Short Inspirational Stories in Reader Digest

I have always like the short inspirational stories in the Readers Digest Magazine. Now the online one have some interesting stories. I still read their magazine when I can get my hand on one.

Below are some Inspirational Stories from their online version.

Reasons to Believe
Four inspiring true miracles to warm the holidays.

At Life's Crossroads

The path to my future seemed set - then 30 minutes changed everything

5 Winners Teach Us How to Learn From Failure

Knowing how to approach failure can be the first step to success.

Book Review- The Richest Man in Babylon

I came across this book after reading Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad Poor Dad" books. Its one of his recommendations for a must read for people who want to be financial free. As with most books in Little Inspirational & Self Helf Books lense, this book is small, in story form and simple to understand. Below is a short review of this book.

The Man Who Desired Gold

The book starts with Bansir, the chariot builder of Babylon, who was thoroughly discouraged, sitting on the fence thinking. He was deep in thought, not caring about the hustle and bustle of the city around him. He was interrupted by the smiling face of his best friend—Kobbi, the musician. Then they discussed how their lives have evolved. How they took the trouble to learn their skills, hoping that if they increased their knowledge, their richest will increase too. But this is not always the case, their skills improve but their richest didn't increase in value. Then they remembered their friend Arkad who was wealthy. They planned to meet up with him and ask what his secret to building wealth is. I too had the same mindset like Bansir and Kobbi, thinking that if I improved my knowledge then my wealth will follow suit but now I have found that this is not the case.

The Richest Man in Babylon

In old Babylon there lived a certain very rich man named Arkad who was famed for his liberality, his generosity to charities and his family. And each year his wealth increased more rapidly than he could spend it. Because of this, his friends came to see him to learn how they can increase their wealth. Arked then told them a story on how he met Algamish, the money lender. Algamish taught him the first step to financial freedom. It is to pay oneself first. What this means is to save a tenth of your salary. I have found that if we set our mind to it we can live on 90% of our income. That's why most Personal Finance books, blogs or guru's say in order to build wealth; we need to have some sort of savings. Reason being when an opportunity comes, you have the resources to invest. This brings us to the next lesson by Algamish, which investing your savings. Algamish suggest that we invest with people who know how to invest. People who are successful in investing.

Seven Cures for a Lean Purse

After defeating the Elamites, King Sargon returned to Babylon to be confronted by another problem. The people of Babylon were no longer able to support themselves. His chancellor reported that the wealth of the people was accumulated by only a few men. This is due to their knowledge on the workings of wealth. The king asked the chancellor to search for such a person, so as he is able to teach the people. The chancellor then selected Arkad, who was then summoned to see the king. To which Arkad agreed to teach a few people so as they can teach others. He taught them the "Seven Cures for A Lean Purse"

THE FIRST CURE

Start thy purse to fattening.

What this means is that we need to save, a minimum of 10% of your income. This is so when the opportunity comes, you have the money to invest.

THE SECOND CURE

Control thy expenditures

The second cure is a continuation of the first. It is to budget yourself so as to spend within 90% of your income. You can save the other 10% as advised in the first cure. Now I am listing down my daily expenditure. I have found that there are expenditures that I really don’t need. As my company provides lunch what’s the use of having lunch outside. Take it from someone who is going to be financially free. List down daily what little things you spend and you will be surprised as where your money goes. I do it on my PDA but if you don’t have a PDA then do what one of Orpah`s guest suggested. Write on a piece of paper and put it in a box or basket. Later you can review what you spend either daily or weekly.

THE THIRD CURE

Make thy gold multiply

After saving your 10%, of your earnings and seeing it grow. But by just keeping savings in a safe place, your wealth will not increase. You need to invest to let it grow. What you should do is look for the right advisors as to what and where to invest.

THE FOURTH CURE

Guard thy treasures from loss

When your money increases, make sure you do investment that is safe. Investment that doesn't have any risk to your principal. Consult with wise men. Secure the advice of those experienced in the profitable handling of gold so as their wisdom can protect your savings from unsafe investment.

