Striving towards Excellence

* To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
* To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
* To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
* To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
* To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
* To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
* To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
* To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
* To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
* To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Most people think and believe that their thoughts originate from them, but have they ever stopped and considered whether their thoughts, desires, likes and dislikes are really theirs? Maybe they are outside influences that they have unconsciously accepted? If there is no filter to process the thoughts that enter the mind, there is no freedom. Then all actions are like the actions of a puppet on a string, though no one will admit it.

You may object and say that the thoughts that pass through your mind are yours, but are they really manifestation of your dreams and goals which makes you tick? Have you deliberately and attentively created every thought that entered your mind?Everyone has desires, ambitions and dreams that he or she may foster from childhood. They may be the thoughts of their parents, teachers and friends, and which have lodged into our minds, and are carried around throughout our lives. Are they necessary? Do we need all this excessive baggage?

In order to reduce the power of outside influences and thoughts on your life, you need to be aware of the thoughts and desires that enter your mind, and ask yourself whether you really like them, and are willing to accept them into your life. Analyze your motives and actions, and you will be surprised to find out that many of them were triggered by outside influences.You do not have to accept each and every thought, idea or information. Think and find out whether you entertain certain thoughts because you decided to do so, or because they just popped into your head due to outside influences.

The moment you start taking responsibilities for your actions, things starts to happen. What is your dream? What is your ambition in life? Are you doing something in life because it makes you good in front of others or are you doing something because it is the right thing to do. Most of us do what we do because everybody does it..even though internally..we are not too enthusiastic about it...

Always take responsibility for your actions and do what is right...than what appears good in front of other people. If the circumstances and situations dictate what you do, what is the unique "you" doing?...Are you victim of the circumstances and situations which happen to you or do you emerge victorious because you took some actions to counteract the circumstances and situations which happen to you. Take responsibility and work hard as if it is impossible to lose and pray to God hard as if is not possible to fail. You will see some changes internally and externally which will surface out with the changes you make within yourself.

Remember that God always helps people who helps themselves.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Shobana and I came to Scottsdale yesterday evening to attend our nephew Sandeep Subramanian's upanayanam ceremony. The function was well attended and we had a a wonderful time meeting all the family here. Tomorrow morning , we will be heading back to Orange county.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Visualizing and thinking with concentration, desire and faith, and repeating these thoughts often, unleashes powerful energy. Your thoughts get radiated and broadcasted, influencing the minds of other people, and attracting to you people who think along the same lines as you do and who can help you with your plans. This process also heightens your awareness and perceptiveness of any opportunity connected with your thoughts that comes your way, and fills you with the inner power and initiative to utilize it. Why not become conscious of your thoughts, choose to think the ones that are beneficial for you, and consciously and advantageously utilize the power of attraction? You can attract people, circumstances, events, possessions or a life style with the magnetic power of attraction of your mind.

Remember, what you think about intently, with attention and feeling is attracted to you. It can be material and it can be spiritual. The power of attraction is a universal power and manifests everywhere and in everything. It is the power that holds the Universe together. Without it there would not be any world.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

By consciously choosing how to act and react, you acquire the power to control the outcome of your actions, and develop and strengthen the inner muscles of will power and self-discipline

Patience adds grace, respect and tolerance. It helps you make your life happier, more satisfying and successful. I believe you agree with me that life would be more pleasant, if more patience is exhibited.

Will power can hold and rivet the attention in one place without swerving. As you strengthen your will power, you will find that your power of concentration increases too. Will power is one of the essential keys for the mastery of the mind and attaining good concentration ability.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Peter Bregman at HBR wrote today about two lists you should look at every morning. You should have one focus list. What are you trying to achieve? What makes you happy? What’s important to you? Design your time around those things. Because time is your one limited resource and no matter how hard you try you can’t work 25/8.

The other list is your ignore list .To succeed in using your time wisely, you have to ask the equally important but often avoided complementary questions: what are you willing not to achieve? What doesn’t make you happy? What’s not important to you? What gets in the way?

We need to know where to focus and where to ignore. 

