How To Judge People Fairly

Once upon a time, three blind kids who have never heard of an elephant, were taken near to the elephant. First kid who touched the elephant from the tail commented that elephant is hairy and thin. Second kid who touched the elephant from legs concluded that elephant is very fat and  unmovable thing. Third kid who touched the elephant from the trunk said that elephant is a curvy moving object. Do you think any of the kid said the right thing? Do you think that instant comments by any kid was a right approach? Do you think you behave just like blind kids, that is, giving instantaneous conclusive comments about people instead of judging them properly. In fact, sometimes you behave worst than that. You associate things with people which are never supposed to be concluded in that way. Sometimes you do character assassination of people and put their respect on stake. Isn't it unfair? So how to judge people? Here are some points to be considered:

1-    Be positive. Even if you notice any negative thing about someone. Don't conclude about it. There is a chance your brain is thinking against the reality. Don't let your brain cook bad curry. Explore the negative observation extensively but avoid spying on someone. Be straight and be upfront.

2-   Physical appearance is not everything. Don't judge people by their looks. A person in normal clothes and in a normal vehicle might be better than a person in brand new Mercedes or BMW. On the contrary, a rich man can also be equally a great person.

3-   When judging people look for the Ethical richness  such as honesty, truthfulness, simplicity, behavior, friendliness, down-to-earth attitude etc. 

4-    A fly will always sit on the dirty and rotten part of the tomato. Never do this in your life. Every person has good and bad habits. Look at the positive side of things. If you feel something wrong, talk about it but don't spread negative info about someone. Hate the bad habit, not the person.

Judging a person does not define who they are… it defines who you are !

The Dog In The Well

In old times, there was a village having only one well for drinking water. One day a dog fell down in the well and died. The water became filthy and undrinkable.  The worried villagers went to the old wise man for advice. They were told to take 100 buckets of water from the well so that clean water come to the surface of the well. The villagers took 100 buckets but water status was same. They went to the wise man again. He suggested to take another 100 buckets. The villagers did the same but to no avail. They villagers tried third time to take another 100 buckets as per the advice from the wise man but water was still impure. The wise said, How come the whole well is polluted even removing this much considerable amount of water. Did you remove the dog body prior to taking 300 buckets of water? The villagers said, "no sir, you only advised us to take water out, not the dog body.

Several times in life we try to resolve our problems without considering the root cause of the problems. We believe that we are resolving the problem whereas in actual we are working on the side effects of problem not the problem itself. We don't see the big picture to understand the root of the issue.  We take advice from our well wishers but do not use our brain to think logically to analyze the advice and then decide ,instead, we start acting blindly on the solutions suggested by others.

How to Keep People Around You Happy

Keeping people happy is one of the signs of God's presence in your heart because spreading and ensuring happiness around you is the a human-nature-based instinct which is concretely linked with Universal principles of God.

Making people laugh for a short span of time is not to be considered as keeping them happy altogether because laughter is just a sub-set of happiness. You might make person giggle or feel good with by a joke, a sitcom, a nice instant comment but this feeling is for a very short span of time but keeping people happy for long terms is your real achievement because it indicates a permanent demonstration of your character trait for possessing high degree of care and love for others.

Dawson's Creek

Little Girl: After tonight, I'm avoiding growing up at all costs.

Joey: Sounds good...let me know if you have any luck.

L: Aren't you supposed to be arguing the other side? Convincing me that

growing up can be such a beautiful experience...if I just LET it?

J: I see...you want the, "I'm older than you, so here's how it works

speech," right? How's this? ...Growing up sucks. And not all kisses are magic, and most boys, do NOT live up to your expectations. But...there are those times when everything, I mean...love, romance, relationships, life...it all falls together perfectly and...it's incredible. 

And it's those moments, no matter how DEPRESSINGLY few and far between...that make growing up worth it.

LESSONS FROM NOAH'S ARK

Don't miss the boat.
Build on high ground.
If you can't fight or flee---float!!
Two heads are better than one.
For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Stay below deck during the storm.
Don't forget that we're all in the same boat.
Don't listen to critics - do what has to be done.
If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.
Plan ahead ... It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.
When things get really deep, don't sit there and complain--shovel!!!
Remember the woodpeckers. An inside threat is often bigger than
the one outside.
Speed isn't always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board but
.. so were the snails.
Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone might ask you to do
something REALLY big.

FRIENDS

In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who let you have the red crayon  when all that was left was the ugly black one.

In first grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to the bathroom with you and held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.

In second grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you stand up to the   class bully.

In third grade your idea of a good friend was the person who shared their lunch with you   when you forgot yours on the bus.

In fourth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who was willing to switch square dancing partners in gym so you wouldn't have to be stuck do-si-do-ing with Nasty Nicky or  Smelly Susan.

