A Strategic Business Plan Gives Your Small Business The Base That It Needs
Many small business owners have a vision for their company’s future, but fail to properly plan for that goal. Business plans are important for business owners to create, and can be used for many different purposes. Most people think of business plans as being used only to obtain financing from banks or angel investors. While business plans are definitely critical to obtain financing, that is not the only role they play for the small business owner.
A lot of entrepreneurs are great at the big ideas, but have trouble seeing the dream through to fruition. In short, that is the role of a business plan. The step by step process of creating a quality business plan addresses all of the critical areas you need to achieve your goals.
Keep in mind that good business planning does not involve coming up with a good logo, website, social networking strategy or any other tool that you will use later to implement your business plan. At first, however, you need to answer the basic fundamentals about your business that are necessary for creating a solid plan.
For example, when creating the marketing portion of your business plan, you should not at the onset plan what advertising venues you will use or the look of your ad. First, you need to define your root marketing objectives. Ask yourself fundamental questions about your customers: what customers do you want to attract? Where have you found them in the past? How can you reach them? What are their likes and dislikes? What specific products or services will you offer to them?
Until the core questions have been answered, in essence the “what” questions, it doesn’t make any sense to think about or implement any of the “how” answers. But once that base is clarified, it becomes much easier to build on the “what” with the right tools to achieve your plan.
Building a business should be similar to building a pyramid. Spend more time on the base, or core questions to build a strong foundation. Having a good business plan will set your business on that solid foundation you need to succeed.
Be sure to visit SmallBusinessAccountingBackroom.com to get many more resources to help your small business succeed, including information and resources on business planning, financing, sales and marketing.
When More Than A Few Young Guys Who Work In Construction Display Irresponsible Drinking And Need Alcohol Rehab So They Can Enhance Their Positive Attitude And Their Self Esteem
I work with quite a few young men who work in construction who exhibit heavy and irresponsible drinking. After working very hard for eight hours, it seems “logical” to go to the local drinking establishment to have a drink or two with one’s drinking buddies. Regularly, however, it seems that the well-intentioned few drinks turns out to be a situation in which several beers are consumed, a lot of cash is spent, and quite a few hours are spent at the local tavern instead of spending time with their family, friends, or with their wife or girlfriend.
Continuous and Repeated Drinking Can Lead to Friendship, Relationship, and Marital Problems
Is it really all that surprising in these situations that a lot of my hard working buddies experience alcohol induced financial difficulties in spite of the fact that they make quite a lot of money? How arduous can it be for my hard working buddies to understand that abusive and irresponsible drinking normally leads to friendship, marital, commitment, communication, and relationship issues? Why are these alcoholism and alcohol abuse signs so difficult for my hard working friends to see?
Abusive Drinking Can Lead to DUIs, Work Problems, Several Health Problems, and Different Mental Health Issues Like Depression
Should it actually be amazing to anyone that my hard working friends could receive a drunk while driving arrest virtually any day or night of the week? Is anyone genuinely dazed when my hard working buddies start to show up late for work because of their irresponsible and hazardous drinking?
Does it truly amaze anyone to know that these hard working men eventually complain about alcohol-related health problems such as hangovers, alcohol poisoning, a loss of energy, and sleep disturbances? Is it in point of fact amazing that many of these hard working guys are beginning to experience different mental health issues like depression? Why can’t these construction workers “see” these alcohol abuse effects?
To a great extent, my hard working friends have gotten into a dysfunctional situation that is resulting in a life of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. My desire is that these construction workers will ultimately grasp the fact that excessive and irresponsible drinking is unhealthy and that they need to talk to their family physician or somebody at the local alcohol rehabilitation center about their drinking situation.
Concerning the drinking difficulties displayed by my hard working pals, the key point is that honesty is needed. Indeed, my hard working pals, not unlike others who involve themselves heavy and excessive drinking, need to look at their behavior and make a factual evaluation of what heavy and hazardous drinking is doing to their health, to their relationships, to their jobs, to their mental health, and to their finances. In a word, these hard working men need to understand the alcohol side effects of their irresponsible and hazardous drinking.
