WHAT MORE CAN I DO? -- The challenge for 2011.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ---- Oliver Wendell Holmes

(This is a post from the other blog and I'd like to share it here too... to start the blog on a fresh new note with the new year.)

I used to bother about what had gone past and what was yet to come. The questions always fell on 'was it good the year that passed?' or 'what's up ahead in the future for me?'

Then I learned that... i was asking the wrong questions. I should be asking myself instead... 'what more can I do?' When you get satisfactory answers to that, then you can rest easy that it was indeed a good year that has gone by... and ...that future which you seek will be right there for you. You don't have to look elsewhere, it's all inside of you to create the life you want for yourself. God didn't create losers but winners who shine both within and out to the waiting world outside. Now let's make God proud.

Okay, "what more can I do?" Here's my tiny bit.

As you may already know I do landscape sketches with pencil, some posted here in the blog. But have long toyed with the idea of painting in water color, just for the fun of it. Have never tried that before, after all have had no training whatsoever for the art; but it always had been a dream. 'Been drawing since I was a kid but that isn't a guaranty (as most in the know would say) that something on a bigger scale other than a sketchpad would come out fairly nice or a wee bit close to that in the least.

So a few days ago, at the insistent prodding of my youngest daughter (like I said our children know us better than most people do..), 'took out the canvass 12"x14" (she always has a supply of one or two on stand-by for her occasional dabbling at the art) and borrowed her water color set, placed the canvass on the computer table leaning on the monitor, sat on the computer chair... and began!

Well, not quite immediately. First had to have an image of what to paint. And nature was and has always been the first choice for the drawings made.... and again this time. Remembered that one wallpaper on the desktop which was simply so pretty. Well, to make a long story short... here's a beginner's first honest step in water color painting :-)

And my tribute to 'what more can I do'. And this I can truly say, 'have enjoyed myself immensely; 'had lots of fun with it. I guess that's what truly matters. A big bonus if that makes God smile too. Lols!

Hope to hear 'bout your own experience soon. :-)

THE DIFFERENCE LIES IN THE CHOICES WE MAKE

We all get the same stuff in life. I'm referring to those things which make us happy, cry, angry, love, lose, succeed, bitter, foolish, brilliant, or just downright stupid. Because you and I are the same. You may not fancy the green bitter gourd I eat but you have your own idiosyncrasies about food like a peanut butter and mustard sandwich. I like walking boots anywhere I go and you like dark leather jackets in rain or sunny weather. I like soft soothing music to calm my hassled nerves at night while you like the loud ear-screeching sounds of an electric guitar to wake you up mornings. I guess we can put up with all that because we know that we're so much different with each other as we are so much the same. 

But in things which matter in the course of trying to live a life the best we can, it would be wise to pay attention to certain things. We all aim for happiness and success. But to get there in the best possible time and in top form we must learn what or where we should put our emphasis or attention. Why? It’s because so many things could and would encroach on our territory thereby taking us off the track or derailing us from our goal. But we can do something about that. 

If our emphasis is on ...

...hard work, responsibility, determination, excellence, persistence, consistency, accountability, knowledge, self-confidence, respect, hope, faith, the willingness to learn, the ability to bounce back from a disappointment or failure, and the passion and love for doing what is right --we will get there no matter the road we take or challenges we face. If we put in our best effort into our goals, the universe can do no other but grant our heart's desires.

On the other hand, if we engage in ....

--lackadaisical effort, are content with mediocrity, are lazy, can't leave our comfort zones, can't make commitments, resent authority, prone to moods of procrastination, evade responsibility, and would opt for the shorter easier (yet not always the smarter) way to do things--we won't get there, that's certain. We'll simply end up as miserable as we started - Perhaps twice as miserable. To this the universe will simply say to us -- 'Buddy, you've got a problem.'

Both kinds of activity use up the same hours, days, weeks, years and energy put into it. What would make the huge difference is on deciding which road we would choose to travel -- the road to joy or the road to misery. The choice is solely ours to make.

