Gratitude

Gratitude is our positive feeling of acknowledging for receiving a benefit or favor from others. How we express, what we express for is all based on the individual or the organization which received; so it is not expressed uniformly. The most beautiful thing on earth is our gratitude to divinity, whether you consider as Almighty, Lord or the Supreme energy. Even if our daily prayer consists of offering gratitude to anyone and everyone it will as teach us to be grateful and can pass on that understanding to our next generations. It would be nice way to show gratitude to all animals especially to the ones who help us survive and work for us. Whatever role we playing, we can start from children to their parents, students to their teachers, wife to husband, husband to wife, it all starts from home and which can reflect on to the society. There are certain days in certain communities where they are given chance to show their respects to dead ancestors by gratifying their spirits. Gratitude is a simple practice which can bring smiles, laughter and friendships. We hesitate to express thinking that others may think it as melodramatic; there may be many reasons for not expressing our appreciations. Gratitude holds a very high place in the Hindu tradition, we must be grateful for everything and we must not expect any gratitude from others. At the same time do your duty but do not expect gratitude or thanks.

I would like to express my gratitude to my family for encouraging me to create this blog, by saying “Thank you”

“It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given.”

-Elisabeth Elliot

Thank you for reading my posts and watching the gratitude movie.

Flowers

 Flowers are integral part of any celebration all around the world. All over the world women wear flowers in their hair. It is the oldest and most natural adornment. Since the age of five, I remember my mom clipping my hair with a rose or a double flowered jasmine. As my hair grew enough to have braids my mom used to make strings of locally grown delicate flowers with different color combination and clip it to my braids. Braided hair with any flower decoration would be adorable. Flowers were even matched to the dress. Flowers cannot be braided into the hair as you might do with ribbons or strands of pearls. Instead, you want to place or weave the flowers into the hair after the braid is complete. Today flowers are worn extensively for weddings, men wear roses or carnations in their lapels on festive events and what would a prom night be without a flower corsage around the wrist. Some meanings of flowers are jasmine represents sensuality, most adorable flower used in south Asian weddings. Roses are given to represent passion and love. Camellia is given to show gratitude. Garlands made of lilies, roses are commonly used in weddings. During my wedding, my aunt braided my hair and decorated with jasmines and kakambara (crossandra) and maruvam (marjoram). That is the time all ladies sit around the bride and make fun of her. Wedding hall was decorated with all the fresh flowers. Everybody would fall for the color combination. All the ladies would be offered flowers during celebrations or when invited to home. No ritual or celebration would be completed without fresh flowers.

Short hair, long hair or decorating on buns styling with flowers create an elegant look that is suitable for number of special occasions or even daily.

"Children in a family are like flowers in a bouquet: there's always one determined to face in an opposite direction from the way the arranger desires."
-Marcelene Cox

Egyptian museum

Egyptian museum is an excellent introduction about the ancient land of Egypt. Last week after watching a show about Egypt it reminded me of the museum I visited and made me write some of those remembrances here. Almost a decade ago, I chaperoned my son’s class to the interesting Egyptian museum in California. The middle school children enjoyed all the hands on activities. Having read about Egypt in their class, they enjoyed the tour and answered a set of questions as part of their class work.  I think they all learned how the Egyptians life was after seeing and reading the description of all the artifacts. Of course, they did not have enough time to spend in each room, as we had to rush due to the time constraint.  Exhibits had real mummies and also had close to 4000 artifacts in display. The artifacts tells us that ancient Egyptians worshiped hundreds of Gods and Goddesses, about kings and pharaohs, their lifestyle, mummification, burial practices which tells about their belief of afterlife. The museum describes the mummification process in detail and also the daily life of ancient Egyptians. The highlight of all the exhibits was to go into a small dark doorway which led us down to a crypt where there was a display of recreation of a mummy, starring at that children were all in awe.  Myself, having studied history in college, thoroughly enjoyed the Egyptian museum.