THE FIFTH CURE

Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment

To buy property or your own house. This I found to be true. When were growing up, we always stayed in a rented house which we had to shift once the owner needed the house or sold it. So for about three decades we were paying for a house that we didn’t own. So imagine that if we took a loan to purchase a house, after three decades the house would be ours. And after we pass on our children would have a place to stay. We only need to worry about paying property tax. And if we don’t want to stay there, we can rent it out. Let another person pay our loan for us, like what we did when we were young.

THE SIXTH CURE

Insure a future income

The sixth cure for a lean purse is to prepare for the day when we are not able to work. The day when we are old, sick and unable to work. In some countries they have saving program like the 401K and the Employee Providence Fund, that your employee and you contribute a percentage of your income monthly to a saving fund. You can take out your savings when you reach the retirement age. But as what Robert Kiyosaki said with the ever increase in inflation this call may not be enough. So we need to look at other avenues. We also need to plan for the day when leave this world, so as our loved ones are provided for.

THE SEVENTH CURE

Increase thy ability to earn

This is the same thing highlighted by Robert Kiyosaki in the Rich Dad Poor Dad Series. In order to be financial free, we need to have another source of income. What he suggested that works for him was real estate. There is alot of other avenues to make money, choose one that suits you. There is the Multi Level Marketing or what I am trying out now is Internet Marketing. Its hard work but people have succeeded in it, so I intend to be one of them.

Meet the Goddess of Good Luck

In old Babylon, there is an important building called Temple of Learning where people came to discuss on any matter no matter what levels they were. One such person who had his own special hall was Arkad. He came here frequently to discuss to ways to improve them. Tonight they were discussing on how they can attract good luck. What they have found out that betting on the gaming tables doesn't attract the Goddess of Fortune. They continued to discuss on missed opportunity. How opportunity comes in a few seconds only and how they were not grabbed fast enough. So what this means is good luck follows those who grabs opportunity fast.

The Five Laws of Gold

Around a campsite Kalabab tells his slaves the story of Arkad the richest man in Babylon as told him by Nomasir, Arkad's son. He tells the story of Arkad wanting his son to proof to him that he is capable of handling the estate that his father will leave him. How he send Nomasir out with a bag of gold and a clay tablet, asking him to return after 10 years. When Nomasir returns he gives an account of what he did. How he lost the bag of gold to a scam. He then tells the tale how he used what was written on it. On it was written the Five Laws of Gold.

The five laws of gold were

THE FIVE LAWS OF GOLD

1. Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one - tenth or his earnings to create an estate for his future and that or his family.

2. Gold laboureth diligently and contentedly for the wise owner who finds for it profitable employment, multiplying even as the flocks of the field.

3. Gold clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advice of men wise in its handling.

4. Gold slip peth away from the man who invests it in businesses or purposes with which he is not familiar or which are not approved by those skilled in its keep.

5. Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who followeth the alluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and romantic desires in investment.

Then Nomasir goes on to tell how he used the wisdom of the Five Laws of Gold

The Gold Lender of Babylon

This chapter starts with Rodan, the spearmaker walking towards Mathon, the moneylender. He just had received a large sum of money for his work, now he asking Mathon should he lend to his sister's husband to invest and whether it’s a good idea. Then advises him, that he can lend the money if it doesn't burden him. Then Mathon goes on to show Rodan his token chest and explains the contents, so as Rodan understands the importance of lending money to a person who can pay back.

The Walls of Babylon

The story continues with Old Banzar, a grim warrior guarding the passageway leading to the top of the ancient walls of Babylon. The city is under attack but there are only few defenders. Banzar from his vantage point gets first hand news on the fight below. One by one the citizens come to him for reassurance that the wall will hold against the attack. He reassures them not to worry. The walls of Babylon again protected the citizens as the enemies retreated. The moral of this story in life we should also build some protection with insurance, savings to be used for a rainy day.

