Today while doing puja in the morning, all of a sudden I recalled my childhood days. Navratri is one of my favorite festivals and many memories are attached to this festival.  When I was a kid, at the time of Navratri, I used to prepare garland for Durga ma using the flowers which I collected from our garden. At the time of aarti, my main focus remained on the sweets which my mother used to prepare for Goddess Durga. I think innocence is the main feature/highlight of childhood period. At that time, for me life meant, to get passing marks in all subjects, playing with friends and fighting with my sister. I irritated my sister for small-small things like paper, pen, ice-cream and Maggie share….

But life has been changed now .It becomes hectic and full of commitments.  Now I am answerable for my actions.  At the time of taking any decisions, I have to think beyond paper, pen and ice cream shareJJJ .

 I want to live that period again. It’s not that I am afraid of taking responsibilities in life but I just want to enjoy that innocence again.....

Friends are really indispensable part of life. They make you realize that you are important for them. Today one of my friends scolded me for my carelessness. From the past few days, I am suffering from exertion and cold and taking OTC drugs to overcome it. From her scolding I realized that it is very easy to give lecture to others on healthy lifestyle. But it’s very difficult to follow the same in life. I can give a nonstop lecture on the side effects of taking medicines without a prescription but I think visiting to the doctor for such common ailments is very difficult. Again the same schedule is going to be followed this weekend as well (Going slow) as I have no other option…. JJJ. But I feel much better today….I hope this would be my last sluggish weekend because I don’t want follow this mantra anymore.…JJJ

"Sometimes the littlest thing in life changes something forever and there will be times when you wish you can go back to how things used to be but you just can't because things have changed so much"

"The best thing that you can do in life is follow your heart. Take risks. Don't just take the safe and easy choices because your afraid of what might happen. Don't have any regrets and know that everything happens for a reason"

                                                                  (Author of both the quotes: Unknown)

 I believe that learning is a never ending process and at the end of each day you can learn something new and meaningful. Today I read an article which was published in the Times life magazine. It was related to regrets in life. From that article, I learned that the best way to deal with any regret/guilt is to let go of it. There is a strong correlation between guilt and suffering. When we refuse to take the responsibility of our past actions and blame someone else for our pain. It indicates that we are suffering. The best way to come out from that guilt is to accept it. This article forced me to recall my regrets. Like every human being, I have done a few things in my life that I have later regretted. I couldn’t say sorry to some of those persons in life because they are lost somewhere in the track of life but definetly I will try not to repeat the same incidents/mistakes in life.....

Going Slow Today....

Today in the morning I decided to spend this weekend at home only. Fever was also one of the reasons for making such a choice. But now at the end of the day, I am feeling very calm and relaxed. I always love chatting with friends, irritating near and dear ones by playing different pranks. I think my nature is changing. Now days I am enjoying silence. This sudden change reminds me of someone who said that his nature is not static. It keeps on changing. At that time I didn’t realize the meaning of his saying. But now I understand that the nature of the person can be changed depending on the circumstances and his choices.

From the past few days,  life is moving at such a fast pace that it seems to pass me by before I can really enjoy it. So I tried to slow down and enjoy it. Today I watched TV almost after 15-20 days, read the newspaper but, not in a hurry otherwise every morning; I prefer to see only the main headings.  A slow paced life means taking time to enjoy whatever you are doing, to appreciate the beauty of small things. I think I enjoyed this day because instead of thinking about work or instead of being connected through a laptop, mobile. I enjoyed my leisure.  

Slowing down is not an easy task, But sometimes you can decide to slow down just to appreciate the life and to enjoy your happiness. So “GO SLOW” and make the journey of life “ENJOYABLE”....

Slow Dance...

A few days ago, one of my friends sent a poem through an e-mail. I don’t know the writer of this poem but I just love the message which is conveyed through it.  So I cannot resist myself to post it in my blog...

Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic
flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading
night?

You better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

Do you run through each day on the
fly
When you ask "How are you?"
do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his
sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
'Cause you never had time
to call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast
Time is short
The music won't last When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting
there.
When you worry and hurry through your
day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Author: Anonymous

 

Life is very unpredictable. Last Thursday night my mind was totally preoccupied with my work which I need to complete by Friday.  But the next day my day was started at around 5.45 am in the emergency ward of Apollo hospital. One of my closest friend cum flat mate complaint of severe stomach ache so we rush towards the hospital as the pain was unbearable. The scene at the emergency ward was too pathetic. It was difficult to see the agony of some of the patients. After giving pain killers, she got freedom from the ache and then the entire morning spent in standing in lines for different tests, reports, fee payment, medicines etc.  At around 10.30 am I realized that at 11 am I need to attend one project kickoff meeting. It was impossible to take the con-call in hospital as there were rush and my mobile battery was almost discharged. So I immediately rushed towards the office in my worst attires. Reached office at around 11.15 am but thank god because of some technical issues the meeting was not started at 11 am. In the office, my mind was entirely towards my dress. But I consoled myself that everyone in my team knows that I am coming directly from the hospital and it was Friday so casuals were allowed. Call ended at around 1 pm and again I rushed towards my home… Finally my friend got discharged from the hospital at 2 pm. Again reached office at 3 pm. Did some mental exercises in doing one new assignment…. When I reached home at around 8.30 pm, I was totally exhausted. But all my tiredness went off when I saw the smiling face of my friend Shweta…and then we started doing acting of my friend when she was in hospital, discussions on doctors. One of the doctors was very smartJJJ. So we all were scolding Shweta for her early discharge from the hospital as we could not see that doctor again. We tried to attempt everything to make her smile and to forget about her illness. From that small incident, I realized the strong bond that exists between me and her.....

