THE FLOW OF LIFE
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Posted:Oct 16, 2013 5:48 am
Last Updated:Oct 17, 2013 9:04 am 2253 Views
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If the sky above seems cloudy,
And you are left out in the rain,
If you are searching for a rainbow,
But the colors bring you pain,
If your world is not revolving,
And there is no end in sight,
If you are looking for the sunshine,
But all you see is night,
If all around are smiling,
But all you can do is frown,
If you are tired of all this living,
When life just brings you down,
Then look beyond your teardrops,
At the wonders of this land,
The beauty of a flower,
Like velvet in your hand.
Feel the air around you,
The smell of new mown hay,
Laughing in the park,
The innocence there at play,
Imagine floating with a butterfly,
As she flutters between the trees,
Or the whispers of the ocean,
On warm hot summer's breeze,
Think of the taste of candy floss,
As it melts upon your tongue,
Or the melody of morning birds,
As they greet each day with song,
Remember words of beauty,
Told in your mother's embrace,
Feel the gentleness of her touch,
As she softly kissed your face,
Seek the good within you,
Cast the clouds from your sky,
Don't look toward the pavement,
But hold your head up high,
Think not what life owes you,
But of all you have to give,
Forget about tomorrow,
Then you can start to live.
So Bless this age you are living in,
With the gifts you can bestow,
Don't disregard the stream of life,
Go gently with the flow.
- PravsWorld
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REPRODUCING AN INDIAN NEWS ITEM TODAY - MISS UNIVERSE AND TAJ
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Posted:Oct 15, 2013 1:42 am
Last Updated:Oct 16, 2013 6:06 am 2498 Views
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MISS UNIVERSE APOLOGISES TO INDIA OVER TAJ PHOTOSHOOT
This follows my last blog on the subject.
Organisers of Miss Universe extended their "deepest apologies" to India over a photo shoot at the Taj Mahal that triggered a police case and accusations that she disrespected the famed monument to love.
Reigning Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, a 21-year-old American from Rhode Island, visited the Islamic mausoleum on Sunday during a 10-day tour of India.
During her time at the World Heritage site, she posed for cameras with branded shoes and sat on the Diana Seat, a marble ledge named after the late British princess who visited in 1992.
Acting on a complaint from the site's caretaker, police filed a case because any advertising or promotional work is banned at the site.
"The Miss Universe Organization would like to extend its deepest apologies to the people of India for the incident involving the reigning Miss Universe," said a statement sent to AFP late Thursday.
It said Culpo was making a video diary for fans. "As part of these videos, we sometimes incorporate sponsors into these shoots," it said, adding the footage was not meant for commercial purposes.
"We sincerely apologise for any unintentional harm our indiscretion and insensitivity may have caused," it added.
Indian-born fashion designer Sanjana Jon, who accompanied Miss Universe to the site, has also been booked for an alleged breach of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act.
They are likely to face a fine if found guilty, officials say.
The Taj, visited by millions of tourists each year, was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved empress, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth in 1631.
Visitors are asked to remove shoes while climbing the plinth and entering the Taj, but footwear is allowed in the surrounding garden area where Culpo posed, wearing a long peach-coloured off-the-shoulder dress.
The Mumbai-based Mid-Day tabloid quoted Taj caretaker Munazzar Ali earlier this week as saying Culpo's behaviour amounted to "disrespect and insult".
"The sandals from a bag she carried were taken and placed on the Diana Seat for shooting pictures, which is not permitted by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India). It also amounts to disrespect and insult," he told the paper.
The tabloid suggested that security personnel responsible for frisking at the entrance gates "were too impressed" with Culpo and allowed her to carry her bag inside, which is normally not permitted.
Culpo, seemingly unaware of any brewing controversy, uploaded a photo of the Taj to an Instagram account on Monday, a day after her visit to the Taj in Agra, a three-hour drive south of the capital New Delhi.
"We made it to the Taj Mahal. One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!!!! So amazing," she wrote.
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VIJAYADASHMI (DUSSEHRA) - THE VICTORY OF GOOD OVER EVIL
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Posted:Oct 13, 2013 6:17 am
Last Updated:Oct 18, 2013 7:11 am 2534 Views
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A popular Hindu festivals, Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi (10th lunar day celebrating victory of good over evil), is celebrated in India by all. The festival commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Demon King Ravana in Ramayana, the Hindi Epic. Related is also the story of the triumph of Goddess Durga Goddess of courage and bravery) over Mahishasura, the demon, a colourful history of celebration is associated with the festival.
