Dredging: The Invisible Engine Powering India’s Maritime Growth

Dredging: The Invisible Engine Powering India’s Maritime Growth

When people look at a modern port, they usually notice the visible infrastructure: massive container cranes, giant vessels, logistics parks, and cargo terminals.

But beneath every successful port lies a far less glamorous yet absolutely critical operation: dredging.

Without dredging, even the world’s best port infrastructure can become commercially ineffective.

For a maritime nation like India—aspiring to become a global manufacturing, logistics, and transshipment hub—dredging is not merely a marine engineering activity anymore.

It is a strategic economic necessity.

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Why Dredging Is Technically Essential for Ports

Ports naturally experience sediment accumulation due to:

river discharge,

coastal sediment drift,

tidal currents,

monsoon activity,

wave action,

and seabed movement.

Over time, this causes:

channel shallowing,

berth depth reduction,

navigational constraints,

and reduced vessel draft availability.

Modern shipping economics depend heavily on larger vessels.

Today’s container ships, LNG carriers, crude tankers, and bulk vessels require:

deeper drafts,

wider turning circles,

and safer navigational channels.

Even a small reduction in draft depth can impact:

cargo loading capacity,

vessel deployment,

freight competitiveness,

and turnaround efficiency.

This is why ports continuously undertake:

maintenance dredging,

capital dredging,

channel widening,

and berth deepening projects.

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Cochin and Vallarpadam: Why Dredging Is a Lifeline

Cochin Port and International Container Transshipment Terminal, Vallarpadam represent one of India’s most technically challenging dredging environments.

Kochi’s maritime geography is heavily influenced by:

monsoon-fed sediment inflow,

backwater systems,

tidal currents,

and coastal sand movement.

This results in continuous siltation within:

approach channels,

turning basins,

and navigational pathways.

Without regular dredging:

large container vessels would face draft restrictions,

transshipment operations could become inefficient,

and shipping lines may shift toward deeper competing ports.

For Vallarpadam specifically, dredging is directly linked to India’s long-term transshipment ambitions.

To compete with:

Colombo,

Singapore,

Dubai,

India requires consistently navigable deep-water channels capable of handling modern mainline vessels.

In this context, dredging becomes a competitive advantage—not just maintenance work.

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What Happens to the Dredged Material?

One of the most misunderstood aspects of dredging is the handling of excavated sediment.

Dredged material can include:

marine sand,

clay,

silt,

organic sediment,

and mixed seabed deposits.

Depending on environmental quality and engineering suitability, dredged material may be:

disposed offshore,

reused for reclamation,

utilized for industrial fill,

or applied in coastal protection projects.

High-quality dredged sand can become an economic asset.

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Land Reclamation: Turning Dredged Sand into Economic Infrastructure

Globally, dredging and land reclamation are deeply interconnected.

Countries with limited land availability have successfully transformed dredged material into:

ports,

airports,

logistics zones,

industrial parks,

and entire urban districts.

This is where dredging evolves from marine maintenance into nation-building infrastructure.

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Major Dredging Activities Across India

Cochin Port and Vallarpadam – Kerala

Continuous dredging supports:

container transshipment,

LNG operations,

coastal shipping,

and navigational reliability.

The port’s strategic role is increasing as India strengthens west coast transshipment capability.

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Mundra Port – Gujarat

Mundra Port undertakes extensive:

capital dredging,

berth deepening,

and channel expansion projects.

Its ability to handle ultra-large vessels is directly linked to sustained dredging investments.

Mundra demonstrates how private ports integrate dredging into long-term growth strategy.

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Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) – Maharashtra

Jawaharlal Nehru Port continuously upgrades channel depth to support:

larger container ships,

higher cargo throughput,

and transshipment competitiveness.

Dredging here is critical because India’s west coast trade volumes continue rising rapidly.

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Chennai Port – Tamil Nadu

Chennai Port faces significant challenges from:

littoral drift,

sediment movement,

and monsoon-driven coastal changes.

Regular dredging is necessary to maintain navigational access and operational efficiency.

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Kamarajar Port (Ennore) – Tamil Nadu

Kamarajar Port undertakes dredging for:

coal terminals,

automobile logistics,

energy cargo,

and deep-draft vessel access.

Its industrial cargo profile requires reliable marine depth management.

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Visakhapatnam Port – Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam Port is among India’s deepest ports, yet still requires:

maintenance dredging,

berth optimization,

and naval channel management.

Its dual commercial and strategic naval importance increases the technical complexity of dredging operations.

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Paradip Port – Odisha

Paradip Port supports massive bulk cargo movement involving:

coal,

minerals,

crude,

and industrial raw materials.

Heavy vessel traffic and sediment dynamics make dredging operationally essential.

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Why Dredging Is Becoming Strategic for India

India’s maritime ambitions are expanding rapidly through:

Sagarmala,

port modernization,

coastal shipping,

FTWZ development,

and multimodal logistics integration.

But all these ambitions depend on one fundamental requirement: navigable marine depth.

The rise of:

ultra-large container vessels,

deeper draft LNG carriers,

and larger bulk ships

means Indian ports must continuously deepen and optimize channels.

