tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221771552024-03-13T20:38:19.016+05:30Carpe Diem.. with meSeize the day, be aware that every moment in this lifetime makes a difference...Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-68432326798505930162014-04-16T17:47:00.003+05:302014-04-16T18:52:27.719+05:30...kinare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ever since I listened to this song, i was flooded with thoughts and the urge to write a post.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pwpEG1iGDe8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes, after the experience of attaining a particular set goal, we </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">wish that the close
& special people who were along with us in this journey would
choose to continue with us to the next destination. But alas, they have done
what they can and now they seek to move away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We can’t bear to let this happen.
Especially, if it’s the person who we think we need and cannot function
without. It’s a dreadful feeling to know that the ones you love, no longer need
you, like you still do them. </span>We don’t think we can stay afloat, ever again. <span style="font-family: inherit;">It feels like drowning, gasping for breaths,
contraction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yfTQb8CsBE/U05qoritpII/AAAAAAAAPyw/51OE82EBt2g/s1600/Sanctuary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yfTQb8CsBE/U05qoritpII/AAAAAAAAPyw/51OE82EBt2g/s1600/Sanctuary.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">But you need to, not just because there is so much more to
life or there will be others worthy of your love. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But because the journey has
always been, just about you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">People will come
and go, as and when they feel like. However, there will be just one person who is going to stay all through
your life. Its not your parents, siblings,
spouse, children or beloved friends. </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">It’s YOU, yourself. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s always going to be you that you have to
rely on. And that’s scary. What if you screw up? Again? with your choices of
people and decisions. Then you still, will have yourself. That is who you ever
had from the beginning and that is who will remain with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Asking others for guidance during the
journey is only to figure out the choices that are available since we
all have limited perspectives. Whichever
path we choose, it will eventually lead us to the destination, to the shore, which strangely
happens to be none other than, <b>ourselves</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRCLGdWcnYg/U05oxwsFpDI/AAAAAAAAPyU/KSMkNSBUVkg/s1600/2d87a0035c96775c664217102f3bce6d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRCLGdWcnYg/U05oxwsFpDI/AAAAAAAAPyU/KSMkNSBUVkg/s1600/2d87a0035c96775c664217102f3bce6d.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbq5iq_BJdE/U05qO5KwwdI/AAAAAAAAPyg/YXZS6D2lqNc/s1600/Cosmic+Meaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbq5iq_BJdE/U05qO5KwwdI/AAAAAAAAPyg/YXZS6D2lqNc/s1600/Cosmic+Meaning.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you listen to a story, you
connect the dots in a completely different way from any other person listening
to the same story. Similarly, every event that occurs in your life is random
and has only the meaning and connections that you choose to give them. Everything
is personal. And that’s what makes it so special, it’s all about you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The sinking feeling of lose, the desperation is to force us to sort out our own unique way of coping & letting go of everything that felt necessary and see what remains. When <span style="font-family: inherit;">we look carefully enough, we are going to find only more of
ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And above all, </span>the contraction seems to be a pre-requisite<span style="font-family: inherit;"> for </span>expanding <span style="font-family: inherit;">our entire being,
our very own shores, kyon ki..</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Khud hi to hain hum, kinaare (<span style="line-height: 115%;">We
ourselves are, the shores)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kaise honge kam, kinaare (How can we be any less than, the shores)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hain jahaan hain hum, kinare (Where we are right now are, the shores</span>)<br />
Khud hi to hain hum<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-33581162722243148972014-01-28T16:30:00.000+05:302014-01-29T15:48:15.081+05:30..its own sweet time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ztv7oeBgOlY/UueJzWAl2lI/AAAAAAAAOqA/Nb2RxHNNEco/s1600/delicate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ztv7oeBgOlY/UueJzWAl2lI/AAAAAAAAOqA/Nb2RxHNNEco/s1600/delicate.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b><b>《UPDATED》</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>When i talk less, i speak much better </b><br />
<i>Appropriate silences allow to process the view of others and engage in a meaningful conversation.</i><br />
<br />
<b>When i worry less, i think better </b><br />
<i>Letting negative thoughts come and go, without giving attention to them allows positive thoughts to surface clearly.</i><br />
<br />
<b>When i reason less, i make sense of things better</b><br />
<i>Its sensible to choose our battles. Every act doesn't require answers or insights. Just try and love the questions themselves.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When i feel less, i experience more</b><br />
<i>It's a gift to experience life so deeply. Setting boundaries helps to expand limits slowly, respectfully and without fear.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When i hear less of others, i listen more of me</b><br />
<i>I listen to my voice and am not an echo anymore. Asserting needs with tact brings clarity for everyone involved.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When i focus on lovers less, i </b><b>attract </b><b>and </b><b>radiate </b><b>more love</b><br />
<i>I don't need to own someone and none should own me. On 2nd thoughts, I don't even own myself. All I can & gotta do, is love. </i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b>When i judge less, i witness so much more</b><br />
<i>Everything is opinions and perspectives. People are just people and thoughts are just thoughts. </i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b>When i accept miracles less, i </b><b>believe in randomness more</b><br />
<i>All the variables can never be known. Letting everything happen as it is, i also allow myself to flow naturally.</i><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b>When i concentrate less on beauty, i'm more comfortable in my skin, my own ishtyle</b><br />
<i>The things that make me different make me, me.</i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<b>When i compare less, i challenge myself more</b><br />
<i>We don't need to become each other. We gotta bring out our uniqueness to create the balances.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When i remember less, i forgive more</b><br />
<i>Acknowledging my own shadows helps to deal with others' darknesses.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When i seek perfection less, i allow authenticity more</b><br />
<i>I know i am enough and so are you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When i conclude less, i find more variety in the choice of paths</b><br />
<i>There are a million way to be free. Look around..</i><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>When i accept being normal less, i enjoy being weird a lot more</b><br />
<i>Quirkiness is crazily cute. it really is... wogai! maybe it is<b> </b>for silly me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When I hold on less, I let go more</b><br />
<i>Letting go doesn't mean subtraction or denying anything. It feels like expanding... into everything.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>When nothing matters less, everything matters more</b><br />
<i>When feelings change, they speak of the truths within. Merge them with actions to enjoy each moments' value. </i><br />
<br />
<b>When i seek less, i keep discovering more and more</b><br />
<i>Life's purpose is all about figuring it out. </i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPrbGz9i45g/UueLMSICnRI/AAAAAAAAOqI/VPibdda64Ig/s1600/Figure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPrbGz9i45g/UueLMSICnRI/AAAAAAAAOqI/VPibdda64Ig/s1600/Figure.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a><i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<b>And finally </b> ====================><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>Everything just happens in..</i></b></div>