There’s Room For Optimism If Those Who Engage in Unhealthy and Excessive Drinking Can Become Encouraged to Get the Alcohol Treatment and Alcohol Detoxification They Require
These construction workers need to get motivated and enthused about wanting to make a healthy change in their lives. Stated more forcefully, my hard working friends need to get motivated to go to their doctor or to the local alcohol rehabilitation facility and determine whether or not they are primarily abusing alcohol or if they are an alcoholic. Based on their findings, these hard working men then need to get the alcohol detoxification and the alcohol rehabilitation they need.
The great news is that there are is an almost countless number of rehab programs, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, drug and alcohol treatment clinics, and treatment centers where my hard working buddies can get first-class rehab for their abusive and excessive drinking. And with a little effort, it is feasible to find rehab programs, hospitals, treatment centers, drug and alcohol treatment clinics, and rehabilitation facilities that are relatively cost effective.
Quality Alcoholism or Alcohol Abuse Help Can Begin With a Phone Call
There were unquestionably times in the past when quality help for alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency was far less available and more expensive that it is now. Due to the vast increase of alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction in the past five or ten years, it can be noted, an alcoholic or an alcohol abuser more often than not has few, if any, legitimate excuses for failing to address her or his excessive and hazardous drinking.
In truth, to begin the change process all it frequently takes is a phone call to one’s physician or to somebody at the local alcohol rehabilitation center. From that point forward, alcohol recovery necessitates follow through, commitment, and a sincere desire to change one’s injurious style of life and enhance one’s positive attitude, self worth, and one’s self respect.
Lifetime Opportunities Not To Miss!
Volunteering In Tanzania is increasing in popularity with a vast number of people from around the world taking part in volunteer projects abroad. Whether it’s volunteering in Nairobi as a journalist or offering your services working with street children the popularity of this nice tourism is on the rise. The speed of growth in this sector became noticeable in the 1990’s as people became more accustomed to travel much further afield. The growth of travel, gap years and career breaks has allowed volunteering to become a lot more mainstream than it was say 10 years ago. Volunteering is now popular with a vast age range and is not restricted to the western world. Volunteers come from all over the world to offer their services to communities and people who really need the help.
When most people think of the poorest nations in the world, Africa is usually on the tip of their tongue. This is why the growth in volunteering to Africa is currently prospering. Africa is a huge diverse continent with many different people living there. Africa is home to over a billion people, at least half of which live below the poverty line. This is a tragic statistic but nevertheless help is at hand with the people who offer their voluntary services to the people in need.
It is hard to know where you are going to end up in the future so why not volunteer in Africa today and change your life forever. The sense of gratification, achievement, and desire are all prevalent feelings volunteers experience when helping out local communities and the more destitute among us. Even if you have volunteered abroad before not in Africa, you should give it ago and compare. There is a great chance you will be shocked and overwhelmed at how much help Africa needs.
Volunteering is considered a life time opportunity because of the nature of work. It’s something most will have never experienced before. This is truly an experience for all to cherish and savour. You learn so much not only about yourself but about the world and you see situations through different eyes. This all benefits you greatly in life; even funnily enough your job prospects for the future. Not only do you learn so much about yourself but you see the world through the eyes of somebody else, this in Africa is an especially shocking experience.
Why Not Visit Africa This Summer?
Why not travel to Africa this summer since this is where one of the biggest events in the world is being held! The world cup takes place in South Africa which is undoubtedly going to attract the world’s attention.
If like most of us you don’t have a ticket, here are a few reasons why Africa is still the place to be this summer. Volunteering overseas has always been a popular option with a wide variety of people whether you want to offer your services as a volunteer in Kenya working with children or animals volunteering abroad is a great, productive way to spend your summer
This is the first major event ever hosted on African soil and there is no surprises in the fact that there are very few tickets left to purchase. Africa is a huge diverse continent and not everything will revolve around South Africa this summer. Become a volunteer and offer your services to countries and communities that really need the help and support of someone like you. Volunteering gives you the diverse and unique opportunity to do something different in your life, to open doors and opportunities you couldn’t fathom in your wildest dreams. Whether you choose the rainforest’s of Uganda or the suburbs of Cairo there are volunteer experiences to be had all over Africa.