Egyptians had more than 500 hieroglyphic signs in their written language, a complex form of communication. Hieroglyphics are pictogram that not only portray meaning but also have an aesthetic aspect. Below is the pictogram of some of hieroglyphic signs for English alphabets. 

Children had fun in making hieroglyphic signs of their name. The class teacher bought the two chaperons of the class an Egyptian bookmark which I treasured it to date. We all came home with memories of ancient Egypt and wondering how the country is today. Not sure how many of us could have a chance to visit Egypt to have a personal experience, but I would visualize sitting in my backyard.

Proverbs from ancient Egyptian Temples:

• The man who knows how to lead one of his brothers towards what he has known may one day be saved by that very brother.

• Each truth you learn will be, for you, as new as if it had never been written.

Dictionary usage

We all know the usage and purpose of dictionary. Most of us use very often in our daily life. Dictionary gives the basic meaning of a word with other information associated to the word. I feel that it not only helps children but also adults to help strengthen to understand what we read. Here I would like to talk about traditional dictionary in a book form in my life. Most of the homes, at least when we were growing up we had dictionaries and may be even thesauruses in their book shelf. I used Oxford dictionary and also English to my native language (Indian language, telugu) dictionary. Of course, it helped me learn my mother tongue.  I used English dictionary for our homework and also to improve our vocabulary. One unique feature I like about traditional book form is that when we start looking for a word, mentally we go through the alphabetical order. In this process of searching for a word invariably we come across some word which we heard or read somewhere and start reading the meaning of that word again. Back then there were no online resources or we could not afford encyclopedia volumes, for anything dictionary was my first reference. I could find some of the extra information while just looking for the meaning. I think those words I remember are really useful. Though not a master, thankfully I am still able to communicate in English. Each subject or each category has its own dictionary in print and online. With the advent of various online resources, I just type a word and get the meaning with a click. Digital dictionary is desirable for quick and fast reference either online or offline to me. Today, dictionary in book format has become a story of the past for youth.

“Words-so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them”

-Nathaniel Hawthorne

Computer

chrismadden.co.uk/computer-cartoons/computer-intuitive.jpg

The first freely programmable computer was invented in 1936, first high level programming language is FORTRAN, and first computer game was invented in 1962 and so on. I am not a computer professional to elaborate on these.

Computer, what a word, it has become such a common word next to hello, excuse me, sorry, thanks etc. It would not be surprised that even a toddler would know this word. Common people would not care who started it, how it has changed its shape, size or capability it has. A young child is keen to self learn, a teenager is the master of it,  young adults rule it, adults are struggling to master it, senior citizens are striving to enter the main stream. I am one of those though not a senior citizen but the one who has entered the world of computers pretty late, needless to say as I am here now blogging. It reminds me the first day when my husband was trying to teach me how to start the computer and help me play some games and trying to guide me through browsing internet and emailing. I was so hesitant to start and was scared what if I click some wrong button and something would crash. Slowly my kids started playing and then doing wonders on it, I used to say or still wonder who taught them and how did they learn, it is not taught in schools either. While I started learning some of the MS office applications from a local community center, I wondered there were so many elderly people learning for obvious reasons. All the smart learners striving to learn to learn and understand the computer jargon or the techniques what their young children or grandchildren have already mastered. With computers on desk or lap or in hands the basic usage has extended it to internet to email to online shopping to blogging to Facebook, it is just expanding and making a world of its own. Recently, I read that even from space they could use internet to send email and update twitter accounts. What’s next?!

A final word: I am not knowledgeable about computers or its parts; I just follow the instructions and go where ever it takes me.

"Family life is not a computer program that runs on its own; it needs continual input from everyone."

