Its hardest to know…..!!

They often say a picture says more than a thousand words…and now here I hope that this would convey a little of something of what is on my mind… and I’m sure at some point in all our lives we would have come across.

For you…from yours truly

One hour later, it would be one month down. Somehow, it feels like a long time ago, that I was caught up in the frenzy of the New Year celebrations.

Truth to tell, I feel kind of more “off the track” of late. I do feel happy and content in my surroundings but also (sigh!) a little bit restless.

Wonder why.

Flipping through the channels, (yes, I am finally sitting in front of the big screen!!) one thought that keeps on nagging my conscience is; its 2013 and you’re growing in no way younger; so what have you done so far? What have you promised to yourself?

Promise?!  To myself?! You’ve got to be kidding!!

Why? You have to give an assurance to yourself over something? Or are you not important to promise yourself something?!

No it’s not that; it’s just that there’s nothing much to promise myself. I have already made a list of resolutions.

No, I’m talking about “promise”. To give yourself what you really want. To take an undertaking or vow only for yourself.

I already have more blessings than I can count. So what do I want more?

Are your blessings making you too set in life? What about making those blessings into talents ? What about your dreams? Your dream to make a difference…

….. That’s what I am doing here….

Is that enough? Not the realistic dreams, but your dream to “live life” or are you falling into the good old comfortable routine?

We need routines and yes, I always tend to fall into one.

Then why are you restless? Or is it “dissatisfaction cloaked”? Or are you hiding from taking a chance? What happened to your “bucket list”?!!

My bucket list; there was one maybe five years ago; but no more.

Why not?

I don’t know !!

Then this what I have to say;

“We don’t have all the time in the world.

You need to live life for yourself; not selfishly but true to your inner voice and to your inner self.

A promise to; free yourself of the constraints of the day, and to just explore life.

To do what you want to do, to take chances and to make changes. 

Walk that extra mile, make a new path and if you feel like running, hike up your skirts and just run.

Yes, we do live in a society but do re-script the rules once a while; only for you to live life.

Some bridges may need to be burnt. In that case, burn them and find another way to crossover. But whatever it may be, take care not to lose your passion for life.

Just run with the wind once a while and breathe in what is there around you. 

All I am asking you, is to promise yourself to make your bucket list …

And in doing so…dream big, take small steps, jump a little, walk a new path, sail through un-chartered waters, run awhile, find life and most of all in doing so; find peace in your inner self ….

…Yours truly..

Stringing the thoughts !!

Two months and approximately, twenty-five days….it’s not something that I am really happy to acknowledge, but that’s the number of days; I have out of the social networking and the blogging world !! Or rather mildly put, “being off the radar”.

To cut the long list, I am hanging the blame on the sudden fateful turn of events, both in my professional and personal life. Thankfully, they are not that tragic, just time-consuming. In simple words; work, exams, projects and a whole lot of work !!

Shoving all rants aside, it’s thanksgiving, finally !!  Besides the turkey feast, it’s one day that we think of our blessings (little do we know the real value of them !! ) and say Grace.

Everyday we take a  number of things granted. It’s only when we see the little things that we realize how blessed we are.

For instance, I often wonder what the little girl has to smile about, when she had lost her father to a domestic terrorist attack on three years ago ? Or what makes Lina, the lady who stays a few miles away from the hospital in the slum area happy, when her husband abandoned her, leaving her alone with her child who is physically challenged ?  How does the sixty year old church warden get up every morning to ring the chapel bells at six; he had lost his son and his entire family in a hit and run accident three years ago ? There are many more people who have worse situations that what I have seen or known, but they still make through the day.

And that’s what I often wonder, how do they do it ? What makes them smile again ? What gives them the hope ? And why would they ever say thanks. When I asked John, the only thing he would say is. “It’s a part of His bigger plan. May be I am still here to do my part.”

And somewhere down the road, they move on. I am honored to know them, their courage, their hope and how they make their life still count. And in no way that would be easy.

That when the realization strikes;  for most of the times, when we label ourselves “the unlucky ones”; little do we know how lucky we are.

Yet do we do our role in the best way we can. Are we using our blessings or simply taking them for granted and whiling away our time ?A lot to ponder over.

So for now, I have decided to make a difference I can, whenever I can and where ever I can. Maybe it’s not the elaborate gesture that counts but just a kind thought or deed. Or sharing our blessings when we can.

And which is why I have to get busy with the dinner.

One more thought, with my present work schedule and exams, I really don’t know when I would be able to log on; but till do spread the  cheer around.

Happy thanksgiving !!

 

Who decides the morning ?

Have you ever seen the balance ? Or more appropriately put, “the scales of (what we all know as) justice” !! Unfortunately, justice as it often goes, seems kind of twisted in the common life. Blatantly, rather rephrase justice as “luck”.