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Think about the expression, “He and she give off good vibes.” Each one of us gives off good or bad vibes. In fact, we are constantly vibrating.If you are excited, content, appreciative, feeling gratitude or pride, then you are offering positive vibrations.If you are angry, sad, disappointed, feeling poor, unlucky, or defeated, then you are sending out negative vibrations.It’s important to be in touch with, and aware of, your vibrations because whatever you’re vibrating, that’s what the Law of Attraction will give you more of.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The power of the mind draws certain events, circumstances and people into our lives and repels others. In this respect it resembles a magnet. Just look at the people around you. Some accomplish certain things easily, and others accomplish them with great difficulty or not at all.Your mind is composed of the thoughts you think. These thoughts are like magnetic currents. If you think positively about some event or action, it turns out to be as you thought about it. If you harbor negative thoughts, this negativity is drawn into your life.You attract into your life what you think about frequently. It does not mean that every thought gets materialized. Most of the thoughts are weak and are not repeated long enough to gain sufficient strength. Weak thoughts, like a weak magnet, hardly have any attractive power. So be watchful....You don't want to think about or speak about things which is not good for you...because if you think or speak long enough, it might come true.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Why do we waste our time waiting for people to live up to our expectations?
Reflect on this story.

A tortoise family went on a picnic. They packed food and set out to a place they had decided. They reached the spot, and unpacked their picnic basket and then realised they had forgotten to bring salt. After a lot of discussion the youngest tortoise was chosen, as he was relatively faster than the others.

As usual the youngest objected stating that before he could come back the others might eat the snacks. But they assured him they would wait for him. Six months passed by but the youngest tortoise never returned. So the rest of the family decided to open the snacks and eat. When they did so, the little tortoise jumped out of the bushes and screamed, “look, I knew you would not wait for me. Hence for six months I was waiting behind the bushes to make sure you would not eat without me. Now I am not going to go to get the salt’.

Some of us waste our time waiting for people to live up to our expectations. We are concerned about what the others are doing, instead of we doing the right thing.

Is not stress the result of us being egoistic?
It is very true. Ego means our point of view is more important than others, more important than even truth. Being stuck to our point of view creates stress.

When ego enters you become a competitor with everyone. You are drowned in your own world.

Be playful and flexible.

Drop the ‘I’ and ‘mine’ and live in the ‘We’... the universe is one, it is a unity. You feel yourself connected with the stars, the sky and the birds. You will find them to be different parts of your body, just as your hands, legs and eyes are. they are different yet are connected. It is this connectedness that is known as ‘Nirvana’.

Why am I so impatient?
One has to develop being patient. We have to trust the universe will have its own way to open its doors. Learn to be patient. A boy loved mangoes. He bought the best of seeds and planted them. Every morning he would dig the earth to see if it had sprouted. Our impatience works so stupidly.

Impatience is a result of lack of trust. Since we depend on our ego we take for granted how nature reveals its mysteries in its own way. Our imagination projects a reality and we don’t see the external reality. We are lost in our subjective reality.

Patience means trust, that God knows better than what I know. Impatience means, ‘my will is greater than God’s will.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Meditation empowers one to soar to the heights of success keeping the mind calm and silent. Success without silence is like a flower without fragrance.

Modern man is a victim of insecurity, why is it so?

Insecurity is a result of dissatisfaction of the past, which leads to the distaste of the present and distrust of the future. One has to learn from the past and enjoy the present and plan for the future. Only then insecurity will disappear.

Why is that we are not able to do that?

Learning from the past, enjoying the present and planning for the future requires a certain type of mindset. That is when we see the objective world subjectively.

What do you mean by that?

The objective mind falls on our mind in the form of impression. If the mind has a cat pattern, whenever the impression of the outer world falls on that pattern of the mind then one will be as indifferent as a cat. You can pour lot of love on a cat but you will find it very indifferent and non-expressive. Some people are indifferent in spite of love being showered on them.

Some people have dog pattern of mind. If a dog is loved and given attention then it will be wagging its tail but when it is not given attention it will start barking. If one has a dog pattern of mind then when some one does not give attention one will start fighting and creating rackets.

Meditations help one work on those aspects that focus on different patterns of the mind. The mind that distort the experience of the outer world due to subjective patterns creates tension and makes one ineffective. By understanding and meditation the mind will be purified.

Different Mudras facilitates thoughts that impacts instant change. Sheer change in attitude is not sufficient but behavioural change is important.