Dredging therefore directly impacts:

freight competitiveness,

vessel deployment,

logistics efficiency,

and global shipping connectivity.

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FTWZs and Reclaimed Logistics Infrastructure

There is another important long-term opportunity.

As India expands:

FTWZ ecosystems,

logistics parks,

and coastal industrial corridors,

scientifically managed dredged material could support:

land creation,

logistics infrastructure,

port-led industrialization,

and warehousing expansion.

Countries like Singapore and the UAE have already demonstrated how reclaimed maritime land can become high-value economic zones.

India may increasingly move in the same direction.

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Global Success Stories in Dredging and Reclamation

Singapore

Singapore is perhaps the world’s best example of strategic reclamation.

Large parts of:

port infrastructure,

industrial zones,

and logistics areas

were created using reclaimed land supported by dredging activity.

The Tuas Mega Port project continues this transformation today.

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Dubai and Jebel Ali

Dubai transformed itself into a global maritime hub through:

large-scale reclamation,

dredging-led expansion,

and integrated logistics planning.

Port of Jebel Ali became one of the world’s most important logistics gateways partly because of aggressive marine infrastructure expansion.

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Rotterdam – Netherlands

The Netherlands used advanced dredging and reclamation to expand:

industrial land,

energy infrastructure,

and Europe’s largest port ecosystem.

Rotterdam demonstrates how engineering and logistics strategy can work together at national scale.

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India’s Future Could Depend on Smarter Dredging

The next phase of Indian maritime growth will require:

sustainable dredging,

AI-based hydrographic monitoring,

sediment reuse systems,

and environmentally responsible reclamation practices.

Dredging is no longer only about removing seabed material.

It is about enabling:

larger ships,

stronger trade corridors,

resilient supply chains,

and future-ready logistics ecosystems.

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My Pick & Recommendation

India should begin viewing dredging as strategic infrastructure rather than periodic maintenance expenditure.

The real long-term opportunity lies in integrating:

dredging,

reclamation,

FTWZ development,

coastal logistics,

and maritime industrialization

into one unified national vision.

Because in modern shipping, maritime depth is not just an engineering measurement.

It is economic capability, trade competitiveness, and strategic power.

The Russian Theory That Turned Reality Into a “Film Reel”

The Russian Theory That Turned Reality Into a “Film Reel”

Why Vadim Zeland’s “Reality Transurfing” Still Fascinates Millions

In 1993, a little-known Russian thinker named Vadim Zeland proposed an idea so unusual that it sounded closer to science fiction than philosophy.

What if reality was not something you “build,” but something you “select”?

What if every possible version of your life already existed somewhere — success, failure, wealth, loneliness, healing, opportunity — and your thoughts, emotions, and attention merely determine which “track” you experience?

This idea later became the foundation of a global phenomenon known as “Reality Transurfing,” a metaphysical framework that blended psychology, energy, perception, intention, and quantum-inspired philosophy into one deeply unconventional worldview. 

At the heart of Zeland’s philosophy lies one striking metaphor:

Reality is like a giant archive of film reels.

You are not changing the movie.

You are changing which reel you are watching.

That single concept has inspired millions of readers across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and increasingly the English-speaking world.

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The “Space of Variations”

According to Zeland, reality contains an infinite field of possible outcomes, which he called the “Space of Variations.”

Every possible version of events already exists there:

the career you never pursued,

the relationship you almost had,

the business idea you abandoned,

the healthier version of yourself,

the confident version of yourself.

Reality, in this view, is not fixed.

It is navigable.

Instead of “forcing” life to obey us, Zeland argued that humans unconsciously tune themselves into certain life paths through emotional state, focus, fear, and attachment. 

This is where his ideas sharply differed from conventional self-help culture.

Most motivational systems preach: “Work harder.” “Manifest aggressively.” “Want it more.”

Zeland claimed the opposite.

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The Dangerous Power of “Importance”

One of the most repeated concepts in Transurfing is “excess importance.”

According to Zeland, when people become emotionally desperate for something, they create imbalance.

The more intensely someone clings to success, love, money, recognition, or control, the more resistance reality produces.

In simple terms:

desperation repels,

obsession distorts,

tension blocks flow.

He believed calm intention works better than emotional force.

This idea resonates strongly with modern psychology and performance science. Athletes often perform best when relaxed. Artists create better when immersed rather than pressured. Even sleep becomes harder the more desperately one tries to sleep.

Zeland converted this observation into a life philosophy: Move toward goals lightly, not fearfully.

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“Pendulums”: The Energy Systems That Control People

Perhaps the most fascinating part of Transurfing is the idea of “pendulums.”

Zeland described pendulums as invisible collective energy structures formed when groups of people obsess over the same emotions or beliefs. 

Examples include:

political hysteria,

toxic workplaces,

social media outrage,

fan wars,

consumer trends,

fear-driven news cycles.

According to him, these systems feed on emotional energy and trap people into reactive behavior.

Long before doomscrolling became a global issue, Zeland was essentially warning people: If you constantly feed chaos, chaos begins to shape your reality.

