Tag: happy

Posted in Daily, Family and Society, poetry, Reflections

Series of the “Little”…

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

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” George Eliot

After the long two hour commute was dragged to three hours by being held up in the traffic, the mental list of “things to do” kept on going longer than the usual. Consequently while walking into home after doing the daily grocery shopping, instead of the expected mess in the kitchen, it was a pleasant surprise to witness the orderliness at the domestic front. With my “better half” in charge, the kids had instructed me to put my feet and to enjoy the hot steaming cup of joe. Though eventually the domestic front had to be tackled, the few minutes of silence and solitude improved the frame of mind.

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“The small things of life were often so much bigger than the great things . . . the trivial pleasure like cooking, one’s home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard.” Barbara Pym

One never realizes the importance of the little events of the day that stay etched in the mind. The recollections turn up at the most unusual moments. For the inner strength during difficult moments, the support when the temporary setbacks mount up and the drive to go ahead, all have few of their rots in the little moments of life, which now become among the treasured memories of happiness to give comfort and light for the rainy days.

“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

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The Little Things
Mary Dawson Hughes

It really is the little things
That mean the most of all…
The “let me help you with that” things
That may seem very small
The “I’ll be glad to do it” things
That make your cares much lighter,
The “laugh with me, it’s funny” things
That make your outlook brighter…

The “never mind the trouble” things,
The “yes, I understand,”
The interest and encouragement
In everything you’ve planned
It really is the little things,
The friendly word or smile,
That add such happiness to life
And make it more worth while.

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Posted in Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections

Trails to Track

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

With the schools staying closed for the first week of the year, holiday mood was still going strong at the home front. As a consequence the family homestead was filled with occasional bouts of uproarious running feet. The holiday favourite of “Hide and Seek” was on, with a twist of the “I Dare” to the caught to avoid being the next seeker. As the seeker was rooting out the “hidden”, the constant lookout for any traces or clues to their whereabouts was on. This game of “Hide and Seek” reminds one a lot of the different trails and marks that each one of us leave behind.

“No memory is ever alone; it’s at the end of a trail of memories, a dozen trails that each have their own associations.” Louis L’Amour

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For each one of us, we have our own hidden cache of trails, some pleasant some not so, of memories and instances where one event lead to the next making way for a pleasant change; and then again may a series of unpredictable or nerve-wrecking series of changes which may be still going on. All of us leave traces behind, but whether one chooses to leave those to be of the good kind, or the negative type, is of own choosing. The state of affairs may never be of own choice many a time. The difference always lies in how we respond to them. At the end of the day, the traces we leave behind will always reflect a part of ourselves, maybe in an overt way or a silent subtle manner. Yet whether the feeling of negativism or positivism from those vibes, that feel from the traces we leave behind are ours alone.

“Every person has the power to make others happy.
Some do it simply by entering a room
others by leaving the room.
Some individuals leave trails of gloom;
others, trails of joy.
Some leave trails of hate and bitterness;
others, trails of love and harmony.
Some leave trails of cynicism and pessimism;
others trails of faith and optimism.
Some leave trails of criticism and resignation;
others trails of gratitude and hope.
What kind of trails do you leave?”
— William Arthur Ward

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Posted in Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

For the Last Say

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“Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

As the hours of the last year slowly go by and the countdown begins, the preparations of the new year slowly get underway. Looking at the winter canvas and reflecting through the turns of the previous year, each of us have gone through some of the best parts and also the “bad bits” of our lives. Whether the measure may be totally out of or in proportion, only time can ever tell. Whether tomorrow could have been better, one doesn’t know.

