IT IS TIME TO DATE EVERYDAY PLEASURES.

D is for date,delight.

Friends it is the time of my life when I need to learn to date simple delights of everyday life. However, the monkey mind being a restless entity keeps provoking me to be up and doing. It cautions me against embracing the comfort zone come what may. It is aware of my inclinations, my spirit of inquiry, and curiosity. It is slowly resigning to the limitations of aging though.

Since outings are a less preferred choice these days, I’m evolving into a person who enjoys living within the boundaries of home life. My balcony (I spend summers amidst hills) figuratively has turned into a window for interaction with the natural world. It allows me to converse with it whenever. My balcony overlooks the narrow valley surrounded by hills covered with groves of refreshed pines and lush greenery. Regular spells of monsoon showers have brightened the ambiance. 

My morning starts-if it is not raining- with a leisurely walk in my balcony. While sipping my first cup of tea of the day I watch lanky pines in their crowning glory. Either they are very still or I see their boughs laden with fresh needles swinging happily in the cool moist air. The rain-washed bushes, shrubs, and random vegetation release placid smug vibes. Well soaked and saturated they look cheerful and secure under the protective canopy of pines. The visual intoxication fills me with positivity and I look forward to the unfolding of the day. The glowing morning messages me to make the most of the day.

There are a few other harmless but joyful activities I indulge in. My newfound liking for crocheting keeps me satisfyingly busy when I’ve nothing else to do. You Tube 

videos have helped me in learning the basics of crocheting.

I love reading books. Hubby uploads books on my Kindle, which I select from Amazon.com’s Book section.

 I'm a creative person by nature. I keep visiting some sites suggested by Pinterest for DIY projects. I may not do them but then the marvelous ideas are sometimes overwhelming.

There is so much to learn and do but the hitch is if your physicality enables you to carry on the struggle, which new ventures entail.

I‘m reminded of John Milton’s dilemma, which he versifies in his epic poem ‘The Paradise Lost’.

Milton lost his eyesight early in life and was unable to write. However, the thought that God will question him about his wasting the gift of writing gnawed him constantly.  In his poem, ‘On His Blindness’ he poses this question to himself. Then deep down his mind conveys the answer as well. Here is the poem.

On His Blindness

(1655)

WHEN I consider how my light is spent   Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,   And that one Talent which is death to hide   Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present         5   My true account, lest He returning chide,   “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”   I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need   Either man’s work or his own gifts. Who best         10   Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,   And post o’er land and ocean without rest;   They also serve who only stand and wait.” Friends draw your own conclusions about the theme of the poem! Friends welcome here as always! Sharing with: ABC Wednesday Nature Notes My corner of the world

CARING IS ENNOBLING

Take care of all your memories. for you cannot relive them.                                                                                                                                    Bob Dylan


C is for 'Caring'

Note: Pl. scroll down for sky watch shots.

For this post, I’ve taken up a C-word, which subsumes under its sweet canopy one of the priceless emotions. The word is ‘Caring’. It is a seminal concept, encompasses our cardinal emotions, which make us human. Our life would be barren if nature has not endowed us with feelings of love, compassion, kindness, and concern. Someone who cares is the lucky bearer of all these qualities.

Caring conjures up in the mind many sweet sensations.  Nothing is comparable to the nurturing care our parents bestow on us. If I relive my purest memory, it is that of our beloved parents who used to take care of all our needs when we’ ere growing up. I still remember how my mom would indulge me with tea/lemon water/ milk or whatever I wished for while I sat at my study table for long hours during exams. At times when I’s unwell how she used to hover around me to comfort me and to ensure that I felt better. In some situations, I would be selfish and demanding but my parents never took notice of that. They cared. They loved unconditionally.

Caring for others does wonders for their growth, confidence and personality development. It is like anchoring somebody to reach his potential.

Caring also means never hurting others. Before passing nasty comments, keep in mind that we've no right to rob others of their peace of mind.

Giving a helping hand in discharging household duties is also a form of caring.

Caring for others is ennobling and divine. It is a selfless regard. It blesses the one who receives care and for the one who gives.