"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable,or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." ---- Carlos Castaneda


 

NO DAY BUT TODAY

Have you seen the movie 'Rent'? It's a Broadway musical turned into a movie. If you haven't yet, then go see it or get the cd. You won't regret it.

"No Day But Today" is just one of the several beautiful songs in it. This one is on my list of all time favorites.

You know why? Because it tells me this...

No day but today......

...to follow your dream
...to take dance lessons
...to finish that book
...to paint that masterpiece
...to go sailing or canoeing
...to get a sauna with your wife..or husband
...to treat your kids to Disneyland
...to be friendly to your neighbor who hates your red hair
...to write to your congressman about misfits in the government
...to give away your old stuff to people who might have need for it
...to pray - and pray - and pray not just for yourself but for others too
...to believe in yourself - there is only one you
...to forgive and be forgiven
...to sleep under the stars
...to hug your parents and grandparents
...to be kind to your household help
...to be a friend in both good times and bad
...to teach your child how to bike
...to buy yourself a bouquet of your favorite flowers
...to write that long overdue letter
...to eat healthy foods and stay with it
...to exercise regularly and stay with it
...to believe in God
...to not wait for a special occasion to give
...to say thank you
...to do a good deed
...to say 'no' when you should
...to say 'yes' when it's good
...to get down from your ivory tower and get down to real life and true living
...to plant a tree -- lots of it
...to love and take care of Mother Earth
...to recycle garbage
...to not throw garbage into rivers and streams
...to clean up your clutter
...to listen to reason and good intentions
...to get a job and not bum around anymore
...to use your college education to better lives... yours and others
...


There's more, so much more. I'm sure that you have your own list too. No time like today for it.

LOVE WILL TURN THE TIDE

I would like to do something here just so to let readers know that am very much around and blogging. This post is from the other blog. Am taking it here now and hoping that some would leave me a message or two to let me know they're there too. :-) Thanks.
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It's quite easy to turn your back to the misery of others. But not so when misery hits you. Then you wish that friends wouldn't turn their backs on you.

-"Love one another as much as I love you." - I've heard this spoken so many times, read it a thousand times over. I have realized that none can be more truer than this. God in His magnificent love has given us all of the earth... land - sea - air... under our care and management, for our living joy and pleasure. And too each other to love and care for. Every individual does not stand alone no matter how he says he does and can.. or tries. For no man is an island, each one is dependent to and on another for many different things. I need you as much as you need me. So how is it that we can't... love?

Love will turn the tide. Believe coz it's been done for ages, by many, in different circumstances, with the smallest or greatest of hearts and hands. Love breaks down all barriers -- real perceived imagined.

Don't make it difficult for yourself or for the next guy beside you or for the rest of the world. Love... and you will make a reality your and everybody's wish that the world were a better place . It'll start with you, me, them, us.

CLOSED DOORS and OPEN WINDOWS

WELCOME 2009!

The previous year for the world was a mix pot of odds and ends, tumultuous at some point and ecstatic in another and even so diverse in-between. The world is because everything good or bad must run its course -- helped along in most by mortals. Well, can't complain (Oh maybe a whimper? lols -- loudest when doors closed to my face) as far as my own life is concerned, not now anyway as I look back to it. You see, I have realized that everything that was in my 2008, good or bad, was my life and it helped form me in more ways than one. And leaving out something no matter how bad or unpleasant it was would create a void in my life tapestry. I understand now that those things were necessary for a purpose only Somebody up there would know. I didn’t know that then when I was hurting. But now I want to think that I did and have learned, grew, matured into wisdom and becoming albeit one painful bit by bit the person I was meant to be in the first place… as predetermined by the Heavens. And the learning still continues.

I believe that goes for everyone too. We’re all the same no matter the race, color, or creed. Basically we have the same needs, wants, expectations, hopes, and dreams. And we with our temporary lives are all travelling the same road to Heaven. If there was really a serious attention to a New Year’s Resolution… maybe it should read

I SHALL ... LIVE MORE, LOVE MORE, LAUGH MORE, CARE MORE, BELIEVE MORE, TRUST MORE, HELP MORE, GIVE MORE, AND PRAY MORE.'

