NARA'S NOTEPAD

Sunday, November 30, 2025

NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 22

DECEMBER 2025

NUMBER 12

NARA'S NOTEPAD

IS SUPPORTED BY

READERS LIKE YOU

THE LESS YOU WANT, THE RICHER YOU ARE

OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities play a crucial role in shaping human lives, influencing both personal and professional growth. They are the moments, circumstances, or chances that, when seized, can lead to significant achievements, transformations, and successes. Opportunities are not always easily recognizable, nor are they always evenly distributed. Some individuals find themselves surrounded by opportunities, while others must struggle to create or discover them. Regardless of how they arise, opportunities have the power to change the trajectory of one’s life, opening doors to new experiences, relationships, and successes.

One of the defining characteristics of an opportunity is its potential to create progress. In the professional world, opportunities come in the form of job openings, promotions, business ventures, and networking connections. In education, they present themselves as scholarships, mentor-ships, and learning experiences. On a personal level, opportunities can be found in relationships, self-improvement, and unexpected life events that push an individual toward growth. However, recognizing an opportunity is only the first step. Many people fail to capitalize on the chances presented to them due to fear, hesitation, or a lack of preparedness. Others may not even recognize an opportunity until it has passed. The key to making the most of opportunities lies in developing awareness, cultivating a proactive mindset, and having the courage to act when the moment arises.

Recognizing opportunities requires a certain level of awareness and foresight. They often appear in disguise, presenting themselves as challenges, risks, or changes that may initially seem uncomfortable. A career setback, for example, might seem like a failure but could ultimately lead to a better job or the chance to pursue are entirely new path. Similarly, moving to a new city, though daunting, might provide access to new people, ideas, and experiences that foster personal development. Those who develop a keen sense of observation and a willingness to adapt are more likely to identify opportunities that others may overlook.

While some opportunities present themselves naturally, many must be created through effort and determination. People who take an active role in shaping their futures are more likely to encounter opportunities than align with their goals. This proactive approach involves setting clear objectives, continuously improving one’s skills, and seeking out environments that foster growth. Someone who desires career advancement, for example, should actively build professional relationships, seek additional training, and stay informed about industry trends. Similarly, those looking for personal fulfillment must put themselves in situations that encourage self-discovery, whether through travel, education, or community involvement. By taking initiative, individuals can increase their exposure to potential opportunities rather than waiting for them to arise.

Opportunities often come with challenges, and not everyone has equal access to them. Economic, social, and personal barriers can limit one’s ability to seize opportunities. Financial struggles may prevent individuals from pursuing education or career advancements, while social biases and systemic inequalities may create barriers to success. However, history has shown that resilience and determination can overcome many obstacles. Many successful individuals have risen from difficult circumstances by recognizing and maximizing the opportunities available to them, no matter how small. Finding creative solutions, seeking support systems, and maintaining perseverance can help individuals overcome barriers and create their own paths to success.

One of the greatest obstacles to seizing opportunities is fear. The fear of failure, rejection, or change often holds people back from taking the necessary steps to embrace new possibilities. Many individuals remain in comfortable but unfulfilling situations because the thought of stepping into the unknown is intimidating. However, those who understand that failure is often a stepping stone to success are more willing to take calculated risks. Every successful person has faced setbacks and disappointments, but their willingness to learn from these experiences allows them to be better prepared for future opportunities. Developing a mindset that embraces growth and resilience is essential in overcoming fear and taking advantage of life’s possibilities.

Opportunities are not always evenly distributed, and many individuals must work harder to create or find them. However, those who cultivate curiosity, adaptability, and persistence are more likely to discover chances that others overlook. Networking, for instance, plays a vital role in uncovering opportunities. Many job positions, business deals, and collaborations arise through personal connections rather than public advertisements. Building strong professional and personal relationships increases the likelihood of being introduced to new prospects. Engaging with different communities, attending industry events, and seeking mentorship are always to expand one’s exposure to potential opportunities.

