Category: Stories Around the World

Posted in Daily, Family and Society, Quotes, Stories Around the World, Work

Choose the “Focus”

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.” Paulo Coelho

As the new academic school year starts; curriculum is changed, new texts are bought as well depending on the school year, children are excited to join the tryouts for new school teams or plans are being made for the choice of subjects and career opportunities. During this entire process, the young minds are trying to focus on what they want to do and how they want to do, in the next academic session. Just like in the modern lives, these young minds are learning the art to focus and more importantly to “focus right”.

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” Aristotle Onassis

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source”https://vk.com/public138314547

Fast forward to the days of an adult, “finding the focus” has been the daily mantra or mode as we go about the grind. At the work arena, set the priorities, targets and goals, and focus which ones would be achieved. At the home front, one focuses on prioritizing the “daily task list” and deciding which work needs to be done first and at the right time is an art learned well over practice, patience and time.

“Instead of focusing on that circumstances that you cannot change – focus strongly and powerfully on the circumstances that you can.” Joy Page

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

During the “focus” , many things need to be done in the right manner, from finding the right direction, deciding what to shift our mind, balancing to find the realism of the circumstances and above all, choosing to move forward in the right way. “Which way is the right one?” That would be answered best when we learn from time, experience with the inherent knowledge, wisdom and perceptions that lie within us. The “right focus” is as equal as “finding the focus” for by targeting the “lone black dot”, we may miss the “white landscape” that awaits us to make the change.

“Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.” Ralph Marston

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com

The black dot

One day, a professor entered his classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They all waited anxiously at their desks for the exam to begin.
The professor handed out the exams with the text facing down, as usual. Once he handed them all out, he asked the students to turn over the papers.
To everyone’s surprise, there were no questions–just a black dot in the center of the paper. The professor, seeing the expression on everyone’s faces, told them the following: “I want you to write about what you see there.” The students, confused, got started on the inexplicable task.
At the end of the class, the professor took all the exams, and started reading each one of them out loud in front of all the students.
All of them, with no exception, defined the black dot, trying to explain its position in the center of the sheet. After all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor started to explain:
“I’m not going to grade you on this, I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot – and the same thing happens in our lives. However, we insist on focusing only on the black dot – the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend. The dark spots are very small when compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds. Take your the eyes away from the black dots in your lives. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you. Be happy and live a life filled with love!”

“Focus is a matter of deciding what things you’re not going to do.” John Carmack

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Posted in Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Stories Around the World

“Doing Good”, From Within

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.” William Shakespeare (The Merchant of Venice)

One of the feelings that man is silently on the look out for, is the feeling of being  loved, recognized or appreciated. One tries seeking it many places, known or unknown to them. When one strives to do something good, kind or be generous by actions, words or thoughts; one secretly harbours the feeling and hope that these would be appreciated, whether those feelings come by knowingly or unknowingly.

“Know you not that a good man does nothing for appearance sake, but for the sake of having done right?” Epictetus 

SourcE:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
SourcE:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
SourcE:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

What one often forgets is that, “doing good” doesn’t come with a tag that says “thank me” but with a hidden code that reveals how much comes from truly within. We can do good or be kind; because we want to or, just because we hope that some one would do it for us when we need it or, for some one of our own who may need it. Whatever the reason may be, unless we do “good” from deep within our hearts, all these would be in vain. For the real meaning of “doing good” would be lost, if it never began from within first.

“Be happy, noble heart, be blessed for all the good thou hast done and wilt do hereafter, and let my gratitude remain in obscurity like your good deeds.” Alexandre Dumas(The Count of Monte Cristo )

SourcE:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
SourcE:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
SourcE:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

One woman baked two tortillas every morning. One for family members, and the second, additional, for the casual passerby. The woman always put the second flat cake on a window sill, and any person passing by could take it. Every day, when a woman laid a cake on the windowsill, she offered a prayer for her son, who had left the house to look for a better life. For months, the mother knew nothing about her boy and always prayed for his safe return.