<i><br /></i>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-87994715930456910142014-01-03T12:58:00.000+05:302014-01-03T13:12:39.572+05:30...15 seconds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq09cm8rLhY/UsZkgJyvd8I/AAAAAAAAOo4/KtENFh5-rMg/s1600/Pay+Attn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq09cm8rLhY/UsZkgJyvd8I/AAAAAAAAOo4/KtENFh5-rMg/s320/Pay+Attn.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/spreadinghappiness" target="_blank">Nithya Shanti</a> shared this practise on 31st Dec. 2013<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We have decided to practice 15 seconds of present moment awareness, at least 80 times today. Join us if you like. May you have a truly happy and conscious day, year and life.</i></blockquote>
Inspite of being sure that New Year resolutions seldom EVER work, i instantly knew that i have to join this pratice.<br />
<br />
This blog's title has the word '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veYR3ZC9wMQ" target="_blank">Carpe Diem</a>' in it, which means '<b><i>Seize the day</i></b>'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpqEPcZRl-Y/UsZkTjQj3VI/AAAAAAAAOow/LYDhO9RrvBo/s1600/Ecstasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpqEPcZRl-Y/UsZkTjQj3VI/AAAAAAAAOow/LYDhO9RrvBo/s320/Ecstasy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
And as i start this practise from 31st onwards, i feel that all i need, so as to experience the intoxication of life is...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-43615668460228990452013-11-27T15:13:00.000+05:302013-11-28T11:00:29.955+05:30...inner core<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>We never accuse ourselves of the problems that happen to us. I got reminded of this recently.</i></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENc9HGzaLXE/UpW62Z2kbxI/AAAAAAAAOY4/ADsLOpR_dz8/s1600/house-md_8891_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENc9HGzaLXE/UpW62Z2kbxI/AAAAAAAAOY4/ADsLOpR_dz8/s200/house-md_8891_1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A scene in the episode Painless, S05E12 of <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHRZzm2Tl9o" target="_blank">House M.D </a></b>refers to how Dr. House (Hugh Laurie) wont accept that he could be the reason for the plumbing problem at his home. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He notices his ceiling leaking and pokes it with his cane. The ceiling collapses with water falling over him. He has a workman come in who finds that the leak is the result of negligence from pulling on the pipe and isn't covered by insurance. The cost to fix it is $2,200. House refuses to accept the collapsed ceiling were caused by negligence and later bribes the handyman to lie to the insurance company about his broken pipes. However, the bribe was bigger than the costs of the repair. </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Though later on House discovers that it was as a result of his own negligence. He goes to take a bath and realizes he’s been pulling on the pipes to help himself in and out of the bath and realizes he actually did cause the damage to his own pipes.</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why this scene comes to mind is because I recently suffered some major lower back-pain. As i was enduring the unbearable pain, I accused destiny, bad timing, green eyes, etc. to the pain. After two months, i chose to visit the orthopedic doctor. The doctor asked me only two questions. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><i><b>Do you use the computer a lot? </b></i></li>
<li><i><b>Do you lead a sedentary lifestyle?</b></i></li>
</ol>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Poof!!!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Apparently, I caused the muscles to become tight and inflexible with a <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/2878" target="_blank">weak core</a> due to my own habits. After couple of physiotherapy, acupuncture and rehab exercises, i understand how much i need to get up and move around. At the therapy center, i also got a glimpse of other people in severe pain and how it could turn out to be for me as well (if changes were not made soon). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7qa6YdJQZs/UpbU5JXWBGI/AAAAAAAAOZI/Ud_wx960iTU/s1600/Remain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p7qa6YdJQZs/UpbU5JXWBGI/AAAAAAAAOZI/Ud_wx960iTU/s200/Remain.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<br />
Exercises include simple daily stretches and <a href="http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sampleworkouts/a/tva_exercise.htm" target="_blank">Transverse Abdominis (TA) activation</a>. <i>The TA is a horizontal band of muscle that runs side-to-side from the rib cage to the pelvis and basically holds the contents of the abdomen in place.</i><br />
This is a fairly new concept to me and requires more practice. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dgIhzlp474A" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the past few months, I have been furiously working on my anxiety and fear based issues of the mind, forgetting the basic principle that '<b>Our <i>body is the temple of the mind</i>.</b>'<br />
<br />
I usually don't make any on New Years (do they ever sustain?). So I've decided to make a pre-new year resolution. The next 12 months focus will not only be on my mind, it will also be on my body's..</div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-79504128087914637922013-11-16T12:01:00.000+05:302013-11-16T12:12:00.212+05:30..his own image<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm not cricket fan, but have been asked to read, umpteen times by Abi, the prose used to describe him in articles. I mostly felt like i was reading Kabir ke dohe or one of Rumi's couplet. Words never seemed enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Right now, i see crowds cheer non-stop, erupt into joy and sadness in unison. From politicians, businessmen, actors, retired players across countries and enthusiastic crazy-face painted folks thronging to savour each and every second his feet are on the field. Everyone without exception has spoken about the incomparable role-model he has sustained to remain for so so many years. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I see everyone attempting the task of trying to let go. Sadly and as it is, they find it more difficult than they thought it would.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ideas like carpe-diem, meditative focus and unconditional love can all be understood (a bit) more easily in this one occasion.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which God wouldn't like to watch the adulation he receives in.... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apK5DbZq0hU/UocM4ItVHgI/AAAAAAAAOW4/mK01ixbCZtw/s1600/Sachin+Tendulkar+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apK5DbZq0hU/UocM4ItVHgI/AAAAAAAAOW4/mK01ixbCZtw/s320/Sachin+Tendulkar+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-75551612117241690552013-09-19T14:39:00.001+05:302013-10-22T16:30:20.919+05:30Required<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>A friend posted this question on a thread asking "the reason people who
are not vegetarian by birth, what made them change to it?"</i></b></span><br />
<a href="http://chennaifoodguide.in/thread/view?id=179">http://chennaifoodguide.in/thread/view?id=179</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-I-knVfwpU/Ujq_HyNUr5I/AAAAAAAAOFA/qZVhNTwcioo/s1600/chickenreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S-I-knVfwpU/Ujq_HyNUr5I/AAAAAAAAOFA/qZVhNTwcioo/s320/chickenreading.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>My thoughts on this topic</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Born into a Malayali
Syrian Christian family and being the only ‘shakahari’ as my ammachy calls me,
is tough, till date. I was 16 when I stopped eating Non-veg. I am neither an
animal-lover nor enamored by organized religion. But, back then, this sentence kinda
affected me deeply </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Spiritual progress does demand at some stage that we should
cease to kill our fellow creatures for the satisfaction of our bodily
wants." --Mahatma Gandhi.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had started reading articles by PFA in Young World paper. Reading about
how brutally animals were treated- clipped mouth, huddles in small spaces, veal
(calves are taken from their mothers one or two days after birth), I decided to
stop eating. Even though i've seen my grandfather kill a home-bred chicken for dinner and didnt feel a thing, it just didn’t feel right
to eat something which didn’t want to be eaten. The weaning away started gradually,
checking my willpower if I could leave NV and not to shock my parents too. It
worked and after sometime I didn’t feel the need to eat it anymore. It’s been