In today’s hyper-connected digital world, that idea feels surprisingly modern.

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Why Young Professionals Are Rediscovering These Ideas

Reality Transurfing has recently seen renewed attention online through podcasts, Reddit discussions, YouTube explainers, and productivity communities. 

Interestingly, many readers are not treating it as literal physics.

Instead, they see it as:

a mental framework for emotional clarity,

a way to reduce anxiety,

a philosophy of non-resistance,

a method for escaping mental overcontrol.

Professionals burnt out by hustle culture often connect deeply with one core Transurfing principle:

The world reflects your internal state more than your force.

That idea echoes ancient Eastern philosophies too.

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Echoes of Ancient Indian Thought

Although Transurfing emerged from post-Soviet metaphysical circles, many of its concepts sound remarkably familiar to Indian philosophical traditions.

The Bhagavad Gita repeatedly speaks about detached action: Act with intention, but without emotional attachment to results.

Buddhist teachings emphasize observation rather than reaction.

Yogic philosophy describes the mind as something that shapes experience itself.

Even the ancient Sanskrit phrase: “Yatha drishti, tatha srishti” (As the vision, so the creation) feels spiritually aligned with Zeland’s worldview.

The difference is that Zeland packaged these timeless ideas in the language of “reality navigation,” timelines, and informational fields.

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Science, Symbolism, or Modern Myth?

Critics argue that Reality Transurfing lacks scientific evidence and often misuses concepts from quantum physics. That criticism is valid.

There is no mainstream scientific proof that humans literally shift between parallel realities through intention.

Yet the enduring popularity of Transurfing reveals something important: people are searching for meaning, agency, and inner balance in an increasingly chaotic world.

Whether taken literally or symbolically, Zeland’s philosophy encourages readers to:

reduce emotional panic,

observe thought patterns,

avoid collective negativity,

focus attention carefully,

move through life with conscious calmness.

And perhaps that is why the idea survives.

Not because people fully believe reality is a film reel, but because many quietly sense that perception changes experience far more than they once imagined.

For millions of readers around the world, Reality Transurfing became less about supernatural manifestation and more about learning how not to fight life so aggressively.

And in an age dominated by anxiety, overstimulation, and endless digital noise, that message may be more powerful now than when it first appeared three decades ago.

Science, Calmness, and the Hidden Cost of Emotional Panic

Whether one believes in “Reality Transurfing” literally or symbolically, modern neuroscience increasingly supports one part of Zeland’s philosophy with surprising clarity:

Emotional panic changes how the brain and body function.

Over the past two decades, scientific research has shown that intense stress and panic states activate the sympathetic nervous system — the body’s “fight or flight” mechanism — flooding the system with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

In short bursts, this response is useful. It sharpens survival instincts.

But prolonged emotional overload has measurable consequences:

• reduced cognitive flexibility,
• poorer decision-making,
• impaired attention,
• heightened anxiety loops,
• emotional exhaustion.

Research in psychophysiology and neuroscience shows that people under excessive emotional stress often experience reduced emotional regulation and decreased parasympathetic nervous system activity — the body’s natural calming and recovery system.

This is where Zeland’s ideas become psychologically interesting.

His repeated warning against “excess importance” mirrors what many neuroscientists now observe: the more emotionally threatened the brain feels, the more reactive and narrow human perception becomes.

Ironically, panic often reduces the very clarity needed to solve problems.

Modern studies on breathing regulation, vagus nerve activation, and stress recovery also suggest that calm physiological states improve emotional resilience, focus, and cognitive efficiency.

That may explain why practices such as:

• meditation,
• slow breathing,
• prayer,
• mindfulness,
• yoga,
• detached observation,
• emotional grounding

have survived across civilizations for thousands of years.

Not because ancient cultures understood neuroscience in modern terms, but because they understood human experience.

Perhaps the deepest lesson hidden beneath philosophies like Reality Transurfing is not about “controlling reality,” but about learning not to emotionally collapse under it.

In a world dominated by constant alerts, outrage cycles, comparison culture, financial pressure, and digital overstimulation, emotional panic has quietly become one of the defining conditions of modern life.

And maybe calmness itself is now a form of intelligence.

Not passive calmness. Not avoidance.

But the ability to remain internally balanced while navigating uncertainty.

Because when the mind stops reacting to every wave, it often begins to see the ocean more clearly.

The Science of Morning Sunlight — and Why Ancient Indian Traditions Valued Dawn

The Science of Morning Sunlight — and Why Ancient Indian Traditions Valued Dawn

Inside the brain sits a tiny cluster of nerve cells called the: Suprachiasmatic nucleus

It is often called the body’s “master clock.”

This clock:

Does not mainly track time

It tracks light

When natural morning light enters the eyes:

Signals travel from the retina to the brain clock

The brain synchronizes body timing with sunrise

Hormones, alertness, digestion, temperature, mood, and sleep timing begin aligning

This is the foundation of: Circadian rhythm

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What Morning Sunlight Actually Does

Morning sunlight does not magically “release melatonin 16 hours later.”

The real process is more elegant.

