Tag: personal

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

Start Off Today

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

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Reviewing the events of the past week, one is forced to acknowledge that certain “things to do” at the beginning of the week, which were initially planned were still left undone. For instance, the clean up drive previously volunteered for, but later given a miss. Or the intense involvement in the tree plantation drive in the neighbourhood, yet failing to spend time with the children and teach them to love nature. Likewise the person who gets to give a seat for the old woman in the bus, but neglects to help in the household chores. Each one of us may have innumerable commitments planned for the future, but the reality lies in what steps has one taken to do a little bit of that significant something today, instead of saving it up for the tomorrow.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

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Unlike the birds of the air who live in the present, the innate nature of man is to live for the future. Yet in this quest wherein one calculates the steps for the future, the fact that today has still not gone by and tomorrow mayn’t be so is often neglected. Time is always on the run. If both run parallel, one would never meet. Instead, it requires one to observe the course and plan a path so that the future begins in today.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

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Today
Author Unknown

We shall do much in the years to come,
but what have we done today?
We shall give our gold in a princely sum,
but what did we give today?
We shall lift the heart and dry the tear,
We shall plant a hope in the place of fear,
We shall speak the words of love and cheer
but what did we speak today?

We shall be so kind in the afterwhile,
but what have we been today?
We shall bring each lonely life a smile,
but what have we brought today?
We shall give to truth a grander birth,
And to steadfast faith a deeper worth,
We shall feed the hungering souls of earth,
but whom have we fed today?

We shall reap such joys in the by and by,
but what have we sown today?
We shall build us mansions in the sky,
but what have we built today?
‘Tis sweet in idle dreams to bask,
but here and now do we do our task?
Yes, this is the thing our souls must ask,
“What have we done today?”

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Posted in Family and Society, Personal Musings, poetry, Quotes, Random Thoughts

Remembrances over Time

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

“I believe that without memories there is no life, and that our memories should be of happy times.” Lee Radziwill

With a long weekend break round the corner, it was time to pack off for the stay at the family homestead, where the original family farm was still running strong and where the golden memories of childhood lay. One of the reasons for planning this long overdue stay was for the children to bond with their extended family, spend some time away from the city and live simple, minus the video games, mobile phones, laptops and the like. Although there was an initial resistance, they loved their time spent outdoors with the cattle, gardening, late summer berry picking, early morning fishing and the quiet evening of family games. Seeing their carefree laughter and fun, at times one wishes that they could live their best moments of life once again. That weekend reminded me of the fact that, time only moves forward and ahead, but never backwards.

“Don’t you wish you could take a single childhood memory and blow it up into a bubble and live inside it forever?” Sarah Addison Allen

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Most of us have our own cache of memories, some meant for bringing the inner peace during troubled times, some as a solace during the trying days and some that just pop up randomly during self doubt. Like the seasons that change, each one of us make memories every single moment. The innocent “don’t forget to call when you reach”, “take care “, “travel safe” and so on, echo the presence of pleasant feelings when these words surface in the memory. At times, even when the scenarios have changed, these instant memories and candid moments are those which stay on. It doesn’t take much to make each day memorable. A lot of kindness, dash of love, attention and peace, laced with a fresh sense of humour, humaneness and honesty makes treasured moments from each day of life, changing our own lives and those around us subtly and silently.

“Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.” Willa Cather

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“I sit beside the fire and think
Of all that I have seen
Of meadow flowers and butterflies
In summers that have been

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
In autumns that there were
With morning mist and silver sun
And wind upon my hair

I sit beside the fire and think
Of how the world will be
When winter comes without a spring
That I shall ever see

For still there are so many things
That I have never seen
In every wood in every spring
There is a different green

I sit beside the fire and think
Of people long ago
And people that will see a world
That I shall never know

But all the while I sit and think
Of times there were before
I listen for returning feet
And voices at the door”
J.R.R. Tolkien

I Sit Beside the Fire and Think is a song by Bilbo Baggins, which he sang softly in Rivendell on 24 December T.A. 3018, the evening before the Fellowship of the Ring set out upon their quest. Bilbo sang the song in the presence of Frodo, after giving Frodo the mithril-coat and Sting. The song is a contemplative piece, sung by a now-aging hobbit recalling past events that ends in anticipation of hearing returning friends.

“Long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.” Helen Keller

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Posted in Daily, Personal Musings, Quotes, Reflections, Stories Around the World, Work

Across the Road

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

“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” Kakuzo Okakura, The Book of Tea

While visiting the extended family as a part of the routine monthly road trip; travel sickness, traffic gridlocks and bad roads are major issues often encountered. Although one comes out of them to reach the farmstead, time is often lost. Consequently after two long journeys courtesy of road congestion, we had decided to leave a little early, around the wee morning hours. Although it was difficult packing up the family including toddler, pets and all for a two day stay; the task was accomplished with joint effort of both the adults. While the first journey was successful, the second was bad due to the unprecedented rains and really bad worn out roads. Consequently the route was adjusted to include the state highways. Though extra distance was covered, the journey was not hampered by bad roads or excessively heavy traffic. Change from the familiar and adaptability to the situation paved way for the smooth travel.

