: neither he disturbs the people nor hurts them in any way: this mans good behaviour becomes an expiation for his negligences till the next Friday and for three days more, for Allàh says :The one who does one good deed, gets the reward for ten good deeds. (6 :160)

The one who washes himself clean on Friday, then walks to mosque (instead of riding), then listens to the sermon peacefully, avoiding every frivolous act and utterance, gets the reward of one full year's worship on every step of one year's fasting and one year's prayer. (Tirmizí) 

12 Romantic Short Love Stories

1.A girl asked a boy if she was pretty, he said "No". She asked him if he wanted to be with her forever, he said "No". Then she asked him if he would cry if she walked away, he said "No". She had heard enough; she needed to leave.
As she walked away he grabbed her arm and told her to stay. He said "You're not pretty, you're beautiful. I don`t want to be with you forever, I need to be with you forever. And I wouldn't cry if you walked away, I would die."


2.A man bought 12 flowers. 11 real and 1 fake. He said, "I will love you until the last flower dies."

3.One night a guy and a girl were driving home from the movies. The boy sensed there was something wrong because of the painful silence they shared between them that night. The girl then asked the boy to pull over because she wanted to talk. She told him that her feelings had changed and that it was time to move on.
A silent tear slid down his cheek as he slowly reached into his pocket & passed her a folded note.
At that moment, a drunk driver was speeding down that very same street. He swerved right into the drivers seat, killing the boy. Miraculously, the girl survived. Remembering the note, she pulled it out & read it. "Without your love, I would die."


4.There was a girl named Becca and a boy named Joe. Becca was in a burning house. None of the firefighters could get in the house because the fire was too big. Joe dressed in one of the fire suits and got into the house. When he got up the stairs, the steps fell off behind him. When he got into her room he sealed the door up behind him. He held her tight, kissed her, huged her, then said that he loved her. She asked what was wrong, and he said that he was going to die. Her eyes widened as she began to cry. He picked her up and jumped out of the four story house. He landed on his back with her on top of him. He died to save her life.

5.There was girl who loved a boy so much she said to the boy, "If I told you that I liked you, would you take it as a joke?"
The boy said, "Yes I would."
She asked, "Why?"
The boy replied, "Because I know you don't like me, I know you love me!"

6.A girl and guy were speeding over 100 mph on a motorcycle.
Girl: Slow down. I'm scared.
Guy: No this is fun.
Girl: No its not. Please, it's too scary!
Guy: Then tell me you love me.
Girl: Fine, I love you. Slow down! Guy: Now give me a big hug. (Girl hugs him)
Guy: Can you take my helmet off and put it on? It's bugging me.
In the paper the next day: A motorcycle had crashed into a building because of brake failure. Two people were on the motorcycle, but only one survived. The truth was that halfway down the road, the guy realized that his brakes broke, but he didn't want to let the girl know. Instead, he had her say she loved him, felt her hug one last time, then had her wear his helmet so she would live even though it meant he would die.

7.Girl: Can I confess something?
Guy: Sure!
Girl: You have the prettiest smile I've ever seen.
Guy: Can I confess something as well?
Girl: Yeah.
Guy: This smile only exists because Of you!

8.Once a guy said to a girl: "Love is like a rainbow, it's colourful and makes people smile.
Love is like an ocean, it's deep and beautiful.
Love is like the sun, it shines and it's warm.
Love is like rain, it's calm and refreshing.
Will you let me show you that love?"
The girl shook her head while smiling: "No"
The guy looked down sadly and then he heard her saying these words: "I want you to show me YOUR love..."

We are never alone

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?

His father takes him into the forrest...blindfolded...and leaves him....alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night...he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each boy must come into his own manhood.

The boy was terrified...could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him. The wind blew the grass and earth... and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically...never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night...the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father...sitting on the stump next to him...at watch...the entire night.

We are never truly alone. Even when we do not know it, our family and friends are watching out for us...sitting on a stump beside us. And Allah is Always there for Us even if there is no family or friends. 

Building Bridges

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.

Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work," he said.

"Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - an 8-foot fence - so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped.

There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge... a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all - and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build

Best Motivational Stories of Real People that Will Leave You Inspired

Even the most laidback ones among us can motivate themselves by understanding the heartache, passion, commitment and perseverance that scripted the real-life success stories of people such as Thomas Edison and well, for aspiring writers like me, Stephen King!

Here is a short collection of motivational stories from real life that touched me to keep going when faced with never-ending obstacles. After all, what’s better than knowing that you are not alone?

You may have heard some of these stories before or they may be new to you, but go ahead, read them and get inspired. Share these with someone you think is in urgent need of a push forward. You never know, you may just motivate someone to change their lives and reach for their true destiny.

