THE WIND AMONG THE REEDS

At the coming of night-tide, And dreamed of the long dim hair Of Bridget his bride. He heard while he sang and dreamed A piper piping away,And never was piping so sad,And never was piping so gay.And he saw young men and young girls Who danced on a level place,And Bridget his bride among them,With a sad and a gay face.The dancers crowded about him And many a sweet thing said,And a young man brought him red wine And a young girl white bread.But Bridget drew him by the sleeve Away from the merry bands,To old men playing at cards With a twinkling of ancient hands.The bread and the wine had a doom,For these were the host of the air;He sat and played in a dream Of her long dim hair.He played with the merry old men Of her long dim hair.He played with the merry old men Of her long dim hair.He played with the merry old men,The handsomest young man there,And his neck and his breast and his arms Were drowned in her long dim hair.O’Driscoll scattered the cardsAnd out of his dream awoke:Were drowned in her long dim hair.O’Driscoll scattered the cardsAnd out of his dream awoke:But he heard high up in the air A piper piping away, And never was piping so sad?

ARUNDHATI ROY (Writer & Social Activist)

Susanna Arundhati Roy the first Indian woman to have won Britain's prestigious Booker Prize, was born on 24th November 1961 in Bengal and grew up in Aymanam village, Kottayam, Kerala. She was born to parents Mary Roy a well known social activist who won a landmark Supreme Court verdict that granted Christian women in Kerala the right to their parent's property and father a Bengali Hindu tea planter. Arundhati's parents separated when she was small and she did her formal education in Corpus Christi school run by her mother in Kottayam District, Kerala. When she was just 16, she left her home and settled in Delhi. There she did her degree in Architecture at the Delhi School of Architecture. During this period she met Gerard Da Cunha a fellow architecture student and married him but their marriage lasted only four years. After a brief stint in the field of architecture, she found that it was not for her. She left for Goa, making a  life out at the beach, got tired of it after a few months, came back to Delhi. She took a job at the National Institute of Urban Affairs, met Pradeep Krishen, a film director now her husband who offered her a small role in 'Massey Saab'. She went to Italy on a scholarship for eight months to study the restoration of monuments. She realised she was a writer during those months in Italy. After she returned from Italy she worked with Pradeep Krishen and they planned an episode television for Doordarshan called the 'Banyan Tree' which didn't materialise and was shelved by the producers after shooting 2-3 episodes. She wrote and starred in 'In Which Annie Gives it Those Ones', a film on college life in India, based on her experiences in the University of Delhi, and wrote the screenplay for Pradip Krishen's film 'Electric Moon' (1992). She quickly became known for her work as screenwriter.

Then she wrote a series of essays called 'The Great Indian Rape Trick' which attracted media attention, in defense of former dacoit Phoolan Devi, who she felt had been exploited by Shekhar Kapur's film 'Bandit Queen'. Then came her debut novel 'The God of Small Things' which shot her into prominence in 1997, by winning the prestigious British Booker prize in London and becoming an international best seller. The book, which took almost five years to complete, gives an insight to the social and political life in a village in South India through the eyes of seven year old twins and how it effects/disrupts their small lives. The book won £20,000 as prize and sold nearly 400,000 copies globally by October that year. In the years following her success, she has turned to activism, writing 'The Cost of Living' a book comprising two essays 'The Greater Common Good'(1999) and 'The End of Imagination'(1998); the former against Indian Governments massive dam projects which displaced millions of poor people and the latter; its testing of Nuclear weapons. She has been an active participant in public demonstrations against the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada river in Western India and has donated a substantial amount around 1.5million rupees, equivalent to her Booker  Prize money, for the cause. She was even arrested along with other protestors for campaigning for the cause. 'Power Politics' her latest book published, takes on Enron the power corporation based in Houston trying to take over Maharashtra's energy sector. She has also spoken on and published several articles such as 'Promotion of equal rights' supporting equal rights for lower caste in India and 'War on Terrorism' (2001)against the Iraq war. ? 

THE EVERLASTING VOICES

O SWEET everlasting Voices, be still;

Go to the guards of the heavenly fold

And bid them wander obeying your will,

Flame under flame, till Time be no more;

Have you not heard that our hearts are old,

That you call in birds, in wind on the hill,

In shaken boughs, in tide on the shore?

O sweet everlasting Voices, be still.?

BE YOURSELF AND SEE THE BEAUTIFUL

 1.Have a favorite picture of yourself? Frame it and put it on the wall to remind yourself

that you are already beautiful.

2. If you have a favorite color, rock it! Don't be afraid to get decked out in clothing and

accessories that feature that color.

3. Bust out in some fake lashes. False eye lashes do a great job at making your eyes pop.

They can also be inexpensive and easy to find at most drug stores for under 5 bucks.

4. Put on your best smile. Think happy thoughts and that happiness and light will come out

and spread to everyone around you.

5. Try a new 'do. Look up some crazy and creative hair styles in women's magazines. You

may end up finding a new hairstyle you can use on a regular basis!

6. Focus on your lips. A good way to look different, yet stunning, is to downplay your eyes

and accentuate your lips. Try a deep red or fuchsia lip stick.