“I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.” Georg C. Lichtenberg

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There may be similar instances in our lives, wherein one has to take a different route to reach the final target. Even though the final target is an appreciated goal, deflecting from the routine, known or approved approach encounters a lot of courage and foresight to go ahead, in the face of open opposition and criticism. A lot of security is often laid at doing something in the known way. While the “known” helps one many a time, at times it is necessary to try a different technique to achieve the purpose.

“The price of doing the same old thing is far higher than the price of change.” Bill Clinton

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Through history and time, to try again and not give up has been the requisite for achievement of any goal, dream or target. Yet constantly trying to find a way out through the tiny spaces of the bricks doesn’t help us cross the path, unless one remodels the bricks to a more suitable form. Simply putting in extra hours isn’t the sole method to achieve more. Instead finding an alternative method, correct, true and just with adequate effort, perseverance and determination combined with intelligence and smart honest work helps us reach the dream. When the stakes are solely set on “harder than ever” instead of “trying better, different and with thought”; the former may kill the chance of a breakthrough.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” Buckminster Fuller

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I’m sitting in a quiet room at the Millcroft Inn, a peaceful little place hidden back among the pine trees about an hour out of Toronto. It’s just past noon, late July, and I’m listening to the desperate sounds of a life-or-death struggle going on a few feet away. There is a small fly burning out the last of its short life’s energy in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane. The whining wings tell the poignant story of the fly’s strategy – try harder. But it’s not working. The frenzied effort offers no hope for survival. Ironically, the struggle is part of the trap. It is impossible for the fly to try hard enough to succeed at breaking the glass. Nevertheless, this little insect has staked its life on reaching its goal through raw effort and determination. This fly is doomed. It will die there on the windowsill.
Across the room, ten steps away, the door is open. Ten seconds of flying time and this small creature could reach the outside world it seeks. With only a fraction of the effort now being wasted, it could be free of this self-imposed trap. The breakthrough possibility is there. It would be so easy.
Why doesn’t the fly try another approach, something dramatically different? How did it get so locked in on the idea that this particular route, and determined effort, offers the promise of success? What logic is there in continuing, until death, to seek a breakthrough with ‘more of the same’? No doubt this approach makes sense to the fly. Regrettably, it’s an idea that will kill.
Author: Price Pritchett

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Henry Ford

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

To Hold On

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

“Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.” Josh Billings

Experiencing the exhilaration of doing something right in the face of silent opposition, underhand criticism or open disapproval is something to remember. Each one of us may have experienced this feeling at some point of time. From the right career choice to change of employment; settling down and establishing their own roots to even the choice of school for own children. Living in the day, today everybody is entitled to their thoughts and comments. Yet the art of living today, lies in knowing what to hold onto, when to hold on to and when it is the right time for a change.

“Just dream big. Go for it. There’s nothing holding you back. You can have ups and downs, but if you believe in something, keep the faith; keep fighting. And don’t let people put you down.” Geraint Thomas

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Moments of self doubt, despair and insecurities lie within each one of us. Sometimes it may be evident, other times brimming at the surface or hiding silently beneath. Overcoming all those occasions lie in holding on to their own root beliefs, dreams and practicalities. Knowing that convincing another is to be done only when required. In fact it took years for the layman to believe that the earth was round, although the idea of spherical earth had appeared in the Greek philosophy with documentations of Pythagoras (6th century BC). If such a simple though took years to be approved from then by the mass public, convincing the whole world around one would result in lost time and opportunities. Hold on to own true self and things will work out.

“Moments never stay, whether or not you ask them, they do not care, no moment cares, and the ones you wish could stretch out like a hammock for you to lie in, well, those moments leave the quickest and take everything good with them, little burglars, those moments, those hours, those days you loved the most.” Catherine Lacey, Nobody Is Ever Missing

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Hold On…
A Pueblo Indian Prayer

Hold on to what is good,
even if it’s a handful of earth.

Hold on to what you believe,
even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.

Hold on to what you must do,
even if it’s a long way from here.

Hold on to your life,
even if it’s easier to let go.

Hold on to my hand,
even if I’ve gone away from you.

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Posted in Daily, Personal Musings, Quotes, Random Thoughts

Silent Change

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

“How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss

Watching my toddler buy his new shoes highlights the fact of how fast this little child is growing. Comparing with the regular pattern of behaviour, unlike the constant tantrums and upheavals while leaving the comfort of his home and familiar surroundings, today he is more keen to attend school, accompany to grocery shopping and help out in the garden, in spite of the little bugs and ants crawling around. Over time, there has been a change in the understanding of the world around him. While one observes the changes in others’ especially children, their own changes often go unnoticed. While some changes are good, some aren’t desired ones.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Mother Theresa

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One of the less desired changes in the adult life over time, is the occasional “putting off of the goals, priorities, to-do list or responsibilities” which later get morphed into the “art of doing it tomorrow”. Procrastination has been one of the deadliest vices of man. Believing in the ready availability of tomorrow, one often tends to take the today for granted. Little does one remember or acknowledge that, to get to the tomorrow around the corner, one has to walk of today. Instead of walking but taking a few paces, tomorrow will be on the same road and not around the corner. While putting off the seemingly tedious tasks of today, they won’t be gone tomorrow.