We can do that… bit by bit or one tiny step at a time in our lives day by day. Who says it can be achieved in just one sitting. Nah, that’s not how it’s done. It may take awhile to change or develop new habits or shift one’s paradigm of thinking but it can be done. Leaving our comfort zones may be the best thing to happen to us yet. And come to think of it, maybe that would take care of the ills of our world too. --- God bless you.

EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS AN IMPACT ON ANOTHER

This new post is in the other blog also. But I'm having it here too for my Tapestry friends. It's with a heartfelt greeting for the lovely holidays ahead. :-)

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That’s a line I heard from the movie ‘Patch Adams’ which I saw on DVD. I won’t be talking about the movie here although I must say that it was an inspiring and a feel-good viewing experience.

What impact do you have on another? Is it one lovely thing or something opposite it? Because Mom would push this thought on me as I struggled with my angst in high school -- that always there are two things to everything -- Like you can’t enjoy coffee without cream (well, that’s me), or a table without a chair, or drive a car without gas, or have honey without a bee, or live a happy life without some share of sorrow or pain, etc. Life comes in two’s – it may be complementing or otherwise but definitely something is there which tells you that ‘one’ is not really alone, that there’s more to just one.

When you go about your daily business thinking that you’re doing fine by yourself minding your own affairs, think again. Because even by the mere fact of your standing there on the corner waiting for your bus you impact another person who may be merely looking at you or simply passing you by at the least. You may be shaping his thoughts. Because you have your life experiences etched on your face and that is what the other is catching.

Oh some of us may use the milder term ‘impression’ as it looks far appropriate to them. But I would stick to the word ‘impact’ because it best expresses what happens when people collide with each other in this high social traffic called life. People crash, collide, contact with another being going from here to there. Lives intertwine directly or indirectly, visibly or not, or meet at some point or another or leave something behind. This could be very brief, fleeting, or even linger for some amount of time until it is asked to move on by some unknown force.

In that process something happens. Something from you transfers to the other and stays there or vice versa. It forms our thoughts, opens up our eyes, and nudges our hearts.

I was in this party last week, a reunion of old colleagues (a tight group of about 20) from the company I worked with for twenty years. As all reunions are there were plenty of smiles, guffaws, laughter, teasing, nostalgia, and memories for everyone’s picking. And of course – food! While everybody was feasting on a spread of mouth-watering delights I, seated close to the end of the long table, ‘feasted’ my eyes on the people there. My file of memories opened and names instantly popped out. Oh yes, each one had indeed made an impact on my life and had managed to form my thoughts on several things seen and observed in life. I was never the same person with every encounter and experience. Something was shed and something was gained.

Every human being has an impact on another. You can count on that because God did not mean us to live solitary lives. We were meant to collide, crash, touch, link, connect, interact, or impact each other’s lives. Because only with another or each other can we grow into the persons God meant us to be.

With this thought, I would like to say this to everyone here in BLOGSPOT, visible and 'invisible'…

Thank you for coming into my life and helping make it better – making me a better human being to myself and to others. May our magnificent God pour out His blessings a hundredfold upon you and yours this Christmas and through the years ahead.

A MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

WG LAST EDITION 14 & 15 - LITTLE THINGS - BIG THINGS

I've got two for you this time, friends. :-)

#14 - THE LITTLE THINGS I NEED MOST IN LIFE...

