No matter what …

When I’m lost in the complexities of human relationships and circumstances, I have often been cheered up by just a bird song or an unexpected shower or just sheer silvery moonlight magic. And then I find all of me saying ‘Life IS good.’ I wonder if you’ve ever been on the roller coaster ride of life? Either you are just waiting to simply get out or are enjoying the ups and downs. No matter which side you are on, I have just one thing to say to you: Life is beautiful and all it takes is a shift in perception. Look at the silver lining when a dark cloud stares at you. Enjoy the fragrance of the rose when you’re holding its thorny stem in your hand.

You raise me up …

What I simply love about life is the sheer magic of surprises. And the best thing is they come in all sizes, packages, shapes, colours and kinds. If you’re wondering what surprise initiated this post – it’s a song! It’s called “You raise me up” by Josh Groban. The words were like a high-powered beam of light that pierced through the darkness of confusion and inadequacy.

The lyrics:

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

It was just the reminder I needed to tell myself. The power, more often than not, comes from where we are rooted. Have you ever looked at your roots?

I’m awed …

I’ve lately been experiencing a string of miracles. Miracles that can hardly be shoved under the carpet as mere coincidences. It began with a determined effort to watch a movie before the week was up. And the only way to do that was a 9:30 show on a Saturday morning. However, my friend arrived late to pick me up. And so we reached a wee bit late only to discover that the tickets were for Sunday! As we walked away disheartened, my friend decided to try our luck at the ticket counter (A very unusual move considering that the ticket counters screamed “houseful”). And what do we see there? A guy waiting to sell 2 tickets for that very show and a guy with crossed fingers hoping for tickets on Sunday! Needless to say, the next few moments were a blur until we were seated at our places! I wonder how these situations are engineered. The timing, the precision, the coincidences just blow my mind!

I’m amazed ...

I’m amazed at God. How did He create beauty? How did He know what colors would steal human hearts? How did He infuse fragrance into flowers? How did he know flat stretches of land needed to be interrupted with hills, mountains, valleys and lakes? What pigments did He mix to get that perfect azure blue color of the sky that has inspired mankind since time began? I think I know just where I’m going to be when I cross the Pearly Gates. In all probability I shall be sitting at the Heavenly Laboratory, on St. Peter’s Avenue and getting answers to the mysteries and the beauty that make up this fabulous world!

I believe in tears and sighs

I heard this from a friend: She had read somewhere that God collects our tears and he values them. It stayed in my head. Last night, in the twilight hours of that blissful reprieve called sleep, that comforting thought turned into vivid imagery. In the pregnant blackness of space I saw human sighs and tears deposited in a plain container. Invisible hands then gently tipped the container into space. Lo and behold! Stars floated out! Is that what happens to our expressions of grief and despair. Do they turn into radiant guiding lights in our lives? Was this the Supreme One’s ways of letting me know that no sorrow comes into our life aimlessly?

I believe in nature

Whoever discovered the power of nature be blessed. After the grueling pace of city life, a breather at home was very welcome. And what a breather! Rain every single day that I was home. The refreshing cool winds, the welcome sounds of thunder, the brilliant flashes of lightening and the sound of rain healed my parched soul like no other balm could have. Thank you God for rain!

I believe in hope

We’ve all heard how hope keeps man alive. And, how true. In an absolutely hopeless situation, I asked God for a ray of hope. And what did I get, a rain shower! Badly needed for a thirsting earth and this despairing soul. There it was! My miracle, my silver lining. And now I know, no matter how impossible the situation, the ray of light captured in my soul will not die. For the keeper of our souls is above situations and circumstances. Thank you, God, for hope.

I believe in sharing

Have you ever pondered on the power of sharing? I remember an old saying that said something to the effect of “share your joys and they multiply; share your sorrows and they get lighter.” And as each day goes by I’ve discovered that it is just so true. However, it follows no designated path. Share misery and you reap some more. Share happiness and you carry a ray of sunshine everywhere you go. Share special moments and you set the stage for more. I call it the magic of sharing. Thank you all who’ve shared with me!

I believe in friends

I don’t have many friends. But the few that I do have, are treasured. Yes, I’ve loved and lost. Loved and moved on. But friends still form a core group in my life. And, it’s just amazing the way most of them can read me. Understand when I’m down. Be my spot of sunshine, the lovely flower by the lonely wayside, the silver lining. Thank you, friends. Each one of you who has, continues to and will enrich my life. God bless.

I believe in despair!

