Inspired living!! :D

I read 'The monk who sold his Ferrari' a few months back. The book was infinitely inspiring. There is this feel about certain books. Once you read them you get instantly motivated and spring to action to do things you love and live a better life. But why doesn't this feel stay for long?
             To live an inspired life, there is no point reading a motivational book once in a while. Or meeting a spiritual master and following his sayings just for a few days. We need to make it an everyday habit. The following can be done to attain an inspired living:
We need to make it a habit to read something inspirational everyday.
Meditate! Exercise! Feel happy from within!
Live in the now! 

Stay focused on your goal.
Don't allow distractions to taint your vision.
Don't let laziness kick in, because procrastination is a drug.
Give back what you get to the family, society and the nation in terms of love and all the help you can.

  

It's that time of the year...........

                  It's that time of the year when cakes, chocolates, Santa, Christmas gifts, fireworks and resolutions are discussed the most. Yes, you guessed it right! It's New Years time. Everyone is in a different mood, ready to set foot into something new. Ready to forget what happened the previous year. And ready to make resolutions.
What exactly are these resolutions?
         They are just an effort to make life a little better than what it is. A little more fun than it currently is.
So what are your resolutions for the coming year?
Not thought of them yet?
THEN THINK!!!! NOW IS THE TIME!!!!

What to do?

    Make a list of things you want to do in life. Include things you had wanted to do but couldn't, for whatever reason. Include things you'd want to do in the later stages of your life. After making this list, pick out things you think you can do in the next year and put it in your resolution list. 

A few innovative resolutions that you can take up are:

a) Enroll in a fun sport/art activity every 6 months and keep getting better at it. In this way, you learn something new and also meet new people.

b) Make sure to stay in touch with every known person. You can do this by texting someone I haven't spoken to for a long time or by simply calling and having a nice chat.

c) Keeping aside 15 minutes for yourself. 'ME' time is the best time

           These are just few of the different resolutions I can think of. Do you have more? THINK THINK!! And comment below if you do!!!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! :D CHEERS!!!

Why???

My brother fell and couldn't walk. He was badly hurt. He had dance practice that day and also a cricket match scheduled for the weekend. He was upset , not because his leg hurt but because he couldn't go for practice and thought he might miss the chance to dance for the event. I kept telling him to stay positive. I kept telling him that it is nothing and that he will be over it soon. That he should think clearly and all those things.

That's when a thought struck me. When someone else is going through some difficulty, we think how they should stay positive and not give up hope. But why don't we believe in the same things when we are in the same situations? This is a question I have been trying to find an answer to.

 See if you can ponder over this and try to analyse if you can stay in the same state of mind when you are going through something in life???

"I want to step out and keep pushing my boundaries"

Rohini Manohar is muti-talented girl. She loves what she does and is always bubbling with energy. She works for Green peace and Chinmaya mission. She has done the youth empowerment programme(YEP) too. Apart from this she is a regular blogger.  Never failing to set aside time for family, friends and herself. She is confident, outgoing and at the same time very down to earth. 

                Here is an interview, where she talks about herself, her work, her thoughts and the way she wants her life to be.

How do you juggle between all the works you do? How do you manage to do everything so perfectly?

                I am a person who wants to do everything at a time. I have my set of to do’s and I make sure I complete all of them. I also have a calendar app which helps me make sure that all the work is done. In this way all my things are sorted and I don’t have to take much tension.

They say’ Your morning describes the way your day will go on’! So how is it that you start your day?

                I make sure that my mornings are peaceful and that I have my ‘ME’ time. I wake up early, plug into music and go for a run. I then do yoga to calm my mind and then spend some time with the family. I also make sure I read a little in the morning. This kind of a start to my day fills me up with energy and a lot of positivity which in turn helps me in managing my work.

You have done the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP course). How has that helped in molding your life?

                The YEP course has been my best decision in life. I am so glad I did it. It helped me transform from a shy, timid and unconfident girl to a confident, fearless and bold individual. It has given me the opportunity to manage big events, explore more and also to keep learning.

