Today in office I came to know that its mahashivratri, me being a Shiv bhakt thot of visiting the near by temple after job…. I had finished my work early and planned of moving by 5:00 so that I can reach the temple before dark… I was at the bus stop when suddenly it started drizzling… I got into the bus and by the time I reached the temple… It was pouring heavily….I had a firm determination tht I wud visit the temple no matter wht.. so went running to the temple to find that the temple will be open at 6:00… n its just 5:30 as of now.. many temples in USA are like a room.. having all the god idols inside and having particular timings… so I had to stand out in the cold n pouring weather for half an hr… finally at 6 I went in and prayed… it was almost time for my bus .. but now the rain was too heavy.. I had no other option but to run till the bus stop..
Now its not India tht we can cross the roads from any point of the road… Being in the Great America I had to run till the signal.. press a button which allows me to cross the road….when the signal turns green… I had to wait there for almost 2 mins.. before I cud cross the road,,,, in next 5 mins.. I was in a bus.. all drenched in water… no sooner had I taken a sigh of relief.. I came to kno tht I m in a wrong bus.. which wont drop me near my house… I got down immediately and God knos why but assuming tht I was dropped just a couple of blocks away from my house.. I started walking… rather kind of running…. Now to get to my house I had to again cross the road… again went thru the same Flowchart… n got to the other side…..
This is not the end…. I had a paper bag in my hand.. thanks to people who are against plastic bags….. it had my lunch box and some “Prasad” I got from the temple… due to such a heavy rain….. the bag gave up.. n all my stuff fell on the ground.. I picked all tht in my hands which were all numb by now.. due to rain n 10 degree Celsius… America being a developed country has all its lanes and houses very similar which can be hard to differentiate when ur walking down the street at night in heavy rains… I mistakenly entered the wrong lane…and realized the fact when I reached the end… as my house is supposed to be at the end of a particular lane…..thts it… That moment I was totally unsure that I wud reach my house tht night….i came out of tht lane …. By this time u can imagine how wet I wud be… n finally somehow when I reached home.. I realized that the bus left me almost 3 miles before my actual stop… :(
Whtever be the case I was happy of one thing … atleast I made to the temple today....And last but not the least.... just now.. just before i cud complete this blog.. i came to kno tht mahashivratri is on 14th Feb ..... ;)
Monday, February 12, 2007
Monday, November 06, 2006
Go with the Flow....Move On..
Whether life hands you a bucket of stuff that you are anxious to get rid of,
or you find yourself sitting on life's sidelines but longing for something more,
the dilemma is the same. How do we get the push we need to move on?
It is that old approach of avoidance that keeps us stuck. Our hearts say, "Go," but our feet won't move. Our friends say, "Move" and we dig in our heels. One foot firmly placed in what we know; the other poised to take us to what we truly desire. It all seems so sim ple, intellectually. We want something different, so why don't we just move forward with all the gusto we can muster?
I have seen two primary roadblocks to moving on: resistance and fear.
"Resistance," you're probably thinking, "what planet is she from? You bet I am resistant. Who wants to lose a mate, get fired, and get diagnosed with hypertension?" Or perhaps you find yourself in some other equally uncomfortable place. So what has resistance got to do with moving on or drowning in misfortune?
Imagine you are standing by the ocean's edge. For balance, you dig your heels into the sand. But each new wave just knocks you down. Finally, the undertow drags you out to sea. If you try swimming back against the tide, you will exhaust yourself and drown. If you do as water safety experts tell us swim parallel to shore until the powerful current subsides you will likely survive.
Therein lies the first secret to moving on...don't waste energy resisting what is beyond your control. It is impossible to move in two directions at the same time. As long as you fight against what you don't want, you will make no progress towards what you desire.
So, consider this. The next time you experience a loss, face real disappointment, or have a streak of bad luck, by all means kick and scream and whine and weep...for a while. You hate the fact that this or that happened. You expected things to go along as they had before. It is okay to ask, "Why me?" or "Why cannot my life just be the way it was?" "Why has it changed?" For a while.
Then it is time to shift gears and start accepting what is. You may be feeling that your situation is unfair, but in reality, it just is. So instead of railing against it, try to embrace any good that might be hidden in it. Have you learned something? Did someone else benefit? Have you received love and concern? Has it strengthened your faith? Once you have mourned your loss, and acknowledged any good, shift your focus to what you want next. If you are sick, how do you want to feel? If you are sad, what change would make you happy? If you are angry, what would open your heart again?
Facing forward, squaring your shoulders to the future, envision all that your soul desires. Allow yourself to dream again...of how you want to feel, who you want to share your life with, where you want to live, what you want to contribute, and when you want to move on. Then, you will just have to get your feet to follow your heart.
I mentioned that the second common roadblock to moving on to what is best for you next is fear...fear of failure, fear of success, fear of not being loved, fear of not being enough. Fear of the unknown anything outside of our comfort zone is universally human. It is exquisitely normal to be afraid. But, it need not be immobilising. For the courage to walk with your fears in the direction of your dreams, you might have to change your mind or your thoughts.
Change all thoughts to empowering ones. Ask not "Why me?" Ask, "What can I do to reach my goals?" Change any mindset of "I can't" to a mindset of "I can if I". Just as when you climbed the high diving board as a child, gave a first speech in college, got married, decided to be a parent, or interviewed for a dream job, you will find the strength to face this and any future challenges. Change any overly independent thoughts such as "I will handle this alone" to "I have many sources of help, if I simply ask." Shift any catastrophising thoughts such as "This is THE worst thing that could happen to me" to "I have handled other challenges in my life, and I am sure I will survive this one. I will face all the problems that come my way. " The secret to moving on is to simply keep moving...one thought, one step, and one day at a time.
or you find yourself sitting on life's sidelines but longing for something more,
the dilemma is the same. How do we get the push we need to move on?
