april 2018world

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“The key to happiness is accepting an unpleasant HAPPINESS reality every day” -Bertrand 1 2 Russell

Happiness is found in helping others 4 3 POSITIVE STORIES You can change the world – maybe not all at once, but one person, Inspirational Personality one animal, and one good ’s first woman fighter pilot deed at a time 8 to fly solo: Avani Chaturvedi 9 The PERMA Model: Scientific Theory of Happiness

2 HAPPINESS

Dr. Ashutosh Karnatak

n a recent survey conducted on Happiness, It was found that one of the most important aspects of getting and giving happiness is by Helping oth- Iers and giving back to society. The other areas were Family, Nature, Spiri- tuality, Travel etc. This editions of PEAK world is dedicated to Happiness and Positivity Readers are requested to understand the concept of happiness: Overall happiness index is a measure of happiness of an individual which one extracts from the above mentioned sources. The weight age of param- eters is different for each individual, i.e. Can have 20% weight age for profes- sion, whereas others can put 50% into it, thus in case of any setback in this parameter the loss of happiness relatively will be more for the person putting more weightage. Thus, one can have weight differently for different parameters and it is variable of time and mental state. In this competitive life the weightage given by the individual on the profession is much more than others, thus any set- back on this account causes dejection, frustration, depressions etc. It has got a direct impact on other areas, particularly on family and a vicious circle is formed. It is pertinent for a human being to derive happiness from other sources, in such conditions and endeavor should be to have a balance be- tween all areas of operations. One should strive for happiness as happy as he can, understanding that no one can be perfectly happy. Generally, people deprive themselves of hap- piness either by remembering their past or thinking about the future.What disturbs people’s mind are not events but their judgment on an event. So a caution is required for framing the attitude and condition of mind and a con- stant vigil is required, which can be achieved by doing deliberate practice and one can be happy in all the moments of life. Let us try to be happy and disseminate happiness among masses. TIME Magazine, Feb. 2005: The New Sciences of Happiness

“ The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength not a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will.”– Vince Lombardi

3 “The key to happiness is accepting an unpleasant reality every day” -Bertrand Russell

Article by Dr. Ashutosh Karnatak

hat is the real meaning of life – everybody will have its own meaning, but in the meantime, everybody will agree to the fact is that bottom- Wline is “Happy”.It is neither riches, nor bungalows nor vehicles nor power. It is something else – which cannot be purchased, but only realized. This happiness may be on account of the admission in a good professional, college, getting high profile job or a job, getting money in case of crisis, capturing a sce- nic photograph like Alps or Everest, of two birds joining their beak etc. In today’s context, when man is striving to meet the ends and being ground continuously between the situations, some moment of happiness also has their genuine right in the life of the individual. As such no law of the earth denies the right of happiness, but the man himself does not allow it to enter into the life. What a paradox… In my opinion “Happiness is our birthright no-one can snatch it from you, until unless you allows others to invade on your happiness”. Before going further, it is essential to establish some facts about happiness: • It is said that the happiness is the state of mind and it is a variable of individual mental setup. • A particular event may bring happiness to one, but it may be different to another. Thus happiness is not a circumstance based phenomenon rather, it’s a variety of individual. • Happiness leads a tension free life with less resistance. A happy man takes all the problems, obstacles, and hindrances as a milestone to achieve and tries hard to get over it and derives happiness in all the steps while overcoming it. • Happiness cannot be purchased; it is a matter of realization. • Man himself is responsible for its state – nobody else

“Many of life’s failures are experienced by people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” - Thomas Edison

4 Happiness is found in helping others

ave a giving attitude – the recipients of your kindness aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits. Generosity is one of six variables found to Hconsistently influence happiness in the world Happiness report. In fact, just thinking about being generous and kind triggers happiness reaction in the mind. Putting a smile on someone’s face can make you cheerful. Studies show that when people donated to charity or helped others, the portion of the brain responsible for feelings of reward was triggered. The brain also releases fee- good chemicals and spurs you perform more kind acts – something psycholo- gists call ‘helper’s high’. It was also noted that helping someone out can leave you feeling rewarded and fulfilled. People who participate in volunteer work feel more empowered than those who do not. According to a survey by the United Health Group, 96 per cent of people who volunteered over the past 12 months said volunteering has been enriching their sense of purpose. Consider donating some of your time to a cause you’re passionate about. People who volunteer have been found to have higher self-esteem and overall well-being. The feelings of social connectedness increase, so does your self- esteem. The benefits of showing gratitude and helping others also depend on your consistency. So, the more regularly you help, the more confidence you’ll be able to cul- tivate. Having a positive impact on someone else can help you change your own outlook and attitude. Performing acts of kindness boosts your mood and ultimately makes you more optimistic and positive. It gives you a perspective on your own situation and teaches you to be appreciative of what you have.

