Expansion of Idea - A Great Deal of Talent is Lost in the World for the Want of a Little Courage

There are many people out there who have real talents. Some are out exhibiting it, but not all. Seldom these talents go recognized or known to others. Many people with real talent rarely accomplish any success. This is the case with most because they hardly let others know in the first place that any talent does exist.

Timidity is one of the major fault that stops an individual from making the first venture. The fear of failure and being a source of embarrassment can keep a person from showcasing his or her talent. Then steps in self-distrust, where a person doubts himself and his capabilities. Thus the talent he possesses stay hidden within him, away from the eyes of others. And hence a great deal of talent is lost in the world for the want of a little courage.

There is No Such Thing as Independence - By Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

I am sharing here some inspiring words of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Recently came across them and wish you to read it too. His thoughts are truly inspiring.


"The body is dependent on the whole of creation. The body cannot be independent. The body cannot be independent of the world. For the body, dependency is absolute.  Most people are not aware of their limitations and dependency.

When the Spirit identifies with the body, then it gets pinched and the desire for independence arises. Mind, intellect, ego -- they all look for independence.

On one level, dependency is a harsh reality. On another level, it is an illusion because there is nothing else but the Self.

It's only when you don't feel oneness, belongingness, that you want independence.

Freedom from bondage is independence. There are two types. One is a Suraksha bandhan and the other is the bondage of love.That which suffocates, and stops growth is bondage.

Until we respect ourselves, our culture, our capabilities, we cannot consider ourselves independent. We must be financially, socially, intellectually independent. On top of all this, there is an inner independence.

 The degree to which we feel happy and content within ourselves, to that extent we can call ourselves free.

 We should endeavour to make our minds independent of cravings and aversions. Disliking someone is not independence. We are all interdependent. We are dependent on each other.

Now we have to fight for a different kind of freedom. Freedom from ignorance, from impurity, both inside and outside. Ignorance can be uprooted only with spiritual knowledge and literacy. We need confidence. With confidence, we can create wealth and improve productivity. Everyone should get active, and do something creative. When we get rid of lack, ignorance and impurity, then we’re truly independent."

Expansion of Idea - Living Life

Life is said to be worth living. Though it never turns out the way you want it. Unexpected things do happens, which aren't wished for. Every day is a new challenge, a new journey. It is not something that has an editing facility. If there had been such a facility, imagine how wonderful life would have been.

We would have edited every difficult and untoward situation and lived happily. But few people don't find happiness in their entire life. It seems to unbalanced. Seeking happiness is like winning a lottery. This happens to one in million.

Consider memories, when you think of past, along with all the good, funny and happy moments, you also remember all sad, horrifying and bitter moments. Wish life had a delete button, and then maybe we could delete all the unwanted, scary and non – happening memories permanently.

Life is a sad phase, where no one can expect the next thing going to happen in their life. What if we really had choices, like choice to live, to make amends? Though we have few choices; that can make us live peacefully or disturb our existence. Choices like forgiving someone, blaming someone, hating someone, forgiving someone etc.

Do we make a good use of such choices? Indeed no, we end up making a wrong choice at the wrong time and end up in dirt. Repentance makes us feel vulnerable to an extent that we start hating ourselves.

But then aren't mankind known to live out in odds and overcome such situations. Aren't we capable enough to make a better use of our life and handle things? Aren't we known for our power in terms of raising our voice, speaking out our mind, fighting back, building our own empire and striving hard to make our survival worth living? It's never too late and we can always make it happen what is wanted by us from our life.

The Woodpecker Poem

The Woodpecker Poem

        - By Anonymous

     A little bird, black and blue,

One day on my window flew,

Tap, tap, tapping on my window frame.

"Don't you do it, it's a shame."

I said.

"Peck, peck pecking on a wood,

That's the way I find my food.

People love my tapping sound,

Ans that's the way I am found."

"I am busy as a bee,

That is why I am happy you see,

That air is filled with my song.

Tap, tap, tapping all day long."

Little children learn from thee,

To be as busy as busy can be.

At your work or at your play,

Remember the woodpecker everyday.

Ignite The Fire Within Poem By Anonymous

Ignite The Fire Within Poem

     - By Anonymous

Ignite the fire within,

To lend a hand to millions.

Whose arms are stretched out,

To hold your comforting hand.

Fuel the fire within,

With the help of creativity,

Which would not only,

Express your thoughts,

And make you the one

Above the weening masses,

But would also portray

The True realities of life.

Rake the ambers to

Find that spark,

That shall help you understand

The grievances of the poor

And the downtrodden

And help you fulfill their needs.

Do not let the fire extinguish,

Which will strengthen you.

To illuminate the world with

Knowledge and courage.

