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 |   As the first blog entry got exhausted. My second book |
| Evolution of Love Part 2 |
| The midnight goose and my Christmas tree : The tradition of lighting a candle on a Christmas cake goes back deep into European cultures . It could be that during the deep European winters it was a way of bringing light and warmth .. or the one I personally like .. Jesus Was born on that day . In a tiny stable surrounded by cattle and sheep .. the Saviour was born . Perhaps … I am still too deeply rooted in my childhood when the advent of Christmas was fun . There would be a nip in the air and school would be most over . It was a time when we had it easy in school with Christmas concerts and Fetes lined up ! Everything seemed colorful and most of all our huge Christmas tree in school . With perfectly arranged ornaments it stood regal in our school auditorium. There would always be a smaller tree at my home .. the one I decorated with tinsels and ornaments . It was my tree .. and every year I had new designs with it ! Many years later .. just like before .. we have a Christmas tree .. adorned with ornaments collected over the years .. from various cities , various cultures with their own stories that come together to form a happy truti fruiti of color confections .. it’s my Christmas tradition , well one of them .. the one I have been following all my life ! Merry Christmas from me and my home to yours .. Hope you have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday ahead ! |
| This book dwells about The Truth of Thought! WHAT IS A THOUGHT...? Are the thoughts that I think mine, Really MINE...? Well! thought is a thing that I use to do logical work & to relate memories & information in relative to the situation & people... But what amazes me that, thought has the capacity that sometimes it works on its own even if I don't want to... The thoughts that take place inside my mind that I sometimes use to label, give a name when I see, hear, feel things like a person, a tree, a flower & so on... But the trouble with thoughts is that sometimes even when I don't need to think, the thoughts run on their own... so, IS IT ME THINKING? As Science says, there is something vibrational about thoughts & our minds are naturally built to gather those vibrations from the surroundings whether we choose to or not... so the mind is gathering thoughts like a machine without me noticing it...It's happening continuously... the thoughts are gathered as I speak to someone or listen to someone or from the books I read, the movies I watch, the songs that I listen to, the media, the constant naming & labelling things that I see, hear, feel and from the crowded places that I walk through...they enter my mind consciously when I choose to remember as a memory which I call knowledge for my future use... But actually as scientists say, that our minds pick up a lot many subliminal messages subconsciously without our knowledge...That's an amazingly revealing fact... For example, when we are surrounded by peaceful people in a peaceful environment - our mind relatively becomes peaceful by the vibrations of peaceful thought energy... And Vice Versa... Which is when we are surrounded by violent, aggressive people in a violent environment - our mind relatively becomes violent & aggressive by the vibrations of violent thought energy... Though some of us may think of peace, preach & constantly chant peace... the mind is just suppressing the violent thought energy which comes out with vengeance in some other situation sooner or later... So, the thoughts are gathered consciously by our preference of thinking and remembering as memory or knowledge... And there is also a gathering of thoughts & emotions into our minds unconsciously... Therefore, I'm very vulnerable to events & media which are constantly feeding my mind with thoughts & emotions like violence, hatred, blaming, selfishness, self deception, greed, complication, chaos, confusion, anger, aggressiveness, compulsions, loneliness, addictions, ambitions, fame, power, gossip, beliefs, separation (in the name of religion, language, caste, region & more), romantic wants(wrongly called Love) incessant worry of the future events, fear, anxiety, antagonism and more... Because I'm in the society, the society is constantly working in me whether I choose to or not... And the THOUGHTs ARE SO CUNNING that it makes me believe that they are MINE, ONLY MINE & WHATEVER I THINK IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT... And any opposition to my thoughts will be met with a reaction of anger or antagonism which divides me & the other person whose thoughts contradict mine... So the thought divides... And this reaction of mine takes a vibrational effect on the society that I live in... Understanding this cunning, deceptive & separating nature of thought, I just stop identifying myself with the thought or thoughts that I believed as "ME" & "MINE"... I just step back from this illusion & I live by this understanding from moment to moment... So there is a need of me being aware of the thoughts & resulting emotions that are constantly seeping into my mind which may induce my actions & reactions... And thus I change my idea about Thought... I stop believing in thoughts which I thought as Me... And because I am a part of this society, When I change... That's changing the society too... As J Krishnamurti says "You are not just part of the society, You are the society. If you want to change the society, you have to start with yourself. Once you are transformed, the whole society is transformed." |
| What an amazing discovery! Scientists have discovered that ants, after collecting the grains and seeds they need to store for the winter, break them into halves before storing in their nests. This is because by breaking the seeds into half, it stops them from germinating despite the most perfect conditions. But scientists were stunned when they discovered that coriander seeds stored in the ant nest were broken down into 4 pieces instead of 2 pieces. After lab research, scientists discovered that a coriander seeds germinate even after being divided into two, but won’t germinate after it’s divided into four parts. So how do these tiny tiny creatures know all this? Humans know very little, there's a lot to learn👍 |
