Melody of the Heart - HeartSpeaks Series - 3 (101 topics illustrated with stories, anecdotes, and incidents for preachers, teachers, value instructors, parents and children) by Joji Valli: HeartSpeaks Series

By Dr. Joji Valli

Melody of the Heart is an attempt to connect each of our heart to the Universal Heart. The moment we get connected to the Universal Heart, we experience the melody and tranquility in life. The divine melody then becomes a source of energy and inspiration in our lives. To listen to the melody of the heart you need to be awake. A bird doesn't stop singing because no one listens to it. The bird sings because it has a song and enjoys singing. Melody of the Heart emerges when the divine melody touches our hearts and like the bird we do have a song to sing - a melodious song - Melody of the Heart to inspire and motivate the other birds as we ourselves enjoy the song. Melody of the Heart unravels the secrets empowering to sing the melodious song which you love to sing in your very life too. Melody of the Heart is an ideal present for a person of any age, who searches happiness and contentment amidst the modernization and development. Heart is the center of everything and source of all goodness. 101 carefully selected topics illustrate the multi-faceted human life in a day to day basis. Each of these topics conveys the awareness which is forgotten in the routine of a busy life. Melody of the Heart imparts the wisdom of the ages from various religious traditions and backgrounds, and is the third of a series of books on personal power, spiritual awareness and human values

• Language: English
• Publisher: CreatiVentures Publishing
• Release date: Sep 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502210722

Dr. Joji Valli

Starting his career in management, he worked in India and abroad. He then turned to teaching and became an associate professor in management for MBA. After turning to writing, he authored eight books including the HeartSpeaks series. He launched CreatiVentures and started publishing his books to fight against the mafias of the publishing industry. He now publishes books with the intention of bloomering first-time authors and to challenge the traditional publishing and distribution systems. He has two Master's degrees and a doctorate in CSR. JojiValli bloomered himself with his first book 'Hearts On Fire' in 2003 and continues with his zealous vision of bloomering first-time authors through CreatiVentures.

Book preview

1

Melody of the

Heart

101 topics illustrated with stories,

anecdotes and incidents for

Preachers, Teachers, Value

Instructors, Parents and Children

HeartSpeaks series Vol. 3

2

"There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your Heart... .pursue those."

Michael Nolan

"The Heart is the only broken instrument that works."

T.E. Kalem

"Wherever you go, go with all your Heart. "

Confucius

"In prayer it is better to have a Heart without words than words without a Heart. "

Mahatma Gandhi

3

Melody of the

Heart

101 topics illustrated with stories,

anecdotes and incidents for

Preachers, Teachers, Value

Instructors, Parents and Children

HeartSpeaks series Vol. 3

by

Joji Valli

4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the author or publisher.

Copyright © 2010 Joji Valli

June 2010

November 2011

November 2014

Published by

CreatiVentures

C-22, Karan Gharonda

Sainikwadi, Pune – 411014,

Maharashtra, India

Mb. 9689257575 | 9175388062 | 9881843756

E-mail: [e-mail]

Printed by:

Kunal Offset

Pune

Cover Design by

images - designing thoughts

ISBN 81-88360-07-4

5

Foreword

Stories, parables, fables, lore, anecdotes, etc., though theoretically may have some differences in their appropriate definitions, basically are the same, and perform the same functions of ‘entertaining’,

‘instructing’, and ‘transforming’. All the ingenuity of man has not been able to invent a better tool for this end. All the Great Masters of all times and of all hue have invariably made ample use of them with guaranteed results.

In his third book, Melody of The Heart, in the

Heartspeaks series, the author presents us with 101

selected topics appropriate to the very nature of the human heart with suitable reflections of his own, which makes the book really special.

The vast majority of narratives in this book, I believe, are the productions of profound geniuses who possessed a very fertile imagination — according to me, the best of all human faculties, the ultimate source of every invention. Their products were so good and effective, that they have been endlessly reproduced over and over again until actually they have become part and parcel of the "common

patrimony of humanity" devoid of any partisan nature of their origin.

Though even a casual perusal would benefit anyone, for the best results, these have to be taken up on a

one a day basis, in a genuine mood of reflection; 6

that is where the observations and comments of the author become very handy.

Melody of the Heart, just like his previous works, is an ideal present for a person of any age, religion, or state of life, who sincerely searches for genuine happiness and contentment amidst the hustle and bustle of the modern day living.

