thoughts – Page 4 – Sugar And Spice… Among Other Things

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, poetry, Reflections

Of Throwbacks and Reversions

Posted on March 6, 2020December 14, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

When the local community centre had sent out a notice asking for a donation of old clothes, books, toys, sheets and other commodities, there was a sudden spring cleaning mode. While packing up the clothes especially those of the infant style (some which weren’t worn much, others which they have outgrown), memories and tiny incidents associated with them would come to the forefront. Eventual what became a simple “pack and donate” activity took up the whole of the next three days.

“Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.” Oscar Wilde

All of us carry our own bag of moments. This bag contains all the good ones as well as the bad ones. Some may have been sweet, poignant, filled with happiness and joy, while others bring back hurt and sorrow.

Source:https://vk.com/comeshome

Delving into the bag, some of them we ought to scatter to the wind, while others we ought to bring them to the forefront occasionally. Either way memories are a precious thing, bringing a glimmer of light on the dark days, reminding one of the numerous blessings and gratitude in life. Learning to cherish them as well as let some of them go are both equally important. Each memorable experience defines us in one small way or the other. Let those reminders be those of the pleasant happy ones, for life is too short to dwell on the sad ones. Cherish the sweet happy moments but learn to revisit and not dwell in them alone. One can always reexamine the past, but living for the present now is what brings hope, warmth and happiness for the future.

“Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” L.M. Montgomery

Source:https://vk.com/comeshome

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Sweet Memories
By Charlotte Anselmo

In quiet times I often sit
And find my mind adrift
To another place, another time
And oh! My spirits lift!

I see your happy, smiling face,
And that twinkle in your eye.
I hear you sing your favorite song
And I laugh…and then I cry.

Inside my heart Sweet Memories
Stay with me each day
I cherish, and I cling to them
For I miss you in every way.

Each thing I see…
Each thing I do, brings you close to me
For everything upon this earth
Brings Sweet Memories of you.

I imagine our reunion
Some day at heaven’s gate
It fills my heart with happiness…
But for now, I’ll have to wait.

Until my life upon this earth
And my work here is complete
Sweet Memories will keep me
Until at last again we meet.

https://vk.com/comeshome

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

https://vk.com/comeshome

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Family and Society, Personal Musings, poetry

Treasure the Mishaps

Posted on February 27, 2020December 25, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“You don’t need a reason to sing.” Marty Rubin

During the early days of family life, things were a bit tight on the home front. Juggling the work schedule with additional classes, domestic chores and running a house required help with all hands on deck. Yet each coming home from work tended a surprise from my toddler in varied ways. Some days it used be ketchup on the sofa, other days it used to be feeding the dog his cereal and so on. Each homecoming has a special style. Over time, other priorities took over with school life and sports coming t the forefront, those days still bring tears of laughter to the mind. Looking back on all the carpet and upholstery stains, the ruined clothes and memories of the “i want to help” mess, those days were priceless.

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

“Children see magic because they look for it.” Christopher Moore

Juggling between the domestic and professional front, requires immense patience and fortitude especially to control the sudden change of plans, the tight schedule, conflicting times, meeting deadlines as well as reasoning out with children be it a toddler or an adolescent. Raising a child often results in beautiful moments when the adult eyes are enlightened. For the glitter around the day turns to dross later, but the spontaneity, innocence, laughter, joy and love of the present are what brings warmth to the dreary and cold days of the future, if and when they come by.

“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.” Rainer Maria Rilke

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

The Handwriting On The Wall

A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

“While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It’s on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you’d be mad at having to do it again.”

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
“Where is your little brother right now?”
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear–he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, “I love Mommy”, surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall.

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source:https://vk.com/public138314547

Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a

Daily, Family and Society, poetry, Reflections

Change of Play

Posted on February 26, 2020November 22, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

With the sun slowly shining through the cold winds and drizzling rain, the ground slowly breaks forth as new shoots spring to life. As the daylight hours slowly lengthen, the little feet scamper around in the courtyard and the garden. Leaving aside the numerous indoor toys, the bicycle and even the bright coloured remote controlled terrain toys vehicles, these little feet and hands found the fun and happiness in playing with twigs and building a tower with sticks and pebbles. As the household chores got done on an early evening, the yard play brought back memories of the simple days of the yesteryear.