One has to do what is necessary to be done, at the given point of time in their lives. Doing it at the right time is what matters.

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Too lazy to start on the weight loss goals, do them soon before the “diseases of the modern lifestyle” take complete hold of one’s schedule or life. Putting off the roof repair plans, would result in a collapse during the unexpected downpour. Putting off doing the embroidery hobby one is fond of, do it soon before there is even less time in the future. All it takes is one start for a few minutes. Eventually the flow will set in and before one knows, the task is tried, perfected and accomplished. That sense of self achievement, pride and wonder is one to treasure and review for inspiration and courage during hard moments.

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” Eric Roth

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

Treasured Hopes

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

“O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:26

Despite the busy schedule of the week, one of the most looked forward to event is the “weekend”. For some of us, it involves going out of town, meeting with old friends and family and the like. Whereas for some of us, weekends are meant to be “in the social framework”, or to withdraw from the modern day to some quiet “lone time”. Whichever way it may be, one needs a break from the regular week to recharge and refresh. From my personal experience, one of the best ways to relax and let the worries take of themselves, is by reverting back to nature.

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

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Imagine when that blissful weekend is gatecrashed by an emergency meeting, unplanned event or similar. With hopes dashed, one gears up for sorting out the sudden change. In times like these, it is the treasure chest of memories that one delves into and recharges themselves. This treasure chest is not made by simply earning or doing big, but by collecting small moments as memories to cherish. In fact, not just the weekend, but each day is made up of minute memorable events, which when thought retrospectively, bring a smile on the tired faces. To collect them, requires us to take a pause and breathe once in a while. During the silent quest to make something of our lives, each one of us need to learn to live by the moment.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

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I Hope You Do!

I hope you woke up this morning with a big smile on your face
I hope the sun is shining just for you
and the birds are singing their very best songs…

I hope your coffee is hot and tastes just right
and the cats are purring contentedly, and the mailman waves a
cheery hello and there are no bills in the mailbox…

I hope just everything goes your way …
I hope everything is well with your world,
a place for everything and everything in it’s place…

I hope you can enjoy all you do and you are
complimented on the way
you look and you can laugh
and talk and share to your heart’s content

I hope you have all you wish for yourself and those dear to you,
and all your dreams come true…

At the end of the day
I wish you a perfect moon shining just for you,
a snug and cozy bed with the softest of pillows
and I hope you sleep like a lamb with a smile on your face…

I hope you have a perfect end to the perfect day
and I hope that every day is just as wonderful in it’s own way
I hope your day is … filled with love!
-Author Unknown

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

Sing the Song, Paint the Picture

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

“You were given your gift for the joy you may give in return.” Cornelius Elmore Addison

During the earlier years of childhood, painting was a hobby and an art at which my sibling had excelled in. Her talent was exploited at most events at both school, church and college level. Yet over the years, it had taken a backseat initially due to the working hours, then later as family and home took over. Of recent, the creeping dissatisfaction and unrest within was silenced by her return to the canvas, oil, paints and brushes. Thinking back, the heart is most happy when it gets to do what one loves and does best.

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?” Benjamin Franklin

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Each one of us have been given different, interesting and beautiful talents. While some may help us earn the regular bread and butter daily; the other talents mayn’t be so. Yet even the innate creative and talented side gets silenced for long, then the unrest begins slowly building up within, reaching to the boiling and overflow point at the later stage. Whether the talent be at simple music, embroidery, poetry, cooking or the garden; time taken with them will soothe the mental unrest and settle the negative emotions that one will sooner or later experience in life.

“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.” Henry Van Dyke

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An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold to a collector.  He went to the new owner’s home in order to try to persuade him to sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favour. ‘May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?’ Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself could only listen in wonderment. ‘I have no right to keep that to myself,’ he said after the musician finished. ‘The violin is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it.’

“What I think we need to do is infuse everyday and every action with the kind of values we hope will be in the future, with kindness, with nurturing, with dreams, ambition, using your talents, not resorting to violence, other forms of conflict resolution, with humor, with poetry, with music.” Gloria Steinem

While life is indeed a journey, it involves the use of the special gifts given or hidden within each of us. The world needs all of the people. Whether the primary work is at business, teaching, in science or health, administration and so on; using the given gifts or skill is necessary in order to maintain the mental and emotional balance. While the gift may not sustain as far as the monetary security is concerned, it will help us balance the busy schedules and the hectic lives that one lives. At the end of the day, inner happiness is not just in the abilities, but also the knowing that one’s life has been lived to the fullest, doing what one loves at some point whenever and where ever they can.

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“Life is a journey.  Part of that journey is not just using your talents, but trying to decide what is your gift and then directing your talents to support your gift so you can soar to new heights.” Daniel Burrus