15 years now and I think it’s still a decision I am happy to have chosen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I get
following comments, esp at family and church gatherings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Have you
tried this dish? Once you eat it your mind will COMPLETELY (mallu accent) change.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Haven’t you
read in the Bible where it says we can eat specific clean animals. So you SHOULD
eat them. God created them ONLY (again mallu accent) for you. SO you should eat
them, because the bible says so.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Not even
fish you’ll eat! What about the rice in mutton biryani, that’s not NV?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">This is not
some factory processed meat. This is nadaan (country) chicken, fully home-grown.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">What, you’re
still a vegetarian? Didn’t your husband
convert you yet? (My semi- hardcore NV husband cooks yummy finger-licking NV dishes, as informed
by those who have eaten it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">What fasting
at this time of the year, huh, not even Lent?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Just give
her and make her eat (Told to my MIL, with me standing right there)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And of course the most common - </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">So, you will
kill plants. That’s not killing, eh! Do you know they have life too?</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXUvmyi-ioY/UjrtwR9bH3I/AAAAAAAAOFs/TLG_Fre0dMg/s1600/125731deb0e2db559404efde162cc278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXUvmyi-ioY/UjrtwR9bH3I/AAAAAAAAOFs/TLG_Fre0dMg/s200/125731deb0e2db559404efde162cc278.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It is unbelievably irritating! Its also amusing that I know if I tell people my thoughts about open marriages, there will be complete silence, not even a pip. However if I tell
them I am a vegetarian, they cannot stop themselves from trying to convert me,
until the end of time. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The reason as to why I am a vegetarian, is that it resonates within my powerful spirit. No other reason is required, for me.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-72501784241582746862013-09-15T16:59:00.000+05:302013-09-20T11:00:33.308+05:30.. no frills<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqX4zTDikPY/UjriqIsqNRI/AAAAAAAAOFc/XcRIOZ1ik7I/s1600/ce162692-f9cf-4934-aa7b-d348486c9395HiRes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mqX4zTDikPY/UjriqIsqNRI/AAAAAAAAOFc/XcRIOZ1ik7I/s200/ce162692-f9cf-4934-aa7b-d348486c9395HiRes.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Recently watched the movie, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2Hle83Plpo" target="_blank">Shudh Desi Romance</a>. I liked it. Strong/weak(as
you see it) women in love the commitment phobic guy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It reminded me of my favourite Woody Allen movies on multiple
romances and the confusions that arise thereof. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
There was one dialogue which captivated me a lot though. It
was spoken by the Tara (beaming Vaani Kapoor) something on the lines of </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntanKCJfrIA/Ujru_p5XZEI/AAAAAAAAOF4/IxG81vv97b8/s1600/fd929b2e0dcfc3d53b79b6bec8b340fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntanKCJfrIA/Ujru_p5XZEI/AAAAAAAAOF4/IxG81vv97b8/s320/fd929b2e0dcfc3d53b79b6bec8b340fd.jpg" width="227" /></a><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">‘We don’t
remember when and how we fall in love, it happens. However, we know the exact moment
when all the love fades away, isn’t it?’</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
And sadly enough, it happens…<br />
<br />
After love fades away and the pain & the despair lessens, it should feel easy to let go of the person. Logic states there is no reason left, so let go. However, when there is no reason left and you still love that person, you truly experience love as it is, with..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-3089521228379779032013-09-06T15:57:00.000+05:302013-09-20T11:18:20.125+05:30everything...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i>I read these two books back to back during the last couple of weeks and decided to write a short book review about them.</i></b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Book 1 : <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/first-20-hours-learn-anything-fast/p/itmdk8jqt3avm2vj?pid=9780670921911&otracker=from-search&srno=t_1&query=The+First+20+Hours+-+How+to+learn+anything+Fast+by+Josh+Kaufman&ref=7cf429ed-015b-4adf-ad19-7bef310f99d4" target="_blank">The First 20 Hours - How to learn anything Fast by Josh Kaufman</a></u></b></div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nAU2OGiLUQ/UimeeZxMPFI/AAAAAAAAN-Q/R8kHuzCXNII/s1600/first20hours-cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nAU2OGiLUQ/UimeeZxMPFI/AAAAAAAAN-Q/R8kHuzCXNII/s320/first20hours-cover.png" width="198" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">This is one the first books i am reading on accelerated learning. I found it written with a lot of practical and clear methods to try and focus on learning anything with the idea of not becoming an expert, but make that learning effectively useful to our individual lives. The best part of the book is the model in which Josh presents it. Instead of '<i>101 Steps on how to learn anything fast'</i>, Josh Kaufman uses his own methods to learn these absolutely unrelated topics (learning to program a Web application, play the ukulele, practice yoga, re-learn to touch type, get the hang of windsurfing, and study the world's oldest and most complex board game). As you read the book, you begin to realize how frustrating it is (even for a learning junkie like him) to practise the first few sessions. He provides a systematic approach to rapid skill acquisition. The process is to </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><i>1) be clear of the target goal</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><i>2) deconstruct the skill into sub-skills</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><i>3) research quickly and move into practise </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><i>4) remove any barriers for practising and </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><i>5) to practise for a minimum of 20 hours</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Each of us wanna learn different stuff for different reasons. The end result/goal, defined specifically by each of us, will guide us to learn the skills with the techniques suggested by Josh. T<span style="text-align: left;">he key epiphany i choose to remember from this book is this statement:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="text-align: left;"><b> "The barrier to learning is not intellectual, its emotional."</b></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
You can check out his video for more inspiration</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5MgBikgcWnY?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><u>Book 2: The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One by Margaret Lobenstine </u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWgph5pzMng/Uime3kyctLI/AAAAAAAAN-c/m-QmSgogLNM/s1600/renaissance-soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWgph5pzMng/Uime3kyctLI/AAAAAAAAN-c/m-QmSgogLNM/s320/renaissance-soul.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is a book which has a personal resonance with me. It justifies the simple idea that each and everyone of us have varied passions, uniquely packaged. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In spite of having these different passions, we are somehow made to believe that our's life's goal is to follow a linear path. We will be deemed successful only if we stick to that ONE path. If we choose to move away from our singular ambition, then we are condemned as someone who keeps changing our mind. There is no leeway to shift at all and that really sucks!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I studied Commerce and Financial Management and worked as a Research Analyst in a Financial Research company. It was only when i was around 28 years that i decided to shift completely into the field of Education and Teaching. And that was blasphemy to everyone. 'You are going to have to start from the scratch', they scared me. Except that they didn't know, i enjoyed learning. especially topics like child psychology, behavior management, teaching techniques and disability (mentioned in this book as 'an umbrella of interests') </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The book '<b><u>The Renaissance Soul'</u></b> is for someone who has, lets say 15 interest points, and helps them narrow it down to 4 or 5. This does two things</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
