A Smile

 I am wondering if I should just let the pictures do the talk in this post 😁

The first picture represents the mood of the post - 

Honestly with all the ups and downs in life, the only thing that works to live a content life is to just smile, laugh and relish every single blessing we have. We all agree that no matter how bad a situation is, there are things to be grateful for. But to be grateful for the smallest of things is the hardest as our mind always wants to look at that one thing which is not working. And these so-called small things we want to dismiss off are the ones that give us immense joy if we pay attention to them. 

In most of the yoga classes, the instructor asks us to smile and do the asana even if it is forced. The reason being, a simple small smile is that powerful. It is the easiest and the MOST powerful weapon we possess. But we forget to use it. Smiling at neighbors, smiling at colleagues, smiling at people whom we see everyday.....

I honestly feel great when I see a genuine smile. And I love smiling at others. I am surrounded by children most of the time and as a result get to experience pure smiles throughout the day.

Let us use this powerful tool freely and see what it does to us. 

The sky smiling and wishing me Good Morning 🌞

The Cadamba tree bearing flowers and fruits - their way of smiling at us

When I am served with this after work - ☕🍰😀

Smiles all over my dress

The flower blooming the same day as I wear a matching dress

😍

Always brings a smile on my face before entering the house

Coffee with a book in a coffee shop = a confirmed smile

Coffee with my favourite people
= a 1000000 watt smile

Never has this view stopped me from grinning

And there are always special bonuses like these

BLISS

Free

 We have heard the phrase, "Whatever is ours will come to us at the RIGHT TIME" and also "When the student is ready the teacher arrives". And the teacher necessarily need not be in the form of a teacher tag, but any human being (or a situation) who says something (through which) we need to hear/learn. 

My exercising cycle has been going through a crazy 'peak and valley' cycle for at least a year. Just like the joy of climbing the top of a peak, I feel great when the cycle is at its peak. The times when it hits the bottom of the valley is a rough phase for me. I have tried various things, but nothing has stuck for long. During the holidays was when I hit the bottom most point in the valley, but this time I didn't feel any pressure or guilt at not doing anything. And it felt great.

Beginning of this month I was ready to start climbing the peak again. And a class option appeared on its own. I have been part of this since the last few weeks and am loving it. Similar incidents have happened many times in the past. When I let things happen on its own, when I have not tried to go looking for something, when I have stopped trying to control, the thing I have wanted has happened, at its own pace and time.   

This morning when I was doing my practice, I realized this and made me wonder how life would be if I let everything in my life, every aspect of my life, happen (or not happen) on its own terms. I needed the reminder and I hope I am able to let things come to me, rather than chasing anything.  

Not at all perfect - neither the asana nor the photo
But I love this for various reasons 😊

Happy International Yoga Day

I never learnt to put rangoli even though my mom used to put everyday!
Started only a couple of years ago 😇

Going with the flow

Moments that can be taken for granted!
Rain + tea with a book 
Can it get better than this?

Happy Father's Day

Simple and Silly

 I feel like writing now, after having a lovely day. It was a simple normal day - waking up early, getting ready, going to work, coming back home, meeting a dear friend, attending a class, going out for dinner with friends. 

I have started using the 'kiss' philosophy lately and want to continue for the rest of my life! 

KEEP IT SIMPLE and SILLY!

Life can be simple if we let it be - let things be exactly the way they are, accept things exactly the way they are instead of fighting it, or analyzing it. 

And please, let us not take life soooooooooo seriously. Just the word serious feels so heavy to me now! 

I remember telling a friend today how each day teaches us new things. It could be through various people, situations, things or just anything. We just have to keep our ears, eyes and mind open to learn. 

I learnt something beautiful from all the people I met today and I am glad to be aware of that. 

Here's to keeping our lives light, simple and silly, and finding joy in being simple and silly 😁

Open

The need for recognition is what causes most problems - read this in a book and it has stayed with me ever since. It is soo true whether we agree to it or not as the human mind seeks approval from others most of the time. 

While our heart jumps with joy at recognition (it could be just a single word like 'wow' from another person), what does our heart say about showering recognition on others? 

I don't want to write much about this as it is a thought for each one of us to ponder over. 

I honestly feel that the quality of our life depends on the extent of our need for recognition from others AND how generous we are in showering recognition on others and feeling happy for others.

The reason for this post is I came across a person recently who praises others wholeheartedly. I find this amazing as very few people feel genuinely happy for others. 

Maybe only a person who is very confident and content can shower appreciation on others and feel joy with others.

OPEN, Confident, Content, Joyful
Oblivious to recognition
Just being