Write Tribe Reading Challenge 2019

It's been a while since I blogged but the Write Tribe Reading Challenge caught my eye.

I've never done a reading challenge and don't know how it will go but I'm going to give it a go.

 I will commit to reading 24 books - 2 per month. Yikes, January is nearly gone and I've read only 1 so far.

And the prompts are - any 12 to be selected and completed. Hopefully not in any particular order.

1. A book that is a Translation
2. A book written by a Female author
3. A book written by someone of a different nationality/color/ethnic group than you
4. A book from the Man Booker Prize long-list (any year)
5. A book from WWII time period
6. A retelling of your favorite fairytale/classic
7. A book featuring a hobby
8. A book with a name in the title
9. A book with orange cover
10. A book set in a country that you visited/want to visit
11. A book that was a gift
12. A book with an animal in the title/cover
13. A classic which you’ve never read
14. A book your mom loves
15. A book recommended by a celebrity
16. A book on crime-solving
17. A memoir
18. A book with four words in title
19. A book written by an author who is new to you
20. A book which is a 2019 release
21. A book made into a movie
22. A book that has a mythical/imaginary creature
23. A book you bought just because of its cover/a book with a beautiful cover
24. A drama/poetry book

And we have to review one book per month on our blogs.

So let's see how I go.

Book #1 for Janurary completed - 7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Patnaik. Review coming up soon.


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Saving Face

This evening as I was returning home from work on the bus, a strange event took place.

As I settled into my seat I put my hand up to remove my sunnies which is a real odd thing to do considering that the sun was shining straight into my eyes.

As my hand started its journey down from my face, this man's backpack came smack in front of my face.  But as my hand was covering it, it hit my hand (quite hard) instead.

If my hand hadn't been where it was, that backpack would have whacked me right in my face.

Was it coincidence that just at that moment I did something I never normally would've done or was someone looking after me from the other side?

All I can say is thank you to that benevolent being who made me do the silliest thing and yet save my face (literally).

image from the warehouse 

Linking to:
#MicroblogMonday #24
Write Tribe Pro Blogger Challenge
Blog-A-Rhythm
Gratitude Linkup at Alphabet Salad


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Am I An Artist?

Dear Suzy

At some point in one's life a God given talent (that we all have in our unique and individual way) shines through, the artist's colours paint the landscape.

Sometimes this talent is teased out by teachers or mentors, by parents, siblings or friends and sometimes the Universe opens up the canvas to showcase one's artistry.

Perhaps it was at that moment when the teacher sidelined your attempts that the Universe stepped in and gave seed to the poet within.

But all things happen at the right time, in the right place, in the right way. A moment too soon or a moment later could change the course of destiny.

Believe that the Great Spirit moved within you to rhyme for nothing happens by chance. Your poetry blog  Reflections Of My Soul - My Poems  and being a featured poet at Poet's United are not random isolated incidents but all part of a great plan.

So be the poet that Spirit wants you to be, share the words with the world that He guides you to write, feel that river of joy move within you, romance with Spirit and trust that what is meant to be will be.

Happy rhyming.

Reflections Of My Soul - My Poems

 My interview at Poet's United

Written for:

#Monday Musings at the Write Tribe - Write a letter to the artist in you

#Microblog Monday - 8 sentences or less

Linking to:

Blog-A-Rhythm

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My First Poem - The Story

For the Write Tribe Festival - Rediscovering your blogging groove

Day 7 - Tell a story

My story today is about how I started writing Poetry.

I think it was around the year 2004 I remember waking up one morning with a poem in my head. I must have dreamt it because with the words I could also visualise the poem.

I woke up feeling amazed, like I had somehow had a glimpse of the other side and participated in a cosmic dance with someone. It was the most serene feeling I had, yet exhilarating and joyous.  The closest I can explain is circus trapeze artists swinging and dipping and swaying and flying but in bands of colour.

image source:  google images

Thereafter, I woke up many times with a poem in my head.

And unlike dreams that are forgotten soon after waking, these poems stayed with me for hours and I felt a compulsion to pen them down.