Morning light helps:

Increase alertness

Regulate cortisol rhythm

Support serotonin pathways

Set the timing for nighttime melatonin release

Think of sunlight not as an ON/OFF switch — but as a daily reset signal.

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Cortisol Is Not “Bad”

Social media often demonizes cortisol.

But: Cortisol awakening response

is a healthy biological event.

A proper morning cortisol rise helps:

Wakefulness

Mental sharpness

Energy mobilization

Blood pressure regulation

Morning light strengthens this natural rhythm.

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Why Modern Life Confuses the Brain

The human brain evolved for:

Bright mornings

Dim evenings

Darkness at night

Modern humans experience:

Dim indoor mornings

Bright LED nights

Phone screens before sleep

Irregular schedules

Result:

Delayed sleep

Poor melatonin timing

Brain fog

Mood fluctuations

Fatigue despite sleep

This mismatch is increasingly being studied in: Chronobiology

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Ancient Indian Practices That Quietly Matched Circadian Science

This is where things become fascinating.

Long before neuroscience existed, Indian traditions built lifestyles around sunrise.

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1. Brahma Muhurta

Brahma Muhurta

Traditionally:

~1.5 hours before sunrise

Associated with clarity, prayer, meditation, learning

Possible biological advantages:

Stable cortisol transition

Quiet nervous system

Lower environmental stimulation

Strong circadian alignment

Modern sleep science now recognizes that consistent wake timing strongly affects hormonal rhythm.

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2. Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar

This was never “just exercise.”

It combines:

Early daylight exposure

Movement

Breath control

Spinal activation

Attention regulation

Today we know morning movement plus sunlight can:

Improve mood

Enhance alertness

Support sleep quality later

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3. Sun Exposure During Dawn

Traditional households often:

Opened windows early

Swept courtyards at sunrise

Performed prayers facing east

Not superstition alone.

Morning light has unique properties:

Lower intensity than noon sun

Strong circadian signaling

Better tolerated by the eyes

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4. Early Dinner Tradition

Many traditional Indian lifestyles favored:

Earlier dinners

Less late-night eating

Modern research on: Circadian metabolism

suggests metabolism works better when food timing aligns with daylight.

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Important Reality Check

Ancient traditions were not “secret neuroscience.”

But many evolved through:

Observation

Agricultural life

Sunlight-based living

Seasonal adaptation

Modern science is now explaining why some of those routines helped human biology.

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Practical Modern Version

Without becoming extreme:

Helpful habits:

10–20 minutes outdoor morning light

Reduce bright light late night

Consistent wake time

Avoid heavy meals near midnight

Morning movement or stretching

Sleep in darkness

Even these small corrections can significantly improve:

Energy

Mood

Sleep quality

Mental clarity

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My pick & recommendation

Among all modern wellness trends, morning sunlight exposure is one of the most evidence-backed and underrated habits.

Not because it is mystical — but because humans are still biologically designed for a sunlight-driven world.

Ancient Indian routines around sunrise were probably less about religion alone and more about living in harmony with natural timing systems that modern urban life has disrupted.

Pause Before You Pick: What’s Really in Your Food?

Pause Before You Pick: What’s Really in Your Food?

India’s slow road to front-of-pack warning labels and why it matters more than ever

India today finds itself at a crucial intersection between convenience and health. Packaged foods have become an integral part of daily life, offering speed, affordability, and variety. Yet, behind the bright colours and attractive branding lies a growing concern: do consumers truly know what they are eating?

The debate around front-of-pack warning labels has brought this issue into sharp focus. At its core, it is about transparency, awareness, and the right to make informed food choices.

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Understanding Front-of-Pack Labels

Front-of-pack labels are designed to simplify nutritional information. Instead of expecting consumers to interpret detailed ingredient lists on the back of packages, these labels aim to present key health information upfront.

Typically, they highlight:

• High sugar content
• Excess salt levels
• Presence of unhealthy fats

The idea is simple: a quick glance should be enough for a consumer to understand whether a product is healthy or not.

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Why the World Is Moving Towards Clear Warnings

Globally, several countries have adopted bold warning systems on packaged foods. These labels often appear as clear, prominent symbols that alert consumers instantly.

The impact has been significant:

• Reduced consumption of sugary beverages
• Increased awareness about processed food risks
• Shift in consumer behaviour towards healthier alternatives

These changes have shown that when information is made simple and visible, people tend to make better choices.

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India’s Journey: Progress with Pause

In India, the idea of implementing such labels has been under discussion for years. While there is broad agreement on the need for better consumer awareness, the path to implementation has not been smooth.

The progress has been gradual, often marked by delays and debates.

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Key Challenges Slowing Down Implementation

1. Resistance from the Food Industry

Food manufacturers have expressed concerns over strong warning labels. Their arguments include:

• Potential decline in sales of popular packaged items
• Fear of creating unnecessary alarm among consumers
• Belief that such labels oversimplify complex nutritional information

As a result, many companies prefer alternative systems like rating-based labels, which are perceived as less aggressive.

