A small note of hope to You!

Hello there! How are you doing? Chances are that you are in the same situation as I am, just hanging in and waiting for this ordeal to pass. With uncertainties looming and a blurry future, going with the flow from moment to moment is the best thing to do. It keeps you afloat.

Who knew the world would change so drastically in a span of just two months? Did the people who live through the World War had the same feeling as ours? Maybe! Well, I know there are things at the back of your mind that comes to bug you often. It is only human to think, plan and analyse about the future. I have been doing it too.

But in between thoughts, struggle and survival, do not forget to breathe and appreciate what you still have – life! And with life, anything is possible!

You never know what opportunities this pandemic holds for you. Still, if everything looks dark, just hang on, it’s about to be dawn. When there is collective misery, it won’t last long. Hold on! We just have to keep looking out for each other during this time.

Therefore, dear friend, I am sharing some of my favorite quotes to brighten your moment and hoping that you will like it. Sending lots of prayers for health, luck, peace and success to the world! Stay safe and be well.

(Images courtesy Google)

Just a thought – Expand

The moment, neither in past or future, never in emotions nor even in thoughts, when I inhale and exhale rhythmically, and just be…! When I watch the trees move, cars pass and grasses sway and…I just be…! That moment is precious to me. Because there in lies the key to the new element that makes me actually see. That is when I expand and smile for no reason at all… that is when life blooms!

(Image courtesy Google)

Just a Thought – Control

The more we try to control people, thoughts or circumstances, the greater we are controlled by them. It is always a two way arrest game. Handcuffs are on both the arrester and arrested. But if we let go of control, it’s not that we will be at inactive mode but we would do our jobs blissfully, freely without thinking of controlling the ‘result’. The RESULT is anyway, NEVER in our hands. No?

Some people try to control in a positive way, out of concern but some use negativity as their power. This quote explains the negative types.

But flow is always more powerful than control. Hope we learn to let go, because there is nothing blissful, joyful and liberating than complete surrender! Exhale…!

Images courtesy Google

Dreams of 2019

Dears,

I do not know what 2018 brought into your life. May be joy, may be challenges or perhaps, both! But I’m sure, for all of us, it brought lessons that will stay with us for a lifetime. One lesson that has stayed with me is this conviction – you’ll never lose if you’re truly passionate about a dream. Outwardly, even if there was absolute failure, your dedication will live on and kind of form a chain reaction, leading to the ‘one’ who will eventually make your dream come true. The ‘one’ may be your child, family, a random person or event. But it will come true! The important thing is to stay true and passionate to your dream. So, here is wishing you big dreams and possibilities in 2019. May even the sky doesn’t limit you!

Love and peace,

Shivangi

 

 

 

Just a Thought – You’ve got my back!

When you know someone up there has got your back, you’re afraid no more. You soar, you dive, you float or you fall flat, nothing matters! You look up and say – you’ve got my back, why should I worry? And you smile at the thought of someone watching over you, loving you, protecting you and sometimes pushing you…so that you learn to stand up! But all along you know, it’s all for your own good!

(I took a small break from blogging. But I’m back my friends to share my life and thoughts with you almost every week. Sending lots and lots of love and peace your way!)

If You Are Sad!

No, I’ll not say I’m sad you are going through this difficult phase. I’ll not indulge in grief along with you. Never! Rather I’m convinced impediments, grief, setbacks and disturbances will mould you into somebody special. I heard someone say today that failure teaches us far, far more than victory, always. I agree! Therefore, I’ll pray for you and wish that you welcome your grief with a smile and say – Try me, I stand strong, you can never break me, you can only mould me into a better version of myself…into a fine miracle!

(Image – Google)

Go For It!

Just a little quote for you…if you have been procrastinating like me…

Image courtesy Google

Just a Thought – There comes a moment…

There comes a moment in life…when you suddenly need to be a parent…to a different set of kids – Your Own Parents. Challenging, Heartbreaking and life changing! You cannot afford to be a carefree kid anymore. You have to really grow up and stand tall…at once…maybe overnight. Your carefree self observes from a distance as the cloak of maturity chooses to fall on you. You change at that moment. Forever.

Saluting those who embrace the responsibilities and challenges that come with the noble task of parenting older ones 🙏🏻

(Image courtesy Google)

Daylight Savings Fun!

I had no idea what daylight savings was before coming to the US in November few years back. And soon after, when I was asked to set our clocks one hour back, it baffled and tickled me. 

I still don’t get the concept behind it though, but love it when the clocks go back. So, yesterday was our daylight savings day and from now, if it is 10:30 am in the morning here, it will be aprox 10.00pm at night in India. Cool, isn’t it! It will stay like this until Spring and then the clocks will move one hour ahead. Baffling, yes and fun too!

Images courtesy Google

Small Thing#3 – Memories

I was on a cleaning spree, ruthlessly discarding whatever stuff had not been used since the past six months. I had a huge pile of things around me which others would have found useful. But a useless little plastic bag made me stop. 