Triumph Of Lord Rama Over Ravana
The celebration of Dussehra is rooted in the Hindu epic of Ramayana, according to which, Lord Rama, the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu, killed the ten-headed demon Ravana, in Satyug. Ravan had abducted Rama's wife Sita. Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana, follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys, headed towards Lanka (Ravana's Kingdom) in order to enter a war with Ravana and rescue Sita. On his way to Lanka, Rama organized Chandi Pooja to seek the blessings of Ma Durga, the Goddess of power and courage. After seeking her blessings, Lord Rama defeated and killed Ravana, with the help of his fellow beings. Therefore, the day was celebrated to commemorate the victory of Rama over Ravana, which later came to be known as Vijayadashmi or Dussehra.
Effigies of Ravana, his Brother, Kumbhkarna, and his , Meghnath, are burnt on this day signifying their cremation.
Assassination Of Mahishasura By Goddess Durga
Another legend is connected to Goddess Durga. According to the story, all the Gods in swarglok and the living beings on earth were upset by the tyranny of the demon Mahishasura, because he had acquired invincible power to conquer the world. He was undefeatable, even by the mighty deities - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Therefore, all the Gods decided to create a power, which would destroy Mahishasura, freed the living beings from his despotism and restore the swaglok to them. This gave rise to the creation of Goddess Durga, an avatar of Ma Shakti. With the weapons given to her by the Gods, Goddess Durga went to fight against Mahishasura. She defeated the demon, successfully, and restored the swaglok to the Gods, as promised. Her victory is celebrated as Vijayadashmi or Dusshera, by many people following Hinduism.
Another legend connected to the origin of Dusshera finds place in the other Hindu epic - Mahabharata. According to the story, Pandavas (good princes) were banished by Kauravas (their evil cousins) for 12 years and 1 year of disguise, because the former were defeated in gambling (chausar) by the latter. Subsequently, Pandavas decided to spend their first 12 years of exile in the woods and the last year in disguise. Since they were asked to remain incognito during that period, Pandavas did not want to be exposed to others. Therefore, they lay aside their divine and powerful weapons during the exile. They concealed their weapons under the shami tree, situated close to the place of their residence. At the end of every year of the exile, Pandavas came to the shami tree to check whether their weapons were there.
Whenever Pandavas approached the tree, they worshipped it and Goddess Durga, the presiding deity. In the mean time, Kauravas were making every attempt to trace Pandavas, so that they could extend the exile time, because it was said that if they were found, they would have to spend another 12 years in the woods. However, the Kauravas could find the Pandavas only past the stipulated time. Subsequently, the Pandavas went to the shami tree, fetched their concealed weapons and went straight to the battle field to fight the Kauravas. Pandavas emerged victorious. The event took place in dasami and since good had achieved victory over the evil, it came to be known as Vijayadashmi. Since then, people hug each other under the shami tree and exchange its leaves.
HERE IS WISHING ALL OF YOU A HAPPY DUSSEHRA.
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MISS UNIVERSE AND THE TAJ AT AGRA
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Posted:Oct 10, 2013 6:35 am
Last Updated:Oct 12, 2013 6:10 pm 2560 Views
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An interesting news item reproduced below :-
3 hours ago
Agra (India) (AFP) - Indian police said Thursday they had filed a case against Miss Universe for conducting an unauthorised footwear fashion shoot at the Taj Mahal which was slammed as an "insult" by the monument's caretaker.
Twenty-one-year-old American Olivia Culpo, wearing a long peach-coloured dress, visited the world-famous "monument to love" in Agra on Sunday during a 10-day tour of India.
"We have registered a case against Ms Culpo and her team members after receiving a complaint," Sushant Gaur told AFP from the tourism police station in Agra, 180 kilometres (112 miles) south of New Delhi.
"We have booked her under various sections... of India's Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act," he added.
Gaur said Culpo posed for photographers with branded shoes while sitting on the Diana Seat, a marble ledge in front of the white mausoleum named after the late British princess who visited in 1992.
"There are strict guidelines against any sort of branding and promotion at Taj Mahal and the photo shoot conducted was without any prior permission," said N.K. Pathak from the Agra unit of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI ).
A case has also been registered against Indian-born fashion designer Sanjana Jon who accompanied Miss Universe to the site.
Registering a case is a preliminary step and the issue may not necessarily go to court.
Visitors must take off their shoes while visiting the monument, an Islamic mausoleum built for the late wife of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan and completed in 1648. Footwear is allowed in the garden area where the Diana Seat is located.