The Camel Trader of Babylon

Tarkad, the son of Azure was very hungry because he had only eaten only two figs in two days. He was looking for someone who could spare him some food. But he meets the person who he has been avoiding, Dabasir, the camel trader. Dabasir invites him to join him for dinner in a restaurant but only orders water for Tarkad. While he eats his meal in front of starving Tarkad, Dabasir tells of tale how he conquered his enemy- debts.

The Clay Tablets from Babylon 

The story starts Alfred H. Shrewsbury from the Department of Archaeology writing to Professor Franklin Caldwell. He says he has translated the five tablets the Professor sent to him. He says that he found it interesting; it’s about the story of how Dabasir clears his debts. Dabasir writes on the tablet how he lived on 70% of his earnings, saved 10% and he used the last 20% to clear off his debts. So the Professor tries it with his wife. By following the writings of Dabasir, he created a plan as to get out of debt. Which he did. And later the Professor wrote to Shrewsbury that's he is financial free by following Dabasir's plan.

The Luckiest Man in Babylon

In this chapter you will hear how Sharru Nada on a camel caravan journey tells of a tale how he came out of slavery. He was telling Hadan Gula, grandson of Arad Gula how his grandfather also got himself out of slavery. Hadan Gula didn't believe it at first. Then Sharru Nada continued his tale. Relating how Arad Gula brought helped him to get out slavery. He also related what happened to his friends that was sold wih him in the slave market and how he worked hard to save some money. Then only did Hadan Gula believe and promised to follow the success of his grandfather.

An Historical Sketch of Babylon

The last chapter is a historical account on the city of Babylon.

It is hard to believe that this book was first published way back in 1926. Reason being the ideas in this book can still be used in today's world. This is also a great book given as gift to young person.

For more Inspirational Book reviews, please go to my Little Inspirational & Self Helf Books lense

The Book that Inspired Me to be Financial Free

I have always loved reading. When I was young it was story books like the Famous Five, Three Investigators, Secret Seven and so on. Now my prfrence have changed. Now I look for books that inpire and motivate me. One such book is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. People have called the author a quack, saying that his rich dad don't exist. But who cares cause his message in his book is what I'm looking for.

Rich Dad Poor Dad
Well, I've just finished reading Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki for the 7th time (I like reading good books over again). This is a wonderful book that gives you simple insights on ways of handling your personal finances. It has helped me a lot. I'm not a millionaire yet but luckily someone gave me this book before the current economic downturn. I'm able to weather through.
The insight into the difference between your assets and liabilities is really good and simple to understand, which I found it to be true with purchase of gold jewelry (I have always thought that buying gold was a good investment as gold prices increase but found out otherwise).
It also got me thinking of the purchase of a house too.
You will also find out that specializing in your job is not as good you think, as it makes you more dependent on your job. This I have also found to be true with my job. I've always thought that by specializing in only things related to my work, will give me job security but as what Robert Kiyosaki states that it is not always the case. It's true, believe me.
Read the book and judge it for yourself. Just remember that this is not a GET RICH QUICK book but it gives you ideas that will open your mind to different ways of becoming financially successful. It might not make me a millionaire but I'm sure it will make me financially free and out of the rat race