That is definitely not what one would like to hear on a sunny, happy page. And yet, after the despairing clouds of gloom come forth the most golden rays. The darker the cloud, the brighter the silver lining. So here’s to the dark moments of life. The storm clouds that act as harbingers of renewal. The thunder and lightening that shake and then build our faith. The hard rains that force life from a parched earth. Thank you all, for you make life whole!

I believe in courage

Last night by some twist of fate, I landed smack in the middle of a dear friend’s significant moment. I was in her room waiting for her to finish her phone conversation with her father when I heard her speak about the man in her life. I sat up straight! I couldn’t believe this young lady was telling her strict father about her love interest when he was briefing her on the alliances he had found for her. That was courage.
I was touched that wanted me around when she had that conversation. That was courage too. To be able to trust someone with your deepest secrets. Thanks, young lady. You taught me more about courage and trust than any books could have.

I believe in words

What is it about words that make us smile and stay chirpy all day long? Sometimes at work, other times at home, at play and just about anywhere. These words fall on us ever so gently. And often, these words are over phone, via mail. And yet, how powerful. A loving word from Dada makes my week. A word of concern warms me. A word of encouragement makes me compliment others. A compliment makes me and all around me smile all day through. Oh yes! I believe in words! Nice, happy and sunny ones!

I believe in change

Though I would love to, I’ve still not reached that place where I have no grudges against anyone at all. Yet, it was such a happy occasion when I just took this conscious decision to like someone. It was after all a shift in perception. And what a lovely evening I had with her! Thank God! We can change the course of our unhappiness.

A week to remember

The week began beautifully. Would you call an unexpected expression of love a miracle? On Monday, I decided on an impulse to introduce a friend in need to my mentor. My friend was blessed. I saw her sigh with relief at being released from a dilemma that was eating into her. And during the conversation, I heard him say that I was their daughter not like their daughter!

The beauty of that miracle was complimented by good news from another friend. A long and eagerly awaited wedding was planned between him and his sweetheart, finally. As if that was not enough, he was blessed with a great new job! I believe, I believe in the power of prayer!

Thoughtful Thursday
A class in the evening. A night spent with friends. And insights galore! It was a brilliant session on seeing the writing on the wall. I think most of us left the place pondering, looking for cues that pointed to the writing. And, what grabs me is the redeeming factor. That there is no situation so terrible that the Good Lord cannot see us through!

Freaky Friday
After a really, really loooooooong time, there was a down moment. And as I leave I’m again faced with the prospect of a lonely evening. A call catches my friend at a luck moment. We meet up. Feed ourselves with great conversation and we’re excited like little schoolgirls. For both of us tell one another how the other has been a Godsend. Miracle? You bet!

Sunny Saturday
I could choose between sleeping through the day or spending it with a lovely lady. I choose the latter and what a fabulous day it turned out to be! Till the last moment I spent with her. Smothered with love and care. Sharing tender moments. Giggling like little girls. Whispering secrets as we shop for colors and fabrics. Thank you, lovely lady.

Smooth Sunday
I think I’ve finally found the essence of a church. It was, is and was meant to be a family. And, boy. What a family I am part of.
I cried. No shame.
Men shared their fears. No shame.
Another shared what she had never dared verbalize. No shame.
Just a lot of acceptance and love in the air. Thank you, breakthrough Community. And, yes as if that was not enough. I did get to go for a movie with uncle ‘n aunty. That sure was family!

Magic Monday
No I’ve not forgotten my miracle moments. I’ve been learning more about the intricate relationship between miracles. When you’ve spent some lovely moments in the warmth of a home, going back to the hostel is hardly a welcome prospect. But after a warm weekend, that is just what I had to do. And, of course, there is something about life that it does not leave someone entirely lonely. That night I was all-aglow within a magical ring of chocolate cookies and warm conversation. God bless my hostels buddies.

Touching Tuesday
After a stressed out day at work, who does not want to feel loved and wanted. And I think all I needed to make a fulfilling day complete was a real warm hug. And sure enough, there was this one nice warm friend who had not seen me for ages. Her goodbye was the warmest in a long time. Thank you. You know who you are and I just want to say that it meant a lot to feel wanted.

Winning Wednesday
After setting near-impossible tasks for myself for today, it was a miracle to actually leave office with a sense of completeness. It was amazing – the wisdom that came through, the calm amidst the storm. It was simply unbelievable! Thank you God!

