Three things an adult can learn from a child

To be happy for no reason

To always be busy with something

And to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires ~ Paulo Coelho

Life never ends she said, Love does not

You are near, even if I don't see you. You are with me, even if you are far away, You are in my heart, in my thought, in my life always. Feels like every pencil stroke brings me even closer to you .. I may not see your smile or bring you food or spend time with you. But I nurture and hold the wonderful memories I have had with you. I hope to always make you proud for having raised me with so much love,affection and values. Love you Amma.

Non-artists creating something stunning

Art a medium of self expression, has the ability to evoke emotions in both the artist and the perceiver.  Besides being a great stress buster in today’s busy lives it also enhances qualities like focus,patience and creativity much needed for successfully solving complex problems both at work and in life. Art inspires creativity in the perceiver as well by making him/her ponder upon the artist’s state of mind.

Today @Hightail India we had an opportunity to explore Oil painting as a team! 

It was fascinating for me to observe the inner child inside my colleagues awaken during this activity. After the event team members were excited to talk to each other about their art.Amazed at realising their hidden talent,they were appreciating one others work. I felt immensely happy watching these non-artists create something stunning with minimal guidance on drawing/painting techniques. In fact some of them were inventing their own painting techniques .Watching them explore, I reminisced some of my initial attempts at painting.  

                                                     

Winning Entry

                                                           

Second Place 

Third Place

Some notes on experiences of the art session 

“Never knew I have an artist inside me!”  

“ Today’s session has given me tremendous confidence to explore art further!” 

“Never Give Up!” 

                                                          

Srinivas(one of my colleagues) who greatly enjoyed today’s session has already started his next masterpiece :)

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to embark my colleagues on this exciting journey of brush strokes. 

When we are at loss of words to express ourselves all one needs is to pick up the brush and paint :)! 

https://www.facebook.com/brushstrokesbyvidya

Tribute to Taare Zameen Par

                                                             Every Child is special ...

5 Ways to work with one you dislike

Stumbled upon this interesting article published in Times of India June 14 th edition. Thought would be a good idea to quote this article in my blog.

Am sure everyone working in today's corporate world would be able to relate to this post.

"5 Ways to Work with One you Dislike


1. Understand them
Instead of harping on the negative, focus on having a productive working relationship with the one you dislike. Closely examine the person and find ways of working with that person. The key is to understand the styles of others as well as being aware of your own style. Such understanding lays a solid foundation to develop mutual understanding and improves working effectiveness.

2. Build Trust
Try and be patient and tolerant. While dealing with people you do not like, always start with trust. It should not be blind trust, but one that fosters a productive working relationship.Small demonstrations of trust established over a period of time eventually lead to business success and development of strong relations that build dependability. The time will soon come when the person himself will start liking you.


3. Don't let dislikes rule
In life, you keep facing such situations that we need to handle with maturity and wit. You need to decide upfront whether it's a personal or professional association. If it's the latter, then you must be comfortable on the work front. So unlike in a personal relationship, a like or dislike should not be an important part of the equation.


4. Embrace Diversity
Working with people with different preferences, age groups, ethnic groups, personalities, working and communication styles is about embracing diversity. Working successfully with a diverse set of people is an important factor in modern workplaces. You must be comfortable with that if you wish to succeed.


5. Focus on Core Tasks
Likes and dislikes are usually temporary and change depending on the action taken. None of us has the luxury of working only with people we like. Instead of wasting precious time and energy, focus should be on the core tasks and completing them within the timeline."
                                                                                   - Source: Times of India News paper article!
                                    

 

The recollection of some time spent with her mom by a 19 yr old daughter

Blogging below the scribblings of a 20 yr old's recollection of some time spent with her mom  

before a pilgrimage trip. 

Time spent unaware that it was her last chance to interact with her mom. 

Thanks to a good memory, the scribblings were made after this fact was known.

Scribblings made in an attempt to make the grieving process easier then.  

Little did the 20 yr old realize that these very scribblings now

Would become a source of joy , the reason explained in the last paragraph of this blog!  

Amma became very spiritual during her last few days(ie. before leaving to the pilgrimage trip). She was getting ready for her pilgrimage to Bhadrinath and other places. She wanted to visit Brindavan, Gokulam and other temples again. She was inquiring everybody as to what all should be given to the people there at Bhadrinath. Her Athai(dad's sister) had called up the other day and she tactfully averted her from gossiping and instead gathered information on her Bhadrinath visit experience. Amma was telling that whenever we visit temples we have to mentally prepare ourselves a week before itself ie. be happy that we are going to see god and that we are blessed by him to have a chance to meet him. Even during a previous motor accident(read as an unfortunate incident) she had no other thoughts except for the Mennadai Annam pasuram of Andal. She did nt blame anyone for the accident and said that one's sufferings are due to one's sins. She took it lightly by saying "Pavam Kazhiyardhu"(something similar to "Sins being abolished")

I was unhappy with dad for a personal misunderstanding and as a result was not able to study properly. But Amma understood me and advised me saying that I should learn to be detached. Amma said that she had been with dad for 23 years or so and that she would not get upset over such things. Amma advised me that I should be detached from everything and do my duty as that would only help me out. Amma also added that she would not worry if I did not study well because she has read the Gita and according to that we really were not related it seems. She said that she was a jivatma and I was a jivatma and that god was everything to us. She told this looking at the picture of Lord Oppiliappan(the presiding deity of a temple in Kumbakonam, India) hung in the living room.