Personal Financing Planning with Robert Kiyosaki

People That will Inspire You- Against all Odds

We all need heroes, someone to look up to. The people who you choose as heroes,mentors or idol(whatever you may call them) are a reflection of who you are or who you want to be. So choose people who add true value to your life. When I was young my heroes were the firemen, nowadays they are people who have succeeded inspite of difficulties. Someone who have become successful like Bill Gates, Walt Disney, Donald Trump and many more. I don`t admire movie stars, sports stars or celebrities. Reason being these people will normally disappoint or distress us when they fall from grace. People like Tyson, Tiger Woods and even Lohan are bad influence to youngsters today.
Even Robert Kiyosaki said in his Cashflow Quadrant book that you need heroes to succeed. Someone to look up to, to learn from. Apart from reading inspirational books, I also like to read about the lives of successful people. I like to read about how they succeeded through difficulties, their rags to richest stories and how they live. To my surprise most of them are very frugal. I like to catchup on the news of how they are doing now. Even closer to home, there are people who has succeded against all odds and they are my inspiration. To name a few there is Lim Goh Tong of Genting Highlands, Dr. Mahathir our former Prime Minister, Tony Fernandez of Air Asia and more.

Lim Goh Tong

Lim Goh Tong is the guy who took an unexplored hilltop to make it one of the famous holiday destination in Malaysia, the Genting Highlands. I came across his bio in the Genting Highlands website. He is a fine example of the results of what a `Can Do` and `Never Give Up` attitude can do. Lim Goh Tong was an immigrant from a little mountainous county in Fujian, China. He came to Malaysia to work as a carpenter and rised up to be a building sub-contractor. The idea for Genting Highlands came when he was having dinner in Cameron Highlands. He thought it would nice to have a cool place where people can escape from the heat in the lowlands. As Cameron Highlands was too far from Kuala Lumpur, he had to search for another location. He did some research and that's where he found an unexplored hilltop called Genting Highlands. He started building a casino up there. And he continued adding building after building until it is what it is now. As he was building at a new unexplored location, there were many difficulties he had to face. But all the difficulties didn`t stop him. You can click on the link below to read about him. He has since passed away in 2007, now the Genting Empire he created is being run by his son

Have Heroes that Inspire you

We all need heroes, someone to look up to. The  people who you choose as heroes,mentors or idol(whatever you may call them) are a reflection of who you are or who you want to be. So choose people who add true value to your life. When I was young my heroes were the firemen, nowadays they are people who have succeeded inspite of difficulties. Someone who have become successful like Bill Gates, Walt Disney, Donald Trump and many more. I don`t admire movie stars, sports stars or celebrities. Reason being these people will normally disappoint or distress us when they fall from grace. People like Tyson, Tiger Woods and even Lohan are bad influence to youngsters today.

Even Robert Kiyosaki said in his Cashflow Quadrant book that you need heroes to succeed. Someone to look up to, to learn from. Apart from reading inspirational books, I also like to read about the life of successful people. I like to read about how they succeeded through difficulties, their rags to richest stories and how they live. To my surprise most of them are very frugal. I like to catchup on the news of how they are doing now. Even closer to home, there are people who has succeded against all odds and they are my inspiration. To name a few there is Lim Goh Tong of Genting Highlands, Dr. Mahathir our former Prime Minister, Tony Fernandez of Air Asia and more.

Datuk Tony Fernandez

He is the guy who you normaly see in the media casually dressed and wearing his signature red Air Asia Cap. But he is the guy who had a dream, mortgage his home, bought an ailing airlines for RM1 which landed him with a RM40 million debt and finally turn the airlines company around to make it one of the best low cost airlines in the world. He started AirAsia after the September 11, when everyone was afraid to fly. And many airlines was going into the red. But Tony Fernandez said this timing was perfect. The leasing cost of planes were low and airlines lay-offs meant that that experience staff were readily available. He is a great example of turning lemons into lemonades. He is also a great example of Managing by Walking Around, people have seen him carrying luggage, checking in guest and so on. He believes that if you are closer to the ground you can hear more. On reading his bio I was surprised that he was from my hometown.

