Baggage

Haven't you been known to pick up a few bags? 

Odds are, you did this morning. 

Somewhere between the first step on the floor and the last step out the door, you grabbed some luggage. You stepped over to the baggage carousel and loaded up. Don't remember doing so? That's because you did it without thinking. 

Don't remember seeing a baggage terminal? That's because the carousel is not the one in the airport; it's the one in the mind. And the bags we grab are not made of leather; they're made of burdens. 

The suitcase of guilt. A sack of discontent. You drape a duffel bag of weariness on one shoulder and a hanging bag of grief on the other. Add on a backpack of doubt, an overnight bag of loneliness, and a trunk of fear. Pretty soon you're pulling more stuff than a skycap. No wonder you're so tired at the end of the day. Lugging luggage is exhausting.

Why don't you try traveling light? Try it for the sake of those you love. Have you ever considered the impact that excess baggage has on relationships?

For the sake of those you love, travel light. 

For the sake of the God you serve, travel light. 

For the sake of your own joy, travel light. 

There are certain weights in life you simply cannot carry. Your Lord is asking you to set them down and trust him. He is the father at the baggage claim. When a dad sees his five-year-old son trying to drag the family trunk off the carousel, what does he say? The father will say to his son what God is saying to you. 

"Set it down, child. I'll carry that one." 

What do you say we take God up on his offer? We just might find ourselves traveling a little lighter.

Secret to recognise

A plant is not thinking: “Tomorrow I will put a new leaf to the north and then next week when it rains I will grow a metre taller”. Its existence is just unfolding out of itself spontaneously, naturally, unplanned. 

Similarly, your true life unfolds in the same way but you are unaware of it because you allow your mind to imagine fanciful ways of being and then pursue your projections. Like this, you began thinking and strategising your existence rather than simply experiencing your natural being.

We cannot breathe tomorrows breath today. Therefore, knowing this, leave your existence to existence and start enjoying your cosmic play. Best of all, don't try to be anything at all. This is a secret few recognise.

Be a witness to life unfolding by itself. Be free of all attachments, fears, and concerns by keeping your mind inside your own heart. Rest in being. Like this, your life is always fresh and imbued with pure joy and timeless presence. Be happy, wise, and free.❤️😇

every journey is different

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds,

 
I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

 
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.

 
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

 
But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
I would not quit.”

“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

 
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.

“Don’t compare yourself to others.”

"Your time will come”,
Never, Never, Never, Give up.

10th apple

A hunter once lost his way deep inside the jungle while chasing a deer.

He used all his navigation skills but neither did he find any way out of the jungle, nor could he find any food to eat for days at a stretch.

He started feeling so damn hungry that he could eat an entire elephant at one go.

Disappointed, he lost all hope. And that is exactly when an apple tree caught his sight.

He collected a dozen apples to feed him for the rest of his search.

As he ate the 1st apple, his joy knew no bounds and he just couldn't stop feeling grateful and blessed.

He thanked life.

He thanked God.

He could not believe his luck when he ate the 1st apple, but he was less grateful while having the 2nd apple and even lesser grateful when he had the 5th apple.

When he took the 10th apple in his hand, he just did not feel like having it any more.

Economics calls this diminishing marginal utility...I would like to call it diminishing gratitude...

in simple words, taking things for granted !!

Or let’s just call it the 10th apple effect.

The 10th apple did not lack taste, it did not lack the potential to satisfy his hunger but the only thing lacking was his gratitude for finding food in the middle of the jungle.

The hunter represents us.

And the apple represents the gifts that life gives us.

The 10th apple represents our lack of gratitude for these gifts of life and our ‘take everything for granted’ attitude.

As we continue receiving the gifts of life, our greed keeps on increasing and the joy we get from these gifts diminishes.

The 10th apple is as sweet as the first apple.

If the 10th apple fails to give you as much pleasure as the first one, nothing is wrong with the apple, everything is wrong with you !!

Shedding your skin

The process of molting is the ancient sacred symbol for transformation. Molting is a way of ensuring the body grows and sets the creature up for the next stage of life. 

Many organisms such as spiders, insects, birds, snakes, and crustaceans molt. In order to grow, they must shed their skin. They shed their outer layer. This process is painful, dangerous, but necessary for growth. 

Take the example of the snakes. The snake's insides are literally outgrowing its outsides, and it must remove its restrictive, outermost layer. 

This shape-shifting life cycle represents rebirth and renewal, the enigmatic power of life to thwart death. 

Just as a snake sheds its skin and other organisms too, get rid of what no longer serves. Think as to what skin do you need to shed now in order to grow ? 

The skin of self-limitation ?

