opinion – Page 8 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

Cracks on the Wall

Posted on January 30, 2020October 13, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

On one of the sudden on-the-spur visits to the family homestead, assisting my dad in cleaning out the barn was a break from the routine. With all the animals safely shepherded and put in the outdoor enclosure, the general inspection began. From the mild leaking of the roof to the certain areas of the rotting wood, the list of repairs were steadily growing. Fortunately this checklist was done on an annual basis, so the list remained within reasonable limits of the budget. As the policy of my dad, and every farmer goes, sealing up the small cracks reverts a catastrophe in time. While their battle is against the small critters like bats and mice who don’t need an open door, but the small cracks and coin sized openings (which shouldn’t have been there) to pay a visit; a similar analogy can be found in each of our lives.

“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.” (Song of Songs 2:15)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Cracks happen. At times they may be just a sliver easily reparable if caught in time, given a fresh coat of filling and paint. Yet sometimes, time plays mischief and the crack grows in length and gap, giving entry to the “little creatures” that can create complete ruin to the “vineyards”. Extrapolating those cracks, there are many constrained relationships in each of our lives. Some may be so because of the little things more unsaid than said, little acts left undone or the thoughts harboured and not dealt with that create and nurture these cracks. While His Grace may help us in not creating those cracks, it is mending those cracked areas in the long run that the Spirit teaches us to do.

To lose out is so easy, than to maintain. The joy of relationships are something that is more appreciated when lost or in absentia. While some cracks mayn’t be salvageable, saving those that aren’t so are worth it. Life is full of memories, filling them with happy one are so much better than dwelling in or making more of the sad or unfortunate circumstances. Let His Light shine on each one of us, help us seal the cracks, weed out the creatures that may slip through them and rebuild anew as and when required. Life is more beautiful when enjoyed in harmony and peace within us and with the world around us.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Family and Society, Personal Musings, Quotes, Random Thoughts, Work

Trace Not These Steps

Posted on January 20, 2020November 9, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Interacting with peers on the neighbourhood level, workplace to society on the whole, one walks through various situations. From the good-natured ribbing to snide remarks, comments are always being passed around, whether one wants to actively join in it or happens in own presence; inevitably it happens. In such moments, getting affected is easy. Among all those remarks, taking some in the true sense and few with a pinch of salt or just let them float above the mind helps.

“Keep on the sunny side.” Ada Blenkhorn

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

To keep the mind sane and thoughts happen, a lot of just walking away helps. To pass a remark in defense to company who really wants to pull one down, doesn’t really help. Instead time gets wasted in sorting out blurry thoughts all the time, some of which in hindsight, one realizes isn’t really worth it. To keep the thoughts in one’s right mind, one needs to learn when to leave or abstain from joining in purposeless and meaningless thoughts. Once we learn to walk away from the taunts and comments, one learns to embrace the challenges as they come, keeping the mind of reasonable thoughts, sane, happy, clam and at peace with a will to put the inner best forward.

“A lot of walking away will do your life good.
Walk away from arguments that lead you to anger and nowhere.
Walk away from people who deliberately put you down.
Walk away from the practice of pleasing people who choose to never see your worth. Walk away from any thought that undermines your peace of mind.
Walk away from judgmental people, they do not know the struggle you are facing and what you have been through. All away from your mistakes and fear, they do not determine your fate.
The more you walk away from things that poison your soul, the healthier your life will be.”
Dodinsky

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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

A Hand We all Need

Posted on January 13, 2020September 24, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While doing the weekend stint of shopping, the difficulty in managing a capricious toddler was fully felt. From cooperating in the first few minutes to putting everything into the cart and running loose down the aisles, I had my hands fully occupied. Fortunately, a kind saleslady took some pity and gave me a hand while making my toddler help her in putting the sticker on the weighed and bagged vegetables.