| “What you decide to tolerate more than once will inevitably become a pattern that will repeat itself. By not setting clear boundaries, you teach others – and yourself – that certain behaviors or situations are acceptable, even if they make you uncomfortable or hurt you. Every time you allow something that goes against your principles or your well being, you open the door for it to be repeated. Setting boundaries isn't just about firmness, it's about self respect." This is such a profound reflection on the importance of boundaries, both in our relationships with others and within ourselves. When you let something slide once, it can seem like a small compromise, but over time, those small compromises add up, and before you know it, you're entrenched in patterns that no longer serve you. It's so easy to fall into the trap of being overly accommodating, especially when you care deeply about someone or a situation. But every time you ignore that inner voice, the one that whispers, "This isn't right for me," you're allowing disrespect to creep in, not just from others, but from yourself. Boundaries aren't about pushing others away; they're about drawing a clear line in the sand that defines where your self-worth begins. It’s a powerful way of saying, "I value myself enough not to accept less than I deserve." In setting those limits, you're reinforcing your own worth and creating space for healthier, more respectful interactions. We sometimes fear that establishing boundaries will make us seem harsh or unkind, but in reality, boundaries are a profound act of love—love for yourself and for the other person because they create the conditions for mutual respect and understanding to flourish. Without boundaries, life can become a series of compromises that eat away at your self-respect. Over time, these compromises turn into patterns, and those patterns shape the way you experience your relationships and even the way you see yourself. It's so crucial to recognize when a behavior is no longer serving you, and to have the courage to stand firm. Setting boundaries isn't just an act of strength; it's an act of self-care. It's not about controlling others; it's about taking control of your own well-being. Think about the times you've let something slide—a comment that felt disrespectful, a request that pushed your limits, or a behavior that hurt you. Each time you let it go without addressing it, you sent a message to yourself and to others that it was acceptable. Over time, this erodes your sense of self-worth, making it harder to stand up when the same things happen again. Boundaries are a way to break that cycle. They're not about being rigid or unyielding, but about honoring your own needs and values. It’s easy to confuse tolerance with kindness or flexibility, but there’s a point where tolerating too much becomes a disservice to yourself. True kindness starts with being kind to yourself, and that means saying "no" when something crosses a line. It's recognizing that you are deserving of respect, dignity, and care—and that it’s okay to demand that from the people around you. Ultimately, setting boundaries is a way to protect your peace. It's not about rejecting others; it's about embracing yourself. The more you practice it, the more you cultivate an environment where you are surrounded by people who respect you, where you can thrive without fear of being taken advantage of or hurt. And most importantly, you teach yourself that you are worthy of that respect, that your feelings and needs are important, and that it's okay to prioritize them. So, listen to that inner voice. When something doesn’t feel right, honor it. When someone crosses a line, address it. Boundaries are not barriers—they're bridges to healthier, more respectful relationships, both with others and with yourself. And in doing so, you send a clear message: "I respect myself enough to not settle for less than I deserve." |
| I have recently hung up my boots for one last time. My second innings is done and dusted and now I set sail for a Fully Retired Life. But as I embark on this new journey I question myself that am I prepared ? Have I prepared for it ? Financially Yes but otherwise ? The answer is No. I had a career Road Map and I tried following it but do I have a Retired Road Map. Do I have specific goals to achieve because now I am in total control of my life. Every race has an ending, be it job or life, it will end one day. However most of us are neither mentally prepared for it nor emotionally equipped to deal especially the retirement part. So when it happens we all get unsettled because are plans are not laid out. Its like one of those trains which suddenly jolt to a stop. Most of us are busy planning our career and intently focus on the rise but we never plan beyond that which is unfortunate because there is a huge chunk of life beyond it and the best part is that it is for you. You are going to be your Own Boss. No body is going to tell you what to do and how to do it. Its your call. These close of 15-20 years which is almost 180-240 months is at your disposal. These are the most precious time of your life. It will go exactly the way you want it. So start planing for it. Don’t grope when you reach there. Your roadmap should be clearly defined by you. While it is important to do a solid career planing but it is more important to do equally if not more solid Retirement Planning. Not just financial planing but milestones to be achieved. Milestones Set by You & Achieved by You. |
