Namaste 2023 🙏🏻

“Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.” May this New Year brings for you sukh (happiness), samriddhi (wealth), shanti (peace) and saubhagya (good fortune). Hope you have a glorious New Year 2023. Hare Krishna🙏🏻@storiesbyshivangi

10 Great Quotes on Relaxation after a busy week

Has the week been hard on you? Take a moment and inspect your burden – too many things going on, tasks to finish, pending work, children or parents to take care of, a household to tend to… And then there are the emotional issues – a mishap, some misunderstanding, someone may be ill, someone in a bad situation! And then, on top of it, physical ailments, unresolved issues from the past, responsibilities in the future…! Ah, too much, isn’t it? We are all in the same boat so, why don’t you and I put down our burdens for a minute and relax with these quotes.

Here are 10 great quotes that will lead to relaxation and shift in perception:

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Yes, you and I are enough, my friend. So relax! Hope these quotes helped you to relax, rejuvenate and believe that – all is and would always be well! And yes, keep setting aside your burden from time to time, believe me, it will shrink with time. Have a great weekend!

5 Quotes that echo my thoughts…

I came across these 5 lovely quotes and thought of sharing it with you. I firmly believe that whatever happens may not align with our expectations but it is always for the best in the long run.

So, acceptance of the situation, gratitude for what we have and the belief that all will be well can do wonders. After all, ‘He’ is there to take care of everything! Stay lively and blissful. All will be taken care of!

(Images courtesy Google)

Are you really seeing the possibilities?

Are you seeing the possibilities? Yes, the world is opening up again after the pause. The pandemic is still here and there are uncertainties and danger lurking everywhere. There is no concrete plan yet to deal with it but the world has to go on! Hand sanitizers, masks, even toilet papers are available now and things appear to be normal from a distance.

But the closer you get the more you know that it is just an appearance…things have changed! Fear, struggles, upheavals are gnawing at us in the midst of the ‘new normal’. None of us is safe and unaffected. But today, I am not writing about the issues but the possibilities. If you are seeing possibilities despite everything no pandemic can beat your spirit.

An unyielding spirit will never bow down to any calamity, it will rise and shine like it was meant to be. 

I know there is a huge list of ‘what can’t be done’ things so let’s just make a tiny list of ‘what can be done things’ and focus on it for now. There is always a scope of possibility somewhere that hides great dimensions of success. And a calamity like this has great opportunities and possibilities. We just have to stop looking at shutdowns and closed doors.

Somewhere else new doors are opening and ideas taking shape, we will see it if we are open and receptive.

I know, in the current situation, all our efforts are being thwarted and there seems to be roadblocks then why not reroute and look for a new path. We may find a roadblock again but it would be an enriching new path in terms of experience. It is far better than sitting and waiting for roads to get cleared. And what if we fear to lose all in finding the new course? We will always end up with experience! But imagine if we get a breakthrough…we will be discovering a brand new path for everyone to follow.

We are a part of history in the making. An unusual situation needs unusual response, why not use our energies to figure that out. The world may or may not come back to normal but the possibilities for growth would always be there. And if we are that kind of energetic, spirited being, who sees a sculpture in an ordinary stone or an underlying order in the chaos, we have already beaten the pandemic.

I am sharing some of my favorite quotes on possibilities with you and wish that you acquire a great vision to see those unseen wonders that are waiting to be discovered… may be by you.

(Images courtesy Google)

 

 

 

 

A PAUSE…in the History of Time!

‘London Statue STOP’ – the denner would yell and all of us would stop, statue-like in whatever positions we were.

Those who moved would be out of the game, some would nudge and poke, some would hastily change positions, while many would simply enjoy the pause. But that pause was for a game and this pause amid Coronavirus is for…life itself. Distressing, funny, confusing, unprecedented…

India has locked down completely, USA is in turmoil with more than 3.8 million unemployed people, Spain and Italy are under great pressure, countries are taking desperate measures.

For the first time in history, no one is in control of the situation. And humans don’t like not being in control. Who is the denner? When will he say – Go?

This sudden pause…a break in our fast paced lifestyles is toppling, wrecking, shaking and affecting many lives. Many people have readily halted while many are still coming to a screeching halt. Each one of us has been affected in some way or the other.

Suddenly, everything we ever knew has paused. And there are grim realities and uncertainties to deal with – life, family, jobs, education, salary, food…! And moreover, there is no end in sight to this ordeal.

Yes, for the first time we realize no one has control over this situation. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Leaders, Millionaires… no one.

And no one knows how this crisis will come to an end – may be a cure, or unknown cause or certain steps would work. But one thing is for sure – we will prevail. Until then, we have to pause and wait.

And in this pause, there are great questions and realizations –

Where did we go wrong?

We need so little to survive, so why the greed?

What were we running after?

Has anything ever been in our hands?

What’s the use of power, wealth and luxuries when an invisible, dead virus can threaten it?

What is the most important thing for us, right now?

Who are the people in our support system? Are we taking care of them?

If we are to die tomorrow, what would matter most?

What selfless deeds have we done?

Where does our hope lie?

How important are we to others?

The answers to this questions are humbling and point out to all those things that are truly dear to our hearts. Just that much is really required for life.

Rest of the things are just extras but the people, ideals and things that matter to us in times like this form our core.

And in this pause there is great understanding. Just like the silence after AUM is as powerful as the mantra itself, similarly, this pause is profound. Who knows the human race might change for better after experiencing this crisis!

So let’s be there for others, practice gratitude and be loving, sensitive and kind… for we never know what others are going through.

One day, the denner up there will say – Go. And life will start running and go back to normal. We will return to our ordinary existence but the way we endured and handled the crisis during this extraordinary time will stay with us forever.