Want to write something for my blog. But in my mind only thoughts related to work are coming. Tomorrow is going to be one of the hectic days for me…need to record one demo on industrial hygiene, one call, project kick off meeting and then one playback. I don’t know what to write today. It is better to shutdown my laptop rather than thinking about these thoughts JJJ

“Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance, leave no room for regrets.”
                                                                                                                  (Author: Anonymous )

Life of a man, right from his birth to death is a struggle. Human life is a tale of hardships.

For a willing heart, nothing is impossible as a man can achieve his goal through self confidence and hard work. Struggle in life is the outcome of real thought through which all knowledge is obtained and through lack of which it is lost. We can achieve anything in life but through tough sincere and constant struggle. Man may fall on the way but eventually he is successful. Difficulties and disasters are the laboratories wherein human character is tested.

Struggle has a pleasure o its own. It rewards those who are sincere in their efforts. So, we have to keep struggling in our life. But if we fail we should make failure a stepping stone to success.

I am very much excited about this coming week because my new project on solution consultancy is going to be started from Wednesday onwards. This is completely new area for me and turning point in my career as well. Need to gear up my knowledge in the field of Indian chemical regulations because till now I have worked only on EU, US and Canadian regulations. Reading about different regulations is one of the most difficult tasks. But what I feel after comparing different environmental regulations prevailing in various countries is that India has the most lenient environmental laws and EU has the toughest ones. Next month for this project I am going to Bangalore for a few days. Maybe I will celebrate Diwali festival in Bangalore only L L L. This year went good for me regarding career prospective. Completed executive MBA with 72% marks in aggregate (Not bad!!!), worked on very good projects with good appraisal. I am expecting the same pace next year as well. I am using the word expecting because I never believe in future forecasting. I believe that if you spend your time in future predication then you will never enjoy your present moments. For me the most difficult question would be "what I will do after 5-10 years" because I never planned anything. I like to live in present and try to learn from the mistakes committed in the past and not to repeat the same in the future .This is my simple mantra of living life. I don’t know whether it is right funda or not but I always follow the same because life is “UNPREDICTABLE” ….and of course “BEAUTIFUL” too so don’t waste it on “PAST REGRETS” and “FUTURE PLANNING”. Always try to enjoy “PRESENT” because maybe “KAL HO NA HO” J J J

Leisure

Today I have read the following beautiful poem written by William Henry Davies. This poem is very meaningful. I just love the message which is conveyed to the readers through this poem....

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

                                                        

                                                By William Henry Davies

                                               

FEAR....

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
                                                                                By Frank Herbert

In our day to day life, many times we come across fear for one or the other reason. I met many people who live in constant fear of failure and unable to enjoy the present moments of life. I think that the best way to overcome your fear is just to face it. Previously I had a fear of heights (Acrophobia). I never had the courage to look down whenever I climbed to any height or multi storey buildings. But, in 2009, when I went to Kashmir with my friends, I was determined to at least start my battle to overcome my fear of heights. In Gulmarg, at one place, we have to mount a very steep slope. My friends climbed that slope easily. But, I climbed it very slowly. I forced myself not to look down and in the end I make it. It was a great victory act for me J J J

Because of that little daring act, now I don’t have any problem with heights. I believe that most of us will have to learn to face and overcome or at least manage our deepest fears.

If we faced our fear directly instead of running away, we will not give up easily on anything in life. Most of the time our fears are nothing but our negative assumptions only. So by thinking positive or by changing our mindset, we can overcome from them.

Even if after adopting different techniques to overcome your fears if you failed; don’t get disappointed. Always remember that no one is perfect. Everyone has one or more limitations. Accept yourself and persistently believe in your capabilities.

Ganesha Chaturthi @Home…..

Today is one of the most memorable days in my life. First time I have established Ganesha idol at my home during Ganesha Chaturthi in Hyderabad. Since from the start of the day, I was excited about the whole decoration, puja and preparations regarding the worship of Lord Ganesha… Overall it was an awesome experience for me. I have a beautiful relationship with Ganesha Bhagavan. First time, when I left my home for further studies in Delhi; my friend gifted me a beautiful Ganesha idol for my better future. That Ganesha idol is still with me and I get strength from that icon to face all the difficulties of life J J J