7. Trying to flirt with that special someone? Drink from a straw. This is an old fashioned

kind of sex appeal that definitely shouldn't be forgotten.

8. Wear some cute, brightly colored hair barrettes. Children's barrettes in the shapes of

butterflies, dragonflies and bows are inexpensive and utterly adorable.

9. Matching manicures and pedicures never fail. Have a mani/pedi party with some friends

so you can all have beautiful nails together.

10. Ruffles and frills aren't just for kids! Clothing and accessories featuring these will not

only make you look adorable, but you'll feel adorable and cute as well.

11. Get some crazy earrings. Dangling pineapples? Guitar earrings? Pink skull and cross

bones? This is a whimsical way to improve your look.?

12. Get your hair professionally styled – for no reason. Putting in the time to get pampered,

especially when it's not for a date or event, will make you feel great on the inside and

look stunning on the outside.

13. Need to dress sensibly? If you’re heading to a sober event, you can still style up your

look with an amazing purse. At least your accessories can still have some fun!

14. Enjoy dessert every once in a while! If you like ice cream or cheesecake or cookies, or a

mash of all three, go ahead and eat it. If you have confidence in your own body enough

that you’re willing to eat that fattening stuff, you won’t be the only one that has

confidence in you.

15. Got a personal theme song? Blast it super loud and dance around the room. You get

bonus points if you do it in front of a window (clothing required.)

16. Even if you’re the sober cab for the next party, drink your 7 UP from a champagne glass.

It’ll give you a sense of sophistication, although friends may have to verify the contents

now and then.

17. Sunbathe in public. If you live in an apartment and don’t have a yard of your own, you

can get some sun at a local park. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! And don’t go naked, of

course.

18. Hold a hair party! Get all of your best lady friends together and do each others’ hair.

You’ll learn new techniques and bond with your fellow ladies.

19. Puppy-sit for a friend for the day. This way, you can bond with a little furry friend out at

the park while giving your human friend a break. Plus, people always look better while

in the company of a dog.

20. Have a spontaneous dress up day. For no other reason than to have fun, dress up as a

princess, a pirate, or a librarian. Trust me, the fun you have will spread to everyone?.

21. Throw on some body shimmer! If you’re planning on baring those shoulders, shimmer

will add a bit of light and pop to your look. No one will resist a little staring! Just avoid

sparkles unless you want to look like you just stepped out of high school.

22. Get dolled up! Even if you’re just going to the grocery store, you’ll feel great knowing

that you look your best.

23. Go on a date – with yourself. If you’re planning on seeing that new movie, but have no

one to see it with, go by yourself! You’ll get to see a great flick and will have the added

confidence boost that comes from doing something on your own.

24. Go retro. Whether it’s Bettie Page bangs or dark Olivia de Havilland lips, you’ll look

extra special with a retro-inspired look.

25. Don’t forget your local clothing stores. They sell great stuff you’d never find at a chain,

and you’ll be supporting mom and pop stores.

26. Accept who you are. You will never be your most beautiful self if you hate the way you

look. How you feel on the inside affects how you look on the outside. You’re beautiful –

now believe it!

27. Read! Nothing is more beautiful than someone who is smart, and reading is a great way

to learn more…even if it’s one of those tawdry bodice-rippers!

28. Drink more water. Proper water drinking has been linked to all sorts of great health

effects, including better skin and higher metabolism. Believe me, you’ll look and feel

better.

29. Always smell great. Even if you don’t have time to spritz perfume on as you go out the

door, you can still smell good. Try nicely scented body wash and shampoo, or use great

laundry detergent so even your clothing smells great.

30. Keep up with your hygiene. It should go without saying, but far too many people forget

to use deodorant or brush their teeth. Don’t be one of them?

31. Running out of jewelry options? Wear a cute hair binder as a bracelet to save some time

and money.

32. Have a beauty role model? If you love the look of a certain celebrity, go for it! Who

says you can’t steal beauty ideas?

33. Our internal happiness can be measured by our external relationships. Nurture what you

have with your friends and you will feel amazing.

34. Join an art class. If you’re making something beautiful with your own hands, it’s easier

to feel beautiful within your own self. Try pottery, painting, or even sewing.

35. Learn how to make your own accessories. When you’re decked out in your own

creations, you’ll feel much better about the way you look. You could knit a nice slouchy

hat, string up some dangly earrings, or sew a chic, sequined belt.

36. Match your friends. A fun thing to do is color coordinate with your pals, especially if

you’re planning to go out in public. Pink tops and yellow skirts? Heck, yes!

37. Keep track of your health. The healthier you are, the better you will look. Get regular

physicals and make note of any odd ailments. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

38. Wear a new hair style every other day. We often fall into a rut with our hair and only do

one or two looks. Do something different on a regular basis and you’ll add that wow

factor to your overall appearance.

39. Join a club or group. You’ll not only meet people and get to be social, you may come out

of it with some great friends. Try Meetup.com!

40. Be nice to others. If you make other people feel good, you will feel good in the process.

41. Do something different. Try a different drink at the coffee shop or order a movie you

would never normally watch. Challenging the way you perceive yourself can open up?

who you are as a person, even in these small ways.

