EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON

As a child, I was taught that everything had a season. There is a time and purpose for everything we do. There is a reason for everything that we say. Everything in life has a cause and effect. I believe that God puts you through a series of test to see whether or not you can endure that obstacle. It is up to you whether you can go through the obstacles with your head held high or waver in disbelief.

One thing that we can be sure of in life is that everyone has a time to live and everyone has a time to die. This is the cycle of life. Everyone goes through there obstacles in life. What you do during that tribulation and how you react after that tribulation affects your soul and your lifeline.

There is a time of love, a time to hate, a time of war, and a time of peace. There is a time to cast away and a time to gather together. But most importantly, there is a time to speak and a time to keep silence. In the stillness and silence, you are allowed to hear listen objectively because there is peace even in the silence.

So as you go through your obstacles, people will try to bring you down. As you go through your obstacles, stones will be thrown at you. As you go through your obstacles, people will talk about behind your back or maybe to your face. As you go through your obstacles, people will say things that try to bring you down to make they feel better. As you go through your obstacles, you may stumble. As you go through your obstacles, you may fall...

But once you stand, get through your obstacles; you will understand the stones that were cast at you. You will remember the people who talked about you or maybe to your face. You will remember yourself stumbling and you picking yourself back up. You will remember that god was right there all along. You will remember the battle made you stronger.

Most importantly, when people try to bring you down, you will smile to yourself and think that today may be your time to get through your obstacles. However, tomorrow will be the time when you have gotten through your obstacles. Thus, next week will be their season.

Everything has a season. It is how you deal with that particular season that will show your true character, your true self, and your true soul. There are only two people that you get your grade from. You and the Lord!

To everything there is a season and

A time to every purpose under the heaven.

A time to be born and

A time to die.

A time to plant and

A time to pluck up that which is planted.

A time to kill and

a time to heal.

A time to break down and

a time to build up.

A time to weep and

a time to laugh.

A time to mourn and

a time to dance.

A time to cast away stones and

A time to gather stones together.

A time to embrace and

a time to refrain from embracing.

A time to get and

A time to lose.

A time to keep and

a time to cast away.

A time to rend and

a time to sew.

a time to keep silence and

a time to speak.

A time to love and

a time to hate.

A time of war and

a time of peace.

WALK YOUR TALK

Can you say you walk the talk???

I had this quote for quite some time as a reminder to me to be consistent.

This message means: Be who you say you are at all times, in public and in private. Be a walking example of the philosophy you expound, not just sometimes but at all times. If you say you are an honest person, be scrupulously so. You know what I mean...don't cheat anyone when it comes to money, to work done, to pulling your weight, to taking responsibility, to gossiping.

Others are watching and listening. They notice when we don't live up to what we say we believe in. It's a matter of integrity. I heard a woman recently promote her acrylic nail and manicure business at a networking evening. I was sitting next to her and glanced at her fingernails. They were short, unattractive and completely different to what I expected. If you say you are good at doing other's fingernails you had better be the best living example around.

I have heard salesmen describe the golden rules of giving good customer service and then have seen them treat clients with disdain. I have noticed a man telling his boss what a dedicated employee he is but I know that he steals stationery from the company.

Walking your talk is a matter of having integrity. Of course we are tested on this. I often think we have the equivalent of a line in the sand to negotiate each day. On one side of the line is our list of what we stand for. On the other side is the ocean. Small and large waves can roll in and wash away our line and our good intentions very quickly.

Each situation, personally and in business, calls for us to be on the dry side of our line in the sand. Position the line so that this is possible. If you know that you are too close to the vagaries of life and the ocean, move your beliefs to firmer and dryer land. When the waves of temptation assail us, and they will, stand firm.

If it means saying "no" to money, power, influence or offered friendship which have their foundations in wet sand, know that a day of reckoning has arrived.

I can assure you it is much easier to walk your talk than not. Then and only then are you authentic. You don't need to live a lie. You don't need to remember the complexities of your lie. You don't need to make excuses. What you say and what you do will be easy. It will be automatic. It will give you a sense of pride and deep satisfaction.

Live up to what you say you believe in and be a living, breathing, walking example of the best of you, always.