You have been permitted to start a not for profit organization. Can you throw some light on that?

                Yes that is true. This nonprofit organization is called YELL(Young Empowered Local Leaders). It will be initiated soon. YELL is an organization to empower and motivate India’s youth to look at ‘Being an employeR’ as an option. It will consist of various projects, skill development activities, talks and workshops related to idea development and entrepreneurship.               

If given an opportunity, what is that one thing that you’d like to alter in your life?

                I have been too packed with work lately. Not that I hate my work. That way my work gives me immense satisfaction. It sometimes happens that this work takes over my time so much that I don’t have time to do the little things in life like reading, watching a refreshing movies or catching up with a friend. So the one thing that I am attempting to do this year is to give time for myself and enjoy life. Because work is not the only thing that helps me learn. There are other ways too.

Who is your model?

                I have different role models for different phases of my life. Professionally I really look up to and admire Oprah winfrey. She is one lady who took charge of her life. She never stepped back because of what people said / thought about her. She was criticized and discouraged because of the way she looked. But she never got by that and made sure she becomes one of the most famous TV show anchor.

Any incident that you’d never forget in your life.

I had gone to Vietnam once with a friend of mine. We stayed at a girl’s place. She had a small one bedroom flat with not many facilities. She also had a little sister. In spite of the little space and facilities, she proved to be a very good host. She took the best care and did all that she could. Her story inspires me immensely. It was about how her mother was a war refugee, got sent to Jail and still managed to bring up two daughters. The girl is a college student and works at the same time to support her family. Her story made me think that we are so caught up with the little problems we have in life and don’t bother to see the bigger perspective.

Thank you Rohini! I had an amazing time with you! Hope you liked it too! :D

Let it out!!

Man gets 16000 to 50000 thoughts per day. Most of the times these thoughts are useless. The thoughts are usually about:

• The past

• The future

• Guilt

• Anger

• About what some X person did to us, etc...

The list is just bigger. 

So are we going to be so useless and think so uselessly? Don't we have to do something about it?

We have to convert these thoughts into positive ones. We have to bring in more creativity and positive thinking into life!!! 

                  But sometimes these type of negative thoughts just don't seem to go and we feel so helpless.

So one solution to this is to let it all out. It is something like what we do in Diwali. Throw out all the unwanted stuff. So why not apply that to your own life? DO THAT. And trust me you will feel so good about yourself!

There are many ways by which you can let it out. Here are a few suggestions.

• Dance it out. Dancing helps a lot in bringing out emotions.
• Write it out. Write all that you feel inside and bring it out on paper.(This is my favourite)
• Cooking. Cooking helps a lot in managing emotions and it might just be helpful. If nothing works also, you are not at a loss. You have some delicious snacks for the evening. 

So these are few of the many ways to let it out! I am sure you have many more interesting ways. It would be nice to have you comment on this post with a few more idea! 

5 days!

                          It was 7th October! I felt butterflies in my stomach. I was happy! nervous! excited! Scared! All at the same time. Yes, I was going for a camp. A Chinmaya mission camp. 300 people were going  from Chennai. I personally knew very few people. The camp was in Pune. And I had never gone this far without a family member. But I really wanted to go for it. Frankly, Naina from Yeh jawaani hai deewani was my inspiration for this particular moment in my life.
                    The camp was an amazing experience. I learnt:
How to make new friends
How to randomly start talking to a stranger.
How to survive and actually like sattvic food.
That life is to be lived.
That swamijis can actually be very funny and have a lot of humor loaded in them and also how they have the tricks to kick the fear out of your life.
That every person is so unique.
And a lot more...................

The camp was in Kolwan,Pune. That place had magic in it. It had a certain thing about it. It had the feel. It had the capacity of filling me up with hope. I didn't want to get back. I wanted to settle down there and live there. It was an amazing experience and I am going to treasure it all my life.
             Before registering I was not sure if I should go for the camp. But when the camp was over, I was grateful that I didn't give in to all those negative thoughts.
          Here are a few pictures of the place:

Why is it so important to take that step out of your comfort zone?

