UBC Day 8 Zeal from a compliment

Day 8 Ultimate Blogging Challenge  and  the letter Z for ABC Wednesday

Oprah's 6th Question

The Most Unexpected Compliment You Ever Got

I will never forget the day in high school when I was driving somewhere and my friend's cute older brother told me, from the backseat, that I had nice shoulders. I had never in my life considered my shoulders and certainly never, ever considered they might be nice. It was so unexpected and so unusual that I was forced to conclude it must be true. What was the most unexpected compliment you ever got? The time your co-worker said, "You know, he's really smart—like you"? The time your toddler heard Aretha Franklin singing and wondered aloud if it was you? Store it up for those times when you really need a random "Nice shoulders!" and the world is not complying.

I really had to think hard on this one. Eventually I thought I would pick one from 2013.

A couple of days ago one of my school friends posted my poem on her Facebook wall and captioned it "Written by my poet friend".

I never thought anyone would call me a poet!  I write poems but a poet just has something more to it.

Some compliments motivate and inspire you to keep moving forward, Some provide you with confirmation that you can achieve what you set out to do.

My friend's compliment gives me the Zeal to keep writing poems. Perhaps someday even publish a book.

Thank you dear friend.

“It is a great mistake for men to give up paying compliments, for when they give up saying what is charming, they give up thinking what is charming.”  ~ Oscar Wilde

May you find the Zeal in everything you do.

Check out these awesome bloggers who are also taking part in the UBC challenge:
  Shilpa  Kajal  Richa  Jairam  Sheethal  Kathy  Swati  Michelle  Nabanita

My previous UBC Jan 2014 posts here

Oprah's questions roundup: Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4 Q5


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Warm Regards

U V W X

A Very Unique and Wonderful Xmas - bring together the letters U V W and X for ABC Wednesday.

Xmas for me is a time to relax and wind down, a time to give and receive.

I got some very creative gifts this Xmas from the blogging world:

• A review of my blog from Karan - One of Santa's many elves who took part in the secret santa xchange. Karan gave my blog a really nice review and I was blown away by the comments on that post.
• The Write Tribe Anthology - a collection of favourite posts from 36 bloggers, put together by Vidya Sury. An awesome book that I will cherish forever. Vidya made a dream come true of having a poem of mine published in a book. This e-book is free to read and/or download (click here for instructions)

Thanks Vidya and Karan for rounding off my year with these ultra awesome gifts.

But the part of Xmas that I enjoy the most is putting up the tree and decorations and buying my little ornaments that are gifts for my children, a tradition I started when my son was born. It's such a joyous time to spend together. 

So here are some postcard views of  my Xmas pictures

Have an Ultra Vibrant Wondrous and Xcellent day and check out some X posts at ABC Wednesday


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Unexpected Priceless Treasure

Updated - It is a WOW post - check out others here

Written for:
The Write Tribe Treasure prompt
The letter U at ABC Wednesday
Blogadda WOW - Surprised

I'm not much of a gardener, but today the garden patch beckons. It is a brilliant day. Warm, not a cloud in the sky, a gentle breeze is blowing.  So gloves and spade in hand, ipod clipped to my shirt, I skip out to dig up that little corner and plant those seeds.

There seems to be a rhythm to my digging and for the first time I am actually enjoying the notion of gardening. There is heightened anticipation, as if I am onto something marvellous and a song in my heart, as if I am in flow with the Universe.

Then my spade strikes something hard. It won't budge. So I drop down on my knees and begin loosening up the dirt with my hands.  Quickly moving it aside, I find a little box, a little treasure chest.

I gently prise it out of the dirt and look at it in wonder. A part of me eager to open it a part of me hesitant at what I might find. Surprisingly for a treasure chest, there is no latch.  For an instance I think that's pretty odd but then shrug my shoulders and slowly lift the lid.

Wonder turns to astonishment as I am surprised to see a parcel with my name on it. It looks old like it had been buried in the chest for thousands of years. I untie the string and carefully remove the wrapping. Inside I find a piece of paper with a few lines scrawled across it.

For a fraction of a moment disappointment sinks in and then a thought comes into my head. Maybe these are clues to something and I love a puzzle! So I start to read:

"Forgiveness is not an action, it is a state of being"

"Happiness is not a pursuit, it is a state of being"

"Love is not something one gives or an emotion one feels, it is a state of being"

"Perfection is not something you strive for, you are already in a state of perfection"

"Peace cannot be found, it comes from total surrender"

"Total surrender cannot be piecemeal, it must be complete, all together, in every aspect of your life, in every moment of your life"

"And when you understand and know all of these, and when you dwell in them with every breath you take,
Then, and only then, you are Sat-Chit-Ananda 

(absolute truth, all pervading consciousness, bliss)

At first I frown, deep in thought and then my eyes light up for this is the message of the Universe and the essence of Spirit. And I read them again and again and again, and the meaning of each line takes shape at last. 

