Tag: hope

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

On the Search

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

Watching the raindrops hit against the window panes resulted in one of those work-from-home days being that one of deep introspection, beyond the daily routine of life. Reflecting on the happenings of the outside world, especially in the society around us; it feels like each of us is on a hunt for something.

Being human, we yearn for many things. From hoping to feel complete with a successful career, the “good life” as deemed by the society and the hope to be with those who make us smile. In the quest for all those and beyond, we forget a couple of things. Society is defined by us, who we accept as ours and those we choose to believe in. It is man, we humans, who make up society. So each of us have a place in it, for it is right so, when the true society is defined by all of us being a part of it. There will be many voices around us, but the choice is ours to make and listen to. The choosing and the listening depends on us; our inner beliefs and dreams.

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Caught up in the fabric of the modern society, what one never must forget is to always be human, always be kind. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but something as small as lending an ear, or giving each one of those we love adequate space to not be crushed but near enough to catch when one accidentally trips. Letting the gleam of the silk fabric surround us, doesn’t give one any comfort for the cold rainy nights. Each of us need the other. And so does those around us, need us.

Resonating through each day gifted by time and life, is the feeling of being happy and content. To feel so, doesn’t equate to pure perfection or sunny days around the year. One learns to pick up the shattered pieces of the clay pot and make it into a mosaic for the flower garden. For that is life, to be content and happy lies in being comfortable in our own skin. In all the never ending search for the something better, we are bound to mess up. When the going gets a lot more tough, it is time to reach out for support and reach within to redefine ourselves. Each search needs to be defined to an end, to the real purpose. As far as quests go, being truly happy and content take the lead any time, any day.

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes, it’s a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up.
Girls will be your friends – they’ll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything – they’re your true best friends. Don’t let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world.
As for lovers, well, they’ll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them – actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soulmate. You’ll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”
― Marilyn Monroe

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Posted in Daily, Life, Personal Musings, Photography Art, poetry, Reflections

To Fear, or Risk

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

Watching the late noon sky darkening with an unprecedented vengeance, the sudden disappearance of the bright rays likened to the hidden uneasiness present around us, most of these days. Certain days, those dark depressing thoughts come unbidden tot he mind, turning out the inner exuberance, either in a subtle manner or with all lights blaring. Some days, one is able to stamp out those thoughts. Yet on other days, we fall prey to them. What one should know, the fight is always between the fear and the risk.

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis

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Whether it be the current scenario or not, there would have been many situations when we had to do away with the fear and take that chance. On few occasions it may have been the other way around; when we lost the chance thanks to the fear. The funny thing about fer, is that it always a part of life. The wise thing is not to do away with it, but to address it.

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.” Og Mandino

When we learn to just put one step ahead of the present foot print, we move ahead. But stay still or look back, the prints ahead don’t happen. It is natural to develop the sense of trepidation and fer, if everything will be alright. Yet dwelling in it for too long, doesn’t really help. It is only we gather the courage to just put one step in front of the other, that fear takes a backseat. Then we move ahead.

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On looking back, one discovers that this was what “taking a risk all about”; the imperative to not let fear get the upper hand. Address our fears, but don’t let them hold us back. Time never stays still, neither should man with the huge potential and the gift of life that he has been fortunate to hold within each one of us, and be a part of.

Fear
Khalil Gibran

It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.

She looks back at the path she has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.

And in front of her,
she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.

But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.

Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.

The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.

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Posted in Christian, Stories Around the World

Of Beatitudes, Grace and Gratefulness

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

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Reflecting on the happenings of the last week, the fact that one was truly blessed struck deep within. At a time when the global crisis is still creating unrest, discovering this feeling gives a deep sense of peace within. Counting on the gifts of having our loved ones with us, a roof above our heads, family both near and distant safe so far as well as enough food to get by, these simple things when at hand, are enough to get on our knees and thank Our Maker above.

