Some of my favourite quotes

"The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible"-Richard M.DeVos. "Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it"-Jim Rohn. "Only in growth, reform and change, paradoxically enough is true security to be found"-Anne Morrow Lindbergh. "A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose-a cause to pursue,a person to love, a goal to achieve"-John Maxwell. "Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it"-Rabindranath Tagore. "Life does not require us to make good; it only asks that we give our best at each level of experience"-Harold Ruopp.

Second chance

Swaying slowly to the sleepy and soothing night, and resting on the long, drawn, comfortable (old) easy chair made me forget my worries as my mind traversed backwards in time. Living back then in a 23 member choultry (otherwise called home) was no mean task, and our(singularly plural) home extended from one long corner to the other, housing about 7-8 rooms. Inclusive of such vast space were drawing room cum bedrooms belonging to my uncles and their families (which my mom and i are part of) and an all exclusive poojai room meant for worshipping GOD of small and BIG things.2 dingy bathrooms (1 for the owner and the other for the others, and during pressing needs the "mending wall" philosophy was violated with at most freedom!!) A narrow verandah which was a mere extension to the rooms full of furniture, filth etc and complemented one another quite easily. Objects (too many) were placed in space (too less/little) easily reachable and usable (irrespective of its place) and our understanding of such imperfections, were in short quite "extra" ordinary!! The ensuing lack of comforts, commotion and ceaseless activities bestowed with unique opinions and judgments of the doers was not reflective of a picture-perfect family. Rather a haven for a score of individuals who blended as a unit, inseparable in spirit, and divided in assortments of distinct sizes and shapes. Our neighbours admired us for this accepting attitude towards such daily basis pandemonium, and that too at an age where small families were/are the order of the day. The rocky, barren backyard was made the best use of, especially during sultry summer evenings which eventually became cool and relaxing, and made our problems seem lighter and easily manageable. The thicket(s) of mattress spread under the starry sky and a plethora of books to choose from the dusty shelves helped the booklovers and story-tellers be in tune with their imaginations and hopes. The simplest of gestures shared and reciprocated in mutual trust and innocence made growing (of young and old alike) the way it is and not a mere technical process of ageing. Though not perfect personalities (now), yet, a memorable walk through such times of childhood makes the products of such a family walk the extra mile-for today and the days to come. I dearly hope and pray that youngsters of yesteryears take their much lived, slow/leisurely and time-tested past as a present (gift) and help spread smiles to those who "grow" much too faster. Let us give ourselves and our childhood a 2nd chance.

Love and Fear

Fear blocks the passage to GOD, whereas Love finds and presents a way. Fear makes one perceive what one wants to, while Love makes one wantless. In fear, one craves to enjoy life, while enjoyment becomes love. Fear courts illness and Love attracts health and strength. Fear can be "I" Love can be "Us" Fear is hardship and Love is simple. Fear opposes some while Love opposes none. To fear more is to flee life To love most is to set oneself free.