TRUE LOVE

TRUE LOVE
~ By Author Unknown ~

True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.
Be Happy. God Bless.

Perfectly Imperfect

There was once a water bearer who had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole which, he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, but the other pot was perfect, and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, while the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was very ashamed of its imperfection, and was miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do — or so it thought.The cracked pot, after two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am very ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the water bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

"For the past two years, I have only been able to deliver half of my real capacity, because this crack in my side allows water to leak out all the way back to the master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the cracked pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and compassionately said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot did notice the sun shining on the beautiful wild flowers growing along his side of the path, and this cheered it some. However, at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had again leaked out half its load, and so it apologized to the water bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and put it to good use. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path (for the return trip), and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For over two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. If you weren’t the way you are, he wouldn’t have the flowers for his house.”
 We can sum up this whole story in a moral that is well expressed in the quote below :
 “To be acceptable is for one to ignore his weakness while knowing his strength, to cover the scar even though it's always there, however, to be impossible is for one to see his weakness as, not an adversary, but the cherry on top of his strength, to rearrange the scar so that it compliments his features.” ― Criss Jami, Killosophy

Be Happy. God Bless.

Handfasting

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you,
that are holding yours on your wedding day,
as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours,
as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years,
and with the slightest touch,
will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes;
tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged,
will still be reaching for yours,
still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Be Happy. God Bless.

Journey of Life

Journey of Life - Author Unknown

Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others,
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.

Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them, life is meaningless
Do not let your life slip through your fingers
By living in the past nor for the future.

By living your life one day at a time,
You live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread that binds is to each other.

Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.

In addition, the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Do not run through life so fast that you forget
not only where you have been, but also where you are going.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.

Be Happy. God Bless.

Somewhere

Somewhere
Sir Edwin Arnold 
Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours
for one lone soul, another lonely soul -
Each chasing each through all the weary hours,
And meeting strangely at one sudden goal;
Then blend they - like green leaves with golden flowers,
Into one beautiful and perfect whole -
And life's long night is ended, and the way
Lies open onward to eternal day.

Be Happy. God Bless.

Praying for Ice Cream

                                         

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen."
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never! "Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"... As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked.
 "Cross my heart." Said the old man!
 Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.".
 Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."
Be Happy. God Bless.

My First Expert.. My Mother Kept A Garden

image courtesy :www.huffingtonpost.com

My Mother Kept A Garden - Author Unknown 
My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start. 
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem... 
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough. 
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long. 
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me 

My Mother is not only my first expert but she is my first institution. There are many little moments which are shinning in my memory when I am writing this article where my Mom helped me to boost my self esteem. Sharing today one of my favorite and most memorable memory. Years back few guest arrived our place and Mom was busy attending them and asked me to look after the milk boiling on cook top. May be she want to prepare some sweet traditional Indian dessert. I was in my early teens and not have too much knowledge about cooking. There was a few pieces of lemon my Mom kept aside to use in another recipe. Out of my over enthusiasm I thought I will surprise Mom with new type of lemon milk and squeeze the lemon on the milk. OMG... OMG the milk started to curdled. I panicked call Mom immediately and accepted the blunder that I had done. Bit upset but she didn't scold me, just in soft voice said next time when you experiment just let me know may be we both can create magic. I was about to start a long cry but she stopped me and told don’t waste time instead ask your Dad to attend the guest and you stand here and help me. She strain the mixture and let it sit. While my Dad attended the guests she prepared some savory snacks with some vegetable and that curdled milk which turned into cottage cheese and with other half she added some castor sugar, rose essence and make soft sweet cheese ball. Decorate it with rose petals and chopped pistachio. I am stunned in about 30 minutes time she was ready with savory and sweet snacks with perfect garnish to serve the guest. With a bright smile we both enter the room, my Mom also told the guests that how I helped to make the dish. They all appreciated my effort. Deep down I am filled with not only love for my Mom but with respect. Later on after all the guests left our house, happy I hugged my Mom and say thank you and asked that why she didn't scold me for such a huge mistake.
She gave me the lesson of life time...she said in soft sweet voice which I still remember ... my dear  girl …not always things will go the way we want…..but if we loose temper , scream and worry it will not change the situation to good but make it more worse….rather we should find out ways how to make worst the best…how to bring out beautiful out of the mess and it can only happen when we try to solve the problem in silence..and add love to all…..at the end what count is happiness for self and for others…see how beautifully we both made the guests happy.
 Today I am a known food and motivational blogger sharing recipes,wisdom and good thoughts with the world. My first expert, my beloved Mom is my base till now, each day teaching me such wisdom with tenderness. Each day I am growing brighter, my Mom is my sunshine who light every day of mine. May you stay healthy happy always…Maa love you forever.
Be Happy. God Bless.