Culpo's office was not immediately available for comment.
The complaint was filed by the monument's caretaker on behalf of the ASI, an official working for the state-run body told AFP on condition of anonymity.
He said she would face a fine if found guilty.
The Mumbai-based Mid-Day tabloid quoted Taj caretaker Munazzar Ali as saying Culpo's modelling at the Taj amounted to "disrespect and insult".
"The sandals from a bag she carried were taken and placed on the Diana Seat for shooting pictures, which is not permitted by the ASI. It also amounts to disrespect and insult," he told the paper.
The tabloid also suggested that security personnel responsible for frisking at the entrance gates of the monument "were too impressed" with Culpo and allowed her to carry her bag inside.
Culpo, seemingly unaware of any brewing controversy, uploaded a photo of the Taj to an Instagram account on Monday, a day after her Agra visit.
"We made it to the Taj Mahal. One of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!!!! So amazing," she wrote.
I have had the pleasure of thrashing two policemen, a member of caretaker group and an official of the Archaeological Survey of India at various times urinating in the monument's premises in my younger days.
I wonder whether the ASI Establishment or Police or the Caretakers considered that to be a part of honouring the dead interred in the Monument ????!!!!
I find this FIR with Police silly and obscene.
Have a nice time of the day, Everyone, and a beautiful day tomorrow as you head towards the weekend.
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GIFT OF HAPPINESS
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Posted:Oct 9, 2013 7:34 am
Last Updated:Oct 10, 2013 8:46 am 2272 Views
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The sun's smiling face, lighting the darkest place
A beautiful rose that silently grows
An uncomplaining stream, that lets u wade supreme
The sky wide & blue, winking at u
Friends who show their cheer, whenever you're near
Little things along the way
that bring faith and trust to stay
A welcoming tree that lets u climb it easily
The fragrance of flowers, embracing the hours
A time that's spent in peace and content
Nature's perfection... love and affection
A scene to view, a sight to see expressing true tranquility
There are many gifts that life can bring to make it a success
But there wouldn't be a greater one than the gift of happiness!
- Prav's World
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ANGER AND DESIRE
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Posted:Oct 5, 2013 7:44 am
Last Updated:Oct 9, 2013 7:25 am 2242 Views
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Sharing with you a little deeper understanding of some basic emotions - an extract of an article.
Emotion contains both information and energy. The information communicated by an emotion is often easier to appreciate than is the energy which the emotions open up to us. In order to understand that emotion can gives energy, let's analyse this feature of our awareness in its most potent form; the passions.
All emotion potentially opens us to the energy of life... to prana or chi. But some emotions are particularly potent. Anger is one of these which, when very strong, can be termed a passion. Any strongly felt emotion is a passion.
Anger can be a particularly strong "negative" emotion in that it is the feeling we have when we are hurt as a consequence of the choices of another. Hurt constitutes the central feature of "bad" feelings, and safety and contentment and a bit of humour are the central feature of what we call "good" feelings, what might we call the emotion which arises when we experience safety and satisfaction as a consequence of the choices of another? Most especially, how do we feel toward those whose choices evoke in us the feelings of safety and satisfaction?
We certainly like those people, we want to be around them and have them around us, we feel attracted to them, we may even say that we love them. But one is rather careful about the term "love" because its meanings are so numerous. Acknowledging there are many words we could choose here, let us choose desire(for want of another word) as the word for the emotion which arises for us when we experience safety and satisfaction as a result of what we believe to be the choices of another.
We could thus see anger and desire as antonyms. They both arise from choices others make, but come from bad and good feelings respectively. They are not mutually exclusive. It is not as though we either feel anger or we feel desire. We can easily feel them in the context of the same relationship and we can even feel them both at the same time in the same relationship. When the other is very important to us... when this is a significant relationship (when we spend a lot of time together, have strong feelings about the other, and the other makes choices which have a big impact on us) then we are likely to have both anger and desire arise together.
Concurrent occurrence of anger and desire in our most significant relationships help us to explore more deeply the interplay between them.
As we use the word anger to describe both an emotion and the behavior we manifest when we feel that emotion, what might be some words which describe our behavior when what we feel is desire ?? When we desire someone we may show it by some gesture of affection. And if the affection is mutual (and the sexual orientation is harmonious), we may even express the desire through the sex act.
We assume that a couple expressing mutual affection in sexual ways is feeling the emotion of desire. They want each other. We also assume that a couple expressing mutual depreciation by yelling insults at each other is feeling the emotion of anger. And we can easily imagine the same couple at different times doing both. Some of us may have been a part of such a couple.