Expansion of Idea - For Some The Journey is Quicker, For Some The Journey is Slow

Very often life is compared to a journey. When people set on a journey, some are quick enough to reach their destination while some meander on slow. Similarly in life people walk in their own pace. For some achieving destination is the only goal they planned and hence they set their mind on it. But some walk the way their life takes them, without having any idea what they wish to be. For such the journey could often be slow and dreadful.

Our pace of life also depends on our abilities, skills, goals and our determination. If you are determined, you can make your dream come true. But without determination life can stagnate for some. Life provides us with vast opportunities and experiences. It is upon us to make most of it and enrich our lives by living it to the fullest. Or else our journey of life would be slow and meaningless.

Sip Your Coffee Nice and Slow Poem By Anonymous

This is a beautiful poem full of positivity and inspiration. This poem makes you realize that life is too short and we shouldn't just spend it worrying about things which are not in our hands. Sometimes the best we can do is sit back and relax and learn to enjoy our coffee.

Sip Your Coffee Nice and Slow 

    - By Anonymous

Sip your coffee, nice and slow,

No one ever knows when it’s time to go,

There’ll be no time to enjoy the glow,

So sip your coffee nice and slow.

Life is too short but feels pretty long,

There’s too much to do, so much going wrong,

And most of the time you struggle to be strong,

Before it’s too late and it’s time to go,

Sip your coffee nice and slow.

Some friends stay, others go away,

Loved ones are cherished, but not all will stay ,

Kids will grow up and fly away,

There’s really no saying how things will go,

So sip your coffee nice and slow.

Before you know it seasons have changed,

Those precious little moments are part of yesterday,

Most things have turned out relatively okay,

And you finally reap what you have sown,

So sip your coffee nice and slow.

In the end it’s really all about love,

For this world and it’s beauty and the stars above,

For His grace in your life, for each present moment,

Smile and breathe and let your worries go,

Just sip your coffee nice and slow.

Expansion of Idea - Life is Beautiful, Don't Be Sad Living It

"The flower that blooms in adversity is 

the rarest and most beautiful of all."

                -Walt Disney

Not everything goes the way you planned, but that doesn't mean you should quit planning. Giving up on planning means giving up on life.Giving up on life eventually means forgetting how to live. Abandoning your dreams and accepting the present even if it is painful and unacceptable, makes you a loser. Life is a beautiful wish. A wish that some pray to have. And this one unique thing we have and we are ungrateful about makes us a loser.

Not everyone will stand by you  the way they used too, but that doesn't mean you should abandon those who support and pray for you. We need to respect feelings of those who love us and support us. Very few people do that. They do it because they believe in us. I don't think there is anything valuable than someone's trust and we need to respect that.

And we should be thankful for everything that we had or will have in life. Our past, our present. Our friends our enemies. They make us what we are. They teach us and leave us with experience, which can play a vital role in our life and to shape our future. These life lessons are important and cannot be learned in any classroom.



Life is beautiful, Don't be sad living it.

The Sea Calls Poem By Anonymous

Recently came across this poem, don't know who wrote it. But the words are beautiful. Wish I knew who wrote such beautiful lines. Awesome work. 

The Sea Calls

             - By Anonymous

So many long years have passed

Since my love sailed the sea

And many long hours I've spent

For his return to me.

They say that when the sea does call

It courses through your veins

And it matters not where you are

She will claim her reign.

To sail beneath the bonnie sky

Was all he dreamed to do,

Explore the oceans far and wide

Across the briney blue.

He promised to return to me,

Before the winter came.

But the sea winds have yet to bring

Nothing more than his name.

Light Up The Fire Poem By Rumi

Light Up The Fire 

    - By Rumi

I gaze into the heart, lowly it may be,

Thought the words be higher still.

For the heart is all the substance,

The speech an accident.

How many phrases will you speak,

Too many for me.

How much burning, burning will you feel,

Be friendly with the fire, enough for me.

Light up the fire of love inside,

And blaze the thoughts away. 

A Dream Within A Dream Poem by Edgar Allan Poe

A Dream Within A Dream

        - by Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow-

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand-

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep- while I weep!

O God! can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream? 

At The Twilight Poem By Rumi

At The Twilight 

     - By Rumi

At the twilight, a moon appeared in the sky;

Then it landed on earth to look at me.

Like a hawk stealing a bird at the time of prey;

That moon stole me and rushed back into the sky.

I looked at myself, I did not see me anymore;

For in that moon, my body turned as fine as soul.

The nine spheres disappeared in that moon;

The ship of my existence drowned in that sea. 

The Road Not Taken Poem By Robert Frost

The Road Not Taken Poem

     - By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference

Kintsugi - The Art of Healing

"When you come out of the storm, 

you won't be the same person 

who walked in. 