Rev. Dr. Jose Kaimlett

Italy, May 2010

(Founder of Heralds of Good News Missionary Society, Sisters of Good News, & Missionaries of Compassion) www.missionariesofcompassion.org

Contact details of the Author:

Joji Valli

Ph.: 020 27034636

Skype Id: jojivalli

Email.: [e-mail]

www.theheartspeaks.org

www.creativentures.in

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Dedicated to My Parents, Teachers & Friends 8

Acknowledgements

Over a period of time I have collected these stories, anecdotes and incidents from various sources such as Zen, Buddhist, Hasidic, Chinese, Hindu, Christian, Sufi, Contemporary, and so on and so forth. I thank and acknowledge its source for making these invaluable resources available. Pardon is sought and apology is made if I have infringed upon the copyright of materials presented in this book. So I humbly acknowledge no credit for the stories, anecdotes and incidents used in this book because it is the wisdom of the ages passed on to me over a period of time.Let me also frankly admit that I have used a lots of good stories that I received as forwards in my HeartSpeaks group with the intention of making it available to those who are not net savvy.

And the reflections are the outcome of my hardcore encounter with the real life experiences.

I am thankful to K.G. Subramaniam and Dr. Jill for offering honest and invaluable editorial suggestions to bring this book into being.

Special thanks to all my friends for their love, friendship, inspiration and enduring encouragement.

I also extend my heartfelt thanks to all my readers for their appreciation and encouragement through letters, emails and phone calls.

Apart from this I thank Existence/God for the kindling insights which will transform and enrich the lives of many.

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Contents

1. A Candle ..................................................... 15

2. All are significant ........................................ 16

3. Always give the best .................................... 18

4. Always remember those who serve you....... 20

5. Appreciate Now! ......................................... 22

6. Are you Awake! ........................................... 24

7. Assurance .................................................... 26

8. Attention..................................................... 27

9. Be Harp/Flute in the Society ...................... 29

10.Be a Light ................................................... 31

11.Be Creative ................................................. 33

12.Be Deaf ....................................................... 35

13.Be Patient.................................................... 37

14.Believe it in your Heart .............................. 39

15.Blackmailing ............................................... 42

16.Blessings in Disguise ................................... 44

17.Communication ......................................... 46

18.Complaints ................................................. 48

19.Connectedness ............................................ 50

20.Conquer ...................................................... 52

21.Decision without Actions ........................... 53

22.Diplomacy .................................................. 55

23.Don’t be Ungrateful .................................... 57

24.Don’t Change the World ............................ 58

25.Don’t Quit .................................................. 60

26.Echo ............................................................ 62

27.Embrace Love ............................................. 64

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28.Envy ............................................................ 66

29.Everyone has a Song! ................................... 68

30.Everyone has Problesms! ............................. 70

31.Excellence ................................................... 72

32.Faults .......................................................... 74

33.Fear ............................................................. 75

34.Find the Opportunities............................... 77

35.Find your Due ............................................ 78

36.Flattery........................................................ 80

37.Focus ........................................................... 81

38.Greed .......................................................... 82

39.Green -- The essence of Growth ................ 84

40.Habit .......................................................... 85

41.Idleness ....................................................... 86

42.Integrity ...................................................... 87

43.Involvement ................................................ 89

44.It is YOU .................................................... 90

45.Justifying the Action ................................... 92

46.Knowing the Other .................................... 94

47.Learn from Mistakes ................................... 95

48.Let Go!........................................................ 97

49.Life ............................................................. 99

50.Listen .......................................................... 101

51.Listen with Emptiness ................................ 103

52.Live your Dreams ....................................... 105

53.Losing Trust ................................................ 107

54.Lost ............................................................. 109

55.Making a Difference................................... 111

56.Mindset....................................................... 113

57.Misguide ..................................................... 115

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58.Modesty ...................................................... 117

59.Narrow Mindedness ................................... 118

60.Never Give Up! ........................................... 120

61.No one is Indispensable .............................. 122

62.Over-smartness ........................................... 124

63.Past.............................................................. 126

64.Perfect Heart............................................... 128

65.Postponement ............................................. 130

66.Prejudice ..................................................... 132

67.Preparedness ............................................... 134

68.Purpose of Life............................................ 136

69.Racism ........................................................ 138

70.Readiness .................................................... 140

71.Realize what You have! ............................... 142

72.Rebirth........................................................ 144

73.Responsibility ............................................. 146

74.Satisfaction ................................................. 148

75.Secret to Success ......................................... 150

76.Seeing the Dirt ........................................... 152

77.Shrewdness ................................................. 153

78.Stand like a Rock ........................................ 154

79.Struggle ....................................................... 155

80.Suppressing ................................................. 157

81.Sympathy .................................................... 159

82.Taking Risks ................................................ 161

83.The Gift ..................................................... 163

84.The real meaning of Peace ......................... 164

85.The Ripple Effect ....................................... 166

86.Think before youAct .................................. 168

87.Think Twice ............................................... 170

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88.This Too Will Pass! ..................................... 172