-Neil Kurshan

Women's Day

March 8^th marks the centennial celebration of International Women's Day. Today we celebrate the life of a woman who faces hardships with her inner strength. The battle of genders’ is since ages and will last until humans exist; it varies with the geographic, socio-economic background. No society can exist without women or a family without her sacrifices to make difficult choices to lead exemplary life. It is said educate a women the whole family is educated; she is one who can empower care, has tolerance, understanding, just, and peaceful life to all. Today, women needs to strike a balance while being educated she has to run parallel in two directions, one as nurturing and care giving and the other carrier oriented to hold high positions in corporate world. Women have the willingness to listen, patience to understand, strength to understand with added beauty, what else anybody would need, she is all in one! Try to respect all the women in your life, if not, don’t disrespect her.

Happy Women's Day!

"A woman's guess is much more accurate than a man's certainty."

-Rudyard Kipling

Bangles

Bangles are an ornament worn by women on regular basis with respect to the socio-religious customs prevailing in the society. “Bangle” a hard ring-shaped bracelet is originated from bangri, a word from Hindi language in 17^th century. No women can resist the lure of an attractive pair of bangles and bracelets appear on their wish list. Since childhood girls have the hobby of bangle collection. They choose matching bangles that suit or match different costumes. Bangles come in various styles, colors and shades. Though the traditional Indian Bangles were made of ivory, silver, lac, wood, glass, metals, with the passage of time, these are now made from a variety of materials. Nowadays common types of bangles found in the market include gold bangles, metal bangles, glass bangles, plastic bangles and many more. Plastic bangles may be durable, pocket-friendly and have comfort level to wear; glass bangles adorn the wrist with grace and elegance and make music to ears. These bangles evoke a gorgeous Indian look. Gold bangles have extravagant look. As gold is soft, it is alloyed mostly with copper so that it can easily be shaped, carved and chiseled to make different designs. Gold and other metal bangles come with diamond or gems studded in them. Gold bangles are sold by weight and all others by dozens or in pairs. The size of the bangle is determined by its diameter. Width of bangles can be from few millimeters to few centimeters. Usually, less width glass or plastic bangles are bought in dozens and are worn with color combinations and/or with gold bangles. In most communities, bangles are offered to Goddess and also exchanged with married ladies during special festival and occasions. Bangle giving ceremony is common for pregnant ladies, mostly performed by her parents and in-laws during baby shower.

Having talked about bangles, you can guess bangles are foremost in my jewelry list and that too colored glass bangles (that was my Valentine’s Day gift this year from my husband). I can shop glass bangles with different colors and new designs popping in the market, more often than gold bangles. I like to compare colored glass bangles to flowers they both look colorful, flowers fade, bangles break easily. They are beautiful, affordable and good excuse for shopping. I can’t imagine my hand without bangles.

"The earth is like a beautiful bride who needs no man-made jewels to heighten her loveliness." 
-Kahlil Gibran

Attitude

Great attitude leads to great life. Attitude is our trademark, it reflects upon how we think, say and do. It is more important than our appearance, education or skill, it can make or break an individual, home or organization. Attitude, is so commonly talked while addressing about others and so easily forgotten when pertained to self. Our attitude makes us happy or unhappy, in turn it is dependent on how we view at the things or people around us. I think it is more based on how we view life, we jump to conclusion even before thinking well and quickly become upset. I don't have any statistics but there would not be any one who can be happy his/her entire life or anyone who is unhappy his/her entire life.  It is common for us to attach more to unhappiness part of our life. Our own attitudes are responsible for attracting a certain type of situation. We cannot change the past, the people around, the inevitable but we can change our attitude. Attitude can be changed through persuasion and the way we communicate or respond to a situation. Attitude affects our health too, so we need to change as life is short; yes, on average 30,000 days.

View the Power of attitude  for about three and half minutes.

Engagement Day

Arranged marriage or love marriage, the most important pre-wedding ritual is the engagement ceremony. Engagement ceremony is almost celebrated since ages with certain variations according to their community and family rituals. This day, a quarter century ago my engagement ceremony was organized at my house; after a long process of mutual sharing of family background, marriage looks by the grooms' family and groom. I was working in a bank and my then fiancé in a central government office. I was working in a small town and he was working in a metro. I was told I need to adjust and get accustomed in the new house and with new relationships. Those days are colorful with a pinch of nervousness of how things would go etc. Amidst all this, my parents were busy in the arrangement of the ceremony, the first celebration in our family organized by my parents. My grandmother came to our house few days before the ceremony to guide and help my mother organize with the required arrangements. 

