A True friend

You are my dear friend

Who wished me well and lead

As a guide and helped

 

 You are a true friend

Who I always trusted

And your friendship I treasured

 

 You are my all weather friend

Of all my contacts listed

I will be in touch with you indeed

 

The greatest gift is the time you spend

By the side of a friend in need

Sharing those precious moments is a good deed

  

Your friendship is gifted

With wishes I am bestowed

And for me you are a god send   ©Vimala Paran

This poem is dedicated to the memory of my best friend

ಕಾಯಕನಾ? ಅಥವಾ ಭಕ್ತಿಭಾವವಿಲ್ಲದ ಪೂಜೆನಾ?…..

“ಕಾಯಕವೇ ಕೈಲಾಸ”, “ಆಚಾರವೇ ಸ್ವರ್ಗ”…”ದೇಹವೇ ದೇಗುಲ”….ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಶರಣ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ, ವಚನಗಳ ರೂಪದಲ್ಲಿ ನೀಡಿರುವ ನುಡಿಮುತ್ತುಗಳು. ನಮ್ಮ ವಚನಕಾರರು, ಶರಣರು ಪ್ರಪಂಚಕ್ಕೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟ ಕೊಡುಗೆಗಳು. ಇಂತಹ ನುದಿಗಳನ್ನು ಅರಿತು,ಮನದಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ದೈನಂದಿನ ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಆಚರಣೆಗೆತರುವುದು ಬಹಳ ಮುಖ್ಯ. ವಿಪರ್ಯಾಸವೆಂದರೆ ಬಹಳ ಮಂದಿ ವಚನಗಳನ್ನು ಬಾಯಿಪಾಠ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು, ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಉರು ಹೊಡೆದು, ಉದ್ದಿನ ಬಾಷಣವನ್ನು ನೀಡುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಪುಣರು. ಆದರೆ ಆಚರಿಸುವುದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸೊನ್ನೆ. ಭಕ್ತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದ ನೀರಸ ಪೂಜಾಸಲ್ಲುವಿಕೆ ನಿರರ್ಥಕ. ಕಾಯಕದ ಹಾದಿಯನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸಬೇಕೆಂಬ ವಿಚಾರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಕೆಲವು ಆಲೋಚನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಈ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಲೆಖನದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಪಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

 ಇಂದಿನ ವಿಜ್ನಾನಯುಗದಲ್ಲಿ, ದಿನ ನಿತ್ಯದ ಬದುಕಿನ ಜಟಕಾಬಂಡಿಯನ್ನು ಅತಿ ವೇಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಗಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಜನರು, ಸಭ್ಯತೆ-ಸಂಸ್ಕ್ರಿತಿ ಮರೆತಿರುವ ಮಂದಿ, ಅನುಕರಣೆ-ಪೈಪೋಟಿಯೆಂಬ ದ್ಯೇಯವಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು, ಒಣ ಆಡಂಬರಕ್ಕಾಗಿಯೊ, ಪಾಪಕರ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ತೊಳೆದು ಕೊಂಡು ಶುದ್ಧಿಯಾಗಲೋ ಏನೋ ಪೂಜಾಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವವರು, ಮಂತ್ರಗಳ ಸತ್ವವನ್ನು ಅರಿಯದೆ ಉಚ್ಛರಿಸುವವರು, ಅನ್ಯರಿಗೆ ನೀತಿ ಪಾಠಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಕಾಲಕಳೆಯುವವರು ಯಾವ ಕಾರ್ಯಸಿದ್ಧಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿದ್ದಾರೆಯೋ ನಾನರಿಯೆ.