Preparation is another key element in capitalizing on opportunities. When a chance arises, those who are ready to act immediately have a significant advantage. Preparation involves developing relevant skills, gaining knowledge, and staying informed about one’s industry or field of interest. A musician who practices diligently will be able to seize the opportunity to perform on short notice, just as an entrepreneur who understands market trends will be more equipped to launch a successful business when the right conditions arise. The ability to act swiftly and confidently when an opportunity presents itself can make the difference between success and a missed chance.

While opportunities can lead to success, not all of them will result in immediate rewards. Some opportunities require patience, persistence, and long-term investment before yielding benefits. A person may take a job opportunity that offers little financial gain initially but provides invaluable experience that leads to greater achievements later on. Similarly, an individual may invest time and effort into learning a new skill, only to see its benefits unfold years down the line. Recognizing the potential of an opportunity, even if it does not offer instant gratification, is crucial in making strategic life decisions.

Mixed opportunities are an inevitable part of life, but they can also serve as valuable learning experiences. Dwelling on regrets and what could have been is unproductive, but reflecting on past mistakes and understanding why an opportunity was missed can help individuals make better decisions in the future. Some people fail to seize opportunities due to procrastination, lack of confidence, or poor judgement. Acknowledging these shortcomings and actively working to improve decision-making skills can prevent future regrets. Life presents countless opportunities, and while some may be lost, new ones will always arise for those who remain vigilant and proactive.

The impact of opportunities extends beyond individuals and influences entire societies. Countries and communities that provide access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities foster progress and innovation. Societal growth is fueled by policies that promote entrepreneurship, equal access to resources, and technological advancements.

PASSING CLOUDS

Drifting slow in skies so wide,

Soft as whispers, light as sighs.

Shifting shapes in endless flight,

Woven threads of blue and white.

They gather high, a fleeting mass,

Shadows dance as moments pass.

One a castle, tall and bright

Another fades, lost in light.

Carried by the winds unseen,

Silent travelers, cool and clean.

They kiss the hills, embrace the sea,

Then vanish far, wild and free.

Some bring rain in silver strands,

Gentle gifts to thirsty lands,

Others melt in golden air,

Leaving only sunshine there.

Oh, passing clouds, so swift, so true,

Like dreams that float in skies of blue.

Here one moment, then they’re gone,

A fleeting touch, then move on.

THE SCIENCE OF OPTIMISM

The science of optimism delves into how a positive mind can impact various aspects of our lives, from mental and emotional well-being to physical health and overall success. Here are some key points about the science behind optimism.

1. Brain Chemistry: Optimism is associated with the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to feelings of pleasure and happiness. These chemicals can create a sense of reward and motivation, reinforcing optimistic thinking patterns.

2. Health Benefits: Numerous studies have shown that optimism is correlated with better health outcomes. Optimistic individuals tend to have stronger immune systems lower levels of stress hormones like cortisol, and reduced risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart diseases such as heart disease and hypertension.

3. Resilience: Optimism is closely tied to resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity. Optimistic people often view challenges as temporary setbacks and believe in their ability to overcome obstacles, leading to greater perseverance and adaptability.

4. Social Connections: Optimistic individuals tend to have stronger social support networks. Their positive outlook and upbeat demeanor can attract others and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships, which in turn contribute to overall well-being.

5. Performance Enhancement: Optimism can improve performance in various domains, including academics, sports, and career success. Optimistic individuals are more likely to set ambitious goals, stay motivated in the face of setbacks, and maintain a growth mindset that fuels continuous improvement.

6. Cognitive Bias: Optimism is also influenced by cognitive biases such as the optimism bias, which leads people to overestimate positive outcomes and underestimate negative ones. While this bias can sometimes lead to underestimate positive outcomes and underestimate negative ones. While this bias can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations, it also serves as protective mechanism against excessive worry and anxiety.

7. Learn Optimism: Psychologist Martin Seligman introduced the concept of "learned optimism," supporting that individuals can cultivate a more optimistic outlook through cognitive restructuring techniques. This involves challenging negative thought patterns, reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth, and focusing on positive aspects of situations.