Soon she noticed that a hunchback came every day and took the second cake. But instead of the words of gratitude, he only muttered: “The evil that you do remains with you, and the good returns to you!” and went on his way. This went on day after day. Not receiving the expected words of gratitude, the woman felt deceived. “Every day this hunchback says the same thing! But what does he mean?”
And one day, being especially irritated, she decided to end this. “I’ll get rid of this nasty hunchback!” She said to herself and added poison to the second tortilla. But when she was about to put her on the windowsill, the woman’s hands trembled. “What am I doing?” – she thought. And immediately threw the poisonous tortilla into the fire, cooked another one and put it on the windowsill. The hunchback, as usual, took the cake, muttering the constant words: “The evil that you do remains with you, and the good returns to you!” and continued on his way, unaware of the emotions raging inside the woman.

That same night someone knocked on the door. When the woman opened it, she saw her son standing in the doorway. He looked awful: hungry, thin, weak, in torn clothes. “Mom, it’s just a miracle that I’m here! I was just a mile from home, but I was so hungry that I fainted. I probably would have died, but just then some old hunchback passed by and he was so kind to me that he gave a whole cake. And he said that this was his only meal for the whole day, but he sees that I need her more than he does. ” When the mother heard these words, her face turned pale and she leaned to the door so as not to fall. She remembered the poisoned morning cake. After all, if she had not burned it in the fire, her own son would have died! It was then that the woman understood the meaning of the words: “The evil that you do remains with you, and the good returns to you!”

Moral of the story: Strive to do good always, even if no one appreciates it now.

“Every time you do a good deed you shine the light a little farther into the dark. And the thing is, when you’re gone that light is going to keep shining on, pushing the shadows back.” Charles de lint

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Posted in Daily, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Quotes, Stories Around the World, Work

Communication Fillers and Gaps

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw

One of the recently circulated video on my social network pages, shows a social experiment in which four queues of employees are made to stand, with a message being conveyed as a sequence of actions likened to starting a motorbike. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH_7F3KI8yg)

Unfortunately as the message, in the form of sequence of actions, were passed on, minor alterations were being added on, which eventually resulted in the last person of the queue mimicking the actions that were no where close to the initial sequence or message that the first person had initiated. Although the video may seem hilarious at the end, on reflecting later, the lack of communication as well as the errors in the message being conveyed, understood and repeated are alarming.

“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” Paul J. Meyer

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

At every walk in life, communication is what brings man apart from other living species. Knowing how to convey ideas, bring about changes as well discuss and share various aspects makes human life meaningful, interesting and enriched. Yet when thoughts are shared wrong, with each one modifying the truth as per one’s short-lived understanding, thinking or viewpoint, the real sequence of events gets distorted, destroying the harmony and peaceful thinking.

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” Peter Drucker

Each time we come across any information, words or actions, thinking about them before e repeat them elsewhere would go a long way in maintaining one’s own peace and harmony. The process of adding one’s own bit to the real sequence of events, when not understood the right way, can do significant harm than plausible.

Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld
Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld
Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld
Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld
Source:https://vk.com/englisharoundtheworld
Posted in Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes, Stories Around the World

To Care and Nurture

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” Margaret Mead

During my early years of university, attending classes and taking care of my infant was difficult. Unwilling to put my infant son in a daycare so early, I had turned to my parents and in laws for help. Besides stepping in completely and covering during my classes and training schedules, as my child grew under their care; their happiness and joy were marked to be seen.

“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” James Keller

Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/monahos

One of the oldest concepts of family has been their since civilization. Besides belonging to a fold, family helps and takes care of each other. The sociological concept of “nurture” has been widely studied and debated with the “nature” concept. Real life examples are present in our daily encounters, once we look around and observe.

“To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
Unknown

Caring for someone or nurturing them helps not the nurtured but also the nurturer. Besides giving new dimensions to focus on, the health, happiness as well as life for both becomes more meaningful and joyous. On the days that one in bone-tired, dejected, weary and worried; taking care of someone decreases the problems and gives the fuel to move on. Caring for others brings many closer, not just relationships by blood but also fragile relationships which become stronger out of the mutual love, respect and care for the other.