That's what the storm is all about."

- Haruki Murakami 

In Japan, broken objects which we usually throw away are repaired with gold. The damage or crack on the objects are never seen as flaws but as the object's history which is mended by filling the cracks with gold. The Japanese believe that when some object suffers a damage, it also seems to be the object's history and thus adds to it's existing beauty. This ancient Japanese practice is an art which is known as Kintsugi.

So what we learn from Kintsugi! Kintsugi teaches us that whatever struggles we had in life, or whatever damages we suffered in life or whatever flaws we have, we can learn to embrace them and repair ourselves with love. These flaws, struggles and damage that we witnessed are part of our history and they make us more beautiful. They teach us about life and make us strong. All beautiful things around us have their own flaws. Every beautiful object carries it's imperfections with it.

In the similar manner, our wounds and flaws add to our beauty. We are nothing different than Kintsugi. We too can be mended and healed. Mending is nothing but showing the honest parts of our past as a beautiful history. What we faced and what we fought defines us. It is what we are. Our true identity! Every beautiful thing is damaged. We all are that beauty. Lets mend ourselves and be beautiful like Kintsugi.

"We all are a little broken,

and that's okay."

How Does Constant Criticism Affect The Child

I have noticed few parents, who are never happy with their children. Whatever their child does, however good it is, it is never good enough for them. On the other hand, some parents are over-perfectionists and have such high standards that all they do is point out their children's mistakes. For instance, if their child scores 90 out of 100, they would nag him on why it couldn't have been 100 out of 100. Or if a child is presented with a certificate by school for any special talent he possess, then instead of words of encouragement all the parents have to say is, "Shouldn't you be focusing on your studies other than such useless competitions?"

Such statements are enough to destroy the enthusiasm a child had while showing his achievements to his parents. Though whatever is done by the parents is with a good intention of improving their child, yet this continuous nagging turns out nothing but constant criticism. Some parents also have the habit of labeling their child rather than criticizing him or her. Such labels would include their child 'being lazy', 'being pathetic', 'being irresponsible', 'being immature', 'being foolish', 'being fat', 'being rude', 'being mannerless', 'being short-tempered' and so on. These labels can have an adverse effect on a child if they are every now and then tagged by it.

What Constant Criticism Does To A Child?

When a child is constantly criticized by his parents, all that happens to a child is, he or she takes one more step towards the constant reminder of  'You are not good enough'. A child gets the feeling that he will never be good enough for his parents, how hard he try. The labels a child carries throughout his childhood leave deep impression on a his mind. He may try hard to change his parent's perspective by making constant efforts at doing things right. But if he or she doesn't get their approval or appreciation; it gets difficult for him or her to understand where exactly they are going wrong.

The labels given to children by their parents put them in a slot where they get confused and lack self confidence. This could lead your child to depression and negative self image. They grow with negativity about their own self. It is in fact said that growing up with constant criticsim can damage a child's self worth. When it gets too late, nothing can be done to get things better. Their comes a time when your child just stops trying. That is when he or she gives up. And that is when you lose them. And most of the time, even if you realize your mistake at this point of time, nothing you do can bring them back.

Hence it is very important that parents realize how far they are going with this criticism. The negative effects of criticism are worse than one can imagine. There is a certain way where instead of criticizing, a parent can make their child understand about how good he or she can be. Instead of criticizing and constant nagging, what a parent can do is try to understand their children.

Words of encouragement have their special way of boosting a child's self confidence. If a child has a bad habit or if a parent wishes to teach their child about certain good habits, it is ideal to teach them such habits in an encouraging manner. When a child tries it out, appreciate their efforts and award them for trying.

Bad Dreams Poem By Rumi

Bad Dreams 

         -  By Rumi

One day you will look back

and laugh at yourself.

You'll say,

'I can't believe I was so asleep!

How did I ever forget the truth?

How ridiculous to believe

that sadness and sickness

Are anything other than bad dreams.'

Expansion of Idea - Life is a Wonderful Journey

We are meant to come into life and live it fully through exploration according to our own joy and satisfaction. We are not meant to come into life in order to fulfill our duty begrudgingly and to wait for our destiny whether we like it or not. It is all upon us to make the right choices and decisions to make this life worth living. And what if we do not make right choices… Though we cannot go back and undo them, yet we can still right the wrong by being positive and attentive to our own wants and desires. We do not always get second chances, but still it is in our hand to either keep feeling guilty about what is already done and waste our time crying  and repenting or to right it when we still have time. The decision is up to you my friend.