#15 - THE BIG THINGS I NEED LEAST IN LIFE...
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the little things i need most in life....love,family n friends.
the big things i need least in life....empire (Bobby)


THE LITTLE THINGS I NEED MOST IN LIFE...Love, Trust,Peace of mind.
THE BIG THINGS I NEED LEAST IN LIFE...Power. (Mini)


Little things I need most in life...
none that I can think of... They are big things for me... just because i need them the most...
A little affection,
a bit of space,
a pinch of sadness,
a dash of smiles to make my day,
a ray of sun in between the rains,
a moment to giggle, when i am in pain,
my dear ones around me,
to give meaning to my life's journey
... they all mean a lot. :)


Big things I need least... LOL I can think of loads of these...
Fancy dresses to feel beautiful. I have my thoughts to wear...:)
Big Baubles to feel rich... I have my friends around me.:)
Big Awards to feel honoured... I have the appreciation of my loved ones.:)
An annual appraisal to feel promoted... My kids give me a promotion every now and then...:))))))))
Just to name a few... :) (Jitu)


THE LITTLE THINGS I NEED MOST IN LIFE... smiling faces, growing trees and beautiful animals...
THE BIG THINGS I NEED LEAST IN LIFE...
the big cars and the palace... (AmitMakwana)


little things that I need most in life is happiness and comfort n well being of my loved ones..
Big things that I need least would be all the luxuries..which I def love but can easily do without. (Savy)


little things i need: Diamonds!
large things i dont need: tiger whales (even the blue ones are not welcome) (Awesome)


The little things i need most in life ... Peace
The big things i need least in life.... wealth. (Jerry)


theres no power above the power of Love and affection, the Powwer of a Caring Heart, which can help us move ahead in Life. Love makes us a true Human Being ..vot more can v seek from Life. (Rohit)


The little things i need most in life ... Knowledge, Peace & Happiness, Health & wealth
The big things i need least in life.... All that the wealth can buy :D (Busybee)


Little things? How about a trip to the moon?
Big things? How about Chinese territory in my name? (LP53)


The little things I need most in life - a complete normal family (which I never had),peace of mind(which is a rarity),freedom to live life the way I want to, instead of the way people around me dictate(alas!) Since they are all denied me, they really do seem BIG to me!
The little things that aren't denied me in this life, are the ones which make my life worth living;such as a sweet friend and a good book.
The big things I need least in life - A car,a bungalow,social status. (Samyukta)


The little things I need most in life are smiles of pleasure from young and old. The big things I need least in life are the glitters of diamonds and gold! (Phoenix)


Little things I need the most ... coffee breaks with friends.
Big things I need the least ... Driving my own Ferrari :D (Sumit)


the little things i need most in my life are :
1. family and friends!! no 1 can live without them and im no exception!! i say they are lil things because most of th time, knowingly or unknowingly we take em for granted!
2. a smile on everyone's faces around me.
3. njoying the First rains by getting wet in them.
4. bringing a smile on someones face
5. a bit of love and less of hatred amongst all
6. junk food on the streets:D:D cant live without that.
7. my Freedom!! (TD23)


The Little things that I need …………There are sooooooooo many little things that actually make me the person I am and its kind of difficult to list all of them … yet I have managed to do so only a few ones but in no case it should be thought that these are the only ones…..
1) little prayers…………that keeps my goodness alive
2) little pampering …..from my parents that makes the little kid in me active
3) little scolding…..from my brother that keeps me on my toes …(hehehe)
4) little encouragement…..from my sister that brings my energy back into flow
5) little gossiping …….with my bhabhi(sister in law) that keeps me aware about the latest happening around(hehehe)
6) little masti……with my nephew (who’s 1 yr old )that brings back the memories of my childhood (mind u he is as naughty as I was in my childhood)
7) little naughtiness….with my friends that allows absolute freedom of my sense of humour
8) little pat on my shoulder…..from my senior at office which is very rare….
9) little praise ……from my boss which I hope should come as often as possible
10) little enjoyment…..with a funfilled cassette on ...aahaa….that sets me rocking n moving.
11)little introspection……with myself to become a better person from being a good person
12) little observation …….on nature which makes me learn that harmony or synchronization is the only way of “LIVE N LET LIVE”
13) little criticism ……of me that allows me to keep a check on myself .

