ARISE!

Today is the first day of the challenge, I am Beginning with the first letter A ! 

I am motivating myself with this quote to ensure that I not only complete this challenge, but also will visit as many blog post as I can to be inspired by so many out there who are part of this challenge.

I love this beautiful quote of swami Vivekananda.   He further adds, “All power is in you, take up responsibility for yourself and walk.”

All the Best to my Bloggers Group!

April Blogging A-Z

I am happy to take part in this blogging challenge for one more year, i.e., 2014.  Last year it was so much meaningful and fun.  I looked forward every day and was excited to not only post on my blog but also visited as many bloggers I could, and enjoyed reading their posts.

I took part again in one month blogging challenge in the month of July, 2013 and managed to sustain my motivation to continue posting everyday juggling with my other responsibilities. 

After which I found difficult to sustain with so many other responsibilities taking priority, and started blogging whenever I was inspired and found time to look at my blog. Now I take this opportunity to revive myself again and get connected with all of you my fellow bloggers.

I also look forward to a fruitful and fulfilled time, ready to visit your blogs and simultaneously explore newer ways to meet this one month challenge.

This year I am hoping to bring back some of my favourite quotes and sayings to keep me motivated, inspired, and spread some happiness around.

Happy Blogging! to all my friends !

  

Celebrating Women’s Day!

free images from Google

This women’s day has been special for me, as I have been associated in a pilot project on violence against women in the last six months.  I have been meeting, reading and also helping a lot of women with various kinds of issues that they are struggling with.

 I bow in admiration for all those women who have inspired me by their courage, persistence and strength to come out of very difficult circumstances, and others who still keep fighting their everyday battles. Some of the women have motivated me to look at larger issues, and have instilled in me great hope and gratitude, to help me find strength in myself.

I  recall and remember with gratitude all the women in my life, so many of them, beginning from my grandmothers, my mother, sisters, sister in laws and teachers, mentors, guides and all my lovable girlfriends, colleagues and companions, for making a definite difference in my life and empowering me to take responsibility for everything in my life.

I have not only grown from within, but I also feel a lot richer because of them in my life. I have learnt so many things from different women in my life, some have taught me to love, some to forgive and let go, there have been others who hugged me and stood by me, when I needed the most, and there are still others who have gone out of their way to be sensitive in giving me honest feedback, and challenged me to move out of my comfort zone. I continue to meet them everywhere I go, in the class rooms, in church, slums and community.

 I salute and thank them for adding value to my life, I look at them with wonder and amazement for having fearlessly standing up for their rights, and making a choice for themselves.  There are still many more who need support and it’s been a long struggle ………. There is so much to do. I pledge to do my part, whatever I can within my limits and boundaries.

“Not all of us can do great things, but we all can do small things, says Mother Theresa”

This year may we be inspired to reach out as much as we can, where ever we are placed, in small ways spread love, kindness and compassion by doing our bit  in reaching out to them in whatever ways we can.

Belated wishes to all those women who are so much part of my life,   and those who read this post.

Happy Women’s Day!

Affirming Myself !

free images from Google

I am reading this quote today and feeling very good.  I have read the same quote so many times, and each time it’s been a different experience.  My response to this quote has been evolving too. Earlier when I read this, it made me change some aspects of myself and led me to focus on taking time for myself, creating space to meditate, reflect and focus on all those things that mattered to me.

Now when I look at this quote, it gives me confidence, courage and confirmation to believe in myself, and to appreciate and affirm myself in whatever I have been doing in the past, whatever I have learnt, and wherever I have reached in my life.

Few years ago, it would have been very difficult for me even to believe that I deserve love and affection, as my focus was always towards others in my life. It was so natural to be worried about everyone’s feelings and needs at the expense of my own.  Which means it is ok for me to be sad, hurt and disappointed but not anyone else in my life.

The message I am giving is that “I don’t matter” and all the others in my life are very important, leading to feelings of anger, resentment, frustration and blaming. 

What I am forgetting is that I am responsible for every situation that I am in; I have given power to everyone around me to utilize my services, without letting them know my boundaries.

I stop for a while ……. Smile for a few seconds….. Breathe……. Deeply ……. focus on myself and once again affirm “I myself as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve love and affection”

Be Happy !