I have never taken part in debating competitions. I don't have the experience and have always thought I am not that good a speaker. So many public speaking and debating contests throw opportunity at me but I never seem to buzz. And then end up feeling bad that I did not use the opportunity. I never give my name for it with the thought that there are many other better people. But 1 fine day I just forced myself and registered for a debate event.
1) I was given a partner I never knew.
(Positive thought: Okay, I am going to meet someone knew.)
2) A topic on which I never had an idea was given
(Positive thought: I am going to learn something new)
                The day of the debate arrived. I went up to the stage. Spoke my heart out. Believed in the topic given and debated my heart out! I was told that my speech was really good. Ha! the tension was worth!

      What I just wrote about wasn't merely an experience. It was a lesson for me to step out of my comfort zone. To overcome my fear and face it boldlyFor most of you, going on stage and talking, debating might not be a big deal. But you will have definitely have other fears. To challenge those fears is what you call stepping out of your comfort zone.
HOW TO STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE?
a)Make  a list of your fears.
b)Look at it everyday and tell yourself that you have to get over them.
c)Make another 'to do' list and DO as many things you can when the right time comes.
d)It is okay to break out of your routine once in a while. For eg: Going for a cup of refreshing coffee on a refreshing day. This will not only boost your energy but also improves your mental framework.
These are few of the many things you can do to break out of your comfort zone.

Note: While it is important to come out of your comfort zone and explore it is equally important to make sure that you do not pressurize\force yourself to do something and land up in tension\depression.

The missed things!

People are always so occupied and busy! They have a huge 'to do' and by the time they complete that another list of tasks are waiting! Finding time for the little things in life becomes difficult. They keep running like there is a race. It is good to be doing something in life. It is good to be occupied than useless. But sometimes people end up paying a big price for this. They miss out on those little things that life has to offer. 

STOP AND THINK

How long has it been since: 

You laughed your heart out?

You enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and a plate of bhajjis on a rainy day?

You walked out of your room to the balcony to get a feel of the fresh cold air?

You started reading a book and didn't feel like keeping it down?

You played with a child?

You went to the temple and stood in front of God and really didn't feel like asking anything?

You touched your parents' feet with the real heart to get their blessings?

I am sure its been long! So the next time you make a 'to do' list make sure add these things. It is the small things in life that count and take you a long way! 

Everyone has work! Everyone has responsibility! But those are not the only things left to do!

FEEL LIFE ! LIVE LIFE! 

 

Just one sapling. It will not cost you much!

          Nature has given us so much! Water! A place to stay! Fresh air! And a beautiful life! :D
But what do we do in return? Nothing. We cut down trees to make houses, pollute the air just to travel comfortably and a lot more.  There is something we need to do about it.

             Nature has already started showing her fury in the form of 'Sandy' and and the 'Himalyan Tsunami' We cant just keep taking everything. There is something to be done in return. Lets start with a small and a very easy step. Lets a take a promise that we will plant a sapling. If one person plants one sapling, imagine how many plants have we grown if everyone follows it. Saplings are easily available at a very low cost. And don't require too much effort to maintain. A certain level of care can do wonders!:)
       
               So add this in your to do list and make sure you do it. This is the least that can be done for the countless number of luxuries and facilities received.



               

The last day of my teen life!

Yes, today is the last day of my teen life. It is my birthday tomorrow and like it is very obvious I am turning twetyyyyy.

My teen life has not been very fancy. I was a good child and didn't indulge in any of the so called 'naughtiness'. My parents have brought me up really well. That is why I didn't really get influenced by what my peers did.

It is always better and smart to learn from others' mistakes. That is what I was thought and practiced too. Learn from the mistakes of my peers and be careful not to do the same thing.

But more than all that, what I learnt from my teen life will always be with me and will guide me at every step. I have had an awesome teenage and am very proud of it. People say Teenage is the worst age. But I say that it is the best. It is the age to learn, grow and nurture.