The skin of fear and stuck-ness ?

Letting go completely allows the next stage of growth to flow in. 

That’s the freedom you’ll feel once you drop the skin that’s holding you back. Feel the expansiveness as you move into the new, bigger, more expanding you and explore the path that has now opened up before you.

Motivation

It’s not because the mahout could push the elephant on to the truck. But, because of his hand on its back, the elephant will feel confident that there’s someone to support and will pull itself on to the truck successfully with ease. A simple act of motivation. That’s all.

There are so many people among us, who have fallen because they didn’t have anyone to support or motivate them. 

At times, we would have felt, if we were aware,  we could have been... And a few of us would have felt, if someone were to support and motivate,  we too could have..

We may not be all of it, but we may be it at some difficult times for some. A simple word of love, positivity or some motivational words of strength  and support may change someone’s life forever.

Sometimes,  selflessness, passion, support and love is just that it is or what that it is..

😊

Keep your fork

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly..

'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply?

'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my Right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.

That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.

'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance !'

So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. Cherish the time you have , and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

Send this to everyone you consider a friend and I'll bet this will be a msg they do remember, every time they pick up a fork !

And just remember...keep your fork!

The BEST is yet to come !

Spending time...

💫✨When I was a little girl, I remember that when my dad was repairing something, every time he asked me to hold the hammer, just so we would have a time for a conversation with each other. I never saw my dad drinking or taking a „night out with the boys“, all he did after work was taking care of his family.

I grew up and left home for college and since then, my dad had been calling me every Sunday morning, no matter what. And when several years later I bought a house, my dad was painting it by himself for three days in the 80-degree summer heat. All he asked was to hold his paint brush and talk to him. But I was too busy in those days, I did not find any time for a conversation with my dad.

Four years ago, my dad was visiting me. He spent many hours putting together a swing set for my daughter. He asked to bring him a cup of tea and have a talk with him, but I had to prepare for a trip that weekend, so I did not have time for any long conversations that day.

One Sunday morning we had a telephone talk as usual, I noticed that my dad had forgotten some things that we discussed lately. I was in a hurry, so our conversation was short. Few hours later that day came a call. My father was in a hospital with an aneurysm. Immediately I bought ticket for a flight and on my way I was thinking about all missed occasions to have a talk with my dad.

By the time I have arrived to hospital, my father had passed away. Now it was he who did not have time for a conversation with me. I realized how little I knew about my dad, his deepest thoughts and dreams.

After his death I learned much more about him, and even more about myself. All he ever asked me was my time. And now his has all my attention every single day.✨

Promise yourself

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

I am Happy

It was a woman's habit that she used to write her day's happiness on a paper, before going to bed every day.... One night she wrote:

I'm happy, that my husband snores hard, all night. Because He is alive, and I have. Thank you, God..

I'm happy, that my son fights early in the morning over the fact that mosquito-bugs don't let sleep overnight. That means he spends the night at home, not roaming. Thanks to God..

*I am happy,* that, every month I have to pay a good tax on electricity, gas, petrol, water etc. That means all these things are with me, in my use. How difficult would life be if it wasn't there? Thanks to God..

I'm happy, that by the end of the day, my tiredness becomes worse. That means I have the strength and courage to work hard throughout the day, only by the grace of God..

I'm happy, that everyday I have to sweep my house, and clean doors and windows. Thankfully, I have a home. What would be the condition of those who do not have a roof? Thank you, God..

I'm happy, that sometimes, I get a little sick. That means I am mostly healthy. Thank you, God..

I'm happy, that every year in giving gifts on festivals, the purse becomes empty. Means I have loved ones, my dear ones, relatives, friends, whom I can gift them. If this is not there, then how dull* life would be..? Thank you, God..

I'm happy, that I wake up, at the sound of the alarm everyday. That means I am blessed to see a new dawn, everyday. This too, is God's blessing..

By implementing this formula of living, you and your people's life should be made of peace. Look for happiness in small or big troubles, in every situation, thank God for making your life happy.. ,!!!! 

Don't give up just by reading

Think once and implement in your Life 

Stop Worrying

Know one thing – one day you are going to go under the ground. You will be finished. Everybody else will also be finished. What are you worried about? You are worried about money? You are worried about somebody’s opinion? You are worried about prestige? You are worried about your health? There are four things that people worry about –Money, Relationship, Prestige and Health! All of them is going to go away one day. Then why worry.

 See life from a bigger context. Ten years ago, didn’t you worry? You are still alive. Five years ago, didn’t you worry? You are still alive. Three years back you worried. This worrying did not do anything to you. You only created more toxins in your body. Life anyway goes on.