So here was the first poem I ever wrote (also on my post  Sometimes the heart sees ):

I see you in my dreams

In a cosmic dance that fuses my soul with yours eternally

In perfect symmetry and harmony

Spiralling through space and time, sometimes apart, 

Yet always together and never too far

There is no greater joy

For my dreams are truly my reality 

And loving you is my only destiny

Listen to Lara's Theme and imagine 2 bands of colour in a circus trapeze act together and then perhaps my poem will make more sense. 

Share your story of how you started writing or poetry or anything special for you. 

Happy Dreaming.

Related posts:
Day 1 - Write a List  - When Life Disappoints
Day 2 - Answer a Question -  What Would You Wish For
Day 3 - Book Review - Afterlife of Billy Fingers
Day 4 - A Link Post - Linking some blog linkups
Day 5 -  Pulling Tips Out Of A Bag
Day 6 - Inequality - By Whose Yardstick?

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Inequality - By whose yardstick?

For the Write Tribe Festival - Rediscovering your blogging groove

Day 6 - Ask a question on Inequality

Inequality is defined by the Free Dictionary as

The lack of equality, as of opportunity, treatment, or status

We find inequality in all things: there is educational inequality, social inequality, gender inequality, wealth inequality,  We are always comparing one against the other. We are either too thin or too fat, too short or too tall, rich or poor, aristocratic or uncultured, educated or illiterate, powerful or meek, in high positions or low ones, highly paid or not paid enough, favoured or picked on, privileged or underprivileged. We've even brought discrimination into religious beliefs. And by this list alone, inequality paints a pretty bleak picture.

But the Libra in me needs to look at both sides of the coin.  Inequality provides us the means to improve our lot in life, to grow and expand our knowledge. Perhaps even more importantly to learn to make peace with our lives, to learn humility and compassion, to learn to overcome hardships, to share and help, and to learn contentment. For if all things were equal and there was nothing more to do, then what would be the point of life itself?

There is of course gender inequality that does need to be addressed particularly in patriarchal societies where women and girls really do get the raw end of the stick. But perhaps if we shifted our focus to the wonderful things that women and girls have achieved rather than focussing on the atrocities, we might create that shift in thinking. You know, collective consciousness is powerful.

This morning as I was reading my book these words jumped out at me:

"Never assume that anyone is fortunate or unfortunate because of the way things appear to be. Fortune or misfortune is just a human way of measuring."

~ Billy Fingers

And that got me thinking about inequality from a spiritual perspective.

Can I be sure that your life is better than mine or that mine is better than someone elses? We each walk our own path and we each have a pre planned blueprint of our life.  By whose yardstick do we measure equality? So my question is:

Do we have the right to change the course of someone's soul learning by obliterating inequality?

Probably not and chances are that we will be unable to.

We do however have the right to fight for the injustices and atrocities that are conducted in the name of inequality or by circumstances created by it. And along the way we shall win some and we shall lose some and perhaps fighting to obliterate injustices and atrocities and thereby create a better world is the point of it all.

May you find the means to make peace with your life.

Related posts:
Day 1 - Write a List  - When Life Disappoints
Day 2 - Answer a Question -  What Would You Wish For
Day 3 - Book Review - Afterlife of Billy Fingers
Day 4 - A Link Post - Linking some blog linkups
Day 5 -  Pulling Tips Out Of A Bag


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Pulling Tips Out Of A Bag

For the Write Tribe Festival - Rediscovering your blogging groove

Day 5 - Write A Tip Post

I struggled to find a topic and write a whole lot of tips around that.

So instead I thought I'd just pull a few out of the bag

On Writing:

• Cultivate your own unique style and forget about the many Do's and Don'ts you'll come across. It's not in keeping with the norm that extraordinary things are born (Read my full post on Writing Tips)

On Strengths and Weaknesses

• Don't waste your time on overcoming weaknesses. Focussing on weaknesses makes you mediocre. Focus instead on your strengths and become great. 

On Life

• Make peace with your life just the way it is and then go with the flow

Share a few of your tips on all of the above and throw in any other favourite ones too.


Be blessed, stay blessed.


Related posts:
Day 1 - Write a List  - When Life Disappoints
Day 2 - Answer a Question -  What Would You Wish For
Day 3 - Book Review - Afterlife of Billy Fingers
Day 4 - A Link Post - Linking some blog linkups



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Book Review

For the Write Tribe Festival - Rediscovering your blogging groove

Day 3 - Write a Review

I am convinced that books find me. So when a friend shared a picture from the facebook page The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, I was intrigued, And from there I was led to buy the kindle version of the book. So here is my review of that book.