8. Cultural and Environmental Factors: Optimism can be influenced by cultural beliefs and societal norms. For example, cultures that emphasize individualism and personal achievement may foster a greater sense of optimism compared to those that prioritize collective well-being or highlight systemic challenges.

9. Optimism and Brain Plasticity: Research suggests that practicing optimism can lead to changes in brain structure and function. The brain exhibits plasticity, meaning it can recognize itself and form new neural connections based on experiences and behaviors. Regularly engaging in optimistic thinking can strengthen neural pathways associated with positive emotions and resilience.

10. Optimism and Stress Management: Optimistic individuals tend to cope better with stress an adversity. They are more likely to use constructive coping strategies such as problem solving, seeking social support, and reframing challenges in a positive light. This proactive approach to stress management can reduce the negative impact of stress management on physical and mental health.

TO QUOTE

Victory belongs to the most tenacious – Roland Garros, Paris

What worries you, masters you - John Locke

JUST TO LAUGH

A man sees a sign outside a house: “Talking Dog for Sale.” Intrigued, he rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The man goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador retriever sitting there. “So you talk?” he asks. “Yep,” the dog replies. The man is astounded. “So, what’s your story?”

The dog looks up and says, “Well, I discovered this gift pretty young and I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my skill. In no time, they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years. But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger. So I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security work, mostly wandering near suspicious character characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. Now I’ve retired, and here I am.” The man is flabbergasted. He goes back in and asks the owner, “How much do you want for the dog?” The owner says, “Ten dollars.” The man can’t believe it. “Ten dollars? Why so little? The do is amazing!” The owner replies, “He’s a liar. He didn’t do any of that stuff.”

LINES I LIKED

Ø Half the world spends its time making others do things for them or making it impossible for others to do anything.

Ø Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important.

Ø Happiness lies in the small moments, not in the rush of things.

Ø Happiness never lasts.

Capture the moments that bring you joy and happiness…

Meet you next month –2026

Professor A. Narayanan, Ph. D., FISPP

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO:

E-mail: arumugakannu@gmail.com

Ph: 0422 4393017 Mobile: 75399 15614

www.nara2007.blogspot.com

(NARA’S NOTEPAD)

Friday, October 31, 2025

NARA'S NOTEPAD

VOLUME 22

NOVEMBER 2025

NUMBER 11

NARA'S NOTEPAD IS SUPPORTED BY READERS LIKE YOU

BEING CURIOUS IS A CRUCIAL TRAIT THAT PROPELS INDIVIDUALS INTO ACTION

HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF?

As anyone who has ever tried to keep a New Year's resolution will tell you, motivating yourself to get something done is not always very easy. When the time comes to put the resolution into effect, we forget, or we decide that we have more important things to do, or we are in the wrong mood.

The principal reason for this is that, if we fail to create in ourselves an emotional response to the idea of achieving what we decide to work for, we are setting ourselves up to fail.

One famous life coach often helps people to give up smoking, but because he has a high reputation, he likes to stack the odds in his own favor. In other words he filters out potential clients who lack the necessary motivation, since he knows that they are unlikely to succeed.

How does he do this? Simple. He asks each potential client to give him three reasons or benefits for giving up smoking. If they cannot give him three reasons, he tells them to go away and not to return until they have thought of three.

Now I don't believe that there is any magic in the figure three, but statistically, the more reasons you can think of to justify your decision, the more likely you are to have your emotions aroused by the thought of success.

Suppose you think of several good reasons for your New Year's resolution. Does this guarantee that you will have the right level of motivation? Not in the least. After all, the clients of the life coach mentioned above are being coached by him and he will work on raising their motivation. He is merely concerned to ensure that he has the raw material (the three reasons) to work on.

But if we can guess the sort of method he might use on his clients to raise their motivation, could we not use the same method to motivate ourselves? Absolutely.

So let's look at the most likely method.

