All Roads Lead to .... #atozchallenge letter A

My theme for the 2017 AtoZ Challenge is "Daily Thoughts".

Each day I will post a thought that comes to mind. The first word of the thought will correspond with the letter of the day.

So here is my thought for the letter A.

Taken in Nelson, New Zealand

All roads lead to your destiny

There are no wrong roads

Ever wondered if you are journeying along the right road?

Or when you reach a crossroad and have to make a choice, ever stood there and wondered which road you should choose?

Until a few years ago, I had the same questions going round in my head. Then one day a friend said to me ... Don't think too hard and long. Because there are no wrong roads. And that is such a liberating thought.

Eventually you will reach the place you are meant to reach. The journey there may be different, but the destination will be the same. Instead of worrying about the choices we make, we should enjoy the journey and savour each moment.

Sometime ago I wrote a poem on my poetry blog Reflections Of My Soul that sums up my thoughts so sharing it here ...

I came upon that forked road

And suddenly I stopped

I couldn't tell which one to take

From one to the other I hopped

The left looked better than the right

Until I stepped upon that path

And then on the other I saw a light

Drawn to it I was like a moth

Take the right no take the left

My mind cried out in glee

Created confusion all around

Like a boat tossed on a rocky sea

In the end it doesn't matter

Whichever one we walk

Each road it leads to our destiny

Move on, don't stop or baulk!

~x~

These are of course my thoughts. What do you think?

Teaser for the letter B on Monday:  Be like the ....

Written for the #atozchallenge


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Keep Moving Forward

Write Tribe Festival of Words #4 - Inspiration and Creativity

My theme for this festival is "Inspiration in three words"

Day 3 May 29 2015 = Keep Moving Forward

So often we start off on a path only to find ourselves stopping when those self doubts start to creep in or when others start to question our decisions. We wonder if this path will lead to our destiny or our desired goal, whether we should carry on or change our path. Sometimes that destiny or goal seems so far and so out of reach, that we give up and abandon that quest.

But you cannot reach that desired end unless you keep moving  forward. If you keep moving forward, you will eventually reach your goal, but if you stop and give up you are certain to not reach it. All paths lead to your destiny. Some roads are longer, some are shorter, some are harder and some are easier. Even when you may veer off your path, have faith that the Universe will inevitably steer you back onto that which aligns with your destiny.

When things feel right, squash those self doubts and ignore those who question our actions. Don't stop, and don't give up.  Your destination may be just around the corner.

Note to self:  Don't give up. Keep moving forward.


Previous posts
Day 1 - Follow Your Bliss
Day 2 - Sieze The Day


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Life's Jigsaw - Enlightenment

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 5
The E piece - Enlightenment

All through life in our journey towards our destiny, we are all given a Divine helping hand. An answer is presented, or a message is given. More often than not these are indirect answers and messages but they plant a little seed of thought and the ever patient Universe lines up events that eventually lead to that moment of enlightenment, that aha moment that suddenly brings about clarity to take the next step or make some sense of events.

A few years ago a psychic friend said to me that my work in the future would take a different turn, working in the international aid arena. I was quite surprised but it got me thinking. And looking back on the strange events of my life, a pattern started to emerge. Steve Jobs summed this up nicely as joining up the dots.

About 7 years ago at a leadership course we played this game:

2 teams are competing to get a rare flower that has special medicinal properties from the government of a country. One team has been given unlimited money to purchase it for commercial use, 1 team (mine) are representing a charity to obtain the flower free for humanitarian aid. I was the spokesperson for my team and basically we stood no chance. But surprisingly we won. The feedback I got was that I spoke with so much passion that I completely convinced them that the flower should be donated for a worthwhile cause rather than sold for commercial use. 

About 10 years ago at a "life course".

The facilitator asked us to draw a picture of the life we would like to have in 20 years time. This was to be done without conscious thought, drawing from the heart. I was surprised at what I drew -  it was making a difference in the lives of people, bringing them joy and giving them an opportunity to live a great life.  

About 17 years ago at a leadership course:

The facilitator having observed all of us, was giving each one individual feedback on our leadership styles when suddenly he turned to me and said, "And someday, you will go out and do some humanitarian work". I was startled but then gave it no further thought.

Looking back to my childhood

For those who are regular readers of my blog already know about my grandmother who dedicated her life to humanitarian services. The seeds of this must've been planted in my brain since I was very young. And what an awesome role model I had. 

During my senior years in school I joined the interact club and some Saturdays we would visit the St Anthony's Orphanage, Byculla, in Mumbai. The children just gave me so much joy and I loved being there with them. They also seemed to flock to me. 

