There were times

As the clock ticks goodbye,
Looking back on the days gone by,
cherished were some days with friends a new,
Hard were some, when troubles kept me low,

There were times I was on top of the World,
There were days I was overwhelmed by happiness,
There were moments I felt that I made a right choice,
And there were times I felt that everything is just a dream,

There were times I felt, I can't move on,
There were times I felt, I can't try,
There were times where I had my own doubts,
And there were times I felt I was left alone,

There were times I believed in my own wisdom and strength,
Forgetting the fact that his time is perfect,
There were times I thought I knew his will,
Ended up in struggle and sorrows still,

I took another step,And I took one more.
To be a better person than before,
And my faith emerged true and pure,
Through his saving grace endured,

Another year, Another chance,
To start a life a new,
Winters will be there in my soul,
I will build a fire with the faith in my soul,

As the newyear begins and the old one ends,
There is a time to take a leap of faith,
There is a time to be patient and wait,
There is always a learning from the past,
All I need to have is a hope that lasts

WHO YOU ARE, MAKES A DIFFERENCE

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. She called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First she told each of them how they had made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference." Afterwards the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community.

She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened.

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart.

As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people.

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon that says 'Who I Am Makes A Difference' on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor.

As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you. My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"
The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I know you care. This is the happiest day I've known."

The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch but made sure to let all his employees know that they made a difference. The junior executive helped several other young people with career planning and never forgot to let them know that they made a difference in his life...one being the bosses son. And the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable lesson.

Who you are DOES make a difference.

Remember that!

Author Unknown

Letter to GOD

Dear LORD,

This is your son writing a letter after a very long time. I am talking to you almost daily. Today I felt that I should write a letter to you and I am here to do that.Thank you for your wonderful presence and guidance all these days. You know that lately these days I was not feeling so good about the things happening around me. Failures in the applications I made, no Job and nothing fruitful is happening, but I still believe and continuing my journey with a hope that You are there with me all the time. Yeah you are there. Listening to me. Before I write this letter, you know what am i going to say? Sometimes your silence kills me father. I want you to talk to me. Yeah talk to me. What are your plans for me? Tell me so that I can join you in that plan. Forgive me for my sins. Even though I am a Spiritual Prostitute you are there waiting for me to be saved by the blood of your son and lord my GOD Jesus Christ. Yeah, I am saved and I am thankful for that blessing. I am really tired LORD. I need some support from your side. I know you are gonna give me that support real soon. Sometimes you give me things which really seem positive, but satan's fiery darts of discouragement, anger, resentment make me feel negative about the promises that you have given me. So grant me wisdom to overcome those with your shield of faith. Let me be the warrior of faith. Reign in me oh LORD. REIGN IN ME. Cover me under the wings and I know that even when i walk in the valley of shadow of death, you are there to guide and rescue me. Let me be your slave and I am happy to be one. Mould me, Guide me and Lead me through this wicked world. Use me as a tool for bringing people in to your kingdom. Let your mighty hands enfold me. That is all for now. I am going to pass this tough time soon by your grace. I know that and I thank you for that blessing. I am waiting to hear from you oh lord. I am still waiting. Talk to me. Like a thirsty soul in a desert longing for water, I long for your presence and without your presence, My life is meaningless. Take control over my life. Let your will be done.

love,

your son,

Vinoj

The Great Divide - Scott Stapp

I have run to the ocean
Through the Horizon
Chased the sun
I've waited for the light to come,
And at times I would give up
You have
Wrapped your loving arms 'round me,
And with your love I'll overcome.
You have
Loved me when I was weak,
You have
Given unselfishly,
Kept me from Falling...Falling
Everywhere but my Knees!

You set me free!
To live my life
You became my reason to survive the great divide
You set me Free!

I've been on Heaven's doorstep,
With the Door open,
One foot inside
I've cried out...God give me answers!
Please hush child I'll tell you why
You have
Loved me when you were weak,
You kept
Giving unselfishly,
Kept you from
Falling...Falling
Everywhere but your Knees!

You set me free!
To live my life
You became my reason to survive the great divide
You set me free!