Message: Trust your skills & Potential & strive to your goal with determination

“ Don’t wait around for other people being happy for you. Any happiness you get, you have got to make yourself.” – Alice Walker, Author

5 POSITIVE STORIES You can change the world – maybe not all at once, but one person, one animal, and one good deed at a time

very Sunday morning one gentleman used to take She went on: “I spend a couple of hours each Sun- a light jog around a park near his home. There day morning, relaxing by this lake and helping these Ewas a lake located in one corner of the park. Each little guys out. It’s my own strange way of making a time the gentleman jog by this lake and see the same difference.” elderly woman sitting at the water’s edge with a small “But don’t most freshwater turtles live their whole metal cage sitting beside her. lives with algae and scum hanging from their shells?” One day out of curiosity he stopped jogging and gentleman asked. walked over to her. As he got closer, he realized that “Yep, sadly, they do,” she replied. the metal cage was in fact a small trap. There were He scratched his head. “Well then, don’t you think three turtles, unharmed, slowly walking around the your time could be better spent? I mean, I think your base of the trap. She had a fourth turtle in her lap that efforts are kind and all, but there are fresh water tur- she was carefully scrubbing with a spongy brush. tles living in lakes all around the world. And 99% of “Hello,” he said. “I see you here every Sunday these turtles don’t have kind people like you to help morning. If you don’t mind my nosiness, I’d love to them clean off their shells. So, no offense… but how know what you’re doing with these turtles.” exactly are your localized efforts here truly making a She smiled. “I’m cleaning off their shells,” she re- difference?” plied. “Anything on a turtle’s shell, like algae or scum, The woman giggled aloud. She then looked down reduces the turtle’s ability to absorb heat and impedes at the turtle in her lap, scrubbed off the last piece of its ability to swim. It can also corrode and weaken the algae from its shell, and said, “Sweetie, if this little guy shell over time.” could talk, he’d tell you I just made all the difference in “Wow! That’s really nice of you!” he exclaimed. the world.” moral You can change the world – maybe not all at once, but one person, one animal, and one good deed at a time. Wake up every morning and pretend like what you do makes a difference. Forgive Bad and engrave Good deeds

story tells that two friends were walking through from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: “TODAY the desert. During some point of the journey MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.” Athey had an argument, and one friend slapped The friend who had slapped and saved his best the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: sand and now, you write on a stone, why?” “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.” The other friend replied: “When someone hurts us, They kept on walking until they found an oasis, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgive- where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had ness can erase it away. But, when someone does some- been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drown- thing good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no ing, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered wind can ever erase it.”

Moral Always remember and value the fond memories shared with your family and friends and forget the negative memories.

6 Essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond

ittle girl and her father were crossing a hand and something happens to me, chances are that bridge. The father was kind of scared so he I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know Lasked his little daughter, ‘Sweetheart, please for sure that no matter what happens, you will never hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river.’ The let my hand go.’ In any relationship, the essence of little girl said, ‘No, Dad. You hold my hand.’ ‘What’s trust is not in its bind, but in its bond. So, hold the the difference?’ Asked the puzzled father. ‘There’s hand of the person who loves you rather than expect- a big difference,’ replied the little girl. ‘If I hold your ing them to hold yours... moral Always trust your Gut, It knows what your head hasn’t figured yet