Heroes are not always those who fight and win but those spirited people who brave the crisis with courage, determination, cheerfulness and dignity.

This pause is an opportunity to realize and be our best self. We owe this to us and to all other living beings. Let’s make the best use of this PAUSE.

(Image courtesy Google)

Plans may not work for new mothers, but moments do!

When my kids were little and I was in a new country away from family and friends, I often felt stuck and overburdened. No plan ever worked, there was no respite from constant care giving and it was a struggle to even have a proper bath.

At that time someone told me – Just take one day at a time as no plan works around babies and concentrate on moments… This advice of taking one day at a time, specifically, one moment at a time worked wonders for me. Because the struggle and stress due to failed plans, unfinished tasks and over-expectations were not there.

In retrospect, I realize that since I started concentrating on moments, other things began to fall in place. By focusing on little things, big things happened by default. I became more open and flexible to accepting changes in plans.

If the day would go smoothly, I would be grateful to the baby and the almighty. If it would be a hard day, I knew the struggle won’t last. Things would change the next day or the day after. And amidst these fun and struggling moments, I found my creative moments too. I managed to create this precious blog that improved me in many ways.

There were times when I felt others were going way ahead of me socially and career-wise. You know how social-media is, right? It over activates the green eyed monster who pokes and pinches you when you see people striding ahead, having fun, going places etc.

Well, little by little, the monster stopped bugging me because I had began to enjoy my own moments. My kids were a revelation to me and I felt how easy it was to enjoy ‘NOW’ with a baby around. That divine form, baby gestures and language.. I was hooked.

I also think I was lucky in many ways because I was not facing financial issues and got solid support from my husband. It is harder for those who have to work and have no support but still, I think, concentrating on moments would cut down the stress drastically.

Now, I make plans and follow a routine since there are no cranky babies to feed or care for. My kids go to school. I am beginning to concentrate on my ambitions and life again. This is great too! I know I am far behind my peers career-wise and it feels like I am starting from scratch again. Also my preferences and considerations have changed, so I am looking for a different career path. But it does not really bother me because the babyhood days of my kids have taught me a lot.

And amidst all this, if you ask me – Which is a better experience – life with plans or life with moments? I would say – life with plans is very comfortable and smooth but life with moments was simply divine!

The moments happened automatically with babies around. And I am glad I didn’t rush through them in pursuit of other plans. Other plans hardly worked out but moments always did! I am glad that I followed that advice…

Images courtesy Google

Just a Thought – Rejection

Every winner reaches the top by climbing a mountain of rejection, refusing to get buried after an avalanche of disappointments. And then, getting up to climb back again with renewed determination.

Winners know that reaching the top is not in their hands but climbing up is and that is what they do till the end… relentlessly, tirelessly and zealously.

Winners do not fear disappointments or rejections. They know the mountain of rejection is sacred, because the process of climbing, falling down, getting hurt and starting again shows them what they have got and what they are made of…!

No, nothing can break their spirit… let alone the mountain of Rejection. Because winners know that nothing is more stronger than a resilient will made of their unyielding spirit! They will just not give up!

Get up and keep climbing friends, that is the most important part!

Images courtesy Google

Just a Thought – The Retreat Within!

You feel immensely empowered when you carve a retreat within yourself – the charging space that you can get back to whenever the world overwhelms you.

And you come back from it rejuvenated, relaxed and full of energy to get on with life and its challenges. And you hold the power to return to that space anytime! No expenses problems, no bookings just discipline, faith and immense will power.

And the experience – priceless!🙏🏻

(Picture – Shivangi’s Phone)

Happy 2020

Dear,

The year 2020 marks not only the beginning of a new year but also the birth of a brand new decade. Outwardly, we are surrounded by sameness. Same life, same people and same routine. So, what is fresh about 2020? The freshness lies in our enthusiastic ‘approach’ to the New Year with all our resolutions, promises and hopes of a fresh new start.

New Year is really all about our openness to it! We are willing so we make things happen in the beginning. But then the old routine life and mundane existence takes over and we fall back to the old pattern. If we stay open and our approach stays the same for the rest of the year, great things could happen. Magic, really! So, my resolution this year is to be enthusiastic and open to all dimensions of new possibilities.

And my wishes for you are not restricted to just one day of the year! Here is hoping that may you stay open and receive more and more bliss, love, peace and prosperity every moment of your life! May you be your highest self!

Happy 2020 and…..always!

Love,

Shivangi

(Image: Google)

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation for Kids

Today I came to know that there are two kinds of motivation for kids – Intrinsic and Extrinsic. As I read more I learnt why intrinsic motivation is far more superior to inspire kids and have a life long impact. Although extrinsic motivation is occasionally important too. The subsequent quotes will help you understand the difference.

And I loved this last one below that tells us how to encourage our children to be intrinsically motivated. Hope you will find these quotes as important as I find them. Good luck to you, dear parent!

Images courtesy Google

Just a Thought – Rerouting

We only think about the impediments, the problems that are stopping us to expand. How about embracing the possibilities created due to those problems?

The road block may stop us from going on our familiar road but it cannot stop us from rerouting and finding a brand new path. And oh, the immense joy of discovering limitless opportunities on a path of your own finding…!

Astonishing Nature!

Just look how the view from my window has changed from yesterday to today. The landscape was blue and green yesterday and see how it has changed to grey and white today after unexpected snowfall last night in the Twin Cities. If this is not magic, what is? I am accepting the change and amazed at the transformation🙏🏻.

Perhaps the meditative puppy knew about the upcoming snowfall! The wonders of nature is endless, if only we stop for a moment and look.

“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls” – John Muir

Nature, you are awesome!