Yes, there are some of us, those unlucky ones; who just happen to miss it all at that specific moment. And when we re-scrutinize and re-analyse the situation, ( thanks to our innate human nature!!), down go our shoulders and then officially consciously or unconsciously, we deem the day bad.

But that’s what life literally mocks at us for. For one after the other, the bad days come in a frenzy and we sink deeper into the dungeons of self misery. (Well, maybe the “dungeon” bit is an exaggeration, but in a way it’s true!!)

Troubles come and we end up being chased by them, when ideally we should take a fork-lift and turn it around. Sometimes, we ought to take a break while running, and look back, asking ourselves, isn’t it time to stop and pitch back !!

And it’s only when we realize that it’s us who decides the morning, we end up living our day to the fullest !!

 

Troubles come and we end up being chased by them, when ideally we should take a fork-lift and turn it around. Sometimes, we ought to take a break while running, and look back, asking ourselves, isn’t it time to stop and pitch back !!

And it’s only when we realize that it’s us who decides the morning, we end up living our day to the fullest !!

So what are we all waiting for ?!! Charge ahead and have a great week !!

 

It’s not only about the bit where the glass is half full…

 

Half full or half empty ?!! That’s the story of how positive thinking goes. The way you view a glass of level with the water at the mid-level (..i.e. the realistic view !!)

But today, I was wondering what happens when the glass suddenly just slips and breaks ….. Lucky or unlucky ?!! Bad omen ? I guess, that what happens most of the time, when we set out to do something and it feels that everything in the world, or rather everything that is happening around us, is going against us.

Well, at this point all I can say is, “Welcome to my world!! ”

Yes, things at this point looked like that, till I just sat and gave my thoughts their say. And eventually, this is what I believe….

“When you take a moment to acknowledge how far you’ve come and then look around you, and within yourself…you’ll  remember that you started with nothing, and know that everything that you have achieved so far, is what you have done with His Grace.

Yes, you can lose all feelings of self-worth, especially when something goes wrong in our world, which we deem is the most crucial to us.Yet, the truth is that if you have done it before, you can do it again, no matter what. 

As long as you feel the drive and the willingness to try again, you’re still alive. As long as you make mistakes, you’re still human. And as long as you keep trying, there’s still hope.

So, all I can say for now, is to never give up on yourself and never abandon your dreams.”

 

As for as signs go, yes I did get my coat splattered with mud, thanks to the heavy rains !!, en route for the grand presentation; but my presentation went better than what I hoped for.

And yes, I’m still in a race against time, but I guess I’ll manage shuffling between deadlines and relationships. Believe, the latter is what gets strained fast.

And even though, my plans aren’t going smooth, I guess, I’ll still manage.

After all, every mountain has an “up” and “down”. If there were only up’s, even the skies won’t be able to accommodate us. But a black hole might !!

I guess, the most important thing is not to be bitter over the disappointments. It’s too much to expect that everyday would be sunny. And it is when we get lost, in the darkness and despair; it’s only in the black of the night, that you can make out the stars, and then eventually they would be a light to lead us on.

So even when things go against us and the plans…. it’s worth to make mistakes, to stumble, to fall, because most of the time, the greatest rewards come when we do the things that scares us the most…the biggest risks, the big gamble. And someday. we’ll get everything more than we could ever have imagined.

For, who knows where life will take us? The road is long and in the end, the journey is the destination but when we stand still and waste our time in moroseness and all the “why me ?!!”; we would be getting nowhere.

So, run and get moving.

Have a happy week ahead !!

 

Finding it…

“It’s a state of mind of mind”, they say…

But what they don’t know is that,

It’s also a choice.

It’s something you get only when you are yourself.

It disappears when we change ourselves to be something else, what we are truly not, just to please others.

To find it, you have to learn not to take everything to heart. Perchance, if others don’t like your actions or words, even if you don’t mean to hurt anyone, then let them be. You can’t change everyone, but you can change yourself…

If life was about pleasing everybody, then you would never find it…

It runs away, when you are deeply troubled and irritated.

But, it’ll come again…if..and only if…

You muster your courage to admit when you’re scared….

learn to laugh even though you are crying deep inside…

the guts to speak up, even if your voice feels shaky…

and  when you need help, the confidence to ask for guidance…

and the will to listen to words of advice and wisdom….

Then you would definitely find it…and

That “It” is nothing but happiness…

The happiness of mind, heart and soul…to have all three of them is indeed an art and the gift of life…

Discere non iudicare….to be so or not to..

Earlier when people used to say, “Oh he’s from the big city !! ” or that she’s from a small town in the Midwest, little did I realise that , these words of introduction or greeting were laced with sarcasm.

And that’s when I thought, this is the minus of people living in the country. They think that city folks don’t know a damn thing about life. On the flip side of the coin, city dwellers classify the new town folk as naive and vulnerable. After all life begins in the city. Well, my thoughts have undergone a complete make-over.

