Appreciation

We always fancy about buying new clothes, expensive jewellery, the latest things for ourselves .We always buy new dresses, new shoes, accesories for special occasions. We are always concerned about how we look, whether our dress is "IN'' these days or not..

Have you ever gone through a situation where you bought new branded clothes, dressed as beautifully as you could and when you go out, nobody praises you. You don't get even a single compliment. Seems as if all the effort, all the money and time spent on dressing up is in vain? Are you distressed? most of us won't agree that we actually become upset. We say, "I dress up because I love to" .. But the reality is, most of us dress up, work hard, spend hours at some task to merely impress others. 

Some people become so used to getting compliments, that if one day they don't get any, they would be highly distressed and would throw a fit as to how anyone did not notice them or their work. Imagine, if kareena kapoor walks through the streets, unnoticed, how it would hurt her ego, and she won't get out of depression for days!!

It is true that we work hard, accomplish our tasks dutifully,with perfection to achieve our personal goals, for money and APPRECIATION. As I said, in the example of kareena, famous personalities are used to getting compliments all the time. You wholeheartedly appreciate kareena's beauty or aamir's movies or paulo coehlo's books. But do you ever care to appreciate the topper of your class? Do you ever defy your ego and go up to your competitor to say congrats when he won the match? Do you ever dare to tell your friend that she looks better than you?

Leave those achievements alone, have you ever appreciated your mom for making such yummy food for you? Have you ever appreciated your sibling for bringing pens and notebooks from the neighbourhood shop when you were in need? No, we always say, "mummy kya roz roz wahi khaana khilaati ho" or "bhai itni der laga di tune, kaha reh gaya tha raaste me"..

Everyone in this world loves to be appreciated for whatever they have done, however petty the task may be. And most of the people find it against their ego to appreciate the other person. They speculate "appreciation" as a task that would hurt their ego. Think, how delightful it is for you to receive compliments, and how pleased the other person would be, on receiving unexpected compliments.  It won't seize anything from you, but would give the other immense pleasure. So, never hesitate to appreciate the pettiest of achievements by the people around you, because..

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing, it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well"

Finding happiness in little things

Today, I woke up with a very fresh and euphoric feeling. The reasons were multiple. One, because I have a long weekend ahead, no getting up early, going to college, studying, roaming around, I can laze around at home for three whole days. (I am very lazy..my favourite hobby is sleeping..that's when I get most of my ideas..in dreams) .. The second reason was that my grandpa,who had passed away a few months ago appeared in my dream last night. His face had a divine, unending light..he looked happier than ever, the multiple lines on his forehead had disapeared, he was all fit and healthy. He had come to meet us for a day, every one was so happy, celebrating.. So happy, that the happiness remained with me even after getting up. 

I went to my mom's room to greet every one, but my mom was in a very bad mood because our holiday plan for the weekend had been cancelled. It didn't affect my mood. I was indeed, in very high spirits, and started thinking of ways through which i could make her feel better.

I went into the kitchen, and started thinking of something to prepare for breakfast. After much thinking, and browsing over my recipe notebook several times, I decided to make vegetable rolls. They were a hit amongst everyone, and somehow, uplifted their mood a bit. I logged into facebook, and checked out my horoscope for the day. It was"you are in high spirits today, and it will bring smile on the faces of the people around you".. Made me even more happy, i wondered how, little events can multiply your happiness, uplift your mood.

Later in the afternoon, I thought of trying something new, (my favourite activity when i am in a good mood,trying out something different) .. I was thinking what could i do,read a book,write, paint something, but I do all that often, then the idea of preparing an indian dish for lunch struck my mind. I have never made any typical indian vegatable before. I opened my recipe notebook, and finally decided to prepare Paneer pasandaa. Although it took an hour to prepare it, I was delighted when it was ready.I loved the aroma,the colour,the taste..It was the best paneer dish i had ever had.Because, I had prepared it with all my heart. The same feelings were shared by my family. They also praised it whole-heartedly. I loved the feeling which I had after this little achievement of mine. Which was increased manifold by the support of my family. 

All these events made me wonder,that doing what you love makes you tremendously happy. It rejuvenates you, and makes you feel so much better and self-confident.

 Now, I am more in love with myself, and tomorrow I would try some other activity which I love to do.

Later in the evening, I sat down to think, that all of us are always stressed out by the problems of our lives. It seems like we have forgotten the meaning of joy, which can be found in little things, like, a joyful dream, a horoscope reading, relaxing, doing something we love to do. It gives so much of happiness, just to do what you love. The feeling is simply outstanding. Why don't we forget the problems, and start enjoying every little event, enjoying the weather, listening to the birds chirping out of the window, the silence of the morning..

God gives us so many opportunities to be happy. Life is all about finding happiness in everything. God is great. Thank you god..for everything..

Few lessons are best learned through pain

"Sometimes hurt is needed to make you grow,
failure is needed to make you know,
loss is needed to make you gain
because some lessons are best learned through pain."

These lines speak more than anything else. No other explanation is required to express the thoughts running in my mind. Infact, conquering my mind, provoking me to write, to express more, to tell that pain is indeed, the best teacher.
I have been writing about my weakness,of listening to my heart over the mind. Of being an escapist, running away from sorrow as much as possible. I used to get blinded by the desire of being happy, doing everything possible to get what I want, to keep myself happy. In this process, I was missing out on the best lessons of life, the lessons conveyed by grief.
I had become impatient, stubborn to keep myself and my loved ones happy, hurting anyone who fell in its way or even appeared to befall.I was missing out on the real happiness, the happiness of forgiving, forgetting, understanding, loving inspite of everything.