1) brings clarity as to the things which you are most passionate about </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
2) And helps tackle the other 45 odds things at a later time in your life. (who says life's short,eh)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In this book too, there are actual examples of people pursuing diverse interests simultaneously. So you can make correlations to your life interests. It helps to gauge your varied interest with focus and not in an scattered manner as we are prone to do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Both the books are quick to read and relate to managing varied interests without seeming like someone who is jumping from one thing to another and wasting their life pursuing worthless ideas. Both John Kaufmann & Margaret Lobenstine use their own experiences to show how they made this work and became successful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After reading this two books, i am filled with an uplifting energy to bring together my different desires to work for me, I am all geared up to learn lots of new stuff because i have some incredible interests, but now i am also going to make them purposeful and beneficial to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GV6-25ulka8/UimrSd1HX-I/AAAAAAAAN-o/XHeuRV1-IIQ/s1600/renaissance-interests.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GV6-25ulka8/UimrSd1HX-I/AAAAAAAAN-o/XHeuRV1-IIQ/s320/renaissance-interests.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
These two books also reminds me of why i chose the profession of an educator</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
They told me i could be anything i wanted, so i became...</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-19789083151926925232013-08-19T16:58:00.001+05:302013-08-19T17:03:16.938+05:30Sawdhaan, about turn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
What if LIFE, doesn't owe me anything????<br />
<br />
Temporarily feeling the opposite of <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=prenoia" target="_blank">prenoia</a>,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxFdhnIRfAQ/UhIBOZiwbnI/AAAAAAAAN2U/xSHRccY7VO4/s1600/360degrees219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxFdhnIRfAQ/UhIBOZiwbnI/AAAAAAAAN2U/xSHRccY7VO4/s320/360degrees219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Image Credit : To one and only Huge Mcleod</i></div>
</div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-11986540935484549262013-08-01T16:50:00.000+05:302013-08-19T16:55:33.528+05:30Zentingling the tangle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Invoking the artist within, my first attempt at a <a href="http://www.zentangle.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=111" target="_blank">Zentangle </a>or meditative art form<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYchnW0PDHw/UhH_BGWop7I/AAAAAAAAN2E/wKsJDqireHc/s1600/1-08-2013_Zentangle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYchnW0PDHw/UhH_BGWop7I/AAAAAAAAN2E/wKsJDqireHc/s320/1-08-2013_Zentangle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-27388662999331651312013-07-29T14:32:00.000+05:302013-07-29T14:40:35.368+05:30myself...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I read this quote yesterday<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olMKdtU48i4/UfYqLNlyWlI/AAAAAAAANf0/0-QdSDaEr9A/s1600/555200_10151602595183542_1412317196_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-olMKdtU48i4/UfYqLNlyWlI/AAAAAAAANf0/0-QdSDaEr9A/s200/555200_10151602595183542_1412317196_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br /></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This has meaning in life as of today since i let go of something i desired very much. I was not able to focus on anything else because i paid attention to only that which i desired. As i let go, i smiled.. the void that was created by letting go can be filled now with other things or i could fill it with nothingness.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In Gretchen Rubin’s <u>The Happiness Project</u> she writes about de-cluttering and leaving a shelf empty, <i><b>"An empty shelf meant possibility; space to expand; a luxurious waste of something useful for the sheer elegance of it." </b></i>Its similar to the <i>Zen </i>concept on unlearning that i love, called <b>"</b><i><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/101_Zen_Stories" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">with an empty cup</a>". </b></i>So now i have this empty space in me that needs nothing, a place within me, unlike any other and is as it is...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JG9TNO0Jmo/UfYv_O6F1yI/AAAAAAAANgE/s0kUAVrCuAM/s1600/943230_669989953015067_429652661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JG9TNO0Jmo/UfYv_O6F1yI/AAAAAAAANgE/s0kUAVrCuAM/s200/943230_669989953015067_429652661_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>And the second statement of the quote asks to stay with something that you don't have the patience with. I am a escapist, a person who leaves the area when her tolerance levels are exceeded. So today when i had to spend time with someone i didn't like, i was perturbed beyond words. I started thinking of scenarios where we would have an altercation or i would walk off in fit of fury. As i was building these anxiety towers, i stopped and said to myself, for a change i am going to listen to this person without forming any judgement and let them be who they are and stay who i am...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And to my surprise, we had an interesting and amicable conversation. Though i did not accept what the other person said in its entirety, i listened without the intent to agree or disagree.. And this whole experience has left me with a feeling of control over my thoughts and speech. I blog here about this so that i can remember how this felt.. How i used to be... I don't want to become passive in my approach as i used to be. Only now i know that what my thoughts are. I might disagree with the other person, but don't have the need to prove anything, to anyone but...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-1821077238736548832013-07-16T16:10:00.001+05:302013-07-16T16:18:27.220+05:30Xtraordinary!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdZA2DJTirw/UeUiF6E2XqI/AAAAAAAANdc/ecvHfVW7uto/s1600/il_570xN.379040811_qjlu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdZA2DJTirw/UeUiF6E2XqI/AAAAAAAANdc/ecvHfVW7uto/s320/il_570xN.379040811_qjlu.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><i>Its my first visit, so I ask him timidly, </i></b>"<i>Do you find it strange i want to learn to draw, at this age"</i><br />
<b><i>He replies immediately</i>, </b><i>"But you are not like ordinary people, ordinary people think like that. The fact that you have come to me now, to learn means you are extraordinary, isn't it?</i><br />
<br />
It was that simple for him. There was no pause, no doubt in his mind.<br />
<br />
Most people mock us for our inclinations. And when we repeatedly listen to such people we begun to believe they may be speaking some truth unknown to us.<br />
<br />
Its only when someone looks you in the eye and states as a matter of fact "<i>but you weren't mean to be like all of them</i>" that we realize the struggle to fit in, is a futile one.<br />
<br />
He also promised to give me <i><b>courage </b></i>and <i><b>inspiration</b></i>.<br />
<br />
So with these gifts, i move ahead and think,<i> <b>why stay ordinary when i am meant to be...</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-21269865465851082992013-06-30T10:37:00.001+05:302013-06-30T10:57:42.230+05:30..laugh"<p dir=ltr>A gloomy cloud occupies my head<br>
sometimes i manage to send it away<br>
sometimes it decides to stay<br>
i had once stored a rainbow inside me<br>
And now i sprinkle it around carefully</p>
<p dir=ltr>Cheerful colors orange, red and yellow aren't mine<br>
this cloud just took away my sunshine<br>
Now left with green and blues<br>
with them i try to look for clues<br>
that this cloud is meant to be (it should, shouldn't it?)</p>
<p dir=ltr>Why does it hover most when i'm alone<br>
Does it know i can feel it deep inside my bone<br>
It shakes and rattles me to no end<br>
From my head to my toes it descends<br>
But it's my eyes that scares me the most</p>
<p dir=ltr>They reflect the gloom from inside out<br>
Untimely, gets filled and pours until they run out<br>
Hiding my eyes from the world around<br>
i try to think, why bother<br>
when no one seems to care abt my wound</p>
<p dir=ltr>i now scream at the gloomy cloud, "isn't it enough.<br>
aren't you done already,<br>
till when will you continue to hurt me?"<br>