For whether you are from the big pond or the small one, some need to simply comment or criticize. No matter where life takes you, big cities or small towns, you’ll inevitably come across small minds. Many who think they are better than you; may be they are but that doesn’t mean that you are not good enough!!

Many who think that having loads of green paper and tons of material things, or being pretty or popular automatically makes you a worthwhile human being. And that name and fame is what makes life worth it.

And society would judge on these things, at some point or other. But the truth is nothing matters, unless you have a strength of character, integrity, and a sense of pride. And if you’re lucky enough to have any of these things, never sell them. And don’t ever sell out yourself.

And on meeting someone for the first time, it makes sense not to judge them by their place in life. For think of yourself in their shoes and think of being at the receiving end. And more surprisingly, you would never know, that person might end up being your best friend for life.

So next time, it would be worth the while, to step in and simply say a how do you, minus the comments and minus the sarcasm. In short, learn not to judge, Discere non iudicare.., because life is more than opinions and self-importance. Life speaks of true character, friendship , a lot of beautiful moments and memories, and more…..

Meanwhile, have a great evening !!

 

What the sunset says…

“Come watch with me the shaft of fire that glows
In yonder West: the fair, frail palaces,
The fading Alps and archipelagoes,
And great cloud-continents of sunset-seas…....  Thomas Bailey Aldrich ; Sonnet Miracles”

And that’s the beauty of sunsets. I don’t if it’s common these days, but my grandma often used to say, “Every time you wake up and ask yourself, What good things am I going to do today?, remember that when the sun goes down at sunset, it will take a part of your life with it.” 

True, for me sunsets define an end to the day and brings all the happenings to a close. It’s like the perfect time to reminiscence about the good things of the day, indulge in a little bit of nostalgia and loads of wishful thinking and slowly get geared for the next day.

Yet if there is one phrase that always echoes in my mind, it’s the words “Never let the sun go down in your anger.” If there is something left unfinished or unsaid, something that keeps on nagging your mind or anything that’s needs to be said and done with, before sunset is the rule. Afterall, isn’t it worth to have one peaceful night ?!! Sunsets do have a healing touch, we only need to find the time and see it.

Deviating from the philosophical bent, I have been fascinated by sunsets ever since childhood. Maybe it’s the play of colours or simply the sun saying goodbye; yet it has always had a profound effect on me. After witnessing a whole sunset, from the ebbing of the bright rays to the hue of colours and then the dusky darkness; Nature has found a way to keep man in awe of her. And brings time to a standstill. Speaking of sunsets, today mine reminded me of Emily Dickinson’s “The Coming of Night”, though not of the countryside, but of the fiery city skies.

So what are you – a sunrise or sunset person ? Or a bit of both ?! Or none !!

 

Try to catch one…

What do you do when all that comes to mind is…

“Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day”

Courtesy to my next door kid who wanted to hear Perry Como’s lines over and over again, which is what got me thinking ( which is when some would ensure that the emergency numbers are at hand !!)….And so let’s talk about stars !!!

And this brings me to the big question, what would you do when you catch one? And the even bigger one, do you believe that you would get one ?

Consequently, this is what my pessimist side said…

“Catch a falling star ?!! What nonsense !! They are just asteroid like bodies that enter the earth’s atmosphere and then burn to bits..that’s what they are, rock…dust..ashes !! Beside when they fall they create craters too, real big ones!! And at the rate you spent looking up to catch one, you would end up slipping. Don’t tell me that I didn’t warn you ahead…!! Rainy days and dust..they all become muddy. And even if it’s a star, it’s so bright that it would burn your pocket and hand. Do me a favor and quit thinking, just don’t get me started on the nonsense of believing in silly stuff !!” .…There, one part of me got quashed !!

Then steps in my ever so bright side, the thoughts of the “hardly ever-present optimist”…

“Sure stars do exist and when you get one, don’t let go. Use it and save on it but don’t waste it nor miss it. Let its light burn, so bright so that it would make a difference in your life. Life has lots of falling stars ( here, Mr. pessimist snorts !!), try to catch, all of them or at least most of them.”…Great, I’m pepped up but directionless I feel..

Finally to the rescue, my realistic thoughts crowd over;

“Falling stars are beautiful. No, that would be an under-rated, they are actually spectacular. But the beauty lies in how you use it. And that depends on your purpose. On what you seek from life. On what you define your life to be. On till where you are willing to go, even if it means as far as your journey takes you. And that starlight of what’s left is more than just for a rainy day. It’s for you to brighten it and pass the light. You may not always be able to do that, but when ever you can you must.

The best part being, to lessen your dark days with the star-dust that you have in your pocket. Most important, look up once a while for the stars but don’t forget to look ahead and behind too. Use the stars and the star light to guide you. And when you catch a falling star…smile, use it and treasure it.”….

And that is the what the most practical and realistic side of me says…

So, what do you think of “falling stars” ?! And most of all, do you believe in them ?!! What would you do with your star-dust – save it or use it, or a bit of both ?!