If you don't take control of your life, don't complain when others do. - Beth Mende Conny

आयुष्य खूप सुंदर आहे

आयुष्य खूप सुंदर आहे,
सोबत कुणी नसलं तरी,
एकट्यानेच ते फुलवत रहा,
वादळात सगळं वाहून गेल,
म्हणुन रडत बसू नका,
वेगळ अस काही, माझ्यात खास नाही असं म्हणून उदास होऊ नका
मृगाकडे कस्तुरी आहे,
फुलात गंध आहे,
सागराकडे अथांगता आहे,
माझ्याकडे काय आहे, असं म्हणून रडू नका,
अंधाराला जाळणरा एक सूर्य तुमच्यातही लपला आहे.
आव्हाहन करा त्या सूर्याला!!!!! मग उगवेल तो तुमच्या आयुष्यात नवीन क्षितिज घेऊन.
अंधारामय रात्र संपवून सोनेरी किरणांनी सजून
मग रोजच उगवेल एक नवी सकाळ,
उत्साह ध्येयाने भारुन म्हणून.........
आयुष्य खूप सुंदर आहे,
सोबत कुणी नसल तरी
एकट्यानेच ते फुलवत रहा |

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen was a popular 19^th century author whose works became more popular after her death. Not only have her works been widely studied, they have been turned into movies, again and again. Despite popularity through the decades and some say it has become the template for many of today’s romance novels.

Pride and Prejudice is a story about society and the relationships of family. Its focus is on one family, the Bennett’s, specifically the two eldest daughters; Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Jane. Societal law demands upon the death of the supporting male, all funds and fortune are entailed to the next living 'male' relative. This puts the Bennett family at a disadvantage because they have five daughters. Mr. Bennett’s fortune will pass to his estranged cousin, Mr. Collins.

Because of these circumstances it is Mrs. Bennett’s direst wish to make sure her daughters are married off to stately gentlemen as soon as possible. "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." So speaks Mrs. Bennett to her husband. And, of course, a single woman in search of a good fortune must equally be in want of a husband who has one! Well, that’s what the novel is about.

All the semantics is quite fun despite being somewhat confusing at times. You almost need a map to keep the lineage, women and suitors straight. It took a few pages to get into the dialogue. Strangely, I find it easier to read it aloud, although, someone listening to me probably wouldn't think so. There's a formality to reading Jane Austen not present in today's writing. Even the way the characters address one another. Mrs. Bennett refers to her husband as "Mr. Bennett".

Despite having unique personalities I found it confusing to keep each "Miss Bennett" straight when more than one was involved in a scene and didn't know who was who or that the perspective had changed until the next paragraph. Austen switches back and forth between their formal and given names. I also find the point of view flips back and forth carelessly. Something not widely used today.

Pride and Prejudice has a comedic feel to it but I didn't find myself chuckling or laughing aloud from their antics and dialogue. It is really quite dramatic. I found the story to be more ironic than comedic.

What I really enjoy about the novel is the look into society, culture, relationship dynamics and women in an era I have no way to comprehend. It's a historical lesson hidden within a love story and once the journey was over, most enjoyable.

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen was a popular 19^th century author whose works became more popular after her death. Not only have her works been widely studied, they have been turned into movies, again and again. Despite popularity through the decades and some say it has become the template for many of today’s romance novels.

Pride and Prejudice is a story about society and the relationships of family. Its focus is on one family, the Bennett’s, specifically the two eldest daughters; Elizabeth (Lizzy) and Jane. Societal law demands upon the death of the supporting male, all funds and fortune are entailed to the next living 'male' relative. This puts the Bennett family at a disadvantage because they have five daughters. Mr. Bennett’s fortune will pass to his estranged cousin, Mr. Collins.

Because of these circumstances it is Mrs. Bennett’s direst wish to make sure her daughters are married off to stately gentlemen as soon as possible. "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." So speaks Mrs. Bennett to her husband. And, of course, a single woman in search of a good fortune must equally be in want of a husband who has one! Well, that’s what the novel is about.

All the semantics is quite fun despite being somewhat confusing at times. You almost need a map to keep the lineage, women and suitors straight. It took a few pages to get into the dialogue. Strangely, I find it easier to read it aloud, although, someone listening to me probably wouldn't think so. There's a formality to reading Jane Austen not present in today's writing. Even the way the characters address one another. Mrs. Bennett refers to her husband as "Mr. Bennett".

Despite having unique personalities I found it confusing to keep each "Miss Bennett" straight when more than one was involved in a scene and didn't know who was who or that the perspective had changed until the next paragraph. Austen switches back and forth between their formal and given names. I also find the point of view flips back and forth carelessly. Something not widely used today.