Family life would be much more stable and devoid of conflicts if every spouse tries to understand and care for the other while facing life’s countless challenges.

Everybody knows caring and loving our pets is so rewarding. They are not only our faithful friends but great stress busters as well.

I think life would be much more joyful if we consciously do our bit for people around us.

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 Some sky shots taken during the week for Sky watch Friday

 It is rainy season here and clouds are supreme for the most part of the day.

 Shot was taken from a friend's balcony while on a  visit.

 Mist rising from the hilltops.



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MONSOON SKYLINE BECKONS...

B is for Beckon:

At the moment rainy season is at its peak in India. Monsoon clouds captivate nature lovers as well as camera aficionados. They exhibit mercurial tendencies, especially in hills. Cloud families act like gypsies as their designer formations keep changing constantly.  Unlike us they come and go at their own will.

There is the down side too.

In some states of India however, continuous rains have caused floods and lakh of people are affected.  They have been shifted to safer places. The Government agencies are on their toes to provide all assistance to the people who are rendered homeless as their makeshift dwellings units could not stand the raging fury of the floodwaters.

Ironically, many parts of India are rain deficit. In some states crops are rain-fed because of lack of irrigation facilities. Sufficient monsoon showers are a much needed boon for farmers and everybody else to prevent the further depletion of groundwater. Water scarcity is looming large not only in India but in many parts of the world. Global cooperation is needed to rectify the situation. 

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 Some images of rain clouds from here and there!

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TIME'S RUTHLESS SICKLE...

ABC Wednesday's 25th round is special and offers a new challenge for our creative juices to flow ragingly!

 A
AGING UNLAYERED!!!

  A is for Aging



Time’s ruthless sickle is unsparing.

 

Its onslaught never misses its mark.

Slowly ambushes man's dynamism,


And grins at his feeble labors.

Its roguish persona is a sly robber,

Of the vitality of the sinews.

Disables their power of renewal,

And dries up the linkages of the limbs.

It mocks man’s morbidity,

Being immune to age’s frailties.

Carries on aiming its callous arrows,

At man’s vulnerabilities.

How funny to say, age is only a number!

Why fool with rosy euphemisms.

Do they disarm the attack of disintegration?

Can they stop the furrows of time’s plough?

Can any potion bring back the swagger in the gait?

Or carefree run on the stairs of life;

Or falsify verities of fears, insecurities, and dwindling life force;

Or prevent dipping assurances and lurking letdowns.

Time wields its power in equal measure,

Over mighty kings, rulers or humankind.

All surrender to its karmic symbolism,

‘It is our destiny’ they echo.

………………………..

An epilogue for the aging:

Be engaged, be good and be wise!

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An old post shared again as it corresponds somewhat to my state of mind these days!

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ZITS: ADOLESCENTS NIGHTMARE!

Zits cartoon strip. Courtesy Internet.

Z for Zits

I happen to read the comic strip ’Zits’ in a Newspaper our son subscribed for when I’s visiting the US many years back. I enjoyed the well-timed humor of the main character Jeremy Duncan. I didn’t know the meaning of the word ‘Zits’ at that time and looked it up in the dictionary. It surprised me to know that it meant pimples, which most adolescents experience in their teens.

However, I failed to notice any correlation between the word 'Zits' and the theme of the strip. There was seemingly no character having zits on his/her face. After that though, I forgot all about it as no publication known to me carried the specific comic strip in India.

...

Since I’s to write something on the prompt word ‘Z’, I suddenly remembered the comic strip named ‘Zits’ as a possible starting point. The significance of the title ‘Zits’ occurred to me there and then like an act of serendipity.

For most of the adolescents, teen years constitute a phase of confusion turmoil and tribulations of mental and physical nature. One of the miserable circumstances of the phase is the appearance of unexplained zits on their young healthy faces. The untold misery this condition causes in young minds can be described as depression, isolation and being extremely conscious.

Similarly, the hero of ‘Zits’ Jeremy Duncan a tall somewhat clumsy but intelligent 16-year high school sophomore who aspired to become a rock musician faced extreme harassments and miseries in his growing up years. Hence the title 'Zits' of this comic strip seems to be symbolic, subtle and  imaginative one.

