Nice Surprises #WOTY #MicroblogMonday #MondayMusings

Usually by the end of the year a word just pops into my head that I take as my word for the next year.

No such luck this time. I tossed up many words but they did not resonate.

Then while reading a post and commenting, the words Nice Surprises popped in. So this year instead of a word I am going for a phrase.

Nice Surprises has a positive ring to it and a bit of mystery too.  I didn't want to put any boundaries to my word as I know words are powerful. My word for 2017 Andante certainly proved to be true. My blogging was at Andante pace and I regret that. But Nice Surprises feels open and boundless.

So I am looking forward to the Nice Surprises coming my way and hope that you will have some Nice Surprises too.

our Christmas surprises

If you've chosen a word or phrase, please share in the comments below. Or if you have written a post, leave your link in the comment and I'll drop by read yours.

On a side note I've been decluttering. And I hope that when I donate to the Salvation Army, someone else will get a Nice Surprise too.  Check out my decluttering post on my photo blog.

Have a wonderful week.

Written for:
#MondayMusings
#MicroblogMonday
#OpenSlather

Warm Regards


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Cherished Blog Fest - Memories

The Cherished Blog Fest

is Hosted by:
Damyanti – Daily (w)rite  /  Dan Antion – No Facilities  /  Paul Ruddock – Echoes of the Pen
Peter Nena – Demogorgon’s Fiction  /  Sharukh Bamboat – India Destinations

Their directive:

Often, objects lead us to memories.

The objects we hold most dear, harbor the most cherished memories.

For the CHERISHED Blogfest, we invite you to talk to us about one of your cherished objects.
Tell us what it is, post a picture of it if you like, and tell us why you cherish it.

Keep your post to below 500 words.

Join us on the 24th to 26th of July 2015 in sharing memories, emotions, information.
We’ll read and comment on each others’ posts, get to know each other better,
and hopefully, make or renew some friendships.

I try not to lay too much importance on objects as these come and go. My prized possessions are my photographs for they are moments I have captured in time and each tell a story, trigger a memory and take me back to a moment in time.

I couldn't possibly post all my pictures here so instead I'll pick one that always brings back happy memories. Christmas is always such a joyful time of year and these pictures each have a story behind it.

Each year I buy an ornament each for my children - their little special something. The ornaments shown here were the Christmas 2013 ornaments.

The climbing Santa was a gift to my dad from his grandchildren in the US. It was special to him and now it's special to us too.

The Angel on the tree is my special angel. She always gives me a feeling of peace and protection.

And each year my mom cooks an awesome Christmas meal for all of us and the whole family gets together to enjoy the meal. It's always a happy time.

My greatest joy at Christmas is the giving and appreciating the receiving.



Warm Regards


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2014 - The Year in Review

It's been such a long time since I posted. I guess I've been busy at work and at home.

I'm glad though that the Christmas holidays have begun.

The tree is up, the windows decorated, the presents have been wrapped and the Christmas menu planned.

Did you'll find that the year has just flown by?  It seemed like last Christmas was only a few days ago.

This has been an up and down year. Moments of great joy and anxious moments as well.

On the blogging and social media scene, I have truly enjoyed some of the challenges I took part in like the A to Z challenge which I combined with the Ultimate Blogging Challenge,   FMSPhotADay on Facebook  ABC Wednesday (even though I didn't quite finish every letter).

I also feel I wrote some of my best poems this year The Mirror Of My Soul   The Spirit of Love   and Lost and Found, They are certainly some of my favourties.

And one the the things that brought me great joy and still continues to do so is my Daily Thoughts series on my Facebook page Suzy's Ilation.  These thoughts have inspired me, lifted me and made me more observant and aware of the world around me.

I chose the word Joy for the year. Have I lived in Joy? Not always but by and large there have been many joyous moments. And finding joy in little things has been my aim this year. That I believe I have achieved.

It hasn't been an easy year and I've had to deal with a lot but it's been a greatly satisfying year both on the work and personal front.

And there are 3 sleeps to Christmas!

Hope 2014 has been a good year for you. Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2015.

Peace, Joy, and Love.

.

Warm Regards.



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UBC Day 2: My Word for 2014

Day 2 Ultimate Blogging Challenge
Also linking to the Write Tribe New Year prompt

Having experienced abundance in 2013, this year I have chosen the word  Joy - to find joy in all things, to live in joy.

I had been thinking a little about my word and tossed up a few .. peace, love, joy, giving, receiving, allowing, fun .... Couldn't make up my mind, so I let it drop knowing that somehow the word would come to me.

And then the Universe gave me a little nudge in the form of a Christmas ornament.

The only 2 word-ornaments I found this year were Noel and Joy. So Joy it is! And I look forward to how this word unfolds for me. So exciting.

We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.

~ Kahlil Gibran

Wish you all joy in all you do. Have a joyous day.

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


Like my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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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


Like my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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The Write Tribe Anthology Book 1

Vidya Sury who blogs at Vidyasury.com celebrated her 50th birthday this year. She wanted to do something special not in receiving but in giving.

