PAST

When we look back on the days gone by, we are overcome with a wide range of emotions. There could be wonderful memories of very happy times and that could be suddenly tempered by some memories of very sad and distressing moments. We can recollect moments of pure ecstasy and recount some of the very scary and fearful moments too. A peep into the past could also trigger those deeply etched moments of tenderness and affection and there could be some starkly contrasting remembrances of embarrassment and humiliation. All in all when we look back at the PAST we see Poignant Associations Standing Testimony to it.

It is commonly spoken of the past as ‘those good old days’ and the younger generation wonder what was so good about those days, which by today’s standards were so primitive and tough. Imagine the past with no computers, no technology, not TV, no mobiles. Imagine a past with no cars, no mechanization, no electricity and no democracy. That our forefather survived the ravages of famine, floods, small pox and similar numerous illnesses seem like a miracle. When seen against the backdrop of the primitive technology that prevailed then, the lack of medical awareness and rampant illiteracy it is very hard to comprehend those times as wonderful days of the past.

Those good old days were times when divorce was a word that was never even coined; where family meant grandparents, uncle aunts, children of all ages all happily living under one roof. In times of great joy and tragedy, family included the whole village who would joyously celebrate and emotionally mourn giving us the comfort of sheer numbers to share our joys and sorrows with. The tough lessons learnt in the school called life, enabled us to get more than just a simple learning; it gave each one an education in living. Life was less complicated, more intimate, by and large stress free and definitely good.

As an individual, the good old days bring forth the nostalgia of the love and affection showered by our parents, our uncles and aunts, our cousins, our neighbors and friends. It triggers a void that we feel of our carefree days in school and college, the pranks, mischief we indulged in and the pride of our accomplishments overwhelm us. There could also be some bitter sweet memories of our first love, our first kiss our broken affairs, our crushes and the punishments and shouting we were subject too. The memories come flooding in and most times we are overcome with emotions about the wonder of those days that will never come back. Yet we revel in slipping often into the PAST for there are Poignant Associations Standing Testimony to it.

Action Points:

1. Make a collage of your old photographs. You can scan it and even make a power point presentation. Try to give some appropriate captions and enjoy the experience of the numerous emotions that are associated with the photographs. Perhaps you can prepare one and gift it to your parents who celebrate their 25th /30th/40th/50th wedding anniversary. Maybe you can give a memorable collage as my niece did for her older sisters 18th birthday gift.
2. Take a walk down memory lane and write down the following:

• The best gift that anyone ever gave you.
• The worst mistake you ever made
• The saddest moment of your life
• The biggest surprise you ever got
• The best festival/ wedding/birthday celebration you ever attended
• The one act someone did for you that touched you very very deeply

 Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/  is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog

www.actspot.wordpress.com

LIGHT

Diwali the festival of lights is not just a colorful and vibrant festival but is a celebration that transcends all divides of color, caste, religion, sex, race and any form of inequality. It is very significant that the festival is symbolically characterized by illumination of light, which in many ways helps us see things better, adds color to the environment and spreads cheer all around. When we reflect on this we can clearly see that LIGHT is easily identified as Lovingly Illuminating Gods Heavenly Touch.

Significantly, we use the word light in varied contexts, all of which have a very positive and have a very constructive meaning. One can light up the home or darkened place with the light and one can point to someone we love deeply and say he/ she is the light of our life. Spreading knowledge is equivalent to spreading light. The obvious conclusion one can draw is that light has that special touch that makes it so precious for everyone of us. While sunlight was always taken for granted, moonlight has always evoked romantic ideas, been the ephemeral symbol of love and has been the source of light for savage man during the nights, long before he discovered fire as another source of light. Both the SUN and the MOON have been light sources that stand Eternal testimony to the reality, that they Lovingly Illuminate Gods Heavenly Touch.

The stars have also long fascinated the human race. Over thousands of years, star gazers have used that light source to identify a pattern in God’s plan for this universe. With the constellations illuminating the sky and the North Star guiding the lost way farer and seafarer, the light source became the dominant sign post that celebrated the wonder of God’s creation called night. The distinctive pattern of the star has also made it the obvious choice to represent light on all festive occasions in almost all countries and cultures. 

