Strength and Weakness !!

A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

"Sensei,"(Teacher in Japanese) the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?" "This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training. Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.

Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out.

He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament.

He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

Sometimes we feel that we have certain weaknesses and we blame God, the circumstances or ourselves for it but we never know that our weaknesses can become our strengths one day.

Each of us is special and important, so never think you have any weakness, never think of pride or pain, just live your life to its fullest and extract the best out of it!

Kar Wars!!

Karwar is a beautiful place. Nestled in the western ghats on the shore of Arabian sea, it totally takes your feet off the ground. Karwar is located at the estuary of the Kali river and Arabian sea. I can't understand what the people in Kerala are so proud off, cos all the seaside locations (including karwar) in the western ghats look as amazing as kerala. There's greenery, beautiful sea and the quiet and peaceful locations.

We reached Karwar on saturday morning and checked-in at the resort. Our resort called Estuary Resort was ok, not that good. Its built on top of a hill overlooking the estuary, which used to be Shivaji maharaj's fort once. Now only the boundary walls are remaining. The view was breathtaking, no complains. But the service was not at all worth what they charged.

There is another resort called "Devbagh resort" which is on an island of sorts. Around 11 we got into a boat to take us to Devbagh. And then the fun began !! :D

We got to their private sea beach which was almost deserted. Got into the water almost immediately cos the sand was burning. We played volleyball and football on the beach, and then more volleyball and frisbee in the water. This was the first time I had so much fun in the sea without fear of water :) Great experience !!

Lunch was another fun experience. All my teammates were in full spirits, drinking and gossiping. For the record, I drank only "mango slice" !!

Then it was time for some water sports. Para sailing was closed cos of unfavourable winds, so missed that. But there was kayaking and banana ride. Kayaking was way out of my league, cos i don't have the strength to keep rowing for so long :-p.
Banana ride was something else !! Very scary, but exciting!!!! Let me explain. There was a cylindrical rubber boat which was tied to a motor boat. We were given life jackets and made to sit on the rubber boat, 5 at a time. The motor boat then pulled the banana boat far from the shore and then the guy sitting in it gave a signal and took a sudden sharp turn!! The banana boat toppled and threw us mercilessly in the sea!! I went totally under water and lot of salt water got into my mouth, lungs and stomach. And then I floated up and was like " WOW !!!" He did this 3 times and honestly, since I am scared of water, I was relieved when it was over. But this is an experience I will never forget !!

After that we just spent some time at the sea shore while we waited for our boat to take us back to our resort. I got back, had a nice hot shower and went to join the others around a bon fire. Then we had dinner and sat around in a room till 2.00AM, playing cards and talking about ghosts :)

The guy who was the in charge of the water sports was a pleasant guy from Uttaranchal. His name was Deewan Singh. He promised to take us for rock climbing the next day. So on Sunday, we woke with aching arms and legs but still excited about the day ahead.

Deewan Singh had arrived with a gaadi to take us about 10-15 Km from Karwar city. We started our trek which seemed simple enough in the beginning but later got tough. But was fun. After climbing for about an hour we reached the rock we were supposed to climb. It was a 50Ft rock, towering over our heads. My first reaction was," Thank you very much, I am not climbing THAT thing" !! But I saw a couple of people do it and it didn't seem that tough after all. I also put on my gear and climbed it. It was total fun. Rappling down the rock was easier. Later we trekked back to humanity at sea level. And set ahead for the next adventure. All in all, the whole experience was just splendid !! :)

Next, Deewan Singh took us to the resort he works for. That is situated on the shore of the back waters. There he gave us life jackets and we all jumped into the water to cool our heels (literally, cos it was quite hot !!) I was the source of amusement there cos I couldn't swim ( like many others there) and made a big issue about it :-p .
Made some futile attempts at the art of swimming. I know my coach will be disappointed in me :-( , but come on, the flow of water terrifies me. I kept screaming, " Damn damn I'm going away from the shore,I'm going away from the shore.. SOMEBODY SAVE ME !!"

Amazing location, enjoyable company and right attitude. All of these are needed to make a holiday a great one. And that's what this was :D

-Cheers

Sky

At the horizon, the sky rose high,

But it looked gloomy, it was about to cry!!

The clouds were very grey, hiding the brightness beyond,

How could one visualise or welcome the new dawn!!

Then I heard the lightening, there was a painful sigh,

Which turned into a downpour, The sky had begun to cry !!

But when the rain stopped, I saw a new light,

The sun had started shining, with its renewed might!!

As I witnessed this scene, I began learning,

That after a mournful day, there's always a new morning !!

Crazy Woman!!!

I saw a crazy woman in a shop today !! She tore up a Rs. 500 note shouting " Mujhe nahi chahiye nahi chahiye". She tore it up in 500 pieces and threw it !!!

Dark(Sad)ness is my friend !!

Raat humari to
Chand ki saheli hai
Kitne dino ke baad
Aayi woh akeli hai !!
Sonjha ki baati bhi koi bujha de aaj
Andhere se jee bhar ke karni hain baatein aaj !!

Andhera Pagal hai
Kitna ghanera hai
Chubhta hai, dasta hai
Phir bhi woh mera hai !!
Uski hi godi main, sir rakhke sona hai
Uski hi baahon main, chupke se rona hai
Ankhon se kajal ban, behta andhera aaj !!

Its the story of the boy who cried wolf.. Nobody will believe him again !!

I don't know who said this, I got it as a forward. But it makes sense...

Jeevan mein hamesha do raaste hote hain..

1. Bhaag lo (run away)
2. Bhaag lo (participate)

The choice is yours !!