Printed on it was the name of my beloved home town and my country (India)….thousands and thousands of miles from here! I tried to put it away but just couldn’t. Finally, I folded it neatly and put it safely in a drawer. 

Why, I still ask myself? Have you felt like this…lately?

Image: Google

The statue of Faith

The old man came limping into the park. He was a peon at a huge office and his boss was giving him a hard time. 

“You are too slow to work in my office, Jagdish. I will have to find a replacement soon,” the boss barked. “I am t…t..trying my best, Sir,” he stammered. “But the accident at the factory has left me crippled, please take that into consideration too,” he begged. “Get out!” said the rich man.

Jagdish knew he could be released any day. His heart felt heavy as he thought about his dependents. 

He needed to take a break at his favourite place – the park of Faith!

It felt good to be there. The evening breeze calmed him down. And then there was his favourite statue! 

She was his faith. He had named her so… she calmed him whenever he was in despair. She had no arms but her eyes looked skywards! The inscription near her said – He will take care of You!

Jagdish knew he would be taken care of… no matter what! He smiled at the statue.

This is my entry to the flash fiction challenge, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers hosted by the lovely Priceless Joy. We are given a photo prompt and approximately 75-175 words with which to create our stories. This challenge is open to all who would like to participate. Please CLICK HERE for more. Thank you Phylor for the image!

The pilot who loves to write!

When Squadron Leader turned author  Manish Kumar got introduced in one of our favourite Whats App groups by the enthusiastic admin, the group members were more than happy to welcome him. His book ‘Be Your Own Pilot’ has been climbing charts and we wanted to know more about him.

BYOP has sold a number of copies till now. In Amazon.in, it had been in top 50 Bestsellers list. It has sold out thrice in the US and is selling in almost 15 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Japan and Netherlands.

In a chit chat on his personal wall, he talked about his journey from being a pilot to a writer. His noble profession enabled him to undergo various enriching spiritual experiences that led him onto the path of writing. Here is an excerpt:

Q: What is ‘Be Your Own Pilot’ all about?
Manish: In this inspirational fiction, I talk about the unlimited power and potential lying dormant in every soul, waiting to be awakened. The moment we become aware of the power within, we stop being a victim of circumstances, get off the autopilot called fate and take control of our life.

‘Be Your Own Pilot’ is about the journey of a boy from a small town who realizes his dream of becoming a pilot, learns the lessons of life on the way and goes on to inspire others to follow their dreams. His Flying Instructor implants wisdom into the flying lessons and teaches him to take the flight of faith. The book shows the way – how, by aligning personal desires to the benefit for mankind, it is possible to lead a deeply rich and satisfying life.

Q: What was the inspiration behind BYOP?
Manish: During my tenure in the Indian Air Force I survived many near-fatal accidents. I and my crew were lucky to come alive out of these situations. These incidents made me delve deep into the meaning and purpose of life. I realized that my Life’s purpose was to show people way to live a meaningful and purposeful life. Hence, I wrote the book.

Q: Please tell us about your career as a pilot? The challenges and the highlights.
Manish: Initially, I was posted to a VIP Squadron and was a part of the formation carrying VVIPs like The President, Vice President, Prime Minister and the Service Chiefs. Flying with them requires precision and there is no room for error. 

Later, I was posted to an operational Squadron. I flew extensively during Gujarat Cyclone and Earthquake in 1999/2000 doing rescue and relief work. In one of the sorties I rescued 05 fishermen, who were afloat on wooden planks after their fishing trawler was destroyed in the Cyclone. I was awarded the Chief of Air Staff Commendation Medal for saving their lives.

Q: Have you had any formal training as a writer? Your message to upcoming writers?
Manish:I had no formal training as a writer but I consider John Harricaharan, the Creative Writing Guru and the best-selling author, my mentor. I have read all his books on creative writing. He has also been kind enough to write the foreword for Be Your Own Pilot.

My first suggestion to all budding writers is to read or watch John’s story of Professor Peterson (click here).

Next is to fall in love with words. Once you are in love with them, you can feel intuitively whether you have used them correctly or not. 

Lastly, write with your heart. Express your true feelings. Do not bother about what the Publishers or Readers will think. And don’t worry about grammar or other mistakes. There are people to correct them. The world just wants your original story. Write it.

Q: Who is better Manish, the pilot or Manish, the author?
Manish:I had become a Pilot with the sole aim of saving a life someday. After that was achieved, I moved over to shaping lives. Today, I have better and immense opportunities to touch lives through my book and lectures. You know, I had a reader who was about to commit suicide after being rejected from a job-interview. Luckily, he had the book. He read it and it gave him hope. So, I find being an Author is better than being a Pilot but I do miss flying at times.

Q: What would be your next venture?
Manish: We are trying to make a movie based on “Be Your Own Pilot.” I am also in between two books. “Souls : United at Last” is a true love story of Soulmates who meet after a few births. “The Fall Guy” is a science fiction in which I have borrowed the characters from Ramayana and Mahabharata and fit them in the modern context.

If you are looking for a nice self help book, this summer, do try this one! I tried and loved it.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Own-Pilot-Manish-Kumar/dp/8184301359