Creative Challenge #146 - Twenty five words or less

I hope my life summed in 25 words or less would read -

“Restful soul; 
   Adored nature; 
      Sinusoidal chaos;
         Haphazardly ordered; 
            Mindfully walked;
               Intentions, positive.”

Tour CC 146

 

Lohri and Makara Sankranthi.

Lohri is celebrated by Punjabis to mark the end of the Month of Paush(Sagitarrius) and the entrance of the Sun into Maagh (Capricorn).   The region of Punjab, in NW India is the breadbasket where wheat is the main winter crop .  Wheat that is sown in October is usually ready for harvest in March or April. In January, the fields are at their midpoint of growth, making the farmers hopeful with its promise of a golden harvest.  This is a period of rest for the farmers before the harvest. 

At this time, according to the Hindu calendar, the earth, farthest from the sun, begins its journey towards the sun, thus ending the coldest month of the year, Paush, and announcing the start of the month of Magh. Hindus call this period of time for the next six months as Uttarayan or Northward Journey, and according to the Hindu Time cycle this is the Day of the Gods(One year for Man is One Complete cycle of  a day and night for the Gods).

On this day, we light a bonfire outside our homes and celebrate by making offerings of puffed rice, popcorn, peanuts, sesame and jaggery to  Agni, the Lord of the Fire asking him to Cleanse and Bless the Land with Prosperity, to bring in Honour and prosperity while wiping out poverty. The Prasad(the same offerings) are also exchanged between friends and family. The special meal for the day is usually Makki-di-roti (corn or millet flat bread) and Sarso-da-saag(Mustard Leaves cooked with spices and herbs).

Tomorrow People from other parts of India celebrate the festival with different names and rituals but the significance is the same. In the South its called as Makara Sankranthi or Pongal.

To all the Indians and Thai(its called Songkran there) a Very Happy Lohri ! And a Very Happy Sankranthi!

Peace.

Happy New Year 2009!

This is for you, my unseen, yet cherished friends.  Words do not explain the depth of blessedness I feel, for having you in my life.  You have been so Generous, Kind and Affectionate in sharing, enriching, inspiring me, who for all purposes is mostly typed words on the screen. 
Thank you! for gracing my life.
Happy New Year 2009!

Here's my wish for All of you this coming Year.   

Ample opportunities to grow into a Happy You
Bubbles of joy in the simplest things
Courageously facing life, for you are Able.
Drinking lots of water to keep your health.
Eating Right, cause you are what you eat.
Feeling more positive, no matter what the situation
Grateful for all that you have no matter how little.
Happily accepting that which is not under your control
Ignoring negativity in thought, deed or action.
Juggling all that life throws at you with dexterity
Kindling sparks of enthusiasm in yourself and others
Loving and learning about yourselves and those in your lives
Motivating yourselves and others to do better.
Never using words like "Can't"
Opening yourselves to receive Blessings
Persevering until you achieve what you set out to do
Quietening your minds so you may listen within
Realizing Rest and Fun is a part of the work cycle.
Set and work towards Goals that Build you.
Treat yourselves with compassion, talk soft.
Understanding that there is So much more to Learn
Vehemently support causes and people you believe in
Will yourselves to the path of Success
X'cel(excel) beyond your expectations of you.
Yodel just because you can, its fun
Zzzzzzzzzzz's, make them count, Sleep well every night.

May Peace reign your minds always.

Warm Regards
Rashmi.

Happy Independence Day! to all you folks in the USA

While you celebrate freedom, remember to stay safe and have fun.

Remember your ancestors and the Work they did so that you may be here.

Remember also where this country started and how far its come. 

Remember the different people that make up this Nation and their Contributions, even those who werent a class that recieved any honour for it. 

Remember your mistakes so you can learn from them. 

Celebrate your successes with Humility. 

All in all.. Think about How big your Nation is and in its Bigness the things it can do to make our world a better place.

Happy Independence Day!!!

March-Renewal

The onset of Spring is a special time for a lot of people around the world. This weekend falls the Id-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad(21st, for Muslims) Festival of Holi or Vasant Panchami, the festival of Spring(22nd, for Hindus) and Easter, in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ(23rd, for Christains).

