opinion – Page 6 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Parts of the Whole

Posted on April 1, 2020March 29, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Staying put in a particular place has not been in any of our list. From sharing a routine covering the regular places either of work or on the household front, to enrollment in centers for the pursuit of own hobbies, visiting with friends or family and sharing the regular weekly cuppa with close friends for a laugh and more; entering the adult phase opened a whole new world outside the neighbourhood. With the present lock-down scenario, “staying in” invokes a whole new meaning. Even working from home, doesn’t help as one eventually misses the camaraderie and kinship on the professional front. As the sense of being stifled was growing strong, a sudden call from my colleague dampened down the unrest a little.

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” Booker T. Washington

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Being in the locked down, or “locked in” phase ( the latter resonates to the mood appropriate for the present), one learns to appreciate social relationships. Recalling the previous week before the “work from home” sessions began, the usual “coffee break” involved gentle ribbing or exchange of new ideas and neighbourhood stories. All in all, there was a feeling of connectedness between all of us at work. Whether own colleagues were best of friends or casual acquaintances, meeting them were one of the parts of the day that had to be there. Though video calling and snap chats are there, it isn’t the same as seeing them face to face.

“Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” Kallam Anji Reddy

These past few days have taught us that each person that become a part of our lives, are important in their own way. The nod from the employee who mans the elevator tot he clerk who sits at the front reception and observes the routine punching in are just few of the many people who add an essence to each day.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

In fact, everyone that we meet has something special to teach each one of us. Such a network of inter-connectedness is what keeps us sane when facing a crisis situation. One doesn’t know how much the other is a part of their lives, unless we try to live without it. As learnt through the days spent during the lock-down, one needs to be grateful for every little gift, chance, blessing or person that across their daily lives.

“WE ALL NEED TO BE NEEDED”

Lonely tree was growing among hot sands of dead desert. Prickly sands covered the Wood. The Sun mercilessly burned its bark. But the Tree kept on living in spite of all.
One day a Hawk flew over the desert. The Hawk saw the Tree and sat on its branch. He looked around the desert and said:
— You are a strange Tree, why do you keep on living among these dead hot sands? Who needs it?
— You, — the Tree answered.
— Me? — the Hawk was surprised. — I don‘t need you.
— But if not me, — the Tree told, — you would have to sit on the hot sand instead of my branches. If not me, someone, seeing you sitting on the tree alone, would say that nobody needs you, too and would ask you what you live for. Sitting on my branches you, Hawk, think that I need you. The Hawk thought about it and had to agree with the Tree. If there was no Tree, the hawk would feel himself alone and useless among this vast desert.

“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” Mother Teresa

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmomentsSource:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections, Work

More than Exist

Posted on March 30, 2020February 13, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While working in the first job opportunity after college, my brother had to move out to the new city. Over the next couple of months as the call duration and frequency to home decreased, my parents’ radar went into full frequency mode and it had grabbed yours truly. After all a couple of calls, the instinct sense that something was wrong was pretty strong. Whether it was by His Grace that a work travel opportunity had presented itself to his office or just a matter of chance; making the visit was an eye-opener. The short phone conversations and the decreased frequency of calls wasn’t just due to work stress but the unhappiness in doing something which he never wanted to. Though it took plenty of courage and risks; he did get out of the mess and went on to another office doing the advertisement projects that he had trained and wanted to.

“Get action. Do things; be sane; don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody; get action.” Theodore Roosevelt

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

We all get stuck in those unexpected ruts. Full of promise and hope of what was once good, mayn’t seem so a couple of months later. That is when it is time to call a temporary halt to reexamine the situation and find a path out. The tussle is between the surety of the present and the uncertainty of the next that causes one to choose the former. Yet in the long run, it isn’t just existence that drives one person forward, but the courage to take the path to do what one loves to do.