The painful experiences teach more than anything else possible.
Children rarely remember the things taught in the class, it is uncertain, wether he will remember the lesson or not. But, he will always remember the things for which he was punished in any way. He will always remember the way he was unable to answer the teacher's question, and how bad and insulted he felt in front of others. The lesson will be automatically stored in his memory along with the experience and a message, that he has to study hard next time.

Sri sri ravi shankar says " Loving some one who loves you is very easy, but loving someone who accuses you, blames you, is the art of living.It is very easy to hate someone who hates you, but you rise much ahead of them when you love them inspite of the hatred. Positive always cancels negative. "

Life is too short to hate. But, it is the EGO that doesn't allow us to forget, forgive, love, accept and understand. And the most ironic part is,that we don't even realise that the EGO isnt allowing us to live a happy life. We hurt ourselves, as well as others, to satisfy our own ego. Nothing comes in return, only pain. Until we learn a lesson. Until, we open our eyes, and see, that it is the EGO which is not allowing us to live freely. It is a shackle, which tightens its grip, with each act of hatred. It is a monster, which gallopes the happiness, the self conscience,and makes us blind.
Once you let go of it, you start getting the messages,the lessons, and soon everything starts falling into place. Soon, understanding starts developing, and the negative experience becomes a memory, with a lesson, that love heals everything. From love, developes understanding and patience, and soon the ego melts away.
Pain teaches unforgettable lessons,of love and understanding, until you keep your eyes open and accept everything as they are.
Be happy.. :)

And It Rained

Life was stagnant,
Dullness all around.
To the same old gloom, I was bound.
It was empty,
it was black,
In my life,
it was love which lacked.

And It rained,
It rained love.

Relieving me of my worries,
Breaking off my shackles,
I fly in the glory of love.

I feel special,
As special as the Rose,
standing out in its beauty,
where no other is even close.

I feel happy,
As happy as a blind man would be,
if he gets eyes to see.

I feel lucky,
As lucky a man would feel,
if he hits a fortune,
and is full of zeal.

The feeling is out of the world,
Inexpressible it is,
Love is an eternal bliss.

I cherish
every smile, every moment,
every feeling, every word.
As I feel blessed,
to be showered with
The rain of your Love.

Of Love and Longing

Love, as we know is the purest of all feelings. The best of every relationship is an outcome of love.

"A happy relationship is like a rose, with love in its each fold."

Love is like a saviour, and hatred, a devil. When we love someone, we feel attached to them. And when we do not have what we desire, it is longing.
Longing means a desire to get something or someone you love. A desire as small as getting a new dress you fancied when you saw it at the showroom, or a desire to achieve success of which you have dreamed of, or wanting some one to love you.
Some people mistake longing with suffering. Longing is not suffering, it is a sweet pain which you experience, when you really want something or some one. Infact, it is the best part of a relationship, when you actually realise how much you love someone.

When I was young, I used to stand at my balcony for hours to wait for my dad when he used to go out for work. The happiness achieved after longing for someone for a long time, is a unique one.
My mother says.. What is love, without longing.. Very true it is, how will you feel the pleasure of love if you have not suffered the sweet pain of longing.
We realise the intensity of our love by the longing. It is a unique feeling, waiting for someone just to be with them, hear their voice, feel their presence. You must have seen lovers swearing to each other about spending their lives together, waiting for the day, when they will be together. Each day passes with longing to be with their lover. You must have been wondering, how pitiful situation they are in. Actually, they are very lucky to experience the pleasure of longing for someone because real happiness is achieved after getting something for which you have longed for.

Longing for some one may appear to be painful for a while, but according to me, it is the most beautiful part. You actually get to know, how much you love them, how much you want to be with them, what all you miss in them. It is not difficult if you see the positive side of it. Think of the happiness you will experience when you get what you were longing for. The happiness accumulates with each day of longing. And when it ends, the moments spent together make unforgettable memories.
Never blame the distance between you and your loved ones, just think of the joy you will get when the longing ends.

The purpose of life is a life of purpose

God has sent all of us to earth to accomplish some tasks.Each one of us has been assigned a task to be fulfilled. We have to search for the purpose of our life. As is said by Robin Sharma in his book The monk who sold his ferrari:

When you clearly know what aims you wish to achieve over the course of life,and you spend your days accomplishing them,you will ultimately find joy. It is known as our "Dharma" which is the sanskrit word for life's purpose. Dharma is based upon the ancient principle that says every one has a heroic mission when we walk this Earth. We have all been granted a unique set of gifts and talents that will readily allow us to realise this lifework. The key is to discover them , and in doing so, discover the main objective of your life.
There is always the apparent risk that comes with self examination and soul searching. Many people quit their jobs that have stifled their progress the moment they discover the true purpose of their existence. Self knowledge is the DNA of self enlightenment."

This book proved to be life changing for me. I had screwed up my life and was regretting my decisions taken in the past. I had developed the thinking that everything has been screwed till now and nothing can be changed. My decision of pursuing B.tech was the most regretted decision for me. I was least interested in my course and was practically goal-less. This book gave me the courage to dream. It taught me that courage allows you to do whatever you want to do because you know it is right. There is never a risk in discovering yourself and the mission of your life. now, instead of brawling over my decisions, I am getting involved in the activities which interest me. This blog is also a result of the motivation and optimism that this book has embodied in me.
It is very essential for all of us to learn these lessons of self-mastery and inner fulfillment. We cannot Love others until we love ourselves, we cannot keep others happy, until we are happy with ourselves.
The moment we set our goals and start working upon them, our life changes to a purposeful one, where we know what our "dharma" is.
The joy and fulfillment achieved by this is beyond any material happiness and it is a lasting one, you feel content and satisfied with yourself and are ready to take up any challenges that life is going to give you.
So keep searching, and follow your goal with passion, because passion is the most potent fuel for your dreams.
n yes, Happy blogging :)