In fifth grade your idea of a friend was the person who saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.

In sixth grade your idea of a friend was the person who went up to Nick or Susan, your new crush, and asked them to dance with you, so that if they said no you wouldn't have to be   embarrassed.

In seventh grade your idea of a friend was the person who let you copy the social studies homework from the night before that you had forgotten.

In eighth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pack up your stuffed animals and old baseball cards so that your room would be a "high schooler's" room, but didn't laugh at you when you finished and broke out into tears.

In ninth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who went to that "cool" party thrown by a senior so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshman there.

In tenth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who changed their schedule so you would have someone to sit with at lunch.

In eleventh grade your idea of a good friend was the person who gave you rides in their new car, convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded, consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan, and found you a date to the prom.

In twelfth grade your idea of a good friend was the person who helped you pick out a college, assured you that you would get into that college, helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time adjusting to the idea of letting you go...

At graduation your idea of a good friend was the person who was crying on the inside but managed the biggest smile one could give as they congratulated you.

Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who gives you the better of the two choices, holds your hand when you're scared, helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you, thinks of you at times when you are not there, reminds you of what you have forgotten, helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer, stays with you so that you have confidence, goes out of their way to make time for you, helps you clear up your mistakes, helps you deal with pressure from others,smiles for you when they are sad, helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!

A Samurai and a Zen Master

A samurai, a very proud warrior, came to see a Zen Master one day. The samurai was very famous, but looking at the beauty of the Master and He said to the Master, "Why am I feeling inferior? Just a moment ago the Grace of the moment, he suddenly felt inferior. 

I have never felt like that before. I have faced death many times, and everything was okay. As I entered your court suddenly I felt inferior. The Master said, "Wait. When everyone else has gone, I will answer. " 


I have never felt any fear - why am I now feeling frightened?" 

People continued the whole day to come and see the Master, and the The Master said, "Come outside." samurai was getting more and more tired waiting. By evening the room was    empty, and the samurai said, "Now, can you answer me?" 

It was a full moon night, the moon was just rising on the horizon. And and there has never been any problem. The smaller tree has never said he said, "Look at these trees. This tree is high in the sky and this small one beside it. They both have existed beside my window for years, to the big tree, 'Why do I feel inferior before you?' This tree is The Master replied, "Then you need not ask me. 

You know the answer." small, and that tree is big -- why have I never heard a whisper of it?"

The samurai said, "Because they can't compare." 

Opinion About Others

Once an Old man spread rumors that this neighbor was a thief. As a result, the young man was arrested. Days later the young man was proved innocent. 

After being released he sued the old man for wrongly accusing him. In the court, the old man told the Judge: "They were just comments, didn't harm anyone." The judge told the old man: "Write all the things you said about him on a piece of paper. Cut them up and on the way home, throw the pieces of paper out. Tomorrow, come back to hear the sentence."

Next day, the judge told the old man: "Before the hearing starts, go out and gather all the pieces of paper that you threw out yesterday." The old man said: "I can't do that! The wind spread them and I won't know where to find them."

The judge then replied: "The same way, simple comments may destroy the honor of a man to such an extent that one is not able to fix it. If you can't speak well of someone, rather don't say anything."

Giving comments about others have several disadvantages:

1. We become slaves of our words what we have uttered.
2. We lose our own respect in society/colleagues because of doing consistent character assassination.
3. Most of time, we are not sure whether we are right or wrong because being human our judgment can be wrong so we fall in the category of liars.
4. Negative trait of our personality becomes prominent which becomes of character in the long run

Secret of Heaven and Hell

The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs crossed and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep and demanding voice of a samurai warrior. "Old man! Teach me about meditation, he sat. Suddenly his zazen was interrupted by the harsh heaven and hell!"


Response from the monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible faintest hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as heaven and hell?" replied the monk at last. "You who are so unkempt. The samurai stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with each passing second. "You wish to know the secrets of would ask me of heaven and hell?" 
You whose hands and feet are covered with dirt. You whose hair is uncombed, whose breath is foul, whose sword is all rusty and neglected. You who are ugly and whose mother dresses you funny. You stood out in bold relief as he prepared to sever the monk's head from
The samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high above his head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck its shoulders.

"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its descent.


"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."

In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with amazement, awe, compassion and love for this gentle being who had dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching. He stopped his sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.

MISTAKE

When John D Rockefeller ran the Standard Oil Company one of his senior executives made a mistake that cost over $2 million. 

The other executives thought Rockefeller would come down heavy on him and probably fire him.  But he didn't.  Before he called the man in, he sat down, took a notepad and wrote across the top of it: 'Points in favour of this man'.  Then he listed the man's strengths, including how he'd once helped the company make the right decision and earn them millions of dollars.   