Miracle weekend!
It’s a nice sunny Monday and the weekend was a miracle. Sometimes, I’m not too keen to welcome the weekend for I know it might be a lonely affair. And this weekend was one I was not looking forward to. And a little call to my guardians set that right. To be amidst a loving family makes a world of difference. It prepares you to take on the rest of the world during the week. And so here I am. Pampered with love and ready to make an impact on the world.
Ah yes, I forgot. This was supposed to be a place of miracles, right. Sunshine after rain. The silver lining. Late last week there was a proposal. Informal though but required a photograph. And, for once the fighter in me had retired. My place in the sun, dreams, they had lost their sheen somehow. There was a tired, heartfelt whisper that just said I was deeply disappointed about dreams, love. And, smack in the middle of the weekend comes the answer! Totally out of the blue. Like a spring flower in an arid spot. Everything was off. The proposal was not to be carried forward! You could have knocked me over with a feather!
So that was a miracle! And yes, it reinforces my faith in the beauty and truth of life! Good luck, folks. I hope you’ll begin to see you miracles too. Soon.

Was I touched by sunshine today?

Yes. But I had to really wrack my brains to do so. The night and the morning dragged on with me imbedded in a hopeless morass of despair and gloom. So how did the sunshine break through to me?

Last evening, there was a mail from a friend who was struggling with the same pain that I was going through. I had put off calling her for fear of having to cry and feel my well-masked pain again. Finally, did put a call through. I spoke and cheered her through the blur and the haze. And there it was. A mail from her to thank me for the courage and hope I had given her! That was something!

The night brought a call from a very unlikely person. Someone who found me an inspiration. Someone who had been motivated to press on to greater goals and achieve their potential. How I did that? The Good Lord knows. For all I did was speak in a group session where the person concerned was a member.

As if that was not enough! This morning, I opened my door to a gentle knock. Having seen me sneeze and sniffle, the previous night, a good friend brought me a dose of Vitamin C (translated orange). This comes from someone who hates climbing steps and yet she makes it to my room amidst the morning rush. That was in itself amazing. What more evidence do I need to provide for sunshine?

It was Day 0 and I had things to be thankful about!

I had just set up my very first blog (hoping that there might be some more as I grow and mature) yesterday when I decided to make my own spot of sunshine. I’ve been trying to change my attitude form one who’s logical and analytical to someone who can enjoy every moment with a grateful heart. Not easy and all I had done over the past couple of years was sigh over this girl who’d lost her ability to stay happy no matter what the clouds. And that’s why this blog was going to play a crucial role in helping me re-discover the happy girl within the corporate woman.

And sure enough, my moments of happiness (that have always existed but never acknowledged) began yesterday. It was a sneezy day. (I suffer from perennial allergic rhinitis i.e. a whiff of perfume, seasoning, moulds and dust mites traversing in the air and a myriad other allergens can trigger off a reaction that can ruin the day with energy-sapping sneezes.) And all I needed was some TLC, a hot cup and some food made with love. Not easy when one is a hostelite! And guess what happened? A silent prayer breathed out of a deep desire and there was an offer not just for all the above but an invitation to stay over and a movie, too! God bless the Sunderrajs! Well, there sure is a lot of love out there! So how do I say thank you?

How does one begin to measure life? By its sorrows or by its happiness? By the number of memorable moments or by those innumerable moments in life we'd rather forget? By counting the good times or the bad times? Well, the most natural and politically correct and socially acceptable answer would be all the positive ones. However, after looking around me and within me I've arrived at a conclusion - people gauge the quality of their life by the absence of happiness rather than the presence of it. And that's a pretty sad reality - why should the absence of goodness and happiness be a yardstick? Let's revel in the haves and relegate the have-nots to the dim mists of the past.

Have you ever wondered why some wise soul said "Count your blessings"? Oh yes! That's hi-tech therapy for anybody wallowing in the depths of self-pity, sinking in the bog of shallow living and suffocating in the chambers of insufficiency. What happened to you this morning? Did you unexpectedly get a smile? Was there a compliment hidden somewhere? Was there a surprise mail from a long-lost friend? Was there an invitation to share a moment?

Look for these building blocks. For these building blocks not only make our lives but also allow us to grow. And, better still, why wait to initiate these building blocks. A smile given brings you a smile too. That's a building -block forged in the depths of your goodness! So let's look around and look for our building blocks. If you don't see one, build one! That's life my friend. And a beautiful one, too!

Hi! This is sunshine spot! You'll find rays of light, silver linings, several dawns and lots of good news and hope to help pep up your life. Friends and compatriots - lend me thine ears!