Remember what is done is done, you cannot undo it. But what you can do is try to make peace with your past. Otherwise memories of past haunt you till your last breath making your life a living hell. Grudges, repentance and jealousy are enemies. Keep them at bay! Don't let them rule over your thoughts. The mind games can be cruel and trust me, they would never let you rest in peace. So let the bygones be bygones. Meditate, relax and try to be happy. Think of happy moments that you had in life and enjoy your life to fullest. Happiness isn't a destination, it is a journey. Remember life does not always give you second chances! Life is a wonderful journey and all you have to do is explore, connect and reach your destination in meaningful and exhilarating way. Do enjoy and commence your journey now before it is too late. 

The Breeze at Dawn Poem By Rumi

The Breeze at Dawn 

-By Rumi

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill

where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.

Don't go back to sleep.

The Guest House Poem by Rumi

The Guest House Poem by Rumi is one of the well known poem that has been recited all around the world. The words of Rumi set chord with your heart and you just enjoy them.

The Guest House Poem 

  - By Rumi 

 This being human is a guest house. 

Every morning a new arrival. 

 A joy, a depression, a meanness, 

Some momentary awareness comes 

As an unexpected visitor. 

 Welcome and entertain them all! 

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows, 

Who violently sweep your house 

Empty of its furniture. 

Still treat each guest honorably, 

He may be clearing you out 

For some new delight. 

 The dark though, the shame, the malice, 

Meet them at the door laughing, 

And invite them in. 

 Be grateful for whoever comes, 

Because each has been sent 

As a guide from beyond.

Story of The Super Hero Earth - The Long Awaited Sandman

Couple of years back, as a part of my freelancing project, I wrote this story of Super Hero Earth - The Long Awaited Sandman for a site. This story was enjoyed by kids very much. I am planning to share the story and the site link here. This was my first attempt to write a story on my own for children. Enjoy the story!

Super Hero Earth - The Long Awaited Sandman

With the strong winds and current, the sand came alive. High and high it rose and assembled in a form of a large monstrous super human. It baked under the sun until it was hard like the Earth.

On Pongo Beach, he wandered endlessly, hard as a rock, looking for an answer to who he was. Confused and unknown of his own identity, he walked through the warm sands, in the glazing sun.

A bit confused on what he was, he sat on the sand! Fishermen ran helter-skelter as they were scared of such a monstrous sight. Being on these islands for ages, these fishermen had never seen such a monster on the beach. They wondered where it came from, "Was it because of the storm?" Some cried, "God help us!"

No one dared to walk on the beach. The super human wondered what was wrong, whether he was really harmful and scary. "No," he said to himself. But how could he convince them that he was just like them and that he wanted to help? He didn't have any answers.

But suddenly, he heard cheers and claps from a distance. He saw a small group of kids rushing towards him. "Aren't they scared of me?" He asked himself. But the kids continued to make their way to the Earthly creature. They came toward him and swarmed him. They all screamed in excitement and laughed with joy. "Our own sandman!" "He's made out rocks!" "No, he's made out of dirt." "He's a super hero!" "Our own super hero is here!" "He could stay with us."

The super hero was overjoyed. Now he knew who he was and why he was here. He's was here for these lovely children who accepted him as one of their own. He was their hero. He knew he was there just for them, to protect them from harm. He decided to exist for these kids, no matter what is to unfold in the future!

Read the original story written by me here www.pongobeach.com

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem by Maya Angelou is a beautiful poem which inspires the peace and hope of Christmas to light up our holidays. This poem promises to instill faith and belief in people especially children, to lighten up and be happy during Christmas and await goodness of life.

Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem

     by Maya Angelou

Thunder rumbles in the mountain passes

And lightning rattles the eaves of our houses.

Flood waters await us in our avenues.

Snow falls upon snow, falls upon snow to avalanche

Over unprotected villages.

The sky slips low and grey and threatening.

We question ourselves.

What have we done to so affront nature?

We worry God.

Are you there? Are you there really?

Does the covenant you made with us still hold?

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,

Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope

And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.

The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,

Come the way of friendship.

It is the Glad Season.

Thunder ebbs to silence and lightning sleeps quietly in the corner.

Flood waters recede into memory.

Snow becomes a yielding cushion to aid us

As we make our way to higher ground.

Hope is born again in the faces of children

It rides on the shoulders of our aged as they walk into their sunsets.

Hope spreads around the earth. Brightening all things,

Even hate which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.

At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.

We listen carefully as it gathers strength.

We hear a sweetness.

The word is Peace.

It is loud now. It is louder.

Louder than the explosion of bombs.

We tremble at the sound. We are thrilled by its presence.

It is what we have hungered for.

Not just the absence of war. But, true Peace.

A harmony of spirit, a comfort of courtesies.

Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.

We clap hands and welcome the Peace of Christmas.