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Yet on the other hand, there are among all of us, those who may have lost everything. Whether the loss be family, friends, jobs or even the comfort of the daily life; know that one is truly blessed in having the gift of life given to them. While the loss may never be replaced, the realization is that we have had those blessings for this long may offer some solace to the restless mind. And that, we still have the gift to breathe the air of today. 

“No matter what happens, always be thankful for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

While in the crisis we go on our knees, asking for His Help, His Mercy and His Comfort; let us not forget to thank Him for the gifts provided till the present hour. As life has shown us, some things no matter how hard we try, will never be in our complete grasp. Though man may never command, our Lord above can.

When we pray on bended knees, let us know to remember this little wonders of the Blessings and Gifts received so far. Let both the angels travel to Him with not only our prayers of requests, hopes and wants; but also our sincere prayers of thankfulness for His Love, His Kindness and His Mercy.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34)

There were two angels living in heaven. One of them was always resting, and the other was constantly traveling from earth to God.
The resting angel asked the other:
– Why are you flying all the time from here to there?
– I am carrying the messages from people to God which start with these words: Dear God, help… And why are you resting all the time?
– Well, I have to carry the messages to God which start with these words: I thank you Lord…

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Posted in Christian, Family and Society, Life, Stories Around the World

The Search for the “why”

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

As the world around us reels from the pandemic, one is conflicted by numerous emotions through the day. From struggling to provide for family or self to trying to keep down own job, managing the domestic front, worrying about loved ones, surviving through the lock-down and quarantine period, coping with the loss and death; grief, worry, fear and uncertainty clouds the minds. To deal with all these, one may put on a silent front or a litany of rants and raves; while others may seek solace in their hobbies, comfort of His Spirit or just put on the shutters in their mind. Whichever way it may be, each one of us have our own struggle each day.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

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Across the continents, as more and more get infected; the thought of the whys of this events always lies buried in the mind. At the end, as questions mount, authorities gear up and media brings the news to the front-line, society watches and wonders as to why these events had escalated to the present point. For those with no contact history or living in places where community spread is rampant, each day is a living nightmare. Some find comfort, while others face irreplaceable loss. Through all this, His Existence is questioned.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Roman 12:2)

Unfortunately what one must realize is that these bad days, have always been a part of history. For those of us with great-grandparents, grandparents or parents who had served during the wars, various accounts of the past memories would have had similar tones of the stress seen today. Yet through all this, God has been there during good and bad times as well.

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What makes each day different, is how we gear up our own Faith and lean on His Word to find solace, comfort, peace and hope. Regardless of the whys, hows, whats, wheres or ifs; one must seek out the courage lying deep within and take His Help to face each hour as they come by. For that is the gift of Faith and His Love ever present over the generations of then, the now and henceforth.

A university professor asked his students a question:”Does everything that exist was created by God?”
One student answered bravely:” Yes, created by God.”
“Did God create everything?” asked the professor.
“Yes, Sir,” the student answered.
Professor said, ” If God created everything, that means that God created evil, because it exists. And according to this principal, the things we do determine who we are, that means – God is evil.”
The student got quiet after hearing that answer. Professor was very happy with himself. He boasted to the students, that he proved once again that God is a myth.

Another student raised his hand and said,” Can I ask you a question, professor?”
“Of course,” professor answered.
The student got up and asked:Professor, does cold exist?
– Of course it exists. Didn’t you ever get cold?
Students laughed at the question of the young man.
The young man answered: “Actually, Sir, cold doesn’t exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider to be cold truthfully is the absence of heat. You can study a person or a thing according to its ability to transfer energy. An absolute zero (-460 degrees according to Fahrenheit) is a complete absence of heat. The whole substance becomes inert and unable to react in that temperature. Cold doesn’t exist. We created that word to describe what we feel at the absence of heat.”