Our family, relatives and my then fiancé family gathered to celebrate the ceremony on an auspicious day as soon as the marriage details were finalized. In south Indian families the presence of groom or bride is not compulsory on the engagement day. My then fiancé, now husband, took an excuse to miss it. The most important ritual was the exchange of tambulalu (betel leaves and betel nuts) with coconut, fruits and flowers between head of both of our families. I was offered silk clothes and jewelry by my in-laws. An auspicious day and time was decided for the wedding day after thoroughly looking into both of our horoscopes. The venue for wedding was decided, which is a kalyanamantapam (banquet hall) near my native village. The arrangements to be made for the wedding within short span of 3 weeks was the next discussion. 

Later a sumptuous lunch was offered to all the guests present at the ceremony. My aunts were teasing me that “soon you will be married and may forget us”, “don’t forget visiting us when you are around here”. My mother offered kumkum and turmeric and clothes to all the ladies and tambulalu with clothes to all the adult men. All the guests said their goodbyes after congratulating the family and blessing both of us (though he was not present there).

Traditional ceremonies may be an excuse for the younger generation in the midst of western culture influence; but they are unique and memorable which can relate a sense of belonging to their own community and can cherish for life.

"Long engagements give people the opportunity of finding out each other's character before marriage, which is never advisable." 

-Oscar Wilde  

Pain and Blessings

I happened to read this, I cannot help sharing this.

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From all over the world, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed:

 "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?

To this Arthur Ashe replied:

"The world over -- 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to the semi final, 2 to the finals, when I was holding the cup I never asked GOD 'Why me?'. And today in pain I should not be asking GOD 'Why me?'

We count our pains, but not our blessings.
We never remind ourselves the best we have, but always crib about the ones we could not get. Somehow we cannot show gratitude of what we have, we are always in the look out of something better.

"A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success." 

-Anonymous

Independence Day of Texas

Independence Day of Texas was celebrated on March 2^nd quietly by some Texans. It signed the declaration of independence in 1836 and was admitted to USA as 28^th state on December 29, 1845. Texas is ranked 2nd in population and area in USA. It has a nick name of Lone Star with motto of friendship. The Caddo Indians of eastern Texas called their group of tribes the "Tejas," meaning "those who are friends" and later the state is named Texas.

Did you know...
 ... that today is the birthday of the Three-Cent Coin?
The U.S. Congress authorized the silver three-cent piece in 1851 from Philadelphia mint, and was last issued in 1873.

 

Maha Shivarathri

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Today is MAHA SHIVARATHRI
The holy night of Shivarathri is observed during the night of Chaturdashi before Amavasya’ in the Hindu month of Magha as per traditional lunar calendar.

It is believed that the planetary positions align in such a way on Shivarathri night that it naturally creates an upsurge of energy in the human system. This is also why traditionally it is known to be beneficial both physically and spiritually to stay awake and aware through the night.

Holy Shiva mantra recommended for Maha Shivarathri is 

Shiva Panchakshari Mantra - "Om Namah Shivaya".

A quiz to test your knowledge on Lord Shiva. Try it you can find the answers if you don't know.

Memorable Day

With many blogs with different interests already on the web,  I am entering the world of blog today. This day is memorable to me, 27 years back I started my first job in a bank. I cannot forget THE day and the prior days which led me to step into the bank as an employee. Everything was like on job training, unlike what we see now. My coworkers trained me patiently and respected me as I was only the female employee of the 25 employees in the branch. Today I am happy to share something of my experiences in my journey of life and from my readings, in my style of writing :-).

Did you know...
... that today is the beginning of International Optimism Month?