One of the greatest feelings is helping someone in need. Volunteer gives you satisfaction, determination and the courage to take on more challenges in life. Get out to Africa this summer and volunteer, make a difference not only in your life but in the lives of many other people who need your help in unimaginable ways.
Even though Africa is the poorest continent on the planet there are are many volunteering opportunities to be undertaken. There are over a billion people in Africa to date and a lot of them need your help. Volunteering is considered as one of the most valuable methods of help as it involves culture connections and new learning.
Be apart of something special and volunteer in Africa this year. Your help is unforgettable and extremley fruitful. Its a challenge everybody should set themselves to reap the benefits, happiness and joy out of life.
Law Of Attraction Coach: How To Get Rid Of Outdated Limiting Programmed Patterns By Writing New Ones
Nanette Geiger, Law of Attraction Expert , writes… …
Quantum Physics has discovered that the energy of the Universe is conscious. It combines, computes, enfolds, and creates. Reality unfolds. Thought influences Universal vibration or conscious energy and it imprints the fabric of reality. This encompasses every thought – our thoughts. When intensified with energy, your emotions and feelings create amplitude, higher frequency and velocity.
Belief is a thought around which energy coalesces. Belief is an idea that has been thought about for a long time. Thought is after a while congealed into form or manifestation. After that we have the initial experience of the events that arose out of a belief. That’s how our negative and positive beliefs manifest our world from the view of modern physics. Relationship Attraction has never been more powerful with the discovery of the Law of Attraction.
We will usually consider manifesting with our thought and yet it’s the heart that carries the impact of your manifestation. The heart’s energetic and magnetic field is 5000 times stronger than the brain’s. This is why I always coach you to ‘feel’ your intentions.
Quantum measurements have proven that human thought has the ability to change the nature of atoms. We can create electric and magnetic fields with waves and energy manifested and creating imprints within the physical world with our thoughts.
These things may lead you to wonder, if intentions are so creative, then why does so much stay the same for long periods of time? Why does it seem to take a long time to manifest the desires that I’m thinking? It is simply due to what’s been taken as ‘true.’ Alter your beliefs, change your life. It is really that simple. A Law of Attraction Coach can help you completely change your outlook with expert life coaching.
The subconscious mind is 500,000 times faster than the conscious mind. When allowed the choice between what is conscious and what’s in the subconscious, the subconscious wins all the time. So make conscious that which is unconscious by realizing how you feel. Your emotions are guidance to what’s happening inside, and will show you each time when a limiting belief is in play.
Bruce Lipton explains regarding the process of analyzing information the subconscious mind is over a million times more powerful than the conscious mind. Do not turn on auto-(unconscious) pilot when you desire to make a new life reality. You wish to create a successful career? Monitor your intentions more closely. Maybe you desire a love relationship that will knock your socks off? Law of Attraction Relationships are supremely rewarding and fulfilling past your wildest dreams! Imagine a partner who is everything you have ever desired in a lover. Get attuned to what you want and the feeling of already having it. Activate the feelings, emotions and the heart’s magnetic field.
Thought charged with emotion is energy. It can be conscious or subconscious. Only you can choose your thoughts and emotions. Override the old programs by intentionally choosing your feelings and thoughts.
The Experience For All – A Gap Year
There are 101 reasons to do a gap year irrespective of what you choose to do. Perhaps volunteer projects abroad takes your fancy or working as a ski instructor. Whichever your choice there are so many different opportunities to participate in out there. Volunteering is a very popular niche market as the world opens up to travellers. Whether you volunteer in Africa offering your services to volunteer with animals or travel around Asia, a gap year is something very unique and should be considered by all.
Gap years allow you to break up your routine at home and get out and see the world. Whether you are a student just out of high school or someone who is looking for a career break, a gap year is most certainly for you. Even though Africa is the poorest continent in the world its the stunning landscapes and unimaginable beauty attracts many visitors annually especially gap year venturers. Africa is the cradle of humanity, where the first man is thought to have walked the earth and although its one of the poorest continents its also one of the richest in diversity.