Pride and Prejudice has a comedic feel to it but I didn't find myself chuckling or laughing aloud from their antics and dialogue. It is really quite dramatic. I found the story to be more ironic than comedic.

What I really enjoy about the novel is the look into society, culture, relationship dynamics and women in an era I have no way to comprehend. It's a historical lesson hidden within a love story and once the journey was over, most enjoyable.

Of Remakes and Adaptations

Devdas, Don, Sholay, Karz, Parineeta, Othello and Mcbeth. These names will certainly ring a bell for the movie buffs for these are the names of a few classic blockbusters or works of literature which have been or are being planned to be made into movies. These names highlight the latest trend in Bollywood--- the trend of remakes and adaptations.

Remaking classics is like reincarnating them. The very fact that these movies were big hits of their time brings with it an assurance that the subject of the movie has the approval of the audience. So, while this gives the movie the initial publicity and audience, the rest entirely depends on how the new directors mould the subject according to the present requirements.

The trend of remaking is extremely popular these days but it doesn’t enjoy support from all sections of people. There are some who feel that classic works of cinema are like gems that should be preserved and the sanctity of which should not be desecrated by the materialistic visions of the present century directors. The directors, however, regard it as their way of paying tribute to the legends. Remaking is also considered as a means of bringing classic works to the notice of the younger generation and making it popular among them.

An important question that this trend of adaptations and remakes raises is whether the director has any creative liberty in such cases or not. Some believe that interfering with a classic work of art is sacrilegious, while others believe that sometimes changes are necessary to suit the requirements of the present time. The future of this trend cannot be predicted, but it can be hoped that it stays for some time because this licensed plagiarism is any time better than the blatant copying of a Hollywood movie in the name of inspiration.

Suffering from “Pottermania”!! -a muggle’s viewpoint

So why is Harry Potter such a world wide phenomenon? From the first instalment of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone, it has captured the imagination of the population like none other.The final instalment of the Harry Potter series released world wide Harry and the Deathly Hallows- bringing the final confrontation between Harry Potter and the evil Lord Voldemort. Harry Potter fans world over had been waiting for it with baited breath. This frenzy is whipped up to such a level that you end up looking like a dork if you haven’t read any of those books.

Harry Potter started off as a children’s book. But as Harry, the character got older; the book too grew to be relatively darker and started addressing a wide range of topics that adults as well as adolescents could identify with. Also remember the readers who read the first Harry Potter books have all gown up now. So it is a credit to Ms. J.K.Rowling that she has been able to maintain the interests of both the grown ups and the kids in the series.

Children love the series because it opens up an entirely new world to them, a world of magic and amazement. But Rowling has interwoven this magical world with parallels from real world. From the rigors of daily school activities and homework, to the intense competition and rivalry between the houses; there won’t be a child on the planet that couldn’t identify with his troubles. Every child would have friends or want to have friends like Hermione and Ron. Every child at some stage of his schooling would have encountered a nemesis like Malfoy. Every school will have its own favourite sport, like Quidditch is the flavour for everyone in Hogwarts.

However it’s all not fun and games in Harry Potter’s world. Rowling candy flosses the topic of racism. The hatred of pure blood wizards (those born in magical families) towards muggles (non-magical people like yours truly) and muggle born is amazingly similar to racist overtones in the real world. She touches upon slavery in how the wizarding world treats elves, their servants, in the book.

Harry Potter series is above all a story about the battle of good and evil. Lord Voldemort must rank alongside some of the greatest literary villains of all time. His quest for immortality mirrors the secret dark desire that we all possess. Harry Potter is the antithesis of Voldemort even though he shows a rather large disregard for following the rules. He embodies everything that Lord Voldemort is not. He is the tragic orphan whose parents are murdered by the former making his summit clash with Voldemort almost inevitable.

There has been criticism of these books from various quarters. From Catholics to Critics, all have thrashed the books for various reasons. But if these books form the stepping stone for kids to cultivate the habit of reading books then what is the harm in it. Or maybe we all are taking these books just a bit too seriously and forgetting the primary function these books were written for, to have some plain unadulterated fun. So get on your Firebolts and fly into the world of Harry Potter and his friends and forget the rest.

GOOD MORNING !!!!!!!

