This is photography!! :)

 

Why White Christmas?

White Christmas reminds me of a Christmas card I had painted during my school days using water colors. I still remember my arts teacher being well pleased with my painting! It was difficult to get the different shades of white onto a white sheet, but the result was worth it. The picture below was the closest I could dig from the net.

 
 I guess it's time to fetch the brush and the palette and throw some colors around!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.....

Counting My Blessings And Still Going Strong..

This is what I do, when I am down in the dumps or struggling to be joyful. I count my blessings and actually name them one by one! And I am so amazed at the immensity of things I get to be thankful for! What a blessing indeed!

When it comes to being thankful, let’s keep in mind unto whom we are thankful. It’s not to chance or mere luck that I have received blessing upon blessing. It is to God alone I owe my thanks!

He is the Author and Sustainer of all life! He holds my life and knows the end from the beginning. Unto Him alone, I give thanks!

Yes, I will be thankful for all the people who come my way. But, again it is to God I ultimately give my thanks, as it is by His will that people become a blessing to me.

So, where do I begin?

   

I will sing Psalm 103 1:-5

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name!
  

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits,
 who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Sun's shining down on me...

Writing!

I love to write! But I will not conclude that my writings are cool. But there is a joy that comes to my heart when I am able to express certain things clearly through the medium of writing.

All of us are gifted in some way or the other. Some in the field of music, some in the arena of art, whereas some in the area of befriending people! Isn't that wonderful? I am always amazed to see the creativity that flows in the lives of people. There are some who are highly gifted- the extreme!! I am excited to see and know how people pursue the gifts they possess!

What are your gifts?? And how do you express yourself through those gifts?? I'd love to hear from you!

Getting Ready

Time to bring out the decorations....

What my Cancelled Tickets Taught me...

After much deliberation and thinking, my sister and I had made plans to visit a new city as a part of our vacation. We managed to get the tickets as the trip was scheduled during the festive season. My sister made the itinerary of the different holiday spots we were to visit, places of historical importance and places to shop. Days were already blocked in our calendars and leaves from our respective workplaces were sanctioned. 

But what we did not see coming was all that we had planned was about to disintegrate....totally!! We had to cancel our trip as the situation in the city of our holidaying was a bit tense. One by one, we had to undo what we had planned and it began with cancelling of our tickets!

Few lessons that I learned:

1. Things don’t go as planned. No matter how water-tight my plans may be, I am not in control.
2.  It exposed my weakness on a whole new dimension. I am a creature and I am dependent on my Creator for all things. God is powerful, since what He plans always comes to pass. “I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
3. When things don’t go as planned, I should be content and not dwell upon ‘What ifs’. “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. “ Philippians 4:11b
4. Trust God, especially in these situations. I should recall in these times that He is worthy of my trust. God is good and that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)  
5. Enjoy!!! Yes, I am learning to make the most of my time enjoying and doing what I did not plan!

Of Transitions and Change

" Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts." said the novelist, Arnold Bennett. I couldn’t agree more! There is something about ‘Change’ that makes me weary. I can see adjustments, lots of adjustments and so much to give up in the process of reaching that ‘Change’. 

Where am I going with this? I have just emerged from a lot of change in my work life.  Change in my office campus and new work timings–it all felt too hard to bear.  Initially, I felt strange to the new campus despite the buzz of being in a new office setup. And to top it all, the change in the work timings, which I must confess was a blessing in disguise. 

And, now that I have quite settled in the ‘Change’, I kinda like it. It was a bit tedious getting adjusted to a new place but now that this has been scaled, I am grateful to God for the change. Maybe, on second thoughts, change is not that bad as I imagined, because it was an adventure and deep down, I enjoyed it!! 

Like someone rightly said, "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."        

Happy Monday!

Here's to a good start!! :)

Thank You, Marvel Comics!

