BACK HOME!

It is never too late to go back to childhood recollection! It brings

about a nostalgic moment to anyone who is doing so. The fondness

and love, the pain and the gain.... all come back to us in a rush!!

And we learn from it. Enjoy the poem!! - Shanta Ramakrishnan

  

BACK  HOME!! 

(Author unknown)

           If I had the power to turn back the clock,

            Go back to that house at the end of the block -

            The house that was HOME when I was a kid,

            I know that I'd love it more now than I did.

            If I could be back there at my mother's knee,

            And hear once again all the things she told me,

            I'd listen as I never listened before, 

            For she knew so well just what life had in store.

            And all the advice my dad used to give, 

            His voice I'll remember as long as I live;

            But it didn't seem really important then;

            What I'd give just to live it all over again. 

            And what I'd give for the chance I once had,

            To do so much more for my mother and dad;

            To give them more joy and a little less pain;

            A little more sunshine  - a little less rain.

            But the years roll on and we cannot go back,

            Whether we were born in a mansion or a shack;

            But we can start right now - in the hour that's here, 

            To do something more for the ones we hold dear.

            And since time in its flight is traveling so fast;

            Let's not spend it regretting that which is past;

            But let's make tomorrow a happier day

            By doing our 'good to others' - TODAY!!

                                                            (Author unknown)

LEARNING FROM CHALLENGES!!

 LEARNING FROM CHALLENGES!!

‘Necessity is the mother of invention’.... This  is a proverb I learnt in school. My teacher’s explanation of this proverb is still clear in my mind. When you are cornered, or when there is a necessity to do something beyond what you normally do, you invent new methods. You change your route and identify a new path to reach the goal. The intention that you have a mission to accomplish,  gives you the zeal to face the challenges that lie in front of you. In doing so, you see new problems or new possibilities. If what you see ahead seems difficult, you devise a method to surpass it, and come out a winner! On the other hand, if what is in front is identified as a possibility, it is easy for you to use that as a stepping stone, to reach where your aim is.

This reminds me of the story of the 'Thirsty Crow' I read as a kid. The crow is thirsty, but finds very little water in a pitcher. It does not give up but devices a method to face the challenge. It picks up small pebbles/stones, drops them one by one into the pitcher, till the water level rises slowly. The crow then happily drinks the water and flies away. If the crow had ignored the challenge it faced and moved away, it would have remained thirsty. So it pondered and planned its move well. Educating yourself every single moment is what Life teaches you. No situation, happy or sad, is without a lesson. You get experienced thus and become mature. You learn from people around you and from incidents you are subjected to face. Take each lesson sportingly, willingly, positively and move forward. Good Luck!!

-          © Shanta Ramakrishnan, Mumbai. 27.09.2021

CULTIVATE PLAYFULNESS!

 

CULTIVATE PLAYFULNESS! We have only one life to live… and that is happening NOW! We are going through the rigour of life each day. Most of us are always serious. Our day begins with making a ‘To-do list’ and proceeding to accomplish most of the pending jobs listed therein, one after the other! We all have some aim in life, a goal where we intend to reach eventually. In doing so, what we forget is being light sometimes, relax and enjoy what the day spreads in front of us.  Why should one be always serious about something? Why can’t we be ourselves a bit, sit back and relax, resort to doing something that we have always wanted to do, instead of worrying about pending chores, or seeing what is next in that list!? Just loosen up, look around and identify that humour in any situation that you would miss otherwise. Enjoy what is in front of you. Recognize your time with your family as precious and give the ‘connectivity’ that people around you are eagerly waiting for. Do not be worked-up all the time. Understand that being playful is not a crime. Cultivate this habit and make your life more meaningful.  ‘It is a happy talent to know how to play’…these are the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), an American essayist, preacher, poet and philosopher. These, rather unceremonious words, were included in one of Emerson’s journal entries from April 1835, offering an insight into his values. He gave us a warning against being very serious and worked-up while taking societal rules too seriously. If you are serious and pre-occupied all the time, you sacrifice your fun time. There is nothing wrong in being silly or feeling light sometimes.  If you cultivate a habit of being playful as you look around for relief from stress, you will become physically and emotionally healthier. Being playful is an excellent ability which forms a solid base to a happy life. Start by taking time off to be with a loved one, crack a joke, read a book, join the game being played outside, listen to music, play an instrument or sing a few lines, laugh and show spontaneous merriment. Be yourself, be playful. And do not worry about outsiders being judgemental about you. Be serious whenever a situation warrants. However, if you are generally playful and spread your time well with family, friends and be passionate about a hobby, your serious work will be more effective, result-oriented and positive in its outcome! So… put on that smile and be ready to enjoy life! Good Luck!