It replies slowly,"not for long, not for a while, don't worry, child<br>
I'll be around, only when you..</p>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-19656778916824135732013-06-27T10:09:00.001+05:302013-06-27T10:20:54.009+05:30...in this limbo<p dir=ltr><br>
Today I watched this scene from the movie Inception, </p>
<p dir=ltr><i>Saito: "Have you come to kill me? ...I've been waiting for someone."</i><br>
<i>Cobb : "Someone from a half-remembered dream."</i><br>
<i>Saito: "Cobb? Impossible... We were young men together. I'm an old man."</i><br>
<i>Cobb: "Filled with regret..."</i><br>
<i>Saito: "Waiting to die alone?"</i><br>
<i>Cobb: "I've come back for you, to remind you of something. Something you once knew. That this world is not real."</i><br>
<i>Saito: "To convince me to honor our arrangement."</i><br>
<i>Cobb: "To take a leap of faith, yes. Come back, so we can be young men together again. Come back with me. Come back..."</i></p>
<p dir=ltr>I find myself in a phase like Saito... tired, old... waiting for someone...<br>
To remind me that, this too will pass<br>
To understand what i knew once, everything is an illusion<br>
To help me take the huge leap of faith<br>
To take me back to life and love, as it is<br>
To wake up from this never ending dreadful nightmare<br>
And not stay...</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kIFLo23MyBU/UcvCAAnOXmI/AAAAAAAANa4/EX3GCbgh6mE/s1600/Saito-inception-2010-18104738-200-200.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kIFLo23MyBU/UcvCAAnOXmI/AAAAAAAANa4/EX3GCbgh6mE/s640/Saito-inception-2010-18104738-200-200.jpg' /> </a> </div>Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-86692450077226292852013-02-08T11:55:00.001+05:302013-02-10T17:42:09.343+05:30..closer to there<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndx7k7tMeVs/URSaMfWCUuI/AAAAAAAALd8/tto9e3qhX8Q/s1600/a21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ndx7k7tMeVs/URSaMfWCUuI/AAAAAAAALd8/tto9e3qhX8Q/s320/a21.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">"I may
not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I read this quote today and understand that one shouldn't focus only on the
destination or end goal (like that target weight), but notice how much we have changed from yesterday, a
week or a month ago.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This also led me to think of one of my life goals (which means i have
this entire life to practice getting it right, phew!!!). The goal is '<i>Being Centered'</i>. What</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">'Being centered' means is difficult to explain,
without making it sound like a mumbo-jumbo metaphysical thing. In some terms,
it means to try and be in the moment without judgements. Here's an article which tries to explain it (a little better).</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Being centered means to be balanced in this instant one hundred
percent, taking in information without clouding it with expectations or fear.
Just taking in information and making creative, intuitive decisions informed by
our “CENTER,” our true intent, our original self." <</span></em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jiyushinkai.org/centered.html" href="http://www.jiyushinkai.org/centered.html" target="_blank">More</a>></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I came to
think about this experience called 'being centered' when i happened to spend a couple of
hours with the three year old daughter of my friends.While playing a
game such as Hide n Seek or in reading her story books, i could feel the
uncontrollable urge to make her do what I THINK she should be doing. It was challenging to let her do stuff, the way she wants to. And it was more tough to make myself in
tune with how she thinks we should be doing the activity. This reminded me of
an interesting study in the paper which suggests how we stifle the child's
creativity by controlling every act, '<a href="http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/bossy-moms-tend-to-limit-kids-creativity-615087.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">Bossy moms
tend to limit kids’ creativity</span></a>'. Not only does it make the child not
be imaginative as he or she natually is, it is also tiring for us to
try and control every act (isn't it).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">This constant
tussle between my mind and my soul was tougher to manage than i imagined. I had
to use all my inner being's strength to stop myself from pushing her to do and
say things as 'they should be'. And in those moments where my soul won over my
mind, i experienced what I choose to relate as '</span></span><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://buddhism.about.com/od/buddhismglossaryd/g/Dhyana.htm" target="_blank">Dhyana or Zen</a>'</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 14.25pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">To let another person, including a child to be as he or she is
and to be one with them, is a quality i realize i possess, but </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 14.25pt;"> give it much thought till now. I believe we all have it within us in different levels and we can hone it as life goes on. I do realize this so called 'Zen' existed only in a
few moments, but i believe that recognization itself is a huge step.
Later, it only becomes a matter of practicing it with everyone
we interact. It may work well with some people and with some others, i assure
you it will be a struggle. But thats ok. Like i said, a life goal means that there
is your entire life to work on yourself. However, do relish in the understanding
that from yesterday it has taken you....<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 14.25pt;"><u1:p></u1:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-88555830678530474902013-01-17T22:10:00.000+05:302013-02-09T14:17:26.851+05:30Sudha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s her birthday today. And this
is my ode to her. She doesn't know I blog, so this goes from within me out into
the universe, for her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I met her 15 years back in
school. I was (and still am) a chatterbox in the classroom. And she, she was the
opposite (and still is), silent and doesn't seek any attention. I was drawn to talk
to her because I wanted her to speak. I couldn’t fathom how someone could be as
quiet as her. She seemed at peace with herself and her routine. So I tried to
break the ice, went near her & asked her something. I remember her being surprised
at my wanting to talk to her. She responded with a few words. And then it
started. From then on, though I had other classmates to spend time with, I
would try to spend time with her and have some conversations. We finished our
11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> std without becoming the best of friends,
but our conversations had definitely moved beyond few words. As fate would have
it, we landed up in the same college in the same class for the next three
years. I call those three years in college as the most, MOST uneventful period
of my life. There is nothing spectacular I did or rather recollect happening to
me worth cherishing, except her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The thing I’ve realized (now) is
that when one has a lot of nervous energy and releases it out by talking,
someone who listens is your catharsis. And I had found my sounding board. Unlike
others who agreed or disagreed with me, she just listened and absorbed. Being
around her, I never bunked classes, nor did I do any of the naughty stuff one
does in college. I am not saying this in a proud or prude manner. But the fact
of the matter is, there are some souls who bring out parts of you, you didn't know exist. She brought about my tranquility. Unfortunately for me, it was an
unaware tranquility. I didn't put my disposition to any use, like achieving something
or even in making any worthwhile dreams. But now, in the present, I realize how
important she is to me. I witness so-called friends who compare, judge, doubt,
bore, annoy, confuse, nag, tease, irritate and upset each other. Those scary
formative years (teens to adult) are when we build concrete foundations about
life and self. If those years are marred by being around people who keep you on
tenterhooks, then that’s how you will treat the people you meet later in life,
without trust. Her presence in my life at that period, gave me the gift of just
being and accepting. I am deeply thankful to her for rubbing off that attitude of hers onto me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am a phonephobic and usually
don’t make out calls, unless absolutely necessary. So for the past 10 years, it is she who has kept in touch with me. I say this with remorse that I don’t remember ever
calling her during these years. It was mostly always her. She would call me
twice or thrice in a year and update me about her life and asks me about mine.