If one is calm and serene then the dopamine and serotonin levels in the body will be well balanced. Meditation and pranayama is a great aid in supporting this process.

Nature in its infinite wisdom puts us to sleep to overcome stress. In this state, the balancing and the repair work of the body happens. In the waking state with a disturbed mind due to internal and external sources of stress the dopamine levels are disturbed. In that disturbed state you don’t perceive “what is” but project “what should be”. The projected reality does not fit into the objective reality and this creates conflict. In this state of conflict one complains and wines. It further brings disorder in your inner being. With this unhappy state one emotionally eats, drinks or gets into unhealthy practices. This adds fuel to fire. One gets caught in a vicious cycle. Any one can be prone to this state of mind, including a housewife, an executive or even a student.

Mudras both modern and ancient will help one to overcome stress. Personal stress, financial stress, family and work related stress should be handled effectively.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

1. Read PMA books. Think about what you read, and find out how you can use the information in your life.
2. Learn to make your mind quiet through concentration exercises and meditation.
3. Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can really accept this idea, it will change your attitude towards many things in your life.
4. Look often into yourself and into your mind, and try to find out what is it that makes you feel conscious and alive.
5. Think positive. If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately switch to thinking positively. Be in control of what enters your mind. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative.
6. Develop the happiness habit, by always looking at the bright side of life and endeavoring to be happy. Happiness comes from within. Do not let your outer circumstances decide your happiness for you.
7. Exercise often your will power and decision making ability. This strengthens you and gives you control over your mind.
8. Thank the Universe for everything that you get.
9. Develop tolerance, patience, tact and consideration for others.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Thinking is usually a mixture of words, sentences, mental images and sensations. Thoughts are visitors, who visit the central station of the mind. They come, stay a while and then disappear making space for other thoughts. Some of these thoughts stay longer, gain power and affect the life of the person thinking them.

It seems that most people let thoughts connected with worries, fears, anger or unhappiness occupy their mind most of the time. They keep engaging their mind with inner conversation about negative situations and actions. This inner conversation eventually affects the subconscious mind, making it accept and take seriously the thoughts and ideas expressed in those inner conversations.

It is of vital importance to be careful of what goes into the subconscious mind. Words and thoughts that are repeated often get stronger by the repetitions, sink into the subconscious mind and affect the behavior, actions and reactions of the person involved.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

A disciple once asked his Master:

“What is the power that makes the eyes see?”
‘The eye of the eye!’

“What is the power that makes the ears hear?”
‘The ear of the ear!’

The master then asked the disciple - ‘Did you understand what I said?’
‘No, I did not!’ said the disciple in confusion.

“If you did not understand my explanation, it means you have understood.
“If you have understood, it means you have not understood!”

Does the above dialogue read like it’s between two people under the influence of narcotics?

Well, not really. In fact the the above mentioned dialogue can be found in Kena Upanishad, one of the Hindu Scriptures.

Human beings possess one special faculty that none of the other living beings have. That is the ability to think.

A computer on the ground controls satellite thousands of miles away. It can carry out all the instructions set by humans, perfectly. But it cannot think.

The only living beings on earth that are capable of thinking are human beings! How many of us utilize this thinking capacity?

In order to make a disciple think, during the ancient days the sages devised several methods. Many such strategies are found in Kena Upanishad. Once we stop thinking, we become fools.

There was a trader who sold rabbits. One day, he gave a rabbit to his servant and said, ‘Go and deliver the rabbit to a lady and bring the cash in return, without fail. Here is the address.’

The servant, while going through a crowded market place, happened to collide with a man coming in the opposite direction. He fell down and the rabbit escaped from his hand.

The servant merely stood, watching the rabbit running away. The onlookers said, ‘Hey, you idiot! Run and catch the rabbit!’

But the servant said unperturbed, ‘So what, if the rabbit ran away? Where will the rabbit go? I still have the address given by my boss safe with me!’

Parables are narrated only to instil the moral values of the stories. But, if one takes only the joke and keep aside the morals, it would be like the servant who was satisfied in keeping the address intact and allowing the rabbit to escape.

Ignorance is a very serious curse. Being foolish is a greater punishment. The strange thing is, we are solely responsible for inflicting on ourselves, the curse as well as the punishment.