42. Take care of a life. Get a pet, or even just a plant, and the responsibility will make you

feel excellent and needed.

43. Clean out your closet. Not only will you get rid of clothes you’ll never wear, but you will

probably find some super cute gems you completely forgot about while you’re at it.

44. Carry around a makeup bag. A small makeup bag can carry everything you need just in

case you find yourself in a beauty emergency.

45. Throw a makeup slumber party. Get all of your best pals together and have an old

fashioned sleepover. Don’t forget to trade or swap your makeup for an entirely new

collection.

46. Shimmery lip gloss does the trick! Even if you don’t have any time to do a full makeup

look, smear on some shimmery lip gloss. This will add that extra bit of sparkle that will

really make the difference.

47. Do a duel makeover. Get together with a friend and give each other a makeover. You’ll

learn new tricks and have some bonding time with your pal.

48. Compliment others! When you compliment other people, they’ll see you as a confident,

sweet, and awesome person. And it will make someone else’s day!

49. Keep yourself open to new ideas. This way, you’ll meet new people, learn new tricks,

and have a much better time in your life.

50. Be yourself! You, at your best self, are sure to be the most beautiful.?

PERSONAL CONFIDENCE AND MOTIVATION IN BUSINESS WORLD

One of the most commonly debated and researched fields in the business world is motivation. Why

do people do what they do and how can we motivate others to do what we need them to do in the

business place? If we understand how and why people are motivated, we can encourage them to be

their best and do their best at work. The more that people are motivated to be successful and

achieve the goals set for them, the more their confidence in their own abilities will grow as well,

which can, in turn, make them even more motivated.

But you can also work on your own confidence and motivation in the workplace in order to achieve

your goals and intentions. When people are confident and motivated at work, there are many

positive factors that result in the workplace:

Job satisfaction improves

Effort increases

Working environment improves

Results are the focus

Drive is created

Everyone’s full potential can be tapped

Everyone is certain of the role they are to fulfill

Personal Confidence

We all know people who are confident. They seem to face life’s obstacles with a level of calm that is

enviable. They get into action to respond to a problem before giving themselves time to dwell or

worry too much. Confident people are more successful at work because they have a belief in their

own abilities to the point that they feel comfortable handling whatever comes at them. Make a

presentation to the board? No problem – the confident person plans and executes the presentation

without allowing fear to stop them. When someone is confident, they:

Focus on their strengths while managing their weaknesses

Aren’t afraid to take risks

Enjoy challenging themselves and setting high goals

Seek out self-improvement opportunities

Aren’t afraid to admit when they make a mistake

Aren’t afraid to acknowledge when they don’t know something

Make good team leaders or mentors

Can relate to customers or company members at any level of the organization

Are honest about their shortcomings

1.3 Personal Motivation

All of us have a desire to achieve something in our lives. We want to know that we have achieved

something important, of value, of quality, or of meaning. Being motivated to meet our goals means

that

we are able to:

Improve our self-confidence

Enhance our self-discipline

Set examples for ourselves of what we can achieve

Challenge ourselves to stretch beyond our perceived limits

Reward ourselves for reaching our goals

Enjoy the recognition or perks associated with reaching our goals

The more that we are able to achieve, the more self-confident we become. Then the more self-

confident we become, the more we are able to achieve. The reverse can happen if we fail to meet

our goals. If we fall short of achieving something, we may experience a dip in our self-confidence

levels, which in turn may impact our motivation to try again. Understanding this relationship

between motivation and self confidence is important if you want to be able to improve either trait in

yourself. ?

?Defining Confidence

People sometimes confuse confidence with arrogance. The arrogant person is usually actually an

insecure person and their arrogance is a way to hide their insecurities. Where an arrogant person is

boastful, a confident person has no need to boast – they know that their achievements speak for

themselves. Where an arrogant person will have trouble admitting they were wrong, a confident

person is perfectly willing to admit when they are wrong – they know that the admission doesn’t

diminish their value or their abilities. If an arrogant person tends to focus on looking good or

appearing to be the best, a confident person focuses on being the best and doing the best.

Defining Motivation -A simple definition for motivation is that it is a description of a person’s motive

to action. You can have a low level of motivation to perform an action, for example, if you are taking

a long time to complete a project or even to begin it. But if you have drive towards a goal, objective,

or target, we talk about you having positive motivation. Those who are highly motivated to achieve

things in their lives are also likely to be more fulfilled as they accomplish the things that are

important to them in their lives. ?

GIFTS THAT STAY

How fortune made us meet we cannot say,but soon two pairs of feet will walk the way.We mirror each to

each the lessons needed to learn what love may teach if only heeded.We give as best we can,this wedding

day,a woman and a man as gifts that stay.

HEALING MEDITATION

Gentle go the waves that heal me in the night.Soft are the sounds that give my body light.Now my room

is dark and sleep is nowhere near,but hints of future joy are warding off all fear.Soon will come a

time when pain has gone away,when Yes, a healthy Yes,will have its mellow way.With medicine to

comfort and universe to cure I see no need to worry as impure turns to pure.