Is your Battery 100%

Yes, it’s about “You” not your gadgets. When we have slept well and wake up, fully charged. That’s a feeling most people hardly experience these days. Oh! I do wish we humans were as simply wired as our gadgets, so we could connect ourselves to a power plug when we are low on battery.
What depletes our battery? Surely over usage without rest, stress, ill health, wrong food & drinks.

Negative thoughts create stress and anxiety and hence insomnia. A good way to controlling negative thoughts is by first recognizing that it exists in you. Next, understand that it is not a reality but just a thought. Mind, like our body needs care for our wellbeing. Meditation is a good place to start.

With a peaceful mind, comes peaceful sleep. Over the years, it’s become hip to sleep less because it is viewed as a frivolous activity, hence considered waste of time (which ‘successful people cannot afford’). But in reality, sleep is like meditation it can recharge you and you will be able to give more output in less time. Arianna Huffington, Forbes #12 most influential woman in media, once collapsed due to lack of sleep and since then became a “sleep evangelist”.

When health is making us feel drained… that’s the way our body reminds us to pay more attention to our-self. Half of all diseases can be resolved psychologically. For rest of the diseases we have advance medicine on our side. Most of the common diseases these days are lifestyle diseases, for which a simple lifestyle change is needed.

Still feeling dull??? Check your diet. It’s not only alcohol and caffeine that saps on our craving mind but also heavy junk food and sugary sweets too. They give us instant energy and gratification and then, they drain us out. Still we give ourselves reasons for having them. Can we stand proud, when we make a healthy choice next time and give a pat on the back to someone who has done the same.

By Pushpa Ramesh

Life Is an Education

Life Is an Education
How to expand your world.

LIFE IS REALLY MEANT to be simple and easy. However, well-meaning parents and others often try to pressure their kids to excel in school so much so that children today have very high levels of stress that we never thought about when we were young. Unfortunately, we adults aren’t taught in school how to have relationships or how to be good parents. As parents, we muddle through as best we can, having learned parenthood only from what we saw in our own families. Children learn by observing their parents, so if you teach them love and forgiveness, they’ll learn how to be loving and forgiving.

It’s one of our challenges (as we grow up) to do what’s right for us even when those who care about us have other ideas. We’re not here to fulfill other people’s expectations. I believe that everything does work out for the best in the end, but sometimes it’s hard to see that while we’re going through a challenging experience.

By trusting Divine Intelligence to help us experience life in the way that’s best for us, we empower ourselves to find our own path to fulfillment and to enjoy everything that life has to offer. I truly believe knowledge is power. I’m constantly increasing my understanding. Every day I open my awareness a little more to the Divine Wisdom within me. Life, to me, is an education! I’m glad to be alive and so grateful for the good that’s come to me. We can educate ourselves by opening our mind and heart every day to discover new insights, new people, new viewpoints, and new ways to understand what’s happening around and within us. The more I understand, the more my world expands and I feel at ease with all the changes in this incredible school of life here on Planet Earth.

There are many things you can do to expand your world. You can begin with the thoughts that you think by using affirmations. Remember, affirmations are anything and everything you think and say and believe. Here are some of my personal favorites:

I am responsible for my experience.
Every thought I think is creating my future.
I need to release the past and forgive everyone, including myself.
The point of power is always in the present moment.
I am safe in the Universe, and all Life loves and supports me.
All is well in my world.

People often say “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up” and worry themselves silly. Someone recently sent me a copy of a wonderful commencement speech given at Stanford University by the founder and CEO of Apple Computer, Steve Jobs. A highly successful businessman known for his creativity and innovation in the world of business, his speech in a nutshell was about loving what you do. Given all that he’d accomplished in the world, this didn’t really surprise me. But what did surprise me was the fact that he told the assembled crowd that for the last 34 years he has been using one of my most popular techniques to start his day. He looks in the mirror every morning and says this affirmation: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I’m about to do?” In his speech Mr. Jobs also said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart, and intuition.” What a powerful message!

As Steve Jobs was implying, today is the only opportunity you’ll ever have to experience this day. Stay in the now, and rejoice in every moment. Don’t let your days slip by in frustration or you’ll miss out on much of your joy. Create in your mind how you want your life to be. Study, read, and listen to CDs. If you’re already going to school, begin every morning with a few minutes of meditation. Affirm that school gets easier and easier for you all the time. Develop a feeling of gratitude for every experience you have. Learn to find joy in each moment.