In this world, it is not enough just to accumulate degrees awarded by the universities. One should also be intelligent. Therefore one needs to read a lot! One should think deeply and work with a purpose! All twelve months of an year in one’s life should be like springtime!

A Guru told his disciple who was graduating from the Gurukula: “Be like a winnow (grain-sorting pan) and not like a sieve!”

A sieve allows all the good stuff to pass through its pores while retaining the waste materials within. A winnow (grain-sorting pan) on the other hand, discards the stones, chaff… and retains only the good grain.

How would we like ourselves to be? Would we be like a Sieve retaining all the negative aspects of life or would we like to be like a winnow, retaining the positive elements of life.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

A pleasant smile accomplishes wonders.
Acknowledge all introductions cordially.
Extend a hearty handshake, never a flabby one.

Memorize the names of everyone you meet.
Look people in the eye while conversing.
Talk with calm-assurance, do not raise your voice.
Shun Idle gossip; never meddle in personal affairs.

Be a good listener; Respect other's view points.
Avoid arguments, Keep cool even if provoked.
When you are in the wrong, admit it promptly, frankly.
Be open-minded, tolerant, considerate.

Co-operate readily, Cheerfully.
Be a booster; Praise Generously, criticize tactfully.
Show that you appreciate all favors, big or little.
Say " thank you" expressively, not just politely.

Be sympathetic, but never complain or seek sympathy.
Always be punctual, keep no one waiting.
Make your work respected by keeping all promises.
Be fair and square, loyal and secure.

Take pride in your work and appearance.
Do your best today and every day.
Radiate Friendliness, Enthusiasm and Goodwill!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

"The power to move the world is in the subconscious mind."

--William James

Our subconscious mind creates our lives perfectly according to how it has been programmed. It works 24 hours of every day, 365 days per year. It accepts instructions from the conscious mind, checks on old inner programming and executes.

The subconscious mind acts on old beliefs stored over a lifetime. Many of those beliefs you may have accepted without thinking. Or you may have absorbed them when you were too young to exercise choice. Many of the beliefs that govern your life may no longer match what you now hold to be true.

Nonetheless, the subconscious mind is the director till you rewrite the scripts. Put some effort into getting it working on your positive, conscious intentions instead of your old limiting, unconscious beliefs and your life will change.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

" Work hard as if everything depends on you, and pray as if everything depends on God."

"What you have is God's gift to you. How you use it, is your gift to God"

-Karthik Gurumurthy

God: Hello, did you call me?

Me: Called you? No, who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers so I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. It just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I'm in the  midst of something... Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God: Well I want to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity.

Me: Tell me, why has life become so complicated now?

God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?

God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God: Uncertainty is inevitable but worrying is optional.

Me: But then there is so much pain due to uncertainty.

God: Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction.Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials but don't suffer. With that experience, their life becomes better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God: Yes in every term. Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first, and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?

God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons to Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Me: In tough times how do you stay motivated?

God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessings not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God: When they suffer they ask "Why me?" When they prosper they never ask "Why me?" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel that my prayers are not answered.

God: There are no unanswered prayers, at times the answer is no.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happyto start this day with a new sense of inspiration.

God: Well keep the faith, and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve.

Trust me, life is wonderful if you know how to live.

Best wishes for a good cause.

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - then he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's not important for me"

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital,and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

Remember: Each of us is a vital thread in another person's tapestry: Our lives are woven together for a reason.

One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a friend.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Every great achievement was once impossible until someone set a goal to make it a reality. Lewis Carroll's famous masterpiece "Through the Looking Glass"contains a story that exemplifies the need to dream the impossible dream. There is a conversation between Alice and the queen, which goes like this:

"I can't believe that!" said Alice.

"Can't you?" the queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again, draw a long breath, and shut your eyes."

Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said. "One can't believe impossible things."

"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

When you dare to dream, many marvels can be accomplished. The trouble is, most people never start dreaming their impossible dream. Both works of Lewis Carroll urges the readers to dream.

Dreams are the raw materials for adventure. They are heady stuff that enliven people and move mountains. While Martin Luther King Jr.'s stirring "I have a dream" impacted human rights around the world, the renowned dramatist

George Bernard Shaw's visionary words still inspire the masses whenever they are quoted: "Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream things that never were and say, "Why not?"