So she requested bloggers to submit one of their posts in order to compile an e-book. This book is The Write Tribe Anthology Book 1 and is a compilation of those favourite posts that Vidya has painstakingly put together to form this book.

Thank you Vidya for this awesome Christmas present, one I will cherish forever.

This gift was also made possible by Corinne who blogs at Everyday Gyaan and by one quiet little elf Vaisakh who worked tirelessly in the background and blogs at The Museum Piece.

The book was brought to us by The Write Tribe

Please click on the book or the link below it  to read or download for free.

The Write Tribe Anthology Book 1

I selected my post "Caller ID" (pdf page 93) from my poetry blog Relections Of My Soul

This poem is extra special to me as it was inspired by an astounding event that took place early this year. Let's just say this was my moment of liberation, of realisation, of greater understanding.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

And I also hope you enjoy the amazing posts that are contained in this book.

Thanks again to Vidya and Corinne for making a dream come true.

Wishing you all many joys and blessings.


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This Elf was Serenely Rapt

It's nearly Christmas and Santa's little elves are busy checking the lists, packing up gifts. The North Pole is buzzing with activity.

Then Santa sent an SOS for a little help with a different kind of present: The Indiblogeshwari's That Tuesday Thingy Christmas Edition. And so these special elves enthusiastically volunteered to help Santa make these dreams come true.

I waited excitedly for my secret envelope to arrive and then got to work ...

It's my pleasure to introduce Dagny's blog "Serenely Rapt" which is a collection of many penned thoughts in a wide array of genres including stories (fiction and non-fiction), insights and inspiration, tributes and life. In short, Serenely Rapt is a versatile blog that provides something for everyone.

Dagny writes with such passion, be it a political viewpoint or taking a political stand, or an introduction to another blogger or a story, or a poem or just some inspiration. Each post is cleverly woven together and culminates in a pearl of wisdom.

And now and then there is an injection of humour that is very appealing. Humour used well, is very effective in telling a story, used badly is a put off. Dagny uses humour in just the right doses to describe a situation or convey a point of view.

With a mastery over vocabulary, posts portray an array of emotions and each one took me on an interesting and vivid journey, leaving me with some food for thought.

The blog is visually appealing. Clean, clear and crisp with a beautiful header that complements the name of this blog. Posts are nicely catalogued and easy to find and each post contains a well thought out picture that visually portrays the essence of the post.

I was ... serenely rapt.

This elf made it just in time. One special gift signed, sealed and delivered. But many more wishes to send off to the world ...

Wish you all Peace, Joy and Love this Christmas and always. Have a Blessed one.

Like my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, add it to the goodwill thread there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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Blog Hop - Christmas Blessings

Corinne (Everyday Gyaan) is the host of this week's prompt for the The Writer's Post blog hop.

What does Christmas mean to me?

In a nutshell, it is the time when I am thankful for the blessings I have received and a time when I can pass on those blessings to others. 

The giving of gifts is my way of expressing my thanks to my near and dear ones. The ability to give and the joy on their faces are both His blessings for which I am immensely thankful.

Each year my Christmas is spent with my family at home and each year we invite a friend over - someone who has no one to spend Christmas with - a way of sharing our joy with others.

Each year I buy a Christmas ornament for our tree - one each for my children - this is my Christmas tradition. It reminds me of each wonderful year I have spent with them.

And each year there are 2 ornaments that must be hung on the tree - my children's Christmas tradition. 

This year's ornaments:

And these that must be on the tree:

Have a Blessed Christmas. Peace, Joy and Love to all of you.

Warm Regards

Merry Christmas

Warm Regards

Haiku - Christmas

Haiku Heights - Christmas
Sensational Haiku Wednesday - Spirit
Poetry Picnic - December, Snow, Winter, Wildness

    
Christmas in the snow
Reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh;
Jingle Bells I hear.

A time to reflect
Connect with love to Spirit;
Christmas Joy and Peace.

  
     
Blessed time of year
December heralds Christmas;
Give thanks and rejoice.

Winter Wonderland
Snowflakes falling fast softly;
Wild, free and pretty.











Also linking to Thursday Poet's Rally Week 58




Warm Regards

ABC Wednesday and GBE2 - W is for Wonder

and for "The Way" as shown by Winnie the Pooh in the  "Tao of Pooh"

       "When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing
         you say to yourself?"
       "What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
       "I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
       Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.


And I wondered what I should write for the W prompt at ABC Wednesday and the Wonder prompt at GBE2.

Combining the two for this post, seemed to be the wise thing to do.

Then as I frantically wildly searched for something, Winnie the Pooh from the "Tao of Pooh" kept jumping out at me.

The "Tao of Pooh" written by Benjamin Hoffman is an introduction to the eastern belief of Taoism or "The Way" (Tao of Pooh Wikipedia)

Winnie the Pooh was well-selected to describe "The Way", as the essence of it, (as I understand it) is the simplicity of it all, wonderfully summed up in the book with ...