She got married, moved countries, came back to the city, she kept in touch via
emails, photos and phone calls. She delivered her daughter and last year gave
birth to her son. Even when she was busy running around her daughter, she would
call me up without fail, on my birthday & anniversary. The only
salvaging act I did to be in this relationship was that whenever, and I mean
whenever, she called me to tell she was at her mom’s house, I would go and meet
up with her. We would chit-chat about families and events unfolding in our
lives. That’s about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
However there is something divine
about meeting up with her. None of my
current friends know about her or her presence in my life. She is a house-wife
with two children and that’s her life. There isn't anything much apart from that i can describe her. She is as normal, routine and unchanging. She doesn't discuss
trends or movies or books or music. She doesn't aim to become part of any group
(religious or otherwise). She lives her life as each day comes. Seeking
nothing, needing enough. But she is the strange ‘constant’ in my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s her birthday today. And for
the first time in 10 years I called and wished her. I apologized for never
having wished her before, by giving the lamest excuse that ‘I was always
confused if it were today or the 10<sup>th</sup>’. To this she replied, ‘That’s
ok, i don’t expect you to remember..’ And with that she said it all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
She doesn't expect, ANYTHING, from
me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So this is my birthday wish for you, that you be always surrounded with the
unconditional love that you are so filled within. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Love and more, to my dearest…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oV5kKv4AAU/UPrLTVNymxI/AAAAAAAALZ8/RfWXOFellE8/s1600/DSC01099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oV5kKv4AAU/UPrLTVNymxI/AAAAAAAALZ8/RfWXOFellE8/s320/DSC01099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-50738953039220704932012-11-23T23:11:00.000+05:302013-01-19T22:49:14.887+05:30balance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LlfzQv7QJBM/ULuUDvgzUaI/AAAAAAAALS8/GMd2jGjRV4w/s1600/balance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LlfzQv7QJBM/ULuUDvgzUaI/AAAAAAAALS8/GMd2jGjRV4w/s320/balance.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Not here to complicate life (yours or mine), i exist to simplify it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To enjoy the vulnerability of life and to dominate it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To experience ecstasy and to chase pain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To wearing the mask wherever and to remove whenever </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To love infinitely and lust for those moments of intimacy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To neither judge nor be judged </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To add meaning to what i can and be mystified by what surprises me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To want everything and need enough</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I seek that...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-6698523227165210032012-11-16T16:25:00.003+05:302012-11-16T16:56:30.349+05:30temptations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyw9ibEH54I/UKYa9-2jb2I/AAAAAAAALRo/hNMtAUK7B8s/s1600/10-Bitten-red-apple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyw9ibEH54I/UKYa9-2jb2I/AAAAAAAALRo/hNMtAUK7B8s/s320/10-Bitten-red-apple.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>'Do you really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? I tell you that there are terrible temptations which it requires strength and courage to yield to.' - Oscar Wilde</i></b></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This quote made me look at temptations in a completely different light. Until reading this, i was of the opinion that i should always strive to control my inner temptations since it would make a stronger human being. All my cravings and fantasies should be healthy. Yielding to unhealthy ones would mean i am weak. However, i am beginning to see some temptations in a different light now. It truly requires courage to yield to them. And they are completely worth it. I know they may come to bite me in the a**. It may mean i might lose out on something i humongously value. Still i believe i will be strong because i have been willing to take the risk and bear the consequences for that. Guess that's what growing up means. Taking risk and ownership for ones actions. I pray that no ill comes out of this. Though i am brave (after reasoning back and forth), i know that only love has brought me this far and help farther. I will always be thankful for its presence within and around me and my...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-54856204776717155382012-07-30T01:03:00.001+05:302012-07-30T01:09:39.654+05:30..with courage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYU65H_BYwk/UBWG8lq2KkI/AAAAAAAALQk/oldkqSjNL2c/s1600/zooey-deschanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EYU65H_BYwk/UBWG8lq2KkI/AAAAAAAALQk/oldkqSjNL2c/s320/zooey-deschanel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Me : I cant be the elegant woman that you would like me to be.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>He : Why not? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Me : Coz i'm goofy</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>He : (after a split second) You mean, you're the dog</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As I grow older, I realize I cant
remain the same. Actually for my own good, I shouldn't. But any change is only
a tiny bit. Our intrinsic qualities don’t change much in our
lifetime. As much as I wish to become a better version of me from the previous day or a month or a year, I still find myself struggling most of the times. No wonder Woody Allen’s movies appeals
to me. Coz I'm always </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">going philosophical about myself. And </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">usually, I love building anecdotes
& adding metaphors to a post. It helps to confuse the reader about the topic. The first four lines of this post itself might not make any sense even after reading the whole post. (Again a woody alleny trick). But it does to me. Nevertheless, let me come straight to the
point. C</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">urrently, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am enjoying watching a sitcom named ‘<a href="http://www.fox.com/new-girl/">New Girl</a>’ . Among other things, I
love the characterization of Jess (played by Zooy Deschanel). More so because, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the uncanny resemblance of Jess to me as a person is too true to believe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><u>According to Wikipedia</u></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Jessica "Jess" Day, the eponymous "new girl". She is a cute, bubbly elementary school teacher in her late 20s. She is a free spirit. She acts according to her heart's content, usually in unconventional ways. Her behavior does not reflect social norms, which ends up making her look weird but her quirkiness is loveable and charming. Jess is genuine and kind-hearted. She is imaginative and naïve, much like a child. She opens herself up to everyone and easily trusts, which tends to put her in a vulnerable position. Jess has a tendency to get into awkward situations due to her aversion to confrontation. Regardless of misfortunes, her optimism helps to keep her faith alive. Among her personality traits is her tendency to burst into song, sometimes making up lyrics reflecting her situation</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The <b><i>New Girl</i></b> seems to say to me, </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>'Give up struggling and dont fear anymore to be who you are. Don't seek to be up on someone's pedestal for being unconditional nor allow to be looked down upon for your goofiness. In spite of not making sense, find comfort that all your thoughts & actions have meaning to you. '</b></i></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Trusting in Jess makes me like myself with a new gained self-confidence. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And my being asks me now. Whether i am willing to </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">embrace my wackiness</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">...</span><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-38837033366364999122012-02-16T21:32:00.002+05:302012-02-16T21:52:39.218+05:30at a time<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjXAd46bzkc/Tz0jeDxoI-I/AAAAAAAAKM0/6tCOgrxpNQk/s1600/Samara.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjXAd46bzkc/Tz0jeDxoI-I/AAAAAAAAKM0/6tCOgrxpNQk/s320/Samara.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709758901892162530" border="0" /></a>Many personality tests ask this question "Do you persevere until the task is finished." and in most occasion i have been honest and respond with a 'NO'.<br /><br />Reflecting recently on my education and career choices, i realized that i managed to complete every education degree with a decent score. On the work front too, whenever i chose to quit, it was when i decided that my time there was over and i should move on.