40 Stress Busters for Executives

by Atul Sharma

  “Raama, do you have another name as well?” asked Raghav.

  “Ma’am forgets my name every time and calls me by a new name every now and then,” replied Raama.

  The guests got busy in the dance party in the garden while Raama was taken inside to don a new look. Vijay expressed his desire to dance with the childern which brought more happiness to his family.

  “I hope she doesn’t call me Lord Christ now,” Raama joked.

  Everyone’s favourite Raama emerged as Santa Claus after sometime. The children were the happiest lot. They played with him and pulled his artificial white beard and cap. His broad smile shined equally like his white beard. There was joy and merriment all around. Santa Claus distributed gifts to the children. The dinner was also served to them in the garden near the bonfire.

  H.S. Dhillon shifted in the villa when others checked out the next day. The staff brought Mrs. Dsouza down on her wheelchair when they had to leave. She was happy with the food and the services in the villa.

  “Ganesh, you were brilliant last night as Santa Claus,”

  Mrs. Dsouza told Raama while leaving.

  “Even my parents didn’t give me so many names as she has given,” Raama said to others after she left.

  

  9

  Destiny, Myths and Wonders

  of Faith

  “Have faith in God. God will then never let you face your difficulties alone and will carry you in His hands when you have to cross the troubled waters.”

  Rahul and Divya took the task of converting Raghav’s views into a book with utmost dedication.

  “I have studied all the matter thoroughly,” Divya said after she had read all that was written by Raghav.

  “What do you feel? Is it a book material?” asked Rahul.

  “I am really impressed by his views and writing style. However, I’ll have to do the editing and drafting work to give it a proper form,” replied Divya.

  “Discuss with Raghav to know his opinion if you want to make some changes in it,” advised Rahul.

  “There’s no need for me to put in my views in it. Its Raghav’s viewpoint, let’s keep it that way only. I’ll cobble together the different parts to bring more appeal to it in terms of writing style and literature,” opined Divya.

  “How long will it take to complete this work?” asked Rahul.

  “It’ll take a month to complete the editing and typing work,” said Divya.

  “Do we need to call Raghav here for finalising other things like page layout and title etc.?” asked Divya.

  “Not so early. These things can be deliberated once the proposal gets accepted,” replied Rahul.

  “I’ll be very happy if it happens. It’ll give Raghav a new hope in life,” said Divya.

  There was huge rush and celebration in the villa on the New Year’s Eve. Shekhar Paul, M.D of Baxsons Tours and Travels, came with a group of students.

  “Raghav, I’m very impressed with your property. You have maintained it very well,” Shekhar complimented him.

  “Thanks,” said Raghav. “Did the guests sent by you feel the same way?”

  “Almost everyone is satisfied with your services. You’ll make a name in this business,” said Shekhar.

  “I’ll also compliment you for being honest and upright in your dealings with us. I was new to this business. People associated with this trade cautioned me to work with travel agents as many of them take the hoteliers for a ride. But your way of working is clear as crystal,” said Raghav.

  “Raghav, fraudulent methods erase the credibility. We take our commission and pay the hoteliers’ amount to them either instantly through online or at the end of the month. This way both parties remain happy,” said Shekhar.

  12 a.m., a new year had arrived. The first call that Raghav received was from Aashish.

  “Happy New Year, Raghav.” Aashish wished him buoyantly. His voice was brimming with excitement.

  “Same to you, big brother.”

  “How are mamaji and mamiji?”

  “Bhaiya, they are fine. Papa is recuperating faster than our expectations. We have returned major part of our loan.”

  “Raghav, I want to share a good news with you. I kept it a secret as I wanted to give you a New Year gift.

  “Really! Now pour out the secret of your heart.”

  “Smriti is pregnant. You’ll soon become chachu as someone will arrive to call me papa,” Aashish revealed. “The thought of attaining fatherhood has intoxicated my mind.”

  “What a great news! Raghav chachu! How does it sound?”

  Raghav was equally thrilled.

  “Smriti has entered the second month of pregnancy. The due date falls in August.”

  “Is bhabhi near? I want to talk to her.”

  “Happy New Year to would be chachu!” said Smriti.

  “Congratulations to would be Mom! Bhabhi, you have given news worth celebrating. I’m now eager to welcome the first member of the next generation of our family.”

  “Raghav, I wanted to inform you earlier but your bhaiya insisted to withhold the news up to the advent of New Year.”

  “Every day will pass with great excitement now. And by the way what are you expecting – boy or girl?” asked Raghav.

  “We could know the sex of the child beforehand as the law permits it here but we decided not to confirm it as we don’t want to kill the charm and excitement that is there in the waiting for the arrival of your son or daughter,” said Smriti.

  “Bhaiya, take care of her as no elder is there,” said Raghav.

  “Mummy and papa will come here near the delivery date,” said Aashish.

  Raghav shared this news with his parents when he wished them for the New Year.

  

  Three months later

  Rahul called Raghav one day.