But is it a part of your experience to have been in a couple in which both anger and desire were having passionate expression at the same time ?? It may not have been your personal experience to have been caught up in the throes of rage and desire at the same time, but there is little doubt that this happens and even often happens. We get the emotions of anger and desire all tangled up, and we especially get the behaviors of anger and sex tangled up in violent sex in an otherwise affectionate couple.
As you consider your own awareness of how anger and desire arise for you and are expressed in your most significant relationships, I would urge you to look at how anger and sex fit for you. How do they arise together in your own experience?
For some, the idea of being physically intimate with someone they were angry at is just unthinkable. That is the last thing they would want.
But for some sex can be an expression of the anger, not a form of intimacy or a show of desire. is not a crime of passion in the sense that it is not about desire. It is about anger. And for the , the anger may not even be towards the victim but towards what the victim represents to him.
Whatever is our relationship to anger and desire; how we relate to these passions and how we allow them to shape our behavior when we feel them has a huge impact on our most significant relationships. Watch out for how they arise so that our choices are ones which use the energy creatively to generate what both partners need.
- Just Conflict : Transformation through Resolution
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IDEA OF A GOOD FRIEND
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Posted:Oct 4, 2013 8:11 am
Last Updated:Oct 7, 2013 6:13 pm 2411 Views
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A simple concept of a good friend :-
In kindergarten your idea of a good friend was the person who:
- Let you have the red crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one.
In primary school your idea of a good friend was the person who:
- Went to the bathroom with you.
- Held your hand as you walked through the scary halls.
- Helped you stand up to the class bully.
- Shared their lunch with you when you forgot yours on the bus.
- Saved a seat on the back of the bus for you.
- Knew who you had a crush on and never understood why.
In secondary school your idea of a good friend was the person who:
- Let you copy the social studies homework.
- Went to that "cool" party with you so you wouldn't wind up being the only freshie there.
- Did not let you lunch alone.
In pre-university your idea of a good friend was the person who:
- Gave you rides in their new car.
- Convinced your parents that you shouldn't be grounded.
- Consoled you when you broke up with Nick or Susan.
- Found you a date to the prom or went to the prom with you (both without dates)
- Helped you pick a university and assured you that you would get into that university.
- Helped you deal with your parents who were having a hard time letting you go.
On the threshold of adulthood your idea of a good friend was the person who:
- Was there when you just couldn't deal with your parents.
- Assured you that now that you and Nick or you and Susan were back together and you'll could make it through anything.
- Just silently hugged you as you looked through blurry eyes at 18 years of memories.
- And reassured you that you would make it in university as well as you had these past 18 years.
- And most importantly sent you off to university knowing you were loved.
Now, your idea of a good friend is still the person who:
- Gives you the better of the two choices.
- Hold your hand when you're scared.
- Helps you fight off those who try to take advantage of you.
- Thinks of you at times when you are not there.
- Reminds you of what you have forgotten.
- Helps you put the past behind you but understands when you need to hold on to it a little longer.
- Stays with you so that you have confidence.
- Goes out of their way to make time for you.
- Helps you clear up your mistakes.
- Helps you deal with pressure from others.
- Smiles for you when they are sad.
- Helps you become a better person, and most importantly loves you!
Thank you all for being my friends. No matter where we go or who we become, never forget who helped us get there. There's never a wrong time to pick up a phone or send a message telling your friends how much you miss them or how much you love them.
You know who you are, pass it on to someone who you want to remind. So share this with all your friends and maybe those who aren't but just watch and see who sends it back.
Pass on to those friends of the past, and those of the future... and those you have met along the way.
- PravsWorld
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UNDERSTANDING PEOPLE
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Posted:Oct 1, 2013 9:14 pm
Last Updated:Oct 7, 2013 5:55 pm 2389 Views
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"He who understands others is wise.
He who understands himself is enlightened."
- Lao-Tsu
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SOME THINGS ALWAYS TO REMEMBER
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Posted:Sep 27, 2013 5:50 am
Last Updated:Oct 4, 2013 7:32 am 2487 Views
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Your presence is a present to the world.
You are unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.
Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You will make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.
Do not put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal and you prize.
Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem the heavier it gets.
Do not take things too seriously.
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.
Remember that a little love goes a long way.
Remember that a lot goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
Life’s treasure are people together.
Realize that it is never too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have hearth and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a start.
AND DO NOT EVER FORGET., FOR EVEN A DAY HOW VERY SPECIAL YOU ARE!
- Prav's World
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