<br />Still I didn't consider "perseverance" as one of my strengths. I rather try to complete the task at the last moment in a hurry (because it had to be completed) than be working hard at it.<br /><br />So when at the beginning of this year, i told myself that i would learn <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Yoga</span>, i wasn't sure that i would work towards it. Whenever i enquired about the classes or check ads, i wouldn't find something suitable with the timings, fee, location or duration. So i was on the lookout for the perfect opportunity (if they exist). And as the Buddhist say and now i believe<br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">"When the student is ready, the master appears"<br /></blockquote>I found a tiny ad in a local paper about Yoga classes and decided to contact them. It turned out to be fitting my scheme of things and i joined it.<br /><br />My yoga teacher, an enchanting lady, seemed to know her stuff and has been teaching for the past 20 odd years. She informed us that most of the students give up Yoga midway since its not everyone's cup of tea. And by the end of two sessions, i could understand why. It requires one to work so much on ones body and mind together to get into a posture. And you feel pain in parts of body you didn't know existed. I was intending to give up too. Not because i was beyond bearable pain. But because i felt i might not be able to perform as well as my teacher expected me too.<br /><br />And then i recollected a statement in Osho's book (Yoga, the supreme science)<br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">" First be a disciple, dont try to master. Mastership will come"<br /></blockquote>Whenever i have given up on something, it is because i wanted to master it <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">before </span>i became the disciple. i didn't give it hard-work, discipline and effort but wanted to get it right in the first few attempts itself. And when it didnt work, i would quit. Adult learners most of the times come across such experiences. But look at children, see how many times they practise something they wanna learn, master it and then perform it effortlessly. When a child who has not experiences as much as mine can do it, so can i.<br /><br />I am determined to make myself a disciple for as long as takes with the practice it requires. Yoga practitioner, Samara Chopra also states on her home page <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">" It doesn't matter how slowly you go, so long as you dont stop" - Confucius</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihPn7oC5n04/Tz0fvwFmU2I/AAAAAAAAKMo/l0h5pOOdSMg/s1600/Esteem%2B1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ihPn7oC5n04/Tz0fvwFmU2I/AAAAAAAAKMo/l0h5pOOdSMg/s400/Esteem%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709754807798354786" border="0" /></a><br />A friend of mine, Nitya shared this image on FB which will help me remember to take one step..Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-78773527093013160142012-01-25T19:29:00.007+05:302012-01-25T19:57:24.000+05:30at the end<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2VKrhJTeAI/TyAREkNH8yI/AAAAAAAAKMQ/VXmcSm4D3V4/s1600/whirlpool.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2VKrhJTeAI/TyAREkNH8yI/AAAAAAAAKMQ/VXmcSm4D3V4/s320/whirlpool.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701575898386920226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman,times,serif;"></span></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman,times,serif;">"It is easier to resist at the beginning than at the end."</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">—</span><em> Leonardo da Vinci</em></span></span></blockquote><br /><br />I had a interesting nightout with loved ones yesterday. Among other stuff we jabbered about, there was one topic about temptations and values. How much are we willing to give up on our values to enjoy our temptations. Or will be fools to have let the opportunities pass by just because we have some notion of what our value system are.<br /><br />My friend (lets call A) said you might be sure of the reasons you are going ahead with the temptations, however you will never know when it becomes a need and you lose control over it.<br /><br />I said but what if you know yourself well enough and unless you tried this you will always feel like a loser for not experiencing it all.<br /><br />A replied "Life isnt fair. accept it coz when you go against your values its gonna ruin not only you but all those who trust you for your values"<br /><br />After much as tossing and turning over the ideas, we were not able to conclude whose views were more accurate. I dont know now if i want to be tempted or i will regret the whole episode. And once done, it cannot be undone. So i think if you are willing to face the consequences, even the ones you didnt know existed, you can go ahead. However if you are going to create a whirlpool for all around you, better control it in the beginning itself.<br /><br />I do agree with A that the thought (temptations) is fine as a thought in the mind however performing the action (against your value system) makes it worse. And this quote clearly states that its better to resist temptation at the beginning than...Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-55984286304401331612011-10-07T20:29:00.007+05:302011-10-07T20:55:05.646+05:30ANYTHING<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">An incident in the TV series Bones touched a chord with my own reality and reminded me that... .. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">No matter how planned or unplanned a person is.. Life has its own way of unfolding and the odds are not in your control.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In the of Bones S06E16 ‘The Blackout in the Blizzard', a troubled Angela (Michaela Conlin) arrives from a doctor's appointment. She finds out that she’s an LCA (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leber%27s_congenital_amaurosis">Leber's Congenital Amaurosis</a>) carrier. </span></span><span style=" font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >Although LCA affects 1 in 80,000 people, it's an <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002052.htm">autosomal recessive disorder</a>. If both parents are carriers, the child has a 1 in 4 chance of getting both copies of the recessive gene and having the disorder, which causes blindness</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span>If Angela's partner, Hodgin (</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span class="st" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">TJ Thyne</span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><span>) is a carrier too, it means their baby could be blind. Hodgin’s reassures her that the chances of that are slim, its only 25%.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Hodgin gets his test done only to find that he's an L</span></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">CA carrier too. He breaks down and tries to understand why this happened to Angela and him.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">He wonders to a colleague that <span style="font-weight: bold;">“you hear that something has a one in a thousand chance or one in 10,000”</span>. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">The colleague replies that <span style="font-weight: bold;">“But I guess it's like the lottery, right? Someone always wins, you know? “</span><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Then as Hodgin tearily breaks the news, Angela embraces him. Hodgins remarks that still there is only a 25% chance of blindness. Angela says the math is what did them so not to bother her about their chances.<br /><br />Hodgins remarks that he will take up piano since he can't look through microscopes with his kid, atleast they'll play piano together. He advises Angela to take up sculpture. Angela thinks Hodgins is getting ahead of himself and says there is only a 25% chance of blindness. She then smiles, realizing what Hodgins has done. He gave her the optimism that they still may have their chance.<br /><br />Hodgins and Angela end the episode with the upbeat attitude that they can handle anything, as long as they do it together.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jcezj3oRmWM/To8VY2Q4wsI/AAAAAAAAKKc/QDTXf8KJ1Ic/s1600/Angela%2Band%2BHodgins.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 453px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jcezj3oRmWM/To8VY2Q4wsI/AAAAAAAAKKc/QDTXf8KJ1Ic/s400/Angela%2Band%2BHodgins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660766773255389890" border="0" /></a></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">Their situation resonates with ours… I mean what were our odds.. However we too fell into a particular zone of sorts.. And this makes our minds oscillate between thoughts such as<br /><br />We might have wanted it so badly from when we were kids<br />or we may have never really thought about it at all,<br /><br />We might </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">think we had done something in the past for this to happen to us </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><br />or we may </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">think that we’re going through the ordeal for becoming stronger</span>,<br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"><br />We might think we deserve it more than everyone else who has it<br />or we may feel that the grapes are sour and we’re lucky without it<br /><br />And when we are tired of taking sides, we can’t remember which of these thoughts bothers us more. Its like what Marilynne Robinson said <blockquote>“<span style="font-style: italic;">When things are taking their ordinary course, it is hard to remember what matters.”