Insights: Vol.2 - Compilation of 200 Stories on the Insights of Life

INSIGHTS Vol. – 2

Compilation of 200 Stories on the Insights of Life

by

Dr. Jose Kaimlett

"Peace of mind happens to a man only after he has developed deep insight, only after he starts seeing the things in the right perspective. " — Sam Veda

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 © 2012 Dr. Jose Kaimlett

March 8, 2012

ebook edition

www.creativentures.in

Foreword

People have lesser and lesser time to read, reflect and enrich their lives unlike in the past. A serious problem that today’s world is facing as the result of technological revolution and joboholism. What a paradox?! More knowledge less wisdom – more money less comfort!

As the Information Technology conquers the whole globe, people tend to acquire the essential knowledge for achievement and career rather than spending time in reading and reflecting for true personal growth. As a major consequence of this change – more and more people remain alien to universal, timeless and absolute values and principles which are fundamental for leading a meaningful life. Deeper meaning of human life and its dignity becomes less attractive to our post-modern society. Utilitarian and pragmatic concepts and life styles influence the younger generations tremendously. Thus true meaning of life is blurred in this technocratic society.

In this context, the publication of the second volume of ‘INSIGHTS’ has to be understood as a contribution to encourage the present generation to read and to reflect on one’s own life. The current volume is a collection of 200 inspirational stories of all walks of life and from different cultural and religious backgrounds. These carefully chosen stories use a precise and specific language which motivate the reader to reflect deeply on the universal, timeless and absolute values, inspiring him towards a true moral and spiritual transformation. At the same time, this volume is also a valuable tool for those who want to tell a story but have no idea how to begin, or any related experience of their own to draw upon. The reflections that spring from some of the stories are extraordinary and worth imbibing as they help the reader to crystallize the priorities and to commit totally on the pursuit of real goals of life.

Dr. Jose Kaimlett, the compiler of these stories, is a Catholic Missionary who is well aware of the spiritual drift and the poor living conditions of people all over. He has been serving the humanity for decades establishing different health and educational institutions, religious organizations and charitable trusts. His profound reflections and messages on each story of this volume - 2 evidence the importance he gives to values like care, compassion, love, friendship etc... Those familiar with him know that they are reflections of his own life and life experiences. In fact, his life itself is a source of inspiration for those who come across him.

I am sure that the present collection of stories and the messages from Dr. Jose Kaimlett will touch the lives and hearts of all the readers and will help towards enriching their lives through personal reflection. And undoubtedly, like the volume – 1 this book will certainly trigger overwhelming positive energy and transformation in the heart of every reader.

Dr. Shiju Xavier Poovakulam

(Assistant Superior General)

Missionaries of Compassion

February 28, 2012, Italy

Acknowledgements

Less than a year ago, in May 2011, on the occasion of my 70th Birthday, my past pupils, Joji Valli and Biji Vazhayil initiated the publication of a collection of 200 thoughts, culled from my daily mail of Thought For The Day under the title of INSIGHTS. It was enthusiastically welcomed by the public. Many found the simple reflections relevant to their day to day lives, whereas the short stories kept the reading pleasant.

The demand for a second volume of INSIGHTS was spontaneous yet compulsive. Thus the team of CREATIVENTURES under the untiring leadership of Dr. Joji Valli pooled their energies together to get this second volume ready in record time.

I appreciate the enthusiasm of the readers and the relentless efforts of the team involved in the preparation of this book. If I were to name everyone who gave us a helping hand in various ways, the list will be too long; and at the same time not to mention any will be a gross mistake. As a reasonable compromise, I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Shiju Xavier and Joji Valli for their initiative in bringing out this volume at a fast pace even inspite of their busy schedules.

I am also thankful to Dr. C. Drago, and Dr. Anil Parkhi for offering honest and invaluable editorial suggestions to bring this book into being. May the ‘INSIGHTS’ ignite incessant insights in your life and those around to share happiness, love, peace, contentment and harmony.

I wish everyone a tremendous success in their efforts to achieve a better life, which is the aspiration of every mortal.

