value?

Spiritual Story by Unknown [from http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com/spiritual-short-story-70-Life+as+a+Jewel.html]

One afternoon Guru Nanak and his company were resting on the banks of the Ganges at Patna. Mardana was idly inspecting a stone he had picked up along the road, thinking of the vast throngs who had come to hear the Guru. "Master," said Mardana, "you teach a way for every person to find liberation. But many of those who listen still seem to spend much of their time in conflict, and in seeking out excitement and other idle pursuits. Why do they waste away their lives so?" "Most people don't recognize its value," replied the Guru, "although human life is the dearest treasure on this earth." "Surly everyone can see the value of life," said Mardana. "No," said Nanak. "Each man places his own value on things according to what he thinks. A different man with different knowledge will place a different value. That stone you found in the dirt will make a good example. Take it to the marketplace and see what you can get for it." Puzzled, Mardana took the stone to the marketplace and at a stall that sold sweets asked what the vendor would trade for it. The man laughed. "Go away, you're wasting my time." He next tried a produce seller. "I have paying customers to wait on," said the grocer. "I'll give you an onion for it just to get you out of here." Mardana tried several more shops with no better response. Finally he came to the shop of Salis Raj, the jeweler. Salis Raj's eyes opened wide when he saw the stone. "I'm sorry," he said, "I don't have enough money to buy your gem. But I will give you a hundred rupees if you will let me look at it a while longer." Mardana hurried back to the Guru to tell him what had happened. "See," said Guru Nanak, "how when we are ignorant we mistake a valuable gem for a worthless stone. If someone had told you its value before you knew what it was, you would have thought they were crazy. Such a jewel is human life, and whatever you've traded for it, that is what is yours."

nature is forgiving :)

recently, we were fortunate to participate in a tree planting activity ... while volunteering, it occurred to me that 'nature is forgiving' (just like mothers) - even if you make a small mistake here and there, the plants will still do well - how comforting, isn't it?

so, don't worry too much about few wrong turns you might have taken in the past - just enjoy the journey and you will have fun :)

the journey of 26.2 ... and 1000+ miles

Well, it had been more than 2 long years - that i had not experienced the GRACE during a long tiring marathon run (last time was at Boston on 17 April 2010) ... but it brought out the same humbling feeling on the FINISH line of Chicago Marathon on 7 Oct 2012

GRACE was even stronger - i would say - that not only did i get to participate (after few ups & downs during this 'roller-coaster' ride) and complete but i also improved my time by 29 minutes! AND I could meet & greet the winners from all three categories [thanks to the sponsors - TCS :)]

Below is my result table (if you are interested) followed by few pics :)

Split	Time Of Day	Time	Diff	min/mile	miles/h
05K	08:08:33AM	00:31:26	31:26	10:07	5.93
10K	08:45:41AM	01:08:34	37:08	11:58	5.02
15K	09:17:13AM	01:40:05	31:31	10:09	5.91
20K	09:54:57AM	02:17:49	37:44	12:09	4.94
HALF	10:03:13AM	02:26:05	08:16	12:08	4.95
25K	10:31:05AM	02:53:58	27:53	11:30	5.22
30K	11:12:43AM	03:35:35	41:37	13:24	4.48
35K	11:59:36AM	04:22:28	46:53	15:06	3.98
40K	12:46:44AM	05:09:37	47:09	15:11	3.95
Finish	01:02:29PM	05:25:22	15:45	11:33	5.20

I am really grateful for having finished 2 out of the 5 https://worldmarathonmajors.com

Thanks to everyone (those donated for the cause at http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=7751857&fr_id=7090&pg=personal - as well as supported/motivated/helped in so many others ways) - it is all those 'small' steps that made up the 26.2 miles :)

GOD
Realizes
All
Creative (even Crazy)
Expectations

PS: Yes, I drove from L5B (Canada) to 60605 (USA) and back (which makes up for the 1000+ miles i mentioned in the title) ... i remember, when i was a kid, i used to ridicule people who would drive to a nearby park for their morning jog :)

just 11 more days!

it is already here - Chicago Marathon on Oct 7 :)

did big runs on the past two saturdays - 26km + 20km (feeling good about the self training ... )

and my fund raising goal - is still looking for your generous support ... please help at http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=7751857&fr_id=7090&pg=personal

thanks!

run is fun :)

another big one to welcome september :) ...

can you guess where is the above route?

PS: Thanks for your support ... it is not as fast as my runs - but i know that slowly i will meet the target with your help! :)

what did you do on Friday evening?

i ran :) ... from work to home ... just 24+ km ... :D

as i prepare for the Chicago Marahon ... 42 days to go ... will you support me?

my journey so far ... CM2012! :)

I had started preparing for the Chicago Marathon (Oct 7, 2012) long back ...

Just thought of sharing brief training updates for the past two months
18/08/2012 19
16/08/2012 13
11/08/2012 21
09/08/2012 10
06/08/2012 15
02/08/2012 10
31/07/2012 8
27/07/2012 3
21/07/2012 8
18/07/2012 8
14/07/2012 2
15/07/2012 3
10/07/2012 11
07/07/2012 4
04/07/2012 8
01/07/2012 15
28/06/2012 8
26/06/2012 6
24/06/2012 13
23/06/2012 6
20/06/2012 7
19/06/2012 5
... so far, it has been about 250kms :)

during my first bare-foot 21+km training run :)

 http://www.adidas.com/us/micoach/WorkoutDetails.aspx?WID=6980f06f-0ca7-48b7-b595-52adcb218748 (link to my work out - when i enjoyed the rainbow)

http://main.diabetes.org/goto/harshthakkar - link to my fund raising :)