One of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon each one of us is friendship. I am grateful for the lasting friendships that I’ve cultivated through the years. As a woman, I know that true friendship is a valued commodity. This is a relationship that must to be treasured and revered for a lifetime.
I’ve experienced friendships that have come and gone because of misunderstandings, differences in lifestyles, spiritual and personal growth. For whatever reasons, they have left an enduring mark on my heart about what friendship truly is.
I am known to be a very outgoing person today and can interact with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. I believe this too is one of the many gifts God has conferred on me. And I say this with great humility. As a child I was very introverted and reserved. Throughout my early years, I knew people but longed for friends.
But as I matured, I learnt to filter through those relationships that weren't holding me up in the best light.
For me, any relationship whether it is personal or professional is one that is based on character, brilliance, and standards that I set for my own life. It may not be perfect but one of value that adds to and not distracts me from who I am.
I find pure joy in laughing at my weirdness, the silly things I say and do. Now that I’ve become comfortable with myself, I realize I don't need a bunch of people to feel good.
When I think like I'm not where I should be, I smile and remember where I came from. When I fear walking out of my comfort zone, I feel the fear and say, "go for it girl" and a way will be made because God never fails. Learn to be you - love you!
I read something very interesting somewhere, “Wherever you think you aren't in life yet should never be a signal of where you are headed.”
Networking is one of the newest concepts in building relationships, be it personal or professional. But with time, I have realized that all I need is to surround myself with people that support my vision; even if it means a smaller and a more personal meeting.
My 30th birthday was approaching. And surprisingly, the thought of turning 30 came to me with quite an unbridled joy. I realize that in this age turning 30 isn't that easy. It's usually accompanied by cynical birthday cards, bad jokes and a few anxious minutes right in front of the mirror, trying to figure out if you suddenly look older. But it was the other way round with me. In fact, turning 30 may be one of the best things that ever happened to me. (I am pretty hopeful though!!)
During my 20’s, the world to me was an open book. I believed as if I could accomplish anything and everything. But now that I have lived through the 20s decade with many eye-opening experiences like a full time job that brought along with it a lot of surprises every day, relationships that were difficult to cultivate and maintain, and people that were a constant source of de-motivation, I’ve become somewhat more realistic about the world than I once was.
Turning 30 has been a defining moment when certain realities of life have realistically taken hold. All of a sudden, I began to question my prior decisions and fret about those I had yet to make. For me, the 20s decade of trial and error will hopefully lead to a more secure decade of the 30s. I’ll be more focused on genuine talents, pursuable goals, and true accomplishments.
As my birthday knocked and I was contemplating these thoughts, KRSNA sent an envoy to guide me. I bumped into a friend who told me about a nice quote that he had read lately. It read: 'if your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near.’
So this birthday I took a pledge. A pledge that I’ll continue to be a dreamer, but a more sensible dreamer. This can be best described in the words of Oprah Winfrey "You CAN have it all. You just can't have it all at once."
On this day, I feel strong and this strength is that of the character needed to chase life's goals.
A New Year is Dawning… embrace it with a heart filled with warmth and affection. There’s too much to be thankful for… Life, Freedom, Love, Family, and Friends…. So stress less and enjoy the nip in the air.
If you focus on getting better – every single day – all other dimensions of your life will gel amazingly and set together beautifully…
Believe that the hand of God is on your head…
Believe that the goodness of the earth surrounds you…
Believe that you are meant to be…
Believe in the power of yourself…
Wish you all a bigger, better, and a richer time, Happy New Year!
Perfect winter weather, that is! Celebrate the chill; snuggle up to your loved ones, bask in the warmth of their affection. Life is really beautiful. See what you have and reckon your blessings. You’ll wonder what you’ve done to deserve God’s generosity.
There’s something very appealing about all things new – be it an outfit, a relationship, a home or a newborn. The New Year is just as special. – It gifts us the opportunity to infuse fresh perspective into our lives. And the opportunity to embrace the new sunshine with spirited warmth. Happy New Year to You! May 2010 gift you everything that is good for you…
Affection – a simple emotion that sits easily on the giver as well as the receiver, giving immense happiness to both. It is undemanding. So go ahead, shower it on people you like and love; it makes an excellent New Year Gift!
Have a great Year, Seize every day. Live every moment…
It’s the beginning of a whole New Year; and it would be the beginning of a whole New ME. I would change all the many things that bother me about my life. It’s time for some serious stuff, to take a hard look at my life and see what works and what can be scrapped. * So, all those people who get me down with negativity will be deleted from my address book. * No more going to the parties and events where all you do is air kiss rather that speak to one another. * No longer will I make the mistake of confusing business contacts and professional networks with genuine Friends. * I will take time to reconnect with those who matter to me. This means meaningful conversations rather that a quick sms or an obligatory phone call, long lazy lunches rather that a hurried coffee, face to face meetings rather than a poke on orkut. * I will do some serious reading. The kind of reading that improves your mind and makes you a better person. * I will learn a new talent. Quite what that will be is a bit tricky to work out.Stretch your thinking, break-lose, move out and become the person you have always wanted to be. Your dreams are not beyond your reach.Who dares to try can never be a total failure. What YOU are going to be is a resolution only YOU will make.
I make sure that I review all my savings, investments, and personal acquisitions during a period of one year or two years.
I start with asking myself the following questions;
Did I become a better person by acquiring more knowledge?
Did I learn a new and exciting skill that made me proud?
Did I buy a car, a piece of jewelry, some object that made me feel happy, joyful, and rich?
Did I listen to better music and see the best films?
Did I wear better clothes and enjoy being who I am?
Did I travel to a new place and make this a journey of discovery?
Did I give a new meaning to friendship, relationships, and hospitality?
Did I enjoy the festivals and celebrations that bought people to my home?
Was my home comfortable enough for my loved ones?
Then I add up my investments in jewelry, art, property, and the money market to arrive at the total wealth I've earned during the period.
Only when the sum total of the priceless joys and experiences I have gathered and the concrete confidence of my increasing wealth seems impressive, I consider myself truly rich!
“You have to take life as it happens, but you should try to make it happen the way you want to take it.” It is a German saying.
We think that by the time we turn 40 or 50 things will fall into place by them. But I don’t want to just let my life “happen” to me but plan to take all steps necessary to design the kind of life I want to live.
I am not willing to just go with the crowd, or follow the path that’s unperturbed and find myself wondering what has happened to my life many years down the road! I am ready to take that chance, after all, I only have one life and I can’t turn back time.
Like everyone else, I also feel the need to be financially independent, I need freedom, wealth, want to maintain a certain lifestyle. But I do not know what they actually mean.
So I must take the time right now to work out a blueprint for my life. I read somewhere that “designing your life is like making a film”. You should be able to see the ending at the beginning of it. Though it might start out a little unclear, but as one continues to work on it, it would become more clear with every passing stage. Using your imagination, dreams, hopes, and wishes, you’ve got to be the scriptwriter of this drama.
At any point in time, I shall not stop working on this life project of mine. If I don’t take charge of my life now, how will I know when? So wish me luck… as I begin with a positive thought process, the ability to look at the brighter side of things, and a good hope...
One of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon each one of us is friendship. I am grateful for the lasting friendships that I’ve cultivated through the years. As a woman, I know that true friendship is a valued commodity. This is a relationship that must to be treasured and revered for a lifetime.
