Category Archives: A-Z April ’14

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A New Pollyanna – Reflection

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When I try to reflect on the memorable moments of A-Z Challenge, I experience a complete package of emotions. My feelings of excitement before the challenge, motivated me to take off. However, that excitement turned into anxiety  very soon as everyday struggle was to be met efficaciously, but that anxiety surprisingly transformed into contentment by the time the challenge was about to get over.  The gradual achievement of sending daily posts successfully was much better than being free after the completion of it.

As it is said that being a learner is much better than being an expert, so while participating in this challenge, learning Imagewas always there whether we were writers or readers.

After the completion of this fest,  I thought I would write a reflection post with a bang, but know I realize that it’s easy to feel the excitement, but tough to describe.

‘A new Pollyanna’ my theme reveal post had promised to look to the world positively and yes…  everyday I went on a quest with an alphabet of positivism…Thanks to each and everyone associated with this challenge.

 A-Z was the carnival of thoughts, ideas, motivation and inspiration and it taught a lot more:1499616_499450513498012_844561834_n

 Organization– Being ready with a theme based post on daily basis was really a challenging task (at least for me…it was my first time),  indeed being organized helps and also teaches us to be better organized.

 Sense of unity– It seemed a big blogging carnival where we had the same feelings and felt like we all are an important part of a big whole.

 Introspection– larger doses of daily reading writing and commenting took us deep into ourselves.

 Empathy– reading the posts of co bloggers related us to their emotions which indeed had a positive effect on us.

 Self-awareness- Sense of unity, introspection and empathy reflected in our writings and we  became aware of ourselves.

 Motivation- If I’m asked to tell about a few motivating posts, I probably think that those few will cover each and every post because the challenge was flooded with wordy gems.

but you were the best!!!

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This post is written for : A-Z April Challenge 2014

 

 

Zesty  Fest

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Z ends the zealous festival of words leaving on our blogs the impressions of lovely thoughts and ideas, originated through various themes by various minds and hearts.
ImageZippy alphabetical thoughts written, read and commented during the whole month gave me the feeling of being in a wordy carnival…
Over the whole month of April, after returning from my work, I struggled for complete commitment. Going either the straight way or zigzag , I did it. 
Dead line really acts as a hard task master that never showsimages (5)
any kind of mercy, otherwise how on earth a person like me had written a theme based post everyday for one full month! Thanks to A_Z Challenge and everyone associated with it. Heartfelt thanks to my dear co bloggers who boosted up my morale by their generous comments. 

images (7)With the end of A-Z challenge I plan to do something that can bring zestfulness around. Yes… ENJOYMENT, HAPPINESS! The plan is to comment on those A-Z posts that I could not read due to the anxiety of meeting the daily deadlines.  So what am I waiting for? My plan starts from now…because like smiles happiness circulates….isn’t it zestful?

 
A pinch of Pollyannaism-images (6)
Spiritual knowledge does not demand anything, but unburdens your load and makes your heart feel free…
 

This post is written for:

Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

Picture courtesy: Google Images

 

Yummy & Mummy

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Laura and Harry were in love with each other. Laura’s parents had agreed on seeing Harry at first sight, but the main obstacle in their union was the consent of Harry’s parents. Agreement from both was a challenging task because Harry’s father was a food lover and his mother was a dietitian, and they had their own images of an ideal daughter in law.

Everyday on the table his father got up blabbering, ‘now Harry’s wife can change this patient’s diet kind of menu…I’m tired of eating this horrible food.’

‘My daughter in law will follow my advice as we all have to keep you fit. Harry’s mother clean bowled him.’Image

Getting consent from both was like a ‘mission impossible’ for the love birds.  Laura’s parents, in order to proceed the matter further, invited Harry and his family for dinner on Sunday. Now Laura was in a big tumult, even though she was a good cook she was sure of being rejected by either of his parents. If she cooks delicious and grand dinner, mom will never approve of her, and if the food is balanced and nutritional then dad will show blunt response. Being a wise mom, Laura’s mother helped her to create a menu with balance, nutrition, taste and color.

After dinner when Laura answered some of her queries brilliantly, Harry’s mom smiled and hugged her lovingly, and daddy was already flat after having delicious food…his satisfying facial expressions were the signal of his consent.

Laura’s would be mother-in-law complimented her by approving her menu suitable for all the age groups.

 

Yes…she did it!!!

 

Here is the menu with little description-

Drinks– Fresh fruit (mixed) juice was served with decoration on the glass to give an exotic look.

Starters–

1-     Boiled Green moong Salad- raw salad vegetables cut into small pieces, mixed with boileddownload (3) moon and sprinkled with chat masala  and lemon on it.

2-     Grilled Sandwich with vegetables- in between 3 slices of bread thin layer of soybean  hummus dip and boiled vegetables…. cut into four triangles.