One of the senior executives who witnessed it later said, 'Whenever I am tempted to rip into someone, I force myself to sit down and compile a list of the good qualities they have.  By the time I have finished, I have the right perspective.  And best of all, my anger is under control.  I can't tell you how many times this habit has prevented me from committing one of life's costliest mistakes-losing my temper.  I recommend it to anyone who must deal with people. 

 

So before you jump to conclusions about someone, stop and ask God for wisdom, then sit down and make a list of their best qualities.  If you do you may come to a different conclusion.  One thing is for sure, you'll approach them with the right attitude and you won't say things you'll later regret.

 

Baloons

There was a man who made a living selling balloons at a fair. He had all colors of balloons, including red, yellow, blue, and green. Whenever business was slow, he would release a helium-filled balloon into the air and when the children saw it go up, they all wanted to buy one. They would come up to him, buy a balloon, and his sales would go up again. He continued this process all day. One day, he felt someone tugging at his jacket.

He turned around and saw a little boy who asked, "If you release a black balloon, would that also fly?" Moved by the boy's concern, the man replied with empathy, "Son, it is not the color of the balloon, it is what is inside that makes it go up."

The same thing applies to our lives. It is what is inside that counts. The thing inside of us that makes us go up is our attitude.

Have you ever wondered why some individuals, organizations, or countries are more successful than others?

It is not a secret. These people simply think and act more effectively. They have learned how to do so by investing in the most valuable asset--people. I believe that the success of an individual, organization or country, depends on the quality of their people. 

BE YOURSELF

Be understanding to your enemies.
Be loyal to your friends. 
Be strong enough to face the world each day. 
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone. 
Be generous to those who need your help. 
Be frugal with what you need yourself. 
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything. 
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles. 
Be willing to share your joys. 
Be willing to share the sorrows of others. 
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed. 
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty. 
Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds. 
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails. 
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble. 
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way. 
Be loving to those who love you. 
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change. 
Above all, be yourself.

Learning Is Important

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul security,

And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company    doesn't mean

And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and  your eyes open,

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and     presents aren't promises,

with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child,
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.

And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.

So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers, you really do have worth.

And you learn that you really can endure... that you really are strong, And

Give 100% And Get 1000% In Return

One boy and a girl playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.

The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.

 

That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Conclusion:

This simple story gives us a simple lesson that he who does evil expects evil. This lesson applies to all stages/domains of life may it be professional for familial.

 

If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent.. Give your hundred percent to everything you do and get peace of mind.

The Power Of Positive Thinking

I remember my dad teaching me the power of language at a very young age. Not only did my dad understand that specific words affect our mental pictures, but he understood words are a powerful programming factor in lifelong success.

One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around upside down from the rafters of our lake house. So, it came to no surprise for my dad to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so high.

My older cousin, Tammy,  was also in the same tree. She was hanging on the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Tammy's mother also noticed us at the exact time my dad did. About that time a huge gust of wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and the tree begin to sway. I remember my dad's voice over the wind yell, "Bart, Hold on tightly." So I did. The next thing I know, I heard Tammy screaming at the top of her lungs, laying flat on the ground. She had fallen out of the tree.

I scampered down the tree to safety. My dad later told me why she fell and I did not. Apparently, when Tammy's mother felt the gust of wind, she yelled out, "Tammy, don't fall!" And Tammy did fall. My dad then explained to me that the mind has a very difficult time processing a negative image.

In fact, people who rely on internal pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for Tammy to process the command of not falling, her nine-year-old brain had to first imagine falling, then try to tell the brain not to do what it just imagined. Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal image of me hanging on tightly.

This concept is especially useful when you are attempting to break a habit or set a goal. You can't visualize not doing something. The only way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a word for what you want to do and visualize that.

For example, when I was thirteen years old, I played for my junior high school football team. I tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together at that age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was running out for a pass, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the ball. My coaches were not skilled enough to teach us proper "self-talk." They just thought some kids could catch and others couldn't. I'll never make it pro, but I'm now a pretty good Sunday afternoon football player, because all my internal dialogue is positive and encourages me to win.

I wish my dad had coached me playing football instead of just climbing trees. I might have had a longer football career. If our parents can set a lifetime of programming with one wrong statement, imagine the kind of programming you are doing on a daily basis with your own internal dialogue.

Here is a list of Toxic Vocabulary words. Notice when you or other people use them.