  “Hi Raghav! How’s life going?”

  “Hello Sir! I’m fine. How’s everyone there?”

  “Raghav, are you a strong hearted person?”

  “Why are you asking this?” Raghav was surprised by Rahul’s question.

  “Because you have to be strong enough to bear a rocking news like one that I’m going to deliver to you,” said Rahul.

  “I’m not getting what you mean to say.”

  “You’ll soon become a published writer. Our editorial team has liked your proposal,” informed Rahul.

  “I can’t believe my ears. I hope you aren’t joking,” said Raghav.

  “It’s true boss.”

  “How did it happen?”

  “Divya edited your work and put it in order. I submitted it to our editorial team and now they have asked me to call you for further discussions.”

  “I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. I can’t thank you both enough for what you have done for me,” Raghav said showing gratitude to him.

  “It’s my pleasure. I’m happy that my job in a publishing house has helped you to realise your dream. Anyways, it’s all your effort because our editorial team accepts only those proposals which have merit.”

  “What did they say about the subject of the book?” asked Raghav.

  “Our editors liked your concept that faith is above other factors like myths or luck.”

  “What next?” asked Raghav.

  “Come to Delhi as soon as possible. We’ll sit with concerned authorities to decide issues like printing and payment,” said Rahul.

  “I’ll inform you soon,” said Raghav.

  Raghav thanked Hanumanji in his heart. He took out Nandini’s cell phone from his pocket.

  “See, I have done it, Nandini. You would have been the happiest person today if you were alive,” Raghav said looking at her photograph in the cell phone.

  “Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram,” Raghav chanted as he hugged his parents.<
br />
  “You’ll soon get a book written by your son.”

  Vijay and Neha’s happiness knew no bounds on hearing this news.

  “How did it happen all of a sudden?” asked Neha.

  “It didn’t happen suddenly. I had told you about the guests of our villa, the Taneja family. They have made it possible.”

  “I’ll have to go to Delhi for some days to settle the deal,” said Raghav.

  “Don’t worry a bit about us. Just focus on the work in hand. I’ll manage everything here,” Neha assured him.

  Vineet’s family was very pleased to see Raghav in their home in Delhi.

  “Raghav bhaiya, we won’t let you leave early this time,” said Chinky.

  “I never thought that you were serious about taking writing as a profession,” said Vineet.

  Raghav narrated the whole story to them.

  He went to meet the Taneja family the next day.

  “Your efforts have made my dream come true,” Raghav thanked them.

  “Have you thought of any title?” asked Divya.

  “No. You suggest one.”

  “The title should be appealing and must convey the theme of the book,” Rahul suggested.

  “I have put emphasis on the miracles of faith. That is the soul of this book,” said Raghav.

  “You have also stressed on negating myths and superstitions,” said Divya.

  “‘Destiny, Myths and Wonders of Faith.’ How’s this?” asked Raghav.

  “Perfect,” said Divya.

  “Let’s finalise it,” said Rahul.

  Raghav visited the office of Sandal Publishing House. All issues regarding the book were settled. He signed the deal with the Publishing House. He was offered a certain percentage on the sale of every book as royalty. There were some days to go for the launch of the book. He stayed in Delhi for that period.

  Book Launch Day

  The day of the book launch arrived. It was a moment of pride and satisfaction for Raghav. Naren and Rajni had also come to attend the function. Anant Balaji was also present to grace the occasion.

  “Well done young man!” Balaji patted Raghav. “You have also joined the ranks of published writers today. I hope you’ll accomplish more in times to come.”

  “Sir, thank you very much. You put faith on a new writer like me. I’m indebted to you.”

  Raghav derived unprecedented joy on seeing his work and his name printed on it. He hadn’t expected it to happen so early in his career.

  Media people were also invited for the function.

  “Mr. Raghav, you have put emphasis on the wonders of faith in your book. Can you tell one incident where you have seen it yourself?” asked one journalist.

  ‘‘A very young and new writer is in front of a galaxy of prominent media people. Isn’t it a miracle of faith?’’ replied Raghav.

  For the parents, their child’s achievement and happiness is above all other joys of the world. Vijay and Neha were exultant when Raghav showed them the book. Vijay held the book with his shaking hand. It seemed as if the happiness had overpowered his illness. For Raghav everything was falling in place.

  

  Destiny, Myths and Wonders of Faith

  –Raghav Anand

  An excerpt from the book

  What do you do when you fall sick? You go to a doctor for thorough medical check up. The doctor prescribes medicine which you buy from the chemist. What would happen if the chemist insists that you should buy some other medicine whose outer cover or wrapper is good? You would laugh because the wrapper has nothing to do with the property of the medicine. But do you think in the similar terms when you deal with the concept of ‘Faith’? You don’t need to answer, just re-question yourself.

  Faith, today, is being measured by the outer cover and not by its inherent property which is love, unselfishness and all inclusiveness. Many astrologers and people who claim to have religious insight are like that chemist who diverts the attention of the people from the real element.