Oh what a treasure I have found. What a gift; unexpected, unimaginable, and infinitely priceless.

~x~

A few days ago I met up, over Christmas dinner, with some friends I hadn't met for years. Somehow I found myself sitting next to G and through our chit chat found that we are both on a similar spiritual path. The two of us got talking about the Universe and Spirit and G remarked that I looked different from the last time we met, like I was at complete peace with myself. We talked of forgiveness and love, of peace and joy, and many other things.

Over the next few days I pondered over our discussion and her remarks. And then one night, at that point when one is about to fall asleep, the words, written on that piece of paper in my story, came into my head. I've been analysing them these last few days, but that's for another day and other posts.

Then the "Treasure" prompt turns up at the Write Tribe, the letter U for ABC Wednesday, the Surprise prompt at Blogadda WOW and finally Jairam's guest post on Spirituality and Religion at Everyday Gyaan. And all of these collectively brought together my post today.

I am constantly amazed how the Universe brings together people who help each other on their spiritual paths, how it communicates with us and how it finds a way for us to spread its message. I am truly blessed. 

Wish you all a day when you find your treasure - the thing you desire the most.

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Warm Regards and many blessings


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Write Tribe prompt - Imagine you were digging to the ground in the backyard of your new home to create a vegetable patch and  found a treasure chest.

 

Thankfulness - Gratitude List - Linkup 7

Written for the Alphabet Salad Gratitude Linkup

And Gratitude or Thankfulness also ties in very nicely with the letter T at ABC Wednesday

Image courtesy of akeeris http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

So here's my list (in no particular order):

1. Thankful that I passed my full driver's license test. Sitting academic tests is easy-peasy but driving tests is a hard task for me. But it went so well and at a point during the test I actually found myself thinking, I'm really enjoying this.

2.  Thankful for a random act of kindness. I got a free cheese scone because they forgot about mine in the toaster, made me wait a long time and then eventually found they burnt it! - So I got a brand new scone, beautifully toasted and my money back.

3. Thankful that I have finally learned to receive. If the cheese scone incident had occurred a year ago, I would've insisted they keep the money. But my word this year "Abundance" had changed my perspective on things. I've finally learned that in receiving we bring joy to the giver. Refusing their kindness robs them of the joy of giving. Abundance also comes in small packages and when we receive graciously we also send a message to the Universe that we are open to receiving. And so the abundance flows!

4. Thankful that the fire alarm at work turned out to be nothing significant. Also thankful I work on one of the lower floors so it's not a long way down to exit the building.

5. Thankful that my daughter and her boyfriend dropped by and cleaned my car.

6. So thankful that my blog has been given awards from some awesome bloggers - but that's a post for another day.

And this quote jumped out at me today

 The thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings

― Henry Ward Beecher

Write your own list and share it below.

Have a day when the abundance just flows your way.

Warm Regards


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So You Think You Know It All

Written for  the Write Tribe 100 words prompt and the letter S for ABC Wednesday

"So you think you know it all"

I don't know how many times my mother said that to me and at the time I looked at her and thought she was crazy. Of course I know it all!

Then the years went by and I had my kids. Then I caught myself saying those words and getting the "mom is crazy look". Of course we know it all.

And now I can't wait for them to have their children so they can say the same words and get back that "you are crazy" look.

And I will watch and chuckle.

~x~

                                                                     
Have a fun filled day with lots of chuckles.

Warm Regards


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Obsession and Original Sin

A Nonet poem written for:
The Write Tribe prompt and for the letter O at ABC Wednesday
Linking to: Poetry Pantry #173

A nonet is a nine line poem. . A nonet can be written on any subject and rhyming is optional. The poem starts with a line that has 9 syllables in it. The second line contains 8 syllables, the third line has 7 syllables and it continues to count down to one syllable in the final line (ninth line)

The prompt:
The subject? Your choice. The only catch is – it must be close to your heart. If possible do let us know why you hold the subject close to your heart. (This may or may not be a part of your poem. If the reason is not a part of the poem, mention it somewhere in the post.)

So here it is, my first nonet poem on a subject close to my heart.