Book: The Afterlife Of Billy Fingers
Author: Annie Kagan

image source: google images

What the book is about

In The Afterlife of Billy Fingers: How My Bad-Boy Brother Proved to Me There's Life After Death, Kagan shares the extraordinary story of her after death communications (ADC) with her brother Billy, who began speaking to her just weeks after his unexpected death. taken from Amazon.com

Billy described to Annie his journey back to his spiritual home and along the way he relayed some delightful insights into life and death.


My views on the book

Written in simple language, it was a very easy read. There were parts of the book particularly towards the end that seemed a bit far fetched but of course this is about the afterlife so who knows what really abounds there.

On the whole it was uplifting and inspirational, a book you could pick up and refer to again and again. I am reading the book again and I find that I am enjoying it more on the second read and the messages seem deeper and more meaningful.

Some quotes from the book to give you a little glimpse into what you might expect from it:

A shift in perspective makes the particles in your Universe dance to new possibilities

We signed up to do this dance together before we were born

Get rid of beliefs that keep you running around following rules others have set down

I enjoyed the book and its messages resonated with me as a lot of what I read was what I believe too. Maybe the Universe sent this along as confirmation of my own beliefs.

If you are on a spiritual journey, this book may provide the means to expand your mind. If you don't believe in the afterlife, it may open your mind to that possibility.  And if you are steadfast in your own beliefs then it may just be an interesting story to read and perhaps ponder over another day.

My rating: 4 stars and highly recommended.

Happy Reading

Related posts:
Day 1 - Write a List  - When Life Disappoints
Day 2 - Answer a Question -  What Would You Wish For


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When Life Disappoints

For the Write Tribe Festival - Rediscovering your blogging groove

Day 1 Write a List

About 3 months ago I started a Daily Thoughts series on my face book page Suzy's Ilation. When things aren't going well or some glitch appears in my life, I look back at the thoughts and find one that lifts me up or gives me that little impetus to go on, or helps me move on from a situation. So here is a list of those 10 thoughts that keep me going when life disappoints:

1. All things fall into place at the right time, in the right way

2. What is in your destiny, no one can steal
    What is not, you won't get though you pursue with zeal

3. Sometimes it's just not your day (let it go and move on)

4. Change your perspective

5. Accept that some things cannot be changed.

6. There are no right or wrong roads. All roads lead to your destiny

7. When life overwhelms, prioritise and focus on the things that matter

8. We reach our destination one step at a time

9. The first step is the hardest to take

10. Be patient. Life needs to unfold slowly.

Rather than add my notes and influence your thoughts, I thought I would let you ponder on these and interpret them in your own way. I know that at different times, they have meant different things to me.

Share some of your thoughts. What inspires you to keep going and how do you console yourself when things don't go to plan?

Inspire someone, be inspired, stay inspired.



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Living in Gratitude

September 21 was World Gratitude Day. This post is written for the Write Tribe celebration of the same; Also linking to Alphabet Salad Gratitude linkup #47

Living in gratitude has enhanced my life significantly and most specifically it has brought me many moments of joy.

But those moments have not just come from the big things but the little things too. Like the little birds who feast on my leftover rice and bread. What a waste it would be to throw it all away particularly when so many are starving daily.

Gratitude makes you focus on the positive things in your life. There are so many negative forces surrounding us. When we find gratitude in the little things, we find a multitude of things to be grateful for and inevitably, we shift our minds into a positive frame. We often overlook the obvious like taking a short break and resting. Today I am grateful for the time off from work to rest and relax as these are therapeutic and necessary.

Living in gratitude nourishes your soul and also delights it. So taking a spiritual view in gratitude, today I am grateful for all those who have come into my life even if it was for a short period of time, those who have departed from my path and those who will appear in the future. For it is relationships that are our greatest teachers.

Pictures taken from my facebook page Suzy's Ilation. Drop by and read my other daily thoughts. Grateful that the Universe brought this idea to me as it has taught me many things. Each message that I post has arrived in observing people, nature, and the world around me (real and virtual). Also grateful for those who drop by and encourage me through this experience. Know that you are part of a greater whole. Thank you all.

