Truly Inspiring...

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...

I wanted to quit my life.I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said..

"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?""Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year, the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

He said."In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.

I would not quit." He said."Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.

"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful." "Your time will come", God said to me."You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?"

He asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

Courtesy: Forwarded message from Naresh

An year into enterpreneurship

It an year since I started off as an independent stock broker and its been really great. The amazing run of the markets during this period has been a memorable one. And to be a witness to this historic run as an enterpreneur has been more enjoyable. From the business page, the news about markets has now shifted to Page 1, a tribute to the strength of the Indian markets.

I still remember a friend asking whats this "Enterpreneur" and what does he do ? And my good friend Shenoy pulling my legs all the time using this word. I still remember the days when i sat jobless at Karkala enjoying my break after leaving my job and before starting up office. During the times when everyone was looking to earn a good salary with a risk free employment, here I was leaving a good job (that too in Bangalore) just to return back to Ujire. And for what, to become a stock broker. One of the finest advice was from a good friend from Karkal Puranik Mam (who's also a stock broker) who narrating his own experience told me, " Its difficult to get a bride for a stock broker, so just think again" (PS: Of course, when i met him more recently and reminded him about this, he had changed his view on the above subject)

What I have gained during the last year ? Well, I work like a true MNC (strictly for 5 days a week), be at home during weekends, attend almost all samaradhanes in Karkal & Mulki, get to visit festivities at these places, watch movies at Adlabs.

Coming to what i miss, I miss my friends in Bangalore. And also my addas with friends Mayuri, Mcdonalds, Adiga, Upahara Darshini, Paddu, Shantisagar Paav Bhaaji n Dahi puri, Ganesh Juice centre and vada pav at Rajvardhan. Also none of my good friends are here now, they are all at different places.

I can see a change around. When i started investing at 21, people used to tell me stock markets are gambling and its like a aclohol, so better avoid it. Now the same people ask me about investing in stocks. As they say, hmmmmm success changes everything, isnt it ?

Am i planning to quit ? Well, yes, if one of the following 2 things happens:

1. Government decides that markets will be open even on saturday (obviously to boost Service tax and Securities Transaction Tax collections for the government)
2. If i am able to acquire 0.01% stake in my favourite stock, Reliance Industries Ltd (Someone please calculate the amount and mail me :) )

Then, there's lot of speculation about my income. Well, my comments, "Denewala jab bhi deta, deta chappar phadke"

Of Sensex and new records

I still remember being ecstatic when sensex hit 10K. That that time I thought it was a great achievement by the markets. Now a realise it was a small milestone and a precursor to the things yet to come as we have seen over the past 18 months.

Let me first make it clear SENSEX has nothing to do with SENSE or SEX, its just the acronym of Sensitiviy Index. It needs no reason to rise or fall. A sneezing Sonia, a harsh talk by FM or ever changing stance of the Left can bring it down or pull it up all in a matter of few hours (or minutes like last wednesday).

But one thing is for sure. This market is not going to retrace in a hurry. And today has been a historic day. Its up by 879 point thus recording the single largest gain in its history. This whole month itself has been a memorable one for me. After missing the bull run in September (was in Pune for training at National Insurance Academy during last two weeks of September) I was ruing missing watching the largest gain of 600 point during my stay there. But all that was made up on October 9th (incidentally, its my good friend Sandeep's Birthday too) when markets raised more than 700 points.

After a brief break, markets are at back at doing what they do best. Open up, move up and up and up. Records they say are meant to be broken, but so soon, i never imagined. The tremendous amount of money (both domestic and foreign) are taking it up.

Well its all begining, aage aage dekho hota hai kya !

Pic: Yours truelly at BSE building during the recent visit to Mumbai