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2. A Delicate Policy Balance

Regulators are navigating a complex landscape. On one hand, there is a pressing need to address rising health issues. On the other, the food industry contributes significantly to the economy.

This creates a difficult balancing act:

• Protecting public health
• Maintaining industry stability
• Avoiding sudden disruptions in the market

Such competing priorities naturally slow down decision-making.

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3. The Debate Over Label Design

Not all labels communicate the same message in the same way. This has led to a fundamental disagreement:

• Warning labels are direct and cautionary
• Rating systems are comparative and interpretative

Critics argue that softer rating systems can be misleading, allowing unhealthy products to appear acceptable. Supporters, however, believe they provide a more nuanced perspective.

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Why This Debate Matters More Than Ever

India is witnessing a steady rise in lifestyle-related health issues. Changing food habits, urban lifestyles, and increased dependence on processed foods are key contributors.

Some concerning trends include:

• Rising incidence of diabetes
• Increasing obesity across age groups
• Early onset of cardiovascular issues

A large part of this can be linked to hidden sugars, salts, and fats in everyday packaged foods.

Without clear labeling, consumers may unknowingly make unhealthy choices on a regular basis.

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The Gap Between Information and Awareness

Most packaged foods already carry nutritional details. However, the effectiveness of this information is limited.

Common challenges include:

• Small, hard-to-read text
• Technical terminology that is difficult to understand
• Misleading marketing claims that overshadow actual content

As a result, many consumers rely more on branding and perception than on factual information.

Front-of-pack labels aim to bridge this gap by making critical information immediately visible and easy to interpret.

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What Is Causing the Delay?

The slow pace of implementation in India is not due to a lack of intent, but rather a combination of factors:

• Strong industry lobbying
• Lack of consensus on the best labeling format
• Concerns about economic impact
• Need for widespread consumer education

Together, these elements have created a cautious approach towards policy rollout.

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Beyond Labels: The Bigger Responsibility

While labeling is an important step, it is not a complete solution. True change requires a broader shift.

This includes:

• Increased consumer awareness
• Responsible product formulation by companies
• Transparent marketing practices
• Encouragement of healthier eating habits

Labels can guide decisions, but they cannot replace informed thinking.

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My Pick & Recommendation

Buddy, from a practical standpoint:

• Don’t wait for labels to guide you
• Start your own quick rule:
  • If ingredient list has too many chemicals / sugar / palm oil → avoid frequent use
• Prefer:
  • Fresh food
  • Home-cooked meals
  • Minimal processed snacks

Even if labels come, smart consumers always stay ahead of regulation.

Are you a Sheepish Lion

I recently heard a story and it set me off thinking on how well this compares to our daily lives. I will share the story first –

Once a Shepherd while taking his flock of sheep for grazing near a forest, hears a whining sound. He traces himself towards it, only to find a lion cub and its dead mother. Feeling pity, he picks up the cub and takes it home along with his flock of sheep. Soon the lion cub starts growing with the other sheep’s. The lion cub fed itself on grass and also started bleating like a sheep. It eventually grew into a big strong – SHEEPISH LION.

One day the Shepherd took his flock including the sheepish lion for grazing. Suddenly a wild lion jumped from its hiding and attacked the flock. On seeing the lion all including the sheepish lion flees. Seeing a big grown up lion running at his sight, the wild lion chases down the sheepish lion and asks-

Wild lion: I know why the man and sheep are running but why are you running from me? 

Sheepish lion: I am a sheep too, Please don’t kill me !!

Wild lion: Are you crazy, you are a lion

Sheepish Lion: No I am a sheep no…

How much ever the wild lion tried reasoning with the sheepish lion, it wouldn’t agree. To prove his point, the sheepish lion even says - look I eat grass and bleats out like a sheep. The wild lion now determined pulls the sheepish lion to a nearby pond and tells it to look at the reflection. Now the sheepish lion is startled. It realizes that it too looked like the WILD LION. The wild lion now encourages the REALIZED LION to roar. Though initially only bleating sound came, on constant practice the natural roar of a lion eventually resonates and it moves into the forest to live like a lion.

Here the sheepish lion is ourselves, wild lion can be either our well-wisher or intellect. Pond represents all the available resources we have. Bleating is akin to our mind meekly projecting our fears and weaker side. Roar is the call we get to rise above the ordinary.

The modern man seems to be comfortable leading a miserable life, often bleating and undermining the true strength in him. Our mind which is often the one directing us, is both the friend and foe. Mind is misled by the power of imagination. It forces one to either detest what is ‘’imagined’’ to be unfavourable or court what it ‘’imagines’’ to be favourable. We console ourselves to live with our fears, and stay put in our comfort zones. Thus many times we fail to exploit the true strength/talent in us or opportunities that come by. The knowledge we have is the pond. It is obsolete unless it comes to use when needed – and when used at the right moment, it is called wisdom. Seek help to realize the true potential in us. Reach out to self-help books, pep talks, coaches, motivational speakers etc or follow some great people we have here on Linkedin. Wisdom leads one to give all our experiences the right value and thereby giving us a roar to rise above the situations we face in life and act.