To me it is a time that reminds us to Renew our Lives-to clean our homes and minds of clutter, to begin the work for what we would like to change in us, to renew ties that slept during winter. Its also a reminder that "nothing lasts for ever, that this too shall pass"- the Winter has to make way for Spring. Welcome the Spring- the hope of change for the better, for the abundance that it brings in terms of sunshine and plants.

Here's to You who I have had the privilege of journeying with, through the words we share. Thank you all for leaving your Type Prints on my Pages, for the encouragement, the discussions, for the caring and sharing the world as you see it.

May this time Help you focus on your Needs.
May this time Help you count your blessings.
May this time renew your determination to walk your course.
May strength Grace your every action, be it in from the soul, mind or body.

Id Mubharak!!
Happy Vasanth Panchami!!
Happy Easter!!

Peace Always
Rashmi.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

To all Those who are Celebrating.

"May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Wishes for the season

 

Its that season again, its the end of the year, the time of Yul, Christmas, the winter solstice, Eid, Kwanza and Hannukah. To all those celebrating, here's my wish for you.

- May you find the place of Joy and Hope within you
- May you be able to spread it around
- May you always know the blessings you hold
- May you look at the lessons you have learned
- May you know abundance that exists within you
- May all that you need, be within your reach
- May all that you seek, come seeking you
- May your home fill with Love and peace.
- May laughter reside on your lips.
- May you enjoy Good Health
- May your souls smile always.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season and a Very Happy New Year 2008!!

Thoughts on our 60th Independence day

It was on this day 60 years ago that India became Independent of British Rule. My wish for all Indians is to become aware of what independence means for you. Does it mean having your own people to govern you? Does it mean having your say in what you do with your life? Does it mean more control and power in your hands? Does it mean responsibility? Please Look carefully, cause your definition of Independence will make the path which will lead our country into either a Nation where self-sufficiency and open-ness to new paths of life is in balance or it will lead to a cheap imitation of what we think we should look like to other nations of this world...Please pay special attention to doing things the right way, cause if the action isnt right then the results/consequences will also not be right. Look at your everyday life, cause no matter who you are or where you live, together, our collective behaviour as citizens will determine the Destiny of our nation. In all the work that we do, we have to remember the 3 d's Dharma(as in what is Good for all), Deligence and Dedication. Take stock of how far our nation has come, question if its headed along a path where the future generations can survive and live well. Visualize the kind of Nation you want it to be. Ask yourselves what is it that you can do within the limits of who you are, that will help it along that visualized path.

Temper your Joy too... in rememberance. For this was also the day that Pakistan was formed into a separate Nation. When we celebrate our Independence we should also remember how it happened. Remember our History - How many families were separated over the borders, how many people were slaughtered in the name of religion and nationhood on both sides, how many children became orphans how many men became single fathers or widowers, how many women became single mothers, widows? how many of those who are from that era carry a scar? Have we done any healing or do we walk in denial? Have we learned our lessons? I know there isnt any Memorial(Is there?) for those that died over an Imaginary Line on the soil. But it bodes us Well to have a Memorial in our minds.

Have a Happy yet Introspective day. For our nation, we can at least do that much.

Peace Always

Mithuna

The year that is, soon to be Was.

I look upon this month with a mixed feeling, cause this is usually the time I review the last year. Rationally I know looking back really does nothing good, that its best to move forward from where we are. But I like looking back at the quiet drama that my life is.

2006 started off badly for my cyberlife... I lost my old ID, I was so sad and angry, nay, I was depressed, mainly because I had a whole list of family and friends ID that I lost. I recovered some from memory, but there are those that I dont remember. I am taking a zen-esque view of it, so I am telling myself that it was time's way of telling me to move on. And now I learned to not trust technology more than having a paper and pen backup job.

I started to blog sometime in November 2005. Originally, my intention was to write my opinions about the different happenings around me but then I discovered that I could write only if I felt for the topic. So I got back to what I used to do in my Teens, write poetry, recording some incoherent thoughts, rambling over unfounded theories and short stories that no one read(cause no one saw them). In the process I discovered beautiful people, enjoy their writing, get a glimpse of how others live(yes I am a curious person but not curious enough to stalk), feel the kindred spirits in the mothers, the parents and friendship. Its been such a lovely experience. Thank you my friends and unknown kind strangers for letting it be so.