I suppose it was early morning

The earth lay cool and still

Suddenly a tiny bird

Perched upon my window sill

It sang so lovely

So carefree and so gay

That slowly all my troubles

Began to slip away

It seemed that the bird’s very song

Brought out the morning sun

I pulled back the covers

And crept slowly out of bed

Gently shutting the window

Farewell I bid

I’m not quite a morning person !

The Reason

I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me,
That maybe we are stationed where God wants us to be.
That the little place I’m filling is the reason for my birth,
And just to do the work I do, He sent me down to earth.

If God had wanted otherwise I reckon He’d have made
me just a little different of a worse or better grade.
And since God knows and understands all things on land and sea;
I fancy that He placed me here just where He wanted me.

Sometimes I get to thinking as my labours I review;
That I should like a higher place, with greater things to do.
But I come to the conclusion when my envying is stilled;
That the post to which God sent me is the post He wanted filled.

So I plod along and struggle in the hope, when day is through;
That I’m really necessary, to the things God wants to do
And there isn’t any service I can give which I should scorn;
For it may be just the reason, God allowed that I be born!

So long !!!

We all must have started with the same things, hence we all landed here. By here, I mean this college. No, wait, let me clarify this. By here, I mean, a technical college- going for a professional degree. Early in our ages, we all saw the importance of money. Some way or another knew how hard it was to meet the ends. The means dried up long before the ends. So, with this mindset we all buckled up to get admission in a technical college. All developed their minds for the analytical framework. For years going after the logic, analysis, rules, limits, syntax…

But what if I say now ‘I want to be a writer’. I know saying this sound both cocky and bold, but I yearn to not give up on my budding aspiration to be a writer! However, it is not in any way a reality. I've spent most my childhood focusing on math, music and computers, with English being a side-note when included. The closest I passed on writing is some positive feedback during creative exercises and a few classics on my own time. The books which I have read state nothing about the beauty of the language or understand the essence of the writing. They all state how to solve a problem, state limitations, to understand the logic...

If I had not been a mathematical person may be it would have been easier to understand the beauty of language. However, I am willing to accept a double burden and learn how to write... but how in the world can I start at 20 years of age? Everywhere I go, people seem to tell me things such about letting the creative juices flow, and just expressing how I see things. As a math-oriented person, this sounds like a bunch of garble by people who believe that anyone with a pen can write a novel. I do not believe this! I am certain there must be a way to orient your mind to the language and consistencies of assembling a novel. If you can start learning computer programming languages like Basic and HTML and advance to JavaScript and C++, surely there is a basic beginning point for someone who wants to someday become a writer. Some suggested start reading. The best thing to do is to read, not necessarily for pleasure, but to examine how successful writers have done it and then settle down and write. Get that first draft down; hopefully after a bit of planning ahead of time (although there are those who believe that planning is a waste of time). I tried that but it looks like I will have to train my mind to see beyond logic and facts and notice language and style of writing. I will find the means to survive and meet the ends even if the ends are ten years of preparation down the line!

Importance of relatives

Its been a very long time since I wrote. Nevertheless, I am back now (I think).

Festival season is on its full bloom. Festivals are the only times (family functions excluded) that we have the (mis) fortune of meeting creatures called 'relatives'. With the human ' race' going on continuously, we are deprived of the getting more acquainted with the relatives.

After the preliminary curtsying they delve straight into selling their latest pursuits, whatever they be. ' Oh .. you know this Ramdev baba things really good. They really work. I, toh, get up very early in the morning to do his yoga. Even his daliya works. Whats this ??? No, no , I eat only lauki ki sabzi.' And all this time, you are saying 'Ahh .. hmmn .. good for you'. Major oops. Relative jumps on you saying 'Good for you ??? No. Its good for you too. Beta you should really do this. And also drink karele ka juice'. You try to get rid of them by agreeing with them. But they can see past you. ' Trying to get rid of me ... Are you ???'. Had you disagreed with them, they would have give every argument possible under this Sun and more to convince you otherwise.

There is no getting rid of them. They are omnipresent in some form or other. No need to condemn them to hell. They have been there and back. So all I can say to you is go out there and face them as bravely as you can and when you loose remember that you fought and you fought bravely. Happy Diwali.

Sunshine After Rain

I can see clearly now the rain has gone
That happiness was there for me all along.
Gone are the clouds that seemed to loom ahead
Now only sunshine to fill my days instead.

Only blue skies lie ahead for me
Not one dark cloud in the sky do I see.
A magical rainbow pushed those clouds away
And I know in my heart the sun is here to stay.