© Shanta Ramakrishnan, Mumbai August 10, 2021

BAGAVATGITA LEVEL-1 : MY EXPERIENCE!!

 

* Bagavatgita L-1 Classes 

* Conducted by Geeta Pariwar

* Sessions were on Zoom Meet at 3.00 pm.

* Dates: 05.07.2021  to 30.07.2021

_ Jai  Sree  Krishna! _

==================  

My Poem:

*Bagavatgita Level-1 : My Experience!*

Our thoughts almost  always

Do not come in a nutshell,

So my feelings of BG/L-1

I'll share here and  tell

I was hesitant in the beginning

To register - to enroll

But then  goodwill prevailed

Thought, "I'm closer to my goal!"

Learning Bagavatgita was..

Something I was interested in

With the notice and announcement 

I straight away... plunged in!

Once the class got started

There was no looking back

As you are engrossed in learning,

Chanting on perfect track!

Bang at 3pm,  we all will

Meet on the familiar Zoom

Then for thoughts, other than BG,

There was absolutely.. no room! 

Students of all ages

Both very young and very old

Learnt the precious Slokas, 

That's treasured, more than gold!

Bhumikaji and Upendraji

The two behind the scene

Ably assist us each time

Even when they are not seen.

Jyotsnaji, our tech assistant

Is an energetic lady,

Be with audio, video, whatever

To help, she is ever-ready!

Now I come to our lovely Guru

Anitaji...the smiling one

To understand, teach with patience

She is second to none!

She is sharp, observant and sporting

Good,  in doing her part

Charming and endearing, no doubt,

We loved her, right from start!

Each audio, she will hear

And send in, her comments

Always encouraging  and urging

Her words, truly, well-meant!

Soon Chapter 12 finished

As we all sent our videos

For rating and approval

And to get our kudos!!

Now Chapter 15 is too done

And we've had revision

To send our 2nd video

Is our next urgent mission!

The teachings are divine

Weekend sessions, fantastic

The sharing, very informative

We got into the divine magic!!

One baby step over, 

The next one  to begin, 

So I  registered for L-2

And am pleased, with a grin!

I'm so happy and fortunate

To be here with you all

Sharing my unique experience

Which, I consider, a Divine Call!!

- (written by: © Shanta Ramakrishnan, Mumbai) 

Dated: 02.08.2021

_ Jai Sree Krishna! _

TAKE UP THAT CHALLENGE!!

 

TAKE UP THAT CHALLENGE!!

In life, we go through various paths to reach our goal. While doing so, we have different choices in front of us. No two lanes that we travel through might be similar... and no two decisions that we take, identical. As we proceed we face challenges and hurdles and in some rare instances, the journey might be smooth!!  Whatever is the situation, we cannot just sit put and wait for things to happen.... we cannot remain still  for life to progress on its own!

Each day, we need to assess the situation we are in. What we perceived to be a very difficult task yesterday, could have been tackled if we had not postponed it. As we did not take it up yesterday, it remained pending and we are compelled to take it up ....TODAY! 

Why do we procrastinate? Why do we not continue with a task that is in front of us then and there? Why do we hesitate? The answer is simple.... It is the unsure nature of our mind that make us hold-up matters sometimes. Our mind fluctuates, giving us wrong signals sporadically, and if we are not firm, the task will end up on top of our 'pending pile'!  This means, our 'TO DO' list gets longer and longer! J

We should consciously remember to take up what lies in front of us each day.... think and act on each challenge, tackle the same thoroughly from our end. This practice will give us more self-assurance and contentment. Thus we will move on in life with greater confidence. Also, we might end up being a role-model for someone else!! JJ

Good Luck!

