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

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

Braid Those Strands

Posted on January 29, 2020November 13, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

While shopping for a house welcoming gift, my husband and I, we had finally decided on a houseplant as a gift for close friends. That is when we had chanced upon the potted version of the “money tree plant”. Pachira acquatica ( a.k.a the Malabar chestnut, French peanut, Provision tree), a tropical wetland tree is native to Central and South America where it grows as a tropical wetland tree. Surprisingly, this is sold as a houseplant with it’s trunks braided. What the reason maybe ( the seller didn’t know why), the braided trunk supports the big leaves quite well, giving the plant a wholly aesthetic and balanced look.

“Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is thread, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years.” Simone Signoret

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://wikipedia.com

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

These “braided trunks” are what one needs when going through a tough spot. The courage to bear the weight through tough times doesn’t happen when the weight is born on one lone spindly stalk. Instead when a cumulative support is given, the entire matter is sorted through and one learns to rise and stand tall and strong. Relationships are never bound by chains. If ever done so, those very chains rust over time, breaking away to fine powders and falling apart with the links scattered.

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

When these chains are held together not just by strength but by fine braids of feelings, emotions and positive associations; tendrils of love, kindness and warmth grow along and support each one through the thick and thin. Relationships grow stronger with stability, closeness and strength in God. Marriage, friendships as well as family ties require nurturing. Not just with love and kindness, merging these bonds with His Word and His Teachings abounds one with an endless source of love, grace and hope. On looking back, these are what brings a smile to the tired mind, body and soul. To experience life to the fullest, it entails one learning to hold these tiny threads above the chains. This difference is what holds the memories alive, making each day enriched and memorable over the years.

“It’s all those stories and how they braid together that tells us who and what and where we are.” Charles de Lint

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/comeshomements

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source:https://vk.com/comeshomements

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Reflections

On the Canvas

Posted on January 15, 2020November 2, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.” Albert Camus (Notebooks 1935-1942)

One of the best things about entertaining a group of toddlers, is their spontaneity. Following their flow of energy, children are more keen on dwelling in the “now”. What about the adult “nows”? More or less, they do happen more in the professional sphere than the personal zone. Eventually some “now” never happens, neither does “the later”.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

As each of us “adult” reserve their time and energy for the tomorrow, those proposed plans mayn’t happen. Time has it’s own flow. At times the tomorrows may work out, at times it mayn’t be so. If it was done at the “now” of then, then maybe it would be have happened or done only. Time has and always will be contrary. Sometimes as the toddlers say “let’s play tent” or “play with us” maybe some of the most precious memories made as one unwinds from work than catching up with “the telly”.

“It’s being here now that’s important. There’s no past and there’s no future. Time is a very misleading thing. All there is ever, is the now. We can gain experience from the past, but we can’t relive it; and we can hope for the future, but we don’t know if there is one.” George Harrison

Time has a beginning and ending, but those moments in between are what fills up the blank canvas. It may be filled by phases of dark hues, spots of brightness scattered in the dark template or hues of varying colours depending on own choice. As one decides on how the space on the canvas needs to be made so for the future days, take care that the spaces of now don’t go void.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Hymn to Time

Time says “Let there be”
every moment and instantly
there is space and the radiance
of each bright galaxy.

And eyes beholding radiance.
And the gnats’ flickering dance.
And the seas’ expanse.
And death, and chance.

Time makes room
for going and coming home
and in time’s womb
begins all ending.

Time is being and being
time, it is all one thing,
the shining, the seeing,
the dark abounding.

Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018)
(From Late in the Day: Poems 2010-2014 (PM Press, 2015). Copyright © 2015 by Ursula K. Le Guin.).

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

Silent and Treasured

Posted on January 3, 2020October 29, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

Last week saw impromptu weekday walks with the family, most during the early evenings before the dusk gives way to the darkness of the night. While the basic purpose was to complete the requirement for the nature projects of my kids, these walks saw the quietness of nature at their best. School secrets were shared, ideas were discussed and explored and above all, one was listening for the notes in the silence.

“Keep silent, because the world of silence is a vast fullness.” Rumi

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Through the silence of the walks and stillness, one learnt to appreciate the gifts around them. Besides refreshing oneself, this stillness helps one to rejuvenate their thoughts and start off fresh. Many a time, one forgets to appreciate the silent blessing s and gifts showered on one, if one is constantly clamouring for the busy thoughts or caught in the chaos of the day. To break free and find some foothold in the melee, one needs to escape to few impromptu and sudden periods of silence to refresh and rediscover oneself. Yet discernment is required at all times. Certain things are best heard when one is silent; while some things require the silence to be broken. Knowing which is which will happen as the maturity grows over time.

“Everything that’s created comes out of silence. Thoughts emerge from the nothingness of silence. Words come out of the void. Your very essence emerged from emptiness. All creativity requires some stillness.” Wayne Dyer

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma

Voices of the Air

But then there comes that moment rare
When, for no cause that I can find,
The little voices of the air
Sound above all the sea and wind.

The sea and wind do then obey
And sighing, sighing double notes
Of double basses, content to play
A droning chord for the little throats—

The little throats that sing and rise
Up into the light with lovely ease
And a kind of magical, sweet surprise
To hear and know themselves for these—

For these little voices: the bee, the fly,
The leaf that taps, the pod that breaks,
The breeze on the grass-tops bending by,
The shrill quick sound that the insect makes.
– Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield, “Voice of the Air,” from Poems (London: Constable, 1923 and New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1924).

