Tag: Work

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

A bit of the Pebble or Clod ?!

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

“Your reality is as you perceive it to be. So, it is true, that by altering this perception we can alter our reality.” William Constantine

When one of my friends had received a promotion, the catch was the transfer attached to it. During the last meet, which was both a farewell and treat; we had asked her about the family. For her, family of four, relocating the kids to a new school would be difficult and transfer for her husband wasn’t an option. The new place being four hour drive, regular travel wasn’t an option. On asked, how would she manage; pat came the reply, it’s just for a couple of months and then things will fall into place. It was refreshing to feel the optimistic and practical approach.

“The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective.” Al Neuharth

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

A lot many time, one often encounters many situation not to personal liking or choice. While at times, one does feel a bit trod on and over whelmed, sticking on and staying true is a matter of principle, perspective and perception. Situations do change like the wind, but it’s how one masters them with the right perspective that makes the approach different. To whine and grumble; or buckle up and forge a new way ahead, is all in the mind, beliefs and actions. The wind blows either for or against, depending on the position we stand in. When the wind becomes a tempest; learning to bend and flow helps one to find their feet in the aftermath.

“We must look at the lens through which we see the world, as well as the world we see, and that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world.” Stephen R. Covey

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

The Clod and the Pebble
By William Blake
“Love seeketh not itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care,
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a Heaven in Hell’s despair.”

So sung a little Clod of Clay
Trodden with the cattle’s feet,
But a Pebble of the brook
Warbled out these metres meet:

“Love seeketh only self to please,
To bind another to its delight,
Joys in another’s loss of ease,
And builds a Hell in Heaven’s despite.”

“I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation. I may be, for I have also learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances.” Martha Washington

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
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Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Posted in Christian, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, Random Thoughts

From the Past, To the Present

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

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3

Driving back to my ex-workplace, courtesy of a regional seminar to attend; there was a sense of wonder at how things have shaped over the past few months. On the first outlook, any change from the comfortable zone always involves a trepidation of whether the choice made, is the right one or not. Besides the fear of the loss of the routine, the loss of control on the outcome is what discourages any movement out of the comfort zone. The unfortunate part about opportunity is that, one will never know it till they try.

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9-10

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

In those moment of doubt and fear, the best options is put our trust in the Lord. As one prays and gives their best efforts, the rest things will fall in line. Like seasons that change, live will move forward. Before any life changing decisions, one does list the pros and cons. Yet at times, it mayn’t be enough. If one steps and sees that things weren’t in the right place, don’t stop but continue the efforts. With prayer and grit, eventually things will fall into place. For His Love and His Mercy is true and endures forever.

“For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.” Psalm 63:7

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

I Told You
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I told you the winter would go, love,
I told you the winter would go.
That he’d flee in shame when the south wind came,
And you smiled when I told you so.
You said the blustering fellow
Would never yield to a breeze,
That his cold, icy breath had frozen to death
The flowers, and birds, and trees.

And I told you the snow would melt, love,
In the passionate glance o’ the sun;
And the leaves o’ the trees, and the flowers and bees,
Would come back again, one by one.
That the great, gray clouds would vanish,
And the sky turn tender and blue;
And the sweet birds would sing, and talk of the spring,
And, love, it has all come true.

I told you that sorrow would fade, love,
And you would forget half your pain;
That the sweet bird of song would waken ere long,
And sing in your bosom again;
That hope would creep out of the shadows,
And back to its nest in your heart,
And gladness would come, and find its old home,
And that sorrow at length would depart.

I told you that grief seldom killed, love,
Though the heart might seem dead for awhile,
But the world is so bright, and so full of warm light
That ‘twould waken at length, in its smile.
Ah, love! was I not a true prophet?
There’s a sweet happy smile on your face;
Your sadness has flown – the snow-drift is gone,
And the buttercups bloom in its place.

Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
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Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Source:https://vk.com/thesemagicmoments
Posted in Daily, Life, Personal Musings, poetry

Reality of the Frequent “Cannot”

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

“Opportunities will come and go, but if you do nothing about them, so will you.” Richie Norton

One of the most frequently encountered on assigning any project at the high school age group is the word “can’t”. Those “cannot”s revolve around the excuses of lack of time, to increased work load, less fun time, more effort required and so on. The resonance of “cannot”s increases almost in proportional to the effort or inconvenience caused. While in school life, “the cannot”s are heard maximum when asked to help in household chores, baby sit, accompany on hospital visits or grocery shopping; adult life “cannot”s echo almost a similar vein albeit largely increasing the responsibility level.

Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter
Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter Source:https://vk.com/jpgpicture

“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ’em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.” Theodore Roosevelt

Little does one realize the potential havoc caused by that word or emotion “can’t”. From an opportunity to learn or do something new, grow in responsibility, bond together, chance on new avenue of opportunities and so on; are all lost at that single word “can’t”. While can’t may be really necessary at certain points in life; frequently indulging them will result in more loss than gain in the long run.

“Never say that you can’t do something, or that something seems impossible, or that something can’t be done, no matter how discouraging or harrowing it may be; human beings are limited only by what we allow ourselves to be limited by: our own minds. We are each the masters of our own reality; when we become self-aware to this: absolutely anything in the world is possible. Master yourself, and become king of the world around you. Let no odds, chastisement, exile, doubt, fear, or ANY mental virii prevent you from accomplishing your dreams. Never be a victim of life; be it’s conqueror.” Mike Norton

Source:https://vk.com/jpgpicture
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Can’t
Can’t is the worst word that’s written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.

Can’t is the father of feeble endeavour,
The parent of terror and half hearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.

Can’t is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man’s purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgement it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of you someday shall gain.

Can’t is the word that is for to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that’s deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed ’twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
and answer this demon by saying: ‘I can.’
-Edgar A. Guest

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter Source:https://vk.com/neverbbetter Source:https://vk.com/jpgpicture
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Posted in Daily, Life, Personal Musings

Gaining the Second Wind

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

The exhaustion is setting in with the limbs being slowly drained out as they move in tandem motion. Suddenly a spurt of energy like an electricity bolt charges through the tired muscles giving them a new life for what may be perceived then as “the minutes that may make a difference to reach the finish line.”

The above emotions may be experienced by many from a wide variety of genres with variations. Consider a first time runner preparing for a long distance marathon, new time jogger or cyclist trying to cover more ground, racing for the train or bus about to leave the station or even worse, running to reach the airport departure terminal before the boarding gate closes. Add to the list, the daily event of running behind a toddler especially when he is racing towards the main road from the porch, taking part in an endurance challenge as a bet with colleagues, old time friends or the “eternal rush against time” (although the internal batteries are near empty) for the next planned event to start.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

While some of us may fit into one of the above or similar scenarios, the rest of us may have many more to add to the growing list. On scientific terms, all these instances correlate with the phenomenon of “second wind”. Most common as an exercise phenomenon or a sleep phenomenon, both involve the sudden increase in energy during a period of fatigue. Similar to the runner’s high (happens after the race is over), second wind is a occurrence in distance running or similar sports whereby an athlete who is out of breath or too tired to continue suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion. While science relates second wind to be a result of the body finding the proper balance of oxygen to counteract the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles; endorphins may also play a role to it.

Descriptions of second wind go back centuries old, found initially associated with strenuous exercise. Metaphorically speaking, second wind often translates as “continuing on with renewed energy past the point thought to be one’s prime, be it in sports, careers or life in general.”

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

We all need to gain our own second wind in life, especially during the low points in life. While the trigger may be from within or from those around us directly or indirectly; finding the “energy to move on ahead” is important to come out of the dregs that life sometimes throws at us. The best part is that each one of us has “that second wind within us”. All we need to do is to gain the will, faith and courage to bring it out and charge through to get to the “better side” of life that each one of us secretly harbours within. As the adage proves time and again, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”; gain one’s own second wind to reach the “temporary finish lines” and breakthrough the barriers and obstacles that each journey has. Each road is one’s own.

“The fatigue of the climb was great but it is interesting to learn once more how much further one can go on one’s second wind. I think that is an important lesson for everyone to learn for it should also be applied to one’s mental efforts. Most people go through life without ever discovering the existence of that whole field of endeavor which we describe as second wind. Whether mentally or physically occupied most people give up at the first appearance of exhaustion. Thus they never learn the glory and the exhilaration of genuine effort…” Agnes Elizabeth née Ernst Meyer

Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
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Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
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Source:https://vk.com/pub_mdma
Posted in Daily, Family and Society, Life, Quotes, Reflections, Stories Around the World

“Just Some Time”

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

“Love your family. Spend time, be kind & serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised & today is short.” Unknown

Even after long hours at work and tackling the chores at home; the only thing that satisfies my children is time spent with them alone. From reading to them, simply sitting together in the lawn or watching the traffic together from the bench; all they want is time spent without any activities, gadgets, interference or constraints at that moment. The younger they are, they crave for such moments.

“Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.” Regina Brett

Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Although lifestyle today offers innumerable comforts, one thing that still is never sufficient is time. The root struggle in handling time is dividing it between work, family and for self. Being a family, as far as children are concerned, no amount of gadgets, toys, books or cartoons can substitute their bonding time with siblings and parents. Constant negligence and lack of the latter can lead to dependence on the former, which can have lasting implications on the education, personality as well as psychological traits of the child.

“ At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” Barbara Bush

Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarst
Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarst

Looking back to our childhood from the present today, the memories of fun, trips and experiences with parents, siblings, cousins, family and friends is what makes the hard and unhappy moments of today better. Besides these childhood memories and experiences to an extent, are what shaped us to the person of today. On reflecting, what matters more than worldly good or presents as well as gifts, is quality time with loved ones.

“If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.” Abigail Van Buren

The acts of today, reflects in the future of tomorrow. No matter how busy working parents or guardians are, spending just ten minutes with their children makes all the difference in the world to them. Children always light up the adult lives, with their innocence, joyous nature and selfless thinking. The change in their behaviour and attitude is a reflection of the love that they perceive. Too much or too little of love, care and attention is dangerous. Remembering our childhood moments and experiences will aid us in making the childhood of our own children memorable.

“ Your children can be around you all day, but if you don’t spend quality time with them and you don’t pay attention to them and talk to them and listen to them, it doesn’t matter that they’re just around you.” Brandy Norwood

Source:https://vk.com/monahos
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/monahos
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts

Once, a man returned home late from work, as always, tired and twitching, and saw that a five-year-old son was waiting for him at the door. “Dad, how much do you get? ” “That is none of your business!,” the father was indignant.”Why do you need it? “
– I just want to know. Please tell me how much you get per hour?
– Well, 100 rubles. Why?
“Dad …” the son looked up at him with very serious eyes. Dad, can you borrow me 50?
“You asked only so that I could give you money for some stupid toy?”, he shouted. “Immediately march to your room and go to bed! You can not be such an egoist! I work all day, I get tired, and you behave yourself so stupidly.”
The kid quietly went to his room and closed the door behind him. And his father continued to stand in the doorway and get angry at his son’s requests. But after a while he calmed down and began to reason sensibly: “Maybe he really needs to buy something very important.” When he entered the nursery, his son was already in bed.
– You are not sleeping, son? – he asked.
– No, Dad. Just lying down, answered the boy.
“I seem to be too rude to you,” said the father. “I had a hard day, and I just broke. Forgive me. Here, hold the money you asked for.”
The boy sat up in bed and smiled.
– Oh, father, thanks! he exclaimed happily.

Then he climbed under the pillow and took out some more crumpled banknotes. His father, seeing that the child already had money, became angry again. And the kid put all the money together, and carefully counted the bills, and then looked at his father again.
– Why did you ask for money if you already have it? – grumbled his father.
– Because I had not enough. But now I just have enough, – the child replied.
– Dad, there are exactly one hundred. Can I buy one hour of your time? Please come back tomorrow from work early, I want you to have dinner with us.

Moral: I just wanted to remind you that our life is too short to spend it at work. We should not allow it to flow through our fingers, and not give at least a tiny piece of it to those who really love us — our closest people. If we are not tomorrow, our company will very quickly replace us with someone else. And only for family and friends it will be a really big loss, which they will remember all their life. Think about it, because we spend much more time working than family.
Source: vk.com (translated to english)

“ I don’t think quantity time is as special as quality time with your family.”  Reba McEntire

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/slideshowarts
Posted in Christian, Daily, Family and Society, Life, Reflections

When in a Quandary

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

Flights cancelled due to bad weather. Consequently connecting flights lost. Whether refunded or not, the planned visit, trip, seminar or conference mayn’t work with plans delayed, changed or cancelled.