LIGHT in the form of lit candles or lit lamps, is still the most important item in any auspicious and significant event be it a religious event, a cultural event or a simple birthday. Candle light vigils add to the solemnity of a tragedy and when used in protests signify the abiding pain of the protestors. Notice that the interplay of light is used to convey more than what words can; it is used to denote a connect with our ancient past where fire source was the first artificially created light source, it represents a continuity with tradition despite the progress of mankind and the use of modern laser light based shows as also the laser based technologically advanced medical treatments showcase the immense potential and power of light. It simply reinforces our belief therefore that LIGHT Lovingly Illuminates Gods Heavenly Touch.

Action Points:

1. Draw a star with as many corners as the number of alphabets in your first name. eg. JACK has five alphabets. So draw a star with 4 corners. If the name is AUGUSTINE draw a star with 9 corners. Starting with the top most point enter the alphabets of your name in order going clockwise. This is a personal star of honor you have designed for your self and as tribute to your personal efforts and individual personality.
2. On a clear night spend some time trying to identify the patterns formed by the stars. Take the help of some professional star watchers too and appreciate the wonder of nature and the power in those small twinkling lights millions of light years away. Also look out for the full moon nights and appreciate it. Switch off the lights and then light different types of candles and see the effect of the light. Go for a candle light dinner and enjoy the ambience and the setting whilst enjoying the dinner.  
3. In a dark room light a candle and then using the shadows formed by your hands and fingers create images on the wall. Also do a YOU TUBE search to see  how skilled people can use the interplay of light and shadows to create wonders.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on - 

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now. 

You are also invited to visit our daily inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

A little gift for my readers...

My previous post on GIFT -Give Imaginatively  Freely Thoughtfully actually promoted me to attempt to give my wonderful readers a little GIFT. Coincidentally, while ruffling through some old files and papers I came across this poem which I had written long years ago. I thought it appropriate to share this with you as my little GIFT to you and thank you for your warm appreciation and patronage of my blog.

There are three more reasons for me to share this poem with you
 - the first is that the poem is a humorous one and
 - the second is to give you an insight into my other interests other than churning out ACRONYMS 
 - the third is to give you a peek of my novice side and my evolution over the years.

As usual your feedback, comments and appreciation would be a great encouragement.

Happy Reading !

Excuse me please…

Lady, I have longed to tell you

A fact that you never knew

I am keen to make you wise

And I ain’t telling lies/

The matter is plain and simple

Yet for words I do fumble

Though my heart yearns to tell it

My mind cautions me against it.

I am sure that now you are wondering

And desperately pondering;

Trying hard to elicit what the fact is

That has unfortunately eluded you Miss.

Now I can’t help but tell you

The fact that has come to view,

For, every man is now slyly looking

Excuse me ma’m- your slip is showing!

                                                           B.Jacob

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

GIFT

We often visualize gifts as being something that is tangible and presented particularly on occasions. No doubt this is the most common form of what a gift is and often we are obliged to give gifts as a social obligation and a societal norm. This is also the precise problem with the concept of gifts; it is not a spontaneous gesture nor a purely voluntary expression. More importantly, we are constrained by the concept of tangibility and value more than appropriateness of the gift and the occasion or feeling that must underline the gift giving. The best GIFT is that which we Give Imaginatively Freely Thoughtfully

The most common occasions for gift giving are festivals, weddings, birthdays and send offs. These occasions are often influenced by societal norms rather than pure emotion of love and affection. The real value of the gift is in the feelings that are conveyed by the choice of the gift and the sentiments with which it is given. When we gift it must not be perceive as an obligation or else we do not give a gift thoughtfully. A good gift is well thought out and the receiver’s likes and dislikes considered, the suitability to the occasion clearly understood and the affection and sentiment to be conveyed will be reflected in the choice of the gift.

A gift given without any compulsion is often the most well suited because there are no constraints that limit the choice. If we are bound by the compulsion of returning in equal measure for what we have received or psychological coerced into giving because it is the norm or forced to make a show o giving because it is expected of us, then the tasteless choice of the gift and the poor grace with which it is given negates the very essence of gift giving.

Imagination is the real key to giving gifts. To begin with, a gift need not be really tangible, pricey or colossal. A smile is the most wonderful and spontaneous gift that can be easily shared and treasured by one and all. Empathy and sympathy are too emotions that are priceless as gifts when shared at the right moment with the right people. A thank you card, a letter of appreciation, a note recollecting the wonder years send to a long lost friend are gifts that are priceless for the receiver and really treasured by them more than the diamonds and gold that people consider valuable. Extending a hand of friendship, giving someone in trouble a helping hand, enquiring into the welfare of someone who is ill or in pain, helping an accident victim, spending time with the inmates of hospitals, old age homes, orphanages etc. are GIFTs which we Give Imaginatively Freely Thoughtfully