Motivational Story 1 — Michael Jordan

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” ~ Michael Jordan.

How can I talk about motivation and not mention Michael Jordan? Jordan suffered hisfirst set-back in his sophomore year when he was left out of the varsity basketball team. Reason? He was only 5’9” at that time. His taller classmate Leroy Smith had won the last spot on the team.

He made up his mind that he would never have to face a similar situation ever again and started practicing every day after that, making it a point to take out time for his practice daily without fail. He soon shot up to 6’3”, made the team the next year and never had to look back after that.

From being a part of two gold-medal winning teams at the Olympics to winning NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award five times in his career, Jordan dominated the sports field for more than a decade in the ‘90s.

Motivational Story 2 — Lance Armstrong

Diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer at the age of 25, doctors gave Lance Armstrong less than a 40 percent chance of recovery. Tumors were discovered in his lungs and stomach along with multiple lesions on the brain.

His biking career was over or so everyone thought; but no one counted on theindomitable belief Armstrong had in himself and the lessons which his mother, Linda Walling had taught him.

One of the first things that he did was to acknowledge the disease that had captured him in its talons and learn everything he could about it. He devoured books, resources and found help in support groups with people going through similar difficulties.

Lance sought strength in three things his mother had instilled in him

“Make every obstacle an opportunity”, “Always work hard and good things will happen” and “Don’t believe it when other people say you can’t”.

His first comeback after beating cancer was not a success and he finished fourteenth in the race. He even thought about retirement but constant support from his fiancée, mother and buddy Chris Carmichael soon had him training for his next race in the Appalachians.

He returned from his training a transformed man and never let the constant difficulties plough him down again.

True, the doping scandals have destroyed Lance’s reputation as a professional biker. But one cannot but admire his sheer will power and dedication through which he turned the odds in his favor at a time when everyone thought his life was over.

Motivational Story 3 — J.K. Rowling

From living as a single mother on state benefits to a multi-millionaire today, J.K. Rowling has come a long way from her early days of struggle and is a true epitome of the ‘rags to riches’ story.

Many a times, Rowling has attributed her considerable achievements to her ability to focus all her attention on the things that mattered to her the most.

The success of Harry Potter series is a tribute to her story-telling abilities and a reminder that everyone has a hidden talent within him or her. You just have to reach out for it and allow it to bloom.

~~

Motivational Stories from Every Day

These are but a few motivational stories about people who have had to face difficulties in one form or the other, and turned it around through sheer perseverance and enthusiasm.

But if you come to think about it, even your milkman or the security guard in your office building might have an inspiring story to tell you out of their own lives.

I know a lady who is well into her seventies now. A housewife who had never worked before, she lost her husband at the age of 40 to illness and was left with a 10-year old son and huge medical bills.

She took on her husband’s job without thinking twice, applied herself to learning new skills and brought up her son single-handedly. She is still active today, leads the neighborhood book club and has signed up for a computer class to keep up with the changing times.

If that is not motivational enough then I don’t know what is!

Are You feeding Your Ego All Wrong?

I was so busy at work one day that when my son called I told him I'd call him right back. Two hours later I remembered. I called him--my son is just 8 years old--and he said "nevermind, Dad, I forget what I wanted." But I was pretty sure he hadn't forgotten. It was so strange to hear his voice so distant. I recognized that I hadn't been there when he wanted me for something. You can't always be there as a parent, but this time I somehow decided I didn't even have time to listen to what he wanted first.

Who knows, maybe it was something I could have helped with or answered in just 30 seconds. Now I'll never know. I realized that day that it was my ego, my self-absorption at work. Even though much of the work I do is to try to get my son the things he'll need, from food to college tuition down the road, that won't mean much if we let the moments we might connect pass by without taking advantage. The very next day I told myself to leave my ego behind. I took more deep breaths. And it didn't just work out for my son and my family, it was better for my work, too. I felt better and you know what? Feeling better was actually pretty good for my ego too. I'd just been feeding it all wrong.

“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands”

A bright Saturday morning it was, when I stepped out for the studio to get a passport photograph. This was followed by a pampering time at the beautician. Admiring my freshly pedicured feet I hopped into a restaurant for a quick bite as I had a lot of work to catch up with and then relax on the Sunday which was to follow. Little did I know what awaited me?

No sooner had I come out of the restaurant than I missed a step on the undulating pavement and I lay on the ground. Many a times I had sprained my ankle so I thought it was one of those annual sprains but it was not to be so. As I tried to get up, I wobbled and lay flat on the ground. The pain was excruciating. Well, people in Lahore are very helpful; they got together and helped me to my car.

My only daughter stays abroad so I’ve got used to fending for my self because my husband a severe diabetic with diabetic foot problems can’t be of much help even if he wishes to. Sensing it was a fracture I contacted my sister who fortunately lives near a hospital and knows quite a few doctors there. The hospital happens to be far off but along with my husband we managed to make it.

