Am I Ready?

"Are You Ready?" 

"Am I Ready?"

"Is It Ready?"

How often have we pondered what to answer when posed these three words.

Questions hit us whether it concerns the submission of a paper, a report or project, or getting ready for a function, etc. usually when there is less time...

We are most conscious when we are attempting something for the very first time, say, taking the driving test, or an exam that means a lot.

No amount of preparation can actually make us truly ready.

People solve mock-tests, and go through several drills, but being ready or preparation-level is known only when we are actually doing it- and facing what means everything.

Source: Boldomatic

Coz It Matters

Why are you so bothered?

How does it interest you?

What will you gain from this?

When will you stop checking on this? 

It hurts to see how horribly things are shaping with misrepresentation.

New stories are planted, and history suffers mutilation and distortion!

Right in front of our eyes, there have been concerted efforts to change as per their vested interests.

Trust Me - To Be Honest

I was watching a video in which the interviewer was taking life-lessons from the elderly.

One of the senior gentlemen stated- "Never trust anyone who says - 'Trust Me'!"

Today, I came across "tbh" in a chat conversation.

I am sure many of us may be aware of what that means. 

What An Astronaut Saw - There Is Only Us

I often remember my mother and her words about Planet Earth. 

She would give an astronaut’s view - how the Earth appears like a tiny blue speck, many times like a dot that can hardly be seen or identified in the Universe. 

And yet, humans have a huge sense of self and ego, while they are not even a tiny speck on Planet Earth!

Just like one needs a master to show or share or be a master themselves to know and identify, fresh eyes and outlook can help the planet.

Sharing this piece- “what an Astronaut saw” as I am reminded of my mom’s words, rightly shared. 

He went, he saw, and he shared.

This writer is doing the same- sharing what an astronaut saw.

One shares when one cares.

The following message, along with the image, was received via WhatsApp-

—————

After spending 178 days aboard the International Space Station, astronaut Ron Garan returned to Earth carrying something far heavier than space equipment or mission data. He returned with a transformed understanding of humanity itself.

From orbit, Earth doesn’t look like a collection of countries, borders, or competing interests. It appears as a single, radiant blue sphere suspended in darkness. No lines divide continents. No flags mark territory. From 250 miles above the surface, every human conflict suddenly looks small — and every human connection looks unavoidable.

Eat To Live

My mother often used to share wise persons' quotes.

One day, she posed the question- "Do we 'eat to live' or 'live to eat'?

When I feel like a glutton or ponder about what to cook or eat, or when I find some people discussing only about food full-time as though their lives depend on food, I am reminded of my mother.

She made sure we were always fed with hot home-cooked food, served with a lot of love and care, sometimes right from the flame to plate. My mother was a great cook.

Cooking and serving three meals a day for so many people, with a variety of dishes, and maintaining the taste and love is quite an effort. But, she multi-tasked, prepared, and served.

In those days, there were no food delivery apps. One had to physically visit a restaurant or joint to order and pick up the parcel. Even if there were, my mother would not have personally ordered. She always believed in her healthy and wholesome meal preparations, rather than outside food, on which we have no control. 

Which oil and how much quantity is used? How many extra spices? Has hygiene been maintained?

We lost our mother 13 years ago.

My father buys food more often these days. He says that he likes to get food from outside for a change of taste. But I secretly think that he does that so we don't have to cook. 

Honestly Adopt Honesty

Being honest is such a balancing act,

It's like juggling by keeping all intact.

Because of the consequences in store,

The honest roads are tough to explore.

Honesty- Lao Tzu quote- A To Z Quotes

Honestly Yours

I called a spade a spade,

Shared what's on my mind;

They fought with me instead-

Asked me to be soft & kind!

Source: Etsy

Just Do It

Seeing the three words of this post, one gets reminded of a famous international brand that uses these words- "Just Do It" - as its tagline.

"It" refers to the work or task at hand.

Doing something means taking action. There is always a reason why we do or do not do something.

I saw a couple of quotes about work.

In the Bhagawad Gita, Shree Krishna states that one must just do one's duty and work, and not work for the sake of results.

Source: India.com

Give Due Credit

They say it mustn't be discussed, it is "small";

Why demean yourself & speak about it at all?

Your crisis causes unease & discomfort to some!

Revealing secrets like these is NOT welcome!

It is small to speak up & say what you've done,

That's for others to acknowledge; why jump the gun?

But, if you've done great, do people give you the due?

Others stealing your thunder/credit is nothing new!

Saver To Investor

My parents inculcated the habit of saving and investing in me. 

I started with saving and putting money received in piggy-bank. 

But, then, they said- "Money should not be left idle. It needs to be made to work for us."

Whether it was opening a bank account, PPF account or investing in the Stock Market and Mutual Funds, I have been an active participant and will continue to be. 

There have been ups and downs in the global environment. I have seen and learned lessons. 

Time is the greatest teacher.

Source: Pexels

Comfort Food

Many eat to live; some live to eat.

Access to food & eating is a treat.

For those who can afford it, it's good.

Some lucky ones have comfort food.

 

Like fuel for a vehicle, food is for the body.

