One Hell of a Roller Coaster Ride

Before I begin writing about this topic, I would like to thank all the people who have been involved in brainstorming any random topic with me. This blog will most probably have ideas of people whom I have interacted with. I know I haven't taken your permission, thats because I still don't know how I'm going to end up writing. Ok...here goes my new experiment in writing. Do leave your comments after you read this article.

We always come across this term "One hell of a roller coaster ride", it mostly pertains to LIFE. Yes, life sure is a roller coaster ride with all the ups and downs. Some enjoy it to the core, some are scared to death, some like to be honest with their emotions, some just like to show that they are cool or scared or whatever......

Well, I'm not going to write much about life, 'coz I guess I haven't experienced enough of it or I feel that I have a loooong road to take. But I like enjoying it to the core, do crazy random things, live in my own utopia, creating my own little world. But, it is not always like that. There are several factors that can make your day or ruin your day. Even if there are factors that can ruin your day, don't let it leave a scar that will lay there forever. Just a small bruise, that will heal quickly. 'Coz I feel that in order to understand ourselves, the ups and downs in life are essential. It helps us become stronger and realize our hidden strength and potential. This is generally speaking about life. 

What about our thoughts? Aren't there ups and downs in our thinking as well? Personally, for me, there are times when I feel I'm thinking something really out of line, bizarre ideas, maybe 'coz of my lectures in university or a random conversation with my friends. But when I let the imagination run wild, it takes me through a roller coaster ride and well, to be frank, I enjoy it!!!! I know this sounds crazy, but I'm quite sure that our brain is reallly verrry complicated and there are always things running in our subconcious mind, which we never realize. Then suddenly out of the blue, you feel all these wild and bizarre ideas, and sometimes you even come up with a decision that can surprize everyone around you, some will call you insane or crazy!!! I truly believe that this is not the result of the spur of the moment, but the subconcious background, which we never thought of giving a front stage. Well, with all these ideas (in my words, when the brainwaves are really fast), let them slowly get on you. Think logically and be practical in your action, always be ready for a change. Also, there might be times when you don't want to think. Just sit like a rock, on whom nothing reaches. Maybe 'coz the brainwaves ran too fast and now it needs some energy. Well, thatz the way it is......

One thing is sure. Everyday is different. You might think this is my day or this is not my day. But believe me, every moment is your own. Just that there are bitter experiences to make you cherish the sweet ones. And wild thoughts that can make your bitter days a BIG BIG surprise!!!

Anger and Love

While a man was polishing his new car, his 4 yr old son picked a stone & scratched lines on the side of the car. 
 In anger, the man took the child's hand & hit it many times, not realizing he was using an iron wrench. 

 At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures. 
 When the child saw his father.... with painful eyes he asked 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?' 
 The man was very hurt and speechless, he went back to car and kicked it a lot of times. 
 Devastated  
by his own actions...... sitting in front of that car he looked at the 
 scratches ........... the child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'. 
 The next day that man committed suicide.... 
 Anger and Love have NO LIMIT - choose the latter to have a beautiful & lovely life.... 
 THINGS are meant to be USED and PEOPLE are to be LOVED, ..but the problem of today's world is that... 
 People are used. & Things are loved!!! 

Prophet Muhammed's (salallahu alaihiwasallam) Last Sermon

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful This sermon was delivered on the

ninth day of Dhul Hijah, 10 A.H. (632 A.D.) in the valley of Mount Arafat . The contents of the

message were collected from different narrations, and there are other parts to it that are not

mentioned here. This sermon still needs the authenticity of all of its parts to be checked.Neverthless, I'd like to share it with anyone who is interested.

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be

amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these

words to those who could not be present today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and

property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful

owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your

Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take interest,

therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to

keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest

and that all interest due to Abbas bin Abdul‐Muttalib (the prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be

waived.

Every right arising out of homicide in pre‐Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such

right I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiyah bin Al‐Harith (relative of the prophet).

O Men, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible

that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah had made permissible. With Allah the

months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly

between the months of Jumadah and Shaaban. Beware of Satan, for the safety of your

religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so

beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain right with regard to your women, but they also have

rights over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and

clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners

and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of

whom you do not approve, as well as never commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the

month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. All

mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non‐Arab, nor a non‐Arab

has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has

any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is the

brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be

legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and

willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to your selves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do

not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason

well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me

two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go

astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others, and those to others again; and

may the last ones understand my words better that those who listen to me directly. Be my

witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."

Alahumma infa`ni bima `allamtani wa `allamni ma yanfa`uni!

OH ALLAH! Make useful for me what You taught me

and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me! (Aameen)

My Confidant

Lately, I've been thinking a LOT about you.....

It seems like I have lots to tell you,

I feel like there are so many things I want to know about you

Ofcourse, we've got loads to catch up with....

After all, itz been months since we met....

Those days we spent together....

I'll never forget. The random talks,

The great secrets, only the two of us knew.

So diverse were our thoughts, 

But the string that held us was quite strong.

You are irreplacable. 

We've both gone ahead with our lives,

But believe me, there wasn't anyone to replace you

Many people walked in and out of my life,

Many still stay with me.

But the warmth that you gave me,

The hand that you stratched,

The humor that you spread,

I've found them all in none!!

You were and you will be

My CONFIDANT

I know you might not feel the same about me.

Neverthless, I'm waiting to meet you again......

I miss you, my bestest Buddy!!