“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” Henry David Thoreau

The inner spirit has to stay strong. When things may go downhill for a time, take a break and choose to do something about it. Even though it may be a late attempt, but it is way better than to just exist. It is that spark in each of us, that gives the glow and a special meaning to the gift of life, time and love that we all have been fortunate to be blessed with.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Credo
by Jack London

I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark
should burn out in a brilliant blaze
than it should be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor
every atom of me in magnificent glow
than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live
not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Family and Society, Personal Musings

From the Centre-point

Posted on March 29, 2020February 18, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

With the advent of Google Maps, finding a new place may seem to be like a piece of cake. Practically speaking, at times it may be so, while at other times it make be like running around in circles or trying to locate the nose by going around the occiput. No matter how techno savvy one may be, to locate certain local landmarks one needs to still refer to the good old map. Interestingly even in Google Maps what stands out are the highlighted places enroute. Wile the hand-drawn maps may focus on the local highlights of importance based on historical, size or accessibility; google maps makes it a bit more personified depending on the local places of popularity, shopping, theatres, emergency services (police stations, hospitals) and the like. Yet each zone of the map lays importance on what lies in it, most times smack in the middle of it.

Ever tried describing your residence to someone, like when inviting colleagues home for dinner. Keeping own home in the centre, one tries to map places of easy accessibility, popularity and well known landmarks to guide one to own abode. In short, maps guide others to ourselves. Extrapolating these maps to own inner being, have we been able to follow directions and reach the essence of our own inner mental, spiritual and emotional health.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:01)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

The Christian Faith lies in using the Word of God to find our inner spiritual essence. It strengthens our faith through troubled and joyful days. It guides us in finding the path through the various uphills, curves, downhills and narrow turns that life often unravels bit by bit. Yet to read these maps, one needs sufficient understanding, insight and prayer to discern His Word. Keeping the principles of Christian teachings to own heart is extremely important.

To read, comprehend and go by these maps is never easy. To understand the roads, one must be willing to explore the available options in the best possible manner. What may appear to be an easy way out may tend to be a long drawn difficult path to walk on, like a short narrow path of flaming coals as compared to the wide stretch of road curving through the other side. We all need these maps in various phases. At times, they help us to find a way out; other times they are needed to help us understand ourselves and His Teachings in a better manner. For to live and experience His Grace and His Love is a blessing in this short span of time that we are here on Earth.

“Your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 48:10)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.coSource:https://vk.com/thesemagicmomentsm/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Christian, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Reflections, Stories Around the World, Work

One Pair to Many

Posted on March 26, 2020February 7, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

During the initial phases of my career, there were many roadblocks, of which one stays prominent in the mind. This instance was when a project had to submitted within three days, instead of the stipulated one week timeline. With the project being allotted to three colleagues, time was too short to complete the work in a satisfactory manner within three days. During the coffee break, the rest of us were informed. What happened then was those three pairs of hands were joined by another four pairs, the latter having near about met their own deadlines. Suddenly the three day deadline was not an impossible feat to achieve.

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” John Holmes

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Many instances one feels that things mayn’t be accomplished. Yet looking back, at the end of the day, one discovers that it was possible after all. The “hows” of the happening may be because of additional pair of hands, tackling the situation in small bite-sized portions or simply Divine Grace. Most of the times, it is the latter that often helps one face the impossible days.

As the story of the “Stone Soup” goes, each of us needs to just bring what one has at hand to make the final soup. When what one has at hand is submitted to Him, it would be multiplied in a manner beyond expectation as long as one places complete faith and trust in Him. The scriptures teach us of the feeding of five thousand people, all from a sparse fare of five loaves and two fishes. When these items were surrendered to Christ, He had increased it and thousands of hungry mouths.

““Bring them here to me,” [Jesus] said.” (Matthew 14:18)

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Such is the outcome when one surrenders their efforts, talents and services to Him; it will be accepted and increased beyond own expectations or imagination, making the impossible possible. All these are possible, only when one is willing to bring what is in their hands to Him and enlist His Help, His Grace and His Mercy. With all this, the feat of achieving the impossible, but possible through Him, gives a feeling of warmth and lightness, filling one with peace and happiness from within.