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

“I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.” Pablo Casals

An old fox lived its’ last days in the zoo. Old, decrepit and shabby. When a couple of young foxes were left without their mother. And the young foxes were hooked to the old fox, as they were left without a mother. The decrepit fox began to take care of the little ones. The caring instincts were involved. And the old fox became younger, fluffy and energetic. She gained new youth and health; lived very well for several years, until the foxes grew up and became independent. (Source: A.Kiryanova)

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source: https://vk.com/public138314547
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Posted in Christian, Family and Society, Food, Life, poetry, Stories Around the World

Of Easter,Tradition and Trends

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“I still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and true love. Don’t even try to tell me different.” Dolly Parton

With Easter Sunday being celebrated tomorrow, preparations are quietly underway which would make the day special tomorrow primarily keeping the children in mind. Easter Sunday is the day signifying the love of God for man, a time for hope, renewal and resurrection through His Son. With the season of Lent coming to a close and breaking the Lenten fast involves special significance, especially when one has abstained from something dear to them through this period. Sacrificing something that one is fond of is never easy, but a whole new meaning and character is acquired when we abstain from the “materialistic” pleasure that we being man, often crave every now and then. Which is why, every Easter Sunday meal is something that the entire family and friends look forward to. Besides being a time for togetherness, it also signifies the breaking of the Lenten Fast.

“The blessing of food for the Easter Sunday meal is especially popular among people of Eastern European descent, especially those from Poland. Families prepare baskets with the food they will eat on Easter morning – decorated eggs, sausage, ham, bacon, a loaf of bread with a cross cut into the crust, cheese, salt, horseradish, and butter carved in the shape of a lamb.” Ken Untener, The Little White Book for Easter

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source: https://vk.com/public138314547

Around the world, various traditions are there on Easter. While initially they were modeled after the spring celebrations, later the trends were modified to give new relevance with the basis of the last supper or “Passover” or “Passove Sedar” in mind. Among the Easter Lunch, the fast is often broken by the “star of Easter”; painted, dyed, gilded in various hues, hidden or hung on trees, found on the treasure hunt, bough to church or given as gifts are the “Easter Eggs”. Most of the legends state them to be “symbol of life”.

“I agree. You don’t want it to look boring. It’s [the Easter egg] got to look good otherwise it’s just like every other chocolate. And size does matter when it comes to the egg, as that’s what Easter eggs are all about.” Liam Tomassi

Photo by zhugewala on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Previously believed by the Egyptian and few Persian civilization of the early times, eggs were considered to be symbolic of after life. Few traditions believe that Mary Magdalene and the Virgin Mary held eggs during the crucifixion or that they were eaten at the first meal after the Resurrection. In the Eastern Orthodox churches, the hard shell of the egg represents the stone walls of Jesus’ tomb, with the egg itself representing the new life of the Resurrection. Eggs also were the easiest, most economical and available foods to eat while breaking the Lenten Fast. This popularity has lead in the presence of “the Easter Egg” predominate every Easter celebration.

“The Easter eggs symbolizes our ability to break out of the hardened, protective shell we’ve surrounded ourselves with that limits our thoughts and beliefs. As we break open our hearts and minds we discover a transformation to new, life enhancing thoughts and beliefs.” Siobhan Shaw

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Another popular tradition was the Easter Basket, which was an “Easter Nest” originally. Arising from the concepts of fertility and springtime, Eastern basket was a German tradition which had gained mass popularity. Initially children would make “nests,” filled with grass, in hopes that Peter Cottontail would fill the nest with eggs. Later these nests evolved into baskets, which were bigger, less messier and easy to carry.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Source: https://www.godairyfree.org/news/nutrition-headlines/dairy-free-chocolate-easter-bunny-round-up-updated-annually

Amidst the Easter Eggs in the basket would be the “hollow chocolate bunnies”. While there is no historical or religious documentation on why the bunny represents Easter, the association would be more by the calendar. With Easter mostly during Spring, the month of April showered not only spring flowers but also signals the birth of baby rabbits. Thus spring time and bunnies symbolize birth and renewal. Coat the bunnies with chocolate and hollow them out to fill them with candies; voila the treat is irresistible for every kid in the block.

Other Easter traditions include eating ham or meat to the making of “Hot cross buns” and other breads marked with an X to symbolize the cross are a tradition on many Easter tables. From the “Choreg” of Armenia, Ukranian “Paska”, Polish “Babka” to Tsoureki of Greece, a wide varied variety of sweet breads are made around the world. With eggs being baked in most, these are conspicuously risen breads, quite different from the Passover tradition of unleavened bread.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_cross_bun
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

As we get ready to break the Lenten Period and celebrate Easter, with all the food to be made ready, decorations to put up, church to be readied and tables to be set, the core message of renewal, togetherness and love shouldn’t be forgotten. One of the best ways to spread the message of love would be to share the delectable creations of Easter around.