3-     Baked Spicy Spaghetti – a combination of boiled pasta, white sauce, onion, capsicums, tomatoes, nuts, breadcrumbs, all layered one on other, and baked just before serving.

4-     Green Chutney (of mint and coriander) as a refreshing dip.

Main menu –

1-     Mixed lentils- five common lentils boiled together with whole dry spices and seasoned with garlic, ginger, onion, tomatoes and green chilies.

2-     Tofu (pickle style) in tomato gravy.

3-     Mix Vegetables- zucchini, broccoli , mushrooms, asparagus, peas, capsicum and bamboo xmas-lunchshoots and mixed together in a wok with dry spices.

4-     Fruit yogurt-small pieces of season fruits mixed with whipped curd to add a cooling touch to the menu.

5-     Cumin Rice

6-     Hot chapattis

7-     Capsicum and carrot julians tempered with some spices as a substitute for pickle

8-     Roasted poppadom

Desserts-

Fresh fruit salad with very little plain mayonnaise to give it a creamy texture

After food-

Jasmine Tea

Silver coated cardamon

A pinch of Pollyannaism-

Hard work can’t get you towards success, if done unwillingly…

 

This post is written for:

Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

Picture courtesy: Google Images

 

 

 

Xi Wang and Xeela

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Xi Wang (meaning ‘hope’) my first Chinese friend in China has a very special place in my heart. She is a kind of person whose presence makes you feel warm and safe.  In spite of looking delicate she has the potential to do the most challenging tasks too. She works as a managing director in a multinational company. She carries tough responsibilities on her shoulders and at the same time a lovely smile on her face.

‘Xeela’, was the name written by her on my birthday card, it was our second meeting, and she guessed the spelling of my name (because in ‘pin yin’ ‘X’ is pronounced ‘sh’) according to the pronunciation. I’ve treasured that card in my collection, and we laugh a lot on recollecting that lovely memory.

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The hearts knows no boundaries and our friendship proves this perfectly.

I’d never thought that this strange name of mine would help me write my X lettered post . 

Love you Xi Wang!

 

 

A pinch of Pollyannaism-images

Let’s plan everyday to do something that can give us happiness. Yes HAPPINESS… because a happy person can make others happy and most probably our happiness may return back to us in circles. So what are we waiting for? Let’s start from now…just like smiles happiness should be circulated all around….isn’t it a profitable deal?

 

This post is written for:

Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

Picture courtesy: Google Images

 

Will Power

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eis

 

 

3814841_300Will power of Sandrea has done such a thing if seen through the inner eyes seems a miracle.
Sandrea was loved, pampered and led by her darling husband, but was suddenly given an ultimatum to continue her life journey without him. She was completely shattered.

 

‘True love never dies’ an inspiration sourced her to rise; she took hold of all the responsibilities,will-power and vowed that she will always do what her husband had wanted her to do. She crossed the blind alley of that phase because there was the light of true love around her. Although people may have their own opinions about her, she’s consistent on her own path, for she has her own guiding star who always guides her and takes care of her and her children.

 

Azure_by_BrukharShe is eternally grateful to that infinite source of will power that has guided her throughout.

 

 

A pinch of Pollyannaism-

Someone’s viewpoint cannot change your state of mind

 

This post is written for:

Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

Picture courtesy: Google Images

Valuing values

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Values are the most valuable assets of a human being. With the changing winds of society thereimages (6) is a danger of these values to become extinct if not given adequate care. Inculcating these moral principles in our children is the need of the hour. Sometimes we may feel that there is no room for such topics to be raised in today’s lifestyle but here we are committing a big mistake.

 

images (7)Whatever happens, we must very wisely incorporate these values in today’s fast paced life style.
If all the instances and stories are kept handy, they’d positively help them out whenever such circumstances erupt.

 

No matter we change our way of living, but our inner self should be as pure as rain images (9)water. There’s no harm in flowing with the current of latest trends, but our values should always stand like a rock.

 

 

 

A pinch of Pollyannaism-images (8)

A modest gift becomes valuable by its packing, coz this world first looks at the outlook then looks out for what is inside.

 

This post is written for:

Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

 

 

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Unconditional love… for yourself 

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Ria was carrying the burden of failure in her relationship, and was suffering from insomnia. Image

Why was she so hard on herself, why doesn’t she let go off the past and enjoy today? 
These were the suggestions…what she needed most was motivation.
One day she met a person who enlightened her path by changing her way of thinking… 

Do you love your children unconditionally?
Of course!
And yourself?
um….yes…I mean ..