The big things that I need least in life……

1) Big Ego ……as it would destroy all my little things that I need most in life
2) Big Luck……as it would not allow me to work hard n stretch my limits. (Rekha)


posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 9:19 PM

WG SPECIAL EDITION 13 - WHEN I LOOK INTO THE MIRROR I SEE..

#13 - WHEN I LOOK INTO THE MIRROR I SEE.....
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The entries in the previous editions (from the very first one last June) were such a wonderful steady source of inspiration, wisdom, precious insights, and fun. We have achieved far more than we have sought or expected with this writing game. Kudos and thanks to everyone who contributed to its immense pleasure, delight, and fun.

Here's another one to nudge your minds with. :-)
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when I look into the mirror I see..A happy reflection :) (Savy)

..next time when I will look into the mirror I will remember you...:)) (Shrawan)

When I look into the mirror, I wonder, how much of the truth does it speak. Does it show me all my faults or does it hide? Does it appreciate my good and magnify? (Phoenix)

... a FOOL! (LP53)

myself.. (Busybee)

When I look into the mirror, I see the chocotale marks left on it by my kiddeos... and go looking for the rag... LOLOLOLOL... (Jitu)

I look at that beautiful back ground :D (Naveen)

...god grace..n thank him for hu n wht i am :) (Bobby)

When I look in the mirror I see a mischevious ,intelligent and good looking girl staring right back at me !! (Frenchita)

When I look into the mirror I see that I AM THE CUTEST OF THEM ALL ;) Love. (Divya)

WHEN I LOOK INTO THE MIRROR I SEE..... Me & My Dreams :-) (Envisage)

when i look into the mirror,i see...
a small me
a poor me
a silent me
but an enthu me
above all,
a fighter me. (Manini)

When i look into the mirror ... i see a happier Sumit. (Sumit)

I see myself and wonder if it was the same person who was a lot thinner and was even lighter than now.. but then i say to myself.. "Not bad, after all!!!" (Kamesh)

when i look into the mirror...i see.." RAMBO -minus the machine gun and ofcourse....the muscles..."...:D :D :D (Imran)

When I take a fleeting look at the mirror and decide to give it a skip... I remember your post and take a second peek just to have a look... and i see someone with a twinkle in her eyes looking straight back... I smile and tell her... "Ok. Next time I am at ellen's I'll tell her about you." And she smiles back at me.:) (Jitu)

a person who needs to slim down a little more, increase her sense of style a little more & improve the frills here & there a little more :D :D :D :D :D (Sindhu)

I see a very capable person who does not live up to expectations and capabilities due to laziness and procrastination ! (Vrij)

When i look into a mirror.... "I have to be revived with smelling salts and splashings of water." (Khalid)

WHEN I LOOK INTO THE MIRROR I SEE ... nothing but 'the virtual me'... as no one even me also} can see 'the real me'... (AmitMakwana)

when i look into the mirror i see.....a person who i know very well. (Rekha)



posted on Saturday, August 11, 2007 9:13 AM

WG SPECIAL EDITION 12 - THE GREAT VICTORIES OF LIFE ARE OFTEN..

THE GREAT VICTORIES OF LIFE ARE OFTEN.... just around the corner. :):):)
- Great Victories of life are - just those small ones. Our desire for them and our endeaver to achieve, make them great.:) (Jitu)

.....are the small everyday ones!!! (Morpheus)

...often forgotten... (LP53)

..the stepping stones of greater victories. (Naveen)

The Great Victories of life are often
- those that are won against the great evil called TEMPTATION. They are 'great' because you have exerted your will power over it. They are victories because you end up making the right choice.They are most worthy of notice because they are fought with the enemy within yourself, i.e. your own temptation. (Samyukta)

THE GREAT VICTORIES OF LIFE ARE OFTEN....Ignored. (Mini)

The Great victories in life are often ... achieved alone (or leave you alone). (Sumit)

The great victories of life are the ones we fight within ..such as hate , greed , lust and fear .. no victory is sweeter ... (Frenchita)