Sharing food turns an enemy into a buddy!

Food is delicious & makes me ever so grateful,

I feel so fortunate & wealthy to eat till I'm full!

PC: Ioana ; Pexels

Empathy For The World

I just realized that if we remove the two letters a and h from the word "Empathy," some letters remain, and the meaning of the word formed by those letters changes.

Eliminating some neighbouring letters (a and h) and bringing the next letters together (e, m, p, t, y), we have a different word- "Empty".

Contemplating this, one realizes this is indeed the case with "empathy" in this world.

Source: Pexels

Identity Theft

In this digital age, there is extensive usage of technology. It comes with its own advantages and challenges too.

Identity theft is one such issue.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud.

Source: HDFC Bank mailer

People may misuse our name or other identification details and pretend to be us.

My Father's Tithi Birthday- Bamana Janma and Onam

Today is a very auspicious day- The Dwadasi of Bhadra i.e. "the 12th day of the bright fortnight of Bhādra" is celebrated as "Bamana Janma" & "Onam."

Today is the tithi birthday of my father, Shri A.K.Sabat Finance Guru - CA AK Sabat.
Papa was born on this day (& not date).
May Mahaprabhu bless him with great health and happiness and fulfill all his wishes🙏

Papa at the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Agara, Bengaluru

International Day of Yoga 2024

Proud to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga today- on June 21st.

The 2024 Theme is: "Yoga for Self and Society."

Yoga represents:
- the harmony of mind and body,
- the balance between thought and action, &
- the unity of restraint and fulfillment.

Nabagunjara Lecture - Odisha's Handloom Art Tradition

Thanks to the Nabagunjara Lecture series organisers for choosing "Odishara Bayana Kala Parampara" or "Odisha's Handloom Art Tradition" topic for the Lecture Series- Talk No. 36 & for your warm invitation 🙏🏽

Parampara means- Legacy, Tradition or Heritage.
Odisha has an age-old Parampara & cultural heritage with textiles.

The thoughtfully designed poster itself has handlooms as the background for the faces! Can you identify the handlooms?

Thank you so much, Nabagunjara Family, for the honour & great opportunity to learn & share about Odisha's rich handloom tradition.  🙏🏽

Get Over Jealousy

"I went to find a bad person in the universe, and I found none."

- Kabir

Be "happy and joyful" and "never do harm to anyone".

Totally agree with these words expressed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji in this Speaking Tree column- "Get Over Jealousy" published by ET Prime on August 26, 2023:

How To Get Back Lent Money?

Have you ever borrowed or lent money? 

Those who have done so, would have realized how tough it is to retrieve.

How many borrowers actually follow you up to return the money they owe?

When the amount is "small or insignificant" meaning when the figure is within 1-3 digits then it is expected to be forgotten!

The expectation is not too different in the case of a four or five figure loan too!

The same thing applies for books.

I am yet to get back many of the books I have lent. This outcome is independent of the nature, size or cost of the book!

Borrowers have been reminded multiple times and yet they do not feel it necessary to even answer messages or calls.

Came across this interesting headline and news report published in today's edition of Economic Times (ET) -

Likely to miss monthly repayment? Don't worry, SBI will send you a chocolate

Which borrower wants a chocolate?

Will gifting a chocolate make borrowers return what they owe?

India's largest bank, the State Bank of India (SBI) certainly thinks so.

Source: ET

How Do You Answer These Questions?

You are speaking to someone for the first time.

Then, they ask you- "Where are you from?"

What do you answer?

Of course, your answer will vary depending on your conversation and setting.

Here is what I have personally faced-

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2016/07/where-are-you-from.html

Some great personalities have remarked and proved that it is not important from where you have come from- what matters is where you are going and how far you have reached.

That is one of the lessons from the Hindi movie- Bhaag Milka Bhaag- that has been based on the late runner Milkha Singh. 

You can read about the 25 lessons from the same movie here- 

http://www.anitaexplorer.com/2013/07/bhaag-milkha-bhaag-25-lessons.html

Self Promotion #IAmRemarkable

When I first started blogging, I came across the term- "SSP" on the blogging community- IndiBlogger's forum.

SSP means- "Shameless Self Promotion"!

If a blogger shared her/his blog link in social media posts and replies, then she/he is indulging in SSP! Obviously, it is not particularly encouraging to be branded so! 

I still got tagged as indulging in SSP sometimes as I shared my blog posts, and that made me conscious.

But, blog posts are supposed to be shared, right?

It is true that Self Promotion (SP) is looked down and dismissed by many.

Now, it takes a lot for some people like me to even share our blog post links on social media! 

First, you feel you are putting in Herculean effort for sharing posts, and even for replying with blog-links to queries, and being a Good Samaritan by sharing all answers that have been neatly shared in your blog-post!

What happens after that? Get branded as a trumpet-blower and part of the SSP gang!

And then get avoided like the plague! :)

Self Promotion makes it possible to be boycotted!

Who even wants to face and live through such adverse possibilities?

We have been always raised being encouraged to adopt a "be humble" attitude. 

"Studies show that women are often hesitant to self-promote or share their accomplishments due to the fear of being seen as arrogant. "