We beckon this good season to wait a while with us.

We, Baptist and Buddhist, Methodist and Muslim, say come.

Peace.

Come and fill us and our world with your majesty.

We, the Jew and the Jainist, the Catholic and the Confucian,

Implore you, to stay a while with us.

So we may learn by your shimmering light

How to look beyond complexion and see community.

It is Christmas time, a halting of hate time.

On this platform of peace, we can create a language

To translate ourselves to ourselves and to each other.

At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ

Into the great religions of the world.

We jubilate the precious advent of trust.

We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.

All the earth's tribes loosen their voices

To celebrate the promise of Peace.

We, Angels and Mortal's, Believers and Non-Believers,

Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.

Peace. We look at our world and speak the word aloud.

Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves

And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation.

Peace, My Brother.

Peace, My Sister.

Peace, My Soul.” 

Caged Bird Poem By Maya Angelou

Caged Bird 

       - by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps on the back of the wind,

And floats downstream till the current ends,

And dips his wing in the orange suns rays

And dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage,

Can seldom see through his bars of rage,

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied,

So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill,

Of things unknown but longed for still,

And his tune is heard on the distant hill,

For the caged bird sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze,

And the trade winds soft through the sighing trees,

And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn,

And he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams,

His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream,

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied,

So he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill,

Of things unknown but longed for still,

And his tune is heard on the distant hill,

For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Phenomenal Woman Poem by Maya Angelou

Phenomenal Woman

     - by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou -  Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women

10 Inspiring Quotes by Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was a well-known American poet, writer and singer. She has several books which include autobiographies, poetry and essays to her credit. Her words, thoughts and life lessons are inspiring.So when one feels low or unsure about situations or circumstances, listening to her quotes instantly brings positivity and optimism. Here are ten most inspiring quotes of Maya Angelou that would lift up your spirit and motivate you.

10 Inspiring Quotes of Mary Angelou

1. “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.” - Maya Angelou

2. 

3. “No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”  - Maya Angelou



4.      “Did you want to see me broken?
          Bowed head and lowered eyes?
          Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
         Weakened by my soulful cries.

          You may shoot me with your words,
          You may cut me with your eyes,
          You may kill me with your hatefulness,
          But still, like air, I’ll rise.” -Maya Angelou


5.   “There is a very fine line between loving life and being greedy for it.”  - Maya Angelou



6.

7.  “Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.”  - Maya Angelou



8.  “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.
      Don’t make money your goal.
      Instead pursue the things you love doing,
      and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” - Maya Angelou




9. 
   

10. “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.
       In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats,
       so you can know who you are, what you can rise from,
       how you can still come out of it.”  - Maya Angelou

When Great Trees Fall Poem by Maya Angelou

When Great Trees Fall

     - by Maya Angelou

When great trees fall,

Rocks on distant hills shudder,

Lions hunker down in tall grasses,

And even elephants lumber after safety.

When great trees fall in forests,

Small things recoil into silence,

Their senses eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die,

The air around us becomes

Light, rare, sterile.

We breathe, briefly.

Our eyes, briefly,see with a hurtful clarity.

Our memory, suddenly sharpened,

Examines, gnaws on kind words

Unsaid, promised walks never taken.

Great souls die and our reality, 

Bound to them, takes leave of us.

Our souls, dependent upon their nurture,

Now shrink, wizened.

Our minds, formed

And informed by their radiance, fall away.

We are not so much maddened

As reduced to the unutterable ignorance

Of dark, cold caves.

And when great souls die,

After a period peace blooms,

Slowly and always irregularly. 

Spaces fill with a kind of

Soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never

To be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.

We can be. 

Be and be better. 

For they existed.

Ten Easy Riddles for Kids Part II

Hope you enjoyed part one of the riddles for kids. These riddles with answers are seriously silly and yet fun. You may make faces while reading them, but trust me not everyone can guess the answers in first try. You definitely need to scratch your heads for few of these questions. Enjoy!

Ten Easy Riddles for Kids

Q.1 What has many keys but can't open any door?

Ans. A keyboard


Q.2 What has killed elephants, defeated lions and attacked soldiers, but yet gets imprisoned in the spider's web?

Ans. A housefly


Q.3 What everyone of us has and can never lose it?

Ans. A shadow


Q.4 What goes up and doesn't come back down?

Ans. Your age


Q.5  What type of fish can never swim?

Ans. Dead Fish


Q.6 What has two banks but no money?

Ans. River


Q.7 What type of bed can fly?

Ans. A bed bug


Q.8 What is the center of Gravity?

Ans. The letter V


Q.9 Which letter of the alphabet has the most water?

Ans. The letter 'C'


Q.10 What comes in the center of American and Australia?