Contents

201. Change of Heart

202. The Royal Scheme

203. What is under Your Feet?

204. The Power of the Saw

205. Power of Questions

206. Kindness Is Stronger

207. What Is the Meaning of Life?

208. The Plastered Crop

209. The Woodcutter and the Missionary

210. Puppies for Sale

211. The Secret of Life

212. You Don’t Look It

213. Your Daily Investment

214. Life Requires a Rhythm

215. Quality Involves Waiting Patiently

216. Where to Look

217. What a Fool I’ve Been!

218. The Story of the Oyster

219. Drink from a Running Stream

220. Daddy’s Too Tired

221. Play Until Good Enough to Teach

222. What Do You Mean We?

223. Garbage Truck

224. Greed

225. A Tree in a Seed

226. A Weak King

227. Actions should Match Words

228. The Triple Filter

229. Weakness or Strength?

230. True Wealth

231. Two Brothers

232. The Tortoise

233. The Dog Philosophy

234. Meaning of Prayer

235. Genuine Seeker

236. No Need to Search Far

237. One among You is the Messiah

238. Real Blindness

239. Chosen of God

240. Justice is another word for Revenge

241. Life is like a Dance

242. Treasure

243. Am I Crazy?

244. The Old Age

245. With New Eyes

246. Growing Naturally

247. The Enemy Within

248. Do not be Discouraged

249. Good Friends

250. How Real is It?

251. Gentleness

252. Health or Wealth.

253. The Poor in Spirit

254. Give as you Receive from God

255. Look into Your own Heart

256. Preaching the Bible

257. To Care Really

258. Where is Jesus?

259. The Transplanted

260. Saved by Prayer

261. Knowing God

262. Supplying the Material

263. Making Amend

264. Saints

265. Warts and All

266. Skill Assessment

267. Why do I do What I do

268. Love

269. The sign of Love

270. Fair is Fair

271. Lord, Help Me!

272. The Body

273. Keeping Calm

274. Manuals

275. Living the Gospels

276. The Silent Prayers

277. Seeing God

278. We are Sinners

279. Praying with Faith

280. Misunderstanding

281. Silent Sermon

282. Listening to Another

283. All right, break it up!

284. The Parts of the House

285. Personal Perception

286. Trust

287. Expect some Disorder

288. Right Conduct

289. Failures

290. The Loyal Escort

291. Permanent Residence

292. Don’t Believe Every Tale

293. Tolerance

294. Nagging

295. Perfect Match

296. The Spiral Staircase

297. The 212° Concept

298. Teamwork

299. Hatred Hurts the Hater

300. Appearance can be Deceptive

301. Bull shit

302. So much for Fame

303. Indispensible

304. Jose & Carlos

305. Stand up and be Counted

306. Mexican Eggs

307. Are you Jesus?

308. Rope Trick

309. Be Generous!

310. Dinner Club

311. Be Punctual

312. Only one Question

313. Judge Not

314. Clay Balls

315. Where are all the Sermons Gone?

316. The Fisherman

317. If I have my Life to Live Over

318. Big God

319. Rosebud

320. A Child

321. Lord prop us up

322. You ate My Part

323. Girl at the Beach

324. Live Life to the Full

325. The Preacher and the Bus driver

326. Dad’s Blessings

327. Just a Tap on the Shoulder

328. Your Duck is Dead!

329. Don’t Treat the Evil-doer with Evil

330. Hasty Conclusions

331. Dignity of Labor.

332. A Dog’s Purpose.

333. The Farmer and the Stork

334. Never Lose Sight of the Goal

335. Forgive the Aggressor

336. Self Awareness can Change the Heart

337. Thirst for Publicity

338. Don’t Touch Me

339. Keep a Record of Joy

340. How to Pray Better!

341. Prayer without Faith

342. Fall of Pride

343. Love

344. Anybody There?

345. Fanaticism

346. Easy Eddie

347. Sadness

348. Haste makes Waste

349. The Nerd139

350. For Sale140

351. Accident

352. Each according to his Might

353. Gift for Mother

354. What Have You Done?

355. A Child’s Hand

356. The Wheelchair

357. I know Better

358. Asking for directions

359. Do you Hear Me?

360. Wrong Email Address

361. A Reflector

362. Two Brothers

363. Pessimist/Optimist

364. Chance or Choice

365. Conclusions

366. Death

367. The Consequences

368. Life

369. Presumptuous

370. Preconceived Ideas

371. Think before you Speak

372. Greed Destroys Happiness

373. Use Your Talents

374. Little Drops of Water create the Torrent

375. Be meek with the Weak

376. Fear Paralyzes

377. Happy man’s Shirt

378. Kindness Misinterpreted

379. The Dead Can’t Read the Tombstone

380. Being Truthful

381. Keep the Relationships Alive

382. Stick to Your Priorities

383. Money Blinds

384. Curl up in Jesus’ Lap

385. Victims of Prejudice