<!---When I read this now, must say that I listened and recollected this, whether or not I had/have the capability/maturity to understand and follow her advise in its totality -->.

Amma said that I should not grieve for dad taking away the cell(read as related to the personal misunderstanding) and should be detached from it. She wanted me to show that I can perform my duties well even without it and care a damn about it and not ask dad anything about it. This situation is very analogous to her sudden separation from me. Maybe she wanted me to show the world that I can survive even without her.

In the pasurams Amma and I were learning, "Nachiyar Thirumozhi"( in particular) narrates the pranks played by Lord Krishna.

• Krishna stealing gopika's clothes - Amma visited this place and saw the tree behind which Krishna had hid their clothes.
• Krishna dancing on the Kalinga hoods - Amma saw the river as well.
• the place where Krishna did Rasalila( I was lucky enough to see this along with Amma in her previous trip)                                                 

Amma used to sing the pasuram "Kannan Kazhalinai Ennum Mana Mudaiyir" in a very enjoyable manner. She was always excited about the phrase "Veede Peralaamae"( analogous to attaining the lord's abode). In the Aaraamude paasuram she used to say that she could feel the sweetness of the name Aara-Amudam(meaning endless nectar) while saying it. One day after the accident she said that when she thought of the pasurams she had a very different kind of feeling.

On tuesday(Amma left on Saturday morning to the airport for the trip) I was lucky enough to go for shopping with her. ( Thank god I did not mind my CAT exam preparation as I always used to do and instead accompanied her)

We first went to Mambalam where she wanted to get me Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavadam(English translation). She said that Gita press had published a cheap edition which grandpa wanted to get it seems( But he passed away before getting it). We inquired at Aruna book mart and the shop did nt have it. Then we got some Ayurvedic medicines. She told that she was very happy to do shopping with me :).

Then we went to Bhavani book store and there they luckily had Bhagavad Gita and she purchased it. She did not buy Bhagavatam since the price on it was erased with a whitener and the shopkeeper was trying to cheat her. We next went to T.Nagar Usman Road. There at Nalli 100 she got some 3-4 dhotis for the Lord. Then she got combs, mirrors etc to give to the people at Bhadrinath. She got plastic covers and plates for the trip. Then she got needles and threads to give it to those poor people at Bhadrinath for stitching clothes. She also bought a gum bottle. Then she got a slipper for her trip. She asked whether I wanted anything. I thought Amma was very sweet towards me and asked me as to what I wanted. I asked for a jute bag. Since that was not available I got a bag for college use.

Amma then enthusiastically asked whether we could go to Gautam bookstore to get Bhagavadam. By then we had boarded the auto and Amma was hungry. I felt that I would not have time to read Bhagavadam as well besides the Gita.( while she was away on her pilgrimage trip)

So I asked her as to what was the hurry? I told her that we could get it some other time.

There is no time like the present

She smiled and replied to me that "Oru Neram Pole Ennuru Neram Varaadhu"( implying something similar to "There is no time like the present"). Alas what she told turned out to be true and she cannot come and get it for me again.

She was hungry and unfortunately there was no hotel. I got a pepsi and she had some of it. Luckily we got all the items that she had written in the list for making the trip. This is a very memorable day in my life.

Due to CAT exams I could not help her much in packing and even she did not expect anything from me. Luckily after my last CAT exam I came home by PTC though none of my good friends came along. Luckily something in me told that I should follow my priorities and boarded the bus with a classmate(Shalini) of mine. I came home early and luckily she was there. It seems aunt had come to grandma's place and Amma had gone there as well, but she did nt stay there. Amma had changed a lot. If she was the same old person, she would have stayed at grandma's for some more time.

Thank god neither Amma stayed there nor I at college. Amma was surprised to see me as she did not expect me. I tried helping her with packing but by then she was almost done with it. I spent time with her and watched her check her bags and baggage.


<!--Must say, to this day, I think this day has and will be the most memorable day in my life -->

As I read today these above dear thoughts written down by me when I was 20 these below words from the book "the five people you meet in heaven" I recently read comes to my mind. Only that I am tempted to interpret it in terms of the motherly love I thought I had lost. 

Lost love is still love , Eddie. It takes a different form, that's all. You cannot see their smile or bring them food or tousle their hair or move them around a dance floor. But when those senses weaken, another heightens. Memory. Memory becomes your partner. You nurture it. You hold it. You dance with it. 

"Life has no end", she said. "Love doesn't"! 

The realization/reconciliation of a 26 yr old ?!?!

The End?

            

<--to be continued in next post(s)-->

Pura Vida! Aka 'Real Living' ....

On popular request am writing this real quick prelude post on my recent Costa Rican volunteering trip.
The trip has been the "Week of my Life" trip till date for several reasons which I will pen down in future posts soon.

However, the top most reason for me to make such a statement is mainly attributed to the wisdom/experience I feel like I gained from the trip. This below picture rightly summarizes the wisdom I gained from this memorable volunteering trip.

Wisdom from a Costa Rican Tree

Recapturing these above pearls of wisdom in case the lettering is not clear in the picture for chance blog readers !

Stand tall and proud

Sink your roots into the earth

Be content with your natural beauty

Go out on a limb

Drink plenty of water

Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

And yea, the reason for such a short prelude post about such a super hyped trip that totally psyched me?
Hmm .. have 'nt you read about the profound statement made by great Shakespeare in Hamlet ~ one of the most powerful ancient plays?
                           
                              Well it goes something like this, and guess it makes a lot of sense too ;)

...................................................................Brevity is the Soul of Wit !!