Wishing you all many blessings.

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Your Soul Inspires

Write from the soul, not from some notion about what you think the marketplace wants. The market is fickle; the soul is eternal’. 

~ Jeffrey Carver

Write from your soul so you write from your true authentic self. And being authentic is believable.

Write from your soul so when the human mind wavers, it will remain steadfast, constant and in alignment with your life purpose.

Write from your soul and worry not if it pleases others or not for you can't please all. And those who resonate with your words are aligned with your path.

Write from your soul for it is a source of infinite higher wisdom that guides you to be your best.

Write from your soul for when you do, you inspire others.


Written for: The Write Tribe


Inspire someone today with a soul guided write.

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12 Most Romantic Songs

At The Write Tribe, we're sharing 12 Most .... So I've decided to share what I think are the 12 Most Romantic songs.

At least these are the songs for today as no doubt on another day a few more would surface and a few get dropped off.

So here they are (in no particular order):

1. Spanish Eyes by Engelbert Humperdink always tops my list. I've loved this song since I was 10 years old. Somehow I think I have a karmic connection with this song or it triggers some karmic connection.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7d-IPyKXlI


2. Strangers In The Night is next. How can you not love this song and the gorgeous voice of Frank Sinatra. This song always reminds me of my first senior school dance.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mugAN5aNStM


3. A Time For Us  (theme from Romeo and Juliet). This is such a beautiful song and R&J was a beautiful movie albeit sad. This is a song of hope for unrequited love. My friend and I saw this movie many times at the Saturday Matinee show. Leonard Whiting was heavenly respite after a boring university accounts class. But back to the song .. this one gives me the feeling that somewhere in the Universe is our special soulmate, that other half of our soul and that there will be a time for us.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3oo2FRsbSY


4, Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. Such a lovely ode to love.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnPcEQmd9co


5. Walk With Me by The Seekers is another song I've loved since I was a little girl. And Judith Durham has such a lovely voice. The Seekers sang some beautiful songs but Walk With Me is my favourite. Perhaps along with it's beautiful lyrics, it's also the melody that entices.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyFrVs7Dtek


6. La Vie En Rose is the ultimate love song. Originally sung by Edith Piaf, but I love Celine Dion's version. And I like the French version better than the English one. The words of the song are so romantic particularly the last verse.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdfLyEQSSs0


7. Evergreen  epitomises what love should be like - a soul connection, ageless and evergreen. This is such a soulful song and Barbara Streisand nailed it with her beautiful rendition.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbczJnPfvfw


8. Andrea Bocelli's Besame Mucho always sends shivers up my spine. But I can never make up my mind whether I like the Spanish version better or Dean Martin's English version. So will have to share both. Again, beautiful words and melody in this song.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7iVNCayIus


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybwygnoa21M


9. Annie's Song - I just love the words of John Denver's song and  I love how the words connect love to nature. So much imagery in this song - I always get the feeling of refreshing love.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBQilgFFoR0


10. Dan Fogleberg Longer Than gives me a feeling of eternal love. Something beyond this world.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Go6I2_PpBU


11.  It is you I have loved from Shrek - some years ago at work we were asked what our wedding song was or if we didn't have one, which one we would choose. I chose "It is you I have loved". This is such a sweet song and the perfect love song. This is what I would want to feel when love comes along. Sharing Becky Taylor's version as I like her version the best.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrWviWkap-Q


12. The Shadow Of Your Smile. This song reminds me of someone who was close to my heart many many moons ago. Unfortunately he died so young but I remember the shadow of his smile. Sharing Perry Como's version as I think he captured the mood of the song really well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2eO3DSubEc

Hope you enjoyed my selection of songs. Do share your favourite romantic songs.

Have a love filled day.

Warm Regards


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UBC Jul 11 - Think Outside The Square

Ultimate Blogging Challenge  and  NaBloPoMo - Day 11

Sometimes you have to think outside the square

image from my facebook page Suzy's Ilation

My son does not like cake so buying expensive birthday cakes are wasted on him. But it is a tradition in my family to celebrate all birthday's with a cake. So last year I thought I'd so something different and "thought outside the square" to come up with a fun way to decorate a small cake. Read more about it on A Personal Touch

Thinking outside the square can also be applied to writing and blogging particularly when hit with writer's / blogger's block.  This week The Write Tribe asks us to share the ways in which we overcome that block. The idea is to keep writing so here are some suggestions:

1. Take a picture and blog about it. Tell the story around the picture. I love this one as it's an easy one to do and you can get very creative with this. If words fail you, just post a picture and link up to a Wordless Wednesday. Ruchira at Abracadabra hosts one.