ImageIf you had loved yourself unconditionally, you’d never been so tough on yourself. Why are you trying to gaze at the world from being behind the glass door; come out and feel the gentle breeze! 
I have closed my heart to every feeling now; I can never dare to involve myself in that. 
Life is like a river Ria, it wants us to flow with it’s twists and turns. We should never look down upon ourselves, as we are the creators of our own happiness.
One thing  more, if you want to forget any bitter experience, think that your life is like your diary and you are tearing off that unwanted, untidy page from it. Relax! Re read the book; half of your burden will be gone off immediately…
 
For a fulfilling life she has now started loving herself unconditionally…
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Positive thinking can transform the obstacles/barriers as protection bars.

This post is written for:

 

 Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

 

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

 

 

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

 

Thriving Oasis

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The most basic necessity of a human being is food, and if he is well fed he can strive for the rest of the targets. Just imagine a half fed child being sent to school or work(that is a another issue)…will he/she be able to study or work whole heartedly?

Bantoli, India; Tasarpu, Nepal; and Otinibi, Ghana: Life is changing and people are rising above what has been called “the relentless downward cycle of poverty.”

images (4)Due to fully fed stomachs and peaceful minds the crime rate has reduced in these particular area isn’t it unbelievable?

Yes…of course.

TPRF (and indeed many more devoted organizations) has given a fulfilling life with dignity peace and prosperity to many children.

TPRF Food for People – a model food program helps communities emerge from poverty.download (1)

The Mission of TPRF is a simple one: to address the fundamental human needs of food, water and peace so that people can live with dignity, peace and prosperity.

TPRF’s Peace Education Program is providing a curriculum for peace education in prisons, hospitals, colleges, and community groups.

Peace for People — Personal peace, a fundamental human need, provides the foundation for world download (2)peace.

TPRF has helped provide rapid and effectively placed humanitarian assistance in 39 countries.

These endless efforts promise a thriving generation that will definitely make this world a best place to live.

 

A pinch of Pollyannaism-

A study in America has shown that performing a kind act everyday can have lots of benefits in your work life and social life, and these acts of kindness magically change into a habit and we want to enjoy that pleasure of selfless giving again and again.

This post is written for:

 Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

 

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

Sweet secrets

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eis

 

The sun was about to set;  the saffron rays of setting sun imparted a golden hue to the sand,McClures_Beach_Point_Reyes_National_Seashore_California and the water glittered like gold. Oh! It was a beautiful scene, I went and sat on that huge flat rock in order to re-energize myself. The scenery was so rich and vast that I was lost in its incredible beauty..Suddenly, my eyes stuck on her. Gosh! My beautiful mermaid! Is she a mermaid or a woman who always dodges me; first she calls me, and  whenever I try to come near her disappears into the sea.

Adding curiosity to my excitement, she started surveying the whole shore with a frightened look. Today I won’t let her go like that. I proceeded determinedly and cautiously with slow steps; she was still playing there.  As soon as I reached near her she turned and watched me with frightened look and started slipping into the water with speed. Without wasting a second, I caught hold of her long hair with lightening speed, and she started shouting. My grip was so firm that she couldn’t slide an inch back into the water and even shouted much louder.

Hey! What a joke! Do mermaids shout? Suddenly, a flash of light opened my eyes, Oh, No! tumblr_mnfjcxo6an1r7gf9qo1_1280I was holding my wife’s ponytail and she was screaming and trying to get rid of my tight grip. I released it immediately, I was in a shock, and she was in an embarrassed condition; I couldn’t react…later I apologized and consoled her. When she asked about my nightmare, I pretended as it has faded from my memory. I ‘m sure this mermaid is definitely going to create troubles in my married life if I will tell anything to my wife about her. Even though, that mermaid lives in my dreams she is sure to kill my wife with envy…

Am I right or not?

 

A pinch of Pollyannaism-images

Some secrets are completely harmless, and should be kept as secrets for the sake of harmonious surroundings.

 

This post is written for:

 Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

 

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

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Real Richness

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‘I want to be a rich woman!’

This would be my answer when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. Everyone laughed, but my father never liked this and his face showed the expressions of concernImage.

One day he called me and asked, ‘do you know the meaning of richness?’

‘Having a lot of money…… so that anything could be bought’ I answered quizzically.

‘No…………. richness means to have something ‘valuable’ and that too in ‘abundance…’ his face gleamed.

‘You can be rich even if you have a little amount of money’, I was puzzled

‘There are number of things that are valuable like- breaths, love, honesty, knowledge, health, family, imagesvirtue, blessings….and the list is endless’, he explained.

‘We all are rich in some or the other thing and should be thankful for ‘being so rich…’

These words were a bit heavy for me to grasp completely at that time, still I carried them on with me and then I realized that I’ve been a richest person throughout.

 

P.S- From the preaching of Maharaji 

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A pinch of Pollyannaism-

Do we help the poor?

Yes.

So why don’t we help those who are poor in terms of: sharing, forgiving, honesty, love, etc.

This post is written for:

 Blogging from A-Z Challenge (April 2014)

&  Ultimate Blog Challenge (April 2014)

 

Picture Courtesy: Google Images