As we close the year, it’s a great time to introspect and find the sheepish lion in us, only to make it realize the true nature – the REAL LION.

THE BUS STOP DOESN’T MATTER; YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DRIVER DOES

A boy stood on a sidewalk waiting for a bus. A man walking by spotted the boy and gave him some gentle advice. “Son,” he said, “if you’re waiting for the bus you need to move to the street corner. That’s where the bus stops for passengers.”

“It’s OK,” said the boy. “I’ll just wait right here and the bus will stop for me.” The man repeated his advice, but the boy never moved. Just then, the bus appeared. Amazingly, the bus pulled over to where the boy stood and he hopped in. The man on the sidewalk stood speechless. The boy turned around in the doorway and said, “Mister, I knew the bus would stop here, because the bus driver is my dad!”

When you’ve got a relationship with the bus driver, you don’t need a bus stop. If you’ve given your heart to the King of Kings, you’re in a royal family of unspeakable proportions.

Today I would like to remind you that when you know the Driver of your life you can take the bus of life anywhere. He will stop and pick you up where people think it is not possible.

Whether some are thinking that you are not in the right frame of mind, or the right position or the right career to succeed but this will change when the success giver is your father and friend.

Whether you are unemployed, broke, single or married, or childless or divorced, or widowed. What matters is that you know Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we can think or even imagine.

However, the BIG question is : “Is the Driver your Father?” “Are you still His child? You can only get that privilege if He is your Father.

He can bypass protocols because you are His child. He has done it before. He can do it AGAIN and AGAIN. And guess what? It does not matter what anybody feels or thinks.

*Enjoy the ride with your Father.*

God knows the best, He does the best, He gives the best because He is the best. May He make you achieve the best in everything you do in life now and forever.

*Stay Blessed,* *God Loves You/Yours/All of Us*

*Ducks Quack, Eagles Soar*

I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport in Dubai. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me.

He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Abdul, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Abdul's Mission Statement:

To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Abdul said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'

I said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.'

Abdul smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, lassi, water and orange juice.'

Almost stuttering, I said, 'I'll take a Lassi.'

Handing me my drink, Abdul said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The NST , Star and Sun Today.'

As they were pulling away, Abdul handed me another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Abdul told me that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for me.

Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also let me know that he'd be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my own thoughts.

'Tell me, Abdul ,' I was amazed and asked him, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Abdul smiled into the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about POWER OF CHOICE one day."

Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle.

'If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining!'

'Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me. really hard' said Abdul.

'It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes, slowly ... a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that it has paid off for you,' I said.

'It sure has,' Abdul replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on it.'

Abdul made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like a duck and start soaring like an eagle.

Start becoming an eagle today ... one small step every week..next week... And next...And....

A great Thought..

"You don't die if you fall in water, you die only if you don't swim.

Thats the Real Meaning of Life.

Improve yourself and your skills in a different way.

Be an eagle. .not a Duck

Show me your ways, Lord

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.(Psalm 25:4-5)                   

When we wait on God it shows a spirit of trust and humility, of loving obedience, of hope and confidence, of a most intimate friendship and of the deepest reverence for our Creator. 

Waiting on God was one of the reasons David was called “a man after God’s own heart”. God was his security and he trusted Him in every aspect of his life. He trusted Him for guidance and instruction (v. 5), for help and defense (Psalm 33:20), for victory over his enemies and vindication (Psalm 37:7-9), for deliverance from trouble and destruction (Psalm 40:1), and so much more.    

Nothing proves our faith like waiting on God for answers to prayer, because when we wait we are demonstrating our submission to Him. 

Waiting does not necessarily mean abstaining from all activity; it is obedience to God because He has the right plan for us. Waiting on God means that all of our life is brought under God’s authority and direction. If we run ahead of God, we will experience anxiety, exhaustion, and failure. When we take matters in our own hands there can be some irreparable consequences and there are many examples in the Bible like Abraham and Sarah getting ahead of God and Saul’s usurping the role of a priest. 

The Word says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). So what do we learn while we are waiting? We learn to trust in God in expectation of His revelation because God is in charge of every detail of our life. His timing is perfect if we really want Him to show and teach us His ways. He is omniscient, and gives us confirmation of His omnipresence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who guides us and teaches us if we let Him. 

God gives us assurances of His real power and He gives the grace to await His purposes until the precise moment when He gives evidence that He was working all along. Without this faith, it is impossible to please Him, for all who come to God must believe that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) 

The answer to waiting is through prayer, with strength and courage (Psalm 27:14). And we rejoice and trust in His Holy Name and in His unfailing love (Psalm 33:18-24).  

Our greatest desire should be to learn to be patient and obedient, desiring to know God’s truth. We need to expectantly and faithfully believe His promise and know that if we ask and expect with the right motive we will receive. 

The Lord declared: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12) 

And Isaiah 40:31 tells us: “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” 

Waiting is not easy but, if we can learn to wait on God we will live a more rewarding and stress free life. Having patience and trusting in the Lord is one of the greatest life principles we can ever learn.  