“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” Alan Cohen

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

As one catches up with the fast paced modernism of today, with the methodology of work as well as projects get more complex, so does the hours of relaxation. From the busy office or work schedule of around eight to twelve hours (more or less in certain scenarios), the unwinding takes a complex route at times, like indulging in the favourite video-games, Netflix shows, movie reruns or even catching up on the social networks. Minus the gadgets or a power outage, the “leisure hours” go “ka-boom”. What has happened to the simple joys of spending “quality time” with family and friends, or just a little quiet time with the self to rejuvenate, recuperate and recharge.

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” Alan Watts

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

One can’ escape the modernism of the world as the years mature from childhood to adult years. As the list of responsibilities, dreams, ambitions and goals grow, get prioritized or re-prioritized, the purpose would be to infuse a little of “gentle play” in the work as well as to recharge after the strenuous hours. We all have only one life to lead, that one is inherently aware of. Too much of focus of any one arena will result in the loss of another. The “play of life” has to be done in a gentle manner with the amount of “work”, “fun”, “relationships”, “relaxation” and the like to be done in healthy balanced or proportionate doses. One doesn’t need to get too fanciful, just the simple things in life in the right amounts would help in experiencing the gifts and blessings of life.

Playthings

Child, how happy you are sitting in the dust, playing with a broken twig all the morning.
I smile at your play with that little bit of a broken twig.
I am busy with my accounts, adding up figures by the hour.
Perhaps you glance at me and think, “What a stupid game to spoil your morning with!”
Child, I have forgotten the art of being absorbed in sticks and mud-pies.
I seek out costly playthings, and gather lumps of gold and silver.
With whatever you find you create your glad games, I spend both my time and my strength over things I never can obtain.
In my frail canoe I struggle to cross the sea of desire, and forget that I too am playing a game.

– Rabindranath Tagore

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/monahos

Daily, Family and Society, Personal Musings, poetry

Unwind the Hours

Posted on February 24, 2020December 8, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Approaching the driveway after a long day of work, the feeling of coming back home brought to rest the chaotic thoughts of work from the mind. Nursing my evening cup of Joe, the dusk hours were for reflecting back on the scenes of the day. The morning rush, traffic commute, pending assignments and projects, minor altercations in the office and then household chores lined up like a set of cardboard boxes, sealed and waiting to be opened; one does wonder if these schedules are worth their hustle and bustle. Some days one feels like a ragged doll, desperately needing a quiet place to rest or even get a wash and unwind. Yet the complete rest never happens, for the clock keeps on ticking by. The million dollar question is would I give anything to change this all. While on some occasions, it may be a bit, on others it may be nothing. For all the inner wish to rant and rave, I wouldn’t like a major change in the current situation. Despite all the “minor downs”, there is an underlying feeling of contentment running through. The latter is what keeps the sanity intact.

“No matter how much suffering you went through, you never wanted to let go of those memories.” Haruki Murakami

Source:https://vk.com/jpgpictures

For all the “downs” that time takes us through, overcoming them and getting out of the trench is what makes up the glow of memories. That glow gives one the drive to fight through the current scenario of depressed thoughts. Being human, one will never be eternally in the ‘happy go-lucky go” mode. There are bound to be flashes of sudden self-doubt, morbid thoughts and fear of the unknown.

“No matter how many plans you make or how much in control you are, life is always winging it.” Carroll Bryant

Yet through all this, it is the memories of finding oneself out of the intermittent wrong turns and choices of life, that gives the courage to go through the present mess, whether it may be made daily or an occasional mishap. As time moves on, there are somethings in life like the comfort of family, the work camaraderie, the circle of close friends and family; that we hope would never be lost.