Oh...our love is beautiful
Oh...oo...oh...Isn't it beautiful?
Times have changed
But you remain
My everything
Our Love is Beautiful
Stood by my side
Helped me survive
My great Divide
Isn't this is beautiful.

You set me free!
To live my life
You became my reason to survive the great divide
You set me free!

Rs of life

I was watching a movie named BEDAZZLED. This was the third time I saw that movie. This time there was a lesson for me from GOD. The story line goes like this. A hopeless, love-starved computer technician (Brendan Fraser) falls prey to the devil (Elizabeth Hurley) when he agrees to sell his soul in exchange for seven wishes. Finally, he realizes that he has been trapped and comes out of it through the mercy and grace of GOD. It is a very funny movie, with some real meaning about whom we give importance in life. To whom we give importance in life? or let me put that question this way. What do we normally do in our day today life? Do we keep GOD in front and do the things that have been assigned to us? OR Do we act based on our instincts, striving to attain things that are worldly, focusing on the economic wellbeing, so on and so forth, forgetting GOD in that process?
Yes, like the person in the movie, we have so many wishes in our life. Let me put myself in this situation. Yes, I was like that. I wanted to be rich, clear off the debts we have at home, wanted to be famous and powerful so that people would come to me. Do you think these ideas would lead to eternity? Yes ofcourse! eternity in hell. You may think that I am a Moron. hahahaha. I was a moron. Because GOD was not the focus. Focus was on money, well being and what not? I Never tried to listen to the soul of the Universe which is GOD who created the heaven and the earth , the alpha and omega. Instead I was like a foolish guy acting totally on things based on the instincts which led my life in a different direction with no focus. Because I had an image in my life which led GOD away from me. Sorry!!! which led me away from GOD. I got some insights about the images I had, in a retreat organized by the international Christian students fellowship named SOLID ROCK( thanks to JAN for the message). The image is in the form of an Asherah pole (a symbol of worship of the Hebrew Goddess Asherah) mentioned in the book of Exodus, Deutronomy, Judges, the Books of Kings, the second book of Chronicles and the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Micah. GOD instructed so many judges to cut down the pole as it was evil and a goddess with no life. But so many kings and the Jews ignored the commandment of the LORD. We do the same thing as they did . The goals in our lives without GOD are like those poles. It is very prominent that it takes complete focus, beautifully decorated and looks so attractive.
One of those Asherah poles is Lifestyle. whom do we look forward to live our life with? Guys do not look for Girls who are not beautiful. They have some standards. I am not saying they are wrong, but outward appearance does not matter, it is the inner self that matters the most. I was like that, I am not an exception. Later realized that I committed a great blunder and have been leading my life with a focus on an Asherah pole which did not give me any peace. Same with girls. All of them have their own expectations. Girls want their guys to be settled well, earning a lot and so on. Again its not their fault. It is the instinct. This is just an example, but there are so many things like this. The world is focussed on money. Money decides who is cultured, powerful and who is not. Social Darwinism is breeding in each and every individual and nurtured through everything. Where is GOD in this picture? He would not be there. Because he is not the focus there. We have replaced him with these Asherah Poles. Are we giving focus to those instincts and the asherah poles? If yes , then its time to change.
Three ways through which we can overcome the Asherah poles. RECOGNIZE, REJECT and REPLACE (thanks to JAN once again). RECOGNIZE the things in our life. What are we doing? who is the focus in our life? Are we allowing GOD to lead us in our day to day life? How do we make choices? Introspect and you will come to know the answer. Because, you know yourself better than anyone else. Secondly, REJECT the things which takes us away from GOD. I was doing things which made me feel sick about myself. I was not peaceful, could not do my work with total commitment, was in a state where I felt so bad about my existence and that was the result of my focus on those things which are not for the glory of GOD (same thing happened to the guy in the movie also) it started with a pleasure and ended up in a disaster. Thank GOD I am saved. Thirdly, REPLACE those poles with the word of GOD. Good choices will be governed by GOD'S word. No doubt about it. All we have to do is to wait patiently for his will to happen in our life. Another important thing is, we are responsible for our own salvation. The parable of ten virgins told in Matt 25:1-13 is a perfect example. The relationship between GOD and YOU is only between him and you. Sometimes we become so busy not to pray. Being busy is one of the fiery darts thrown by the enemy to keep you away from GOD so that he can make you worship his image, the image of the asherah. Let us keep ourselves awake and watch out for the darts thrown by the enemy and defend them with the shield of faith and the words of GOD, for the word says
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of GOD" Romans 12:2

The Secret of Success

Everybody, including me in this world is worried about the future. It is a human tendency and nothing can stop it. I am not placing my argument that one should not have a focus on the future, it should be there. But, 'is it really positive'? is the question. All the people who were and are successful in their life had and have a positive attitude about achieving their dreams. The Wright Brothers, Edison, Einstein and many other had a positive attitude about their inventions. They knew very well that , there are going to be inventions and therefore a history. They did it. They must had had so many criticisms, as inventing something useful for the humanity is not a piece of cake. But it is the thought they had about the future, the signal they emitted to the Universe that they are going to achieve. The Universe brought the same frequency back to them. Yes! Human Body is the most powerful transmitter in the world. What you give, you get back. The secret of success is with in you and me. I read a wonderful book named secret by Rhonda Byrne. That made me write this post. The Secret is nothing but the secret of law of attraction (the secret, Rhonda Byrne)

Everything that's coming into your life you are attracting into your life
And it's attracted to you by the virtue of the images you're holding in your mind.
It's what you are thinking.
Whatever is going in your mind you are attracting to you .

"Every thought of yours is a real thing - a force."- Prentice Mulford (1834-1891)

When you think a thought, you are attracting like thoughts to you. Here is an example. Have you ever started to think about something you were not happy about, and the more you thought about it the worse it seemed? That is because of the sustenance in thinking of the worst thing happened, which always results in attraction of more negative feeling towards you. Because you are like a magnet and like attracts like.

If you see it in your mind, you are going to hold it in your hand - Bob Proctor

What you are thinking now is creating your future life. I would like to place myself in this example. I am surprised that unknowingly I have used the secret. I had an idea of doing my higher studies abroad. That was so dominant in my thoughts and I told everyone that i am going to study abroad without even applying for the universities in the UK. Then I did apply for some Universities and finally got admitted in the University of Nottingham. Then came the issue of finance. Since that thought was dominant, the Universe brought that into reality. My uncle helped me in getting a loan from an American Bank and I am here. I faced a lot of hurdles but the only thing I kept on thinking is " I ll be there in Notts" and I am here. Since I am a Christian, i would like to quote some words from the Bible which talks of this secret.

"whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22

"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, ye shall have them." Mark 11.24

Trust in what you feel to achieve is very important. If there is a single negative thought which is dominating your mission to achieve, that the end of it. so when you encounter a negative thought, tune your frequency of thinking to positive things about that goal and release the negative thought. It works for me. It would definitely work for you.

How long? a song by 'Petra'

We have sung our songs of victory

We have prayed to you for rain

We have cried your compassion To renew the land again

Now we're standing in your presence More hungry than before

Now we're on your steps of mercy and we're knocking at your door

How long Before you drench the barren land

How long Before we see a righteous man

How long Before your name is lifted high

How long Before the weeping turns to songs of joy Lord,

we know your heart is broken By the evil that you see

And you've stayed your hand of judgment

For your plan to set men free

But the land is still in darkness

And we've fled from what is right

And we've failed the silent children Who will never see the light

But I know a day is coming When the deaf will hear his voice

When the blind will see the savior, And the lame will leap for joy

When a widow finds a husband Who will always love his bride

And the orphan finds a father Who will never leave her side

How long Before your glory lights the skies

How long Before your radiance lifts our eyes

How long Before your fragrance fills the air

How long Before the earth resounds with songs of joy

The Man who Showed Me the World

I was a mediocre student. I did not score high in my Higher Secondary examination. So I did not get into technical courses, engineering and Medical Sciences which are considered to be the Buzz words in education in the psyche of Middle Class Parents in my country. Thank God! My mother was not so compulsive about me choosing any of them. I got admitted into one of the reputed colleges in South India, the American College, Madurai. My marks did not get me admission there. My identity as a Christian got me a seat there in the Department of Physics. I love physics. I thought I should become an Astro-Physicist. Hahahaha... but studied politics in the Department of Physics...People from the Department of Physics and Chemistry would understand what I am trying to say. This distracted me from studies and made me concentrate on extra curricular activites. My participation in the college football team got me 5 arrears in the first semester (none of them in Physics but in ancillaries) and made my situation even worse. I was not able to clear them and that made me study Physics another year with my juniors. That was the most embarrassing part in my life. Mom had to tell a lie to everybody she met in the market on sunday mornings that I was doing something and not a guy who was worthless. That made me feel really bad. So I became a social outcast. finally completed my degree after much struggle with numbers. After completing the degree, I had to choose between MBA and MCA. These are the two buzz words for those who failed to get into BE or MBBS. My second class mark in Physics did not get me a seat in those technical courses. I was totally insane and remained bump on a log. One of my well wishers (Mr. Abraham) suggested me to go for MSW. When I expressed my interest on that particular Post Graduate programme there was a war at home. I am not blaming my mother for that incident. It is the surrounding and a fantasy the world of IT has created in the minds of the aspiring middle class parents. IT made a normal word called PLACEMENT used by most of the people in India now. I can relate 'IT' with ID mentioned by famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. ID is a term derived from the Latin word 'IT' which means 'Savagic' or 'raw' and totally based on instinct. Most of the IT people, I mean the Hardcore technos ( not all, there are exceptions) I have encountered are highly instinctual, with an instinct to survive and to an extent nerds. I may be wrong.
Let me come back to the story. I appeared for the entrance and was ranked ninth out of 103 appeared. I realised that I missed something in life all these days. That was the most happiest moment in my life. All the people I encountered in the Department were so kind and they were trying to make me dig out the qualities in me. That is where I came to know meaning of the word called the attitude - how do i perceive the Social World around me? I realised that there is something, I would say a force behind that wonderful team of faculty. Then I saw that force in the form of a man. A man who knows the real meaning of life, faster and more accurate than a super computer in decision making, meaning of real leadership, dynamic, very young in spirit, and a very great scholar. He is none other than the Principal and the Secretary of a 127 year old institution Dr. T. Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar. He is the man who showed me the world. I would like to quote Robert Frost's lines to explain my experience.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the less one traveled by,
And that made all the difference"

I would like to add something more to it. I met Dr. TCJ in the road less traveled by and that made the difference. He is the one who taught me values that are essential for life. If I had not studied MSW in the American College, I would have been a student with Pro-market ideas, insensitive to inequalities happening in the world around me. I am thankful to God for that blessing. He introduced me to the scholars and theorists like Karl Marx, Giddens, Weber and other famous personalities in the field of Sociology, Economics and Political Science during the period of my postgraduate study. For me he is a totality of all the scholars. 'Do not study for marks, Study for life'. A quote Dr. TCJ used to tell me when I was a student. That sounded different to me. First time in my life I heard a professor talking about not giving importance to marks. He is not a boring person like the other teachers and professors(not all... may be in science) I have encountered. They live their life in an usual professorial way by trying to be away from human beings and gives a 'hey..'who the hell are you ? Stay away from me and my BOOKS and machines' kind of a cold stare. In a word, they can be called as NERD.
I never studied for marks in my PG. I studied for my life. Education was not a bitter experience for me during the period of my Post Graduate education, rather it was the time where I was on my best. It is because of the knowledge, the real knowledge i gained from the best teacher i have ever seen. For me Dr. TCJ is an example for all the things I read about life in most inspiring books like the alchemist by Paulo Coelho, the Secret by Rhonda Byrne and so on. I can see in him the qualities needed for life mentioned by MAX EHRMANN in his famous poem about life the Desiderata. If I start listing down the things I learnt from him, pages wont be enough. I always pray to GOD that he should be with Dr.TCJ in his wonderful mission and give him the choicest blessing. He is great yet humble. I am proud to be your student Sir!

None like you!

There is no one in this World like you

you are my rock, redeemer and my everything,

I was wandering in this world without any meaning in my life

Broken and shattered by relationships that led to depressive feelings

Trusted people without trust in you, ended up in sorrow and pain

But when I suffered, you renewed me with your love.

There is no one like you

When thoughts of my past and bitter experiences crushed me

I asked for your help to rescue me

When broken relationships and dull dark thoughts of my past heart shatter me,

I shelter under your presence

When I walked through dark valleys, you were there with me

Why should I be afraid? You are there to help me

There is no one like you.

When there were confusions and questions in my mind

You were there to guide me through your wisdom

You lead me through your presence

You are my father, my strength and my shield

Let me not stray away from you, let your praise be in my mouth all the time

Everyday you are leading me through your grace

There is no one like you

Guide me in each and everything I do today

And show me the path of righteousness

Fill me with your wisdom, Counsel me in everything I do

You are my Friend, let me not yield to temptations

Let me listen to my heart, so that I can listen to the soul of the World which is you

I will praise you and bow my head to you always

There is no one like you

The other side of the Coin

The World we live is a like a coin. It has two faces. I can even call the world as Janus Faced, not in the sense of having the ability to carry the past and marching towards the future with an aim, but in sense that it has a very beautiful face and a very ugly face. The beautiful face tells me about the riches it posses within it self. It include countries like Luxembourg, Equatorial Guinea, UAE, Norway, Ireland, United States and all the richest countries in the world, having a GDP percapita of US$ 68,800, 50,200, 49,700, 47,800, 43, 600 and 43,500 respectively. These countries said to have an average literacy rate of 97% with all the technological advancements. In a press of a button they can operate the whole world. Especially if you consider US, it still remains the most powerful nation state in the World. Even after having a civil war in the late 19th century and a great economic depression in 1930, US managed to win the world wars I and II and also put an end to the cold war in 1991 after the fall of USSR. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and rapid development in technology. As per 2005 there were 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Inter sputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000). With the establishment of the Breton woods, they are having control over the entire world in the name of development. They want their money to flow all over the world so they provide loans to the underdeveloped countries and developing countries and thereby draw resources from those countries. If the country is not able to pay the debt back, they will guide their economic policies to make them attain development, but the hidden agenda is to make them fall into a debt trap. This is a kind of a Pawn Broker's or an Usurer's Logic. Waging war against wealthy countries is one of the hobbies of the US. If not for US but for Uncle Bush. Iraq has been shattered into pieces and Afghanistan is no more a country now. This is happening on the one side of the coin where power and money play a vital role. Let me also give you a picture of the other side of the coin also.
The other side of the coin is very ugly and rusting. The GDP percapita goes like this Malawi, Somalia, Comoros, Solomon Islands and Congo with $ 600. Burundi, East Timor and Afghanistan with $ 700. I would like to take somalia for instance to explain the rusting side of the coin. After the SIAD BARRE regime was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting and anarchy have followed for thirteen years. In may 1991 northern clans declared somalia as republic and maintain a steady existence, although not recognised by any government. There was a little effort by the UN in the beginining of 1993 to alleviate famine, but the withdrawl in 1995 caused a great casuality and the condition is still not been restored. They have an official literacy rate of 38%. The public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; private wireless companies offer service in most major cities and charge the lowest international rates on the continent. There are clan based competitions on the resources which is making the situation even worse.
What is the response of the developed nations which enjoy all the privileges starting from Maternal benefits to Old age pension. Why do people in those countries ask for more privileges even though they have many. Ask them to live in a land like Somalia. What can you and I do about the situation. I took this caption from Ekin Cagler's video and he beautifully puts this question this way 'the other side of the coin is rusting, But all they have is hope. What are you going to do about it'?. Think over it.
Courtesy CIA World Factbook

