Life's Jigsaw - Blessings

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Each little piece is an aspect of our journey through it. And when at last we find that last piece and fit it into place, we eventually see the meaning of this life.

UBC Day 2
The B piece - Blessings

So when we ask and it is given, we consider ourselves blessed.

When we find that great job, fancy house and car etc, we consider ourselves blessed.

When money starts to pour in, we consider ourselves blessed.

There was a time when I too looked at the materialistic things in life as blessings, didn't appreciate all the things I had in my life, craved for more and more.

Then about 10 years ago, the Gods above started to throw me some curved balls. These are moments of great learning. If only we understand and care to learn.

And then 4 years ago it dealt me the biggest blow of all. My father passed away unexpectedly and suddenly. It shook me to the core.

I missed him so much - all the little things - breakfast with him each morning - a cup of tea now and then on the weekend - sudoku puzzles - reciting Rabindranath Tagore's "Where the mind is without fear" together, watching cricket or tom and jerry cartoons - playing trivial pursuit - watching him play with my kids - and many more.

His death taught me the meaning of life - to appreciate whatever is thrown our way, to also see the small things as great blessings, that this life is but a transitory moment in time and that we come with nothing and we go with nothing.

All we take with us are the knowledge we acquire, our experiences in this journey we call life, the choices we make, and the love that we share.

Blessings come in small packages every moment of every day.

My family, friends and wonderful workmates
The food on my table
Clean fresh air, the wind, the sunshine
Night time and sleep (rest heals our body)
Good health, the ability to see hear, speak, smell, taste, think
The hills I see each morning
The trees and flowers in my garden
The birds that drop by to feed on left over bread

And there are so many more little packages.

Be Blessed, Stay Blessed.


Written for: A to Z Challenge and The Ultimate Blogging Challenge


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Warm Regards

BFF - You are beautiful

Over the last few days, I have read many uplifting posts on faith and reverence for God, no matter in what form we all worship Him.

So carrying on in that strain I thought I would try and explain from my perspective a very simple Eastern concept, the "Namaste" and why this concept is so beautiful and deep.

The Namaste is widely used in Eastern culture but I also find it adopted in the West too.  Often we use it without truly understanding its significance.

Namaste is taken from the Sanskrit words "nama" = bow and "te" = to you.

It's literal meaning is "I bow to you" and is usually accompanied by the joining of hands in front of the heart chakra and a slight bow of the head. The joining of hands signifies the joining of two souls or the joining of the Divine spark that exists within us all.

For me, the Namaste shows heartfelt reverence for the Divine soul that resides in the person that I am greeting.

And having acknowledged that Divinity within each one, how can you not be beautiful?

On a personal note, I truly understood the meaning of the Namaste when my father passed away. My last Namaste to him as my dad on earth. I've always been close to him but I truly felt that Divine connection then.

Namaste to all of you - you are all beautiful.

Warm Regards


Linking to Blogging for fun's prompt "You are Beautiful" - They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but beauty is measured in more than just a person's appearance. It's also measured through their actions, their thoughts, their words and what's in their hearts. Everyone and everything is beautiful in their own way. We would love to hear about what you think is beautiful or how you enjoy seeing beauty expressed. 

 

Thankful Thursday - November 4

I thought so much of my dad today and all the memories came flooding back. So today's Thankful Thursday is dedicated to family.

My dad was the most loving and kind human being I have ever known.   All I have learned in life, I have learned from him. He was my rock and guiding star. He was the one constant thing in my life someone I could always depend on and when he died I was shattered. But I know that he left me a legacy of strength, courage, kindness and love. And that everything he taught me will be enough to take me forward in my life. I am so thankful and lucky to have had a dad like him. My post on Appreciate Life and my blog Photos are Fun are dedicated to him. Be at peace dad. 

I am so thankful that my mother is here with me, alive and well. When dad taught me how to live an earthly existence, my mother has taught me the Spiritual side of life. That's not to say that dad was not Spiritual, he was just silent in his faith. Mum is the perfect half of dad, heaven and earth, the perfect balance for me.

My children are my strength and joy. Their love and respect for me is unconditional. Just a hug or a smile is enough to lift my spirits. They are the essence of my soul. I am so blessed and so thankful to have such beautiful children. My post last week also gave thanks to them - they mean so much to me.

Wish you all a beautiful day.

Warm Regards

Linking to:   Black Tag Diaries Thankful Thursday    Southern Charm Thankful Thursday

Thursday Thoughts - Blessings in Disguise

Many years ago when I was in school, someone tore strips off me for something I was supposed to have done.

A close friend of hers apparently told a story about me which she believed because of course it was her friend who had told it.

She never gave me a chance to tell my side of the story and I was too timid to fight back and frankly I was also quite taken aback with her behaviour.

It hurt me deeply as I had a great admiration and respect for this person. I also believe that I lost a position of responsibility because of that incident. Needless to say I never respected her again and it took many many years to forgive her.

But years later as a manager I found myself in a situation with two of my staff. My mind went zooming back to that day in school.

That incident reminded me that there are always two sides to a story and as a manager it was my duty and it was only fair to hear them both.

The details of the situation are not important. But I will say that all 3 of us dealt with it in a respectful and sensible way.

It is possible that if my incident in school had not occurred, I may have dealt with the situation differently and perhaps not as effectively.

Sometimes incidents in our life are sent to us because they are meant to teach us and prepare us for situations in our life that are yet to come.

These are our blessings in disguise. Painful at that time but necessary to make us better human beings in the future.