My kids have been what they are - my source of awe, unconditional love and tenderness, amusement and hair-pulling episodes. My daughter is in the 1st grade now and is totally enjoying her math and reading sessions. She plays the keyboard by the ear quite well(planning on putting her into a paino class soon). Her favorite activity seems to be doing puzzles, drawing, colouring and crafts. Last month, her request was "Mom, when are you going to teach me to cook?" So I had to tell her "when you can stand and stir at the stove without needing a chair".

My son is in pre-school, this year was good at least he didnt fall ill every month, so I guess his immune system has adapted. He will be in KG next year. He loves to do anything his sister can do. He plays twinkle twinkle on the keyboard, again by the ear. Hes knows to write most alphabets and sound off the words, he loves to jump off the sofa(should I let him bungee jump?) and worships his sister. He also likes according to him "Karate". He likes to doodle and have stories read or narrated to him. Any time music is turned on, he likes to do the goofy dance(giggling), its very hilarious to watch. Both are such clowns, they like to laugh and make others laugh. Yes, they do have their moments when they are at each others throats, thats when Mommy the Umpire steps in, and they know they have both lost the fight.

My husband, well, hes as bald as ever and as funny as ever. Among all my decisions I made in life, Marrying him was the best One. He did something for me that I never dreamed he would do... He actually took care of the house and the two little ones for over a month, so I could visit my mother and be back. yes ! I am blessed to have him and hold him. Hes had a very busy work schedule this year...sometimes I miss him though I live with him , but this too shall pass.

I visited home this year, so I miss them a little less than I did last year or maybe I am getting used to existence without them. My mom is hanging in there, inspite of her numerous health complications. Somedays are good, some worst but I am glad for the time I have with her. While I was there, I did spend some time going with her to the hospital so that my dad could take a break from routine, wish I could do more. My dad is tired, from all the looking after and the errands he does at his age, he is seventy and hes been my mom's sole caregiver for over 6 years now. My brother and Sis-in-law had their daughter this year in March and they are happy. They have very busy lives with their work schedules and looking after the baby.

My cousins, three of them married this year, I was there for one's marriage... So I got the food, met most of my relatives and my gran who is 91, so things are good. I finally made it to see my cousin's newly built home(which was about 3 years ago) and to anothers home for the first time after she married (about 6 years ago). Living in a different part of the world from your family is a painful when I think of the things I should have been there for. But this is a choice I have to live with.

I met some of my friends while I was in Bangalore, we spent time going to our old haunts and talking about how life has changed and how we managed to remain the same for each other. Its amazing what affection can do. I got to visit most of my favorite eateries(yeah I love food, typical Indian food). Everyone is in the kids and family mode but scratch the surface and you see that carefree side we shared at school and college.

We bought a house this year(finally). I got a part time job(one day a week) working as a montessori pre-school teaching assistant(a step in the right direction?). I dont know what I feel about it other than the fact that I am amazed at the workings of kids minds. They make me want to do more for them, build a strong base for them when it comes to learning and attitudes. I didnt gain or lose any pounds this year(good thing? bad thing?). I havent done as many paintings or sketches as I wanted to do or crochet for that matter (bad time manager?)but I did write poetry and stories and read a few books.

All in all its been a good year... Life is as it should be... Hoping you all had a good year too..

May the coming Year bring into your lives and homes much love, peace-of-mind, happiness, good health and prosperity.

Happy Hannukah!!
Merry Christmas!!
Happy Kwanza!!
And
A Very Happy New Year!! to you all.

Entry for October 21, 2006

Today is diwali. I did most of the cleaning yesterday but then after all the cooking I did today, I am wondering, why I cleaned yesterday when it was going to be back to square one today.. I am too tired.. I wish I was back in India... I miss being home for the festivals. The energy during the time would be so electric.  I miss the goodies. I miss the rest of my family, cousins and friends... *sigh*. Guess I am feeling melancholic...