So much for the comic strip!

I recall somewhat vividly the horrifying scenario when I’s in my late teens and enjoying summer vacations. I started noticing the slow arrival of small eruptions on my face. Within a few days, the whole face was dotted and looked ugly. I felt devastated. I remained closeted in my room for days. I covered the offending things with Band-Aids. The mirror became the most hateful object. Fortunately, for me, the pimples cleared away soon enough. The vacation period was a Godsend.

I think only a few teens escape this disfiguring episode in the most impressionable period in their lives. Both my kids had more than their fair share of this scourge too.

I do not care what the dermatologists say about the causes of this upsetting condition (hormonal changes, clogging of pores, etc.) generally; blemishes fade away on their own or with some acne medication in due course of time.

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SET YOUR OWN YARDSTICKS.

"Quality is never an accident, it is always the result of intelligent effort."  John Ruskin

We’re on this planet on a short journey. Therefore, we’ve to make the most of what we have. Possibilities for personal development are endless if we are aware of who we are. Being conscious is vital to evolve and to cross the limits of mundane routine life. Furthermore, we should be careful about expending our energies on superficialities, which might consume all our energies leaving no time to involve in life to the fullest.

It is not easy to overcome chronic doubts, hurts, hatreds and perceived inadequacies. For this to happen we have to set our own standards and constantly try to transcend them for the better. We’ve to bid adieu to the egocentric cliché –‘I’m like this’, as an excuse for not coming up to expectations. This is a restrictive statement. Life progresses in expansion, being able to respond to the infinity of experiences. A conscious life is always evolving. A static life is like stagnant water, which gives stench after some time. A vibrant pulsating existence means observing life anew every day.

Setting your yardsticks also means not to lose sight of the core values- the voice of conscience in the course of facing life’s challenges.  This voice has to be ever ready to notice and embrace the joyful and the elevating.

In this context, traveling is like a handy learning app. It is a prolific book on understanding the diversity of humanity. It makes you humble and receptive.

The ideals on which we decide to live life by, stand for engaging in a battle with ourselves on a daily basis. It keeps us on our toes. Yet it is worth having.


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THE LETTER 'X' IS A PHENOMENON.

X is not simply another letter!

Though X is the 24^th letter of the English alphabet and the least used yet it is formidable in its persona. It is powerful, it is mysterious, and it is iconic and somewhat vain. Its symbolism has multiple profound references in history.

Here is a short sampling of X in some of its numerous avatars:

X growls its way in words with dominance. It makes its presence felt come what may.

X words enjoy the literary onomatopoetic effect. EXaggerated (hyperbolic) and eXcruciating are good examples of words where the jarring sound nearly hints at the meaning. Phonetically these demand tough articulation in tune with their semantics.

You can’t ignore the word ‘eXtraordinay’ for example. It is special, awesome much more than the ordinary.

Some X words possess slightly negative connotations. ‘Extreme’, ‘Excess’-something not desirable,  ‘Xenophobia’-fear of foreigners- something frowned upon. In clothing, line XL- extra-large and XS extra small signify the choice of the few.

X’s presence in some words invariably characterizes them with elements of mischief, intrigue, chauvinism or an authority or novelty e.g. Axe, tax, sex, maximum, Xerox, axis, nexus, Xanax (name of medicine).

Then there are original expressions having alluring properties, which make you sit up and think. You are enticed to explore their origins, meanings, and contexts. A few of them are:

Xmas- Its spiritual association with Christianity. X is an abbreviation of Christ, which has been accepted for centuries.

X rated- drawn towards sex or pornography.

Generation X- those born between 1969-1979 in America.

Malcolm X – a Muslim revolutionary.

X rays – A diagnostic tool.

X sports- short for extreme sports with the risky and daredevil component.

Swastika X or cross- signifies evil, used by Hitler in Nazi Germany.

X files- documents containing mysterious and secret information about state matters.

X a sign of multiplication in Mathematics and in Algebra signifying a variable.

X stands for the Roman numeral 10.

X has many more diverse, historical and exciting associations waiting to be explored.

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