 ಯುಗಯುಗಾಂತರದಿಂದಲು ಜ್ನಾನಿಗಳು, ಮೇಧಾವಿಗಳು, ಗುರು-ಹಿರಿಯರು,ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರು ಉಪದೇಶಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿರುವುದು: “ಕೆಲಸವೇ ದೇವರಿಗೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸುವ ಪೂಜೆ”. ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣನು ಮಹಭರತದಲ್ಲಿ, ಅರ್ಜುನನ ಕುರಿತು -”ಕರ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಮಹತ್ವ ನೀಡು, ನಿನ್ನ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವನ್ನು ನೀನು ಪರಿಪಾಲಿಸು”ಯೆಂದು ಗೀತೋಪದೇಶದ ಸಂಧರ್ಬದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿರುವುದು ನಮ್ಮೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ತಿಳಿದಂತಹ ಸಂಗತಿ. ಮಾನವನು ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷಿಸಿ, ಮಹಾಪೂಜೆ, ಯಜ್ನ-ಯಾಗಾದಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ, ದೇವರ ಮುಂದೆ ತನ್ನ ಅಪೇಕ್ಷೆಗಳ ಪಟ್ಟಿಯನ್ನು ಇಡುವುದನ್ನು ನೋಡಿರುವೆವು. ಬೇಡಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು ಈಡೇರಿಸೆಂದು, ಆಸೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸೆಂದು ಮೊರೆ ಹೋಗುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡಿದ್ದೇವೆ.

 ರಬೀಂದ್ರನಾಥ ಠಗೋರರು ತಮ್ಮ ಒಂದು ಪದ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ “ದೇವರನ್ನು ಕಾರ್ಮಿಕನ ಕೆಲಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣು…” ಎಂದು ಅಧ್ಬುತವಾಗಿ ವರ್ಣನೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹನ್ನೆರಡನೇ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಸವಣ್ಣನವರು “ಕಾಯಕವೇ ಕೈಲಾಸ”ವೆಂದು ವಚನದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯರಿಗೂ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗುವಂತೆ ಕಾಯಕದ ಮಹತ್ವವನ್ನು ಸಾರಿರುವುದು ಇಂದಿನ ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತೊಂದನೇ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ. ಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ ಬೆಳಕು ತೋರುವ ನುಡಿ ದೀವಿಗೆ. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ತಮ್ಮ ತಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದುವರೆದು, ನಿಪುಣತೆಯನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕು. ಅದೇ ಆ ದೇವರಿಗೆ ನಾವು ಮಾಡುವ ನಿತ್ಯ ಆರಾಧನೆ.ಕಾಯಕವು ಕೇವಲ ಕಾಂಚಾಣಗಳಿಸುವ ಹಾದಿಯಾಗದೆ, ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾ-ಭಕ್ತಿಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷೇತ್ರವಾಗಬೇಕು, ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿತ್ವ ವಿಕಸನದ ನೆಲೆಯಾಗ ಬೇಕು, ಆತ್ಮವಿಶ್ವಾಸ ನೀಡುವ ನಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನದ ಅವಿಭಾಜ್ಯ ಅಂಗವಾಗಬೇಕು.

 ಕಾಯಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರದ್ಧೆ ಭಕ್ತಿ ತೋರಿದವನಿಗೆ, ಶ್ರಮವಹಿಸಿ ಸಾಧನೆ ಮಾಡುವವನಿಗೆ ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಸೋಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಬಾಳಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂತ್ರಿಪ್ತಿಯನ್ನು, ಶ್ರೇಯಸ್ಸನ್ನು, ನೆಮ್ಮದಿಯನ್ನು ಹಂಬಲಿಸುವ ಮಾನವ ಮೊದಲು ತನ್ನ ವೃತ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಮನಃಪೂರ್ವಕವಾಗಿ ನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಿ, ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷಮತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಕಾರ್ಯವೈಖರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅನುಭವ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು. ಆಗ ಆತನ ಜೀವನ ಸಾಕ್ಷಾತ್ಕಾರವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.