386. Juggler with Five Balls

387. Genuine Goodness is Rare

388. Desire to Posses More

389. We are all Called to be

390. Oh, no, I can’t use Your

391. The Second Best

392. Crime is the Same

393. An Act of Charity

394. Same Bhagavan, but Different Address

395. Naked and Empty Handed

396. The Miraculous Power

397. Now is the Time

398. No Cross - No Crown

399. Excuse for Mischief

400. Flourish Where You are Planted

INDEX

Publisher’s Note

Opportunities are always there, but seldom we find them or better said, a very few find them. Insights are in abundance in and around us but how to get hold of them? How many of us really recognize them? How many of us are really attuned to it? How many of us integrate them into our lives?

Most of us need to be spoon fed to get a taste of it. Only a very few have the passion to find the opportunities and insights. They become lamp bearers for humanity. And needless to say Dr. Jose Kaimlett is one of those rare persons who has been endowed with that inherent faculty as a priceless gift from Existence.

As I try to teleport myself back to about 20 years, when I was a minor seminarian sitting in a class room with other 64 similar ones from different cultures and family backgrounds attending Dr. Jose’s English class without knowing the head and tale of what he was speaking in an alien tongue. As a new entrant in the seminary I had no proficiency in English where the medium of communication remained strictly in that alien tongue. Of course, all I understood from that first class was that stories can convey the message straight to the heart as he started the first session with a story. And that is my experience too.

Dr. Jose has a knack of explaining stories and quotes in a simple way. And for me that first class which he took became an inspiration to read stories, collect stories and make the best use of them. When I read short stories they began bringing insights into my own very life. I began to get a taste of past, present and future through the stories as it shuffled me between cultures and races, animals and plants, etc... And every story I read to implant seed of virtues straight into my heart which has been helping me to withstand and pass the test of life successfully at every instance of my life.

Thus, this second volume of INSIGHTS is again a treat for the heart rather than for the head. As the saying goes, Well begun half done. The first volume was very much appreciated by the readers and I am sure this second volume will certainly embed more insights and opportunities which otherwise pass by unnoticed to each of the readers.

Wishing you all blessings of life.

Dr. Joji Valli

(Publisher & Author)

201. Change of Heart

A Cat fell in love with a handsome young man, and begged the goddess Venus to change her into a woman. Venus was very gracious about it, and changed her at once into a beautiful maiden. The young man fell in love with her at first sight and shortly afterwards they were married.

One day Venus thought she would like to see whether the Cat had changed her habits as well as her form, so she let a mouse run loose in their house. The young woman no sooner saw the mouse than up she jumped and was after it like a shot. The goddess was so disgusted that she changed her back into a Cat.

Mere changes in appearance do not signify transformation. What matters is change of heart, something very radical, not just superficial.

(Appearance, Attitude, Change, Conversion, Habits, Superficiality, Transformation, Transition)

202. The Royal Scheme

A king once thought that no child in his capital city should go without milk. So in the centre square of the city he built a beautiful fountain from which milk would flow all the time, and he decreed that every householder should pour a measure of milk into the tank each day before dawn. All the citizens’ whole heartedly approved and applauded the royal scheme. When the appointed day for the inauguration of the fountain dawned, someone thought -- ‘what is a measure of water in so much milk’. Being dark no one would even notice him putting the water in. In the morning when the king came down for the solemn inauguration, he found a tank full of crystal clear water.

(Attitude, Collaboration, Cheating, Deceit, Generosity, Hypocrisy, Sincerity)

203. What is under Your Feet?

One day in the hot Arizona desert, when a lonely miner’s burro ran off, he thought the