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To comment, critique or to envy would be easy, but each one has their own baggage to handle. Some of it may look light upfront more like the tip of the iceberg while for others, it may be evident. Whichever way it may be, each of us have been blessed in a manner. Some of those blessing may be trying events initially, but whether the disguise falls off and they turn out to be blessings of a kind, only time can tell. On a retrospective view, changing circumstances to do one’s best may be more rewarding than when felt then. To be fortunate, would be so if one has the chance to experience the gift of time and circumstances. For those things haven’t been under the control of man, despite numerous efforts and attempts for the same. Using the talents one has been overtly or subtly blessed with, change or adapt to circumstances, make moments as well as memories over time would be gifts and blessings more rewarding than any other. Venturing into the new year, let what has been done be done with, but embrace the future with His Grace, Love, Kindness as well as an alert mind, patient souls and welcoming hearts.

“It’s never too late. Don’t focus on what was taken away. Find something to replace it, and acknowledge the blessing you have.” Drew Barrymore

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A Song for New Year’s Eve

Stay yet, my friends, a moment stay—
Stay till the good old year,
So long companion of our way,
Shakes hands, and leaves us here.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One little hour, and then away.

The year, whose hopes were high and strong,
Has now no hopes to wake;
Yet one hour more of jest and song
For his familiar sake.
Oh stay, oh stay,
One mirthful hour, and then away.

The kindly year, his liberal hands
Have lavished all his store.
And shall we turn from where he stands,
Because he gives no more?
Oh stay, oh stay,
One grateful hour, and then away.

Days brightly came and calmly went,
While yet he was our guest;
How cheerfully the week was spent!
How sweet the seventh day’s rest!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One golden hour, and then away.

Dear friends were with us, some who sleep
Beneath the coffin-lid:
What pleasant memories we keep
Of all they said and did!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One tender hour, and then away.

Even while we sing, he smiles his last,
And leaves our sphere behind.
The good old year is with the past;
Oh be the new as kind!
Oh stay, oh stay,
One parting strain, and then away.

William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878)

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Posted in Christian, Family and Society, Random Thoughts, Reflections

Given Another Try

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

One of the local downtown stores was having it’s usual year end sales. While most sections were having the regular holiday rush, one section set apart as a temporary built structure was having an unexpected inflow of customers. For a change this year, they had opened a new section meant for second hand goods like old toys, clothes, decors, sports goods and the like with the proceeds going to the local orphanage. As the second hand goods went at throw-away prices, all these products were given a second chance at being useful to those in need, somewhere else or to someone else.

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A lot like these goods, many people are in need of second chances. While second chances do indeed transform lives, when this chance is from God, there is a whole new lease to life as it unfolds. Many a time we encounter His Grace whether it be through sheer luck, unexplained acts of random kindness or a stroke of luck or goodness that happens by chance; all these second chances gives a fresh face to life.

“Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” (Micah 7:19)

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With the year coming to a close, there may have been mistakes made, some knowingly or by chance (as just happened) or inevitable circumstances. Setting all these causes and factors aside, while changing the circumstances mayn’t be possible, giving ourselves a fresh chance to cope with them would help face the day. While this year or month mayn’t haven’t gone as per plan, one can always attempt again or find a new way. All of us need second chances, for no one is perfect at every strike or moment. Accepting His Grace and seeking His Help would help us overcome the downhills and find a fresh chances in the coming year.

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Posted in Christian, Daily, Photography Art, poetry

Glow of Peace

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

In the wee morning hours, as the church service had come to a close, the rays of dawn had lighted up the chapel hall. The colours of dawn through the glass stained windows had brought a sense of peace within. Through the stillness of winter, those rays bring colour, hope and joy to the gray and dark times.

One of the best parts about His Grace is handing over our troubles of life in His Hands. There is nothing as fulfilling as being blessed with the feeling of quietness and harmony within the soul. Leaving all the mundane worries, trifling matters and sorrows in His Hand, the soul is rested and comforted. Such is due to the blessing being bestowed on man on the blessed day of Christmas.

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

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Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes
And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.
Flood waters await us in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche
Over unprotected villages.
The sky slips low and grey and threatening.

We question ourselves.
What have we done to so affront nature?
We worry God.
Are you there? Are you there really?
Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.
Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.
Flood waters recede into memory.
Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us
As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children
It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.
Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,
Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now. It is louder.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.

