The empty jar and two cups of coffee!

A random forward that I loved and therefore had to share!

"When things in your life seem almost too much to handle. When 24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the story of the empty jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students, If the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open Areas between the golf balls.
He then asked The students again If the jar was full..
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents Into the jar, effectively filling the Empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, As the laughter subsided,
'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.
The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things That are critical to your happiness.
Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.
'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.' "

what do you look for in a best friend?

My closest friends are fun, real and honest, inspiring, good, entertaining, in love with life, a little crazy, down to earth, deep, and incapable of bs.

hard to find you think? only a little. I've met some truly kindred spirits in my life so far. I cannot even begin to describe how much each one of them mean to me and I'm so thankful I have them in my life. i love them girls and miss them everyday!

Enlightenment

It is great to sleep after a good breakfast.*I have indulged in this luxury and seen how enlightened I have felt*: D

Besides a cold head shower, the other great uplifting pleasure is a head massage. If you feel blue or suffocated with the world, take the vengeance out with a hot oil massage, not only will it lubricate the jaded nuts and bolts of the head, but also the rhythmic pressure of fingertips will heal the fractured parts of the wondrous soul. *Miss the times when mommy did that for me. sigh.*

Another stress buster is long endless walk. The closer to nature, the better. *some prefer alone; I like company*

The sentence “I understand you” doesn’t make sense because no person can really, actually understand the other, yet hearing it makes one feel SO good. It gives you hope of a happy ending and keeps you tied in the relationship. *thanks to all the darling friends who have been there and said that.. muah to you all*

Expectations are a killjoy, yet we expect and kill our happiness. A friend reminded me of how this is the whole essence of Hinduism too - act but don't expect results! Trying to not expect any emotional return from the other person isn't easy but if you can, you'll see how lightweight, gravity-defying life becomes. *still workin' on it*

Narcissism is not so bad. It is good to indulge in self-love as it helps one in loving others but on the condition that it is not of the consuming, obsessive kind. If you look your best, dress nicely, act courteously and love yourself for being the way you are - you'll in turn be able to love others. *personal experience on this one*

Physical work is great antidote to mental stress as the rhythmic body movements against the backdrop of music playing make you forget the pains and troubles while you wash, mop and clean. In fact, sometimes it is very therapeutic especially if the activity involves water as you get absorbed in the process of cleaning to bring back the lustre and shine, as you find the dirt dissolving and fading away, somehow it also cleans the muck and removes cobwebs from the mind and gives new insightful positive thoughts. *I do it all the time, learning to love it*

Turn on the Romance!

I've noticed there is a lack of romance in this world. And it seems strange to me. Think about it for a moment... Imagine how you would like to be approached by someone who is interested in you. Picture, for just a moment, your knight in shining armor. What would he do when you first met him? Perhaps he'd present himself chivalrously and offer you a bouquet. Would he confidently ask you for your company in a walk through the park? Would he take you out to a candle lit dinner at your favorite restaurant? Would he curl up with you in front of the TV after bringing you a glass of wine?

Almost everyone would be knocked off their feet by things like this. We can each think of a thousand little romantic things that a person could do to sweep us off our feet. Yet... how often do we do such things? We all know we'd like them, but we're afraid to actually do them! If we can imagine how someone could be romantic to us, then what stops us from being romantic toward someone we'd like to impress and express our interest in?

Perhaps its just me... Being a bird-ish creature, we have to show off ourselves and impress someone we're interested in. I'd just like to say, don't be afraid of doing the same thing yourself. When you see that person you'd really like to spend more time with, turn on the romance! There's no reason not to. Don't be embarrassed to try and sweep someone off their feet. Go for it! Do for them what would sweep you off YOUR feet. The worse they can do is say no, and if you don't show a little romance, they'll probably say no anyway!

I say this because I feel there really should be more romance in the world, it makes everything a lot sweeter ....
...and because I'm still waiting for someone to sweep me off MY feet ;)

Gotta Have 'Em

There are some things in life that you just crave depending on how your day is going. Today... It was skittles. The fruity little M&M look-a-likes. Usually I've got to have something sweet to get me through my day. Skittles just brought a burst of flavor and excitement and energy into my day. Yummm!
Taste the Rainbow.