 ಅಚ್ಚರಿ ಮೂಡಿಸುವ ವಿಷಯವೆಂದರೆ ಒಣ ಆಡಂಬರ, ಡಂಭಾಚಾರ, ಪೈಪೋಟಿ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿಸುವ ಜನಸಂಖ್ಯ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿರುವ ಈ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಕ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥೈಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳದೆ, ಘಂಟೆಗಟ್ಟಲೆ ದೇವರ ಪೂಜಾಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ, ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳನ್ನು ಉಚ್ಛರಿಸಿ, ಕಟ್ಟುಪಾಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಅಂಧತ್ವದಿಂದ ಪಾಲಿಸುವವರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ದಿನಾಲು ಬಹಳ ಹೊತ್ತು ಪೂಜೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿದರೆ ಪಾಪನಾಶವಾಗುತ್ತದೆಂಬ ನಂಬಿಕೆ. ನಾವು ಏನೇ ತಪ್ಪುಮಾಡಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅನಾಚಾರವನ್ನು ಎಸಗಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅನ್ಯರ ಮನ ನೋಯಿಸಿದ್ದರೂ ದೇವರ ಪೂಜೆ ಮಾಡಿಬಿಟ್ಟರೆ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮುಚ್ಚಿಹೋಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂಬ ಭಾವನೆ, ಅಘಾಡವಾದ ನಂಬಿಕೆ. ದೇವರ ಹುಂಡಿಗೆ ದುಡ್ಡನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿದರೆ ಪಾಪಕರ್ಮಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಕ್ಷೀಣಿಸಿ, ದೇವರನ್ನು ಒಲಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದೆಂಬ ಅಜ್ಞಾನ ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕವಿದಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ವಿಚಾರವಂತರು, ಸಜ್ಜನರು, ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ಅಮೂಲ್ಯವೆಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞಾವಂತರು, ಕಾಯಕವೇ ಕೈಲಾಸವೆಂದು ನಂಬಿ, ಆಚರಿಸಿ, ತಮ್ಮ ಜೀವನವನ್ನು ಕಾಯಕಕ್ಕಾಗಿ, ಸಮಾಜದ, ದೇಶದ ಪ್ರಗತಿಗಾಗಿ, ಉನ್ನತಿಗಾಗಿ ಮುಡಿಪ್ಪಿಟ್ಟು, ತಮ್ಮ ಬದುಕನ್ನು ಸಾರ್ಥಕಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ.

 ನಾವೆಲ್ಲರು ಅವರ ಹಾದಿಯನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸೋಣ ಬನ್ನಿ, ಜ್ಞಾನ ದೇಗುಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲಿತ ಪಾಠಗಳನ್ನು, ನೀತಿ ತತ್ವಗಳನ್ನು ಜೀವನ ರೂಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಉಪಯೋಗಿಸಿ, ದೈನಂದಿನ ಬದುಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನೀತಿಯನ್ನು ಪಾಲಿಸಿ, ಉತ್ತಮ ಗುಣಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿ, ಕಾಯಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತಮರಾಗುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು.ಒಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪೂಜೆಯ ಕೋಣೆಯನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟಿಸಿ, ತೋರಿಕೆಗಾಗಿ, ಸಮಾಜದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂತಸ್ತಿಗಾಗಿ ಹೆಣಗಾಡಿ, ವಿವಿಧ ಬಗೆಯ ಪೂಜೆಯನ್ನು ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿ, ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಂಚಾಣಗಳಿಸುವ ಉಪಾಯಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ, ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರವಾಕುತ್ತಾ, ಮಹದಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊತ್ತು, ಸನ್ಮಾರ್ಗವನ್ನು ಮರೆತು, ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ಸವಿನಿಯೋಗಗೊಳಿಸದೆ ಕುಳಿತಿರುವ, ಅಂಧಕಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿರುವ ಜನರಿಗೆ “ಕಾಯಕವೇ ಕೈಲಾಸ” ವೆಂಬ ಜ್ಞಾನ ದೀವಿಗೆಯು ಬೆಳಕಿನೆಡೆಗೆ ಕರೆದೊಯ್ಯುತ್ತದೆಂದು ಆಶಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.

Who am I?

    Sometimes when we stand in front of the mirror…need not be a moment of self introspection or  self realization..  For a brief moment we pause and wonder…who am I?

     A daughter to my parents, sister to my siblings, a student to my teachers, co-worker to my colleagues, writer to my readers, teacher to my students, a kid when I play with kids in the neighbourhood, reliable trustworthy friend to my friends, and someday a lover to someone special…so on and so forth. We all play multiple roles at various stages of our lives. We are failures in  some areas and great success stories in others. In this journey of life, through ups and downs, learnings and pleasures, smiles and tears, there is this one constant “me”. Beyond all this who am i? Though this article is supposed to be about me….my life reflects a million other lives…in a million ways…

wondering ….how?