Auto Driver’s Honesty with 80,000 in Cash Gets Free Education for his Kids

st December 2017 was a usual day in the life of the auto, Sarla considered lodging a police complaint. 68-year-old Sarla Namboodiri who runs Arunoda- Little did she know all it would take was 30 minutes, 1ya English School for primary and preprimary kids until auto driver Amit Gupta rushed to the school with in Chembur, Mumbai. the bag and all its contents intact. It so happened that Like everyday she drove to the school in her car another passenger who boarded the vehicle after Sarla, and parked it a little away from the building. At 3pm, saw the bag and told Amit. He was quick to recollect it on her way back, she decided to take an auto-rickshaw belonged to Sarla. to reach the car park which is at a distance, since she Sarla heaved a sigh of relief and thanked Amit. It faces difficulty walking. wasn’t until he left, did she realise she hadn’t taken This auto happened to belong to rickshaw-driver down his number or any other contact detail. Amit Gupta. As soon as Sarla got off the vehicle, she “I wanted to do something for him. I approached the realised she left her bag in the auto. paan vendor, but the phone number he gave me was The contents of the bag included over Rs 80,000 in wrong,” she told TOI. And though the following month cash (fees collected from students), her credit and debit she struggled with health issues the educationist did cards, Aadhaar, driving license, PAN card, car registra- not stop her lookout for the driver. After a long period tion documents, two cellphones, house keys and even of over two months, she finally tracked Amit and invited her locker keys. him to the school. While recalling the horror stated that , “I live alone Moved by his financial crisis, she awarded him for and the school was to stay shut the next day. For a min- his honesty in a way that was beyond generous. ute, I did not know what to do. I drove to the school and Despite riding an auto for years, Amit couldn’t af- asked the peon to look for the auto. One of the peons ford sending his two kids to school. went up to the main road and approached a paan ven- What better gift than free education? We salute dor, who said that the auto driver had made a stop at his Amit Gupta for setting such a selfless example and Sar- shop and that his name was Amit Gupta.” la for proving education could go a long way in trans- With no number, address or number plate details of forming lives.

Moral Good deeds always pay

7 Inspirational Personality

India’s first woman fighter pilot to fly solo: Avani Chaturvedi

lying officer Avani Chaturvedi is the first Indian Technology from banasthali University, in woman pilot of the to complete a 2014, she passed the Indian Air Force exam. Fsolo flight in a MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft. While pursuing her B.Tech degree, Chaturvedi Avani Chaturvedi is one of the first female fighter learned aviation as an additional discipline at the cam- pilots of India. She is from Satna district in Madhya pus aviation school. “It was during a difficult verbal ex- Pradesh. She was declared as the first combat pilot amination for Student Pilot License that our chief flight along with two of her cohort, Mohana Singh, and Bha- instructor, Captain S.D. Sharma and chief ground in- wana Kanth. The trio was inducted into the Indian Air structor Captain Gautam Bose, discovered that Avani Force fighter squadron in June 2016. showed a great understanding of aviation. Captain Bose Avani was born on 27 October 1993. Her father, said, ‘This girl has spark; she is very promising’,” re- Mr. Dinkar Chaturvedi, is an executive engineer in Wa- calls the dean of the aviation school, Dr Seema Verma. ter Resource Department of M.P. government and her “So, we began encouraging her immensely and pushed mother is a home maker. Avani›s elder brother is also her to pursue her dream. Rest, as they say, is history.” an army officer. Chaturvedi likes to play chess, table After completing one year of rigorous training at Air tennis and to do sketching and painting. She was highly Force Academy at Dundigal (Hyderabad), she became a inspired by her elder brother and she also had a few fighter pilot in June 2016. Once she completes Stage III hours of flying experience in the flying club of her col- training at Bidar in adjoining Karnataka next year, they lege, which inspired her to join the IAF. will be able to fly fighter jets like the Sukhoi and Tejas. 24-year old Chaturvedi completed completed her on 19 February,2018 Avani Chaturvedi became schooling from Deoland, a small town in Shahdol dis- the first Indian woman to fly the MiG 21B ison, solo in trict of .Completing her Bachelors in a MiG-21.

“We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.” – Swami Vivekananda

8 The PERMA Model: Scientific Theory of Happiness PERMA model of happiness helps us to understand that what we can do to maximize each element to reach a life full of happiness.

“The very purpose of our life is happiness, which is sustained by hope. We have no guarantee about the future, but we exist in the hope of something better. Hope means keeping going, thinking, ‘ I can do this.’ It brings inner strength, self-confidence, the ability to do what you do honestly, truthfully and transparently.” – Dalai Lama

9 “Never discourage anyone who continually make progress, no matter how slow”

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