Daycare and school cancelled owing to unforeseeable circumstances. Grandparents out of town. No leave available. Working from home for both parents aren’t an option. Adjustments and decisions need to made quickly so that children aren’t left alone during office hours.

Stuck in a traffic block and getting late for an appointment, all this happening even though one had started off early.

Traffic diversions. Routes re-routed. Unprecedented road chaos. Job insecurities. Health affected. Promotion with long distance transfer. Lost employment opportunities. Loans and bills overdue.

During all the above scenarios and many more that may have a similar resonance to the above situations; evoking the same feelings of sudden disappointment, fear of the unknown, acute helplessness at the situation and disturbance of the routine or the expected; the words of the psalmist echoes in my mind, ” I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121:1-2)

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/we_live_a
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/public75290000

Each of us, have our own share of problems and difficulties, maybe known only to us; while others perceive a rosy picture. Yet God above, who has created us, knowing every hair on our head (Luke 12:7) will never forsake us. Troubles will always come, in one form or the other; but tackling them, for any Christian, requires immense Faith and Trust that His Grace will always be with us. While on one hand, we do put our complete Faith in the Lord; on the other hand He demands us to still put our efforts and deal with the situations as best as we can (1 Timothy 5:8). When we allow God to work in our lives through Faith, it is by His Will that plans go, though at the same time, we continue our life and work by His Principle and His Teachings as the Scriptures have and still are teaching us.

For the practising Christian, there are innumerable places where when things have gone out of hand, sudden unexpected help had changed the scene or after a series of what may mean as “lost opportunities”, blessings in a more better manner with more feasibility or rewards were received, bringing peace and happiness within. When the balance tilts, the most important thing is to keep the Faith and go on giving one’s best shot, no matter what may come. God will always help is His Time, by His Will as per as His Plans, especially when Faith, Courage and Trust never waivers.

Source:https://vk.com/public75290000
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj

Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Source:https://vk.com/slideshwoarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshwoarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshwoarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshwoarts
Source:https://vk.com/slideshwoarts
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Posted in Daily, Family and Society, Life, Personal Musings, poetry, Quotes

Effect of a Smile

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

“I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. ” Leonardo da Vinci

After work , one longs to put their feet up, shift the day’s tune and just delve into a different frame of the mind. In a home with kids and family, doing so may be little difficult. Very often, when stepping into the house or picking up kids from their different activities, one longs for some quiet. Yet a child’s smile changes everything and puts the mood into a different beat and rhythm. On seeing the smile of a toddler, one is reminded of the little joys and happiness in life as well as how precious that little action is. A smile indeed can change the world.

“Nobody needs a smile so much as the one who has none to give. So get used to smiling heart-warming smiles, and you will spread sunshine in a sometimes dreary world.” Lawrence G. Lovasik

Source:https://vk.com/monahos
Source:https://vk.com/monahos
Source:https://vk.com/monahos

A difficult day. Smile and the mood shifts, solutions crop up and the stress fades.

When facing mental hurdles. Smile and hand over the stress into His Hands.

Plagued by worry, doubt, insecurities and impatience. Smile to let go and embrace the present, facing each day by the hour, minute and seconds as they come by. Smile, lift up the inner spirit, stay strong and strive.

“Children show me in their playful smiles the divine in everyone. This simple goodness shines straight from their hearts and only asks to be loved.” Michael Jackson

The only rule to follow when one smiles; is to smile from the heart, honest, sincere and warm. Smile with hidden intent, plastic kind or while harbouring ill, does more harm to the “doer” than the receiver. Smile like a child from within to stay happy, calm and at peace.

Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj

The Smile

There is a Smile of Love
And there is a Smile of Deceit
And there is a Smile of Smiles
In which these two Smiles meet

And there is a Frown of Hate
And there is a Frown of disdain
And there is a Frown of Frowns
Which you strive to forget in vain

For it sticks in the Hearts deep Core
And it sticks in the deep Back bone
And no Smile that ever was smild
But only one Smile alone

That betwixt the Cradle & Grave
It only once Smild can be
But when it once is Smild
Theres an end to all Misery

– William Blake

Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj
Source:https://vk.com/veruj

“I’m a firm believer in smiles. I used to believe that everything had to be a belly laugh. But I’ve come to realize that a real sincere smile is mighty powerful.” Roy Clark