There are so many people out there, contributing to make this planet a better place to live in…to make it more greener, those who strive to conserve wild life, people who think about the welfare of the fellow human beings and well being of the poor, downtrodden and impoverished lives. I am one among them. That is who I really am. Someone who cares about the world and all the creations in it.Beyond the way people perceive me, I would like to be known simply as a simple human being who walked the path of non violence and compassion.

A sneak peek in to my little world. I grew up in India, studied electronics engineering as that was my passion, travelled 18% of this planet working with different companies on assignments and on adventurous vacations. I am still learning, growing and nurturing with zeal and enthusiasm. In my peer group, I am better known as an inquisitive person with positive attitude. However worried and petrified I am from within, I come out as a confident, daring person. I don’t share worries and negative thoughts with others however close they are. Even in the midst of a catastrophe, I remain cool and maintain my calmness and cheerful attitude towards life.Because I always want to have a positive impact on people around me and create a positive ambience.  So, here it is ….who am I? Vimala paranjyothi….a Sanskrit word which means pure, eternal light, a beacon which glows forever. I strive to remain true to my name and sustain it’s aptness. Believe me, it’s quite challenging…

Since childhood we are asked this ubiquitous question many times…Who you would like to be? Who do you want to become? The answer to that question by me has always been. – I would like to be just “me”. I am happy and content being me.

I would like to conclude this little blog with a favorite quote of mine – “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

My people

My people

These are the people 
Who made me who I am

These are the people
Who like me the way I am

These are the people
Who care for me and share

These are the people
Who are precious and rare

These are the people 
Who value my every word 

These are the people
Who are part of my world…….©Vp

Dedicated to all my friends in different parts of the world. Life is special because you all are there. 

  

My Dear

My dear,

There isn’t anyone as special as you. Your simplicity and profound thoughts intrigue me. Your down-to-earth attitude impresses me. I am glad to have met you, known you and still learning from you. Here are a few lines for you….

 

 

 

You walk a few steps away 
Then gracefully turn back and wave
That is when my heart skips a beat

I don’t seem to find a way
In a Worldly maze, so for peace I crave  
And to my sanctuary, I retreat   

When you are around I feel this way
as if All is good and I am still brave
You inspire me to achieve many a feat

As you smile in a mysterious way
I indulge in capturing it in my mind to save  
Every moment with you is a huge treat…©Vp

Forever in Love
Vimala Paran

Toast to an inspiring mentor

Toast to an inspiring mentor – Toastmaster.
An exciting journey from being a silent listener to becoming an eloquent speaker.

Toastmaster meeting: A carefully planned agenda, speeches, competent speakers, guests, ribbons,table topics and applause….In the midst of all that, a silent listener….
I would be sitting there mind full of thoughts, ideas skimming to the surface of the mind…to form words and articulate in front of a crowd. I wouldn’t make an attempt to actually get up and go on to the stage. What stopped me? My very evident self-awareness? Worry about making mistakes? Nervous about “what if I don’t get to a natural flow of words? What if I stop in the middle?” those were just my own inhibitions, the imaginary borders I had drawn myself, the obstacles I had imagined and helped them grow in to huge giants. I was in my comfort zone, sitting there sipping water/juice listening to somebody making an attempt to speak. What is the use of all the thinking I do, if I cannot express the thoughts? What is the use of knowledge if I don’t have a platform to share it? Why am I hiding? From what? From my own self who is ebullient, eloquent, who is an artist, who doesn’t shy away from criticism? I can seamlessly perform different roles and connect with different kind of audiences when I am out there on the stage performing dance, singing, presenting in a conference about the subject I am passionate about. Why is it so different when I am conscious of the crowd, when it is about just speaking in a toastmaster meeting? I can easily wear multiple hats and juggle with topics and transition from one subject to another during coffee table conversations. Why is it so different in a formal setting as in a Toastmaster meeting?