A gap year or a year out gives you the opportunity to do something very different, to experience different cultures, traditions and ways of life. It is a profound experience, a once in a lifetime opportunity which can, and has done so many times before, made a huge impact in many people’s lives. Taking a gap year helps those that need to do a bit of soul searching, character building and to help find their way in life. Travelling abroad is the best way to achieve these goals, getting away from what you are used to and content with and experiencing something uniquely different.
Gap years can be influential, inspirational, encouraging and most of all life changing. Volunteering is an exceptional way of experiencing the world with a bit of help and guidance when you need it. This is your chance to show your prospective employers you are a diverse, educated, experienced person. Volunteering can get you a long way in life.
A Young Gentleman Hits a Low Point in His Life, Conquers His Depression, Gets Alcohol Rehab for His Irresponsible and Excessive Drinking, Augments His Self Esteem and Personal Happiness
Samuel was a thirty-six-year-old interior designer who was fed up with feeling depressed on a daily basis and sick of his careless and excessive drinking behavior. Stated briefly, he was sick of feeling lackluster every morning, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship due to his excessive drinking, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a valueless habit, and he missed his old motivation for doing various things he enjoyed.
Additionally he was annoyed with the many times he failed an alcohol test at his workplace, he was bored with his drinking friends, he despised the fact that he had to go to court for his first DUI, he was upset with how physically unfit he was, and he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees.
As well as the identifiable alcohol-related health predicaments he was going through, possibly the worst part of his drinking routine was the undependable and scheming individual he had become. In his heart he knew that he had been less than truthful about his drinking behavior to his relatives, family, and friends and he also knew he had been dishonest with himself about the “beneficial” outcomes of drinking. What is more, he rationalized gulping three or four drinks before going to social events and he also made excuses for needing one or two drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could manage the “pressures” at work.
His Depression and His Hazardous Drinking Result in Significant Changes in His Life
Clearly Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse outcomes of his depression and his excessive and careless drinking and finally decided that something significant had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would quit drinking, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, start exercising, get professional counseling, develop a new circle of friends, and start focusing on becoming a more healthy person. Stated briefly, Samuel got to a pivotal time in his life during which he comprehended that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now prepared to commence the slow and gradual road that leads to health.
One of the ways that Samuel implemented his “plan” was by asking for a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was granted, he moved 600 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new friends and distancing himself from his old friends and buddies much simpler. Then he phoned a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a complete physical exam.
Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Professional About His Heavy Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare practitioner and taking a number of lab tests, it was decided that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and consequently was in need of alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehab. At this time, the doctor made it a point to discuss the diverse signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term effects of alcohol with Samuel. The doctor then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical issue.
Samuel Decides to Revitalize His Body by Working Out, Eating Wholesome Foods, Drinking Distilled Water, Vitamins and Minerals, and Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life
Due to his enthusiasm for following through with the rehabilitation program, after eight weeks of inpatient rehab, Samuel was ready to begin therapy on an outpatient basis. At this point, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began revitalizing his body by drinking distilled water, exercising, living an alcohol-free lifestyle, taking vitamins, and eating healthy foods. Samuel also attended to his spiritual side of life by joining the local Reformed church and going to the weekly services.
After nearly three months of outpatient rehabilitation during which time he never suffered through an alcohol relapse, Samuel quit going to alcohol therapy and instead began going three times every week to local AA meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free lifestyle, they provided him with the support he required, and they served as a frequent reminder of the negative results that are related to abusive and careless drinking.
After going to AA meetings roughly six-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Sandra, a young lady he met at church. It simply amazed Samuel how much more prepared he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and careless drinking under control. Indeed it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his abusive and excessive drinking. Life was now good and loaded with promise that he could have never yearned for or accomplished when he was involved in careless drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Demonstration of the Relevance of Alcohol Rehabilitation and the Power of Positive Thinking
Samuel’s success story is a testament to the significance of alcohol therapy and the power of change. As Samuel thought about his newfound lofty self concept and motivation for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually appreciative that he made up his mind to do something constructive about his excessive and unhealthy drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his dependency. The result: he enjoys his new job responsibilities, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself stay under the control of his alcohol dependency, he is involved in a wholesome relationship, his life now has a positive direction, and he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life.
