On an independence day, after the school celebrations got over my daughter came running with chocolates, flag on her uniform with lots of happiness and sparks in her eyes...

'dad, you know, today one navy officer came as the chief guest for the independence day function!'

(as we live in defence colony, children study in defence schools, generally the senior officers in the area / city are invited to be the chief guest for flag hoisting, distributing prizes, witnessing the cultural programme and giving a speech, and the vips or guests also live in the same colony)

i did not answer but was listening...

'you know dad, when his car came there was a flag, stars on the plate of the car, many rushed to the car...principal opened the door...many went and shook hands with him...many in uniform saluted him...he hoisted the flag and gave a nice speech, he gave prizes and took photos with every one...he was so nice dad!'

i remained silent and was listening...
 
'you know, he is the father of one girl in our school...teacher also announced this and the girl was so proud...every one congratulated that girl...she became a heroine today dad!'

she was looking at my eyes...

'dad, who is that officer?...why there is a flag and star plate in his car?...why so many went running to his car?...why there was a ambulance siren jeep in front of his car?...why so many saluted him?...why our principal ran and opened the door for him?...why so many children took photo with him?...how that girl from nowhere became a heroine all of a sudden?'

i realised that i have got some job for the day...'dear, he  is a commodore...a senior officer of this area...he lives nearby...as he is in the management committee of the school, principal opened the door of the car...in fact, he need not have done that...but situation probably has made him to do...all the officers there were junior to him...so they saluted him...as he was the chief guest he was the center of attraction...'

'it was so nice dad...that girl was almost flying...she kept on telling every one, he is my father...he is my father...'

i could see lots of happiness in her face...she was bubbling when she narrated the episode...i can see some expectation too...

'dad!...when will you come to our school as chief guest?'

i expected this question from the way she went on...'when i become a commodore, probably i can come!'...the obvious next question from her was

'when will you become commodore dad?'

'may be after about 7 years'

she counted, calculated and her face shrunk 'oh no dad! i will pass out and join a college by the time you become a commodore...hmmm...so, i can not feel proud and happy to see my dad as chief guest!...what a pity!'

she remained dull throughout the day...all the sparks and bubbly happiness vanished...

i just called her in the evening in my hugs and asked her 'you said many officers saluted him...do you want that chief guest to salute you?'

though her face went little bright she said 'come on dad! don't joke!'

'no, i am not joking! in fact, we can make all officers of this colony to salute you'

she said 'go dad! you always make fun!' and went off. But came to me with a bright face after an hour and asked 'dad! you said something a while ago. Can that happen?...Tell me how to do that?'

i took her outside and told her 'just watch outside...all the officers of this colony go for evening walk in the perimeter road...you just go near and wish them 'good evening uncle!' in the saluting posture...if his wife is also there along, wish her too 'good evening aunty!'...you will find the chief guest commodore also will come for walk...you wish him also in the same way'

her face went off again and said 'come on dad! don't joke again! by this it can not happen...they will   never salute me'

i just told her 'just do it and see!'

as i had some job i left home and when i came back in the night she was in a corner with dull face...i asked her what happened...she said 'go dad! i did that to many...but no one did anything...they were busy talking to their wives while walking!'

i just hugged her and said 'don't worry baby...it will work and it has to!...tomorrow go in front of them on their way and wish them. If they don't wish you do not leave. Just go along with them and wish'

next day when i came back from office late she was all in smiles and happiness...when she heard the sound of my scooter she came out shouting 'dad! it worked! many wished me and saluted too...but not all...even that chief guest uncle came and said 'good evening beta!' and gave me a pat at the back!'

i felt relieved and said 'good! just continue that for few days and see!'

i could see her soo happy and she went around telling every one at home what happened!

she continued this habit of wishing and felt on top of the world...after five days i told her 'today you don't go outside! you just remain inside the house in the evening and watch outside through the window!'

she curiously asked 'dad, tell me what will happen?'

i just kept it as suspense and told her to just watch what they do and talk when they cross the house...she did that...next day when i came home in the evening she said 'dad, when they neared the house, every one turned to our house looking for me, some said loudly 'today that cute saluting girl is not there. Probably exam tomorrow!'...she was happy about this...

'see, you have started occupying their mind...they look forward for your wishes when they cross our house...your behaviour has attracted them...you have become an icon...did you notice that?'

she was so happy to hear this and said 'yes dad! you are right!'...her eyes were full of happiness and joy.

'ok! now we are half way through. Tomorrow evening you just be there in front of the house and keep playing...don't wish them...just see what happens...ok!'

she was curious to know what will happen and anxiously waited for the evening...next day i was there outside the house playing with her...many came off from the road towards our house and wished her in saluting posture 'good evening cute girl? where were you yesterday?'...they also praised her and said 'hai subbu...your daughter is so cute yar! she does not leave anyone on the road...she salutes and wishes them...good habit you taught her!'...some hugged and kissed her...that chief guest commodore also came, hugged her, saluted, wished, kissed and took her to his house...she had a good time there and came back to tell lots of stories about how he praised her in front of the visiting guests, his wife and children at his house'

she was so happy with all these and hugged me and said 'dad! thanks a lot! with your suggestion now every one salutes me and wishes me'

days passed...she became the talk of the colony and school as all parents mentioned about her during the routine talks...she was saluted and wished by every one every day wherever they saw ...she became an icon both in the colony and school as she continued this habit of wishing every one with a smiling face everywhere...she got good number of kisses and hugs every day from all senior officers and their wives...this improved her studies too...her self confidence went up...she got many good friends...the senior most officer of the area, admiral, also came to know about her...on special occasions banquet is hosted by him to vvips like chief minister, DGP etc and school children...the next independence day, when she went to his house as part of the group of children to attend the banquet, he recognized her and made a special mention and introduced her to the vvips there...she was so thrilled with all these...thereafter she became the standard person to give bouquets to visiting vvips to naval functions...

after few years, when we moved to kochi, the admiral became the Head of Southern Naval Command and he could recognise her in one of the functions and came near her and spoke to her with hugs and kisses...which attracted the attention of the gathering there...

this improved her self confidence, socializing nature and so many other personality traits...

so the crux is...

1. we can become great even by doing simple things
2. we don't have to do great things to attract the attention of great people. We have to be just different. Do simple things differently. That is all.
3. Every good behaviour will bring many good behaviours in us through its effects and cause many good effects in our lives.
4. We don't have to be a big gun to be with big guns...even a school girl can make big guns to bend for her.
5. even one good behaviour can bring many benefits to us and change our entire personality and lives
6. the basic thing in life for good socialisation and to get friends is to wear a good smile on face and wish people
7. if you want something from others, do that first to them and automatically others will give you what you expect
8. the good qualities in us are always noticed by others and we get rewarded for that
9. people remember only our good qualities and the bad ones will get nullified with that...in fact the good qualities will make the bad qualities to disappear
10. to improve or change a person's life, you don't have to teach them to do many good things...even one good thing is enough to change
11. our good behaviours can change others too...and make them to follow us...
12. Don't preach...do that yourself...others will look at you and follow...
13. we can make any one change...a big gun or a small guy...with our love and affection behaviours...

do you agree with me?

bye...keep rocking!:-h wave