-Karthik Gurumurthy

 Came across a line from George Clooney that reminded me of what's most important. He said: "You only have a short period of time in your life to make your mark." So very true. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily administrivia that you forget about building your legacy. So easy to become so focused on your problems that you forget about chasing your dreams. So easy to get pulled into the ordinary pursuits of life that you lose sight of The Extraordinary. Yet, life spins by at an alarming rate. And if you don't use each day to do even one thing to make your mark and to advance your vision and to become your brilliance, you just might be avoiding what truly counts..

-Karthik Gurumurthy

What does the concept of leadership mean to you? What stands out to you? What's important to you about leadership? 

Personally to me, it's an ongoing process. It's inherently developmental.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Remember no one wants to be lectured to. No one enjoys that. Hence, follow the human interest suggestion and talk to your audience connecting the subject matter to a human being you know. For example, if you want to tell the audience 'how to succeed' and go on telling them some rules, they may not pay attention to you. But on the other hand if you tell the story of two people, one who succeeded and another who failed, your audience will gladly listen to it, remember it and possibly profit by it. Never tell your audience cold facts or principles.

The richest source of such human interest material is your own background. Do not hesitate to tell your audience about your experiences because of some strange feeling that you should not talk about yourself. The only time an audience object to hearing a person talk about himself is when he does it in an offensive egotistical way. Otherwise the audience is tremendously interested in personal stories that speakers tell them. This is the surest means of getting attention. Whenever possible, personalize your talk. Another reason of personalizing is that about anything concerning yourself. You are the authority, hence you will deliver, a more confident talk about your own experience than a second hand experience.

Look inside yourself for topics- As a public speaker, the best way to get a topic which would provide all necessary power, a reserve power, confidence and authenticity, is to talk about any interesting incident that perhaps happened in your childhood in your small village. Talk from your heart, not from a book.

Remember the following 11 points which would guide you to successful public speaking:

• Talk about something that you earn the right to talk about through your own experience.
• Talk about something you are excited about.
• Talk about something you are eager to tell your audience about.
• Make brief notes of interesting things you want to mention.
• Don't write out your talks.
• Don't memorize the talk word for word.
• Fill your talk with illustrations and examples.
• Know ten times as much about your subject as you use.
• Rehearse your talk by conversing with your friends.
• Don't worry about delivery.
• Don't imitate others, be yourself.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite Scientists of all time. Dr. Richard P. Feynman. (Nobel Laureate: Physics: 1965)

Richard Feynman, the man of science,
Whose mind was vast and his wit was quick.
He could see the world in a different light,
And he could make us laugh with his jokes.

He was a brilliant physicist,
Who made many important discoveries.
He helped us to understand the universe,
And he made our lives better.

He was also a great teacher,
Who loved to share his knowledge.
He could explain complex ideas in a simple way,
And he made us all want to learn more.

Richard Feynman was a true genius,
Whose work will continue to inspire us for generations to come.
He was a man of many talents,
And he made the world a better place.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Does our body take in everything that comes its way? Take, for instance, food. When we consume food, does the body retain all that food? It doesn't, isn't it? It absorbs the vitamins and minerals (read, all the positiveness connected with that food) and discards the rest. Ditto for water. And air. In all these cases, the body does the same: absorb what is useful, and discard the rest.

The body would never be able to function if it were to retain all that it takes in. We know this, yet when it comes to thoughts, we never follow the same principle. When someone talks rudely to us, we tend to absorb the entire contents of the conversation: we don't absorb only the positive elements, do we?

As a result, we find people loaded with emotional baggage that they have been carrying in their systems for ages. They live in the past, harking back to those times when they had faced hurt and anguish. They may have forgiven, but they never forget.

As a result, thoughts, solidified emotions - emotional garbage you can call it - gets stored in the solar plexus (near the navel). We put on weight, develop complications of the abdomen, start to get joint pain, develop a sluggish outlook towards life....basically live life wondering why the world's 'weight' is on our shoulders.

The best way to tackle this is to sit at night daily, evaluate the events of the day, consciously absorb only the positive elements in each of the day's events, and consciously discard the rest. You can do this by mentally saying "I absorb the positiveness from this event and discard the rest".