A Young Gentleman Hits a Low Point in His Life, Conquers His Depression, Gets Alcohol Rehab for His Irresponsible and Excessive Drinking, Augments His Self Esteem, and Overcomes His Grief About His Divorce Problems
Samuel was a thirty-six-year-old interior designer who was fed up with feeling depressed on a daily basis and sick of his careless and excessive drinking behavior. Stated briefly, he was sick of feeling lackluster every morning, he hated the hangovers he went through on a regular basis, he was tired of going through failed relationship after failed relationship due to his excessive drinking, he was angry with himself for spending his hard-earned money on a valueless habit, and he missed his old motivation for doing various things he enjoyed.
Additionally he was annoyed with the many times he failed an alcohol test at his workplace, he was bored with his drinking friends, he despised the fact that he had to go to court for his first DUI, he was upset with how physically unfit he was, and he was fed up with paying for alcohol-related lawyer fees.
As well as the identifiable alcohol-related health predicaments he was going through, possibly the worst part of his drinking routine was the undependable and scheming individual he had become. In his heart he knew that he had been less than truthful about his drinking behavior to his relatives, family, and friends and he also knew he had been dishonest with himself about the “beneficial” outcomes of drinking. What is more, he rationalized gulping three or four drinks before going to social events and he also made excuses for needing one or two drinks as soon as he awakened so that he could manage the “pressures” at work.
His Depression and His Hazardous Drinking Result in Significant Changes in His Life
Clearly Samuel was sick of putting up with the adverse outcomes of his depression and his excessive and careless drinking and finally decided that something significant had to change in his life. So he made up his mind that he would quit drinking, involve himself in some worthwhile hobbies, start exercising, get professional counseling, develop a new circle of friends, and start focusing on becoming a more healthy person. Stated briefly, Samuel got to a pivotal time in his life during which he comprehended that he hit the bottom of the barrel in his life and was now prepared to commence the slow and gradual road that leads to health.
One of the ways that Samuel implemented his “plan” was by asking for a transfer at his place of employment. When his request was granted, he moved 600 miles away to a new city. If nothing else, this beyond doubt made making new friends and distancing himself from his old friends and buddies much simpler. Then he phoned a healthcare practitioner in his new city and made an appointment for a complete physical exam.
Samuel Meets With a Healthcare Professional About His Heavy Drinking and His Depression
After meeting with the healthcare practitioner and taking a number of lab tests, it was decided that Samuel had made the transition from alcohol abuse to alcohol addiction and consequently was in need of alcohol detoxification and alcohol rehab. At this time, the doctor made it a point to discuss the diverse signs of alcoholism, the symptoms of alcoholism, and information about long term effects of alcohol with Samuel. The doctor then told Samuel that it was concluded that he was clinically depressed and in need of counseling for this medical issue.
Samuel Decides to Revitalize His Body by Working Out, Eating Wholesome Foods, Drinking Distilled Water, Vitamins and Minerals, and Living an Alcohol-Free Way of Life
Due to his enthusiasm for following through with the rehabilitation program, after eight weeks of inpatient rehab, Samuel was ready to begin therapy on an outpatient basis. At this point, he started working at his new job and over the weeks began revitalizing his body by drinking distilled water, exercising, living an alcohol-free lifestyle, taking vitamins, and eating healthy foods. Samuel also attended to his spiritual side of life by joining the local Reformed church and going to the weekly services.
After nearly three months of outpatient rehabilitation during which time he never suffered through an alcohol relapse, Samuel quit going to alcohol therapy and instead began going three times every week to local AA meetings. Going to these meetings helped Samuel maintain his alcohol-free lifestyle, they provided him with the support he required, and they served as a frequent reminder of the negative results that are related to abusive and careless drinking.
After going to AA meetings roughly six-and-a-half months Samuel felt that he was ready for a relationship and so he started dating Sandra, a young lady he met at church. It simply amazed Samuel how much more prepared he was for a dating relationship now that he had his abusive and careless drinking under control. Indeed it also astonished Samuel how much better life was now that he wasn’t under the control of his abusive and excessive drinking. Life was now good and loaded with promise that he could have never yearned for or accomplished when he was involved in careless drinking just a few short months ago.