The Great Victories of life are often.....unspoken...only felt...such as LOVE. (Bobby)

THE GREAT VICTORIES OF LIFE ARE OFTEN.... happens, while u r busy enjoying the hardwork it takes!
done by common man.... with common things.... and people think afterwards...He is an extraordinary ONE!!! (Chakoli)

THE GREAT VICTORIES OF LIFE ARE OFTEN... relative. (Busybee)

The great victories of life are often, the earliest ones. The time we started to walk upright on two legs, when we started to use voice to communicate, when we started to use our thumbs and hands,like no other creation of God does. After that all the victories are mere extensions of what we learnt in the first 6 to 7 years of life. (Phoenix)

great victories of life are often ...small ones apparently but potentially big :) (Savy)

THE GREAT VICTORIES OF LIFE ARE OFTEN.....SEEMINGLY THE GREAT DEFEATS OF LIFE..... (Rekha)


posted on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 5:54 PM

WRITING GAME - SPECIAL EDITION #11 - IF ONLY..

Friends have asked me if the Writing Game we had last June could make a come-back stint someway and sometime soon. I thought bout it and realized that having such a game where people come together to play and share is indeed an enriching experience. So in honor of those who have posed that question and for us to see each other again here, I'll make a Special Edition with this writing.

The same guidelines work in this edition but this time no restrictions on the number of lines. The only concern will be the o3 server..... I hope it does not dampen our enjoyment of the game with its uncooperative nature.

By Vani's request, here are the Guidelines:

- I will be posting a particular yet an
INCOMPLETE THOUGHT in the blog.
- When you see this, REWRITE IT in a way you want it
to show or be read.
- No limits to its length. Let the creative juices flow.
- No quotes or famous lines but just YOUR own thoughts.
- Your messages will then be POSTED IN THE BLOG.
After you have placed it in the Comment Section.

Here it goes, folks.....

WRITING GAME SPECIAL EDITION #11 - IF ONLY.....


If only... I had a trailer, I'd go on a road trip round the country with buddies...cross the islands to Boracay. :-)) Lots of sun, sea, and sand! (Sunshine)

If only , we could live life for more than once, we could make our lives better! (Phoenix)

If only... I had a trailer...I would not be sleeping at one place, called home...would be another Gadhafi! (LP53)

If only i had a re-wind mecha-nism in life like VCR i wud be able to set right my past b-lun-ders :) (The Bard)

If only...I had you the world could finally stop spinning ... and my dead end road would finally have a new beginning. love kkrushna

"If 0nly, I knew what exactly I want in Life instead of Everything" ;) (Lust4Life)

IF ONLY the determined attempt + favor of destiny I will be CEO of Honeywell ( Big Dreams of a small kid :P :P ) [ Vani :) ]

if only i knew what happiness is i wouldnt have traded my "time" in persuit of it.........time to go to work........ (Vish)

if only i knew when my glass would be full n spilling n I shall be doing all that I should.... (Savy)

If only... I wud be fair to life rather than expect life to be fair. (Navin)

IF ONLY..... I had known,what life had to offer before I came into this world. (On uncle's letter) - If Only..... I can understand the meaning behind it n Implement it n make make my life fruitful/joyful. (Mini)

If only I was more focussed , I would have achieved much more in my life! (Frenchita)

IF ONLY - I had tons of money to indulge in a cruise to Alaska - book a suite at the Al Burj, go on a trip of the Palace on Wheels and take up a villa in switzerland. That's all i want! :) (Jojo)

May be i can add...:)
If only... O3 works without a hitch... our lives would have been a bit different at least.:D:D:D:D NO retyping comments, No reposting posts, No invisible posts, No exchange of commenters' ids. :D:D:D My journey at o3 would indeed have been smoother.:) (Jitu)

Lols! This got me laughing, Jitu. :-D ---But, folks, let me put this on record -- Jitu helped me restore my missing blog. This wonderful person does not only write beautifully but has a big heart. :-)


posted on Sunday, August 05, 2007 12:50 PM