2.  Write a gratitude post. There is always something to be grateful for. Laurel at Alphabet Salad  hosts a weekly Gratitude linkup.

3.  Post a favourite song and write about it. Joyce at Catch My Words hosts a Musical Monday that you can link to.

4.  Write a haiku poem. You can say a lot in just 17 syllables. Haiku Horizons hosts a weekly prompt and linkup.

5.  ABC Wednesday is a great weekly meme to link up to. You can do so much with this one.

And if after all that the block refuses to budge, then take a break and read someone's blog. You may find your inspiration in someone else's post. Works for me. Here's a post that was inspired by another blogger's post.

Happy blogging.

Warm Regards


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Writing From The Heart

Written for: The Write Tribe Tips for Writers

Dear Friend

Today I thought I would share with you my views on writing with the hope that it will inspire you to keep writing or take up writing if you haven't started.

Write from your heart because when you do that, you write with passion and those that read can feel that passion.

Keep your posts short. Sometimes we have a lot to say but long posts can be draining for the reader. If you do have a lot to say, break them down into 2 or 3 posts.

There are those that will like what you write and those who won't. You can't please everyone so please yourself instead and you are sure to please some others.

Every where you go you'll see the Don'ts and Do's for writing. My view is, cultivate your own style and forget about those Do's and Don'ts. It's not in keeping with the norm that extraordinary things are born!

Personally I like real life stories rather than fiction. Real stories have a depth to them that fiction somehow lacks. And this quote sums that up very nicely:

My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living. 

~ Anais Nin

And in keeping with my own advise, I will keep this short and end with these words:

Have fun when you write so you can enjoy those moments and from that enjoyment will come the passion. Look forward to reading yours.

Be inspired, Stay inspired, Inspire someone.

Warm Regards


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Body Parts Tell A Story

picture source: write tribe

It's not necessary to see eye to eye with others on every matter.

And you won't get egg on your face for standing up and making your point.

But that point should be made in the relevant moment. Don't drag your feet otherwise the purpose is lost.

But be aware that some don't take kindly to contradictions.

So keep your ear to the ground and use that gut feel as it is a great guide and friend.

One that could prevent you from getting a kick in the teeth.


Written for The Write Tribe Body Part Idioms


Drop by my facebook page Suzy's Ilation and if any of your posts needs some tlc, leave a link there and I'll drop by and give it some love.

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International Women's Day - Inspiring Change

Written for:
the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 7 - IWD Inspiring Change
 USC’s Women Inspire Campaign

                             

"At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world slept, India awoke to life and freedom" (Adapted from the speech by Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of India's Independence)

15th August 1947, the Indian flag flew for the first time and the people of India rejoiced.

The great leaders of the time, Gandhiji, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sarojini Naidu, Rabindranath Tagore, Jinnah, Maulana Azad are the names that will forever be etched in history.

But what of the ones who worked quietly behind the scenes, the silent and forgotten heroes, the forgotten freedom fighters? Without them India would not have awoken to life and freedom.

My grandmother was one of them. Read her biography here and here for more details.

But I will share the aspects of her life that inspired changes because she dared to dream, because she dared to fight, because she dared to be unafraid, because she had the utmost faith in God and because she had a great generosity of spirit and love for mankind.

At 5 feet tall, gentle and demure, respectful and soft spoken, graceful and loving, kind, compassionate and humble, pious and dharmic (one who follows the path of right action, speech and thought), she looked like a little wisp of a lady who lived a simple life according to the precepts of the Gita (holy book of the Hindus), but she was a formidable power, with a great strength of character and mind, a leader and the ultimate diplomat. She commanded respect wherever she went.

During the Quit India Movement, she took part in freedom marches and spoke at the several rallies held in Bombay. One of the marches that she took part in was the famous Salt Satyagraha Dandi march. In fact she led one of the marches from Bombay to Dandi.