It’s your life. Love it, and Life will love you in return. I promise, if you take a month of expressing gratitude at every turn, Life loves a grateful person and will give you even more to be grateful for.

Affirm: I listen with love and peace to what life is teaching me!

By Louise L. Hay
Writer of "You Can Heal Your Life"

Abstract Art

Many of us find it difficult to understand “abstract art”. That is because we look for forms and meanings, when the word “abstract” itself means something which doesn’t have a concrete shape. In simple words ‘Art’ in which the subject is, colour, line, shape, texture etc., rather than recognizable form is abstract art.

Sometimes the artist takes inspiration from real objects or nature and represents it in unrecognizable patters or shapes. For this he either simplifies the object or exaggerates it. This form of art is sometimes pleasing to the eye and sometimes lacks aesthetic beauty. To appreciate such an art, it is important to understand the environment of the artist as well as his thoughts. Sometimes the subconscious emotion of the artist is also expressed well in abstract form.

Preconception binds our imagination. To appreciate an abstract art, it is imperative that one should have an open mind. So abstract art not only needs the skill of the artist but also of the observer. Art allows us to access our subconscious feeling and emotions. Hence the role of an artist in such a case is to create a work of art, that when viewed evokes the viewer’s subconscious feelings to his awareness, keeping his distractions to minimum.


By Pushpa Ramesh

Time of my Life

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...its over. A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
· LIVE IT WELL!
· ENJOY TODAY!
· DO SOMETHING FUN!
· BE HAPPY !
· HAVE A GREAT DAY
LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
v TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN,
v YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
ü Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!
ü Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
ü You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
ü You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... especially golf.
ü The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
ü You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
ü You miss the days when everything work
ü You tend to use more 4 letter words..."what?"..."when?".. ???
ü Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
ü You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
ü What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
ü Everybody whispers.
ü You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.
But Old is good in some things:
Ø Old Songs,
Ø Old movies, and best of all,
Ø OLD FRIENDS!!

By Patti Koosed

Movie Review : Madras Cafe

Madras Cafe is based on India’s involvement in Sri Lankan civil war and it’s aftermath. Although a commercial movie, the film has a realistic feel to it. Some of the documentary footage of the genocide in Sri Lanka has been used in the movie. Movie depicts bloodbath, but violence is not repulsive. There is a steady development of story and action, gives a Hollywood Movie feel. For a change no… Bollywood musical extravaganza, romance or comedy used for entertainment.

John Abraham’s personality takes the movie forward, but John and Nargis seriously needs to focus on their acting and expressions. Rashi Khanna’s acting is passable. The supporting cast which acted as Sri Lankan’s did a good job.

On the whole, John Abraham has succeeded to create an impact with his production debut. A great must see political thriller.

By Pushpa Ramesh

Massive Open Online Courses - FREE !

In an attempt at "inclusive education", the rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer tremendous opportunities to individuals (housewives/students/professionals) to pursue academics from reputed International Universities and Colleges, without having to pay course fees.

One of the early innovators - COURSERA (www.coursera.org) believe in connecting people to a great education so that anyone around the world can learn without limits.It is worthwhile to read what they have to offer and how it will benefit you, if you have spare time and want to upgrade your competencies.

UDACITY (www.udacity.com) is one such institution whose mission is to bring accessible, engaging, and effective higher education to the world. They believe that higher education is a basic human right and they want to empower students to develop their skills in order to advance their careers.

Some of the other "Massive Open Online Courses" providers are EDX (www.edx.org) who have an arrangement with Harvard and MIT and offer interactive online classes in subjects including law, history, science, engineering, business, social sciences, computer science, public health, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Even Stanford University (www.scpd.stanford.edu)under the aegis of Stanford Center for Professional Development has made available FREE Webinars and Live Lectures presented by Stanford faculty, industry experts, and senior researchers.

Future Learn (www.futurelearn.com) in UK, also offer online courses from some of the world’s best universities for free, enabling everyone, everywhere to enjoy learning throughout their lives.

This is a great opportunity for those seeking to validate their competencies and maybe in the next decade, one will be able to have a certificate or a degree from one of the most prestigious colleges and universities, at the click of a mouse and the only investment will be - TIME and DEDICATION to complete the course.

Contributed by an eLearning Consultant.

Choose to live a life that matters...

Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin colour will be irrelevant. So what will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. . . . . So choose to live a life that matters.

By anonymous