When will we learn ... #atozchallenge letter W @AprilA2Z

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.

Usually I write about one thought, today I'll add a few and let you ponder over them.

So here are my thoughts for the letter W

Wellington New Zealand

When will we learn that war is not the way to peace.

Only peace is the way to peace.

When will we learn that we are one race, the human race.

When will we learn to take all actions with love and compassion
that benefit the many

When will we learn that all beings carry the spark of Divinity,
that we all come from the same source.

When will we learn that eventually when we return to our maker,
all we take with us is the spiritual knowledge that we gained
and the love we shared.

Which of these thoughts resonates with you? Share in the comments below.

If you do leave a comment, please make it easy for me and add a link to your blog / post. Thanks.

Written for the #atozchallenge drop by and check out some awesome posts.

My posts so far
All roads lead to your destiny               
Be like the river       
Change occurs at every moment
Do or do not       
Expectation              
Find the Fun
Great Minds Think Alike
Help Comes
Inaction can
Journeys
Kite Flying
Live as if
Music
Now and then
Open Doors
Patience
Quieting the mind
Respond Intelligently
Success is defined
The Day Came When
Umbrellas
Variety of thoughts



Warm Regards


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An Opportunity to tell my story about blogging and friends

Do you believe in Synchronicity?

Well here's a classic example - three unrelated topics that will make the perfect post together.

Opportunity from  The Writers Post


Telling My Story from Blogging for Fun

Blogging and Friends from Living with Food Allergies and Celiac Disease and Bongo and Me




So here is my post, an opportunity to tell my story about blogging and friends.

An Opportunity Arises
I've always wanted to write. When I was in school, my teacher thought I was a pretty poor writer, and because of that I never tried hard at it. But years later, the web presented the perfect opportunity for creative expression. So here I am ... writing, blogging. How cool is that.


Blogging - My Story
I started blogging 2 years ago when a workmate asked me to join in a "30 days of me" challenge.

I had never blogged before so I made this a private blog and invited family and friends to join me in my 30 day journey. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to keep blogging when that was completed. Still private 'cos I wasn't comfortable in a public space.

Then a year ago, I was between jobs and a sense of panic overcame me. And one day I suddenly had an urge to write in the public arena. It was scary. But I went with the feeling and trusted that the Universe knows what I must do. And so I started and I write as I am guided by it (the Universe).

I know over the year my style of blogging has changed and I've experimented with different posts.
I've enjoyed writing each one but I think the ones I've had the most fun with are my haiku posts. In the last 5 months, I've also felt a shift in my perspective of life and my blog now reflects that - being positive, hopeful, joyful and loving, enjoying life and having fun. I hope you feel it too.

I have two blogs, this one, where I write and my Photos are Fun blog, where I post pictures from my travels. My photo blog is dedicated to my late father whose love of photography I share.

Friends 
Long before the days of the Internet, friends were "made" through social interactions - in school, at University, at work, through our friends and relatives. Friends come and go but some of them stick around with you for the long haul. These are my lovely school / university friends that I still love and cherish and feel an inexplicable bond with. When we meet, the years simply melt away.

And then I had my pen-friends or pen-pals. Much like the internet, these were friends you wrote to (via pen and paper, the old fashioned way) from around the world and shared a friendship with. I had about 100 pen-pals much to my father's dismay as postage was not cheap back then in India. But this was perfect for me. A chance to "write" and not requiring a face to face interaction, a chance to just be myself. (I was a shy quiet kid).

I still keep in touch with 4 of my pen-pals. We've been friends for nearly 40 years. And I've had the pleasure of meeting two of them. What a thrill that was!

In 1988 I moved to New Zealand and have made some lovely friends here. And then a year ago when I took up blogging, I have linked up with so many wonderful people, all of you my lovely virtual friends.

So my friends are all over the world. Each one brings a new dimension to my life. Some uplift me with fun and laughter, others nourish my spiritual needs and others provide a sympathetic ear and support when I need it. But above all I feel the love, virtual or real, it's always there.

Thank you my wonderful friends. This world of mine is a happier, lovelier place because you are in it.

Sending you all a virtual hug and tons of love.

Warm Regards

   

ABC Wednesday - Round 10 - P is for ..

Pretty Little Baby

This was an easy choice this week as this song brings back a whole lot of memories.

Many moons ago just after I finished University, I worked in a travel agency that belonged to a friend.


One of the overseas clients who visited Bombay on his many business trips would drop by the agency and on each of his visits, he would sing this song to me. A most embarrassing moment back then, but it brings a smile to my face now.

A stranger tucked away in the far recesses of my mind, suddenly surfaces to provide a moment of happy thoughts.