Post Independence she was dragged into politics and became a member of the first Lok Sabha (House of Commons) of India. While in Parliament, she introduced the following bills:

• Women's right to divorce
• Anti Dowry bill
• Indian Adoption of Children Bill
• Suppression of immoral trafficking of Women 

And she strongly opposed the bill to punish unfaithful wives with her famous speech in Parliament "In a society where we have such evil customs as child marriages permitting a girl of ten or twelve to be married to a man of forty or fifty, old enough to be her grandfather, how can we expect her to be loyal? In a society where girls are at times sold as slaves by her own parents, how can they be expected to be faithful to their husbands?"  The bill was withdrawn.

After her term in Parliament was over, she did not contest again and instead dedicated her life to humanitarian services, to the upliftment of the poor and oppressed particularly women and children. For her, service to humanity was service to God. 

She was a founder member of the Bhagini Samaj an organisation dedicated to the welfare of women and children and started the Adivasi Welfare Centre in Udvada, Gujarat for women and children providing education and training. She introduced the adoption of villages a UNICEF approved programme and she was the first recipient of the prestigious Jamnalal Bajaj Award for her outstanding services to humanity. She donated her entire award to the the Adivasi Centre.

She was also a Justice of Peace.

But to me she was Dadima (Paternal grandmother), an inspirational, exceptional and beautiful human being who left her family a legacy rich in culture and heritage. Who taught us all, through her life, the meaning of love.

My late father and I were at her side when she breathed her last on the 28th of August 1985. Graceful and respectful even in death, she joined her hands together in Namaste to my dad and me, looked heavenward, and with the words "Hey Ram" (Oh God) she passed over peacefully and quietly to the other side. Be at peace Dadima.

I hope someday my destiny will also lead me in service to humanity.

Jayashri Raiji 26 October 1895 - 28 August 1985

                  

pic 1: receiving her award from the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, 1980
pic 2: Dadima and me circa 1962


Be inspired, stay inspired, inspire change, be the change!


My posts so far: Day 1   Day 2    Day 3    Day 4    Day 5   Day 6


“I’m celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by blogging for the #WomenInspire Campaign sponsored by USC’s masters degree in social work program. Join the blog carnival to honor a woman who has inspired you!”


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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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Inspire Someone

Written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 5 - Inspiration

We all love to read inspiring stories. Today is your turn to tell us one – preferably your own experience, or a story about someone who inspires you. 

Someone once said to me - "you have the ability to make us do the things we thought we could never do without ever forcing us to do it. How do you do it? "

My answer, I really don't know. We each have our own individual style of managing. So here's what I do ...

• Encourage - you cannot motivate anyone, only they can motivate themselves, but encouragement helps that motivation

• Focus on strengths, not weaknesses - trying to improve weaknesses makes mediocre, focus on their strengths and make them great

• Acknowledge - This does not have to be in big ways. even a simple "good job" goes a long way.

• Learn to give a little - when you give a little you get a lot

• Make people feel important and special - remember that your team lifts you not the other way around

• Be polite and respectful. Respect is earned - it is not the right of the title or position 

• Back your team no matter what - you can take them aside later and explain if things went wrong but in front of others, always back them - and they will never let you down

• You are the manager, the buck stops with you. Make it your problem not theirs.

Share your style and then go inspire someone today!

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


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Book Love

Written for the Write Tribe Festival of Words #3 Day 4 - Book Review

Many years ago when I got married, my best friend had already moved to the US. Unfortunately she couldn't make it to my wedding but she sent me a wedding card and in it she wrote these lines:

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

These are words from Kahlil Gibran's book, The Prophet, my favourite book of all time. It's one of my most treasured gifts that I got from my workmates in India when I left for New Zealand.

The book opens with the Prophet Almustafa leaving the city of Orphalese. He's about to board his ship when  he is stopped by a group of people who ask him to enlighten them on life.

The book is divided into chapters dealing with different stages of life and circumstances, human values and conditions and each chapter is written in poetic form. As I love poetry, this style of this book  appeals to me greatly.

This is a book that truly grows on you. Each time I read it, I understand the words a little bit better. One can read this as a story or take a spiritual meaning from it.

But one has to read it to experience it for oneself.

My posts so far: Day 1  Day 2   Day 3

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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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