P.S : Please post below your views on teen age :)

Confusion confusion

Its that time of my life where I have to decide what I am going to study further . But to my own astonishment, I still dont know what I want to do. And this feeling is killing me. I am not even able to see myself somewhere after 5 years. I dont know if there are other people feeling this way.I am just praying that  I find my purpose soon. 

The monk who sold his Ferrari! A must read book for all those who are searching for a purpose in life. The story is about how a hot shot rich lawyer leaves his work in search of enlightenment. He finds the right teachers to guide him. This is the time when he goes through the transformation of his life. He goes through physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual transformation. In return for all the knowledge he receives, he just has to do one thing. He has to transfer the knowledge he receives to another person. So he now comes back to his friend and assistant (at work). He shares all the knowledge he has and helps his friend in transforming his busy and meaningless life to an enthusiastic and satisfied one. 

This is not just a story about a lawyer and his friend. It is an answer book to your own problems. The principles mentioned are easy to practice and if done correctly it will fetch great results. 

“I NEVER HAD A ROLE MODEL”

A lady with a great personality and a role model for today’s upcoming doctors, Dr.Acharya gets talking with  me about her life in the dentistry field…

You hold so many titles. You are an international doctor. How do you manage so much work?

The key word is planning. Plan your day. Plan your month. Plan your year. If you plan your work everything becomes easy for you. It’s not like there’s a lot of work. The question is about time management.

Your specialized area of interest is Cosmetic dentistry. What would you like to say about that?

Clinical dentistry did not have an importance in the early ages. In those days barbers were dentists. They were engaged in handling teeth. Then slowly this profession got separated from the barbers. Still dentistry did not have a place. And then, as days went along they realized that it was an exact science. Dentistry as a problem has a great effect on human beings. This was the time when dentistry came off the age and people realized the importance of oral health.  From then on it was a need based science. And then it was found that it was not only a science. Apart from the science of dentistry there is a whole new aspect.

            Anything that is close to nature is usually appealing. Teeth are also God’s gift so it becomes necessary for them to look appealing. Because at the end of the day teeth also play a major role in a person’s personality. So, cosmetic dentistry was born from the need to look good.

            And then slowly the art and science got married. With marketing and commercialization cosmetic dentistry has become what it is today.

Was it always your dream to be a dentist?

My dream was to be in the line of medicine. When I joined the course, I realized that my interest was in dentistry. After further study in the field I got a liking to cosmetic dentistry. I had never thought that I would become a dentist. It started small and then became big.

What are the various technologies that are being used in the field of dentistry?

             Cosmetic dentistry is about technology. We have different soft wares where a person’s jaw is studied and predictions are made as to how it looks after a few years. This helps in deciding what kind of treatment a person should go through.

                   

A few tips on white and healthy teeth.

Brush your teeth twice a day. 99% of the people don’t brush in the night. 50% of them don’t do it in the morning also. Villagers usually come under this category.  

Who is your inspiration?

I never had a role model / inspiration as such. But I did look up to my parents. They were my friends and mentors at the same time.

What do you like the most and least about your profession?

The thing that I like the most about my career is that it challenges me everyday. It pushes me to think and do more. It tests my ability. The thing I like the least is that it’s getting highly commercialized and money oriented.

A message to the youth of today.

 My only message to the youth is that if you want to do something in life then follow your heart and make sure you don’t make anything and everything a business.

What would you like to say to people pursuing dentistry?

Don’t make it a business. Follow your heart. Only then will you be satisfied with what you do. You may or may not make money. But if you follow the right path success will run behind you!

Tell us something about your life’s most memorable incident.

I have too many experiences. But there is one such incident that I would never forget. One morning there was a knock on my door at 5 AM. When I opened the door I saw a sad toothless man standing in front of me. He said “Doctor, it is my daughter’s marriage today and my dentures are missing. I’ve lost them and am very embarrassed.” I had to open my clinic at 5AM that day. I will never forget this incident in my life.  

