Confused?

Anguish,Animosity,Annoyance,Annihilation (yes there were times i just wanted to destroy something so badly) all with a capital "A" have been flickering in my mind atleast a few times over the last few months.

That's so not Manju,isn't it? Most people who know me or acquainted with, will always remember me as "oh she is ever cheerful, smiling, bubbly, Enthusiastic" etc.

Hey come out of it guys, i am also human and i am entitled to being a little negative at times but at the same time i will not let those destructive emotions take over me either. And you know what, it is acceptable that being human we have all these emotions hidden inside us,at times it tends to surface above.


Has anyone heard or come across the phrase or term "Darkness of Ignorance". If you have not, maybe i could enlighten you on the subject. Its not part of some lyrics of a song, i actually was reading this book "His Holiness, Dalai Lama". I got you wondering again isn't it? Lol, i do read books of this genre too. While reading i came across the phrase "Darkness of ignorance" and i thought wow, this is so deep. Mind you, it is. Before you even jump to conclusions i am not going to write about how you are going to achieve enligtenment or have a awakening mind.I do not possess any insight or the extraordinaire grace like Dalai Lama. Oh no, you making me stray away from what i wanted to explain.

Interesting,"Darkness of ignorance" i believe is the state of our mind where there is a misconception about self and our self-centered, selfish attitudes and negative aspects. Basically the ignorance refered to here is not about not knowing about the weather, politics or in other terms your intelligence factor, but about the way you think you know yourself inside out. The book says to dispel the darkness like how sun dispels darkness, we need to practice meditation and have a awakening mind. I am not making fun of any religion or belief, just making you aware there are phrases like these which you will not come across in your day-to-day conversations or even reading.

Believe me, i have always loved the way of Buddhism, rather the mysterious ways of the buddhist monks of how they are always so peaceful looking and not wanting anything materialistic. They have always been inspiring and i think i would have been on the verge of joining them. Well, what the heck, whom am i kidding. I can't even sit quitely or still for a moment then how will i practice meditation, that really scared me and think of it i am having my own kind of fun though i am not contributing majorly to world's financial status, but i definitely know i am contributing myself to World peace by being and staying put in Chennai.

"Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom." - Buddha

Before i bore you to death, i would like you all to think for a moment and answer the following questions to yourself:

Who am i? (now don't be a smart ass and answer "i am so and so" or it is the title of a Jackie Chan film)

How much do i know about myself?

Do i project a different me to self and others?

By the way i know the present and older generation has all gone through books written by Linda Goodman and have been to astrologers etc. I don't want you answering these questions or living or changing your character as per what is written for each Zodiac signs. Each of us is unique and different and has an individuality that says: This is me.


Happy reading

Friendship

Hmmmmm, i know, i know its really been a long time since i last wrote my first post. Well i had too many reason not to and i have been trying a little hard to find a topic to write. Finally i narrowed my search to "Friendship". Now "Friendship" is a term that doesn't have a standard definition. Every individual has his/her own way of seeing or describing friendship.

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."- Helen Keller.

Very True, Isn't it? Don't know how many of you would agree on this. For me it is yes. I have seen people coming alone and eat at a restaurant, well i just dread the idea of sitting alone even at home (at times it is ok, but not always) i would definitely love to have a friend with me when i go out.

Coming to friends, My best friend is someone I know I can trust with everything. I trust him/her to not judge me when I do something wrong; I trust him/her to tell me when I am wrong; I trust him/her to support me in everything I do, even if they think it sounds silly! He/she is someone that even if we don't talk for ten years, we pick up the phone and it is like back to good old days.

He/she is someone who will be there for you, no matter what you're going through. You can call them at any time for any reason. A friend will help however he/she can whenever you're in a tight spot, well there is a limit too, especially when it comes to asking money there are times when a friend is genuinely in need of money and asks you, you lend it if you have, at the same time it puts us in a tight spot to ask back when you need the money you lent back, so there are times when you draw a line. i know not many will agree on this, but let me tell you it just spoils a friendship if a friend keeps borrowing money from you on the pretext of returning back and then he/she doesn't. I am not talking about the money we spend with friends at a movie, restaurant or a trip.

Have you noticed that Friends that we have, comes in all sizes, age groups and different races. There are so many different varieties of friendship, it can be quite interesting to look at what exactly friendship consists of. Some have imaginary friends, an elderly relative or our parents can be our friends. And over the years as we grow older from a child to an adult our friends and perspective of friendship changes. It could be having a companion to go shopping with in the mall and talk to over a cuppa at Coffee day on a weekend. It can be having someone to play cards, cricket or watch a movie with and chat to afterwards. It can also be chatting to a neighbor every few days, just sharing a conversation in friendly manner and always being there if needed. Befriending people in distant places and to learn of customs in other parts of our planet through emails and snail mails is another way of building friendship. In different countries, friendship is looked upon differently also, it could be having a hand reach to hold yours when you read a troublesome letter or get poor exam results.

Remember Confidentiality, honesty and trust is so very important in a friendship. No matter what, if your friendship with someone goes sour, it doesn't give you the right to tarnish the bond you had and go about slinging mud at each other.

"You've got troubles, I've got 'em too. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. We'll stick together to see it through cause you've got a friend in me." - Randy Newman

Cherish the friendships you have and be good to them, never take advantage or misuse your friendship.

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live

Everyone in this world look for a purpose or signifcance of our very existence. People have different perspectives or ways to finding meaning of Life. Some find meaning in the achievements they made in their career, others try the philosophical and religious ways and some people live life as there is no tomorrow and live for the day. Oh then i forgot the category who is always looking at the other person's life and forgetting to live their own.

I am a person who believes in life balancing all these conceptions except the last said category. Now if you ask me why, i may not have the answer but i know for sure that our upbringing, exposure in the different phases of our life changes and make us. Well attitude too plays a big role in our life.

I always feel its always better to be cheerful and face life with enthusiasm. I know all of us do not have a perfect life, everyone has difficulties be it the rich, middle or the lower class. Choices we make defines who we are and not (forgive me if i am wrong). We can choose to smile or be grumpy, well the latter only increases the worry lines on your face and make you a difficult person to deal with.

Friends and family are equally important, oh yes they are. If you have strong good friends nothing like it, but make sure you don't take too much advantage of them and learn to be supportive, lend a helping hand and be a good listener. It pays not to always advise, just listen and if your friend is in a good mood maybe let them know how you feel about it. Like the lyrics of the song that has always been my favorite "Keep smilin, Keep shinin, knowing always you can count on me, for sure, thats what friends are for. In good times and bad times i will be on your side for ever more. That's what friends are for.

So don't forget to laugh, because we just have one life. Learn to love everyone, yes i can understand being human we do hold grudges to someone who has hurt us, betrayed our trusts etc. well at leasst we can try. My favorite quotes "Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live". "Smile it increases your face value"

Last but not the least live life with passion, positive attitude and don't be afraid to try something different and to speak your mind but be careful that your not hurting the other person in the bargain. Enjoy, its your life :)

Ciao, all are welcome to give me feedbacks. Also let me know if there are any topics that needs to be written about.

Love

Manju