Little Inspirational & Self Help Books

The Monk who sold his Ferrari

This book as most of books in my Little Inspirational & Self Help Books  lense comes in a story form. The first six chapters tells of the storyteller's mentor having a heart attack in the middle of a court case and how he goes in search of a way to improve his life. He thus meets with the Sages of Sivana. There's even a funny story to help you remember the steps. The story goes like this
You are sitting in the middle of a magnificent, lush, green garden. This garden is filled with the most spectacular flowers you have ever seen. The environment is supremely tranquil and silent. Savor the sensual delights of this garden and feel as if you have all the time in the world to enjoy this natural oasis. As you look around you see that in the center of this magical garden stands a towering, red lighthouse, six stories high. Suddenly, the silence of the garden is disturbed by a loud creaking as the door at the base of the lighthouse opens. Out stumbles a nine-foot-tall, nine-hundred-pound Japanese sumo wrestler who casually wanders into the center of the garden.
As this sumo wrestler starts to move around the garden, he finds a shiny gold stopwatch which someone had left behind many years earlier. He slips it on, and falls to the ground with an enormous thud. The sumo wrestler is rendered unconscious and lies there, silent and still. Just when you think he has taken his last breath, the wrestler awakens, perhaps stirred by the fragrance of some fresh yellow roses blooming nearby. Energized, the wrestler jumps swiftly to his feet and intuitively looks to his left. He is startled at what he sees. Through the bushes at the very edge of the garden he observes a long winding path covered by millions of sparkling diamonds. Something seems to instruct the wrestler to take the path, and to his credit, he does. This path leads him down the road of everlasting joy and eternal bliss.
A summary of what the story means
Magnificent, lush, green garden.
The garden represents our mind. Like a beautiful garden we should plant and nurture positive thoughts. A gardener always never allows the weeds to grow and take over his garden. The weeds here symbolize the negative thoughts and the lush flowers symbolize the positive thoughts. Like a gardener who constantly fertilizers his plants with the best manure, we should constantly fertilizer our mind with positive affirmation.
Towering six stories red lighthouse
The lighthouse symbolizes the power of goals and the importance of discovering your calling in life. By setting and writing down the goal. By reviewing daily, you keep yourself on the right path. Like the lighthouse which guides the ships even in stormy weather, your written goals will guide you on even if there are obstacles in your way.
Nine-foot-tall, nine-hundred-pound Japanese sumo wrestler
The sumo wrestler will be your reminder of the power of kaizen, the Japanese word for constant self-expansion and progress. We should constantly look for new ways to improve our life. Even Sun Tzu has a quote on this in his Art of War Manual.
"Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions." Chapter 6. WEAK POINTS AND STRONG verse 32
The pink wire cable covering the sumo wrestler private parts
The pink wire cable will serve to remind you of the power of self-control and discipline in building a richer, happier and more enlightened life. Many thin, tiny wires placed one on top of the other will make a strong wire. Alone, each one is flimsy and weak. But, together, their sum is much greater than their constituent parts and the cable becomes tougher than iron. Self-control and willpower are similar to this. To build a will of iron, it is essential to take small, tiny acts in tribute to the virtue of personal discipline. Routinely performed, the little acts pile one on top of another to eventually produce an abundance of inner strength.
Shiny gold stopwatch
Shiny gold stopwatch is a symbol of our most important commodity - time. Don't waste even one minute of your day. Develop a deathbed mentality. Do the important things in your life that will improve your life in the future. Use the 80/20 percent rule. What this means is concentrate on 20 percent of your activity that will bring you 80 percent satisfaction in the future. Spend more time with your family, watch the sun going up. Believe me after waking up early and watching the sun rise I have a better day the whole day. That is why I believe that is the reason why most religion worships early facing the sun. Try it really relaxes your mind. Never be a prisoner of the past but be the architect of the future.
The fresh yellow roses
The blooming flowers is a reminder of the ancient Chinese proverb, "a little bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses." The meaning is when you work to improve the lives of others; you indirectly improve your own life in the process. When you take care to practice random acts of kindness daily, your own life becomes far richer and more meaningful. I think everyone have heard of this saying what goes around comes around. Cultivate friends and nurture family. Develop an optimistic outlook of life.
The path of diamonds
Serves to remind you of the final virtue for enlightened living. By carrying this principle with you through your daily work, you will enrich your life. The path of diamonds symbolizes our present path that is one rich in diamonds. Slow things down. Enjoy the beauty and sacredness of all that is around you. You owe this to yourself." Never put off the things that are important for your well-being and satisfaction to a later time. Never chase the greener pasture on the other side and sacrifice the one over here. This I have to be true. I have always worked really hard thinking the more successful I am in my job, the more money I will receive, the happy I will be. Lately this I found not to be true. Yes I am wealthier now but I still have to work even harder to keep my job. I have no time for my family. Always remember that the path you are walking on right now is beautiful and studded with diamonds.
This book provides an approach to living a simple life with greater balance, strength, courage and abundance of joy. Made me realize the most important people in my life, my family. And that how hard I work for my boss, at the end of the day he will be smiling to the bank and I will get the same salary at the end of the month. And my family will see me lesser and lesser.
The author's website http://www.robinsharma.com/