Flashback to that day when the stranger first walked into that agency. He sat in front of me, a smile on his face. Then he leaned forward, looked into my eyes and crooned this number.

But back to the song ...

Pretty little baby was released in 1962 by Connie Francis and was subsequently sung by her in Italian and Japanese.

Here is the english version that takes me back to 1980 and makes me giggle.


Youtube - Pretty Little Baby


 But I think the Japanese version is just too cute, even though I don't understand a word of it.

And perhaps if the stranger had sung Kawaii baby instead, I might have followed him. (oh lol).


Youtube - Kawaii baby

Lyrics
kawaii baby hai hai, kawaii baby hai hai 
kawaii baby to yobuno wa aishiiteru kara ka shira 
pretty little baby kawaii baby . 
kotoritachino utau koe aino uta ni kikoeru no 
pretty little baby suteki na baby 
koi wo suru tte suteki janai wakai ko no hi wo 
futaride sugoshimashou itsu itsu made mo
ima sugu atte, soshite itte 
wasurerarenu ano kotoba
pretty little baby watashino baby 
pretty little baby hai hai watashino baby hai hai

(lyrics copied from the youtube page so  I have no idea if they are correct - update - my Japanese friend tells me the lyrics are correct.)


To all you pretty little babies, have the most perfect day.

Check out some other P entries at ABC Wednesday  and some "Strangers" at GBE2


Warm Regards

GBE2 - Haiku - Home

The topic this week at GBE2 is "Home"

My brain just went zooming into Haiku for this prompt and the words just seemed to flow so Haiku it is for Home.





Wander far and wide
Across the oceans and seas;
My heart longs for home

Ponder in silence
Reflections of days gone by;
Memories of home

Joyful laughter rings
Running free in green meadows;
Enjoy earthly home

Peaceful Solitude
Dreaming of my Shangrila;
That eternal home

Live free and easy
Spirits soar swirl, dance and fly;
In my soul's true home


Have an awesome day.

Warm Regards

Blogging for Fun - Patience

P = Patience pays great dividends. Good things come to those who wait. In India we have a saying
      that roughly translates to "the fruits of patience are sweet".

A = Patience does not mean we stop and stand still. Act while you wait. Carry on living as counting
       the hours, minutes and days won't bring it to you any faster.

T = Patience has no concept of time. Things will happen when they are meant to.

I = Patience is at odds with instantaneous. We want everything to occur now. Sometimes this is
     not a good thing. Patience gives us time to think and be sure or make tweaks.

E = Patience is a test of endurance. We often give up and fall back into old patterns or abandon
      the road we're on because it takes too long. Most times the "gift" is just around the corner if
      only we had the patience to take the next turn.

N = Patience can be learned by taking a lesson from nature. The caterpillar must rest in it's cocoon
       for a period of time until it is ready to emerge as a butterfly. Transformations take time.

C = Patience teaches us to have courage. Courage to walk alone while we wait for love to arrive or
      to endure hardship while we search for a job.

E = Patience is a cultivated virtue, it is learned over the course of time through experience. It is
       probably one of the hardest to master.

Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. ~ Saadi

Warm Regards

BFF - My Eyes Adored You

I know I've neglected my blogging yet again but the last few days I've spent some time thinking about this and why my enthusiasm for blogging was waning.

And then I had an aha moment ... I need to blog with gratitude, to look at the positive aspects of life, to blog in a way that raises my energetic vibrations and keeps the abundance flowing.  Without these my heart wasn't truly in it.

So starting off on this one ... a great topic to kick start the new blogging routine.

"My eyes adored you,
 Though I never laid a hand on you
 My eyes adored you"

I am so grateful for the lovely men who came into my life and thankful for those yet to come (special friends and one lovely life-soulmate). And even though some were just friends (but very special friends) and others that went further than that but eventually ended, there was always something about these men that at some point in time touched my soul.

So what was it about them that I loved ...

D = Kind, sweet, intelligent, soft spoken and polite, responsible and smart and ever so cute. I loved the sound of his voice.

G = Sweet and so much fun to be with.  He had a gorgeous smile, a twinkle in his eye and he was always happy. I always felt "taken care of" when he was around.

S = Nice eyes.

N = Classy and well mannered.

R = Sweet, interesting, intelligent, smart and athletic. I loved the way he walked.

V = Smart, intelligent, sweet, soft spoken, witty and a great sense of humour.

I am so lucky. At some point in time, and in their own way, each one of these men made me feel like a million bucks.


One of my favourite love quotes is ...

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul ~ Judy Garland

But my eyes are yet to adore that man.