The student continued: Professor, does the darkness exist?
– Of course it exists.
– “You are wrong again, Sir. The darkness also doesn’t exist. Darkness is actually the absence of light. We can study the light, but not the darkness. We can use the prism of Newton to expand the white light into many colours and study the different lengths of the waves of each colour. You can’t measure the darkness. A simple ray of light can burst into the world of darkness and light it up. How can you find out, how dark is some kind of a space? You measure the quantity of light submitted. Isn’t it? Darkness is an understanding which people use to describe something that happens in the absence of light.”

Finally, the young man asked the professor: ” Sir, does evil exist?”
The professor timidly answered: – Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. Cruelty among the people, lots of crimes and violence around the world. These examples are nothing other than the manifestations of evil.
The student answered to this: ” Evil doesn’t exist, Sir, at least, it doesn’t exist for itself. Evil – is just an absence of God. It is similar to darkness and cold, created by people, to describe the absence of God. God didn’t create evil. Evil is not the faith or love, which exists like light and heat. Evil – is the result of absence of Godly love in a human heart. It’s like the cold, which comes when there is no heat, or like the darkness, which comes when there is no light.”

These words left the professor speechless.

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Posted in Christian, Daily, Family and Society, poetry, Reflections

With His Hand

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

One of the early evenings at home, there was a sudden inspiration to start off a new recipe. Unfortunately it required quite a bit of milk. So there was an impromptu trip to the local grocers’. Leaving a child alone at home wasn’t an option, so he had tagged along. It’s only when we ventured onto the sidewalk, the realization of a “busy road” was understood. With heavy traffic on one side, road construction still going on and plenty of feet on the sidewalks, it was a huge rush that one could be lost in. So holding hands ( not the norm’ for a seven year old) we had crossed the road. While nothing eventful happened, the smaller hand held on securely for the fear of getting lost in the crowd was upper most in the mind.

“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” (Amos 3:3)

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During the walk together, holding hands ensured that both went along the same path, keeping an eye on the road, the pile of pebbles or gravel alongside and watching for any construction pits nearby. When a car takes a sudden detour, it was the restraining by the hand that caused one to look up and stop or watch their step. Such is the love of our Father. He just requires us to hold His Hand as we walk ahead.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”(Micah 6:8)

To walk with Him requires us to follow the same direction as He Goes. His Ways are defined by His Word, as the Scriptures teach us the same. The best part as we walk with Him is the feeling of safety, His Love, His Grace and His Care that surrounds us completely. In the event that one may stumble or fall into the pits, His Hand would reach out to hold us back or guide us through the stumble; such that we feel safe and loved once again. As the toddler who feels secure with his parents or carers, such is the security and love that one feels when God walks with us. Such walks are to be treasured and priceless gifts of time and love that life gifts us.

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Walk With God
by Ellen Bailey

When you walk with God, you can do anything
It doesn’t matter what problems life may bring
You may have your days of ups and downs
But if you call out, He’ll be around

When you walk with God, your heart will sing
From the love and joy His presence brings
Your path will be clear, for He is the light
But you must walk with faith and not by sight

When you walk with God, you join a Holy Team
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is what I mean
They will shower you with an abiding faith
And fill your heart with love and not with hate

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Posted in Family and Society, Personal Musings, Reflections

Abstract to Doing

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

“Abstruse”. From Latin abstrūsus, which literally means “concealed.”
Means difficult to understand.

With the entire nation going into shutdown for almost a month, office hours translates to completing the current projects by the deadline, working from the temporary home office from the family homestead was the only available option. With my better half stuck in the hospital campus, keeping the children busy and entertained falls on the shoulders of yours truly with occasional help from my in-laws. While the initial few days saw unwarranted help and support from the “screen” as popular animation movies and cartoons; “boring” soon came into the regular conversation. Which is why the green board in the family room is sporting the word “abstruse” for the moment.