Share Uplifting and Inspiring Stories with your staff

I like to tell my employees stories that will help them understand the importance of good and genuine customer service. One that I have heard and is constantly reminding my new employees is the one about the Oriental Bangkok staff giving a guest his shoe laces as the guest was in hurry for a very important meeting and he forgot to bring his shoe laces. That is why Oriental Bangkok is noted as one of the best service hotel in the world. I also like to print for them true stories of how good customer service will also in turn help you. One example is the story below which someone send to me.

The Hotel Manager
One stormy night many years ago, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. Trying to get out of the rain, the couple approached the front desk hoping to get shelter for the night.
"Could you possibly give us a room here?" the husband asked. The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town
"All of our rooms are taken," the clerk said. "But I can't send a nice couple like you out in the rain at one o'clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It's not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night."
When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. "Don't worry about me; I'll make out just fine," the clerk told them. So the couple agreed.
As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk, "You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I'll build one for you."
The clerk looked at the couple and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh. As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn't easy.
Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round- trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.
The old man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a palace of reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky.
"That," said the older man, "is the hotel I have just built for you to manage."
"You must be joking," the young man said.
"I can assure you that I am not," said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth.
The old man's name was William Waldorf Astor, and the magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The young clerk who became its first manager was George C. Boldt.
This young clerk never foresaw the turn of events that would lead him to become the manager of one of the world's most glamorous hotels. The BOOK says that we are not to turn our backs on those who are in need -- for we might be entertaining angels.

Delivering Great Customer Service

Who Moved My Cheese ?

I came across this book in my sister's book rental shop. But didn't pay much attention to it cause the title and the cover looks like a kids story book. I admit I am guilty of judging this book by its cover. After hearing about it from some friends, I went to look for it. Read it in one day as it was very interesting.
This book explores the different ways people approach change through a story using mice and "little people," hobbit like people. The mice are called Sniff and Scurry and the little people are Hem and Haw. The four live in a maze and look for cheese to make them happy. However, one day their cheese is gone. The cheese is a metaphor of what we want in life (money, possession, love and so on) and the maze is our surrounding. You will learn by reading how the four characters face the unexpected loss of the "cheese". And also how they deal with change, where three of them are successful. He writes his finding on the wall so others can learn. You too can use the handwriting on the wall for ways to deal with change. It's a book for everyone. Enjoy!
When used in real life
Most people myself included tend to get comfortable in a job when we work for a good company, good boss and good working environment. We should always be like the two mice in the book, constantly keeping ourselves abreast with new things happening around us. So when things are not going to well, we will be ready. We should also be more aware of our surroundings. This will then make us ready to adapt to bigger changes that are to come. This reminds me what Zig Ziglar wrote in his book See You at the Top . It's about the frog who sits in water that gets warmed up. The frog continues to sit there enjoying the warmth until the water gets to hot that he gets boiled in it.

Little Inspirational & Self Help Books