Good days and bad, the sun will be there
Bringing the warmth of friendship to forever care.
No more dark clouds. the rain has gone
I know now the sun was there all along.

I can see the rainbow I've been praying for
As the light breaks through for me once more.
Like a good friend, the sun is forever near
I trust in both, I have nothing to fear.

God's splendor

God's beauty is all around us

open your eyes to view

spectacular beauty everywhere

with colors in every hue.

rain falling from the sky

makes the birds sing

like falling crystal beads

sustaining life to every living thing.

spring season is beautiful

reminders with all it brings

as we witness the earth's rebirth

with the coming of each new spring.

O Fashion ! Dear Fashion !

Time, the changer of seasons

Of mind and thinking too

Right from days of reason

Man has been changing too.

Often we reflect with gall

About changes and latest trends

The fact that is accepted by all

Before fashion our knee bents.

Same the culture we inherit

It’s rich and varied, high in post,

The truth that brings discredit-

We address it as backward most !

Dear,

Fashions are inevitable

Fashions are unpredictable

Fashions can be of any kind

For fashions come from man’s mind.

From dhotis to bell bots to baggies

Where the line’ll end I don’t know

Saris to skirts to minis

Shorter the clothes, more to show !

Head gears differ in sizes and hues

Of silk, fibre or feather

Reds, yellows, greens and blues

Changing often to suit weather.

Volumes are spoken by fashion

By dresses short or long

Now fashion has become a passion

For latest trends we throng.

Fashion touches many lives

Leads from bhajans to pop

Fashion of dresses : husbands and wives

Will it continue or will it stop ?

Fashion lies with us today

Adopt it and manifest our thinking

Take it and change it anyway

Don’t leave it, saying its sinking.

Fashion and culture are intertwined

Styles oft’ repeat themselves

Why this relation is denied ?

Designs come from culture’s shelves.

With optimism. Thus I conclude

Hoping you’ll agree with me

From fashions vulgarity exclude

Then, the beauty of fashions you see.

Spring rise

The harsh winter has been just frightful
But weather is coming that's delightful,
If you can endure for a few more weeks
Nature will allow some spring peeks.

Storms have rampaged coast to coast
And we can debate who suffered most
But on this we wholeheartedly agree,
Winter has been on a wild arctic spree.

But if you listen you can almost hear
The drumbeats of spring drawing near,
As you march into March be ever alert
For spring is beginning it's teasing flirt.

Soon dainty daffodils you'll see sprouting,
Springs notice to stop stressful doubting,
Spring is coming to grant your heart ease
With all the splendid offerings that please.

Just look close with a wee sweet dream
And see the splendor of nature's scheme,
All over the beauty is beginning to shine
As winter's frosty winds cease their whine.

Very soon robin redbreast will come hopping,
Sleepy trees will show a green leafy topping
And humanity will emerge outside too cheer
When wayward spring at last arrives here.

In time wildflowers scattered over the plains
Will be awakened with gentle spring rains,
Over hill and dale their cheery colors will bloom
And pretty songbirds will sing away your gloom.

Bright butterflies will flutter in bright sunlight
As your winter world becomes a beautiful sight,
Those cutie beauties have missed you it's true
And will fly by when the gray skies turn blue.

The Sound Of Silence

Someone who was gently knocking
Aroused me from my peaceful nap
As I called out "Who is there"?
It grew louder with each tap

The noise became more demanding
And I knew they wouldn't go away
So climbing from my rumbled bed
I would hear what they had to say

To my amazement no person was there
Only water in shades of blue
And as a star twinkled high above
The meaning I had not even a clue

From a distance came eerie voices
Wanting me to step through the door
Where would this journey take me
Did I really want to find out more?

With each step I took I trembled
Blue waters parting as I entered
Before me a crowd of people stood
With a glowing idol in the center

Silence echoed from their vast display
Hungry souls reached out to me
I wondered just what they wanted
And what did they want me to see

Flashing red eyes upon the idol's face
Caused my heart to stop and flutter
Beckoning me to worship him
As distant voices began to mutter

Waters of blue now darken with smoke
As my screams pierced the chilly air
Whispers and voices were now silent
I wondered, did they no longer care?

A familiar feeling of warmth and love
Encircled my cold trembling heart
As someone was calling out my name
I jumped from my bed with a start

Thank God I had only been dreaming
Or could this possibly be true
To some this poem may be confusing
But well understood by a few