Life's Lessons

A whirlwind of emotions. Quiet though. Its been very quiet. Its just been within, and that's how it should be. I have learned some life lessons from two very interesting events. For some time, I have believed learning the hard way is the surer way. It's tough yes, because the stakes might be too high. But I have come to a realization that having to deal with the toughest of situations alone is good for me, because it only toughens me up. And its really upto the wiser discretion, to learn from the situation. Quoting my brother " you have to keep your head above the water. by yourself. that is the only way to love and respect yourself through life. "

Thank you , all friends, and the not so friendly folks, people I've never really known or met , for coming across, and giving me the little lessons, inspiring me without knowing, for without them , I would have felt a sense of waste. This day certainly seems more fruitful, when I look back plainly at the things done and days gone by.

I've learnt to respect and cherish the little things I possess , I've become gladly aware of my relationships, and begun to acknowledge the default love for the ones that have been there forever more than I ever did before.

Choosing, is very very important. And listening to the gut feeling, indispensable. And respecting it, means respecting myself. The biggest lesson learnt.

Lucky

"you are the trip i did not take,
you are the pearls i cannot buy;
you are my blue italian lake,
you are my piece of foreign sky."
-Anne Campbell

love that.
read it by chance while browsing online,
wondering if i'd ever be so lucky :)

Don't Ever Lose Faith in Yourself

My roommate has a very inspirational quote stuck up on her wall that I absolutely love. Lately, I find myself going to her room more often just to read it again. I thought it would be nice to have it on my blog. Here goes:

"Do what is best for you. The future will work itself out; you're the kind of person who can make it happen. Don't let anyone else's negativity influence your dreams, values or hopes. Focus on what you can change and let go of what you can't. You know your own worth, what you've accomplished, and what you're capable of.

Your goals may take a bit longer and be harder to achieve than you had hoped, but concentrate on the positives and combine faith with generous portions of patience and determination. Step boldly and confidently into your future where happiness, success and dreams await you. You have the potential for greatness... never give up."

Aur tujhse haseen?

I was watching the Yeh Nayan Dare Dare song video from the movie Kohra - its a beautiful song (I probably love it even more coz one of my all time favorite bengali songs has the same melody). Its a spell-binding collaboration between Kaifi Azmi and Hemant Kumar. I watched the video a couple of times and I cannot forget the scene that goes along with the first antara of this melody. The hero (Biswajeet) is singing this to Waheeda. When he says, `raat haseen, yeh chaand haseen, par sabse haseen mera dilbar', Waheeda's face lights up with a mixture of joy, pride and coquetry. Her eyes dance in delight at the praise being showered on her. Then he continues, `Aur tujhse haseen..'. In an instant, she looks up, her eyes now flashing with anger, surprise and indignation - what can be better than her, they ask? `Aur tujhse haseen, tera pyaar', he concludes, with a smile, and her eyes settle down, content with the answer, re-assured, secure and happy again :)

p.s. and yes I am very sappy romantic lowey-dowey, didn't you know? ;)

Single Moment

Isn't it funny how a single moment, a single instant in time can make or break your day? And isn't it strange when the someone responsible for this drastic change in mood is an absolute stranger?

The other day, I was at the counter at our local Walgreen's store, and there was this woman with a little girl standing next to me. The little one looked at me, beamed, smiled her brightest smile and gave me an awfully sweet compliment. Then while she was walking away with her mother she turned back and waved at me. I waved back and then turned and looked at the guy at the counter with a big stupid grin on my face. Which I couldn’t wipe off the entire day :) Still grinning actually.

Strange indeed how our lives intersect in inconsequential yet meaningful ways.

Theme Song

Looking forward ...

My state of mind now is quaint.. there are thoughts overflowing seeking outburst yet I remain coiled within myself. I feel paused in a moment but the same moment is filled with emotions, upheavals, fears, and joys. It is something I cannot explain. I am enjoying the silences and spending time looking within myself, yet I am at complete ease with people around too..

My sea of solitude stretches far and wide yet loneliness does not really make me feel like a victim. It only makes me know myself a little better, helping me grow. I realize that only I can be my own salvation. I do not know what the future might offer. Demurely I prevail over these paused moments.. I seek no deception for my inactivity, as the weather plays its tricks on my heart too. I blend with the seasons and nurture my senses on each sound and smell that wafts out of the air around and within me.

Life has offered me a lot, what I have desired as well as what I haven't looked out for. For me, material pleasures is never the measuring tool for satisfaction rather it is the privilege of being loved and cherished by the people around me. I must say I have been fortunate in this regard in ample measures. The canvas on which I paint my life each day is sprinkled with shades from gray to vibrant. Inner fears may lurk but my securities manage to keep them at bay and help me saturate myself with a new sense of well-being. Every tear rejuvenates and lightens the loads within me and dislodges the walls that I may erect from time to time in my heart. The mists in the eyes remind me the joy of laughter as they dispel the darkness and make way to filter in new light.