Wise Ones, contd ..

I love these.

There are four kinds of people:

(1) Those who make great things happen
(2) Those who watch things happen
(3) Those who block things from happening, and
(4) Those who wonder what happened

Take the time to be aware; it is the opportunity to help others.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Scars of time

Situations we wish never happened in the first place, certain periods of time that seemed to pass very slow, like eternity but that will also pass. But there is always a reminder lingering in the mind, i think it is subconcious, and is there to stay in you for as long as you live.

Smart Stuff

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jarand proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, t here's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID!

Things I have learnt

I have learnt some valuable life lessons over the years and want to compile them so my kids can benefit.

- Health is wealth, We realize it most only when we get sick.

- Your spouse can be your best friend.

-You are your child's hero.

-Past is history, Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift, that's why its called 'Present'.

- Don't worry about what people think of you.

- Greet with a warm smile, no matter your mood.

- It's all in your mind.

-When someone says something, listen and appreciate.

- Watch your words.

- Work when you want to, also take a break when you have to. (Applies more so to women)

- Your baby has one childhood. Relish it with him/her leaving no regrets.

- Your parents love you the most, and you love your parents as much as they love you inspite of any past arguments.

- Never make someone feel like they are less worthy than you.

- Never show off, because everyday is not sunday. Things can change.

- It helps to put yourself in their shoes. (Empathy)

- Its ok not to have that tight belly. You are a mother, and that is the proof.

-What works for him/her won't work for you, because each one is unique.

- Team work - the most important thing on earth

- Don't expect a lot.

- Its not easy to make best friends as an adult, as it was in childhood.

- Friendships grow and ripen with time.

- Some things are genetic. It came to you from your parents.

- As we age, we get more peaceful and accomodative.

- Believe in god. If you do not believe in god, believe that there is a super-natural power.

-Advice is the easiest thing to give in this world.

-Sometime in life, you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you have taken. It is the journey to find yourself.

- The grass is greener on the other side.

-You just have to have a dream. Thats all it takes. Finish your course at your own pace. Again, don't worry about what a Tom, Dick or Harry thinks. Your life is yours. Its all same at the end.

- Learn the rules very well .. only then you can break them

- You are not liked for who your are, but for how you make others feel

- There is no point trying to prove anything to anybody.

Being Organized

I love to be clutter free. It frees my mind. When new items come, old items eventually will need to go. What is the point in hoarding ? Everything has its place in my house, I just like it that way. It's who I am. I always compartmentalize and organize. This way I know I'm in control. I like to be perfect in what ever I do. "Either do it well or don't do it at all" is my mantra. I stack up on bins and make sure to group similar items and store them away neatly. A clutter free life is a blissful life. Holds good for all the emotional baggage that we may accumulate along the way. Best to simply drop them and move on.

Decisions Decisions

If you are a woman, if you are married, if you wanted kids or had one recently, if you have a good academic degree, and when you have a well-paid job with benefits in a big company - you have been where I have been.

It is not possible for husband and wife to pursue career at a 100% pace, when we have dreamed to set a foundation of a strong and loving family bond, and especially when we have planned to raise kids. I made the decision to take a break from work. I was pregnant, and working, and going to graduate school for Masters degree. That is a lot. People may not know, but that truly is a lot of weight on your shoulder. People may judge you, ask you ton of questions, make you feel like you did something awfully wrong, but hey, as long as you can afford it, why not enjoy being with your little darling kids that you created ?

I have enjoyed my time with my precious darling at home and I am fortunate to have a supportive husband who stood by me during the times I have had to take some major decisions.  I feel good after having an open discussion with couple of friends yesterday.

Bottling up emotions tend to manipulate your thinking. It is always best to express yourself so that you can have a clear and pure conscience.

A Ray Of Hope

This is a poem I wrote one afternoon in the summer of 2006. 

A few months after I migrated to the US as a newbee. 

We all have gone through 'challenging phases' and this was mine, and here is the poet inside me that came out for the first time, This blurry phase did pass, but I surprised myself by penning down a poem :)

A RAY OF HOPE

I patiently wait for that day,
When life will again happen my way!

I look at my past,
And wonder 'Do things ever last ? '

Gone are those carefree days forever,
Present is just for momentary pleasure .

Days pass and nights go by,
Nothing ever changes, just like the sky ..

There are those phases in life
That take you down a waterslide ..

As I struggle to emerge out,
A day will come when I can laugh out loud !

All I can do is .. wait patiently !