         While Eeyore frets
         .... and Piglet hesitates
         .... and Rabbit calculates
         .... and Owl pontificates
         Pooh just is

Winnie the Pooh's ability to see things calmly and simplistically, and stay in the present is the essence of "The Way". And that in turn allows us to discover and witness the wonders of life. Life was not meant to be wearisome and wasted but enjoyable, wieldy and effortless.

      "Just How do you do it, Pooh?"
      "Do What?" asked Pooh.
      "Become so Effortless."
      "I don't do much of anything," he said.
      "But all those things of yours get done."
      "They just sort of happen," he said.

And as I worried and wildly searched for something to write about, I also wished and hoped that this post too would just sort of happen. Perhaps I should pick up the book again and read the words in it, learn the wisdom of "The Way".

It would be a welcome break to simplify life like Winnie the Pooh and live in the Wonder of it all.

And to wrap up this post, I wish you all the most Wonderful Christmas and a white one if it's Winter where you are.

And as we are now on the topic of Christmas ... enjoy "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"



(from youtube)

Warm Regards

Music Monday - Christmas

 Christmas is my favourite time of year so this week my Music Monday is all about Christmas.

I thought I would share some of my favourite Christmas Carols





Mary Did You Know - by Donny Osmond
There is something that stirs in me when I hear this one. It also summarises the life of Jesus.
I love this.




O Holy Night by Josh Groban
Another beautiful song. This one makes me all emotional.




O Come All Ye Faithful - King's College Cambridge Choir
This is one of my favourites - I love the tune and I think it's very joyful.




And as it sounds good in any language, here it is Adeste Fideles by Andrea Bocelli.



Wish you all  Peace, Love and Joy and happy Christmas singing.

Warm Regards


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 BFF 149

Favourite Holiday Traditions

Favourite Holiday Traditions is the topic for this week's Thursday Writer's Post

Christmas is one of the major holidays that I enjoy but there are others too, so I will take the liberty of writing about those as well.

Christmas

Each year the kids select an ornament that they like for the tree. It's fun to look at them over the years. And each year we choose a colour theme for the tree. We chose Red and Gold this year but ran short of a few so added the purple ones from some years ago. And then there are 6 little teddies and no matter what the colour scheme, these teddies must be on the tree. 

The night before, the kids leave a glass of milk and cookies for Santa.  When they were little they made lists now they just ask for a surprise. (I'm sure Santa breathes a sigh of relief). We open the gifts first thing on Christmas morning and I love watching the kids as they pull each gift out of the sack. Santa never fails to please!

And then there is the Christmas lunch. We usually have some ham and roast lamb or chicken and vegetables. We often invite friends who are alone at Christmas so that they have a place to go to and celebrate.

And then we watch a biblical movie on TV together - there is always a movie on the life of Jesus. A nice reminder of what Christmas is really about. 

For me the giving of gifts is more than a Santa thing - it's about showing the love you feel for another at an auspicious time of year.

And then zooming back to the school days,  I just loved the Christmas Carols.  My favourites are "Silent Night", "Mary's Boy Child",  "Oh Holy Night / Night Divine",  "Oh Come All Ye Faithful".

Diwali

Diwali is also another festival that we celebrate with great joy. For us it signifies the end of a year and the beginning of a new one that is filled with hope and peace.

When I was little we were given new clothes on our birthday, to celebrate an occasion (like a wedding) or a festival like Diwali. Our Diwali clothes were traditional Indian clothes and this was the time when we could select some nice piece of jewellery out of my mother's jewellery box to wear on the day. 

On Diwali day, one member of our very extended family would host a Diwali gathering - often this was at my place or at my grand aunt's place as my grandmother and her (sisters) were the oldest surviving members of the family at the time. It was a grand occasion - beautiful clothes, lots of food and sweets to eat - and family bonding.

I miss those days now. All of us have moved to different parts of the world. Our "families" are now our friends and these festivals are usually celebrated quietly. We usually make Diwali traditional sweets and savouries and exchange these with our friends.

This year however I had a party for my mother's birthday a couple of days before Diwali so I combined the birthday and Diwali celebrations.

 Raksha Bandhan

This is another Indian festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. On this day sisters tie a Rakhi (a sacred thread) on their brother's wrist. It symbolises a sister's love and prayers for the well-being off her brother and her brother's lifelong vow to protect her. Hence Raksha - to protect   Bandhan - to tie.

In our family this is symbolised by the tying of the Rakhi and by the sister giving her brother his favourite sweets (my brother loves chocolates and chocolate cake) and the brother giving his sister a gift.

With my kids however we changed the tradition a little with both kids receiving gifts from each other. 

I think this is a beautiful tradition that brings brothers and sisters closer and reinforces the loving bond that siblings have. 

I think the tradition originated sometime in the 1500s when soldiers went to war, their families tied a sacred thread to bless them for success and thereby protect the families and villages.

Enjoy your holidays.

Warm Regards


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