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We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.
We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.
We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.
Peace.
Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.
We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,
Implore you, to stay a while with us.
So we may learn by your shimmering light
How to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

On this platform of peace, we can create a language
To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortal’s, Believers and Non-Believers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.

Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.
— Maya Angelou
(Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem)

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Posted in Christian, Personal Musings, Random Thoughts

Tune of the Fesitivity

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

“I love the Christmas-tide, and yet,
I notice this, each year I live;
I always like the gifts I get,
But how I love the gifts I give!”
Carolyn Wells

As the hours of Christmas Eve ticked by, the flurry of activity never ceased as the last minute preparations were underway. Ranging from rearranging the set of cookies and assortment to be given to the church, wrapping up the gifts for the children, getting the early preparations for the Christmas lunch tomorrow as well as keeping the house open for last minute carol singers and guests, the list of things to get into order was endless.

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Through all these hours, the willingness to help and share the joy was what kept all our spirits high. And that is what forms the basis of the spirit of Christmas. Not in how much one can receive, but one can give.

“God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If He gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.” Pope Francis

Each of us have our share from the “Season of Giving”. For that is what makes up the core of Christmas and the miracles of this season. Giving can vary in many forms. From the materialistic gifts of clothing for the orphanages, gifts to those in the poorer sections of society, spending time at the old age homes, bringing cheer to the patients admitted in the local hospitals, nursing homes or the shelters and the list goes on. The essence of Christmas lies in the spirit of giving.

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Through the last hours before Christmas, spreading the cheer starts from within. By the actions we do, the expressions and the vibes we carry. Being human, there may be sparks of negativism or frustration that rise every now and then. Yet learning to quell them down with the joys of sharing the spirit of kindness, love, hope and warmth through the gift of giving would carry more happiness and peace within. In addition to the decor and gaiety of Christmas season, it is the cheer one spread and miracles that happen due to goodwill and humaneness that light up the season in it’s true meaning.

“Oh sweet December,
You bring us Charlie Brown, chestnuts and candy canes,
You add such sweetness to your name
You bring us garland, gingerbread and mistletoe,
You also bring us everything wrapped in a bow
Oh sweet December-you’re so good to us,
You always prepare us for The Christmas fuss”
Charmaine J Forde

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Posted in Christian, Daily, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

The Selflessness Within

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

With the weather turning for the worse and the rush for the holiday season in full swing, one would tend to get lost in this rush. Yet what keeps the spirit of the season going would be simple acts of kindness that we ought to do once we keep our hearts and minds open with a willingness to lend a hand at times. May be that would account for me adopting a waif of a kitten and a half starved puppy for winter, courtesy of my toddler who had discovered them both while accompanying on the last minute shopping. Sharing their hearth this cold season, the two strays were given a bit of space in the household by Queenie and Jerry, our two pets loaned from his grandparents for the season as they were out of town, on holidays with his aunt.

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“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
– Emily Dickinson

Each of our days are filled with numerous opportunities for random acts of kindness and gentleness. To be selfless by nature it may be quite difficult, for some element of protecting our own interests arises within. But it is learning on how to balance between both is what helps us to nurture the feel of togetherness and spirit of kindness within us. Sparing an extra meal for the homeless down the alley, doing a rapid cleaning and bundling off old clothes to the shelter downtown or offering wither in contribution, service or in kind to the community kitchens, spending time at the old age homes and orphanages are ways by which the season of giving can be experienced in it’s true form.

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Many people that we may meet are like ships passing through the night. While it mayn’t be possible to provide for every ship that docks or passes, not obstructing the way of the passing ship or helping them pass paves way for smooth travel. The reality of the other side is known only when one stands in those same shoes. Being gracious and kind isn’t just for hoping that the return would happen one day, but for the fact that there is nothing to lose when one offers a helping hand now and then. It is those simple random acts that makes the world a home by itself.

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