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

At times, it can be hard for you to believe in yourself, especially if you have developed negative feelings, like you have nothing to offer or are unworthy of things, only until you realize that the contrary can be true. If you are having trouble introspecting and seeing all the amazing things you possess and all the beautiful things you could offer to make this world a better place, there are simple things that you can do to start believing in yourself. You can take stock of all the things you have already accomplished and set goals for future, you can make new friends, have good discussions, get fresh perspective of things, look for opportunities to use your skills, you can take good care of yourself to build your confidence 

1 Make a list of your past accomplishments. Writing out a list of your accomplishments will help you begin to believe in yourself. Sit down and make a list of all of the things that you feel you have excelled at during some point in your life. Include even the most minor activities, like putting together furniture from IKEA or organizing a party for a friend or family member.

• After you’ve compiled a short list, try to find patterns in the activities. Identify what you have done well over and over again to understand your skills.
• As you identify the skills that helped you accomplish things, begin to list those skills in a separate column. You can also make a list of stuff that you admire about yourself in a third column.^[1]
• For example, if you notice that you’ve been successful at caring for dogs or cats, this could mean that you are naturally a compassionate person. In which case, try to find more activities that will help you to use this skill--such as volunteering at a local animal shelter.

 2 Talk to people who love you. If you're having trouble seeing all the wonderful things about yourself, you can always talk to someone who loves you. Sometimes we have difficulty seeing the best things about ourselves, but the people who love us will never struggle to see those things.

• Say something like, “Lately I have felt like I am not good at anything, but I am trying to move past that and identify my skills. What do you 2think I am good at?”

3 Find a cause that you believe in. It may be difficult to believe in yourself if you are always trying to please others. Make sure that you look for causes and projects that appeal to you and that you actually believe in. The passion that you feel for these causes and projects will help you to work harder and see how much you can achieve.

4 Set realistic goals. Setting realistic goals will help you to believe in yourself and your ability to accomplish things. Make sure that you develop goals that are in line with your skills and that are attainable. For example, if you have decided that you want to work towards a long-term goal of becoming a veterinary assistant because of your animal handling skills, start by setting a small attainable goal of applying to a veterinary assistant program. Once you accomplish that goal, you can move on to another small, attainable goal that helps to get you closer to your long-term goal.^[2]

• Be prepared to go outside of your comfort zone now and then. Even though you are setting realistic goals, you might need to do things that you don’t normally do to accomplish your goals.
• After you set a goal, work hard until you achieve it. Don’t abandon a goal because it becomes too difficult. If a goal seems too difficult, try breaking it into a series of smaller goals and focus on one at a time.

6 Reflect at the end of each day. Self-reflection is an important component of self-improvement. It helps you to take stock of what you are doing well and what you still need to work on. Take a few moments at the end of each day to reflect on your experiences. If you have a day where you don’t accomplish as much as you hoped you would try to learn what you can from the situation to avoid repeating any mistakes you might have made.^[3]

• For example, if you can’t seem to get yourself up in the morning to go on a hike as planned, you may have learned that you have trouble getting motivated in the morning. Try setting multiple alarms, and maybe even place one of them a few feet away from your bed, so you have to get up and turn it off. Or, you could try to find a different time to hike, instead of forcing yourself to do it in the morning

I have a choice about today

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today and I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school oreagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can appreciate that I have a place to call home.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

Have a GREAT DAY ... unless you have other plans and please remember, a 'Smile' will make the days go better.

HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE – OUR CHOICE !

First of all, we need to understand that Happiness is a choice, our choice.

Yes, Happiness is a choice, we have got the choice on how we want to live our life.

It doesn’t really matter the circumstances in our life, we have still got the choice to live an unhappy life, at the mercy of our emotions, events etc., which could be quite miserable sometimes, or we can choose to live a happy life, be a happy person, whatever the circumstances are, the choice is ours.

Happiness is a kind of choice that we make and create for ourselves. It is not something that depends on other people or getting their approval.

In reality, the level of our life’s happiness has nothing to do with the things that other people say or do, even if we feel like it.

Happiness is not something that we capture through the affirmation or actions of others. We can be inspired by others, but Happiness comes from within.

I am in charge of how I feel, today I choose Happiness

I am in charge of how I feel, today I choose Happiness

Nothing will make us Happy until we choose to be Happy!

Can we really make up our mind to be happy?

The answer is YES.

The empowered happiness mindset is set on the principle that despite the things that happen to us or whatever dire circumstances we might be in today, we can still be happy.

At the end of the day, it’s all about making a decision, the right one, if we don’t choose to be a happy person, it’s like indirectly we have made a decision to be a person that doesn’t give importance to happiness, therefore, the moments of happiness might not be many…

As we will see in the next step Happiness is also an attitude of mind and we have got the choice to have a wrong attitude that takes us to having a not easy and unpleasant life or we can make the decision to have a good attitude through life. A good attitude can create happiness, I let you think what a bad attitude can create… Once again the choice is ours.

We can start to be happy any moment we want, all we need to do is make a decision, choose to be happy, write it down on paper in capitals: “I decide I want to be happy”, “from now on I am going to be happy person, no matter what”.