Ladies First

I had my weekly meeting with my manager, and as usual before we entered the conference room, he said "Ladies first", I said "Thank you" and entered the room. Then he asked me, "Do you know the story behind ladies first?" I was like, " No. I don't", "Well, the story goes like this:

There was a couple who was in love and both their families were against their relationship. They tried to convince them, but in vain. Finally they decided to kill themselves and went to jump off a cliff. The man jumped down first and died. The woman was about to jump, but looked down, got scared and went back. Ever since then men believed women to chicken out, so "Ladies first!!""

Task vs. Achievement

Every company has a performance appraisal system in place to measure the effectiveness of its employees.Employees are normally rated in most of the companies in the above categories. Apart from the above non performance category is also there, which is not depicted here ) . Needless to say everyone wants to be rated Outstanding.

What is the yard stick and how do you measure these aspects?

• Employee "A" in a company walked up to his manager and asked what my job is for the day?
• The manager took "A" to the bank of a river and asked him to cross the river and reach the other side of the bank.
• "A" completed this task successfully and reported back to the manager about the completion of the task assigned. The manager smiled and said "GOOD JOB"

Next day Employee "B" reported to the same manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager

 assigned the same task as above to this person also.

• The Employee "B' before starting the task saw Employee "C" struggling in the river to reach the other side of the bank. He realized "C" has the same task.
• Now "B" not only crossed the river but also helped "C" to cross the river.
• "B" reported back to the manager and the manager smiled and said "VERY GOOD JOB"

The following day Employee "Q" reported to the same manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task again.

• Employee "Q" before starting the work did some home work and realized "A", "B" & "C" all has done this task before. He met them and understood how they performed.
• He realized that there is a need for a guide and training for doing this task.
• He sat first and wrote down the procedure for crossing the river, he documented the common mistakes people made, and tricks to do the task efficiently and effortlessly.
• Using the methodology he had written down he crossed the river and reported back to the manager along with documented procedure and training material.
• The manger said "Q" you have done an "EXCELLENT JOB".

The following day Employee "O' reported to the manager and asked him the job for the day. The manager assigned the same task again.

"O" studied the procedure written down by "Q" and sat and thought about the whole task.He realized company is spending lot of money in getting this task completed. He decided not to cross the river, but sat and designed and implemented a bridge across the river and went back to his manager and said, "You no longer need to assign this task to any one".

The manager smiled and said "Outstanding job 'O'. I am very proud of you." 

What is the difference between A, B, Q & O????????

Many a times in life we get tasks to be done at home, at office, at play….,

Most of us end up doing what is expected out of us. Do we feel happy? Most probably yes. We would be often disappointed when the recognition is not meeting our expectation.

Let us compare ourselves with "B". Helping some one else the problem often improves our own skills. There is an old proverb (I do not know the author) "learn to teach and teach to learn". From a company point of view "B" has demonstrated much better skills than "A" since one more task for the company is completed.

"Q" created knowledge base for the team. More often than not, we do the task assigned to us without checking history. Learning from other's mistake is the best way to improve efficiency. This knowledge creation for the team is of immense help. Re-usability reduces cost there by increases productivity of the team. "Q" demonstrated good "team-player" skills,

Now to the outstanding person, "O" made the task irrelevant; he created a Permanent Asset to the team. 

If you notice B, Q and O all have demonstrated "team performance" over an above individual performance; also they have demonstrated a very invaluable characteristic known as "INITIATIVE".

Initiative pays of every where whether at work or at personal life. If you put initiative you will succeed. Initiative is a continual process and it never ends. This is because this year's achievement is next year's task. You cannot use the same success story every year. The story provides an instance of performance, where as measurement needs to be spread across at least 6-12 months. Consequently performance should be consistent and evenly spread. 

Out-of-Box thinkers are always premium and that is what every one constantly looks out for. Initiative, Out-of-Box thinking and commitment are the stepping stone to success.Initiative should be life long. Think of out of the box.  

Customer Service at itz BEST!!!

This is so priceless, and so, so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.
 
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.

Here is the exchange :
 
Family Member:             'I am calling to tell you she died back in January.'

Citibank:                         'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member:             'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections. '

Citibank:                         'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'
 
Family Member:             So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'
 
Citibank:                         'Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!'

Family Member:             'Do you think God will be mad at her?'
 
Citibank:                         'Excuse me?'
 
Family Member:             'Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?'

Citibank:                         'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'
 
Supervisor gets on the phone:
 
Family Member:             'I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance.'
 
Citibank:                         'The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply.'
 
Family Member:             'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'

Citibank: (Stammer)       'Are you her lawyer?'
 
Family Member:             No, I'm her great nephew.' (Lawyer info was given)

Citibank:                         'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'
 
Family Member:             ' Sure.' (Fax number was given )
 
After they get the fax :
 
Citibank:                         'Our system just isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help.'

Family Member:             'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care.'
 
Citibank:                         'Well, the late fees and charges will still apply.'

(What is wrong with these people?!?)
 
Family Member:             'Would you like her new billing address?'
 
Citibank:                         'That might help...'

Family Member:             ' Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69.'
 
Citibank:                         'Sir, that's a cemetery!'
 
Family Member:             'And what do you do with dead people on your planet???'
 
 
(Priceless!! ) In case you wondered why Citi’s going broke and need the feds to bail them out!!

Socrates Test of Three

One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

 "Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."
 "Three?"  "That's right," Socrates continued.
"Before you talk to me about my student, let's take a moment to test what you're going to say.
The first test is T ruth . Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
 "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it." "All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.
 Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"
 "No, on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"
 The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued. 
"You may still pass though, because there is a third test,-- the filter of Usefulness.
 Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?" "No, not really."
 "Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

 The man was defeated and left, ashamed.

 This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem. It also explains why he never found out that Plato was banging his wife.