Now that I have let myself out of the comfort zone, grown out of shyness, it is a very different experience. I don’t need to be asked to speak. I volunteer to speak about table topic, I love to perform the different toastmaster roles, take on every opportunity that comes my way to express myself efficiently. I am not happy about my talk 100% all the time. At least I make an attempt to improvise each time. Every time I feel better, the more I talk the Better I feel, I guess that in itself is a sign of improvement and I am on the learning curve which will never become straight.
- Vimala Paran

This article is dedicated to Alex Salas.

Inquisitive Speaker

It is easier to pen down your thoughts in a journal or type on your ipad…but believe me it is much more difficult to express and articulate whats on your mind in front of audience…sensing their bewilderment, shying away from their inquisitive eyes, pondering looks …isnt easy

Speech impediments can be many and can crop up in many ways…make their presence felt on a number of occasions.

You would have heard of native speaker, good speaker, even excellent speaker, great orator, “inquisitive speaker” coined by me may be rather new in the speech circles….but I am sure there is no such a person like “Perfect speaker”, because it is not possible for such a person to exist. We are all learning, improvising on our speaking, articulating abilities, if we get to the level of perfect speaking then there wont be any necessity to learn, unlearn or relearn, there wont be an element of improvization and that is not going to happen ever.

Happy speaking and improving.

Life long love affair with chocolate

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

“Yummy”, “delicious”, feels like heaven”, “Incredible”, “Irresistible”……..mouth watering….taste, feel, flavour, aroma of chocolate. It is an interesting subject in itself – “what a piece of exquisite chocolate does to your senses”. Absolutely loveable, adorable……There is passion in every word I talk about chocolate. The taste of chocolate lingers in your mouth for a while and makes you want more.

The way chocolate lightens up your mood or brightens up your day is incomparable to anything else. Just a mention of the word chocolate is delightful and make your eyes sparkle….already running wild imagining the ecstasy of the world of chocolate.

As a child I was very intrigued by the creativity aspect of chocolate, the different designs, varieties, shapes, flavors etc…The more I explored about chocolate the more I fell in love with it. The intimacy that developed was interwoven with a kind of mysticism which encouraged me to try more chocolate.

My best friend shared a dialogue between mom and daughter -

      Mom: How does chocolate melt?

      Daughter: Chocolate melts like melting Moments

We often live our lives saving and storing chocolate (our special moments) for later and then end up missing them!

It is a delightful experience in itself to indulge oneself in tasting varieties of chocolate delicacies:  Fudges, Chocolate mousse cakes, brownies, chocolate candies, Chocolate milk shakes, chocolate ice-creams, chocolate chip cookies, truffles, pralines chocolates with different fillings (fruits, rum,), Wine infused chocolate, exquisite liquid center chocolates (spirited chocolates, coffee chocolates, fruit nectar chocolates), …the list goes on.

 There are also chocolate covered popcorn, pretzels, chocolate branded cherries, very berry chocolate bark, chocolate dipped kiwi fruit, orange peel, glaceed apricots in chocolate…try and revel in the new chocolate experience.

 Whether it is an individual having chocolate product or gifting it to dear ones, it feels incredible. A chocolate savvy person like me would love to become a chocolate connoisseur one fine day. It has been my dream to study – Chocolate engineering course and graduate as a chocolate professional.

I have had opportunities to visit chocolate factories in many parts of the world. Sometimes I took the guided tours and sometimes I went through the different sections of processing plant, blending, conching, tempering, packaging, storage, naming, labelling etc. My experiences during the visits range from that of sheer surprise and wonder to shocks and revelations. There lies a different world, chocolate world where everything is defined by chocolate, tastes, smells and breathes chocolate and takes your breath away by the creativity and innovation it offers. I feel a little crazy to make my chocolate confessions to the world through this article but aren’t we all crazy when it comes to chocolate?

Some of the chocolate brands from around the world are Côte-d’Or, Jacques, Leonidas, Marcolini, Neuhaus, Colombian Santander Chocolate, Luker, Mars,Godiva, Ghirardelli, Cailler, Toblerone, Ovomaltine, Villars, Lindt, Camille Bloch, Cadburys, Nestlé….