I watched ‘Captain America’ last week. I must confess, I was a bit reluctant whether I would actually sit through the entire film, but sit I did! I enjoyed it immensely. All throughout the movie, I kept thinking, “How does this guy end up in the 21^st century and become a part of “The Avengers” as this film was set in the 1940’s?? 

Well, for those who haven’t watched this movie, I won’t be a spoil sport. Now, that the last installment of Marvel Studios is complete, I am eagerly waiting for the release of “The Avengers”.  It’s an upcoming superhero film produced by ‘Marvel Studios’ and based on Marvel Comics of the same name!

The team includes, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America to name a few. So, I have much to thank Marvel Comics for this treat, for creating such characters to maintain peace and avenge the earth!

Restless Pursuit

We are in a constant state of pursuit. We are never at ease, always in constant search of that one thing that will truly satisfy or that perfect relationship that will bring true happiness. In reality, it is like grasping for the wind that is nothing more than an illusion.

Why is this so?? The moment I get that job, I find myself complaining or grumbling stating that, ‘If only I had that…would have I been completely satisfied??” Am I missing something? Why is it that I am never satisfied? Or is it because I am seeking satisfaction in the wrong place or in the wrong thing/person/situations??

This search of understanding leads me to ask the basic question, “Why was I created and what is my ultimate goal in life? For that I need to look to the One who created me, the Creator who alone knows the reason for my existence!!

I love the definition given by Westminster Shorter Catechism.

Question: What is the chief end of man? 

 Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him for forever.

Wow!! The reason for my constant state of restlessness and discontentment is that I seek my purpose and satisfaction in creation and not in my Creator. No wonder, I am so discontent. But, no matter how much I disagree or deflect from this truth, it is God alone who will satisfy me.

That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to show us the way and how to live that life, finding joy in God. “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 b).  It is abundant life that Jesus is talking about. He also says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6)

To be continued…..

My Favorite Scene

Everyone has a favorite scene from a particular movie they would love to watch over and over again. My favorite scene would be from the beginning of the movie, ‘Iron Man’. I love the way the movie begins; the desert scene, the music, the Hummers riding in a line throwing dust along the way. What could be more adrenaline pumping than this?? 

But the reason why this scene is such a favorite of mine is because of the character played by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Here he is, sitting in a hummer, enjoying his drink and being admired by the military soldiers, throwing wise cracks and the next minute, attacked by an Afghan terrorist group. 

This scene is so pivotal to the entire movie because, what we know as Iron Man emerged only after he was captured by these militants and kept prisoner for 3 months. Talk about a life-changing experience!!

What’s your favorite scene from a movie that you would love to recapture??

Humor...The Best Medicine!

Caught a Bug

All in Good Time!-2

Continuing with the thought I mentioned in my previous post about God making all things beautiful in His time, I felt the need to expand more.

 I have realised waiting is such a part of our lives.But how do we wait? Expectantly or reluctantly?? Unfortunately, we live in a world of instant gratification where everything, practically everything is available to us with the press of a button. Please hear me out! I am not against technology or the blessings it has brought to humankind, but I can’t fail to notice the downfall of it either.

Where is the sense of waiting expectantly for a letter or the joy of cooking that involves time and labor? I guess, in this world of mad rush and the constant noise we have engulfed ourselves in, it is good to wait joyfully! And in that joyous wait to actually see how God makes all things beautiful in His time.

Yes, this is what I want to talk about; to be able to observe in that wait how He makes all things beautiful. Dear friends, we live in a world that appears mundane in appearance. We follow the same routine every day and yet in the midst of this, by God’s grace we can be enlightened to see the beauty of how our Creator orchestras all events to accomplish His perfect will.  “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Says the book of Job (Bible)

Waiting

 “Men trust God by risking rejection. Women trust God by waiting.”
― Carolyn McCulley

All in Good Time!

