Smiles n Laughs

Making someone laugh is a great art. We always like to be with a person who is cheerful and makes the surrounding lively. Its not so easy to get a smile on someone’s face. I have a friend with a fabulous sense of humor and not too many people have this rare gift!!

Life is too short to live. We always cherish the happy moments. Just think for giggles, smiles and laughter you earlier had….the very thought will give a pleasant feel. A laughter from the heart is the best remedy of any kind of stress….nowadays laughter clubs are getting popular….So never be miser for giving a Kodak smile and laugh whole heartedly whenever you get a chance… It’s a good exercise for facial muscles as well as it keeps the temper cool and relax in hectic and busy schedules!!

ART OF LIVING

Last few days I was busy with office and art of living course after office. I finished my part 1 course from Art of living. Art Of Living is a NGO founded by Shri Shri Ravishankar. It has got its presence all over the world in 144 countries.

Initially three hour class was looking long after office but I was wrong as the classes proved to be very relaxing and enlightening. The Sudarshan kriya which is invented by Shri Shri is miraculous if one continues to practice that regularly. The course pays attention on our breath. Breathing is an important element for surviving but least to be thought of. Researches have proved that Sudarshan kriya and the accompanying practices (SK & P) enhance health, well-being, and peace of mind.

Apart from Kriya and yoga, sense of belongingness is inculcated. There are many conflicts happening on the name of religion, ethnicity. It is deteriorating the human values. We are one world, one family. The feeling of belongingness cultivates love, understanding, cooperation...these human values are the foundation of social order, justice and progress.

Any one who has attended this course will understand that teachings are same but the technique & approach is different. On the whole the course opens our eyes, mind and heart to how much more meaningful and complete our lives can be and makes us feel happy, peaceful and contented from with in and from the surroundings.

My Diwali-2006

Diwali is the festival of light, happiness, fireworks, sweets..

I always miss my home the most on diwali as I did not get the chance of being with my family on past few diwalis..I had to face the same state on this diwali also!! This time I had decided to enjoy the festival with full zest and to stay in high spirits..

As usual,It was a working day here. I thought of taking a half day off which I do on the Indian festivals. I was please to know that my Thai Boss knew about diwali as it is some what similar to a Thai festival Loykrotong (festival of light) which is not as grand as diwali. I was overwhelmed when I got the full day leave.

Early morning on diwali I received a call from parents wishing me and asking about office, they were also please to know that I got a day off...next two hours went on online chat to them, discussing about diwali plans and messaging everyone for the festival.

After the chat I started my day with cleaning my apartment to get the feel of 'Diwali ki Safai' which although was very late but hardly took an hour to get over. Noon was approaching and I had an invitation from an Indian family to attend the diwali pooja at their place in afternoon. I took out the new salwar kameez from my wardrobe which was sent recently from India. I dressed up myself in new outfit and accessories - bangles, earrings , necklace and bindi. I got a special feeling..I adored myself as I glanced in mirror I was looking a princess!!

I attended the diwali poojan which was a formal one with punditji enchanting the hymns and all aartis to please Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshami.The deities were offered many types of sweets, milk, curd and fruits. All this was distributed later as prasad. The Pooja lasted for two hours. I had a nice feast and a got lovely present.

At dusk, I was back home. I lit some candles and did pooja with my brother in my own little way. In between I was getting phone calls from family and friends. It gave me tremendous pleasure to wish and get the good wishes.

As preplanned I went out for a dinner to have authentic Indian cuisine where my friends also joined me. None of us is an expert to cook for a feast. So we decided to go for an Indian restaurant. Although the bookings was not made but there was enough space to accommodate nine people. It was a delight for us as our Christian and Muslim friends also joined and were equally enthusiastic on the festival. Our table was full of varied dishes from Biryani to Kadai Paneer, from Butter naan to Bhatura. Every one enjoyed the Jalebis which arrived surprisingly as a complementary on Diwali. While chatting to the friends, I realized that all were sailing in the same boat and although all were far away from their families yet everyone was cheerful while sharing their joys and good wishes with each other. The only missing part was fireworks which were played in limited areas and we couldn't got there.

When I went to the bed, I was satisfied the way I had celebrated my diwali. Festivals are special as they get so much of delight, pleasure, good spirits and positive energy with them. They know no boundaries, the special feelings should come from within self and these are reflected outside in the form of joys and goodness.

LIFE

Life is a riddle, a mystery. We do not know what is going to happen next...Sometimes its a joyous ride but at times it becomes a journey of miseries.....What is life..where are we upto....what will be the end....often these questions puzzle me.....A big question mark....Life is a mix bag of emotions, hopes, desires, success, failures, ups and downs!!! every one has to live his share of life.....cheerfull or moron depends on person to person and also the situations he is surrounded with!!

Life is a precious gift....In all thick and thins we shall never forget to thank Lord almighty for showering His blessings and providing us wonderful life...we are the puppets He is the magician... we are the artists He is the writer.

Life is a question and also its answer.