Action Points: 

1. Make a list of your favorite school teachers, former neighbors, former classmates/ colleagues etc with whom you have lost touch. You will have take the effort of locating these people and then sending them a gift; it could be a tangible gift, a card or letter fondly remembering them, it could be a personal visit or telephone call etc. Pay attention to the response you get, notice your own feelings and emotions and ask yourself if you got a better gift in return for your gift.
2. Make it a habit to take time out to buy gifts for those whom you want to give something. Make it a point to visualize the person, their choices, the likings and dislikes, when making your choice. Make a list of people whom you simply feel like giving a gift because you love them/ appreciate them/ you feel they could be in need of a surprise. Now surprise them with something different and give it spontaneously.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

FEEL

We all have a wide variety of thoughts and they translate into varied feelings depending on the situation and the setting. When you FEEL you are actually Finding Enough Emotional Liberation. One can have a variety of feelings, love being the most predominant one, followed by liking, affection, acceptance etc. on the positive side and anger, hate, irritation, annoyance etc on the negative side. 

Emotions come to the fore only when the thought process is ignited by the need for expression overtly or covertly. While romantics have often highlighted the ‘love at first sight’ theory, the reality is that love is an outcome of a feeling that comes to fore over time. Liking, affection and acceptance follow a similar pattern. Occasionally, anger can be triggered by a sudden tidal way of negative emotion. However most times even the negative emotions are built up over a period of time and then one finds it hard to suppress it and then it comes out in a very expressive way. 

While most feelings are expressed verbally, it is the body language that really mirrors the feeling. The facial expressions, the proximity, the tone, the choice of words, the rate of speech etc. all reflect the feel of the person. Feelings can be expressed in many other ways particularly by way of gifts, cards, flowers etc. when there are positive feelings to be expressed. On the other hand negative emotions are easily understood by the profanity, foul language, use of expletives and loud tone and violent expressions emoted.

When our feelings are made obvious, we are communicating our innermost thoughts, passions and reactions. This is a key need for a human being to unburden, connect  and grow When we unburden our negative emotions we are like a pressure cooker which has to let out steam lest it bursts with the pressure. We connect when we share our hurt and sorrows, spread joy and happiness and express our annoyance and frustrations with those around us and in particular with those who are close to us. In expressing our feelings of hope, ambition, fears, passions and wants we grow in faith, spirit and hope.

As we journey along the pathway of life, we realize that life will always be an emotional roller coaster ride. We have to traverse it by ourselves but the wonderful part is we have enough companions on our journey. If we have to make this long ride smooth, joyous and successful we have to reconcile to the fact that we can never do it all alone. Our companions will help us ensure that we share the burdens, encourage each other, appreciate one another’s strengths and support those who are falling behind. We can give such help and receive it in ample measure only when we FEEL strongly about our journey, our companions and ourselves and suddenly we are no longer inhibited and we Find Enough Emotional Liberation to express what we FEEL. 

Action Points:

1. Introspect and see what are the actions, words and expressions you use when you are very very angry. Also observe which people  you normally choose to vent your ire and frustrations on. (Most times they are people who are very close to you for you unconsciously realize they are more forgiving)
2. How easily do you forgive others? Do you carry a grudge in your heart for long? Are you able to easily say sorry and accept your mistakes? 
3. What is your favorite expression of joy/ happiness and delight. When you express your happiness do you get upset if the others don’t share your enthusiasm or fully partake in you joy?
   

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

HUG

While a shake hand is the most common form of greeting, it is the HUG that conveys a myriad of emotions without a word being spoken simply because it is a Heavenly Universal Gift. The beauty of a hug is that it transcends emotions, genders, age barriers and cultures. Obviously it has universal acceptance, can be spontaneously exchanged and enriches both parties simultaneously. A hug also has the extraordinary powers to encourage, console, rejoice, comfort and be ecstatic.

When we are overjoyed and want to share our joy our most spontaneous gesture is to hug the nearest friendly person around. This is not just a ritual but a pressing need for both companionship and recognition. The most visible sign of this behavior is on the sports field. When a goal is scored or a point is scored or when a team has won the members, the coaches and support staffs all exude in the joy of their victory and hug each other. A hug is also most noticeable when we are meeting up with friends and relatives after a very long time. See the liberal use of hugs at bus stations train stations and airports. 