Some are very specific to their specialities – I will take the pleasure to name a few here

•        Guylian Belgian chocolate sea shells
•        Auer, for les traditionnels (truffes, pavés glacés)
•        Hautlé, for les palais d’or et les glaces maisons
•        Chocolaterie Du Rhône, for les cacaos origines et ganaches de saisons
•        Berger, for les ganaches
•        Micheli, for les chocolats aux meilleurs produits naturels
•        Pascoët, for le prix du meilleur chocolatier mondial
•        Hershey’s kisses
•        Lucienne’s  Biscotti and Dark Gourmet Chocolates
•        Ferrero Rocher by Italian chocolatier Ferrero SpA.
•        Cadbury’s Dairy milk bars
•        Russian Korkunov chocolate bars
•        Lotte’s Sasha Chocolate Goldleaf
•        Storck’s Toffifee
•        Hawaiian Wow Wee Candy Bar
•        Cavalier’s Woodies

The list seems to be unending…I m unstoppable when the topic is about chocolate, savouring every bit(drop or bite) of it. Hope you savoured and relished reading it too. Do you feel a sweet tingling sensation in your taste buds?…Go get a chocolate bar and have it now.

Visit to a chocolate factory, not the Willy Wonka one… though I have visited Willy Wonka chocolate factory many times in my chocolaty dreams.

Gifts O’ mine

                                                                        

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those   transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” -John Milton.

In the different walks of life, I have treasured some of the gifts and there were also times when at those moments I didn’t realize they were gifts. There are some gifts which turned in to gifts because of the humane touch, people who made those moments special. There are some which are truly gifts in disguise until many years later I understood their priceless value.

The gifts I have, which have been bestowed on me…..

1. Infinite love and affection of my parents and siblings

2. Writing

3. Singing

4. Graceful dance moves

5. Vibrant jubilant life moments

6. Opportunities to travel

7. Great friendships

8. Creativity

9. Drawing, sketching and painting skills

10. Agility
 
11. Adaptability

12. Good health

13. Multi cuisine cooking skill

14. Encouraging and inspiring people around

15. Challenging assignments

16. Inspiring teachers

17. Reading and reciting skills

18. Strong will

19. Sense of freedom

20. Zeal and enthusiasm to try new things

21. Adventurous nature

22. Beautiful moments on top of Eiffel tower

23. Postcards from different parts of the world

24. Thousands of fan letters and emails.

25. Poetry

26. Difficult, testing times which made me strong

27. Rivals who envied me and enabled me to reach new heights

28. Time spent playing with children

29. Workout regimen that keeps me fit

30. Cambridge university studies

31. German language teachers – Prof Hande & Iris Katzenstein

32. Evenings at “my Tea shop” with Chand

33. Brainstorming sessions over cups of coffee with a best friend

34. Business planning hours with Santro

35. Endless shopping hours in huge malls in big cities and equally interesting and exciting shopping experience in small shops buying trinkets.