I was lucky to get a good orthopedic surgeon. Immediately the X-ray was done and my family members were called out. I knew it was something serious but I was not told. A temporary plaster was put and I was admitted to the hospital. Later my husband told me that the ankle joints were broken and the thin calf bone too. According to the doctor it was very crucial. Operation was the only answer. My mind was in turmoil. I am a teacher and the examination corrections had to be completed. I asked my husband to get the papers. As the operation was scheduled for Monday I managed to finish my work and send across the marks on Monday. It wasn’t easy but I kept telling myself, “Hey! You’ve fractured your foot and not your hand.” What a relief it was to meet the deadline!

The awaited Monday dawned. I was wheeled in to the operation theatre. I was trying to be very brave. Three screws were put into my ankle. The operation was successful and I was to be released after a week. The hospital bed was my arena and the window, my communication with nature. I spent my time reading, messaging and writing some poems. The busy bee was trapped!

Sometimes luck can be very harsh. On the day I was to be released, I had another fall in the hospital due the nurse’s negligence. Thinking it not to be so bad I did not pay much heed to it but I did report it to the matron and she conveniently forgot to tell the doctor. I was released and I stayed with my sister for a week. I was pampered, taken care of and I had all the time in the world. I had to visit the hospital after a week before I came home.

A week passed. I was taken to the hospital. The doctor examined me and said to just have an X-ray before leaving the hospital. The needful was done. I was being wheeled out of the hospital when the doc called my husband on his cell and asked where we were. He called us back and shaking his head said that I couldn’t leave. “What?” I exclaimed. “Why?” asked my husband. The doc showed us the X-ray on the computer screen.

“I don’t understand,” I said.

He explained that the little bone holdng the screw had been smashed. He asked me if I had put pressure on my foot. No, I hadn’t. Well, it was that fall in the hospital that had done it. I am mentally a very strong person but that was when I broke down. I was wheeled back to the hospital room once again and another operation awaited me. How I cursed my luck! The next day the operation was done and my leg was put in a heavy plaster as I would have to wait for the bone to join naturally. One screw could only be fitted.

I had to spend two long months in bed. Positive thinking is an attribute gifted to me by God and was made stronger by my late mother who never let us lose hope. I spent the two months pleasantly. I took it as a rest from my hectic life. I felt God had seen me working very hard so he had given me that rest.

Being fifty plus I used to be petrified of the computer, but this period I devoted to the laptop which my husband had brought for me three years ago on his visit to Bangkok. It was an educational experience. I educated myself and the computer, once a monster for me was transformed into my best friend. I can’t imagine myself typing out this anecdote and mailing it.

So many friends and well wishers came visiting me. My daughter also flew down from Muscat to spend some time with me. I found old friends on Face book. Music, which I feel is the food of joy was my saviour. I had so much to do! Of course there were times when I did get irritated and frustrated but I overcame them. My coaching classes continued in my bedroom. As I teach the board classes, their work couldn’t be held up. The school work also carried on, like setting the papers and correcting them. It was tough but God helped me out. Before the winter vacation I did go to school with my massive plaster. Our Principal was very considerate and extended all the help that I required- God bless him! Time went fleeting by.

Today, it’s nearly two years. I still have to wear a band around my ankle. I am allowed to wear only sports shoes (even in the blasting heat). Despite all this, I feel I am lucky. Now my family tells me that the doctor had told them that it would be a miracle if I could walk after such a crucial fracture. Yes, it is a miracle- I walk, though with a limp, I am able to do all my work. I also went to Kashmir, all by myself to offer my heartfelt gratitude to God.

Of course limitations have come up in life but I have learnt to accept them. My pace has slowed down. Twice, I went to the seaside but couldn’t wade in the sea (I used to love doing that.) I used to go for long walks which I cannot anymore. If I stand for long I get an excruciating pain. Inspite of all this, I consider myself blessed as I am mobile and can carry on with teaching which is my passion. Thanks to my doctor, Dr. ALI who did not take me for a ride. When he first saw me walk into his clinic, he stood up and said that he would offer a prayer that day. It was then that I realized what a serious situation I had been through.

My advice to all the negative thinkers- look for the silver lining and remember the words of Richard Bach,

“There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its hands”

Life is truly Excellent.