Ironically a hug is also the most commonly used gesture on solemn sorrowful moments and to convey sympathy. In fact a hug conveys empathy as no other form of expression. No words are really needed to express feelings of pain, condolence, understanding and oneness as a hug. At funerals a hug is the most universal gesture that packs so much of empathy that the grieved can actual mitigate their sorrow by passing it on in small doses to each one of those present through a hug. Something similar happens when we hug someone who has just been given some terrible news like the loss of a loved one or the confirmation of a debilitating disease. A hug is also confirmation of acceptance of the persons failures, an expression of support no matter what and an epitome of understanding that a failure would not severe a relationship. The team member who misses a free throw, a penalty taker who misses his shot, an athlete who misses the win by a whisker or a favorite team that disappoints are consoled and an expression of solidarity confirmed by a hug by all the team members and fans.  

In normal times a HUG is the best expression of intimacy, closeness, warmth and caring. Hugging a child is perhaps a blissful moment in any one’s life for there is spontaneity and pure delight in that expression. The real beauty of a hug lies in the fact that the HUG leverages the power of personal touch both literally and figuratively to reach to the heart. Hugging your pet, perhaps a dog and seeing it wagging its tail incessantly is a moment of pure bliss as much as hugging your parents or your child for in those moments you are actually HUGGING LIFE ( Love Inside Finding Expression click here http://poweract.blogspot.com/2010/01/life.html to read more on LIFE) and sharing the one of nature’s precious Heavenly Universal Gift. 

Action Points:

1. Touch is one human expression that is never really used because of cultural differences as well as inhibition. A handshake and a hug are two common universally accepted means of literally and figuratively reaching out to a person. When the need arises, use these expressions to offer support, understanding and concern. Remember the lonely people in old age homes and our own family members who crave for the warmth of a touch.
2. Look at equivalent expressions of a hug to understand the power of touch. Chest butting, high fives, back slapping and a kiss are those that come to mind immediately. Use these variations appropriately to touch the lives of all those whom you in contact with, for the world can do with a little more warmth and a touch of love.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

PEACE

The one elusive gift that the human race craves for is PEACE for it is only then that one can enjoy Pure Ecstasy And Calm Environment. Peace comes about when there is harmony around and that is a real challenge because of the competing stimuli, the opposing ideologies, the nefarious activities of disruptive elements and the lack of trust amongst people. Peace is experience when we are stress free, guilt free and happy. This serene condition is a rarity for it is human nature to fret and fume over things that don’t go our planned way or because of the sudden surprises that fate springs on us.

To enjoy peace of mind one has to work towards ensuring that our value systems, our actions and our attitude is well synchronized and tuned to a positive, proactive and purposeful direction. By and large our genetics, our upbringing and our character would deeply influence our value systems. Our circumstances, our needs and our personal ethics would determine our actions. Our thought process, our self belief, our tolerance levels and experiences in life would have a major bearing on our attitude to life. It is equally important that we are clear about what we seek in life for then we can establish some goals which in turn would make our life more purposeful, positive and encourage us to be proactive. Peace of mind is a natural outcome of such a living. 

We can play a vital role in ensuring that our environment is peaceful and serene.  To that end we must ensure that the setting of the physical, social, economic and political environment is peaceful and calm.  We can play an active role as a vigilant citizen who champions the cause of environment protection, energy conservation and social hygiene. We can be both activists as well as proactive proponents who set an example for others to follow.  By promoting religious harmony, by attempting to bridge the social chasm by not allowing divisions on the basis of caste and creed and by pushing the agenda of national integration we can set the example of peaceful co-existence. We need to be conscientious citizens paying our tax dues diligently, be vigilant about how the tax payers money is spent and be active participants in the democratic process by exercising our franchise. By doing our duty and setting an example we can influence others and at the same time enjoy the fruits of a better and PEACEful external environment.

Ultimately we can enjoy the PEACE that we seek so much by developing our self confidence, standing up for our rights, diligently discharging our duties and setting an example for others to follow. We would then have nothing to fear, everything to look forward to and be optimistic about the future. With no cares and no fears we are left with the opportunity to enjoy Pure Ecstasy And Calm Environment and enjoy the PEACE that comes with it.

Action Points:

1. Examine your own restlessness if any. Ask yourself if it is because of a lack of a goal, lack of self confidence or because of guilt. Rectify the errors that have been suddenly made aware to you. Do you feel the peace and calm entering your being?
2. Take up a social cause eg. Environment protection or Energy saving etc. Find various ways and means to get involved in it. Be completely immersed in it as and when you can. Experience the joy and PEACE that comes out of knowing that you play an important part in propounding your cause.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/