What this does is it builds a program in your subconscious, to follow this principle in every aspect of living. Follow this technique, and see the difference it makes to your life.

Thinking correctly is an art. Not many are able to do that. Do we really know how to think? Do we know what kind of impact each thought of ours has on our mind-body system? D o we know what acid is released in our body when we say - "God, I hate that man!" Do we know how successive, similar thought patterns form the basis of our lives?

We need to learn how to think. It is important because whatever we think continuously becomes our personal law over a period of time. Every time we think the same thought, we are giving energy to that thought. With this kind of repeated energization, our thinking patterns become fix and rigid. This is how we form our personal laws.

Because of our unconscious thinking, often, we land up having negative personal laws and these laws govern us for lifetime in negative manner. "I'm poor", "I'm no good at this", "I'm fat", "I'm short", "I'm going to fail in exam / interview etc", "I'll not be able to achieve my goals", are typical negative thoughts. Once trapped in these kinds of negative thoughts, one can spend a lifetime floating in negative thinking. Not attending to the root cause of negative thinking can make you like a long-playing record that gets stuck on a particular note.

Guys and Gals-Just watch out what you are thinking! 

We need to watch how we program our subconscious mind.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

In order to get anywhere, we need to have a roadmap. Following the roadmap means:

• Knowing where you are at this moment. How can you know where you are at this moment? The key word is reflection.
• Knowing where you want to go..For me, success is knowing my purpose in life, growing to my maximum potential and sowing seeds that benefit others. That's where I want to go.
• Understanding that life happens between where you are at this moment and where you want to go, and that it's the "between where you are and where you want to go" that causes people to miss life.

Some people have what I call "destination disease." They live life thinking, "When I get promoted, I'll be fulfilled" or, "When I get married, I'll be happy" or "If I could just meet that person, I'll be on my way." It's good to plan for the days ahead, but if you're basing all your hopes for fulfillment on some future event, you're actually missing out on the essence of life itself.

When it comes to traveling through life, I can't over-emphasize the importance of following the roadmap. But it's also crucial to note that, even if you're following the best map ever made, you'll most likely have to stop and ask for directions from time to time. I'm well aware that this practice is excruciatingly difficult for some of us. And we just might be stubborn and persistent enough to avoid doing it, at least when we're driving somewhere in a car. But in the journey we call life, people who refuse to stop and ask for directions aren't stubborn or persistent; they're foolish.

People often make the mistake of following advice without carefully evaluating it first. To avoid this common error, ask yourself the following questions when appraising the validity of any piece of advice:

1. How credible is the source?

2. Am I getting the same advice from different people?

3. Have I made allowances for any biases, pro or con, an advice giver may have?

4. Have I talked with more than one person so I have a basis for judging the advice?

5. Am I in an emotional state to act wisely on this advice?

6. What is the ratio between the potential cost of acting on the advice and the potential benefit that it may hold?

Taking the time to stop and ask for directions might seem like a big hassle when you're busy with the daily stuff of life. And to some, sticking to a roadmap might seem unnecessarily restrictive. But as one traveler to another, I encourage you to make both a priority. 

-Karthik Gurumurthy

• Make a small commitment to yourself and honor it the next day.
• Don' t talk Bad about a person in his/her absence.
• Don't go into blaming/accusing mode.
• Catch people doing right things.
• Select a problem in your personal life and identify one action in your circle of influence to solve it & perform that action.
• Start now.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Instead of focusing on what you don't have, be thankful for what you do have. Be actively thankful. Think about the fact that you are alive and be thankful for the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the warmth of the sun, the coolness of an evening breeze.

Be thankful for your family, your friends, the people who listen to you and care about you, the people who depend on you. Be thankful for your mind, and for your ability to use it to create things and solve problems, and for the education you have.

When you focus on the abundance that you already have, it will expand and grow.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

We either make ourselves happy or miserable. The amount of work is the same. Just be happy. Just rejoice the present. Be grateful to the present. See the good in others. Rejoice others' success and don't define your failure by others' success.

You are unique so are the others. Enjoy the uniqueness of your being. Learn to keep the mind calm. Just like those 'stick no bills' signs on a wall, don't entertain negative thoughts. Just as how you don't allow a thief to enter into your house, so too don't allow negative and unhappy thoughts in your heart and mind.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

One of my favorite Kural

எப்பொருள் யார்யார்வாய்க் கேட்பினும் அப்பொருள்
மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்ப தறிவு.