Visualization

The most useful way to motivate ourselves is to visualize success. Think of any goal that you would like to achieve, the bigger and the more attractive the better. Perhaps it involves retiring to an idyllic island, taking a vacation in an exotic location, climbing a mountain, or buying a super-car. Perhaps it is already in reach. Perhaps it isn't.

Now, choose a place and a moment when you can relax and not be interrupted. You need only a few minutes. Begin by reflecting on the reasons or advantages that achieving your goal will bring you. Then close your eyes and imagine that you have achieved that goal.

How does it feel? What do you see? What does it sound like? If people are speaking, what are they saying? Does your goal have a particular taste? Immerse yourself in this imagined reality for a minute or two, concentrating also on the advantages or reasons that you have already identified. Tell yourself how blessed you are to have achieved your goal.

After a few minutes, open your eyes and note how good you feel. Ask yourself if you now feel motivated to pursue that goal, however hard it may be to achieve it. I shall be surprised if you don't.

The trouble is that motivation doesn't last forever. It can gradually subside and disappear over time. Even a few hours are enough. You know how good an idea seems when you are lying in bed, but how you no longer think so when morning and reality dawns? That is an example of how motivation can degrade.

So the advice I give you is to set aside a few minutes each day to revisit your goal in your imagination, preferably at the same time each day, so that you establish a routine. Relax again and close your eyes, and repeat the immersion of yourself into that desired position where you have already achieved your goal and are enjoying the fruits of it.

Planning

Unfortunately, it isn't enough to build motivation unless we use it to make plans and to put those plans into effect. A good way to do this is to brainstorm all the steps that you will need to take to achieve your goal. Then put them into the order in which you will need to tackle them. In some cases, you may be able to see parallel chains of steps that may be tackled more or less at the same time. Whatever the steps are, they will all have the effect of gradually putting you nearer and nearer to achieving your goal.

Now, be ambitious and set a date when you hope to achieve the goal. Work back down the chain of steps, giving a date for each one. If you were over-ambitious, you will find that you do not have enough time to achieve the goal by the date that you have set. No problem, just set back all the dates by the same number of days, weeks or months.

Action

Enter all the steps in a diary or on an Action Plan that you draw up specifically for the purpose. It is a good idea to put such an Action Plan up on the wall, where you can see it as a reminder of the project. Now make sure that you read your Action Plan or diary every day, so that you are reminded to carry out the steps as they fall due. If possible, aim to take some action to move you nearer to your goal each day, no matter how small that action may be. - Stuart Nelson

WOMEN IN SCIENCE

Women have made significant contributions to science throughout history, but they have often been overlooked or not given the recognition they deserve. Despite this, many women have persisted and achieved great success in various fields of science. Here are some examples of notable women in science.

1. Marie Curie: Marie Curie was a Polish physicist and chemist who is known for her ground breaking work on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different fields. (Chemistry in 1903 and Physics 1911).

2. Rosalind Franklin: Rosalind Franklin was a British biophysicist who is best known for her work on X-ray crystallography. Her research played a crucial role in the discovery of the structure of DNA, but she was not fully credited for her contributions until after her death.

3. Mae C. Jemison: Mae C. Jemison is an American physician and astronaut who became the first African American woman to travel to space in 1992. Before becoming an astronaut, she conducted medical research and worked as a general practice physician.

4. Chien – Shiung Wu: Chien – Shiung Wu was a Chinese-American experimental physicist who is known for her work on nuclear beta decays. Her experiments helped to disprove the law of conservation of parity and led to advances in the understanding of nuclear physics.

5. Ada Lovelace: Ada Lovelace was a British mathematician and writer who is often considered the world’s first computer programmer. She worked with Charles Babbage on his proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine, and wrote an algorithm for it that is considered to be the first computer program.

These women and many others have made significant contributions to science and helped to break down barriers for future generations of female scientists. While there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving gender equality in science, these women serve as inspiring role models and proof that women are capable of making significant contributions to the field.