Ans. The letter 'r'

Ten Easy Riddles for Kids Part I

Kids love riddles. They enjoy thinking about the answer and challenging friends with riddles. Such silly yet head scratching questions are always enjoyable and can be a great way to spend quality time with kids.  Here are ten riddles that are easy and fun.

Ten Easy Riddles for Kids

Q. 1  What do policeman apply on their bread?

Ans. Traffic jam


Q.2  Who drinks water and dies?

Ans. Fire


Q.3  Who looks like half chopped apple?

Ans. Other half of apple


Q.4  Two rooms in which we can't enter?

Ans. Mushroom and Broom


Q.5  Which is the brightest day of the week?

Ans. Sunday


Q.6  Who has a head but cannot think?

Ans. Coin


Q.7  Which city shocks you?

Ans. Electricity


Q.8  What can run but has no feet?

Ans. River


Q.9  What has a face and two hands but no legs?

Ans. Clock


Q.10  What has thumb and four fingers but is not a living thing?

Ans. A glove

I Will Be There Poem

Nice lines and beautiful poem. Even just listening to this makes you feel good. As if somebody is there for you! 

I Will Be There Poem

       

       -By Unknown

Whenever you're sad,

or feeling blue,

Just call on me.

I'll be here for you.

Whenever you're happy,

or feeling sad,

Just call on me.

You are going to be glad that you had.

Cause I'm gonna be there

with open arms.

I'm going to be there

to bear your arms.

I may be young,

or tiny like a bug,

but when you're sad

I swear to God,

I give the biggest hugs.

So when you're lonely

or just plain blue,

Just think of me,

And I'll come to you.

Dear Little Tree Poem

Beautiful poem about planting tree ! Just came across recently. Don't know who is the poet, but words are beautifully written. I have named the poem - Dear Little Tree..

Dear Little Tree Poem

        - By Anonymous

Dear little tree that we plant today,

What will you be when we're old and gray?"

The saving bank of the squirrel and mouse,

For robin and wren an apartment house.

The dressing room of the butterfly's ball,

The locust's and katydid's concert hall.

The schoolboy's ladder in happy May,

The schoolgirl's tent on a holiday.

And my leaves shall whisper them merrily,

A tale of the children who planted me.

Expansion of Idea - Speech is the Gift of All, But Thought of Few

Human beings are very fortunate compared to other animals. One of the best things that happened to us is the speech. Speech is a gift which allows us to express our feelings, convey ideas, speak and communicate with others. The freedom of speech has allowed us to express and debate about our opinions on things. Talking has thus come naturally to us. Few use it in a good and wise way while for few it is just about talking without thinking.

Though all of us have the skill of reasoning, very few actually make use of it. Being rational is not everyone's cup of it. Thinking before speaking is actually foreign to few people. And all this results to what can be expected from such people - bunch of words spoken out without giving any thought to it. Decisions are made without worrying about the consequences of it. The thoughtless words are said and then paid heavily later.

But not everyone sail in the same boat. Some people actually think before saying. These people take their thoughts into consideration and make rational assessment of it. They worry about the consequences and speak wisely. The outcome of speech for such people are always worthwhile. This is because they are never reckless. Hence man should use the power of thinking before making a speech. Think more and speak less should be the motto of one's life. Because whatever you speak is the result of one's thinking. 

5 Amazing Facts about Puffin Bird

Puffins are pelagic seabirds that feed on fish which they catch by diving in the water. They have black and white feathers and a large and colorful beak(shaped more like parrot's beak). Puffin birds are found in three species, out of which two species the tufted puffin and horned puffin are found in the North Pacific Ocean where as the Atlantic puffin is found in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Atlantic Puffin

5 Amazing Facts About Puffin Birds 

1. Many misinterpret puffin bird with penguins. This could be because they share the same black and white body color. Penguins have black and white skin coat, while puffins have black and white feathers. One more similarity between both penguin and puffin bird is their love for eating fish. But penguins are penguins and puffins are birds. Penguins have wings but can't fly, but puffins are seabirds that fly. They don't even belong to the same family. While penguins belong to the family Spheniscidae, puffin bird belongs to family Alcidae.

2. Puffin birds always breed in large colonies usually on coastal cliffs or offshore islands. They nest in burrows(empty rabbit burrows), or even in rock crevices. They are found in a much larger number and mostly the areas or islands they breed are referred to as Puffin Islands.

Tufted Puffin

3. After the breeding season, puffin birds shed the colorful part of their beak leaving it to look dull and small.  Only during the breeding season the puffin birds have a colorful beak.

4. Puffins feed on fishes like herring, capelin, hake etc and also zooplankton. They have this unique ability to hold and carry as many as dozen small fishes at a time crosswise in their bill.