Pains and Gains

I remember that moment at Chennai airport, midnight, when I was about to part from my parents for unknown period...tears were about to roll but I stopped them with faint smile on my face... Same was the case with them , after checking in..I sobbed!!As a saying goes "no pains no gains" but the pain of missing dear ones is indeed tough. Tough are the times when has to work or study on festivals like Diwali or Holi without having any air of that, or else taking half day off and attending Poojans at Indian family.. it infact enhances an intense feeling of attending home festivities. Tough are the times when didn’t know from where to purchase color on Holi and used turmeric powder instead, to mark the festival.Missing all the roadside chaats, panipuris, goodies. Miss watching Hindi movies on big screen. Miss the neighborhoods where you can enter anytime and chitchat.Miss the warm, cozy feeling of home.

I also remember the day when I landed at Jaipur almost after one and half years , again my parents were there to receive but was utterly surprised to see as they were not looking the same, gray hair had increased with some wrinkles on the skin, they got aged !!! My home town was almost the same except increase in more vehicles on roads. I also got to know about granny’s sickness, the demise of few of family and known during my absence. I wondered it was never told to me but the celebrations, marriages, merry makings were well informed.Gains encourage to face and live the life. There is always a satisfaction of becoming a better and self dependent person. Lord has showered me with his blessings. Most important, I inculcated a thinking of staying optimistic. Still awaiting to get back sweet home and spending quality time with dear ones before heading towards next step.

Life is beautiful ...take it the way it comes!!

Military Coup in Thailand

Its a week now military coup has ousted the Thailand’s Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The news broke on Tuesday’s night. There was a wave of panic as situation was uncertain. The phone calls from family and well wishers swarm in with the instruction of not stepping out of the house. I got a reason of getting up late in the morning but to my astonishment things were functioning with normal pace. I saw people on raod , all modes of transportation buses, taxis, sky trains , subway operating the next day with less traffic . Except government offices, educational institutes and banks rest every thing was open. We were well connected to the world through telephone and Internet. After a day Bangkok was same with traffic and people every where. It was broadcasted on TV channels that military coup has taken over parliament, media offices and major government buildings. Till today I have not seen any military tank or soldier on roads in the city, they are restricted to those limited area.

In past 70 years Thailand has encountered 17 Military coup and this is eighteenth one which is also considered to be the most peaceful one. The important reason is support of people. Although Thailand is facing condemnation from rest of the world but inside the country picture is different, the opinion polls on Wednesday showed a remarkable 80% vote of support for the actions of army chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin and his counterparts from the air force, navy and police.

Thailand's liberal democracy looked fine on paper but proved to be sorely lacking in practice, resulting in deep fractures within society that proved intractable and seemingly unsolvable, at least within the confines of the system. The general elections were getting postponed from past six months with the hold of former Prime minister now was known as care taking prime minister. The political paralysis that had gripped the country this year represented a collision of interests, viewpoints and social spheres that has long been simmering under the surface image of the Land of Smiles.The weak opposition was merely a spectator. Hence military coup seems to be the necessary step for getting democracy back.

Violence is least expected as people and most importantly the Honorable King, who is revered in the country, is supporting the military coup.The leaders of the Council for Democratic Reform have pledged to return power to the people as quickly as possible, with elections to be held within nine to twelve months. One can only hope that their deeds are as good as their words, and that the council truly lives up to its name.

Friendship

There is a very beautiful term called as 'Friendship', it is as deep as an ocean and as broad as sky. According to wikipedia Friendship is used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more social entities.

In my opinion friendship is far beyond of any boundaries of definitions. It is always easy to make friends but it requires lots of efforts to maintain friendship. Two individuals always think differently and it is but obvious to have clashes, the beauty lies in how they carry their relationship and grow mature.

The touch of friendship,in any kind of relationship enhances the flavor. It may be father or son, siblings, spouses, uncle and nephew, a teacher and student... considering other person as a friend first, increases the warmth and it can work wonders.

The base of friendship is sharing and caring. It should happen from both ends equally. Many times to retain friendship one requires to give more from his or her side than other person. Slight misunderstanding can destroy years long friendship.It is always better to initiate,communicate and solve the problems rather then waiting for friend to start. One should keep apart all the egos if seeking for life long friendship, so take initiatives.Never hesitate in saying sorry for any mistake committed.

Nowadays, as world has become a virtual village it is very easy to make friends also it is easy to break friendships ... So can it be concluded that sense of responsibility is declining? There is no space left for true friendship because self comes first!!!

Every thing seems to be superficial....

A Beginning.....A Pleasure

A first step of a child....

A drop from first rain....

First sun ray on earth...

Blooming of a bud into flower..

An innocent smile of a child...

All give us immense pleasure...happiness from our heart..

Something new motivates to dig out more and get the feel.

With similar thoughts, I am writing for my first blog. Converting thoughts into words, expressing and sharing them... definately enhances the thought process.

This place is like a whole world which I can create, design in my way and use for exchanging views.. its my world.... Dreamsworld!!
I welcome you all for sharing, expressing, communicating and commenting...