A Success Story That is a Demonstration of the Relevance of Alcohol Rehabilitation and the Power of Positive Thinking
Samuel’s success story is a testament to the significance of alcohol therapy and the power of change. As Samuel thought about his newfound lofty self concept and motivation for involving himself in healthy, worthwhile activities, he was actually appreciative that he made up his mind to do something constructive about his excessive and unhealthy drinking rather than giving into his depression and into the lure of his dependency. The result: he enjoys his new job responsibilities, he is in command of his life rather than letting himself stay under the control of his alcohol dependency, he is involved in a wholesome relationship, his life now has a positive direction, and he has more energy now compared with any time in his adult life.
Law of Attraction Coach Explains: Your Emotions are Your GPS
Nanette Geiger, Law of Attraction Coach , writes… …
These days lots of cars are included with the option of getting a GPS device. GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Almost everyone today realizes what a GPS is and roughly how they function. There’s a satellite in the sky somewhere that transmits signals to equipment on the ground and then there’s the receiver installed in your car. It is pretty complex, but between these three spots, and somehow by finding the distance between the three spots, it finds out where you are and how to get where you’re trying to go. Pretty ingenious stuff, don’t you concur?
Equally, if not more, ingeniously, our emotions give us supremely important guidance.
Our emotions are a guide that tell us whether we’re in in a mode of attraction or in in a mode of resistance. It is not just our thinking. It is how we emotionally react to our thoughts, and the emotions and beliefs we have to our thoughts. The dominant thought or feeling is what is being transmitted to the Universe. The Universe simply finds a match and mirrors back to us what we have been sending out like a GPS. Like attracts like. Using the Law of Attraction is a hugely powerful tool for Relationship Attraction, and is simple to grasp.
When you feel negative emotion, interpret it as guidance from your EGS (Emotional Guidance System) that you are halting the course of your natural happiness. When you experience any negative emotions, it means that you’ve got attachment on something that is undesired or that you do not agree with. Many of us get blocked in the build-up of negative emotion: why it should not be in our lives, that something HAS TO be wrong, get it away from me fast, and so on. That is resistance. You’re resisting what’s happening and you’re resisting the negative emotion. A Law of Attraction Coach can help you today to free yourself from old limiting thought patterns that inhibit your happiness.
When viewed purely as informative knowledge, negative emotion can turn constructive. Now you’re released from the attachment and connection and you have options. you will stop attracting more of what you do not want and you’ll be able to clear the negative feelings out so you stop suffering. Pain and suffering all come as a result of what you make yourself believe about what has happened. An event happens, you put meaning to it, and you suffer. The stuff occurring around you is always going to happen. You have a choice on how you interpret it; good, bad, or with no meaning. Your perspective and your suffering has always been your option. You can create your own Law of Attraction Relationships today to help increase your positive vibration!
Turns out it is not difficult to align your EGS. When you feel well you are moving creative energy; channelling Source energy. When you’re feeling bad you are pinching it off. It lets you know that you can now make a better choice.
The Significance of Ganesh in Hindu Culture
A few years ago I at last met somebody I had known for countless years, but only over the internet. I noticed that the woman usually wore the same pendant, a strange figure with an elephant’s head. I wondered why such a stylish woman was so attached to what looked like a kitchy plastic figure. When I finally was able to ask her about this, I was ashamed of my ignorance. It turned out to be the first time I had discovered the Hindu God Ganesh.
To the western eye, Ganesh appears to be very odd; a nearly comical figure that has a male’s body (and a little bit of a paunch) an elephant’s head, four hands (at least), only one tusk, and spends his time riding around on a really small mouse. But Ganesh is absolutely not a clown and to view him as being a joke would be to misunderstand hundreds of years of belief and symbolism. He is highly revered in the Hindu faith, where the exact same characteristics, viewed in an alternative way, make him the embodiment of intelligence and learning, the patron of science as well as the arts, the remover of obstacles, and hence prayed to at the beginning of each and every enterprise as the god of success. It was as such that my friend donned her Ganesh charm, not plastic but very old jade, a talisman made to convey success to each one of the woman’s ventures. Like many other Hindu statues and talismans, a Ganesha statue represents specific aspirations of a productive life.