© Shanta Ramakrishnan,  Mumbai

    31-03-2021

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!

 10.03.2021

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!

 

Year 2020 will go down in history for the deadly pandemic Covid-19! The fatal virus originated from China and spread its ill effects all over the world. It was disastrous as there were infinite innocents dead due to this Coronavirus. There were serious allegations and counter talks at the international level… but the disaster had already struck the world badly.

 

How should we react in such a situation? Though we are just a speck in the vast universe, we understand that  a good beginning is required to stop the spread of the virus if possible. Here comes the significance of the proverb, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE… meaning, let us begin to stop the calamity from spreading further. Avoiding self from catching the virus is better than suffering the sickness and waiting for a cure.

 

Our PM declared countrywide lockdown. We were instructed to maintain personal hygiene, wear mask, keep social distancing. Washing of our hands were demonstrated in all social media. Public transports came to a standstill, offices, educational institutions, shops pulled down the shutters during peak pandemic. There were dos and don’ts announced and circulated, and all were compelled to adhere to these rules. We knew that the instructions came as a preventive measure for stopping the spread  of pandemic further. Shaking hands became a taboo and ‘Namaste’ became the international greeting gesture!

Soon our India became famous for the manufacture of Covid-19 vaccine! Another feather in its cap! Now we are supplying large quantity of the vaccine all over the world, and our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is lauded for the same.

Once the reaction of Covid-19 vaccine was found  positively effective, the frontline caregivers, ie the Medical Warriors took the shots. Last fortnight saw senior citizens registering for their vaccination and consciously making an effort in getting vaccinated! A very responsible gesture!

Are  we waiting for the calamity to enlarge more ? NO, NO!!!  We all are cooperating with our nation in ‘preventing’ further spread of the virus by getting ourselves vaccinated as directed by our government, apart from following all pandemic regulations.

 

Foreseeing peril and stopping a dangerous situation from spreading further is better than suffering the consequences and looking for a remedy later. Each of us is proud of our India and proud to be an Indian. Happy to be in a nation that showed the world that Prevention is Better Than Cure!

© Shanta Ramakrishnan,  Mumbai

     10-March-2021

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE!!

 " MIND  YOUR  LANGUAGE!!"

Please read the above title 4-5 times till you get the phrase verbatim. Now, what does it mean?

'Minding', as a verb, means taking care, protecting or monitoring. The easy way to understand is in the sentence, "the monitor is minding the class in the absence of the teacher".  The word 'mind' also has many meanings and usages. However, in this sentence, 'Mind your Language!!', it is used as a warning to alert you to take care of what you utter.... both normally, or when you are taken by surprise!

Every human being can think, this is the gift of the creator. We all can express our thoughts for others to hear. When you communicate, see that the words are not harsh, not negative, not biased. Do not jump into conclusion, and try not to be judgmental. Also, do not belittle anyone by your words. We all have our own faults as well as our own glory. When you analyse, you will notice that there are differences in the quantum, or type of quality, within each of us. Respect the differences, as no two brains need to think alike. (if they do, you are lucky! ☺). Express your perspective but patiently wait as the other person expresses his/hers. Use a respectable language to explain your viewpoint. This will make you popular even if you are an opponent. 

On flip-side, be firm not to let others belittle you. You know how much care you take to weigh your words before you talk. Sometimes you become a recipient of an impulsive outburst. In such a case, you would naturally be furious and upset at the time. However, understand the immaturity or over-smartness of the speaker and stay calm, (even if you fume from within). If possible, smile! This will make them wonder why they cannot break your composure!. That is your Ace Moment!

So, from your side, r own, see that you use firm,  yet positive words. Frame sentences that get constructive impact and optimistic results. Leave time for the partner to think and act.... as sometimes, it takes a while for good words to sink in! ☺☺. Good Luck!!

- © Shanta Ramakrishnan, Mumbai

03-March-2021