89.True Friendship .......................................... 174

90.Try Enough ................................................. 176

91.Turmoil Inside ............................................ 178

92.Turn Back ................................................... 180

93.Union is Strength ........................................ 182

94.Upgrade ...................................................... 184

95.Value ........................................................... 186

96.Walk the Talk.............................................. 187

97.Wherever it Falls ......................................... 189

98.Why Me? .................................................... 190

99.Work on You ............................................... 191

100.Worth ....................................................... 193

101.You cannot please Everyone! ..................... 194

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one

"Live your life from your Heart. Share your

Heart. And your story will touch and heal the people’s souls."

Melody Beattie

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"What is uttered from the Heart alone, Will win the Hearts of others to your own."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Two souls with but a single thought, two Hearts that best as one."

John Keats

"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the Heart."

Kahlil Gibran

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1. A Candle

ne evening a man took a small candle from a box and O

began to climb a long winding stairway. Where are we going?

asked the candle. We’re going up higher than a house to show the ships the way to the harbor. But no ship in the harbor could ever see my light, the candle said. It is so very small. If your light is small, the man said just keep on burning brightly and leave the rest to me. When they reached the top of the long stairs, they came to a large lamp. Then he took the little candle and lit the lamp. Soon the large polished mirrors behind the lamp sent beams of light out across the miles of sea.

.

The start of an avalanche is a little drop of snow and as it rolls it becomes a mighty one. When the sun shines what can a little candle do? But in the thick darkness of the night even the little candle gets its importance as it expels the darkness. Each of us has our little role to play in this life here on earth. When we keep shining and do our duties diligently we become important to the world and find our purpose of life. Our role may be significant or insignificant but what is important how ardent and sincere are we in pursuing it without discouragements.

A tiny candle or match stick can start a forest fire. The little flame of your good example can actually change the lives of others without you knowing it. Can I be the light to my life and life of others? How significant is my light? Do I value my own light?

What efforts do I take to pass on the light from my little candle to others?

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

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2. All are significant

ne day the professor gave us a pop quiz to the class. As O

the MBA students breezed through the questions they were surprised to see the last question: What is the first name of the woman who cleans your class room? Surely many felt this was some kind of joke. All of them had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would they know her name? All the students handed over the paper, leaving the last question blank. Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count towards quiz grade.

Absolutely, said the professor. In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘Hello’.

We all need things. But our things are not as important as real and alive people. Every person whom you meet could bring an important turning point in your life. You do learn a lot from every individual if you observe it keen. Sometimes people do count on your attention, appreciation, recognition, encouragement etc… These are powerful, yet simple ways you can reward and recognize people and make them feel important and appreciated.

The bottom line is that believe people are important. Act as if you believe people are important. People will feel important.

Important people will think of you as a great leader. Significant events and people can serve as inspiration. I do feel that the worse treatment you can give to somebody is that ignoring the existence

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of the other. Infact, it is worse than the capital punishment or life imprisonment.

Think of more ways to reward and recognize and make people feel important? How significant are you? How significant do you want your relationship to be? How important do you think other people are in your life? Do they play a significant role in your life? How significant are you to others?

The life of many a person could probably be changed if only someone would make him feel important..

— Dale Carnegie

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3. Always give the best

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-builder of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.

He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The boss was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in this time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and the boss came to inspect the house and handed the front-door key to the carpenter. This is your house, he said, my gift to you.

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

Now he had to live in the home which was built with his shoddy workmanship.

So, it is true with many of us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort.

Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built without giving the best from the heart. If we had realized that we would have done it differently.

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Think of yourself as a carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, life is a do-it-yourself project.

Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitude and the choices you make today.

The door we open and close each day decide the lives we live.

— Flora Whittlemore

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

— Anonymous

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4. Always remember those who serve

you

Little Tony, a 10 year old boy entered an ice cream parlor and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

How much is an ice cream sundae? he asked.

Fifty cents, replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his