Few verses from The Dhammapada

"Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves."

"Hatred can never put an end to hatred; love alone can. This is an unalterable law. People forget that their lives will end soon. For those who remember, quarrels will come to an end."

"As a strong wind blows down a weak tree, Mara the Tempter overwhelms weak minded people, who are caught in the frantic pursuit of pleasure. As the strongest wind cannot shake a mountain, Mara cannot shake those who are self-disciplined and full of faith."

"The deluded, imagining trivial things to be vital to life, follow their vein fancies and never attain the highest knowledge. But the wise who know what is trivial and what is vital, set their thoughts on the supreme goal and attain the highest knowledge."

Team Spirit

A very important quality every person needs to learn is being a team player. 

Whether it is in school, sports, or work, everyone is part of a team more than we may think so.

It's nice to see schools and sports organizations build this team spirit into our kids right from the start. I admire their honest efforts. 

But what's even better is that we become a part of that organization too. So everyone in the community is like one big team to lead our kids by example. So to become a "good" team player, there's no shortcuts, you just have to do your bit effectively every chance you get. And of course practice makes perfect.

To look beyond just oneself but to everyone around us builds character and qualities that help us be a better citizen of this world. 

Distant friends

Today a good friend called...just to make me laugh since he thought I needed some extra laughs. Not that I don't get enough humor everyday, but I always welcome more laughter. It's like a good therapy :-) Thanks pal. 

Just to update what's going on in our lives or share a common opinion or just chitchat with silly jokes, anything to feel a sense of connection - Friendship.

It's strange how nature brings people together as friends! even if they are thousands of miles apart or even if they never knew the other person existed few years ago! 

I believe in cherishing each day and enjoy making new friends that each day brings along. Doesn't matter how long that "friendship" lasts. who knows who can stand the test of time :-)

But I also miss my wonderful friends from school & college years who will always hold a special place in my heart, because together we laid the foundation to build all the friendships in our lifetime.

Musical Influence

When I sing, it fills my heart with great joy. The music encapsulates my mind with magic and takes me away into a space where I get lost for hours, yet I seem to "find" myself with it. Each Raaga presents a beauty beyond expression and the meaningful lyrics add such a magical touch that can melt even a rock. Even a child who does not understand the meaning of the words sways in bliss to the melodies.
After a busy day, listening to music or singing together with family binds us together in an unbreakable bond, and is soothing to mind, body, and spirit.
Such is the great Influence of our Carnatic music, I bow down to it.

Today

My first blog! Finally!!! Sometimes we wait for a long time to do simple things for no good reasons whatsoever... but hey, it's never too late for anything in life. Like Guru says, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life". So I have all my life to do the things I like. And one of them is sharing thoughts and insights from interesting people and places. So hoping to achieve the same here, while contributing from my part.