•    But: Negates any words that are stated before it.
•    Try: Presupposes failure.
•    If: Presupposes that you may not.
•    Might: It does nothing definite. It leaves options for your listener..
•  Would Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen.
•  Should Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen implies guilt
•  Could Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen but the person tries to take credit as if it did happen.
•  Can't/Don't: These words force the listener to focus on exactly the opposite of what you want. This is a classic mistake that parents and coaches make without knowing the damage of this linguistic error. 

Example-1:

Toxic phrase: "Don't drop the ball!"Likely result: Drops the ballBetter language: "Catch the ball!"* *

Example-2:

Toxic phrase: "You shouldn't watch so much television."Likely result: Watches more television.Better language: "I read too much television makes people stupid

Couple In The Bus

Once there was loving couple travelling in a bus in a mountainous area. They decided to get down at some place. After the couple got down at some place the bus moved on,  As the bus moved on, a huge rock fell on the bus from the mountain and crushed the bus to crumbs. Everybody on board was killed. The couple upon seeing that, said, "We wish we were on that bus"   

Why do u think they said that??

If they had remained on the bus instead of deciding to get down, the resulting time delay could have been avoided and the rock would have fallen after the bus had passed ..!!! 

Think positive in life always and look for opportunities when you can help Others...

Lessons of Dalai Lama

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve

great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, respect for others and

responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful

stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to

correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think

back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current

situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for

each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Reactive or Responsive (Choice is Your's)

In life, we have essentially two psychological modes that we are in most of the time: reactive and responsive. The reactive mode is the one that feels stressful. In it, we feel pressured and are quick to judge. We lose perspective and take things personally. We're annoyed, bothered, and frustrated.

Needless to say, our judgment and decision making capacity is severely impaired when we are in a reactive state of mind. We make quick decisions that we often regret. We annoy other people and tend to bring out the worst in them. When an opportunity knocks, we are usually too overwhelmed or frustrated to see it. If we do see it, we're usually overly critical and negative.

The responsive mode, on the other hand, is our most relaxed state of mind. Being responsive suggests that we have our bearings. We see the bigger picture and take things less personally. Rather than being rigid and stubborn, we are flexible and calm. In the responsive mode, we are at our best. We bring out the best in others and solve problems gracefully. When an opportunity comes our way, our mind is open. We are receptive to new ideas.

Once you are aware of these two drastically different modes of being. You will begin to notice which one you are in. You'll also notice the predictability of your behavior and feelings when you are in each mode. You'll observe yourself being irrational and negative in your reactive mode and calm and wise in your responsive state of mind.

7 THINGS TO ATTAIN SOUL PEACE

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked. 

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too

often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we 

have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way,

our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not

conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered

to the right direction, our direction. This thinking 

denies the existence of individuality and consequently

the existence of God. God has created each one of us

in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act

in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way 

they do because God within them prompts them that way.

There is God to look after everything. Why are you

bothered? Mind your own business and you will keep

Your peace. 

2. Forgive And Forget. 

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We

often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the

person who insults us or harms us. We nurture

grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep,

development of stomach ulcers, and high blood

pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but

nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly 

remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Believe in

the justice of God and the doctrine of Karma. Let Him

judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too

short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and 

march on.  Love flourishes in giving and forgiving. 

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition. 

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom

praise anybody without selfish motives. They may

praise you today because you are in power, but no 

sooner than you are powerless; they will forget your

achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why

do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their

recognition? Their recognition is not worth the

aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely

and leave the rest to God. 

4. Do Not Be Jealous. 

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our

peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your 

colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get

promotions; you do not. You started a business several

years ago, but you are not as successful as your

neighbor whose business is only one year old. There

are several examples like these in everyday life.

Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life

is shaped by his or her previous Karma, which has now

become his destiny.  If you are destined to be rich,

nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so

destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be

gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy

will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your 

peace of mind. 

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment. 

If you try to change the environment single-handedly,

the chances are you will fail. Instead, change

yourself to suit your environment. As you do this,

even the environment, which has been unfriendly to 

you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and

harmonious. 

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured. 

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an

advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, 

ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond

our control. If we cannot control them or change them,

we must learn to put up with these things. We must

learn to endure them cheerfully thinking, "God wills 

it so, so be it." God's plan is beyond our

comprehension. Believe in it and you will gain in

terms of patience, inner strength and will power. 

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew. 

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often 

tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable

of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know

your limitations. Why take on additional loads that

may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind

by expanding your external activities. Reduce your 

material engagements and spend time in prayer,

introspection and meditation. This will reduce those

thoughts in your mind that make you restless.

Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind. 

Carrot Egg & Coffee

A daughter complained to her father about life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of struggling. It seemed that as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

 

The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.Turning to her he asked. "What do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. 

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She said, "What's the point?" He explained that each of the items had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong and hard. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. 

"Which are you?" he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"