The kids had fun.  They got to wear the "Indian" clothes that I got for them from my last trip home.  They wanted to know why I did whatever I was doing for the day. They wanted to help with the cleaning yesterday, so they helped dad rake the yard.  They helped mom prepare the shopping list and my daughter picked the flowers we were to take home.  My son helped out with opening the windows so that the smoke alarm doesnt go off when we did the arthi.  I made jamuns, masala vada, kheer, choley and puris.   The kids ate everything that meant snack and skipped dinner.   Reminded me of when I was a kid, we would raid the kitchen for chaklis, vadas and rava laddoos and of course we skipped lunch and dinner and most any other meal till the yummies were there.

Now that the day is done,  I am going to get some much needed zzzzzz's.  Hope you all had a great day too.

Happy Dusshera!!!

Hi to all those who are celebrating Dusshera..

The Nine days are almost over...

May  the nine important wealths of -

1. Knowledge 2. wisdom 3. happiness 4. abundance of food, clothing and materials you need for life 5. strength of character 6. success in your endeavors 7.  family and children 8. blessings from the elders and teachers  9. courage to pursue goals and persistence to complete them ..... always grace you,  your life, home and family.

rgds

Mithuna.

Entry for September 11, 2006

For all those who have lost loved ones..

May time erase  hurt and heal your hearts.

May you cherish the time you shared.

May you love the ones in your lives right now.

May Strength of character and courage never fail you.

Peace,

Mithuna.

Entry for August 16, 2006

Yesterday was our Independence day.  Indian Independence from the British rule.   I have a love/hate relationship with my country.  But overall, I look at it with a sense of pride and awe.. I cant imagine another country that is steaming with such a diversity of languages, traditions, religions, colours, thoughts, philosophy's and contradictions.  

A friend of mine (thank you Sophia) sent me this verse from Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali(translated of course). I think it best describes what I would aspire for all the generations of Indians in the future.  We cant relax and become complacent just because we are "officially" independent.. its time we awake to what freedom really means and work for the better in all fields, for all our people.

"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is lead forward  into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, let my country awake."

Happy Belated Independence Day! Dear Indians!

Here is the Address to our Nation by the President, DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

It was also the festival of Janmashatami, the birthday of Krishna( an avatar of Lord Vishnu).   It was a day for fasting and introspection  for most Vaishnavas.  This was a day to contemplate on what and  how we can use the teachings within the Shrimad Bhagawat Gita(which most hindus follow) in our lives to better ourselves..

 Happy Belated Krishna Janmashtami to you.

Happy New Years!!

For all of you Celebrating the New Year!! 

Varsha Pirapu!

Happy Vishu!

Happy Bihu!

Shub Nabo Barsh!

May it be blessed with peace, joy, love and prosperity.

 

 

Happy Ugadhi!!!

Tomorrow is Ugadhi, for the followers of  Chandramana(of the moon) calendar system. It is New Year for the People of Karnataka, Maharashtra  and Andra Pradesh. It heralds the season of spring, of rejuvenation and re-birth. It’s the time for new beginnings, time for letting go of old wounds and grudges, time for resolving misunderstandings, a time for acknowledgin negative attitudes either by accepting it  or by disciplining our self. It is also a time to remember that life is whole, only if you are able to take the dualities in your stride. On this day, Neem flowers (bitter), raw mango (sour) with Jaggery(sweet) is made into a paste, offered to the Family deity and eaten by every person.  The paste is a representation of the different flavors in our lives which makes our life one tasty dish.  An early morning bath and new clothes to wear, worship at the family shrine and village temples, almanacs(panchaanga) are read, blessings from the elders and wishes from friends, goodies like Holige and pulliogare are made, doorways decorated with Rangoli and Mango leaves Thoran, marks the beginning of the Hindu calendar year.

 

To all of You who are celebrating the new Beginnings. 

 

May your life be filled with ---

Happiness, to make you smile.

Annoyance, to make you realize your potential.

Wisdom, to value the present.

Innocence, to let go of grudges.

Success, to make you thankful.

A helping hand, to make you humble.

 

A VERY HAPPY UGADI TO YOU!!!