And the words of my friend, became my moment of "enlightenment". Perhaps my life's work truly lies in a completely different direction to where I am now.

I do not know how and when that destiny will come into view, but no doubt the Universe will line up more events that will take me there.

I have learned to pay attention to the messages and answers the Universe throws my way.

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing self is enlightenment ~ Lao Tzu

May you too have an enlightening day.


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


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Life's Jigsaw - Destiny

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 4
The D piece - Destiny

If adversity is sent our way to build character, then is that our destiny?  And if we can change our destiny why create adversity for ourselves?

I can only answer those questions with what I believe. These are my views only.

I believe that our destiny is pre-determined by us before we decide to take on this life. Along the way however, we do have the free will to make choices and choose our paths to that destiny.

And as always, the benevolent Universe lends a helping hand in many ways.

Sometimes it quietly nudges us onto the path we should take. When life is humming and all things seem to fall into place, we are usually aligned to our destiny and the path we are walking is the one we are meant to be on.

Sometimes it nudges us off the path we are on because it isn't the path we are meant to be on. The Universe sends us many signs and signals that the path we are on isn't the path we should be walking.  A sign for me is usually a restlessness and dissatisfaction - an urge to move on and try something new. But often we don't heed these signs. And then eventually the Universe is forced to shove us off that path. 

Sometimes it creates circumstances that are required so that we build ourselves up to face our ultimate destiny. This is usually to build up some skills we need as illustrated in my previous post on character.

About 11 years ago after working in an organisation for 10 years, I lost my job in a company restructure. Until then I had only ever worked in the private sector but jobs in the private sector were scarce and opportunities were only available in the public sector. With great trepidation I took a role there, was completely surprised and have never looked back.

Prior to that event, a restlessness had started to grow within me. 10 years was a long time. The role held no further challenges for me and the work was now starting to get mundane. 

The Universe, I am sure, created the circumstances for my redundancy and channelled me into the public sector by suppressing private sector opportunities.

The redundancy also gave me an opportunity to look at myself, my skills, my likes and dislikes, my strengths and weaknesses, it took away the fear of losing a job and it fostered great trust and faith in my Divine Maker, that having put me into this, He would also take me through it.

Perhaps this was one of the turning points in my Spiritual quest and a turning point in alignment to my ultimate destiny.

"We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny.  

But what we put into it is ours" 

~ Dag Hammarskjold

The choices we make and the attitude we have determine the way in which we reach our destiny. 

Wishing you a day when the choices you make takes you on an easy path to your destiny.

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


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A Tryst With Destiny

Written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 6 - 55 Fiction on Friday

The crowds gathered to herald the triumphant Romans. Roses in hand, the young ladies stood excitedly.

Each offered the handsome general a rose. She silently hoped he would take hers as she watched him shyly.

He nodded slightly, a hint of a smile, as he took it from her outstretched hand.

Joy filled her heart.

My posts so far: Day 1   Day 2    Day 3    Day 4    Day 5

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A Time For Us

Written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 3 -  Free Write

This is a 2 part story - read part 1 first before you read this. 

My day 1 story "Racing Towards Destiny" brought a lot of reaction for poor Belle so I thought I would continue the story. This is a free write so don't know where my thoughts will take me but here goes anyway ...

Armand needed some fresh air. Seeing Belle had disturbed him. He excused himself and walked onto the balcony. The air was crisp and fresh and the view of Paris was stunning. But the ache in his heart was intense and tears formed in his eyes. His thoughts went back to that tragic day when he and Belle rode together for the very last time.

The war had broken and the soldier was gone. Those were hard days. Armand sat on his bed each night and whispered the words over and over again. "Wait for me my sweet Belle, for someday you and I will walk hand in hand again and ride into the sunset". It was only that thought that kept him going and gave him the will to live. 

The months seemed endless and then at last the war was ending and the soldiers were preparing to return. They went through villages helping people rebuild their lives. 

It was a cold wet day when Armand broke down the door of the house. He found the old man gasping for air clutching onto his young daughter. Armand knelt down by the man and gently cradled his head. He had seen death before and knew it was just a matter of time. The old man saw the soldier and the kindness in his eyes. "Please" he whispered. "My daughter, please take care of her, please don't leave her, promise me you'll take care of her".

Marie's tears flowed as they laid her father to rest. She sobbed uncontrollably as she clutched Armand's hand. Her eyes were wide with fear. The soldier's heart was full of compassion. He held her close and smiled kindly. But his thoughts were with Belle. "Forgive me my sweet Belle, but I have made a promise I must keep" he thought sadly. And then he wept.