“Stone Soup,” an old tale with many versions, tells of a starving man who comes to a village, but no one there can spare a crumb of food for him. He puts a stone and water in a pot over a fire. Intrigued, the villagers watch him as he begins to stir his “soup.” Eventually, one brings a couple of potatoes to add to the mix; another has a few carrots. One person adds an onion, another a handful of barley. A farmer donates some milk. Eventually, the “stone soup” becomes a tasty chowder. Though this tale illustrates the value of sharing, but it also reminds us to bring what we have, even when it seems to be insignificant. (Source:vk.com)

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Quotes

Not as the Speculation

Posted on March 25, 2020February 7, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.” Toni Morrison

Preparations for the silver jubilee of the high school batch had begun well in advance, almost a year ahead. From inquiries among batch-mates about schedules, plans and venues to coordinating with the present school and alumni council, no stone was left unturned to reconnect with all members of the same batch year. Catching up to the present day, there was a couple of surprises in store for everyone. Besides the personal additions to the class, there were the professional landmarks and various talents that had come into play over the years; all which were way off the conjectures based on the know of the high school years.

“Those who have knowledge, don’t predict. Those who predict, don’t have knowledge.” Lao Tzu

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

No matter how many suppositions one may presume, the reality may be something near the perceived or far off the mark. At times, it is more of the latter that makes one realize that at times perceived notions can be way out of the expected. As each of us had made our way into the world, shedding off the cloaks of the teenage years and entering into the young adult stage; not one of us would have been able to exactly predict the directions that we would turn. While for some of us, the final destination of the present day is close to the dream we had seen; for few others the present reality is way better than the future views held in the mind of those days.

“Life is no different than the weather. Not only is it unpredictable, but it shows us a new perspective of the world every day.” Suzy Kassem

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Whether the top scorer of the class reaches the pinnacle of success or the one with low grades runs his own company; towards the end of the day all those don’t matter. Neither does each of us have the power to completely judge or label one, neither does one like to labelled or judged. Whether the scorer of those days is successful today or not, it doesn’t affect the present day lives of most of us. As long as one is content from within, the true essence of life is then experienced. Though guess-work and suppositions may be nowhere near the reality, it doesn’t matter as long as each of us are happy in our own paths. And that is the true beauty of life, to feel and explore the dreams, aspiration and talents closest to the heart.

The heartthrob of the school, is a man grim and somber.
That lanky little girl, is now a weightlifter.
The topper of the class, is a happy homemaker.
Back bencher of the lot, is an entrepreneur.
The flamboyant fashionista, became a dreaded lawyer.
Oft ignored average Joe, turned a well known writer.
The one who failed math paper, is a fashion designer,
And one who often got to stand outside the class, is a respected army officer.
The reunion taught me how, people came with many layers, and tell me why should we never, judge a book by its cover.
–Anjali Sharma

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Life, poetry, Random Thoughts

To Rest, Free

Posted on March 20, 2020January 25, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Weekends are precious. At times it is so because one tries to squeeze in the dues from the week before or catch up with family and friends who have been neglected for a while, or to catch up with own personal stuff. Though at times, weekends are more precious because it’s one of the days when one tries to simply do nothing. To a point, my husband and I try to fit the weekend in the last category. With the children kept busy till lunch; the post lunch session includes an hour or two of their favourite cartoons or movie, while as adults we resolve to just lie in the yard, free of any thoughts or plans.

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Trying to stay “thought free” for a hour or half every weekend does wonders for the soul. To contemplate or think about nothing, while one is still alert is an art in itself. While an idle mind mayn’t be a bad workshop, to be free of thoughts for a while is on a totally different plane. Each of us have plenty of inner worries that often tend to surface when the hands stay still and the mind wanders. To still that wandering mind of worries takes effort and plenty of faith laced with hope.