5. Puffins have the ability of swimming underwater as well as fly in the air. Their webbed feet enables them to swim effortlessly underwater, where they catch many fishes at a time. 

The Fight is to Win Poem

The Fight is to Win

   

    - By Poet Unknown

We never can change the world,

But we can certainly change our world,

We never can make fence to others

But we can certainly break our own.

We may be thrown out of this world,

Be we shall never be deserted,

From our world.

Plants may fail some times to bloom,

But bloomed one certain to wither,

Sooner or later the orchard will bear,

Again the flowers to usher autumn.

Legs may fail to take us our destiny,

But steps shall always be there.

The fight is not lost, it's to win.

20 Eco-friendly Tips to Help Save the Earth

In simple ways and methods we too can lend our hand towards saving our Planet Earth from destruction. Each one of us can come up with some contributions towards helping save our beautiful planet. This can be done with easy and smaller ways. But these easy and simple ways will definitely have a big impact towards saving our environment. Here are some ways you can help and protect planet earth.

20 Eco-friendly Tips to Help Save the Earth

1. Fix the Leaking Tap

Wasting water is one of the critical problems that need to be taken care of. We know that there is not much drinking water left on our planet. Many houses ignore the problem of leaking taps which is one of the major causes of water wastage. So first and foremost that you can do is get a plumber and fix the leaking taps in your house.

2. Use Energy Efficient Light Fixtures

Energy efficient light bulbs have several advantage over traditional light fixtures. They use 30 to 50% less energy. They last 10 times longer than the traditional light bulbs. The energy efficient light-bulbs save your money in a big way. So replace those traditional light-bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs and save energy which in turn helps saving the earth.

3. Turn Off your Computer at Night

Many have the habit of keeping their computer on even when not in use, especially during nights. Turning computer off during nights can help you cut down a lot on electricity bills.  Unless you want your computer to perform any overnight task, it is advisable to turn it off during night. It helps in energy conservation and thus to save Mother Earth. This also helps your computer to perform better.

4. Use a Pressure Cooker

Using a pressure cooker is the best way to save time and energy. With pressure cooker the cooking time reduces which also ensures less use of energy. When we cook our food in a pressure cooker, the escape of steam is lesser than a regular cooking pan. Pressure cooker uses up to 70% less energy than other cooking appliances. It thus reduces fuel bills and carbon emissions. One more advantage about cooking food in the pressure cooker is the food cooks quicker and tastier.

5. Stop Wasting Food

Some of us are fortunate to get good food and some are not. But those who have a lot of food at their disposal waste most of it. Wasting food not only reduces the amount of food available on the planet but also contributes to the wastage of the natural resources. It also effects the energy conservation. In a way food wastage impacts the Planet Earth in a big way.

6. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

Before buying or replacing electrical appliances such as dishwasher, washing machine, microwave ovens, air-conditioners etc for your house, try and learn more about these appliances. Check whether these electrical appliances are energy-efficient and are made in sustainable ways. Such energy-efficient electrical appliances would not only protect the environment but also reduce your energy use and in turn lower your electricity bills.

7. Stop Using Plastic Bags

One of the most important way to save our planet is to completely stop the use of plastic bags. Plastic serves a serious threat to the environment. Disposing plastic poses a risk for animals and birds as well. Hence it is important that we stop using plastic bags right-away. Even if a shopkeeper gives us a plastic bag to carry our shopping items, we should be able to say no. Carry your own cloth bags or jute bags for shopping.

8. Reduce Use of Paper

Gradually we have come to a point where we realize that this planet of ours is turning into a big dumping ground. In an effort to clean our house, we dump almost everything on this big, giant dumping ground without giving it a second's thought. And that includes paper too. Hence to make a difference and save our planet, try to reduce use of paper as much as you can. This can be done by reducing use of book-prints, making use of digital prints, implementing cost-saving paper reduction program and recycling paper.

9. Donate Old Books

Instead of throwing away books, donate them to libraries or anyone who may find them useful. This especially can be done with study books. Poor students who cannot afford study books can make use of such books and would definitely be thankful. If you have unused pages that can be reused, try to bind them and make diaries or recycled notebooks out of it.

10. Grow Your Own Food

You do not need to be a farmer or have a farm to grow your own food. But you can try to grow some food items like vegetables, herbs, fruits within your kitchen window, terrace or balcony for your regular use. This can be done on a smaller scale and on organic terms. This way you know what you eat is good enough for your consumption and safer for your health. Some food items that can be grown include chilies, herbs, tomatoes, brinjal, coriander, curry leaves and so much more.

11. Shorten Showers

One way to save water is by shortening the time you stand below a shower. Shower bath can be relaxing but they do waste a lot of water. So try to shorten your shower timings or better - take a bucket bath.