The Easter Bunny came by today
and left surprises along his way.
Colorful eggs are all around.
With baskets in hand we search the ground.
Hiding in places here and there
Easter eggs are everywhere.
-Author Unknown

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com
Photo by Alena Koval on Pexels.com
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com
Posted in Daily, Life, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections, Stories Around the World, Work

Broken but Spirited

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart.” Robert Green Ingersoll

As a part of the quasquicentennial (125th) anniversary celebration in the work place, there were numerous discourses and seminars on the rise of the institute from the very early days. The common thread running through all, was the perseverance through struggles, defeat and trials. As history and nature have taught us, in order to survive, it’s not about being big or strong, but adaptable, brave and courage to continue the struggle, live and grow. For more evidence, the survival of the mammals through the Ice Age, rise and overthrow of civilization, survival of the Holocaust and the two great Wars as well as struggle for independence from the colonial and civil unrest are broad examples to learn from.

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” Henry Ford

As we introspect our lives and those around us, the moment we lose hope we fail. True that there will be days when we are drained of all hope. Times like those call for rest and to draw strength and courage from the lives of the past, present and those around us, undergoing their share of sorrows but staying strong. The rainbows of life don’t happen on sunny days; but after downpours and when we chose to withstand the rain and seek for the surprises that nature give us. All of us have our own worth, to keep going despite all the pitfalls; rest, draw courage, refresh the hope and dream, all the while persistently going ahead and keeping the belief in oneself strong and practical against all odds.

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

“A popular speaker started off a seminar by holding up a $20 bill. A crowd had gathered to hear him speak. He asked, ‘Who would like this $20 bill?’Many hands went up. He said, ‘I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.’ He crumpled the bill up. He then asked, ‘Who still wants it?’ All hands were still raised. ‘Well,’ he replied, ‘What if I do this?’ Then he dropped the bill on the ground and stomped on it with his shoes. He picked it up, and showed it to the crowd. The bill was all crumpled and dirty. ‘Now who still wants it?’ All the hands still went up.
‘My friends, I have just showed you a very important lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, life crumples us and grinds us into the dirt. We make bad decisions or deal with poor circumstances. We feel worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. You are special – Don’t ever forget it!’

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public138314547
Posted in Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Photography Art, Reflections, Stories Around the World, Work

Stepping Out of the Game

Posted on by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.” John Burroughs

There lived two families in the neighborhood. In one family there was silence and grace, while in the second there were endless quarrels, showdowns etc. And then one day the wife said to her husband, “Why don’t you find out how they next door, turn out to live without scandals.” The husband went and hid behind their common fence and watched. As the neighbor washes the threshold, a bucket of water stands next to her and then her husband walked. Inadvertently he hooked his foot on the bucket and overturned it. “Well, it will start now,” thinks the neighbor behind the fence. Instead he heard the wife as she apologized to her husband that she had put a bucket of water in the way. And her husband also apologized to her for he had walked without looking and also added work to his beloved. In general, they apologized to each other, cleaned up everything together and went into the house. And the hapless neighbor came home in bewilderment and told his wife: “You know, my wife it is strange, we try to do everything right and have endless scandals, whereas they are both to blame and everything is amicable”.

“At the end of the day, you are solely responsible for your success and your failure. And the sooner you realize that, you accept that, and integrate that into your work ethic, you will start being successful. As long as you blame others for the reason you aren’t where you want to be, you will always be a failure.” Erin Cummings

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Famously and colloquially known as “the blame game”, we all have been a part of it at some point in our life. From the high school days of incomplete assignment, low grades or addled performances to the college or university days, leading on to the work front; assigning of blame to someone else’s shoulders have been done consciously or subconsciously.

“Everyone’s quick to blame the alien.” Aeschylus

Like the spider’s web, once we get caught in this game; we tend to apply the same tactics in all the spheres of our life. Consequently the price paid is heavy, for not just effort but energy, work, relationships and above all, time is wasted. To get the trend down, a few quick steps would aid in sorting out and settling the mess.

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

“No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for… reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration.” Casey Stengel

When stuck in the mess or being falsely targeted for the work; first take a deep breath. Second were we in any way wrong, either while doing the task or assigning the task. If yes, take corrective measures; if not, still the option is to settle the scene and correct the wrong. Third and very practical of all, let bygones be bygones. Learn form the past, but don’t dwell too much on it, to spoil the pleasant surprises of the future.

“Don’t find fault, find a remedy.” Henry Ford

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public138314547
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000