I just need to look at the world around me and I am moved to write :). I always marvel how God allows or brings certain people to cross paths at a particular time in history. And it’s not just about the timing, it’s also about the circumstances in which they meet and what has traversed in their lives before they meet.

I firmly believe that indulging in ‘what if’s’ is a man’s foolish attempt to escape reality!! It is but a gift of faith to believe that God is in control of all things, including time and space and that He alone knows the end from the beginning. We as earthly creatures who live within the bounds of time and space are not in a position to fathom this truth in its entirety. Some things are better accepted than dissected. This will only preserve our sanity!  

So, coming back to what I was saying at the beginning of this post is this:" For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" says the bible. Let’s be patient and wait expectantly for whatever God has called upon us to wait, for "He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a-Bible)

 

Reason to Write...

It’s been a while since I have published a post. I don’t believe that I need to pen down everything that happens daily. I guess the beauty of it lies in keeping certain incidents close to yourself, to ponder over it a couple of times in your heart or head, which ever way you choose.

Of course there are those things that need to be shared or should be shared with others. How do we know when and how do we know what?? This of course requires much wisdom and discernment! This also bears great bearing on your motives which clears the path in a big way.

You as a reader might have noticed my posts to be short and containing simple topics. Honestly, I am no philosopher who has the answer to all the questions life throws at me. But as mentioned in my earlier posts, I do know the One who created me and called me to live this life in way that truly honors Him and is absolutely satisfying!!

My task is to point you to the One I know, the Creator and Sustainer of this universe we live in. I am sharing a except of one man named Paul who addressed the people of Athens on the same issue.  I will be grateful if you read this account! 

"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.  The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 

And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,  that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for

"'In Him we live and move and have our being';

   

   as even some of your own poets have said,

   "'For we are indeed his offspring.'

 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead." From the Bible (Acts 17: 22-31)

 

On a Rainy Day

What are all the things you can do on a rainy day? Yes! You read it right! There is so much you can indulge in on a rainy day.

When there is an incessant downpour, and you go, “Oh no! These rains have ruined my plans for the day. Here I am, all cooped up in the house” Try looking at it in another way. Maybe it’s time to think of all the things that you have pushed to the back burner.  Say, for example, reading that unfinished novel, trying that new recipe you stumbled upon You Tube or even better, sipping a cup of brewed coffee that your friend gifted you.

There’s so much to enjoy even on this day!!  How do you plan to spend your day at home?? I will be trying a new recipe and giving my family a treat!! Hope they like it!!

The Magic of Morning!

I find something magical about mornings. Everything seems new. There is a fresh feeling to things that seemed dull the day before. It’s like being born again with renewed energy to accomplish things that you failed yesterday.

I thank God for creating mornings! The joys of waking up from deep slumber and finding new vigor to face the day. What a blessing indeed to experience this miracle not just once, but every single day!  

So, I say to you, "Good Morning!!" :)

Quiet Musings!

I am just drinking in the silence that is prevaling in my workplace at the moment. What a pleasure to actually sense its presence! 'Quiet' can do so much to your soul. You learn to contemplate and your eyes are opened to see things that you would never see in the cloud of noise.

I am beginning to have a fair idea of what it means to wait in silence. It's not torture (as I thought it was) but a way to clear the mist that hangs over my soul. My human nature compels me to run from one task to another. I ask this question to myself? " When was the last time I sat still and waited in silence??

I guess the time is now!! :)

Time out!

Sometimes you need a time out from everything! Just to stop short of what you are doing and stand back to see where you stand!! I am doing just that!!

From a place, where I had time upon me to do all that my heart desired, today I am just barely racing through the day!! Truly, there is a season for everything under the sun! :). A time to sit still and a time run...literally run....

I am truly grateful to God for all the different experiences that has come my way! It has made me the person that I am. To learn to laugh, to learn to accept failure, to scale new heights, to taste success...It's such a heady feeling! :)

I don't know where the road ahead of me will lead, but sure know the One who leads the way!! :)