12. Recycle and Reuse

This is the best way one can help Planet Earth. What we can do is reuse and make use of most of the things that we think we do not want anymore. Such as plastic cups which can be used as plant pots or pen holders. Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste that we dump on the earth. This can be done by redecorating and recycling a used product to turn it into entirely new product. Such activity can be fun and help us make the environment cleaner and much better place to live.

13. Borrow, Don't Buy

This may not be something that many prefer, but it is an ideal way of saving our planet. We can borrow books from our friends to read instead of buying a whole new one which may be responsible to cut down a tree to create. We can borrow study books from senior kids for our younger kids. We can borrow dresses which our elders outgrow into. Even if you don't wish to wear them, you could borrow and donate it to those underprivileged kids who can make the most of it. Few borrowed items which your family or friends do not want anymore can be recycled to make something new. This way we can make use of the most of it and help our planet earth.

14. Turn Off The Switches

Whenever not in use, make sure you turn of all the unnecessary switches. Many of us have a habit keeping lights and fans on, even when they leave the room. Switches to ovens, television, chargers, computers, speakers are left on even when they are not in use. We should pay attention to such details by checking out and turning them off if unused. This way you play a major role in energy conservation.

15. Start a Compost Pile

Composting is very planet friendly and can benefit your gardens a lot. If you reside in a building, introduce the idea of a compost bin where all the household kitchen waste and garden waste can be composted to make a organic fertilizer. This can be used to enrich your compound gardens as well as individual plant pots. Vegetable scrapings, used water, rotten food, dried leaves, grass etc can be added to this compost bin on a regular basis to create rich and eco-friendly fertilizer.

16. Use a Clothesline

Instead of using a clothes dryer, one can use a clothesline to save our planet. Use of clothesline not only helps save energy but reduces energy bills and saves money. With enough humidity, clothes that are hang on clothesline dry in no time.

17. Plant Trees

One of the most important and easy way one can help the planet from degradation is by planting trees. We know how important trees are to the planet to stay healthy. It is not just about the health of the planet but our health too which is at risk. The only way both can be taken care of is by growing and maintaining lots and lots of trees.

18. Shop Wisely

Shopping plays an important role in our efforts towards saving our planet. What we shop and how we shop has a huge impact on our contributions towards saving our planet. Buying less plastic and carrying reusable shopping bags works in a positive manner. One has to put a lot of thought before buying certain items to make sure you are not cheating yourself as well as your planet. Reduce use of plastic-wares and disposable items. Instead opt for recyclable and reusable items. Do not buy things if you are not going to use them immediately.

19. Volunteer to Cleanup Drives

Do your bit to save your planet and be proud of it. Volunteer in cleanup drives and help clean the areas around you. This will not only make your planet clean but would make you feel proud of yourself. Sign up with society cleaning drives or NGOs for a weekend task and spend some time cleaning your surroundings.

20. Educate Others

If you as an individual alone can make a difference by doing your bit, imagine what would be the result if many follow your path. This can happen only when you don't keep your knowledge to yourself and educate others. Start by talking to people in your society or office and make them realize the importance of these steps they can carry too for saving the planet earth. Make them realize the importance of energy conservation, recycling, reusing and inspire them to do their bit. Initiate a cleaning drive or a tree plantation drive within your neighborhood. These efforts of yours will never go wasted and would benefit all of us in the near future. 

15 Spiritual Quotes to Lift Your Mood

There are times in your life when you wonder what is going on with your life. You try to seek answers but find none. This is when feeling connected to something bigger gives life new sense and new meaning. Spirituality makes you feel real. It helps you get rid of anxiety, depression and inner turmoil. Our thoughts make us vary. They give us sleepless nights and worries. But connecting to spiritual side helps us deal with these problems. Here are some spiritual quotes from great thinkers which will help you feel connected and pour wisdom in your life.

15 Spiritual Quotes to Lift Your Mood

1. “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.”  Louis L'Amour




2.

3. “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

4. 

5.  "Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know." - Pema Chödrön

6.   "You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks."                    - Winston S. Churchill 

7.                   

                       

8.                                         “Life is not easy for anyone. 

Sometimes you don't see the challenges on the outside, 

but every single one of us has both those 

and everything that goes on inside as well. 

Give it your all.

                             Dare to be all you can be.” – Hillary Clinton

9. 

10.   "Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience."

                - Jon Kabat-Zinn       

11.                                                "What you think you become.

What you feel you attract.

                What you imagine you create." - Buddha

12. 

13.   "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." 

               -Buddha

14.      "A positive mind finds opportunity in everything. A negative mind finds fault in everything." 

             - Buddha

15.