It is that old approach of avoidance that keeps us stuck. Our hearts say, "Go," but our feet won't move. Our friends say, "Move" and we dig in our heels. One foot firmly placed in what we know; the other poised to take us to what we truly desire. It all seems so sim ple, intellectually. We want something different, so why don't we just move forward with all the gusto we can muster?
I have seen two primary roadblocks to moving on: resistance and fear.
"Resistance," you're probably thinking, "what planet is she from? You bet I am resistant. Who wants to lose a mate, get fired, and get diagnosed with hypertension?" Or perhaps you find yourself in some other equally uncomfortable place. So what has resistance got to do with moving on or drowning in misfortune?
Imagine you are standing by the ocean's edge. For balance, you dig your heels into the sand. But each new wave just knocks you down. Finally, the undertow drags you out to sea. If you try swimming back against the tide, you will exhaust yourself and drown. If you do as water safety experts tell us swim parallel to shore until the powerful current subsides you will likely survive.
Therein lies the first secret to moving on...don't waste energy resisting what is beyond your control. It is impossible to move in two directions at the same time. As long as you fight against what you don't want, you will make no progress towards what you desire.
So, consider this. The next time you experience a loss, face real disappointment, or have a streak of bad luck, by all means kick and scream and whine and weep...for a while. You hate the fact that this or that happened. You expected things to go along as they had before. It is okay to ask, "Why me?" or "Why cannot my life just be the way it was?" "Why has it changed?" For a while.
Then it is time to shift gears and start accepting what is. You may be feeling that your situation is unfair, but in reality, it just is. So instead of railing against it, try to embrace any good that might be hidden in it. Have you learned something? Did someone else benefit? Have you received love and concern? Has it strengthened your faith? Once you have mourned your loss, and acknowledged any good, shift your focus to what you want next. If you are sick, how do you want to feel? If you are sad, what change would make you happy? If you are angry, what would open your heart again?
Facing forward, squaring your shoulders to the future, envision all that your soul desires. Allow yourself to dream again...of how you want to feel, who you want to share your life with, where you want to live, what you want to contribute, and when you want to move on. Then, you will just have to get your feet to follow your heart.
I mentioned that the second common roadblock to moving on to what is best for you next is fear...fear of failure, fear of success, fear of not being loved, fear of not being enough. Fear of the unknown anything outside of our comfort zone is universally human. It is exquisitely normal to be afraid. But, it need not be immobilising. For the courage to walk with your fears in the direction of your dreams, you might have to change your mind or your thoughts.
Change all thoughts to empowering ones. Ask not "Why me?" Ask, "What can I do to reach my goals?" Change any mindset of "I can't" to a mindset of "I can if I". Just as when you climbed the high diving board as a child, gave a first speech in college, got married, decided to be a parent, or interviewed for a dream job, you will find the strength to face this and any future challenges. Change any overly independent thoughts such as "I will handle this alone" to "I have many sources of help, if I simply ask." Shift any catastrophising thoughts such as "This is THE worst thing that could happen to me" to "I have handled other challenges in my life, and I am sure I will survive this one. I will face all the problems that come my way. " The secret to moving on is to simply keep moving...one thought, one step, and one day at a time.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
That’s Life
Once A professor began his class by
holding up a glass with some water in it.
He held it up for all to see; asked the students,
"How much do you think this glass weighs?
‘50gms!'.'100gms! '...'125gms' ... the students answered.
I really don't know unless I weigh it, 'said the professor,'
but my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?
'Nothing' the students said.
OK what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?'
the Professor asked. Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'
Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis;
have to go to hospital for sure! Ventured another student; all the students laughed.
Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?
Asked the professor. No replied the students
Then what caused the arm ache; the muscle stress?'
Instead what should I do? The students were puzzled.
Put the glass down! Said one of the students.
Exactly!' said the professor' Life's problems are something like this.
Hold it for a few minutes in your head; they seem OK.
Think of them for a long time; they begin to ache.
Hold it even longer; they begin to paralyze you.
You will not be able to do anything.
It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life,
but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to
'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep.
That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh;
strong; can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
Remember to PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY! That's life!!!
holding up a glass with some water in it.
He held it up for all to see; asked the students,
"How much do you think this glass weighs?
‘50gms!'.'100gms! '...'125gms' ... the students answered.
I really don't know unless I weigh it, 'said the professor,'
but my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?
'Nothing' the students said.
OK what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?'
the Professor asked. Your arm would begin to ache' said one of the students.
You're right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?'
Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis;
have to go to hospital for sure! Ventured another student; all the students laughed.
Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?
Asked the professor. No replied the students
Then what caused the arm ache; the muscle stress?'
Instead what should I do? The students were puzzled.
Put the glass down! Said one of the students.
Exactly!' said the professor' Life's problems are something like this.
Hold it for a few minutes in your head; they seem OK.
Think of them for a long time; they begin to ache.
Hold it even longer; they begin to paralyze you.
You will not be able to do anything.
It's important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life,
but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT to
'put them down' at the end of every day before you go to sleep.
That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh;
strong; can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
Remember to PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY! That's life!!!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
True... isn't it?
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and 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 cups of coffee 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 - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions -- things that 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, house, andcar.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.
So...Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups.Take your loved one out to dinner. Play another 18. . "Take care of the golfballs 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 coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and 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 cups of coffee 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 - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions -- things that 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, house, andcar.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.
So...Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups.Take your loved one out to dinner. Play another 18. . "Take care of the golfballs 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 coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