The Hindu religion is extremely old and practiced over a wide region, so it isn’t astonishing that there are numerous stories about the source of the Hindu gods. In most Hindu practices, Ganesh is the child of Shiva and his wife Parvati. Hindu’s acknowledge four main sects all of who value Parvati and Shiva as significant, but for the Shakta, Parvati, whose name implies ’she of the mountains’ is the Supreme Being and Shiva is her consort. Legend says it was Parvati who made Ganesh.
Parvati has been said to value her privacy, so one day when she wished to wash and had no-one around to keep watch for her, Parvati used turmeric paste to make a boy. She afforded him life and asked him to protect her security, and this is how Ganesh was born, with no real intervention coming from his ‘father’ Shiva.
When Shiva returned home he sought to go inside, but Ganesh acted upon his Mother’s instructions and stopped him. There was a battle, and Shiva, who is regarded as Lord of Destruction, chopped off the child’s head.
When she discovered what had happened, Parvati’s rage knew no bounds. She commanded that Shiva amend the situation, so he directed his servants to return with the head of the first living thing they found. The head belonged to an aged elephant they had seen just as he was going to perish, so Ganesh was brought back to life and given the elephant’s head.
By association Ganesh is regarded as strong, tender and loyal. Such a large head can only be a sign of wisdom and cleverness, while the large ears are used to carefully separate the good and the bad and to listen to the requests of supplicants. Like the elephant Ganesh is dangerous if provoked, but warm when shown kindness. Unlike most elephants, Ganesh has just one tusk.
There are many stories of the true reason for the shattered tusk; the most famous is Ganesh was handed the job of writing down the legendary tale known as the Mahabharata. At some point his pen failed and rather then stopping, Ganesh detached his tusk and continued, showing he was ready to make a sacrifice to accumulate knowledge. Other, less poetic tales state that the tusk was taken by a villain who stole it to create ivory ear-rings for stunning women.
It isn’t always instantly clear that a Ganesh statue has 4 (and sometimes more) arms. One is shown in abhaya pose that is held up with hand out and fingers pointing upwards, as the second holds a sweet, a symbol of the interior self. The other two hands will usually contain a goad and a noose, the former used to prod followers along the path of truth, as the latter represents the snare of earthly desires. At his feet most statues of Ganesh display a mouse, his customary steed. The mouse is a symbolic representation of the intellect, wandering in and out, but tamed by the greater power of the whole.
A number of devotees think that the peculiar shape of the one tusked elephant headed God mimics the symbol AUM, a symbol that signifies the primeval sound that was the very first thing to be formed and from which the remainder of the world came into being. This is actually the symbol which is commonly employed to signify all of Hinduism and its beliefs.
Even though the Hindu religion has 4 principal sects, all worship Ganesh, in whose image is found throughout India, Nepal and many areas of the Far East. For Buddhists Ganesh appears as the god Vinayaka and is generally shown dancing. His statues appear in Nepal and Tibet. In Japan he is viewed as a minor god and young adults call on him when looking for success in love. All through Malaysia, Java, Bali and Borneo there are temples to Ganesh and in Thailand. There his placement as remover of obstacles and patron of the arts mean that there’s a service where offerings are made to Ganesh just before any movie or TV series begins shooting.
Indonesia is a Muslim country, however even there Ganesh is adored and his image can be found in many Cambodian temples. Yet in spite of spreading throughout the Eastern world Ganesh was unknown in Europe until fairly recently, though some scholars, commenting on a statue of Ganesh where he is shown with two heads (one of an elephant one of a man) facing in opposite directions have likened the image to that of Janus, the two headed God of the Romans, but no actual link between the two has been found.
Whatever your view on the gods of the east or of the ancients, their sculpture and related symbolism are always thought provoking. However we look at something, various other civilizations usually saw it very differently; one reason why museum quality statues along with other artifacts make fascinating and artistic conversation pieces for any home.