 Life is a balance between free will and destiny. How many of you have this question about free will and destiny? (Many in the audience raise their hands). Is life all destined or is it all free will? I tell you, life is a combination of both free will and destiny. Your height is your destiny but your weight is your freewill.

 You can’t say this my destiny is to weigh 100 kilos. I will tell you to get on to the treadmill. And don’t eat those burgers. So, your weight is your free will and your height is your destiny. 

Similarly, it’s raining is destiny, whether to get wet or not is your free will..

Group member

A man, who regularly attended family & group meetings suddenly, without any notice, stopped participating. 

After a few weeks, one very cold night the leader of that group decided to visit him.

He found the man at home, alone, sitting in front of a fireplace where a bright fire burned.

The man welcomed the leader. There was great calm & silence.

The two men only watched the dancing flames around the logs that crackled in the fireplace.

After a few minutes the leader, without saying a word, examined the logs that formed the fire and selected one of them, glowing most brightly of all, and removed it to the side with a pair of tongs. Then he sat down again.

The host was paying attention to everything, fascinated. Before long, the lone log’s flame subsided, until there was only a momentary glow and the fire soon went out.

In a short time what was previously bright light and heat had become nothing more than a black dead piece of wood.

Very few words had been spoken since the greeting.

Before preparing to leave, the leader picked up the useless piece of wood with the tongs  and placed it again in the middle of the fire. Immediately, the piece of wood was rekindled, fuelled by the light and heat of the burning logs around it.

When the leader was about to leave & had reached the door, the host said: ‘Thank you for your visit and for your beautiful lesson. I'll return to the group soon.’

Why is a group important in our lives ?

Very simple:

Because each member that withdraws takes fire and heat from the rest.

It's worth reminding group members that they are a part of the flame.

It's also good to remind us that we are all responsible for keeping each other's flame burning. And we must promote the union among us so that the fire is really strong, effective and lasting. Keep the fire burning.

THE GROUP IS ALSO A FAMILY

It doesn't matter if sometimes we are bothered by so many messages, quarrels and misunderstandings. 

What matters is to be connected. We are here to meet, message, learn, exchange ideas or simply to know that we are not alone.

Let's keep the flame alive.

Life is beautiful with friends and family.

Words

Once a king wanted to know about his future, so a Brahmin fortune teller was called upon. The Brahmin was very learned, he studied king’s horoscope and told him, “O mighty king! You will witness the death of all your family members before you die.” The king, terribly shaken and upset. immediately ordered the brahmin’s arrest.

There was another Brahmin in a nearby city, when he came to know about this incident, he also wanted to try his luck. He went to the king’s court and announced that he could predict the future accurately. So king’s horoscope was given to him. After reading it he smiled and said, “O mighty king, you are so lucky. You shall live the longest in your family.” The king was very happy. Needless to say, king’s happiness turned into disproportionate magnanimity and the poor Brahmin was richly rewarded. 

Both astrologers read the same thing, but they chose different words to communicate it. In a world that’s changing by the minute, where cut throat competition is making the turf change every minute, it’s important that we carefully choose the words we use while communicating with our clients, colleagues and near and dear ones. Let’s keep the following Boyzone song always in our mind,,,

It’s only words 

and words are all I have 

to take your heart away…

Our words are birds, their flight can redefine the sky for us …so,think before you speak to your clients or colleagues in an internal meeting in office or even when you talk to a little child. Your words can make a meaningful difference.

Life puzzle

YOUR PAIN IS PART OF YOUR PUZZLE – INSPIRING SPEECH TO HELP YOU MOVE ON

Whatever pain you’ve been through. Whatever pain you’re going through… know that it wasn’t sent to make you weaker… know that it was sent to make you stronger. Trust that it wasn’t sent to beat you down… but to raise you up. Trust that it wasn’t sent to break you, but to make you.

Think of your life like a giant puzzle. In order to complete the puzzle. The masterpiece that is your life… every piece is just as important as the other. You have different shapes, different colours… on their own they seem random and incomplete… but together they make sense. Once all the pieces come together you can see the bigger picture… You have to be able to see the bigger picture in your life… or at least have faith your puzzle will come together in time.

But your puzzle won’t come together unless you have your eyes open… If you quit and walk away… your puzzle will never come together. If you give up at the first sign of struggle you might not get to see the bigger picture of your life. Your masterpiece will come together… piece by piece if you keep going. Your pain is a part of the puzzle that is your life. You might think you could do without those pieces… but without them you’re not whole… youre missing something…

Every single part of a puzzle is as important as the next piece… and likewise every single event of your life made you who you are today. Without pain and struggle you wouldn’t have strength and character. Without negative people you might not appreciate the positive people in your life. Without that rejection or break up you might not have been guided to something better. Without that person saying you couldn’t do it, you might not have had the motivation to do it. Without sadness and depression you might lack the compassion and caring you have today. Without experiencing what YOU DO NOT WANT… you may not be so clear as to what you do want. Without painful endings you may not have been led to that great new beginning.