Melody of my eternal soul
Obsession of my lonely heart
You, my original sin
Mesmerising deep eyes
Captivating smile
Etched in my soul
Merged spirits
Fused hearts
Bliss


In life one comes across someone that leaves an impression on your heart that simply cannot be erased. Perhaps that person came into your life for just a fleeting moment in time but somehow you just cannot shake that spirit out of your sphere. He or She becomes a kind of obsession but one whose very thoughts brings you intense joy, peace, bliss.

This person, I believe is not just a soul connection, but a great soul connection. I am blessed to have had that moment in time to connect with such a being..

This poem is dedicated to that beautiful soul, who "got underneath my skin" and left an unforgettable imprint in my life and in my heart, that will forever be locked in the depths of my soul. Be at peace D.

And sometimes songs take you back to that moment in time that is etched in memory. So here it is, the song that takes me back in time. One of my favourite songs ... Elton John's Original Sin.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=occgl5Y_d8k


Have a day of wonderful moments and memories

Warm Regards


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Nostalgia

Write Tribe Letters  write a letter to :  Your current love/ spouse/ crush or Your ex-love/ spouse / crush

And that ties in quite nicely with the Letter N for ABC Wednesday ... Nostalgia

But it was hard to choose just one to write a letter to so instead I thought I would pick some of the lovely men who came into my life though some were just friends (but very special friends) and others went further than that but eventually ended. There was always something about these men that at some point in time touched my soul.

To D:
 You were kind and gentle, sweet, intelligent, soft spoken and polite, responsible and smart and ever so cute. I loved the sound of your voice. You made me feel like a million bucks. Thank you. Fate of course plays a cruel game sometimes. I often wonder if you weren't cruelly snatched from this world so young, if life for us might have been different. But to meet you even for a fleeting moment in time, gave me joy and continues to give me joy. And the thought of you brings me peace. You will always have a special place in my heart.

To G:
You were sweet and so much fun to be with.  You had a gorgeous smile, a twinkle in your eye and you were always happy. I always felt "taken care of" when you were around. I am so glad you are still my friend.

To S:
You had such lovely eyes. But each relationship occurs for a reason. Perhaps yours was to show me the side of things I do not want in my life. For that I will be eternally grateful. Our view of life and way of living was so different and I was not willing to compromise. Thank you for understanding that.

To N:
You were classy, well mannered and handsome. You brought me great joy but you also bashed my heart. Events are fated and there for a reason hence I have no regrets. I take a spiritual view of our time together - perhaps there was karma to work out. You and I share something that no one else will share with me in this life and that part will remain with me forever. I am also glad that we overcame the bitterness at parting. I am at peace with myself now and hope you are too.

To R:
You were sweet, interesting, intelligent, smart and athletic. I loved the way you walked. You made me feel young again.

To V:
You are my oldest (as in time not age) friend. Smart, intelligent, sweet, soft spoken, witty with a great sense of humour. You always make me feel special and put a smile on my face. I am so grateful that you are my friend. Thank you.

Nostalgia .. what would life be without memories?

And writing these letters has been very therapeutic. Thank you Santulan for these letter prompts.

Read some more posts at The Write Tribe, but do read this one by Kathy The Giggling Trucker's Wife - such a sweet and heartfelt letter.

Warm Regards


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Mantra Motivation

Every once in a while the urge to get fit takes over and I start on a new exercise regime.

But I can never seem to keep it going.

Either I get bored with it or my body protests vehemently that it's too arduous and actually detrimental to my well-being. And long hours of exercising is simply not sustainable.

Inevitably frustration sets in and I cross it out as another failed attempt.

Then I found Tabata. 5 minutes a day.  I can manage that.

Will it work? Won't know till I try.

So for now Tabata is my daily exercise mantra.

Written for:
The Letter M at ABC Wednesday
Write Tribe's 100 word prompt - Every once in a while

Started my Tabata regime on Saturday. So far so good. 5 minutes of high intensity interval training sounds easy, trust me, it is not. 

Warm Regards


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Lovely Blog Award and A Little Bit Of Me

I am so honoured to have been awarded the one Lovely Blog award by the lovely Kajal who blogs at Rainbow Hues. Thank you Kajal.

The timing of the award is perfect as I can also post this for the letter L at ABC Wednesday. As they say, timing is everything!

But back to my lovely award.

As a part of this award I am required to mention eight things about me, share five writing quotes and nominate five bloggers for the awards.

So here goes ...

Eight things about me:

1. I love roses - they are my favourite flower. I've also grown to love Camellias as they grow very well in my garden. And Camellias resemble roses.

2. I enjoy reading and my favourite book is The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. I can read this book over and over again and each time I discover a new meaning. 