| Gratitude Is gratitude is important for our well-being and do you think gratitude could relate to love? If so, in what ways? Gratitude is indeed very important and this is a excellent prompt, here is my story to highlight the merits. One day, a very wealthy man was walking on the road. Along the way, he saw a beggar on the sidewalk. The rich man looks kindly on the beggar and asked, "How did you become a beggar? The beggar said, "Sir, I've been applying for a job for a year now but haven't found any. You look like a rich man. Sir, if you'll give me a job, I'll stop begging." The rich man smiled and said, "I want to help you. But I won't give you a job. I'll do something better. I want you to be my business partner. Let's start a business together. The beggar blinked hard. He didn't understand what the older man was saying. "What do you mean, Sir? "I own a rice plantation. You could sell my rice in the market. I'll provide you the sacks of rice. I'll pay the rent for the market stall.. All you'll have to do is sell my rice. And at the end of the month, as Business Partners, we'll share in the profits. Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. "Oh Sir," he said, "you're a gift from Heaven. You're the answer to my prayers. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He then paused and said, Sir, how will we divide the profits? Do I keep 10% and you get the 90%? Do I keep 5% and you get the 95%? I'll be happy with any arrangement. The rich man shook his head and chuckled. "No, I want you to give me the 10%. And you keep the 90%. For a moment, the beggar couldn't speak. When he tried to speak, it was gibberish. Uh, gee, uh, wow, I mean, huh? He couldn't believe his ears. The deal was too preposterous. The rich man laughed more loudly. He explained, I don't need the money, my friend. I'm already wealthy beyond what you can ever imagine. I want you to give me 10% of your profits so you grow in gratitude The beggar knelt down before his benefactor and said, Yes Sir, I will do as you say. Even now, I'm so grateful for what you've done for me! And so that was what happened. He forgets where the blessings came from. Each day, the beggar now dressed a little bit better operated a store selling rice in the market. He worked very hard. He woke up early in the morning and slept late at night. And sales were brisk, also because the rice was of good quality. And after 30 days, the profits were astounding. At the end of the month, as the ex-beggar was counting the money, and liking very much the feeling of money in his hands, an idea grew in his mind. He told himself, Gee, why should I give 10% to my Business Partner? I didn't see him the whole month! I was the one who was working day and night for this business. I did all this work! I deserve the 100% profits! A few minutes later, the rich man was knocking on the door to collect his 10% of the profits. The ex-beggar opened the door and said, "You don't deserve the 10%. I worked hard for this. I deserve all of it!" And he slammed the door. If you were his Business Partner, how would you feel? Hi, this is exactly what happens to us, God is Our Business Partner. God gave us life-every single moment, every single breath, every single second. God gave us talents-ability to talk, to create, to earn money. God gave us a body-eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, heart. God gave us mind- imagination, emotions, reasoning, language. Sharing 10% with him is an expression of gratitude and love. So never forget to do your bit and do it with immense gratitude, joy and love. |
A man without enemies is a man without qualities. If everyone loves you, especially the women around you, that’s not a mark of success—it’s a warning sign. Real men, men of conviction, don’t aim to be loved by everyone. The minute you’re universally adored, trust me, you’re slipping, watering yourself down, and compromising. You’re likely ignoring your own values, bending yourself to fit in, and losing your edge. That’s not the path to respect; it’s the path to becoming irrelevant. When you’re a man with principles, you’re going to step on toes. You’re going to have people who can’t stand you, who feel threatened by the fact that you have standards and boundaries. And why? Because a man of character doesn’t make concessions that betray his values. He stands by what he believes, even if it means friction with others. He’s firm, he’s grounded, and he doesn’t bend to please everyone. The truth is, the stronger your sense of self, the more you’ll find yourself at odds with those who lack it. Being respected often means being disliked. A real man isn’t afraid to say “no.” He’s not swayed by superficial opinions, nor does he crave validation. When you live by a code, by principles, you draw a line that some people won’t cross with you. It makes them uncomfortable because they can’t manipulate you, charm you, or get you to settle for less than what you know you deserve. Especially in the eyes of women, a man with qualities and principles isn’t always loved—he’s respected. The man who’s universally adored by women is often the one who says yes to everyone, who bends his identity, who acts in ways that keep him in everyone’s good graces, even if it means betraying his own standards. But the man who has the strength to say “no,” the man who stands firm, gains something more valuable than fleeting admiration: he gains respect. Women may not love everything about him, but they respect the fact that he isn’t easily swayed. When you have values, you’re willing to lose relationships, status, and even comforts if they don’t align with who you are. This is why great men have enemies; they aren’t afraid to live authentically, and authenticity will always ruffle feathers. You can’t be true to yourself and expect everyone to be on board. And you don’t want them to be. If everyone’s happy with you, if everyone’s patting you on the back, it’s because you’re not standing for anything that truly matters. The most respected leaders, thinkers, and visionaries weren’t loved by everyone. They were criticized, challenged, and sometimes even despised. But they were unshakable in their convictions. They didn’t cater to everyone, and they didn’t let superficial praise sway them. They were defined by the strength of their principles, not by the number of friends they kept or the women who adored them. So remember this, men: don’t aim to be everyone’s favorite. Aim to be respected. Set standards. Stand by them. If people, especially women, find you too “difficult” or “intimidating,” you’re likely on the right path. A man with no enemies, no critics, and no one challenging his stance is a man who stands for nothing. Be the man who’s willing to stand alone, to say “no” when it matters, and to accept that your integrity will make you a few enemies. That’s the mark of a man with qualities, with depth, and with an unbreakable character. |