“The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of room, not try to be or do anything whatever.” May Sarton

To rest and feel free is a wonderful gift to experience. To relax doesn’t require one to be kept busy or watch plenty of visuals. One of the best ways to de-stress would be just to lie in the hammock and watch the sunset or to close the eyes and feel the smell of dewy grass. All these provide rest for the psyche. Still those wandering unbidden thoughts and instead, just do nothing but lie still. Those moments of stillness are quite enough to rejuvenate one for the never ending chaos and cares of the current times.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

The House of Rest

I will build a house of rest,
Square the corners every one:
At each angle on his breast
Shall a cherub take the sun;
Rising, risen, sinking, down,
Weaving day’s unequal crown.

In the chambers, light as air,
Shall responsive footsteps fall:
Brother, sister, art thou there?
Hush! we need not jar nor call;
Need not turn to seek the face
Shut in rapture’s hiding-place.

Heavy load and mocking care
Shall from back and bosom part;
Thought shall reach the thrill of prayer,
Patience plan the dome of art.
None shall praise or merit claim,
Not a joy be called by name.

With a free, unmeasured tread
Shall we pace the cloisters through:
Rest, enfranchised, like the Dead;
Rest till Love be born anew.
Weary Thought shall take his time,
Free of task-work, loosed from rhyme.

No reproof shall grieve or chill;
Every sin doth stand confest;
None need murmur, ‘This was ill’:
Therefore do they grant us rest;
Contemplation making whole
Every ruin of the soul.

Pictures shall as softly look
As in distance shows delight;
Slowly shall each saintly book
Turn its pages in our sight;
Not the study’s wealth confuse,
Urging zeal to pale abuse.

Children through the windows peep,
Not reproachful, though our own;
Hushed the parent passion deep,
And the household’s eager tone.
One above, divine and true,
Makes us children like to you.

Measured bread shall build us up
At the hospitable board;
In Contentment’s golden cup
Is the guileless liquor poured.
May the beggar pledge the king
In that spirit gathering,

Oh! my house is far away;
Yet it sometimes shuts me in.
Imperfection mars each day
While the perfect works begin.
In the house of labor best
Can I build the house of rest.
-Julia Ward Howe

Source: She Wields a Pen: American Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century (University of Iowa Press, 1997)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Family and Society, Life, Random Thoughts, Stories Around the World

One Vs. Two

Posted on March 18, 2020January 25, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Reading from the storybook wasn’t exactly a night ritual but more of an evening time practice. While the young mind holds thoughts of lions not getting their dinner or the stag running from the hunter; they are busy figuring out how the ending works and all are happy or sad. Yet for the adult mind, these ending linger and reflect out the similar analogy in the modern busy lives.

One of the recent reads was about the “lion who didn’t get it’s meal” because for a scant second he though to get more and gave chase without securing his first catch. Area lot of us like this lion ? A few of times, each of us may have felt a similar vein. Entering the race for securing a better project or incentive as compare to one hand, in view of better long term incentives. In few cases the decision may have been alright, while in the other cases it may have cost us quite a bit for that extra run. Whether the “cost” was worth it, only hindsight would prove.

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

The importance lies in knowing when to give chase and when to recognize the opportunity at hand, secure it and then embark on the hunt for the better opportunity. As the “greedy lion” always teaches us that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush; the difference lies in not just recognizing the essence or what is held within the hand but also to keep it anchored and use it to better ourselves. Identifying is one, but using it is another. In the hunt for the dove flying above, the sparrow at hand has more to offer. Learning that difference helps us to not just climb ladders for growth or success but also to pursue the meaningful things at own door than be embroiled in the fathomless pursuit of “deemed happiness or requirements” of life in general.

“The Greedy Lion. It was an incredibly hot day and a lion was feeling very hungry. He crawled out of his den and searched here and there, but he could only find a small hare. He caught the hare, but with some hesitation as he knew the hare wouldn’t fill him up. As the lion was about to kill the hare, he spotted a deer coming his way and thought, “Instead of eating this small hare, let me eat that big deer.” So he let the hare go and went after the deer, but it vanished in the forest. The lion now had nothing to eat as the hare was also long gone.” (Source: vk.com)

‘Der Spatz in der Hand ist besser als die Taube auf dem Dach’.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts