3 storys and an innocent, pure, beautiful & divine emotion

Love, a beautiful word… Isn't it? It unknowingly brings smile on our face. Everything seems to be so beautiful with just one word. It is really one of the most innocent, pure & divine feelings on earth. Not only we, the humans but animals and even plants do love. However, have you ever thought about some vital elements of love ? Ok...just think there can be many forms of water but there is something basic about water which makes it water. There are different kinds of books or movies but there is something elementary about them which makes them books or movies. There are different kinds of human beings but there is something fundamental about a human being which makes a human being. I am just trying to pen down my feelings about what is something basic that love can be or love can never be? What is something basic about true love?

At different junctures of my life I have come across different real scenarios & real or fictional stories that somehow helped me in carving out my understanding about love. If not all, I would like to share atleast 3 stories of love here along with my thoughts.

Most of us are familiar with the famous novel “Devdas” written by the great Indian author Late Shri Saratchandra Chattopadhyay & its famous character Devdas. People call it love and the story as a tragic love story. But I am sorry; I beg to differ.

The character Devdas, a lover of Paro, lost his childhood love. When Paro married another man, Devdas, renounced his family drowned himself in liquor & ultimately died. I wonder if it was really love. Why??? Because, I feel love cannot result into hurting anybody at least not the person whom we love. Devdas, didn’t think that his plight would hurt everyone who loves him. In fact, he did so to hurt them including Paro. Can it be love?

Love has simply no objective to own somebody or something, one loves rather true love is all about the happiness of someone we really love.

Now the second one.....Few years ago a very sentimental story ran across internet. It was about a simple boy who was a mediocre soccer player. He outperformed on the final day of his match, and when he was asked how? His answer was that his blind father who used to come every day to the match was no more, and it was the first day he was seeing the match from the heaven. He could drown himself in the ocean of sadness but it was true love which inspired him to play at his level best to make his father happy even in the heaven. His tribute to his father was true love. True Love inspires.

I started this article with a story from an Indian novel, I am quoting the third story again from Indian literature..... When I was in 7th or 8th standard I read “Nandini” a short story by veteran Indian author Premchanda. In this beautifully woven story, an aimless boy gets the meaning of life because of Nandini, a cow. When Nandini came into his life, it became the pivot of his life but Nandini was taken away by a landlord and this boy lost everything he acquired. But he truly loved Nandini & didn’t go back to his old mundane lifestyle but got himself indulged into productive activities, a tribute to his love. He retained the happiness Nandini brought into his life. True Love motivates to bring out best in ourselves.

All these facts about love may sound idealistic but it is also true that love is ideal. Love helps us to rise above what is ordinary.

Being realistic, I accept that most of the times love is accompanied with pain. But trust me, love has the power to heal also, we just need to trust love.

My purpose of this piece of writing is simple: it doesn’t no matter if we get or lose what we love: a person, a passion or anything but it matters to realize the true nature of this divine feeling. Our love should always result in something beautiful & fruitful to the life on earth. Love can never make us to run away from our duties, from our near and dear ones, from our lives but can only bring us closer to these. We need to remember, true love is all about happiness of the ones we really care for or love; it inspires & motivates; it brings best in us.

True love can become a center of our life but can never make us self-centered.

By this time you might have thought about few more basic elements of love. In fact that is what I would like to you to do. Life is nothing without love.

However, no matter what different people perceive but love will always be one of the most innocent, pure, beautiful & divine emotion in the entire universe.

Ripple Effects...:-)))))

The first drop of rain creates beautiful ripples on the surface of still water...it seems as if it spreads the soothing effect of rain everywhere...and you know what, it really does that.

We all human beings also do it somewhere in our lives.......how?

Ok, whenever an event occurs in our life, we discuss it with our near & dear ones. Now, sometimes the event is feel good however most of the times it is not the same case. Ironically, the events which negatively impact us are more.

We tend to discuss the bad news from news channel & news paper, from somebody's life and also from our lives more. At one hand it is ok, as it is required to be informed what is happening in this world but on the other hand it makes us feel sad, agitated and depressed. We loose trust in the world and somewhere the hope that there can be anything good enough to live happily.

The one seed of thought that made me to write this today is that we seldom discuss the good events with the same intensity we discuss the bad ones. And most of the times we even forget to discuss. We take good things granted and don't try to live or relive those.

It is an old saying that happiness multiplies by spreading(Please excuse me I don't remember it verbatim). I understand we all have our own share of bitter experiences but I firmly believe we have few sweet ones also. We may come across so many bad news in a day but atleast one good news or experience. My key point is let us share that good moment with great intensity. It may be a simple one for but may kindle hope in somebody's heart for better world; a reason to smile & live.

Let us discuss about good weather, cool breeze & dancing rain.

Let us discuss about trustworthy friends and the time we spent together
or have been spending.

Let us discuss about people who really love each other and kept the
promise and have been keeping it.

Let us discuss about marriages which are lasting through all thick &
thin of life.

Let us discuss about the help & humanity we have been experiencing in
personal or professional lives.

May seem to be small...but believe me it will create the beautiful ripple
effects.

Life us quite uncertain...we don't know what will happen the very next moment...then let us try to create the ripples of love, friendship, trust, humanity & hope.

By the way writing this email, sitting on my terrace, listening to soft music, feeling the cool breeze, handling my traces & brooding over few good moments in my life...is already making me feel beautiful about life.

Feel & spread the beauty...you will simply love it.

My Blog: http://deepindia.blogspot.com/2011/07/ripple-effect.html


With ever spreading smile :-),

Pragati Soni

Expecto Patronum !!!!!!

Hello Everybody,

I am back again...but this time with some magic...!!!

Ok, just think...have you ever felt despair...a terrible state of hopelessness...a moment or couple of moments when you could only recall the most bitter experience or memory...

Actually this happens or may happen with anybody. After all, we all are human beings...:-)

Most of the times one negative experience lead to a trail of negative emotions & all our past bitter experiences come alive. Everything seems to be just out of control. Love, friendship, trust, humanity and especially hope seems to be non existent. We are left with no desire to carry on the very next moment in life.

You know what? Dementors cause similar state of mind in people...Now, who are dementors? Please have patience ,we will come to this later.

Dementors are really dreadful creatures and only one spell can ward off dementors i.e. "Expecto Patronum"... This spell creates "Patronus", a positive force, a projection of hope, happiness and the desire to survive and gaurd against dementors. But this spell is effective only when one concentrates only on happy memory or the happiest memory. Sounds like magic, isn't it? But very true!!!

My mother always say, "One can even learn from an ant". Infact, with the years passed I have learnt that one can learn so many things from an ant...:-). Every living and non living thing have some or the important philosophy of life to share with us. We just have to keep our senses active enough to comprehend it.

I have read and seen all and also learnt a few things from "Harry Potter Series'. Yes, someone may think that it is for children, I have no issues but if one can learn from each and every living or non living being then why not from these books. There are so many things in these books to learn with regards to human psychology.

"Expecto Patronum" is one of the many spells mentioned in these books. This spell is especially used to fend off dementors (the creatures which suck all the positivity from a person and fills the psyche with despair). It conjures an incarnation of the caster's innermost positive feelings, such as joy, hope, or the desire to survive. and you know what we all can do it...in fact have been doing it...without even going to any school of magic. We all are bestowed with magic.

I feel that it is very true only positive & happy thoughts can pull us out from the whirlpool of utter depression. Happiness is a state of mind and so does hopelessness. The only magic is to concentrate with all our might on the happy memory or memories...(We always need to remember the main goal in life and that is to be happy and if possible to make others happy. The latter one is not possible without the former one)

So, abandoned by a friend in the mid of difficulties...lost somebody so special(the most tragic loss)...got ditched by someone you were in love with...duped by a person you have always trusted...lost job...big loans to repay...life can be full by all these but then too life is above all these, it goes on and we have to move on & face it with a smile. We just have to try to concentrate with all our will power on the happy moment we cherish most in our lives; may be our mother's hug...father's support...kins' love...a smile on our child's face...falling in love...laughter with friends...a cup of tea with near & dear ones in the rainy evening...getting a friend or help unexpectedly at the most crucial time...getting admission in desired school or college...the list is endless...believe me...we all have atleast one such happiest moment in our lives.

The truth is that despite all the negativities life is still beautiful and if not we can try to make someone's(who may or may not know us or even care for us).

We all are great magicians...we just have to realise our potential...we just have to incant our "Expecto Patronum" to incarnate our most innermost positive feelings as a support to come in terms with life...to live life with a light heart, happy soul and a smile on our face.


With a magic smile:),
Pragati Soni

Just Untag Happiness :-)

Once I was just brooding over life...I mean what we want...what we strive for...what we long for in our lives...what we all chase throughout our lives...???

I got the reply from my heart...my soul...and my mind...unanimously...the response was "happiness"...Yes, it is happiness we always try to seek...Ok...just think...


We want good health...why? We feel energetic & active...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want good family...why? We feel blessed & being loved...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want plenty money...why? We feel financially secure...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to look beautiful....why? We feel nice...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want trustworthy friends...why? We feel that we are not alone and there is somebody whom we can bank upon apart from our dear family...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want promising career...why? We want to have respect & position in society (which society unfortunately tags with job & money)...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want nice life partner...why? We want to share our life’s happiness, sorrow & everything with one of our best friends; a person whom we can rely under all the even & odds of life... ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want lovely & brilliant children...why? We want to feel proud of & make sure to leave a legacy when we leave this world...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to spend time with nature...why? We feel peaceful...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to do social service...why? We feel great to find that we can make difference to somebody’s life...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to be a known face...why? We feel wonderful to find that we are recognised...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to buy a beautiful spacious villa & a luxury car...why? We feel good to find that we can afford a good standard of living...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to listen melodious music...why? We feel relaxed...ultimately we feel "Happy".

We want to see all the good things in this world...why? Because...ultimately we want to feel “HAPPY”... :-))) {the above list can be longer}


If the ultimate thing we wish to have in this world is happiness...then the point is why we wait to be happy. Why we tag our happiness with events to be happened over which we have no control or insignificant people's arrival, departure, criticism or even appreciation?

Do you believe that we will get all the above mentioned possessions at the same time? Actually, you all know the answer, it seldom happens. Life keeps the balance. And that is why it matters to untag happiness with the external things.

If no matter, what we will get...at the end of the day we want to feel happy...why we can’t be happy in the course of getting it or even if we don't get it.

Yes, we should always strive for everything we deserve or desire...but should always keep in our concious mind the supreme aspiration..."Happiness".

Don’t tag your happiness with events or not so important people in your life.

Don’t ignore your near & dear ones, health, integrity, character & nature(mother nature).

In the pursuit of happiness don’t forget that “Happiness is the state of mind” Untag it with everything which is external...Choose to be happy...don’t chase it.

With a happy smile :-))),
Pragati Soni

PS: "Untag" is not a dictionary word. But I hope, it has communicated the right meaning.

LUNCH WITH GOD

Foreword: Sometimes we don't know and we don't think that our single smile, a small unselfish act can really strengthen one's belief in God and goodness. If we really want to leave something with somebody...then it should be a a memory which can bring smile on another person's face and not a tear in his/her eyes or pain in his/her heart.

LUNCH WITH GOD

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her some chips. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat
There all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, " I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied! "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, " You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of
Which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally!

A Miracle

I don't know whether the below story is true or not but I really felt good after reading this. Hence forwarding. I hope you will also find it good.
A Miracle
A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even.. The total had to be exactly perfect.. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took aquarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!
'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice.. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick....and I want to buy a miracle.'
'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.
'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?'
'We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.
'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?' ' I don't know,' Tess replied with hereyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money..'
'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago 'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audible. 'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'
'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price ofa miracle for little brothers.'
He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'
That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery.The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was homeagain and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.
'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would havecost?'
Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost....one dollar and eleven ents...plus the faith of a little child.
In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.
:-)

COMPETITION DRIVES SOCIETY..................

Yes, competition drives society. Every human being wants to prove himself better than everyone else and hence he tries to perform better than the other. If competition would not have existed we could not imagine the progress we have made. We could not expect the magnificent creations and development in the field of poetry, dance, paintings, pottery, weaving, monuments and everything we have. Whether we agree or not but it is behind our scientific inventions too.It is good as long as it is for the good of society & environment.

It provides a backing force, an incentive to strive harder. Competition verbally means: a test of skill or ability; a contest. It also means an act of competing, as for profit or a prize; rivalry. One word, but different connotations: one positive & other one a bit negative. The same is with the source and the outcome of competition.As far as it is originated from a good thought it always leads to goodness but what if the source is negative? Yes, negative source!

If competition emerges from the sense of insecurity/jealousy it leads to destruction. Since ages the kings and kingdom had been fighting wars that were also due to competition but there was destruction. Expansion of one kingdom at the cost of downsizing the other can’t be termed as construction. If not healthy it generates jealousy and malicious feelings.

Positive competition is actually stirred by the feeling to give best and to challenge our limits to stretch our limits to go beyond the horizon of our limitations. If we always depend upon the external factors we can’t always become best. If we always concentrate on victory & defeat we are tend to concentrate on other person’s defeat rather than our victory. We may be motivated to defeat anybody but not to win ourselves.

Benchmark, obviously we need a bench mark. Sometimes it is set by someone else and sometimes by us. But if we are always motivated by the standards set by others then will we always governed by external factors? No, obviously not. That’s why we need the standards to be set by us and we should not blindly follow others. Everybody has different aspirations. We should never be dragged by other people nor be stopped by them. Our own limits should be challenged. It should always set higher levels and should never drive a person to set lower levels. If you have to draw a longer line don’t try to make other line shorter because in that case you will lose sight of your length.

Competition should be interpreted as something more than winning or losing. Since all can’t win, all can’t be at the peak and someone has to lose there is need to not to lose our confidence or nurture negative feelings. All one is required to do is to strive harder to reach the higher bench mark.

But as said that excess of everything is bad so excess of competition is also bad. We need to take out time to smell roses. We should live and lead our lives and never be dragged by anything like competition. It is for the betterment and not for the devastation or destruction at any level.

Competition drives society sometimes forward and sometimes backward. It is solely our resonsibility that how we put this emotional gift to our progress.

Nature : It is all about selfishness

Nature, this one word reminds us of what? Of course, Mother Nature and also on second thought our nature that is our way of dealing with the world. Now how these two things are related?

Nature has got importance in every aspect of our lives, yes by every, I mean every. It has got survival value, without it we can’t survive. Aesthetic value, every beautiful thing on this earth is because of nature. Economic value, yes, we have every economic activity because of nature, nature has given us food, clothes, land also oil, a global regulator of economic activity. And last but not the least spiritual value, only Mother Nature & our nature can give us peace of mind. The beautiful, colorful & fragrant flowers depict the beauty in the world, flowing rivers signifies passing time & also the fact that nothing stops & no two moments are same, the high mountains show that immovable will power of the great personalities becomes abode and protector of many other life forms, free air infer freedom , day & night i.e. sunrise & sunset say about our good & bad times....everything is related. In fact nothing is different....as nature takes care of us we need to take care of her. If we can destroy nature by nuclear & atomic bombs and day today pollution, Nature can also destroy us via natural calamities like volcanoes, tsunamies, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, famines and what not.

Here comes our nature, the nature of the earth's most responsible and intelligent creature. What is our nature? Rather what should be our nature? How seriously we take our earth? How do we respond to the nature's needs whether less pollution or more trees? How much broad our outlook regarding our nature is? Where we place her?

It’s not about organizing protests, it’s not about organizing rallies, it’s not about long speeches, it’s not about researches, its not about seminars, its not about summits……it’s all about our nature towards Mother Nature. It is not about altruism rather it is all about selfishness because what we will give to Mother Nature we will get back.

Love...3 storys and a beautiful, divine & pure emotion full of devotion, unselfishness & forgiveness

Love, beautiful word. Isn't it? It is really one of the most pure & divine feeling on earth. Not only we, the humans but animals and even plants also love. But, what is love? How can anyone sense love? No, here I am not interested in defining love rather I am just trying to pen down my feelings about WHAT LOVE IS NOT OR CAN NEVER BE?


Most of us are familiar with the famous novel “Devdas” written by Late.Shri Saratchandra Chattopadhyay & its famous character Devdas, who lost his childhood love Paro, drowned himself in liquor & ultimately died. People call it love and the story as a tragic love story. But I am sorry, I would like to take the privilege to call it “A Saga of selfishness & revenge".


Love is a beautiful creation! Can it really end up in something so sad and destructive? Can we really call it love? The character Devdas, a lover of Paro....when Paro married another man, he renounced his family and his duty towards his mother & grandmother , no surprise he didn’t think his responsibility towards his society, humanity or country but he thought only about himself. He didn’t think that his plight would hurt everyone who loves him. In fact, he did so to hurt them including Paro. Can it be love ?


Love originates from unselfish devotion for somebody. It cannot result into hurting anybody at least not the person whom we love. Love can’t make one selfish to such an extent. Love is about subjectivism rather than objectivism. Love has no objective to own somebody or something one loves rather it is all about giving our unconditional love. Love brings us closer to our near ones and if it does the opposite, I feel it can’t be called LOVE.


Few years ago a very sentimental story ran across internet. It was about a simple boy who was a mediocre soccer player. He outperformed on the final day of his match, and when he was asked how ? His answer was that his blind father who used to come everyday to the match was no more, and it was the first day he was seeing the match from the heaven. He could drown himself in the ocean of sadness but it was true love which inspired him to play at his level best to make his father happy even in the heaven. His tribute to his father was true love.


I started this article with a story from a novel, to quote one more example I would like to tell you about “Nandini” a short story by veteran Indian author Premchanda. In this beautifully woven story an aimless boy gets the meaning of life because of Nandini, a cow. When Nandini came into his life, it became the pivot of his life but Nandini was taken away by a landlord and this boy lost everything he acquired. But he truly loves Nandindi & doesn’t go back to his old mundane lifestyle but gets himself indulged into productive activities. A tribute to his love. He retained the happiness Nandini brought into his life.


All these facts about love may sound idealistic but it is also true that love helps us to rise above. It is difficult but not impossible.

Not only in fiction but in reality also true love resulted into great creations and achievements. The great poets & authors like saint Meerabai, Tulsidas & Saraswati Chandra are legendary examples of this.

I understand, love is accompanied with pain. But trust me, love has the power to heal also, we just need to trust love.


My purpose of this article is simple: no matter if we get what we love: a person, a passion or anything but first we should realize the true nature of this divine feeling and our love should always result in something beautiful & fruitful to the life on earth. Love can never make us to run away from our duties, from our near and dear ones, from our lives but can only bring us closer to these.


Love is the offspring of unselfish & unconditional devotion and dedication, it can never make a person selfish. Love become a center of somebody’s life but can never make a person self-centered.

One can have different views on it and can quote different examples but one thing is for sure: Love can never be a saga of selfishness & revenge but a always a beautiful & pure emotion full of devotion, unselfishness & forgiveness.


With a pure smile,
Pragati Soni

PS: I wrote this aritcle around 4-5 years back. I kept the title as "Devdas - A Saga of Selfishness & Revenge" however now I feel, positive feelings should have more positivity hence I have changed the title.

Valmiki

‘Valmiki’, what is the first thing that strikes our mind when we listen, read or utter this word, obviously, the great epic Ramayana. So, am I going to make u read about Ramayana or Valmiki? Well absolutely not. I am not going to talk about Ramayana or Valmiki but something different...

I believe that we not only live life but also learn life every moment. No one comes on this earth as a teacher of life but we all are students in Life's classroom. Even Arjun, one of the five Padavas & great scholar sought the knowledge of life from Lord Krishna. We are simple ‘Human Beings’ and bound to learn life, sometimes from somebody's experience and most of the times from our own.

During our lives it happens many times that we commit mistakes and even blunders. Many people follow wrong paths. Some commit crimes and even sins. Sometimes we may be the privileged ones to realize these. But then what? We feel ashamed of themselves, we go into our shells, we blame themselves, we cry, we punish ourselves, we go into depression that may be chronic, we even recline to commit suicide and if alive we may make our life hell. We waste our lives in doing something futile and even fatal and that is ‘Regret’. We fail to realize the fact that life is too short for repentance & we need to come out of the guilt to do something to compensate any wrong deed.