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Ameliorate. Means “to improve something”. Began as an 18th-century alteration of “meliorate,” the latter likely influenced by the French word améliorer (“to improve”).

With the spare time on hand as the daily commute is no longer there, the children have begun their “read and enact” lessons. To be honest, the initial days were more of a reading session while as of now, it is costume session where superman helps to eliminate the super-bugs in the vegetable garden. To keep their interest piqued, the green board sports a new word or a phrase on a daily basis.

Between the drama sessions, tree house encampment, ball games and home art; there is plenty of things to do to keep the young ones busy for now. As for the hours saved by the lack of commute, the benefits are seen in no longer being a part of the ranks of “tsundoku”, the set of recipes being experimented on, impromptu artwork gracing the shed-converted-to-studio and the sudden fits of castaways.

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As each of us go into “lock-down” situation in our respective places, there have been many alterations to the social calendar. While some which have been done away with won’t be missed, certain events which have been looked forward for have been lost out. The sudden uprooting of the daily routine, unprecedented job cuts or being laid off, salary deductions, loss of income, basic amenities and the like, all create an immense amount of mental pressure and stress.

Through all this, what may be salvaged should be given complete effort whereas, those wherein the situations can’t be changed, one has to review their options and make the changes as necessary. To rewind back and change the course of time is a feat which science and technology haven’t achieved yet. Instead what one can do, is to deal with the present scenario, appraise the resources at hand and move ahead. Life always has its’ own sudden curves. The way we handle those sharp turns changes the journey as time moves on .

Tsundoku (Japanese: 積ん読). One who acquires reading materials but lets them pile up in one’s home without reading them. Also referred to books ready for reading later when they are on a bookshelf.

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Posted in Christian, Musique, Personal Musings

Voice of Hope

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

“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’” (John 12:13)

While listening to the Scriptures being read out during the morning lauds, the verses always give a fresh burst of hope, promise and strength. Derived from the Hebrew “hoshi’a na,” (translated in Greek as “(h)osanna”) implied “to save” was viewed as a plea for help. It was an act of surrender for His Help when the potential impact of something that is about to happen or has happened is realized. When things go out of hand, we turn to His Saving Grace and His Mercy for help. Using “hosanna” as a cry of help, means that one deeply realizes that we need His Help and His Mercy for we are stretched beyond our limit.

“Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” (Psalms 118:26)

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Reading through the New Testament, the Scriptures say of the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem uses Hosanna as a proclamation of own faith. With faith comes hope of new beginning. When palm branches were placed in His Path, it marked the beginning of not just the tradition of Palm Sunday but the beginning of a new Salvation and the proclamation of the same. From deep fear, uncertainty and concern, we have shifted to complete hope, trust, confidence and acceptance of His Word and His Faith. Hosanna here means, adoration and praise as well as a cry of thanksgiving for the gift of His Salvation.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” (John 5:24)

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As the past few weeks or even months have shown us, each of us have been pleading for His Help, His Grace and His Comfort during this widespread pandemic. Along with our plea, is the gratitude for how far we have got through these difficult weeks. From being bestowed with blessings in many different forms, hopes being raised intermittent or close saves to being free of illness; these gifts no matter how small or little may seem to be, are signs of His Grace.

“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:10)

Singing Hosanna from our homes and hearts should not just be cry for His Help, but also our cry of thanksgiving for His Help received and His Saving Grace. Though some of us may be still going through the lock-down phase, others bearing the effects of the illness, or of losses sustained; let us all bear in mind that His Strength would help us through.

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SourcE:https://vk.com/veruj

While things have been bad, we have and will survive, especially to sing His Praise. For our Faith and His Salvation will help us through these days of now, and that of the future as well.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” (John 5:24)

Hosanna

I see the King of Glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes, yeah
I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees

Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna, Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Hosanna, Hosanna….

Excerpt from the song Hosanna by Hillsong Worship
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Brooke Ligertwood
Hosanna lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

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