In the meantime, enjoy the song by Frankie Valli


Youtube - My Eyes Adored You


Have an awesome day.

Warm Regards

Confrontation, Love Song, Energy

Confrontation takes up a lot of energy but this is energy that drains not uplifts.

It is human nature to prove ourselves right, to make a point when we believe that we've been wronged. And then we channel all our energies into activities that drain us. No wonder we are stressed and depressed.

Why not channel energies into things that make our spirits soar - think love instead.  When we come from a place of love we look at life with a sense of peace and acceptance. Love is joyful and uplifts.

Buddha said, "In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength but through persistence". The stream does not confront with anger. It flows quietly and gently around the rock and moves on in it's path with confidence. Nature is truly a great teacher. Let go and move on. If you must persist, persist with love.

Mother Teresa said, "Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing". So why confront in anger? Change angry confrontation into a smile and act from a place of love. Give a gift to someone. Let life be like a Love Song - exciting, joyful and fulfilling.

This one sums up (for me) that exhilarating feeling that comes from love.


Youtube-LoveStory

I hope you enjoyed one of my favourite Love songs.

Sending you all a virtual smile and wishing you all love, light and peace.

Warm Regards

Prompts from
GBE2 = Confrontation
The Writer's Post = Energy
Blogging for Fun = Love Song

A jumble of many themes or Blogger's Choice.

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic job hunting and hence my blog has been a little neglected.

There have been some great prompts at Blogging for Fun,  GBE2 and The Writers Post  - Gratitude, Solitude, Jane's tale, Interview and Blogger's choice.

So here is my post - a jumble of all these themes or Blogger's Choice.

I believe that Gratitude is a key ingredient in having a joyful, abundant and fulfilling life. So first and foremost I would like to thank this wonderful Universe for bringing an awesome job to me after so many months of searching for one.

I have enjoyed these months (most of the time), doing all the things I wanted to do and just enjoying time with my family, R&R, but there have been days when I've felt low, when the future seemed quite bleak. I was starting to feel quite worried about my finances so it's such a relief.

I am so grateful for the offer that came through last week. Thank You to the Universe and everyone involved in this process.

Isn't it weird, that when you are destined for something, things just flow and they arrive so easily in your life.

In the last 3 months I have been to several interviews.

One was just awful. The interviewers were so confrontational - no interviewing skills there. They tend to forget that the candidate is also assessing them and their organisation. They weren't very good ambassadors for their company.

One went really well but eventually went nowhere. The interviewer didn't even get back to me (*shakes head*). I got the feeling I was their back-up option in case their internal recruitment went awry. Would be nice to have some honesty there. I spent many sleepless nights over this one as I really wanted this role. The project was so interesting. But I guess there was something better lined up for me. (I am still waiting for an answer on this one - too late for them now).

Another interview was great - a nice easy flow but I lost out on a coin toss to someone else. Obviously I wasn't meant to be there.

And then finally, the interviews that were just perfect. I really enjoyed both (for the same job) and I knew as soon as I walked out of there that an offer would come. It's a great offer and I really liked the person I will be working with.

Does this line up with what I want to do (see my post on Work)?  I don't know, all I know is that I had this feeling I had to apply and then things moved so fast - within a week I had 2 interviews and a job offer.

So I will go with the flow and see where it takes me. For now I am so thankful and excited. This will be a fun job.

In the months of R&R I often spent time in solitude, reflecting on my past jobs and what I really wanted. And it's quite uncanny how many blog posts and emails I read regarding meditation for abundance, setting of clear intentions, being open to possibilities, clearing blocks to abundance and manifesting.

So I did them all and actually strangely enough about 10 days ago I got to a place of "okay I've done it all, I feel great and I'm ready for that abundance to start pouring in".

Wow - I am astounded but also very grateful and thankful to all these people. They were, I guess, messengers showing me the way to and preparing me for the next step in my journey. Thank You all.

And now onto Jane's story ... where does she come into this?

Some days ago, Jane got badly cut on her face and had stitches to close up the gash. So how did this happen? Here's the "Tale" ....

Jane has this unexplainable connection to me. Unfortunately every unpleasant emotion that I go through (like anger), Jane goes through as well. And I always forget that whenever I practise my karate and punch and kick those imaginary heads, it's poor Jane that feels the impact - quite significantly.

So in those interviews that upset and frustrated me, out came the imaginary punching bag that had "those" faces on them and when I started punching them in earnest, Jane in her faraway land put her hand to her face and felt the blood pour out of the big gash. Ouch, ouch, ouch. Lucky a nice friend rushed Jane to the ER to get it checked and attended to.