It has to be a clear and conscious decision and nothing like “I would like to be happy or I wish to be happy” these are just wishes…. and they are not taking us anywhere.

Once we have made the decision to be a happy person, then we need to do whatever it takes to be happy. Happiness is a journey.

It’s a bit like when we start a fire, if we don’t fan the fire, the fire at one point will die. So once we have turned our happiness on, which I like to think of as a candle, we need to keep it on, otherwise, it will die, this is something we will see in the next few steps.

The good thing is the:

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. Buddha

So if we make a decision to live a happy life, no matter what life can present to us, is more likely we will have a happy life, because this is what we want and because we don’t want to accept anything else. It is our choice, we have made a decision and we want to stick to it.

Once we have understood and accepted that happiness comes from within, it is not impossible to be happy even during the toughest of times because we already know how we should hold on to those good times and chase all the bad away.

With an empowered happiness mindset, we will know how we should let life to happen and stay open to wallowing in the bliss of happiness whatever our circumstances might be.

It is never too late to make happiness your choice of life

Happiness is a choice

One of the first thing we need to understand and accept if we want to live a happy life, is that Happiness is a choice. Let that sink in.

A lot of people find this notion hard to believe simply because they have gone through so many challenges in their lives that they most probably have been close to giving up on happiness altogether and probably because they give a wrong meaning to happiness. (What Happiness is Not)

Whatever you went through in your life, you need to remember, that it is never too late to make happiness your choice.

Making the choice

Starting down the path of attaining happiness is done by simply telling yourself that happiness is a choice you are willing to make and commit to. Arguably, making this choice is the biggest and most important step that you can take to being happy. Studies show that a person can greatly affect their perspective in life by changing their attitudes and mindsets about things.

The act of making the choice is done by looking deep into yourself: realize and appreciate the little things that make you feel peace and, at the same time, clearly define to yourself those that do not. (Things we need to let go to be happy)

Happiness is a state of being

A lot of people tend to make a list of things they would like to achieve (end goals, if you may). While the practice in itself is not bad, it may affect the way you think about the practice altogether.

Sometimes, making a list gives the impression that, unless you have reached these goals, you are not allowing yourself to be happy.

Instead, reflect on your life and ask yourself this question: What are the things that make me smile these days?

No matter how small they may be, give yourself a little time each morning and appreciate these things. Remember: a key contributing factor to being happy is having a positive attitude towards your day the moment you wake up.

Happiness is a choice – so is sadness

A lot of people lose sight of their happiness because of the tension the daily grind brings. Money, work, relationships, even traffic can be cause for you to feel down. A single instance of such may not be that hard, but constantly and consistently exposing yourself to these is an act on itself of choosing sadness.

Being busy is nice. Being overly busy is a bad thing. Why not go for a vacation or a break? Giving yourself some time to breathe and reflect will do you a lot of good.

Keep your friends and family close

Another great example of attaining and maintaining happiness is by expressing your gratitude. Happiness is near impossible if you are selfish about it.

There are a lot of people out there in the world who have riches and fame to their name but have no happiness to claim at all. Always be thankful for the people around you. Better yet, thank them and tell them how exactly they have been a contributor to your happiness.

Not only does this affirm the validity of your happiness with yourself, this also makes the people around you happy.

A study on happiness conducted by Dr. Robert Waldinger has suggested that maintaining good relationships is, at the very least, a major contributor to a person’s happiness. The study was conducted by periodically interviewing their participants about their life over the course of 75 years. It was shown that happiness is rooted to how much we invest on the people we consider as essential to our being, as well as those who invest in ourselves.

In hindsight, this gives a deeper meaning to the phrase “no man is an island”.

Hard work pays off

Nothing good in life comes easy — happiness is no exception.

Happiness is a choice you have to commit to. Difficult choices must be made at certain points in your life if you wish to maintain it. Are you in an abusive relationship? You might want to part ways for the benefit of your soul. Do you feel like there is nothing else for you at work? Maybe it is time to reconsider.

It is always best for you to move on and take on challenges than to let fear grip your heart that sit and wallow in complacency.

Take it slow

Happiness is a choice you decide on in a fraction of a second. Working on it takes an entire lifetime.

Take it slow; stop and smell the roses along the way. Try not to rush yourself into getting to your definition of happiness. Mistakes may happen along the way and that is fine! That is life’s way of teaching you a lesson about your choice. These moments are best spent slowly, thinking and understanding why life treated you that way.

Stay in control… or not

In many cases, people fall into a state of anxiousness because of their constant need to stay in control. Now, a lot of people are not aware of this.

The next time you are feeling anxious about something, why don’t you ask yourself this question: is this something I can control?

If your answer to the question is no, respect the outcome as it is.

If the answer is yes, however, commit to figuring out a way to control it. Examples of things you cannot control are other people’s emotions. Introspectively, you can control yours. Do not set yourself up for failure by always looking into taking control.

In conclusion, happiness is a choice that revolves around how you manage yourself around the environment you are currently in.1 Always be grateful and generous to the people who make you smile. Never try to take control of things beyond your understanding and always take the time to savor and appreciate the little things that brighten up your day.