</span></blockquote>However all this makes me realize one thing that I wouldn’t want 'us' to forget, ever<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">“TOGETHER, WE CAN HANDLE ANYTHING”</span><br /><br />and that's all that matters...<br /><br /></span>Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-86006027669820157832011-08-01T19:38:00.004+05:302011-08-01T19:45:12.460+05:30them all..Some lines i started penned down when i missed him.. and then i didnt..<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1aR8Vh5NX0/Tja0P9cKZZI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/hvKd630imQI/s1600/red_lips.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1aR8Vh5NX0/Tja0P9cKZZI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/hvKd630imQI/s320/red_lips.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635890169984476562" /></a>the steam of hot tea from your empty cup<br /><br />the answers i need to come up with when i havent taken a bath<br /><br />the alarm bells ringing in my ears after delay reading the paper<br /><br />the frown seeing me wearing my slip turned inside out<br /><br />Miss them all...Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-57955263852109786272011-04-09T23:41:00.007+05:302011-04-10T00:34:49.396+05:30stay away<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hUs7_QwQ8Q/TaClPp7L4SI/AAAAAAAAKDM/BfwNMBWuRCU/s1600/facialexpressions-anger.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hUs7_QwQ8Q/TaClPp7L4SI/AAAAAAAAKDM/BfwNMBWuRCU/s320/facialexpressions-anger.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593652425564872994" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This blog which was a long time due in pending to be posted.. so here it is.. for those who think you are funny and we are sensitive, stay away coz i know what 'funny' means better than you..</span><br /><br />Paulo Coelho spoke about the power of the word in (Brida)<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />God reveals himself in everything,<br />but the word is one of his favorite ways of taking action,<br />because the word is thought transformed into vibration.<br />The word has greater power than many rituals.</span></span><br /><br />The power of word is such that by the words you speak out of your mouth, you send out your vibrations to everyone around you. People feel <span style="font-weight:bold;">"you"</span> by your words (most of the times). However some people misuse this power and send out unhealthy vibrations consistently hurting those around and in the long run, themselves.<br /><br />A friend of mine once told me about a movie the friend saw. The friend said the script was bad, the story was too mushy too believe, the concept was the usual, blah blah, and then this friend ended saying.. <span style="font-style:italic;">“but you know what, you will like the movie.. its your type of movie..”</span><br /><br />I was dumbstruck by the unassuming manner in which I was told I had a bad taste. <br /><br />On another discussion i was told, <span style="font-style:italic;">kids need fear to learn coz thats the only thing they know. So you if you wanna be in control, you gotta use the stick.</span> <br />Gimme a break, your lack of creativity to handle a kid doesnt give you the right to abuse the kid, even if its yours (anyways, thats content for another post)<br /><br />However instead of saying how rude that sounded, I just smiled. And that I think was a huge error. Coz later on, i observed, unfortunately, on many other occasions, this friend spoke in the similar manner and tone to all around. <br /><br />But why do they do what they do.. try to indulge in such cynical comments or cutting remarks.<br /><br />Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project” put a prayer attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo which includes the line, "Shield your joyous ones" -<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ; <br />rest your weary ones; bless your dying ones; <br />soothe your suffering ones; <br />pity your afflicted ones; <br />shield your joyous ones. <br />And all for your love’s sake.</span><br /></span><br />Gretchin tries to make the readers understand why the joyous ones needed to be shielded. In her attempt at happiness she figures how much effort it takes to be consistently good-tempered and positive. And she realizes how less people appreciate others happiness and just try to make them feel unworthy.<br /><br />She says <span style="font-style:italic;">“We non-joyous types suck energy and cheer from the joyous ones. We rely on them to buoy us with their good spirit and to cushion our agitation and anxiety.<br />At the same time, because of a dark element in human nature, we’re sometimes provoked to try to shake the joyous ones out of their fog of illusion—to make them see that the play was actually stupid, the money was wasted, the meeting was pointless. Instead of shielding their joy, we blast it. Why is this? I have no idea. But that impulse is there"</span><br /><br />That impulse.. that impulse becomes a behavior because you feel stronger when you abuse, and those who don’t have self belief would try to feel stronger by provoking others and bullying them with their words. And, to add insult to injury, if they were ridiculed, they would turn all teary eyed..<br /><br />I recently met a couple of other women who say sharp remarks and try to belittle others. I found that many tackle such people by “AVOIDING them.”<br />I mean, why would you be around people who have nothing better than mock your intrinsic personality and beliefs? We all have different ideologies, dammit. so keep your prejudicial view points to yourself. However there will still be people around you.. Those are the ones who either share the same mindset as you do or who are in awe of you. Those who don’t share your views and don’t think you are worth the words you speak, will, well, try to stay away. <br /><br />Viktor E. Frankl in his book "Man's Search for Meaning" states his experiences as a concentration camp inmate and describes his psychotherapeutic method of finding a reason to live. I love his statement wherein he says <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. </span> </span><br /><br />So if one chooses to grow (along with other people) then one should always be aware and choose ones response or else…Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22177155.post-14595944250830106592011-03-01T10:00:00.001+05:302011-03-01T10:04:53.359+05:30Enneagram Test ResultsLove taking online personality tests.. time and again..<br /><br /><div align="center"><!-- 3.14 / 4.63 --><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="240"bgcolor="#e7e4e4"><tr> <td width="50%"><div align="center"> Main Type</div> </td><td><div align="center">Overall Self</div></td> </tr><tr><td width="50%"><div align="center"><img src="http://images.similarminds.com/2.gif" border="0"></div> </td><td><div align="center"><img src="http://images.similarminds.com/spsosx.gif" border="0"></div> </td></tr></table><a href="http://www.similarminds.com">Take Free Enneagram Personality Test</a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"> <table style="color: black; background: #eeeeee"border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2"> <tr> <td bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <div align="center"> Enneagram Test Results <table style="color: black; background: #dddddd" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="4" bgcolor="#dddddd"> <tr> <td>Type 1 </td> <td>Perfectionism</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||</td> <td width="30">34%</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Type 2</td> <td> Helpfulness</td> <td width="50">||||||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30">74%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Type 3</td> <td> Image Focus</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 58%</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Type 4</td> <td>Hypersensitivity</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 54%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Type 5</td> <td> Detachment</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 54%</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Type 6</td> <td>Anxiety</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 50%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Type 7</td> <td> Adventurousness</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 50%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Type 8</td> <td>Aggressiveness</td> <td width="50"> ||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 38%</td> </tr> <tr> <td> Type 9</td> <td>Calmness</td> <td width="50">||||||||||</td> <td width="30"> 34%</td> </tr> </table> Your main type is <b> 2</b> <br> Your variant is <b> self pres</b> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <a href="http://similarminds.com"> Take Free Enneagram Personality Test</a></div>Gino Abinashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288584098019943490noreply@blogger.com2