| Prompt: "There is always a butt in this imperfect world." Anne Bronte Write about this quote in your Blog entry today. During my School days, After getting the first beating on my hands from the teacher, I used to wipe my hands on my trousers and then only take the second one ....!* I was very particular about cleanliness.😛 All my teachers used to stand and take the classes... You know the reason? Respect.... They respected me so much....Nothing else During my school days, my teachers used to often request me to bring my father as they were afraid of telling me anything, lest they offend me 😋 My teachers were very fond of reading what I had written... In fact they would make me write it a hundred times so that they can read it again and again...😅 Many times the teachers have thrown their valuable chalks to me without me asking for it.😊 Many times my teachers have made me stand outside the class to ensure 'Z' category security while they were teaching.🤷♂️ How many times I have been honoured/elevated by asking me to stand up on the bench with all others looking up to me .... 💺 How many times I have been given a break from class to enjoy the sunshine & fresh air, when most others were sweating/choking inside the classroom .... 🌳🌞 As I knew everything, the teachers used to appreciate my knowledge and have told me many times.....*Why do you come to school? Why can't you do something else instead*💪🏽 Hmmmm ..... Those were golden young days.. *It's how you look at it that matters ... 😇🤔😷🙄* or "There is always a butt in this imperfect world." Anne Bronte... |
| Prompt: Understanding One's Own Self Which kinds of people can help others to understand themselves the most? And is or was there such a person in your life who has helped you understand yourself better? One of the hardest goodbyes is when we love someone and at the same time see that it is impossible to build a healthy relationship with them. Such person has helped me understand myself better. Staying means to continue waiting for changes that won't come, TOLERATING actions that hurt us, accepting the bare minimum and losing ourselves in the process.We know *walking away will hurt,* but it is the road to healing, staying will continue to open the wounds more and more. Sometimes you choose to leave, not because of lack of love towards this person, but because you realize the *lack of love you’ve been giving yourself.* Remember, it is your own love that makes you take care of yourself, and with this love you leave and never look back. |
| Make a list of common objects that you might like to write about because of their appearance or personal association. Write comparisons to these objects anything--everything you can think of about the objects. Now take all this information you've gathered and write a story or a poem about what you've discovered with your list. Have fun. Another Mathew Sweeney and John Hartley Williams exercise in case you're wondering. I would like to write about my latest excursion in Lyon and it's favorite location, festivals specially in November and all the things that are very close to my heart. Lyon on the confluence of Rhône and Soane river is a beautiful city that really lights up just as the twilight falls on the city . To many , specially food lovers across the world it’s the epicenter of gastronomy. If you are in this city and want to explore your taste buds you must have a taste of the typical Lyonnaise cuisine that is served in the Bouchon restaurants. These restaurants are known for their friendly vibes and the menus are always based on regional ingredients using recipes from generations past! To talk of this beautiful city that the guidebooks don’t tell you .. the best way is to explore on foot . Pack a good shoe and see the hidden gems like the hidden passages called the Traboules that connects old historic buildings from one to another ! The old city of Lyon is really very interesting and puppet museum .. unfortunately I cudnt have look see as they were closed during their afternoon hours .. but like we .. one must take the funicular train up to see the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourviere , dedicated to the patron Saint of Lyon . The terrace of the Basilica if you are not afraid to brave the winds offers an excellent view of the city below . One is almost sploit for choices where to take a picture that best captures it beauty ! Once down the funicular as you leave the historic part of the city for the new Lyon one must see the magnificent Wall of Silk Weavers . These magnificent works of art are painted in the trompe -l’oeil style is truly remarkable with its hyper realistic depiction of the day to day of its La Croix - Rousse neighborhood and its tales . Trust me .. it’s a must see .. as the art with blur your senses with what is real and what is not ! Two things that I did in Lyon that demands a separate post are my silk printing classes and cooking classes . But the journey to Lyon doesn’t end here .. Lyon know for Lumiere festival the stunning festival where the whole city is bathed a a light show that happens in November drawing crowds from all over the world . I was sad to have missed it but the Universe made alternate plans . Our hotel to commemorate the month of October which is a Breast Cancer Awareness month globally had a lumiere show on its Dome ! Truly spectacular I could only imagine what the real show would have been but well .. some things .. are left best for another visit , perhaps ! |
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