3. You've Got Mail is my favourite movie. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan are my favourite actors so how could I not love this movie. 

4. I cannot imagine life without music. My favourite song is Spanish Eyes. I am convinced I have a spiritual / karmic connection with this song. I also enjoy instrumental music as I find that very soothing.

5. My favourite musical is Andrew Lloyd Weber's The Phantom of the Opera. The musical scores in this are absolutely sensational and the show has everything - Romance, Mystery, Suspense.

6. I love to travel and very grateful and blessed that I have seen so many places in the world. Also grateful that I have lived in 2 very different countries - India and New Zealand and 2 very different cities - Mumbai and Wellington. Mumbai, my hometown, is so vibrant, it never sleeps. And Wellington, my adopted hometown, is a spectacularly beautiful city.

7. I love Indian, Italian and Malaysian food. Biryani, Fetuccini and Bami Goreng are foods I enjoy.  But most of all I love the Indian "fast" food of Dahi puri. Yum.

8. I love poetry and one of my favourite poets is Rumi. Poetry has a way of touching my soul that no other form of writing can. My favourite Rumi poem is The wine of Divine grace.

Five writing quotes

Not quite sure what that means so instead  I'll take the liberty of just posting some quotes that I love:

1. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul ~ Invictus - read the full poem - it is truly inspirational.

2. I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination ~ Jimmy Dean

3. Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls ~ Joseph Campbell

4. This above all to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man. ~ William Shakespeare (One of my dad's favourite quotes)

5. Respond intelligently to unintelligent treatment ~Lau Tzu

Nominations

My One Lovely Blog Award is sent with love to these lovely blogs that are some of my favourites.

Vidya Sury - Coffee with Mi -

I love how Vidya converses with her late mother through this blog. A heart warming blog with a touch of humour that makes it so endearing.

Martha Orlando - Meditations of my heart

Beautiful and inspirational. Martha can tell a story from any situation. I love the prayers in each post - always perfect. 

Penny McDaniel - Spiritunity

Spiritual and motivating. Penny's blog resonates with my soul.

Vandana Sharma - Eternal Emotions

I love Vandana's poetry. She writes with so much soul and emotion. Her poems are delightful. 

Shilpa Garg - A rose is a rose is a rose

Shilpa is a very versatile writer. Her posts are varied, interesting and easy to read. Shilpa can craft a post to suit any challenge and she does it brilliantly.

And once again, thank you Kajal for nominating my blog for this lovely award.

Have a lovely day.

Warm Regards


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Keeping you forever in my heart

Keeping you forever in my heart dad, for your memories bring me great joy and strength.

Knowing you are there somewhere looking after us comforts me and keeps me going.

Kindness was your way of life. You were content, never expecting anything from anyone but showering your love unconditionally.

Kids were your pride and joy. We were blessed and privileged to have had you. My kids have grown up to be kind, loving and caring adults because of you.

You left us so suddenly, unexpectedly. I miss you and think of you everyday.

If only you were here with me.

Written for:
Write Tribe's 100 Words on Saturday - If only you were here
The letter  K at ABC Wednesday


Warm Regards


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Joy

This week I am privileged to host the prompt at the Write Tribe. My prompt is to do a free write. It's quite weird that each time the prompt for a free write turns up, I'm on the letter J of the alphabet!

I had to think a bit about what I should write for the letter J. So many things popped into my head - a song, a quote and then the word Joy screamed out at me.

So Joy it is for the letter J at ABC Wednesday.

I truly believe that our natural state of living is in joy, but sometimes we are overwhelmed by the burdens that we have placed on ourselves and hence have forgotten to be joyful.

So what brings me joy?

Writing of course. It allows me to unleash my creativity and put my dreams and thoughts down on "paper".

Music. Whenever I feel low or things are not going well, music is the one thing that gladdens my heart. Instrumental and devotional music in particular always bring me back to a place of calm and peace.

My children are my strength and joy. I cannot imagine what my life would've been like without them. There's not a day that goes by when I don't thank God for giving me these wonderful gifts.

My job. I actually enjoy what I do immensely. I also enjoy the interactions at work. Don't get me wrong, it's hard work and there's not a moment's respite, my day is full but when you enjoy what you do, it no longer becomes a burden or a chore. Working also brings me joy.

Meditation - about 15 years ago I began my spiritual journey in earnest and I started meditating. It's one of the best things I have ever done. Meditation takes me to a place so wonderful that it's hard to explain in words. If ever my mind is in turmoil, meditation for even a couple of minutes brings me clarity and peace. I highly recommend it.