A chat with the girl next door

Day dreamer, R.Priyanka an 18 year old student dreams of starting her own restaurant. She is doing her +2 and aims to score more than 90% in her boards. Priyanka is a cute witty girl who finds joy in everything she does. She is a super enthusiastic girl who believes in herself. She considers possessiveness, being sensitive and dependent as her weaknesses and working to overcome them.

Her aim in life is to start a restaurant and complete & publish her unfinished novel. She wants to see her parents happy with any decision she takes in life.

          Reading, drawing, surfing the net, music, cooking and writing are her hobbies. She says, “Writing is more than just a hobby for me. It is my passion”. Because of her passion for writing, she has started work on her novel and dreams of getting it published. She gets this wish to do well and succeed from her father an best friends. Considering them her role model she keeps her life in the right track by constantly learning from them. “My father’s hard working nature and friends’ constant advice and support helps me live my life the right way.”

          When asked about an incident that changed her life, she says”I once copied in an exam and got caught. I then realized how wrong I was.” She has not given to copying since then. If she decides something, she’ll never go against her decision.

          Her moments of extreme happiness were when she got a ride on her favorite bike  and also when she met her childhood friend after a very long time. “ Even if the world would have ended then I wouldn't have complained.”

         

          She signs off by giving a message to the teenagers – “Life comes just once. Don’t spoil and waste it. Make use of it by doing quality and fun things.”

UNWIND!

Our mind always has thoughts running. But they never have a direction. We always end up thinking 100 random things but not one useful thing. Its good to be in a thinking mode but its very important to analyse our thoughts and give direction to it.

So how would you give a specific direction to your thoughts and actions? The solution to this is-

UNWIND !. Step out of the chaotic world. Go to a place where peace prevails. Go to a place where you know that no one will disturb you. 

NOTE: Try not to take your phone along. If you do switch it off! 

Put on some nice music. Something you love listening to. Don't think anything. Wait for a while and you will see that you have an outburst of positive thoughts. You will get solutions to so many pent up problems and will soon realize how much time and energy you wasted worrying about them! Try this and I am sure you'll enjoy the experience! :D 

Be happy like a pig in shit!

A few days back I was reading an article whose title was'Be happy like a pig in shit!' I was so amazed at the title that I decided I'd read the whole article! The writer had written it in such an influential way!
          Everyone has their ups and downs! But why are we happy only during our ups!? Why do we start whining ang bragging as soon as we face some difficulty? Learn to be happy even when your time is not good! Because at the end of the day you are going to emerge as a stronger person having faced another difficulty! :D

Boredom made me cook!

A boring Sunday has a lot to offer. When you are bored you actually end up doing things you don't really find time for. I made use of my Sunday by cooking. You want to cook too? Here's what i did!
GREEN PEAS
Ingredients:
Oil(4 tsp), Ghee(2 tsp), Onions, Tomatoes, Cashews, Cumin seeds, Bay leaf(2). Cinnamon(2), Cloves(3), Green cardamom(3), Dried red chilly  Sauce(2 tsp), red chilly powder, Turmeric powder, Dhania powder, Spice mixture(Garam masala), Boiled peas, Coriander leaves, Cheese(optional), Smashed coconut(optional).
Serves: 4 people
Method of preparation:
• Boil the peas.
• For the gravy.. Take onions and tomatoes and cut them into 4 pieces each. Add Cashews to mixture. Mix the above in a mixer till it becomes a fine thick paste.
• Take a tava(vessel). Add Oil and Ghee to it.
• After the above heats up add the gravy and the spices( Cumin seeds, Bay leaf, Cinnamon, Cloves, Green cardamom and Dried red chilly)
• Leave it on the gas for around ten minutes.
• After the gravy is properly cooked add sauce and the boiled peas.
• Le it to cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve with coriander leaves, cheese and smashed coconut toppings.
• Your green peas is now ready.
    Note : Green peas can be eaten as side dish along with paratha, bread or chapatti


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