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

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

One needs help in many forms. From being given a space in the traffic queue during rush hour to given a compliment for the successful completion of a project or trying a new skill, settling into a new neighbourhood, we all need various degrees of help. While some types of help may be in a pure physical manner, others may be in the form of lending an ear more than a hand or simply offering mental support to ease the burdens and stress. Happiness mayn’t be so, if achieved by the sole exclusivity of the world around one. Instead the sheer joy of giving and receiving help in any form may result in a shared feeling of contentment, a state of happiness, peace and calm.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

“I parked in front of a mall, wiping my car, when a tramp approached me. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but sometimes you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times”. I hope he doesn’t ask me for money, I thought. He didn’t. He sat down on the curb and after a few minutes he spoke. “That’s a very pretty car,” he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly beard keep more than his face warm. I said, “Thanks,” and continued wiping my car. He sat quietly. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside me said, “Ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure he would say “Yes” but I held true to the inner voice. “Do you need any help?” I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. But he spoke the three words that shook me.

“Don’t we all?” he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a tramp in the street, until those three words hit me. *Don’t we all?* I needed help. Maybe not for a meal or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him enough to get a warm meal. Those three little words still ring true.

No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it’s just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. But they may be waiting for you to give them what they don’t have! A different perspective on life. A glimpse at something beautiful. A respite from daily chaos, that only you with a different view can see. Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to people too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a tramp, then said, “Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help.” *DON’T WE ALL?*

Source: vk.com”

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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

Trails to Track

Posted on January 2, 2020November 2, 2019 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

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

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

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

For the Last Say

Posted on December 30, 2019November 16, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“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.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

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)

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Christian, Daily, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

The Selflessness Within

Posted on December 20, 2019September 18, 2019 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.

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

“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.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Life, Quotes, Reflections, Work

The “Nailing” Point

Posted on December 16, 2019August 31, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Diz ſagent uns die wîſen, ein nagel behalt ein îſen, ein îſen ein ros, ein ros ein man, ein man ein burc, der ſtrîten kan.“
– (c. 1230 Freidank Bescheidenheit)
(Middle High German (positively formulated):”The wise tell us that a nail keeps a shoe, a shoe a horse, a horse a man, a man a castle, that can fight.”)

With a hoard of activities being planned for Christmas, little wonder then that unless prioritization is done, no task will reach their finish point. In hindsight, one realizes that despite the prioritization, necessary things are left undone. Which highlights, what may be necessary mayn’t be important then but pays a heavy price later on.

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

The trip to the family roots, attending the recital, cheering at the junior league match, quick rush to the doctors’ for the routine physical checks, following the prescribed or set medication, servicing the four wheeler on time, drawing the building plans with an eye on the future possibilities are all just few of the many instances wherein “what is necessary to be done” is foregone for “the mood of that time”, botched up planning or deeming the “necessary as trivial”.

Over time, one goes through many situations wherein the failure to contemplate the various possibilities or correct the then perceived as minor defects, may eventually lead to a more grave sequence of events with appalling outcome. The root problems lies in the indifference to what is the necessity than what is simply the other important task at that point of time. True that availability and possibility for the necessary task may seem slight then, but that balance of scales is always a relative concept. At times, when the fingers are burnt, the consequence will then be felt as terrible and priceless.

“Neglect breeds mischief…” Benjamin Franklin

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Hindsight is indeed unsettling, for once these chains of defaults and causalities are tended to, going back to the normal way may be difficult. But as they always say turning to the right path at some point may be better than going on the same, reparative steps have to be taken as soon as the errors have been realized. For a stitch in time o save nine, knowing that the “stitch” is necessary isn’t just enough but getting down and doing it is more important. No matter how small they may seem, it is the simple things that matter quite a bit. And these are the few, but pertinent facts that one discerns as the years mature.

For want of a nail, the shoe was lost,
For want of a shoe, the horse was lost,
For want of a horse, the rider was lost,
For want of a rider, the message was lost,
For want of a message, the battle was lost,
For want of a battle, the war was lost,
For want of a war, the kingdom was lost,
For want of a nail, the world was lost
‘The Want of a Nail”
– T. Rundgren
Warner Chappell N.A., Ltd., 1989
(“Rundgren” Variation)