Armand lay in his bed knowing he would soon breathe his last. He thought about his life and where destiny had led him. He had wealth and fame, Marie had been a good wife and she had loved him too, and their sons had grown up to be fine young men. Life with them all had been wonderful and life had been good. And then his thoughts once again took him to Belle. "My Belle" he thought, "my Belle".

Belle sat by the window and looked across at the garden. She was old and tired and very frail. She thought about her life and of the soldier who once took her into his arms and loved her with a passion. She smiled for he was the love of her life and she was fortunate to have shared a time with a kind and beautiful man. She hoped with all her heart that he was at peace. Then she leant back against the chair and closed her eyes forever.

~x~

Armand stood in front of her, his pristine white shirt billowing in the wind, his sword dangling by his side. He held out his hands to Belle and as she took them, he took her into his arms and smiled. "My Belle" he whispered with joy, "My Belle".

Then the dashing young soldier and his beautiful Belle rode off into the sunset, together, side by side, their souls beating in time with the rhythmic thunder of the hooves, their hair flying wildly in the wind, the mare and the stallion carrying them away forever into the land of love.

~x~

True love never dies. Sometimes it is not in our destiny to find it here for whatever reason - fate, karma, choice, circumstance. But love is eternal and meetings in that land of love are certain. And sometimes we also have the good fortune to come back again and share that love and make peace with life.


A time for us someday there'll be
when chains are torn by courage born of a love that's free
A time when dreams so long denied
can flourish as we unveil the love we now must hide
A time for us at last to see
A life worthwhile for you and me
And with our love through tears and thorns
We will endure as we pass surely through every storm
A time for us someday there'll be
A new world, a world of shining hope for you and me.
                                                                ~from Romeo and Juliet

Enjoy the song. I thought it captured the essence of my story well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FHpmn-KYec


My posts so far: Day 1  Day 2

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Racing Towards Destiny

Written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 1 -  Write a piece of fiction consisting of exactly 9 sentences.

"Life can be so unfair" thought Belle as she stood behind the pillar of the ballroom and took in the grandeur of the hall and its occupants.

Her eyes slowly scanned each nook and cranny until they fell upon the handsome soldier who had once stolen her heart.

Eyes locked with his, they both delighted in that moment, while her thoughts drifted to a day when they were young and life was full of joy and freedom, love and passion ..

"Fly like the wind my beauty" whispered Belle to her beautiful black mare as she mounted her horse, her thoughts filled with Armand knowing he would be waiting for her under the tree with his pristine white shirt billowing gently in the wind, his sword dangling by his side.

Armand watched her come towards him, her dark hair flying wildly, her eyes shining with excitement, her pale skin flushed pink like a blooming rose. 

She ran into his open arms passions flaring, hearts beating fast, their love setting the dusk on fire, yet sweet and tender. 

The mare and the stallion pawed at the ground frisking around waiting for that moment when Belle and Armand would ride them again, fast and exhilarating like the wind, their hair flying, hearts beating in rhythm to the thunder of the hooves, racing together, side by side, towards their destiny.

"But destiny sometimes plays a very cruel game" thought Belle as she watched him dance with his lady while she sadly dropped her eyes, sighed and walked back into the kitchen. It was time to serve.


Story continued .. A Time For Us

~x~

Not sure what theme will emerge this time! In the meantime check out some posts:

Day 1:  9 Sentence Fiction


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UBC Day 14 Bucket List

Day 14  Ultimate Blogging Challenge

Oprah's 11th (and final) Question

An Amendment to the Bucket List

Does anyone else out there get stressed out by bucket lists? You know, you look at the list you stuck to your fridge, thinking it would inspire you, and instead you find yourself plunged into despair because you not only have no idea what to make for dinner but also are totally never going to skydive over the desert, and you know it. You don't even really want to anymore! Here's a revolutionary idea: Amend the Life List. Cross off skydiving if you like; just be sure to add something new. 

Okay, I don't have a bucket list.  The Universe just shakes its head at me each time I write a list. It constantly reminds me that it has a plan all of its own and any plans that I make are swiftly erased by that great hand in the sky.

I dream, and I set an intention and then I wait for the Universe to present whatever it is I am meant to experience. I've learned to trust it and I've learned that its list is infinitely more delightful and exciting than mine.

My list is being constantly amended by the Universe and I go with the flow. It has simplified my life and brought it peace, contentment and unimaginable experiences.

image source:  google images

“Maktub" (It is written.)” ~  Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Wish you a day when you are in harmony with the Universe


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  Q6  Q7  Q8  Q9  Q10


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Rhymed Confusions Change Destinies

She said "Stay". He mistook it to be "Go away".

Suzy was waiting for the pressure cooker to whistle. And as she waited, her thoughts drifted back in time to a moment that perhaps changed her destiny.

Her first high school dance was coming up. There was so much excitement everywhere. She was a shy, quiet girl, chubby, awkward and timid. She wanted to go but didn't want to be the one who no one danced with. Tickets were selling fast and she still hadn't bought hers.

They were lining up for assembly, supervised by school prefects. Each class had 2 allocated. They were both standing near her. All was quiet, then she heard the dreaded, "Suzy, I hope you bought a ticket 'cos I've sold all of mine." Relief, tickets were sold out, she had an excuse not to go. Suzy shook her head. "Oh, he'll be sad if you don't come," she said, looking at him cheekily. Suzy glanced at him quickly and caught his eye. "I've kept one for you," he said quietly. Then a ticket shot out at her. How could she refuse? She took it slowly and muttered that she would pay for it the next day. He wouldn't take the money.

There they were, in the school hall, nervous 13 year olds, excited and scared. Suzy hid behind the girls in her class hoping no one would see her. And then she saw him, making his way towards them. She slowly inched behind the pillar praying, "Not me, please not me". He wove his way through the throng of classmates and then he stood in front of her. "Would you like to dance with me?" he asked softly.

They danced quietly, not a word was said. And then a slow number came on. They stood looking at each other for a few minutes. She had no idea what to do, but here he was, the boy of her dreams and she wished with all her heart they would keep dancing.

Her eyes held his. "Stay, please stay" she whispered silently in her head. He was confused. Was that excitement or fear he saw. Did she want him to stay or go? The questions went around in his head. He didn't want to scare her nor did he want to do anything that she didn't.

He didn't make a move. Suzy panicked. She looked around to gauge what the others were doing. His heart sank. That movement sent a signal to his brain. "She wants me to go", he thought. So quietly he backed off and moved away.

He never asked her to dance again. She watched him dance with one girl after another. Her heart sinking and wave after wave of sadness washing over her.

The cooker let off a shrill whistle and jolted her back to the present. But the sadness in her heart made it ache with renewed intensity. "I wanted him to stay, why did he go away", she thought despairingly.

Moments change destinies or do they?

The tragedy begins, not when there is misunderstanding about words, but when silence is not understood. ~ Henry David Thoreau

Do share some of your moments that seemed to alter the course of your destiny.

Warm Regards


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This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda
The prompt
She said ____. He mistook it to be ____.
The words used in the blanks have to rhyme and your post should revolve around the confusion thus created as a result of the miscommunication.

Check out some more WoW posts here

Blogfest - Destiny

I have the privilege of hosting this week's prompt "Destiny" for The Writer's Post blog hop

Destiny is a topic that fascinates me. 

But is destiny real or is it just a case of mind over matter?

There are moments in my life when I've done things that I never thought I was capable of doing and then there are times when I've failed to do something relatively simple.

Even when I felt some trepidation or where the task seemed impossible, my mind willed me forward to achieve. Mind over matter prevailed.

But if mind does prevail over matter, then how does one explain those events where seemingly simple things just don't seem to fly, plans fall apart, nothing fits together. The mind just cannot find a way to succeed.

Is destiny the quiet ally or saboteur?

I believe that when it is meant to be, destiny the ally drives the circumstances for the mind to prevail over matter and when it's not meant to be, destiny the saboteur steers you away from success.

So is destiny carved in stone or can we change our destiny - or in other words do we have free will?

I believe that in the journey of our life we have a major destiny and a multitude of  minor ones that lead us to our major destiny.

Our major and minor destinies are pre-determined and will eventually be reached but there are many pathways to each destiny point.

The choices we make during the journey will determine the road we take to those points. Or in other words, we have free will to choose the path to that destiny point.

Our gut feel or intuition signals unease if we are veering off the path and will plant the deep desire to turn towards our pre-determined destination. Often we will heed this very reliable indicator and change paths ourselves.

But the Universe also lends us a helping hand and gently points us back in the direction of our destiny when we veer off the path significantly.

Free will was given to us so we could learn, experience and grow.  If everything was pre-determined, I don't think there would be any purpose in life. The choices we make and the journey itself  makes our life interesting, exciting, worthwhile and fulfilling.

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours. 

~ Dag Hammarskjold

This is a combination of some posts I had written a long time ago. This blog hop gives me the opportunity to present them again. Is this destiny?

Please join in this blog hop and share your thoughts on Destiny or take the prompt and use it any way you want. I look forward to reading your posts.

Hope you have an interesting day and I also hope that today Destiny is your ally.


Warm Regards

GBE2 - Do-Over

"Do-Over" is this week's prompt at GBE2.

"Do-Over"? Oh no another one of those brain-numbing topics. And then suddenly the thoughts started flowing. It's the most perfect prompt ... of course I use a lot of poetic license on the words "Do-Over" but as there are no rules I can pretty much interpret this anyway I want.

I had so wanted to do the prompts for "Accidents" and "Serendipity" - long gone topics at  The Writers Post and Blogging For Fun, but the "Do-Over" now gives me a chance to write my post on these topics. A kind of "Do-Over".

So onto Serendipity and Accident ....

Serendipity means a "Happy Accident" or "making a fortunate discovery by Accident" or "an Accident that leads to a fortunate event".

I love the word Serendipity - something very appealing about it. I also think Serendipity and Synchrodestiny (a term coined by Deepak Chopra meaning "coincidences that have a purpose") are related.

There are innumerable moments in our life that we disregard as coincidence, chance or accidents.  Yet, these may be the very moments that line up an amazing future or are messages for us to heed or just moments that lead to great joy.

One such moment occurred in late 1999 or early 2000 - I forget exactly when. I was surfing the Internet and searching for something (again I forget what) when I accidentally came across a website that registered educational institutions and ex-students.

Curiosity prevailed, so I registered and accessed my class page. And here I found a dear friend I had not met or even been in touch with since the school days - 25 years ago.

I finally emailed him after a few days of procrastinating and have never regretted that fateful email. We met at the class re-union a few months later - an event I never would've have known about had I not emailed him. Not only that, a great friendship was re-kindled not just with him but with so many other classmates. I am so glad I was surfing that day.

And that Serendipitous encounter led to another "Do-Over" ...

December of 2010, 2 lovely friends (including my friend I found accidentally while surfing) and I went off to visit our school again. What a thrill going back to school and especially to our Standard 9 (Grade 9) classroom - the last time the 3 of us were together. Std 9 also holds some amazing memories and I think was my best year in school. Here's a picture of our Std 9 classroom as it stands today - back to front and the blackboard replaced by a whiteboard were about the only changes we could see.

Some years ago the school had a "Do-Over" as well.  And while they were renovating the school, they found this little hidden Chapel.  Unfortunately the door was locked so couldn't go inside. But how awesome to find this in the "Do-Over".

Not all "Do-Overs" are successful or turn out the way you intend them to. Here's one - additions and changes to the newer wing of the school. I didn't like that - it closed up the quadrangle. It was so much brighter and airier in our days. And the classrooms as we knew them are all gone and replaced. The memories remain but the physical evidence of those days are now gone.

There are of course no accidents in life - we are all connected - and all events in our life are inter-linked though they may look separate and unrelated. The serendipitous moments in life are events that are part of our synchronised destiny (Synchrodestiny).

I love Serendipity and I loved the movie too. So enjoy a scene from it.


Serendipity - Youtube


Wishing you all many Serendipitous moments, "Accidents" that put a smile on your face.

Thanks GBE2 for the opportunity to "Do-Over" these topics.

Warm Regards

   

Time and Karma

This week's prompt at GBE2 is on TIME
and  at the  Blogging for Fun is on KARMA

I combined the two into one post, as my thoughts on both prompts are inter-linked.



My thoughts on TIME

T  = take some time off to stop and smell the roses.

I   =  irreversible so make the best of each moment.

M = make memorable moments that will live forever.

E = evanescent yet eternal. So believing in karma and cause and effect and that our actions
       are accumulated across lifetimes, I need to use it wisely to always act in ways that are
       enriching for all.
     


My thoughts on KARMA

K = kindness will be repaid in many wonderful ways.

A = act altruistically and in a way that is beneficial to all because all actions have consequences.

R = the Universe rewards and reprimands. Detach from outcome (rewards and retribution)
       and let God take care of that.

M = thoughts manifest, make them magnificent - this is essence of the law of attraction and I also
        believe of Karma (cause and effect).

A = there are no accidents or chance events, we are all part of a collective consciousness.
       My actions affect all others and vice versa. The Upanishads (Hindu philosophical texts)
       sum this up well in these words:

"When a blade of grass is cut, the whole Universe quivers".

Warm Regards


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GBE2 - Work

I am so glad 2012 has arrived.  Work-wise 2011 had great achievements and some massive disappointments as well. And financially it was a tough year.

So for GBE2's topic on Work I am going to focus on the future ... my life's work, the work that won't be work but great pleasure.

The Dream
My dream is to work in the humanitarian aid arena - managing international global aid programmes focussing on children.

Aid for me is not just about financial aid though it certainly encompasses that, but "aiding" people have better lives - research, conservation, education, science - setting the foundations for future generations.

I have this vision of working for organisations like UNDP, UNESCO or UNICEF. I have no idea how I'll get there but just today I came across this quote via a post on facebook that I believe is a message for me, as it jumped out at me out of several messages:

"You don't have to understand, you just have to have faith" ~Serendipity

And so I simply have the faith that my vision will come true very soon.

Sabotage
Until April 2011, I truly enjoyed what I was doing and work has been mostly great pleasure - not easy, but still a great pleasure. Even the high stress projects that I managed were fun. However since early 2009 I felt some twinges of change ... that the time for a change in direction was near ... but what could that be and when?

Then in May 2011 I took up a new contract for a few months and the pleasure drained. It was a tough environment because of some people I worked with and then my project got cancelled and I found myself without a job - something I had never imagined or experienced in my 25 working years. It came as a shock. A bad time to be unemployed - the economy was so bad and jobs hard to come by.

In the end after trying for a few weeks, I just decided that after 25 years of slogging, perhaps the Universe was giving me a chance to simply enjoy life - chill - and to think of the future. Even though my finances are being drained, this is a necessary step in moving forward.

An aha moment
And then I had my big aha moment ... I need to change, move towards my dream now, rather than postponing that dream until I had reached financial abundance. My abundance would come from the dream not the "work" I was chasing now.

It's a major shift - it's like taking the road to the left - when the "work" I've been doing all along is actually the road on the right.

Is it scary to take this step?  Yes it is. And financially it is a backward step. But I know I have to take it. Because this is what my heart desires and this is what I believe I am meant to do. And this is what will bring me great joy.

How do I know these things?

Planting seeds
I believe deep down we just know, but the Universe also sends us clues and quietly directs our path - plants seeds in our brain.

"Because a vision softly creeping, left it's seeds while I was sleeping. And the vision that was planted in my brain, still remains" - The Sounds of Silence (Simon and Garfunkel)

So here is the story of the vision that was planted in my brain ...

Family
My paternal grandmother was an amazing lady. She dedicated her life to helping underprivileged women and children. This was her life's work. She even won an award for that in her later years and one of the projects she initiated was endorsed by UNICEF.  She wasn't financially rich and she lived a very simple life but people were her greatest love and helping them gave her the greatest joy.

I truly believe that there was a reason why she was my grandmother ... at some point, I would carry on her work.

School
During my school days I belonged to a club and every Saturday we would visit orphanages, old people homes etc to help them out. I loved visiting the Orphanage - I loved the children - being with them gave me so much joy and they in turn gave out so much love. And then after leaving school, I forgot all about them.

Strengths
About 15 years ago, I was sent on a leadership and management course. The subject we were discussing was strengths and how these add to achievement and our joy in our work. The facilitator was randomly talking about each attendee (we were 8 of us). When my turn came, he simply said "Your life's work will be in the humanitarian aid arena - you are just made for working there because compassion is your greatest strength".

I did not know, but apparently I was nodding and I had the biggest smile on my face. And then I forgot all about that.

A Life Map
A few years later I put my name down to do another company sponsored course on "Life". It had nothing to do with work but about what we wanted from life. It's the best course I ever did. The first thing we were asked to do was to write down 1 thing we truly wanted to do but had never got down to doing. We were given 1/2 a minute - the idea was not to think too hard. Mine was - Sponsor a child through World Vision. The entire course took me on a journey to my current dream.

The last words the facilitator said to us was "You have created a life map. Make your dream come true". That was 10 years ago. And then I forgot all about that and went back to doing the "work" that I was doing.

Passion
About 5 years ago I was sent on another company run leadership and management course. We had many scenario games to play and one of them was where 2 groups were bidding for some medicinal plants from a country. 1 group was an organisation prepared to pay big sums of money for it, the other was asking for it free of charge to aid underprivileged people - the scenario was given to us after the groups were created. Well, I ended up with the  "please, free of charge" group.

And then as we were ready to state our case, another set of rules were provided - only the women were allowed to speak and confer - hey, I was the only woman in my group - the other had 4. So I was pretty much on my own. I didn't expect to win, but I was going to give it my all. Guess what  ... my group won.

The feedback was that I was so passionate about aiding the people and that they felt it was so real and I was so convincing.  And then I forgot all about that and went back to my "work".

Think about it
In 2010 I went back to my hometown for a visit. And I got talking to my cousin about the children I currently sponsor through World Vision (I have 5) and that I am also a UNICEF global parent and how much I enjoy doing that and how much joy that brings me. And she told me to consider working in that arena.

Do it
I am sure none of these were "chance" incidents.  If you believe in "Synchrodestiny", nicely summed up as

"Coincidences are not accidents but signals from the Universe which can guide us toward our true destiny"  by Deepak Chopra

then you will agree that the Universe has truly left many clues and has now nudged me onto that path by sabotaging my quest for "work" as I know it.

And so I believe that the time to convert a dream into reality is here ... 2012 is my year for dreams come true.


And I hope that 2012 will be your year of dreams come true too.

Enjoy the "Sounds of Silence" - don't know what Simon and Garfunkel thought about when they wrote and sang this song, but I thought it was apt for my post.




Warm Regards

GBE2 - Curiosity

"Curiouser and curiouser" said Alice.




So here's what I am curious about ....

What would it have been like to have lived in the time of Jesus? 

I think it must've been so amazing to have met him in the flesh and blood. For all those who met him and heard him and sat with him, ate with him, it must have been a moment of pure bliss. Those were truly blessed people to have experienced Divinity first hand.

What would it be like to have an Angel (as in the Divine being) visit?

There are many people who have claimed to have had Angel visits, or seen Angels. Only one person I know has claimed to have been visited by an Angel. Has anyone has this experience? I don't know how I would react.

Did he like me? I think he did but did he really?

An absolutely gorgeous guy I knew and liked heaps in my teenage years. I'll never know if he really liked me 'cos he passed away so young. But I hope he did. He was so nice, so kind and so sweet and ever so cute. Oh I wish I knew.

 What is my life's work and who is my gorgeous Soulmate?

I think about these questions a lot and I am curious to know the answers. But then if I knew, the journey to discovery would be no fun. But I would like to know where my next job lies (C'mon Universe, tell me).

And I think it's great to be curious because I believe that curiosity paves the way for dreams and dreams lead us to our Destiny.

Warm Regards


Linking to

I Love Quotes - Law of Attraction

Do you believe in the Law of Attraction (LoA) and has it worked for you?

I do believe in the LoA but I also think that there are other factors that influence if it works or not.

Firstly, I think that timing plays a great part in receiving or achieving what you deeply desire (secretly harbour) and/or love. I believe that it will only appear at the time it is meant to be. This is so true for those who desire a soulmate to share life with. If no one is showing up it may be because there are things that you and your soulmate still need to learn or that the time to meet has not yet arrived. I do believe that each one of us has many soulmates that we could share life with.

Secondly, we need to "do". If there is something we deeply desire, we need to work towards it. For example, if I desire to be a photographer for the National Geographic, I need to take steps that will give me a good chance of achieving that dream. If I never buy a camera or learn to photograph well, I am surely never going to get there.

Thirdly, I think we need to be open to receiving and connecting. Often we are so set on something specific that we fail to see opportunities that may be similar or even better. We do attract what we desire, it just may be in a way we don't expect.

Fourthly, I think that the LoA has a better chance of success when we desire something that is beneficial to many.

Lastly, I think that there is Destiny or Fate that plays a big part in whether LoA works or not. If what I desire, like being a photographer for the National Geographic (an example only), is not part of my life path and destiny, I am not going to get there no matter how much I desire that. However, I do believe that if the desire for photography is great, I will end up in the photography industry just in another way as I think your desire aligns you to your destiny.

Check out my related posts: Is Desire the key to Destiny?   Mind over Matter or Destiny?

Have a great day - maybe the day when you finally attract what you desire.

Warm Regards

I Love Quotes - Buddha - Our Thoughts

Today (26 October), Indians all over the world celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights.

Diwali signifies the end of a year and the beginning of a new one, the end of any darkness in our lives and the hope of bright and happy days. Hence the lighting of lamps or diyas.

Some Indian communities celebrate the day after Diwali as the New Year.

I thought this quote would be very appropriate for today. A reminder that our thoughts lead us to our destiny. We should therefore try to think of good thoughts.

When my son was little, I would watch him play this imaginary game - all kinds of different scenarios. And when he didn't like where his thoughts were going, he would stop and say "Cancel, Rewind" and begin again.

And we can use the same technique to channel our thoughts so that we think our way to where we want to go and what we want to be or do.