Alien in a Foreign Land

Oops ...... I did it! After six months of hard work and struggle, I am here in this place. The place I wanted to go. The country which colonised my country for more than 200 years. I am in the United Kingdom. Eight thousand miles away from my home land, I am in a place where there is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy comprising four constituent countries— England, Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales — with Elizabeth II as the head of the state. A country where the Crown Dependencies of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, formally possessions of the crown, are not part of it but form a federacy with it. A country with fourteen overseas territories, all remnants of the British Empire, which at its height encompassed almost a quarter of the world's land surface. A country whose leader Queen Elizabeth II remains the head of the commonwealth nations and head of state of the commonwealth realms. A country which is said to be developed, with the fifth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP. Dream came true. I am in such a wonderful place with an official literacy rate of 99%. Then why do I need to feel strange about being here? Ofcourse I am a stranger to the culture, the lifestyle and what not?....I am still not able to associate myself with the people here. I feel that as one of my weaknesses. Is it because of an inferiority of a colonial self or due to the fear of getting neglected by the people in the locale. I need to get over that feeling. What makes me feel like that? Is it because of the experience i had in my place of part time work. Verbal abuses like Asian with a prefix of that 'F' word I encountered during my stay here. I am not labelling all of them as racial. There is some racism here, even though there are discussions going on around migration and racism in the field of education. But there are also people who show concern. Encouraging with those motivating words 'wonderful' , 'fantastic', 'thats great' , for what ever small and simple I did. I feel good about that. Then also my Indian colonial self is not allowing me to move close to them, rather i feel comforatble with Asians and people from Africa. May be because of the fact that they share the same thoughts and carry it in their colonial self. I never find a mediocre in the place of study. To my knowledge, here the students fall in two categories Bright and the Brightest. They are very clear in their ideas, even if they are not clear they have the language, that is an advantage. The educational system trains them to think, which I found to be missing in our system of education. Everything is structured, which makes a person like me from an unstructured society where there are laws meant to be broken, feel nervous at the first instance and sometimes inferior. But this feeling has brought some constructive thoughts in me that i should do something to my Country to make it a developed one. I have some ideas which are not in its fullest form, but hope to get it structured soon. Seeking God's guidance and presence at this time to accomplish the task i have taken in a Foreign land. Strange but challenging!
Courtesy -Wikipedia.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly:
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant:
they too have their story

Avoid loud and aggressive persons
they are the vexations to the spirit
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter:
for always there will be a greater
and lesser persons than yourself
Enjoy your achievements
as well as your plans

Keep interested in your own carrer,
however humble,
it is real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is perennial as the grass

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
Gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture the strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings,
Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should

Therefore be peace with God,
whatever you conceive him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life
keep peace with your soul

With all its sham, Drudgery and Broken Dreams,
it is still a beautiful World.
Be cheerful
Strive to be happy.

- MAX EHRMANN

How can I understand the calling?

Love ..... Remembering the words of Paulo Coelho at this time... The Second obstacle in life... Is that a stimulus? May be for thosewho have been accepted in the larger society and also among individuals without any expectation. But for those who failed in a relationship consider it as some kind of negative emotion which prevents oneself from being productive. Putting myself into it and after introspection, I found that to be destrutive... I am talking about a relationship about two conflicting selves who were in a relationship. I would not call it (love) as complete when there is a materialistic expectation on one side and sacrifice on the other side. How would you feel if a girl or a guy leaves you after a 2 year realtionship for simple, silly reasons, Calling you a Psycho and making you feel bad for your existence in this world. I have that experience. Dreams shattered. Struggle to maintain that relationship ended up in a disaster. why did it happen? trust.....what is the role of perception and distance in these kinds of relationships? How do children get trained up by the parents in this fast moving materialistic world. Do they get the spiritual values from their parents or just a material insight with a goal of settling well with moneyed, rich people? If values have been taught properly then why people get cheated in a relationship? Is that the environment that makes an impact in the life of the individual.. may be.. if not then i would ask the question Paulo asked in his book .

Are defeats necessary? if yes or unavoidable, we are going to suffer than anyother people. How can we understand the calling through defeats, especially when you are sensitive and emotional? What can we do to maintain the motivation level when you are wounded inside by defeats? Can you take that fox's decision of 'not for me' ? Is there any way through which you can understand the calling? Is Sprituality an answer for these questions? when emotions are strong about the relationship and when you are not able to forget what has happened in the past, what is the role of spirituality there? we know what we are upto, In my case I know that God is with me. But the emotions I carry are stronger than the teachings i get from God through his words. So I fall back into the emotions. Did I understand the call of God? If not how can I?