24seven - Live it : Breath it

What choice will YOU make?

Decisions... They govern our world, our actions and even our thoughts. Ultimately, they define who we are. How many do we make every day... every hour... every second?As students, we are faced with more choices, challenges and decisions than ever before. University life provides the perfect blend of opportunities and experiences from which we are able to shape our future.We face a multitude of seemingly trivial decisions on a daily basis, such as deciding what to eat, what to wear, whether to go out or to study. In addition, every student at some point is faced with more complicated moral and ethical dilemmas.

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What guides these decisions we make on a daily basis? Is it our body, our logic, our environment? Or is it something deeper?How do we make the decision that is right for us and the people around us? Once we've made that decision, how do we convert it into action and implement it within our daily lives? What difficulties do we face in doing this? Can positivity ever become instinctive?

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NHSF's 24seven will explore these questions in a series of talks entitled "The Butterfly Effect", "The Ripple Effect" and the "The Internal Effect", as well as in interactive workshops specifically aimed towards students looking to maximise their entire university experience.You can choose to come to this conference or you can choose not to. Just remember...Every choice we make has an effect...so what choice are YOU going to make?

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Click the link to watch the trailer:http://www.nhsf.org.uk/247/trailer.html

Register online: www.nhsf.org.uk/247

Cost: Free! (£5 deposit required - will be returned when you attend on the day)

Website: www.nhsf.org.uk/247

Hari Aum! (Watch the trailer below)

You Can't Make Everyone Happy

I read an interesting article in the "Asian Voice" newspaper not too long ago. It was written by a 9 year old boy who had attended the "Learning through Eastern Wisdom" seminar. Although he admitted to the seminar being more beneficial for those older than him, he also went on to talk about what he had learnt from there. One such case was learning how in life, one cannot make everyone they encounter happy. I've written what I can remember from the story which he told.

Once, a father and his son were looking to sell their donkey to raise some money to support the family. They had to travel through 5 villages in order to sell the donkey, so they set off on their travels.

They left home, the father and the son walking beside the donkey. After going through the first village, a villager said,

"Look at that poor boy being forced to walk alongside the donkey". The father heard this and promptly told his son to sit on the donkey whilst they continued on their journey.

Whilst entering the second village, another villager said,

"Look at that poor man. He must walk whilst his son rides on the donkey." The son heard this and jumped off the donkey, and told his father to sit on the donkey.

They then approaced the third village, where yet another villager said,

"Look at that poor boy, being forced to walk beside the donkey whilst his father sits on it." Having heard this the father told his son to sit on the donkey with him.

When they got to the fourth village, another villager was heard saying,

"Look at that poor donkey being forced to bear the weight of both father and son in this heat." Both father and son heard this, so they got off the donkey, tied up its legs and carried it on their shoulders.

Whilst approaching the fifth village, the father and son were crossing a bridge, but the weight of the donkey became too much and they slipped and the donkey fell off the bridge. Subsequently, the father and son who had been trying to please all the villagers, were left without a donkey and nothing to show for it.

This story goes a long way to show us that in life, we can't always please everyone, because in the end it will backfire on us. We should do what we feel is best, and what we feel comfortable doing, because at the end of the day we live our lives for ourselves - not for others.

LIFE - Explained.

Uncle was on his way to work one morning. Along his route he noticed a boy of about 13 years old sat under a tree, sipping some chai. The uncle didn’t think anything of it, and continued on his journey.

The next day, Uncle along his route to work, saw that same boy sat under a tree, calmly sipping away at his chai, whilst in deep thought. Uncle thought it was quite strange, but nevertheless, carried on toward work.

The following day, along his journey, who should Uncle see? The same boy, sat under a tree, drinking his chai. Now Uncle was really intrigued, so he stopped and said to the boy,

“Every morning I pass through this route, and every morning I see you sat under this tree drinking tea. Why are you not at school?”

“I am enjoying the scenery. What is the need to go to school?” replied the boy.

“Well, when one goes to school, it gives him a better education and a chance to get a job in a big city.” Said the Uncle.

“And then what, Uncle?” Asked the boy.

“And then you will be earning lots of money. You’ll be able to buy yourself a car and a nice big house. Then, you will get promoted in your company until you are the boss. You’ll have people working for you!” exclaimed Uncle.

“How long will that take?” the boy replied.

“About 20-25 years.”

“And after that, what can I do?”

“Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered Uncle, laughing. “With all the money you have earned, you can invest it in to other companies, which will earn you more money! And with that you can buy more cars, and an even bigger house! You’ll be earning millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?”

“After that, you’ll be able to retire, live in a small village and spend your days sat under a tree drinking chai, whilst thinking and enjoying the scenery.”