Aradhane 2019

          My mother is an ardent devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamy and I have been one for a very long time too. She and I goto the Matha whenever we can and we make it a point to go see Rayaru on a regular basis. Every year I wait for Aradhane time which happens in the month of August. This year it is from August 16th to 18th and it always a three day affair. 

It is on the second day - Madhya Aradhane that Raghavendra Swamy entered Brindavan about three centuries ago. 

This year, I went on the last day of Aradhane and I absolutely feel grateful that I got a chance to visit the temple during this time. The decorations, the chanting, the whole atmosphere is so vibrant and positive that it makes one forget all their worries in life. The vibe is so good that it definitely gets rubbed off. Those few minutes one spends in front of him is beautiful. The positivity and festivity is always a delight. 

Today concludes the three day program and in case anyone has missed it, please do make it today. Until next year for Rayara Aradhane 2020!!

Eat That Frog - Synopsis

                 A few days back I read a book titled - EAT THAT FROG by Brian Tracy. In this book, the author lays out 21 ways to stop Procrastination. Here is a summary of the book which will help all procrastinators to change themselves and imbibe whichever point/points are suitable, 

1. Set the table
2. Plan everyday in advance
3. Apply the 80/20  rule to everything
4. Consider the consequences
5. Practice creative procrastination
6. Use the ABCDE method continually
7. Focus on key result areas
8. Apply the Law of Three
9. Prepare thoroughly before you begin
10. Take it one oil barrel at a time
11. Upgrade your key skills
12. Identify your key constraints
13. Put the pressure on yourself
14. Motivate yourself into action
15. Technology is a terrible master
16. Technology is a wonderful servant
17. Focus your attention
18. Slice and dice the task
19. Create large chunks of time
20. Develop a sense of urgency
21. Single handle every task

The above points are the key take away in this book. To know in detail, do read the book, if interested!

In the Serenity

              There is something about mother nature. It seeps a calmness into you and automatically relaxes your body. I am always fascinated to write in serenity and if I'm among nature, my creative juices flow better. 

Sit among nature, put pen to paper and see how the words begin to flow. Each writer likes it different and I love serenity. That's where I write my best. 

I look forward to one such trip where I write and get lost in the world of words! 

Love Yourself Always

             How many of us Love yourself? Well, there are a few who do and a few who just don't. But to all those who don't, please do start. 

It is paramount to love yourself always for the fact that it fuels your love towards others. If you don't love yourself, how will you be able to love others? It is essential to love yourself, make yourself a priority and cater to your needs too. 

Love is a feeling that is the most beautiful. When you love yourself, that feeling is brilliant. How pepped up does one feel, how confident does and empowering it feels to love yourself first that it opens up new avenues in life.

Always, always make it a point to motivate yourself and love yourself. It always is the most genuine feeling that never lets you down! If your struggling, just begin to love yourself atleast!!

Sometimes - Pause

             Most times in life, we fail to Pause. We fail to understand that a pause is what accelerates life in the right path and direction. We are so busy chasing that we don't realize that a pause is essential. It is important to step back to gauge where life is headed and are we heading in the desired direction.

In that pause, we get to see where we have come and where we choose to go. Don't rush in a mad hurry always. Just step back and bask in the moment. Sometimes it opens up great avenues. The cloud get cleared away and things will always seem brighter than before, but we only need to Pause. 

Every few steps we take, learn to take a step back. Just a small pause and that is all is needed. Try it, you may like a pause after all!

Expectation - Keep it Reasonable

        Expectations - The word that can get a relationship either uphill or downhill. But does that mean one needs to stop having expectations or keep the expectations - now that's a million dollar question.

Every relationship, every person in the relationship has expectations. I do not know anyone who has no expectations. But sometimes it so happens that we over shoot what we need to expect. And with that we have unnecessary expectations from our partner. That poor partner at times very willingly bears the brunt and sometimes gives it a slight push. Can you blame them? Clearly not.

But this thing of expecting is something that cannot be changed. When that person is yours, you are bound to expect. Who else will you expect from other than this one person in your life that you love. Ensure that expectation is reasonable. Else, it is not a fair strike at all. 

Relationship Spoilers

                   Relationship needs to be nurtured. If it is not, it dies and it is never a natural death. Here are a few reasons why it dies,

1. Ego
2. Arrogance
3. Attitude
4. Lack of communication
5. Love ceases to exist
6. No effort from either
7. Uncomfortable silence
8. No compassion
9. Temper
10. Unnecessary arguments
11. Dishonesty
12. Lack of fun and laughter

Always ensure there is love and communication. Never let it die. It is always work in progress and a relationship is never an end product.

A Lovely Episode

               I was eagerly waiting to watch today's Man Vs. Wild episode. It featured our PM with Bear Grylls and I must say it was splendid to watch. 

This hour long episode featuring Jim Corbett National Park with our PM and Bear was such a treat. No words to describe Modi's spirit and positive attitude. And Bear is always a delight. 
There wasn't an iota of fear in Modi's eyes. He was so brave and such a sport that one hour made me become an even bigger admirer of our PM. 

The walk in the national park and the cross across the water body was done with the biggest smile. Bear had so many questions to ask and he answered them all with utmost earnest and honesty. 

Some key take away's from what he spoke,

1. Always stay positive from within
2. Always try to see the good things in everything.
3. Focus on the good things in life.
4. God is omnipresent. Always trust in him. 
5. Nature and humans should never have a conflict. 

So for any of you who missed this episode, please catch up on it and watch the repeat telecast. It is absolutely worth it! 

A Lovely Evening

               Sankey Tank - A place that I don't get to go too often for that fact that I don't live in North Bangalore. But over this weekend, I decided that I want to take a walk there. 
It's a beautiful walk by the water. The path is made so well that it is delightful to walk there. Fresh and clean air, greenery around, water to please the sight and all you need is company that can make it even better to spend a few serene hours. 

We went around the path once and it was a pretty long circle to cover which took a few hours. Birds building nests, geese wading water, humans clicking pictures and what not. But all in all, if I was given a chance, I would walk there every single day. But for now, I am happy and content to have taken a walk at the weekend. 

So for all people in Bangalore, if you have not visited this place, please do. It feels great to be lost in nature for a few hours, even though the serenity quotient can be a notch less. 

A New Pick Up

          Sometime back I was in Chennai and happened to pick up a Ghagra for myself. But for some reason only the bottom was sold and there was no top. But the skirt was so good that I didn't want to leave it. It was pink and golden and it was so gorgeous. 

I wanted to pick up a top to wear it, but all these days I had not found one. Today, happened to be a lucky day when I got a top to match it. Of course, it had to be contrast. I picked up a dark green top, with pink and golden embroidery. The combination looked really good. 

Now, I need to pick up a Pink and Green dupatta. Then this is going to be best outfit to wear to a nice occasion.