Now, why we tend to do all the above mentioned negative things? Well, it may be because of lack of support, lack of self confidence, lack of motivation or may be because these are the easiest things to do. Whatever may be the reason but the ultimate loser is the mankind.

The toughest thing to do is to rise above ourselves & to make a comeback in the world of good deeds and it requires: willpower to change & hope that we can bring that change. The toughest thing is perhaps the transition from bad to good. The toughest thing is perhaps to have the willpower to hang on in our efforts to re-enter in the world. The toughest thing is to keep the hope when there is no hope at all. And that’s where I would like to recall Valmiki. Who was he? A Bandit! But do we recall that? No, obviously not. What we recall is his greatest creation and a gift to mankind: the Ramayana. He did one of the most difficult things on this earth, not writing the Ramayana but having the willpower and hope to change from a bandit to a saint, a transition from bad to good.

Here I am not saying that we can do any bad thing on this earth as we can always return from that path. No, absolutely not. We may not have the same people around whom we can ask forgiveness. We may not have the breadth to go and ask for forgiveness. Life is uncertain. That’s what I believe, do good deeds as there is no tomorrow and abstain from the bad ones as we may have no tomorrow.

All what we need to remember is that life is meant to live, to live in such a manner that we would be able to smile after our day's work and in the twilight of our life. Though difficult to live but we have only one life to live and to help others to live & smile. Past is always a past. We can neither rest on our laurels nor waste in holding on anything bad.

And it is an eternal truth that good deeds can always overcome bad deeds. If not, then how come only the word ‘Ramayana’ clicks to our mind when we listen, read or utter the word ‘Valmiki’?

With a smile willing to change for better,
Pragati Soni

Heart Over Matter

I hope you agree with me that we all are living beings...to be more precise human beings. God's greatest creation.
What is the purpose of this God's greatest creation???
It is to earn money and earn money and earn lots of money and earn lots and lots of money...but earn money for??? Obviously for buying land, bungalows, flats, shares, car, home theatre, music system, latest mobiles, refrigerators, washing machine, furniture, antique items........and if we have one-one of all these...then again one more set of land, shares, car, home theatre, music system, latest mobiles.....and after that 1 more set and this goes on and goes on and goes on....
So you must be thinking the title should be 'Man Over Matter' or 'Matter Over Everything' rather than Heart Over Matter....So here we go..
Actually the truth is that in the race of acquiring all these materialistic things...we really suppose our lust for paper money and eventually the above mentioned non-living things of comfort as the voice of our heart. But there is a truth that every heart knows. Our heart wants love, friendship, togetherness, peace...in one word happiness.
Here the point is not that we should not work or earn money or not buy all these ...but the point is not to forget we are human beings; we are having higher purpose on this earth; to serve not only human beings but also our mother earth; not only to reach stars but also to reach hearts, not only to teach our next generation how to operate computer or playstation but also how to have a compassionate heart; not only to invent higher technology but also to safeguard what nature has given us; not only to increase our bank balance but also to preserve fresh air and pure water.
We believe what we see. And we see only matter. We never see heart. Heart is something that can only be felt and in this fast moving world, we rarely get time to feel. People alienate themselves with what is happening around them and they indulge themselves in all the luxury they can afford. They think that this attachment and detachment can bring them happiness. But if this had been true then we would not have so many cases of depression or the lifestyle diseases. Some people think that they are not millionaires like Warren Buffet or Bill Gates or Tatas or Ambanis, they have their own needs so that should strive to achieve their personal goals. Some people think that they don't have time to join any NGO or any community service. But our earth can also be served by small small acts, it doesn't always need lots of money or time. It just needs heart and sometimes only smile.
The truth is and will always be that happiness is all what we need. Everything has got its own significance and may be a part of life but the heart of life is love, friendship, peace....and in two words..true happiness. Value your family, love & friends. Have a compassionate heart that can feel others pain & joy. Serve mother earth.
Work smartly with passion, earn money with dignity & spend for need as well as luxury (there is absolutely no harm in that) but to enjoy the bliss of true happiness..we need to keep in mind that 'Matter' always comes after 'Heart' and 'Heart is always before, after & over Matter'.
That is it!!!