  ‘Fear-psychosis’ is the flavour of the day. This is the modern way of earning money. Develop fear in the minds of the innocent people and make them dance to your tunes. The business of astrology which was around three thousand crore rupees five years back has scaled to forty thousand crore rupees by now. What is shown in the television makes us wonder if we are developing intellectually or marching back? Worship this God on this day to prosper; donate the thing of a particular colour if you want to make your life colourful; on Raksha Bandhan, a sister has to tie a rakhi of a particular colour and has to put sweets of a particular colour in the mouth of her brother according to their astro-signs to yield profitable results; this is what most of the self acclaimed learned astrologers propagate in the television channels today.

  Is this the concept of astrology that was conceived by the ancient sages to light the way of the people? Astrology, arguably, is a science like astronomy but the approach towards this subject is not scientific. An astrologer asked a person not to donate anything of red colour because that will annoy the concerned planet. One day that man was asked to donate blood for a person who had met with an accident. The man was in two minds because the colour of the blood is also red. He decided to go by his conscience rather than the astrologer’s advice and donated blood. What happened to him thereafter doesn’t matter. What mattered was his selfless act. Can God or any planet get outraged if you help someone? People can differentiate between the colours but God doesn’t.

  There are many questions which arise in one’s mind. What is destiny? Who wrote our destiny? What factors constitute our destiny? Can destiny be changed? Whom should we turn to get our answers? There are many students of this subject but not many masters. The people who boast of predicting the future thrive on the questioner’s ignorance about this subject. If a layman is asked to argue a court case with an advocate, what can he say? Nothing. Likewise, people are being exploited by the fake teachers of this subject.

  The scientific approach has been overtaken by myths and superstitions. It may not be wrong to believe in luck or destiny but is it wise to follow the directions of those people who themselves are not sure of their future? Their advice will seldom ease your mind but it’ll certainly lighten your pocket. If the destiny is unchangeable, how can some people change it by performing some acts? And if the destiny can be altered, what’s the need to do it in petty style? Why not change or rather make our destiny in grand style? If luck can be changed by wearing some rings or amulets, why can’t it be changed by simply praying to that power which has created life?

  It is a universal fact that the greatest power in the universe resides in God. Where does the God reside? The God resides in the faith of His devotees. Persistent and unwavering faith in God is the simplest, yet the greatest power that a human being can use to make or change his destiny. Those who misguide people on the name of the God are not His messengers but businessmen who are running their shops. Instead of getting perturbed by the prophecies of such soothsayers, one should swim with the flow of the nature.

  Faith has often worked wonders for the people belonging to every religion and sect in the world. But the irony is that this kind of passionate faith arises only in tough and adverse times. If constant faith in God is maintained always, you won’t have to wander for getting the solutions for your problems, the solutions will arrive at your doorsteps. People say that God is invisible. On the contrary, only He is visible when any other solution for a problem is invisible. Many people have seen and felt the effects of mantras and sacred chants. The source of power of these chants is the faith that is reposed in them. Faith may not move the mountain in front of you but it can give you the power to climb it.

  So next time if you face a problem, don’t look for any quick fix solution. Instead rely on your faith. Who knows! It might work wonders for you too.

  


  10

  The Sonrise Villa

  “The most beautiful thing in this world is to see your parents smiling and the next best thing is to know that you are the reason behind that smile.”

  The summer season had arrived. It was again a time for hectic schedule in the villa. Appreciations were raining on Raghav post the launch of his book. One day Rahul called to update him on the status of the sale of the book.

  “Great news boss! The sale of your book has picked up tremendously, informed Rahul. Initially, the response was cold and it was expected since you were not a celebrity writer. With time the demand for your book is picking up well.”

  “I was very apprehensive about the subject of my book because there was no spice in it,” said Raghav.

  “Infact the subject is the novelty of this book. You have emphasised on the triumph of faith. The concept of your book has strike chord with the youngsters as well as the elders. People understand the need to weed out myths and superstitions from our society,” said Rahul.

  “You have provided huge relief to me. Now I can relax and put attention on my business,” said Raghav.

  “Relaxation is a bad word for creative people,” said Rahul. “Start focussing on a new subject. There are enquiries on our website from the readers about your next book. If this book becomes a bestseller then not only ours but many other publishers will be lining up to sign you for your next book.”

  “What more can I ask for if it happens. But I’ll never forget or leave your publishing house,” Raghav said with a feeling of deep gratitude.

  “Raghav, I had told our boss Mr. Anant Balaji about your villa. He expressed his desire to visit Devpur. If all goes well, his family and my family will come together to Devpur next month.”

  “I’ll wait for your arrival.”

  Dr. Rao was very pleased when he saw Vijay walking properly without any support in the hospital.

  “I feel no problem in walking or speaking,” said Vijay. Although his voice still fumbled.

  “Your hand still trembles a bit,” Dr. Rao said after examining Vijay. It’s only a matter of time when you’ll start writing.