36. Three hours on a house boat in Kerala backwaters

37. Kite flying experiences every year during childhood

38. The many amusement park rides and thrilling experiences

39. Time spent trekking small hills and huge mountains with jovial, adventurous groups

40. Career years – “Leading without titles”

41. A decade of interesting, challenging and intriguing career

42. Opportunities to compete – Essay contests, debates, singing, quiz, crossword puzzles, scrabble and Sudoku

43. Tears which inspired and appeared now and then

44. Moments spent reviewing a budding writer’s poems

45. Noons in Malleshwaram with Mamatha

46. Letters from friends

47. A bouquet of roses, picture book and gifts from NU colleagues

48. Evenings spent playing badminton with Juhi, Vicky and Mike at Norwich university sports   centre

49. The many adventures on Swiss Alps, Jung Frau, Trummelbach cave falls 

50. A rose crafted using blades of a leaf

51. Every evening spent listening to music and singing along

52. Hot air balloon ride

53. iPod classic

54. A beautiful carved wooden jewelry box that I bought with my first UK salary

56. Zeal to try adventurous tasks

57. Love of life

58. Vivacious

59. Learning ability

60. Hours I spent watching classic bollywood movies with dad

61. Retail therapy with Sis and friends

62. Spa days after which I felt relaxed and rejuvenated

63. Droid incredible 2

64. Collection of sports wear

65. Time spent grooming new hires and trainees

66. Train rides in London

67. Climb to the top of York tower

68. The many hurdles and stumbling stones I encountered in my journey and the lessons I learnt from each one of them

69. Evenings at plantation garden in Norwich

70. My huge collection of books (all genres)

71. Bird watching moments (the thrill of anticipation, beauty of nature and endless patience)

72. Moments spent watching the blanket of stars lying on the terrace

73. Trip to Cromer and Gt. Yarmouth with my brother

74. Sundays spent teaching bharatnatyam dance steps to children

75. Daily ritual of journal writing

76. Mentors

77. Samba dance session in London with Liz

78. Coffee and tea estate visits with family

79. Boat rides with friends

80. Chocolate factory visits

81. Walks in the rain

82. Cherished memories of childhood with granny

83. Salsa classes I took

84. Dreams that I dared to dream and pursued passionately and strenuously

85. Tonga ride in Mumbai

86. Numerous beach walks

87. Samsonite backpack which has travelled 18% of this planet with me.

88. Handcrafted book with pressed flowers presented by my sister

89. Motorbike rides with my brother with the breeze blowing on my face and the thrill

90. Countless views of sunrise and sunset

91. List of audacious goals that I have gifted myself

92. A gift box I get from Godiva chocolates every month with their latest chocolate creation

93. Collection of my favorite music (classical, western, country, instrumental, bollywood, Latin, folk, ghazals, rock and Sufi)

94. Bhagavad-Gita book

95. Louis vuitton handbag – a beautiful, classic L’Essential bag

96. Clef Note Pendant

97. Shell pearl necklace

98. Pashmina shawl

99. Card made by my youngest dance student (Aditi) for me

100. Carved Idol of Radha Krishna gifted by Manjula

101. Everyday magic that is happening as part of the celebration called Life

         I spring out of my bed at the crack of dawn with vigor and exhilaration each day. More than anything, I feel indescribably healthy – that is the best gift of all.

Every moment is a gift, precious and a priceless one….Enjoy every moment…Reflect on how best you lived in the moment – Vimala Paran

Letter to a baby

This is a beautiful letter which is composed in the heart of every mother when she looks at her new born baby. It is true that the baby cannot read or comprehend the words in the letter until many years later, but I guess just the way a mom holds her baby, looks at him/her, cradles the baby with her hands all these words in the letter are conveyed. Sometimes just a look, a smile, affectionate touch say a thousand words...Incredible, Isn't it?

 

Dear Baby,

Be yourself, no one can be you….When you grow up, speak for yourself no one
can speak for you…. Stand up for yourself, just be you..the real you…not to
please others but to be you…not for the sake of others but for your own, just
be you…the only you…the real you…the unique you.

 

Don’t shy away from yourself, don’t be afraid of the critics, don’t take it to
heart, what others have to say….just be you…the wonderful you, the real
you…

 

What it takes to be you….the smile, the attitude and persona.  What it means
to be you….your values, your looks, wonder in your eyes…..The liveliness,
cheer and zeal..that are real…just be you …truly you, beautiful you….

 

Don’t be embarrassed of what you do for a living… don’t regret from where you
come from…don’t be ashamed of telling out loud what you think,what you
mean…you are you …the only you…on this planet…remember that there is no
one else like you

 

Will you be like somebody? Some day? Fake your way and your smile…..lead a
life with masks all the time? OR will you value my words and be yourself all
day? All the time…Be the exquisite you, naturally you…….be true to
you…..always

 

You are the one…the only one just be proud of who you are…dont suffocate in
the past, live every moment of the present…..just be you every second ….just
be you for the record, just be you for who you are and what you do….

 

Appreciate the very nature of you, do not compare with what others do, dont you
think what others are like,you are to become what you want to be, not what
others say you to be….

Grow high but do not forget to be humble, lift up yourself when u fall and
tumble.  Be kind and also assertive, know what you want and dare to dream. Don’t
get lost in the crowd, focus and persevere to be the ultimate you. Just
you….always keep alive the child within you, pursue your dreams to make them
true ….for you and keep the light of hope turned on….forever.

Always know that for your mom YOU ARE the world.

Love
Mom