Walking - not power walking or even brisk walking - that is not walking for exercise, but just to be in communion with nature. To be mindful when I walk and notice everything in my path. So energising.

Photography - this is one of my passions. A camera in my hand is such great joy and looking through old photographs is so much fun and never fails to cheer me up.

So those were some of my joys. Would love to know what brings you joy, so please share yours.

Wish you all a most wonderful and joyful day.

Warm Regards


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Written for 

Do a free write either as a word purge (just letting your thoughts ramble) or pick a prompt for yourself – a word, phrase, quote, song, book, anything you want to write on and let your fingers fly for 15 minutes.

and the letter J at 

Inspiration

I is for Inspiration for ABC Wednesday.

Thought I might do something different and instead of quoting some famous inspirational quotes, I would share some of my own. These are words that have either motivated me or helped me through difficult times:

In the larger scheme of things, everything balances out 

When things go wrong this helps to put that into perspective. When the difficult times appear, this helps me get through it knowing that the good times will come. All things must balance.

Go with the flow, be Zen, let it go 

This is one of my favourites and summarises my philosophy of life very nicely. The path that we are meant to be on (good or bad) is the path that we are already walking. Sometimes the "bad" path is there to teach us something. When I go with the flow, eventually the path either becomes enjoyable or new paths suddenly open up that are pleasurable and exciting. Resisting flow not only adds stress but it also prevents the things that you are meant to have from appearing. I also believe that things occur for a reason, best not to fret over it and simply let go. Letting go also makes place for the new.


And most recently a few words that I posted on a comment at Penny McDaniel's blog Spiritunity were converted into a quote by her - thank you Penny. So honoured. So here it is:

When we move with love, we can move mountains

Once I got this concept, my life changed completely. I've also noticed that when I'm in difficult situations and breaking through is proving to be a real test, things become easier and the tension lifts when I move into a place of love. This usually calms me down and allows me to look at the situation from the other's perspective or from a completely different perspective (if it's not a person who is involved). Things just become more pleasant. There are of course moments when I simply cannot break through no matter what and for me that usually means that it's time to let go of the situation, thing or person.

So what inspires you - please share.

Have an interesting and illuminating day.

Warm Regards


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Going Places - Himalayan Adventure

I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words from September 1 - 7. The theme for this festival is "7" and mine is:

Going Places -  7 journeys I would like to take.

Having completed my Spiritual Yatras, it's time for a different adventure and as I'm also posting for the letter H at ABC Wednesday, Journey no 4 is of course, High in the Himalayas.

I was 11 years old when I first saw the mighty Himalayas and it's a sight I will never forget. These are the most majestic and rugged mountains I have ever seen. Standing on the Himalayas, playing in the snow, stepping onto a glacier is an amazing experience.

And I thought that was enough. Then I took some journeys that made me want more. Flying over the Rocky Mountains, The Alps and the Southern Alps (New Zealand) brought a new dimension to viewing mountains and watching them from high up was quite a different and breathtaking experience.

Ever since then I've had this dream of flying over the Himalayas. Hence my journey "High in the Himalayas".

My journey would begin in Ladakh which I hear is incredibly beautiful and a place worth visiting and end in Darjeeling. Flying over the Himalayas I believe is a sight to behold. In Darjeeling the highlights would be watching the sunrise and sunset over the Kanchenjunga and Mt Everest.

Another journey I would love to take is a helicopter ride over Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarover. It is believed that Lord Shiva resides on Mt Kailash with Goddess Parvati and Lake Mansarover is often visited by them.

If I was younger I might attempt a trek but one must be mindful of one's limitations and a gruelling trek is probably out of question for me. I have yet to find a tour that provides a scenic flight. But perhaps someday this will become a reality.

google maps - all places are approximate

Gompa Phyang, Ladakh

 image source wikipedia

Kanchenjunga from Darjeeling

image source wikipedia

Darjeeling

image source wikipedia

Lake Mansarovar

image source wikipedia

Mt Kailash and Lake Mansarovar

image source:  google images

Join me tomorrow on my fifth journey.

My journeys so far:
Journey 1 = Krishna Yatra
Journey 2 = Ram Yatra
Journey 3 = Shiva Yatra

(my 7 journeys series can be viewed here )

Day 3 posts that I enjoyed
Shilpa's Similarities - very interesting theory on inheriting similar traits
Corinne's Pablo - a very cute post on Pablo the boxer


Have a heavenly day. Check out some day 4 posts and  H posts at ABC Wednesday.

Warm Regards

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