There is a reason and a purpose in everything, and a true blessing in everything if you can open your eyes to see it and open your heart to know it. Don’t ask why me. Don’t say I didn’t deserve this… Ask How can I use this? How can this make me stronger, better, wiser. Use the pain in your life as fuel to take you wherever you need to go.

Use the mess in your life as a blessing to take you some place better. Have faith and trust that some endings are sent for new beginnings. It might not feel great at the time, but keep your head up and be open to the fact that you deserve better and if you keep believing you’ll get better. Be open to the fact that you can’t see the rest of the puzzle just yet… but just trust it will be a masterpiece… If you keep believing, have faith, keep growing and working on yourself… everything will come together perfectly… at the right time.

All of us experience pain and hard times… only some of us USE that pain to grow. Don’t just go through it. Grow through it. It will make you better if you can find the courage inside you to keep going. Come out the other side of your pain stronger, better and wiser. Your greatest life can not be lived without the strength that comes from your struggles.

Your best life cannot be lived without great challenges. Trust this is a part of life. Find the purpose in the pain. Be one of the few who see the message in the mess. Be one of the few who gain the strength through the struggle. Who see the blessing in the lessons.

The Rock once said: “I like to use the hard times in the past to motivate me today.” Use the hard times of your past to motivate you, not as an excuse, but as your purpose.

Invisible Labels

A car ahead was moving like a Turtle and not giving me way inspite of my continuous honking! I was on brink of losing my cool when I noticed the small sticker on the car’s rear!

“Physically challenged; Please be patient.”

And that changed everything!! I immediately went calm & slowed down!! In fact I got a little protective of the car & the driver!!! I reached work a few minutes late, but it was ok!

And then it struck me.  Would I have been patient if there was no sticker!???! Why do we need stickers to be patient with people!?? 

Will we be more patient & kind with others if people had labels pasted on their foreheads?? 

Labels like :

“ Lost my job” 

“Fighting cancer”

“Going through a bad divorce” 

“Suffering Emotional abuse “

"Lost a loved one”

“Feeling worthless”

“ Financially messed up” & more like these!

Everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about. The least we can do is be Patient & Kind!

Let us respect the INVISIBLE LABELS

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Think about it...

Put a frog in a vessel of water and start heating the water. As the

Put a frog in a vessel of water and start heating the water.

As the temperature of the water rises, the frog is able to adjust its body temperature accordingly.

The frog keeps on adjusting with increase in temperature...

Just when the water is about to reach boiling point, the frog is not able to adjust anymore...

At that point the frog decides to jump out...

The frog tries to jump but is unable to do so, because it has lost all its strength in adjusting with the rising water temperature...

Very soon the frog dies.

What killed the frog?

Many of us would say the boiling water...

But the truth is what killed the frog was its own inability to decide when it had to jump out.

We all need to adjust with people and situations, but we need to be sure when we need to adjust and when we need to confront/face.

There are times when we need to face the situation and take the appropriate action...

If we allow people to exploit us physically, mentally, emotionally or financially, they will continue to do so...

We have to decide when to jump.

Let us jump while we still have the strength.

Think on It...

Taming Monkey ....

A man was travelling in a boat with his monkey.

There was also a philosopher with other passengers in that boat.

The monkey had never travelled in a boat before, so it was not feeling comfortable.

It was going up and down, not letting anyone sit in peace.

The boatman was troubled by this and was concerned that the boat would sink due to the panic of the passengers.

If the monkey doesn't calm down it will drown the boat.

The man was upset about the situation, but could not find any way to calm the monkey.

The philosopher watched all this and decided to help.

He said: " If you allow, I can make this monkey as quiet as a house cat."

The man immediately agreed. 

The philosopher, with the help of two passengers, picked up the monkey and threw it into the river.

The monkey started to swim desperately to stay afloat.

It was now dying and struggled for its life.

After some time, the philosopher dragged the monkey back into the boat.

The monkey was quiet and went and sat in a corner.

The man and all passengers were surprised at the changed behaviour of the monkey.

The man asked the philosopher: "At first it was jumping up and down. Now it is sitting like a pet cat. Why?"

Philosopher said: "No one realises the misfortune of another without tasting trouble. When I threw this monkey into the water, it understood the power of the water and the usefulness of the boat.