Life is indeed the most excellent of all virtues. If we were to even for a single moment reflect upon Life and its trajectories, all we could be able to perceive is that Life is encompassed and has bestowed each and every one of us with excellence in each sphere and facet of this most adventurous journey called, Life.
Life has always provided each and every one of us with the very best, all times, all instances, always in all ways. We should always appreciate with immense gratitude this precious gift, "Life", that we have been awarded fortunately.
 To Live each and every moment with Awareness, Gratitude, Responsibility and Appreciation is an Excellence by itself. We live once. Let us Live excellently, with thanks. Wish the very best for all, appreciate every moment, hope for the very best with an enthusiastic perspective whilst attending to the concerned assignments with due diligence, prudent acumen, a calibrated approach and a staunch belief that Life is Excellent, for it is truly Excellent.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Many years ago, Norman Cousins was diagnosed as “terminally ill”. He was given six months to live. His chance for recovery was 1 in 500. He could see the worry, depression and anger in his life contributed to, and perhaps helped cause, his disease. He wondered, “If illness can be caused by negativity, can wellness be created by positivity?” He decided to make an experiment of himself. Laughter was one of the most positive activities he knew. He rented all the funny movies he could find – Keaton, Chaplin, Fields, the Marx Brothers. (This was before VCRs, so he had to rent the actual films.) He read funny stories. He asked his friends to call him whenever they said, heard or did something funny. His pain was so great he could not sleep. Laughing for 10 solid minutes, he found, relieved the pain for several hours so he could sleep. He fully recovered from his illness and lived another 20 happy, healthy and productive years. (His journey is detailed in his book, Anatomy of an Illness.) He credits visualization, the love of his family and friends, and laughter for his recovery.

Some people think laughter is a waste of time. It is a luxury, they say, a frivolity, something to indulge in only every so often. Nothing could be further from the truth. Laughter is essential to our equilibrium, to our well-being, to our aliveness. If we’re not well, laughter helps us get well; if we are well, laughter helps us stay that way. Since Cousins’ ground-breaking subjective work, scientific studies have shown that laughter has a curative effect on the body, the mind and the emotions. So, if you like laughter, consider it sound medical advice to indulge in it as often as you can. If you don’t like laughter, then take your medicine – laugh anyway. Use whatever makes you laugh – movies, sitcoms, Monty Python, records, books, New Yorker cartoons, jokes, friends. Give yourself permission to laugh – long and loud and out loud – whenever anything strikes you as funny. The people around you may think you’re strange, but sooner or later they’ll join in even if they don’t know what you’re laughing about. Some diseases may be contagious, but none is as contagious as the cure. . . laughter.
By Peter McWilliams
From “Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul”

The Other Side Of Picture

When I was in elementary school, I got into a major argument with a boy in my class. I have forgotten what the argument was about, but I have never forgotten the lesson I learned that day.

I was convinced that “I” was right and “he” was wrong – and he was just as convinced that “I” was wrong and “he” was right. The teacher decided to teach us a very important lesson.

She brought us up to the front of the class and placed him on one side of her desk and me on the other. In the middle of her desk was a large, round object. I could clearly see that it was black. She asked the boy what color the object was. “White,” he answered.

I couldn’t believe he said the object was white, when it was obviously black! Another argument started between my classmate and me, this time about the color of the object.

The teacher told me to go stand where the boy was standing and told him to come stand where I had been. We changed places, and now she asked me what the color of the object was. I had to answer, “White.”

It was an object with two differently colored sides, and from his viewpoint it was white. Only from my side it was black.

Sometimes we need to look at the problem from the other person’s view in order to truly understand his/her perspective

What Brought Us Together!

As situations in various parts of the world become violent, conflicted and divided; we must not come to the conclusion that planet Earth is a planet that does not offer patience, peace, and understanding of each other. As times get hard, we must never forget that we are still humans and the majority of the population of the planet wants to help people that need assistance, and listen to the people that need to be heard. Even if we are in different countries, hemispheres, and continents; we are still one race, human beings. In time, humans have gathered to accomplish a common task, whether it is to help a nation that has been struck with a natural disaster, hunger, or any other problems. We must not forget our nature to help. what brought us together is love for humanity love yourself love your family and friends love everyone around you to make this world a beautiful place. I just remember one of my favorite song which explains all this thought I am going to write down lyrics of that amazing song by Kate Wolf

Give Yourself To Love

Kind friends all gathered 'round, something I would say:
What brings us together here has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle that holds us all inside;
Where strangers are as family, loneliness can't hide.

You must give yourself to love if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.

I've walked these mountains in the rain and learned to love the wind;
I've been up before the sunrise to watch the day begin.
I always knew I'd find you, though I never did know how;
Like sunshine on a cloudy day, you stand before me now.

So give yourself to love if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.

Love is born in fire; it's planted like a seed.
Love can't give you everything, but it gives you what you need.
And love comes when you're ready, love comes when you're afraid;
It'll be your greatest teacher, the best friend you have made.

So give yourself to love if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.

Give yourself to love, if love is what you're after;
Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.

Never Give Up/ Motivational Short Stories

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?
Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life