Sorry Jane. Next time I'll say a prayer that an invisible shield (used in the days of Star Trek and Star Wars) magically appears before your face. Take Care Jane. Get well soon. Love and hugs to you.


Warm Regards



Prompts from:

The Writers Post - Bloggers Choice, Interview

Blogging for Fun - Gratitude, Solitude

GBE2 - Jane's Tale 

    

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

   

GBE2 - Upset

I am upset:

• I can't think of a single thing to write on this topic for GBE2

• I am way behind in my writing - I started a post on Serendipity and Accidents and they are now long gone so will have to abandon those

• I am totally disorganised - I thought I had a nice blogging pattern and now it's all topsy-turvy

So I will make this a nice short post as the Saturday deadline is fast approaching and if I don't get this post in I'll be even more upset.

Thought I'd end this post with a quote I think is very apt for me at this moment ...

I had my years of struggling. Some of my shows failed miserably, and I was upset by it and it dented my confidence. But I never stopped. I kept going for it ~ Regis Philbin

And so even when I am upset because I cannot think of a single thing to say, I will keep blogging until the thoughts start to flow again and I am upset no more.

Happy blogging.


Warm Regards

Love Letters

This song just popped into my head as I read this week's topic "Love Letters" at Blogging For Fun , so I had to share this with you.


Youtube - Engelbert Love Letters

Over the last 8-10 years I have penned down some poems / prose that just came to me usually in a dream or at the very moment I awoke in the morning.

So here is one of those that seems appropriate for this week's theme.

A love letter to my Soulmate

Oh my love, how do I love you?
I do not have the words to describe this
For my love transcends this physical world into karmic and spiritual realms
To dimensions in space and time that the mind cannot fathom nor indeed imagine
I loved you before, through the aeons of time
I love you now
And I will love you to eternity
For it is only your spirit that can make my soul dance.

With love

Roses are Red

Flowers are pretty, but the rose is beautiful. I love roses.

Last year on Valentine's Day this beautiful red rose appeared (picture taken a few days later).

Red roses mean sincere love and respect, passion and courage.

Red roses say "I love you".

And one rose means "Love at first sight. You are the one".

I think this was a gift from the Universe - I like to think so anyway.

Unexpected gifts are so awesome and this one made me very happy.

           Solitary Rose
Exquisite gift warms my heart;
    Speaks of timeless love.
 









Wishing you all many unexpected and awesome gifts.


Warm Regards



Linking to  Blogging for Fun  - the topic this week is "Roses are Red"

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


Linking to:

    

BFF - A letter to myself at sixteen

Some months ago I wrote a post on this ... so will be re-cycling that post in letter format and adding some more.

Dear Suzy (at 16),

I am so excited to give you a little peek into your future. I won't spoil it by giving out the events of your life, but there are some things I do want you to know.

I know you wish you could be that pretty slim thing that turns heads instead of being constantly teased. Don't worry about what you look like, because you will turn a few heads. Also remember that beauty lies within and opinions of those that haven't figured that out are not worth stressing over.

And you know that weight you're constantly worried about? Worry no more, because you will lose a lot of weight and slim down heaps. And then when you've reached your ideal weight, you'll decide that actually you look better a little chubbier. Isn't that always the way? So don't stress about the weight. And all the times you wish you are sporty, don't despair. Someday, you will take up ten pin bowling for a while and then in your late forties (yes you heard me right), you'll take up karate  Trophies and medals won in both. Yay!

When things don't go well, don't think you are useless or failed at something just because you can't do it. You are not meant to do it. There are many successes waiting for you. Life is full of ups and downs. Just know that when it's down, it will eventually go up and balance out. Many exciting adventures await. Lots of travel overseas and someday you'll enjoy the wonderful world of  "blogging". Keep your interest in photography as someday you'll share some lovely photos on something called the "world wide web". Too hard to explain but look forward to it as it is so exciting.

At present you think that leadership is being the best at something and as there are others that are so much better at things than you are, you think that being a leader is simply not possible for you. But trust me when I say that leadership is not about being the best at something, it's about inspiring others to achieve beyond what they believe they can. And you will do that.

Don't be sad when some friends walk away. Over the years you will make some amazing friends. Just know that the friendships that are meant to endure, will endure. Also know that those that like and love you, just do. Those who don't, don't. It's their loss not yours.

And on a lighter note, when that cute guy asks you to dance, don't walk off the dance floor because you're shy. He's shy too and it took great courage on his part to ask you to dance.  So stay on the dance floor with him.

Lots of love

(in 2012)


BFF - Blogging For Fun

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

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

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