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter

Some decisions or choices may be the wrong ones, but moving on through the mess and learning from them, is what makes the treasured moments. As the hours unwind and the day comes to a close, what one needs is to find that spark of happiness and let the feeling of contentment and peace grow within.

As the Day Goes
by Jennifer Johnson

Choices and wrong turns are made,
as the day goes and the sun fades.
People are loved and hearts are broken,
as the day goes and words are spoken.
Smiles and frowns are shown on faces,
as the day goes and children play in open spaces.
Happiness and sadness are felt by all,
as the day goes and night falls.
Tears of joy and tears of pain are shed,
as the day goes and all are in bed.

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter

Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Reflections

The Truest Form

Posted on February 14, 2020February 14, 2020 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

The morning fiasco was marked by the hunt for red crayons, golden hearts and lots of pink, green and blue colour pencils. En route to the routine drop to school, my kindergartener enlightened me on the activities planned for the day. The story of St. Valentine in English class, valentine cards to be drawn in art class and as for math ” to count the stars, hearts, flowers and candy”!! With all these information occupying my immediate gray memory cells, coffee break was another discussion of valentine day’s special offers, discounts and reminiscences of past days.

“There are all kinds of love in this world but never the same love twice.” F. Scott Fitzgerald

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

As the mid-day of February approaches, there is a lot of activities around this. While the focus is targeted primarily on young love, one must remember that there are all sorts of love in this world. The joy of new parents on receiving their wrapped bundle in labour rooms, the joy of the first few lurchy steps of the toddler, quiet concern between friends on the announcement of exam results, celebrations over the first match win, sacrifice of sleep hours of a night shift nurse to babysit her niece and many more instances are there in the world around us. All these are different forms and sorts of love.

“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” Nicholas Sparks

Each of us is surrounded by love. It may be manifest in many ways. From the occasional hugs from our parents, help from our spouses, efforts of our family and friends when we face a tough day, the boss’ agreement for a work in from home when the kids fall sick or an aunts’ help in designing the fancy dress costume when mom is out of town or the warm circle of child arms around us when we are tired. All these acts of help, sacrifice, kindness and care involve an amount of love. Love doesn’t necessarily mean expensive gifts, date nights, trips out of the country and the like; though the above are all really lovely experiences.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

As O’ Henry’s “Gift of the Magi” shows love doesn’t mind that extra mile. Whether it be sacrifice, more time, energy or sleep hours; love makes that extra miles of effort worth it. Such is the love that we all should strive to harbour close to ourselves. Such love should be cherished, appreciated and shared around; for this love lights up dreary hearts and brings ray of light to dull, dark dingy hours or even days.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Daily, Family and Society, Life, Quotes

Gift of the Music

Posted on February 7, 2020November 28, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

During college days, going home every weekend meant boarding the only bus that would go straight home without a change of buses during the transit. While waiting for the bus, one could observe the flow of people on the streets across. In front of the shop direct across the board was the street musician, who was the regular on most evenings for an hour or two. On some days it was the guitar, other days the flute or the violin; either way there was music played. Just as evening drew close, there were those among the passing crowd who had stopped for the music.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Edward Everett Hale

On regular observation, many of the faces used to life with the sheer joy and pleasure of the music, waiting each day for the heartening performance. Watching this each weekend evening brought to the mind the realization that each of us have something to offer to this word. From good memories to pleasant feelings, while one mayn’t deem oneself important, your presence may be the significant point in someone else’s life.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

“Everyone on Earth is a solution to someone’s problem,” my wise grandmother once said. I was very surprised at her words. “You are the solution to someone’s problem,” she repeated. And she explained: “The gift that was given to you may not be needed by everyone, but it certainly is simply necessary for someone — your smile, your love, your strength.” ( Quote Source: vk.com)

On the journey made regular during those two years, the memories of the music used to linger till the final stop. Whether the music was being played for the cash or for the sheer joy of it, it brought out smiles in the hearts of all. For some like me, it was sweet beginning for a blessed weekend, while for others it signified the pleasant end of the day. While the effect mayn’t have been big, the memories made beautiful still linger and light up the dull moments in each of our lives.