So on this very auspicious day of Diwali, I wish you all a very Happy Diwali and a Happy New Year.

My thoughts for all of you today are that you all have good health, peace, joy, love, abundance and prosperity in your lives.

Check out my Diwali Lights on my Photos are Fun blog.

Linking this to Inspiration Friday #38   Potpourri Party #9


Warm Regards

Be Inspired by Steve Jobs and Oprah

RIP Steve Jobs. His death and life are probably the most talked and reported subject in the last few days and there have been so many blogs written about him.

I came across one that had a link to his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. And like everyone else I listened to it.  And then I noticed the link to the 2008 Commencement Address by Oprah Winfrey which also showed up at the conclusion of Steve Job's address.

Both addresses are so inspiring but I think Oprah's address touched my soul a little bit more. Probably because Steve Jobs address was more career focussed, Oprah's more on the humanitarian side.

But the sum total of both their addresses covers a wide spectrum and I took bits from both that I will draw on now and in the future.

So here are the links:
Oprah Winfrey - 2008 Stanford Commencement Address
Steve Jobs - 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Be inspired.

Warm Regards

Question of the Day - Do people have Free Will?

  Do we have free will?

   Here are my views.





I believe that in the journey of our life we have a major destiny and a multitude of  minor ones that lead us to our major destiny.

Our major and minor destinies are pre-determined and will eventually be reached but there are many pathways to each destiny point.

The choices we make during the journey will determine the road we take to those points and this is where our free will comes in. We have free will to choose the path to that destiny point.

Our gut feel or intuition signals unease if we are veering off the path and will plant the deep desire to turn towards our pre-determined destination. Often we will heed this very reliable indicator and change paths ourselves.

But the Universe also lends us a helping hand and gently points us back in the direction of our destiny when we veer off the path significantly.

An example of this has recently occurred in my life.

Having completed a big project, I was looking for a new job when an opportunity came my way. My gut feel on this was a resounding No but I choose not to heed that and accepted the job. 4 months later, the project got cancelled and the job ended. I was obviously not meant to be there as that job is not in alignment with my destiny and the Universe created a situation that now forces me off the path and hopefully onto the right one.

I will again have the free will to choose my next path but the next time I will heed that gut feel and I'm pretty sure it will set me off on the right one.

Free will was given to us so we could learn, experience and grow.  If everything was pre-determined, I don't think there would be any purpose in life. The choices we make and the journey itself  makes our life interesting, exciting, worthwhile and fulfilling.

Here are links to some related posts from my blog:  Experiences Strengthen   That Gut Feel - Is it real?

Also check out all my posts that touch on the subject of Destiny - see labels on the right.

Wish you all an interesting journey today.

Warm Regards

Question of the day - That Gut Feel ... Is It Real?

A quick answer (from my perspective) ... you bet.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. You look back and say "I knew that". How?  That gut feel.

Each time something significant has taken place in my life (good and bad), I seem to have known. Something inside has warned me or urged me on.

I have learned over the years that I have a good gut and it speaks to me in volumes. And when I listen to it and heed its warning or grab a path that it urges me onto even though it looks incredibly impossible, good and great things have happened.

And then there are those instances when that logical analytical mind has taken over and overridden that gut feel, with disastrous consequences. I should've known better because my gut knows best.

Today's post was triggered by the book "Steering by Starlight" by Martha Beck. I love her writing style.
Haven't read the book yet (but will as soon as it arrives) - I just read a preview of the book at Amazon.com

These words resonated with me and urged me to write this post: "You and only you possess total knowledge of and capacity to create your right life. Find the still point inside you that is already guiding you towards your best destiny".

And then there is the invisible hand of the Universe that will softly nudge us on that path to our destiny, or push us off the path that would lead us astray.

I often ponder my destiny. I think I know what I am meant to do. The how, when, and where will in time, no doubt, present themselves as well. Perhaps I will share my insight in another post.

Share your thoughts.

Warm Regards


Related posts on my blog:  3 Rules of Life    Is Desire the Key to Destiny    Mind over Matter or Destiny>

I Love Quotes - Invictus

I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul
~ William Ernest Henley, Invictus

This is one of my favourite quotes. I always call on this when I'm going through a tough time.

Last week was a tough week and I was tested on many fronts. This quote came to mind.

While I believe that fate or destiny is predetermined and therefore we cannot escape it, we can make choices on our way to that destiny.

Our attitude to a situation will determine how we tackle it.

Here is the whole poem - it also inspired Nelson Mandela to keep going while he was imprisoned.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever Gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus - may you all be undefeated, unconquerable