"Whoever or whatever said it, it is wise to grasp the truth from it no matter who said it". (Thirukkural 423)

-Karthik Gurumurthy

• Find out what you do best and do your best with it. 
• If you remain open to new opportunities and intellectual growth, you will always be on the right path, even if you don't reach the destination you expected.
• Life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. 
• It is helpful to be in a place of gratitude. None of us is entitled to anything. We get what we get not because we want it or we deserve it or because it's unfair if we don't get it but because we earn it, we respect it, and only if we share it do we keep it.
• Don't take things personally.
• Don't make assumptions.
• Make your word impeccable.
• Live like you were at the bottom, even if you are the top. (This  has been a nudge on a daily basis to remember where we come from, and to live with humility and gratitude no matter where life takes us).

-Karthik Gurumurthy

We all have a finite amount of time on this beautiful planet. We are all terminal. Whether our lives are long or cut short, while we are here we have an obligation to find and give joy-in the beauty of our surroundings, in the pleasure of the moment, and in the company of those who love.

I am thankful for a great life starting with Great parents, wonderful wife Shobana, amazing brother Aravind who is shining in Cincinnati,  lovely work place Allergan,  my wonderful colleagues whom I am fortunate to work with and learn from, my teaching opportunity at Cal State Fullerton where I get to work with and learn from wonderful students.  Thank you God,  for everything.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

• Follow your fear.
• Be punctual.
• Be curious.
• Do what you say.
• Say what you mean.
• Know what you don't know.
• Have truthful conversations with yourself.
• Think about your day first thing in the morning.
• Don't hold yourself to other people's standards.
• Call your parents.
• Create a comfortable living space.
• Be Happy for other people.
• Cultivate friendships.
• Get to know your gut and then listen to it.
• Say you're sorry before you're embarrassed to.
• Be on time.
• Appreciate other people's talents.
• Overlisten.
• Silence can be golden.
• Get to know you.
• Learn to like you.
• Pray for everyone.
• Reflect on your day before you fall asleep.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Male or female, young or old; there is a great power within each and every individual in this world. The earth has many seasons like summer, fall, spring and rain, which the Sun is devoid of.

Similarly, it is the body that goes through the changes of aging from child to youth, from adulthood to old age, while the mind remains ageless.We can keep our minds in total alertness and joy, at all ages. “This is easier said than done,” you may think. Is it really possible to achieve it?

Yes, it is one hundred per cent possible. But we need to practice certain things to achieve this. We need to see a lot and listen a lot.

“What is that you are saying? Every one has eyes and ears. Every one sees and listens! But is everyone full of vigor and joy?” you may ask.

Think for a while! Every one has pens and pencils, that are required to come out with a beautiful piece of art or even an interesting piece of writing that you just can’t put down.

But does everyone become a prolific writer or a talented artist? Just as pens and pencils are mere tools, so are eyes and ears.Only if one knows how to use pens and pencils does one become a writer or an artist.

In the same way, if our eyes and ears are in an effective manner, happiness can be surely be attained.

Most of us focus our attention on what is not in front of us.

We almost always miss seeing things in front of us.

This reminds me of the story of a Italian father and son. A rich Italian father was celebrating his only son’s birthday. The highlight of the day’s programme was a soccer game.

The stadium was flooded with people who longed to watch the enthralling match between the two most famous teams of Italy.The crowd roared with joy as the teams competed with each other, but the birthday boy watched the game without enthusiasm. He looked at his father and questioned sulkily, “Dad! Why are you so stingy?”

The father, who had spent millions of dollars for the celebration of his only son’s birthday, was perplexed. He looked at his son surprised.

The son explained, “In this hot sun, look how these fellows are chasing only one ball. How sad? Could you not be little more generous in providing each one of them a ball so that they could play with them happily?”

At times, we are just like this boy. We fail to notice the joyful, energizing aspects of many incidents taking place in front of us.

Instead, we brood on meaningless issues and miss all the fun in life. So make sure we focus on the right things in life which makes life more meaningful and more fun everyday as you trudge the path of life.