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Life, Personal Musings, poetry

Choices They Be

Posted on January 1, 2020December 23, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“All things are ready, if our mind be so.” William Shakespeare

Entering into the first few hours of the fresh year, the anticipation runs high as numerous hopes, dreams and thoughts run through the mind. Amidst all these are the subtle changes that will be made over time. To know which change or decision is right, requires one to acknowledge the basic facts at hand, put a whole lot of thought processing to work as well as to with the innate gut instinct with humaneness in it.

“May you listen to the voice within the beat even when you are tired. When you feel yourself breaking down, may you break open instead. May every experience in life be a door that opens your heart, expands your understanding and leads you to freedom.” Elizabeth Lesser

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Till date, one can never predict how the future will be to the point. As plans are made and decisions made, knowing that things mayn’t go as per the proper plan is important. Some plans may work, other not so. Some dreams may be crushed due to unforeseeable circumstances, while others may be affected by situations to a manner which may be unjust. Either way, unless one learns to battle the tide and cross the shores, the horizon over may just be a vision in distance. As we cross our respective shores, may each one of us learn to ring out the “right” old and ring in the “right new”.

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Ring Out, Wild Bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Alfred Tennyson

Source: https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

Source: https://vk.com/slideshowarts

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

Au revoir to Hello

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

Bidding adieu to the last few hours of the year brings back fond memories as well as interesting traditions followed to welcome the new year. While the last day may be a holiday, for some it is the last few hours of another work day. Yet battling the traffic and rushing to make it to home base for the last few hours is done so as to usher in the next year with family and friends. While some are on a rampage while setting up the traditional new year watch night, attend the night service, host the family gathering, get the first few traditional customs of the new year ready and the like, the option lies in joining the fray or sitting on the sidelines and enjoying the celebrations.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

As we usher in the next year, customs both family and country wise may be followed. From the Siberian tradition of diving into a frozen lake while holding a tree trunk to be placed underneath the ice or the Singaporean tradition of releasing wishing spheres into the river, painting front doors red (Chinese), sprinkling salt on the doorstep (Turkey) are just few of the countless traditional new year customs. Each home and family can make their won set of traditions. Be it enjoying a glass of champagne or ice-cream for the children after the night watch service to having fireside games, each of us can make our own tradition to usher in the new year.

“In our perfect ways. In the ways we are beautiful. In the ways we are human. We are here. Happy New Year’s. Let’s make it ours.” Beyoncé

Through all the celebrations, one mustn’t fail to remember that each day is a new year, a chance to do something new, for the better and an opportunity for new chances and attempts. Each new day is an opportunity to make our closest dreams come true. Life always holds a myriad of new beginnings, it is taking them on and changing the circumstances for making oneself better that makes all the difference.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments

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

Daily, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Random Thoughts

Beacon through the Mist

Posted on December 19, 2019September 21, 2019 by Sugar and Spice..... Among Other Things

“The rocky ledge runs far into the sea,
And on its outer point, some miles away,
The Lighthouse lifts its massive masonry,
A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day.”
(excerpt from The Lighthouse by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

With schools closed for the holiday break, free hours were taken by impromptu walks, daytime exploration of the countryside with abandoned buildings or simple hanging out at the family homestead. During their trip to the small harbour while accompanying Grandpa was their exploration of the abandoned building standing tall amidst the rocks across the coastline. Being near my workplace, I had agreed to pick up the kids after office hours, their volley of shouts and play in the lighthouse tower brought to mind, the stories and experiences seen and held in those strong bricks.

“To be a lighthouse, you must be strong enough to resist every kind of storm, to every kind of loneliness and you must have a powerful light inside you!” Mehmet Murat Ildan

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

What had initially started as fires built on hilltops to guide the mariners had later lead to attempts to increase the visibility of the fire by placing it on a platform. Thereby, the ancient lighthouses were built functioning both as entrance markers to ports and as warning signal for reefs and promontories. As per the Homeric legend, Palamedes of Nafplio invented the first lighthouse, attested by the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Colossus of Rhodes. Although records show that Themistocles had earlier established a lighthouse at the harbor of Piraeus connected to Athens in the 5th century BC, essentially a small stone column with a fire beacon.

These on passing by the abandoned lighthouse that falls on my regular route, one tends to contemplate of the stories, the secrets, the experiences and the storms witnessed by that solitary tower. Those ships who had seen that light during the downpour and storms, or the bright yellow directing the way across the hazy air around them. With advanced communications and signalling, lighthouse may feel to be a thing of the past. Yet the reality depends on the place. Even today, it may be the strong beacon of light which guides the seafarers through the treacherous rocks, as compared to the radio signals which may be more lost than found in the storm.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Each of our lives echo the effect of the lighthouse, standing lone but independent and strong, felt similarly at certain points in our lives. As long as one decides to stay true and do their best in every situation, their very lives will be the beacon of hope and throw light to dispel the darkness and gloom surrounding those who watch them. No lighthouse blasts away their name, but by being just there as themselves in those crucial points help to steer away major loss and disaster. Instead, their beacon of light shows the way out through those difficult hours.

“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.” Dwight L. Moody

On the Lighthouse at Antibes
by Mathilde Blind

A stormy light of sunset glows and glares
Between two banks of cloud, and o’er the brine
Thy fair lamp on the sky’s carnation line
Alone on the lone promontory flares:

Friend of the Fisher who at nightfall fares
Where lurk false reefs masked by the hyaline
Of dimpling waves, within whose smile divine
Death lies in wait behind Circean snares.

The evening knows thee ere the evening star;
Or sees thy flame sole Regent of the bight,
When storm, hoarse rumoured by the hills afar,
Makes mariners steer landward by thy light,
Which shows through shock of hostile nature’s war
How man keeps watch o’er man through deadliest night.