12 Most Genuine Ways to Support a Cause

Everywhere I look around I find many individuals and enterprises embarking on numerous initiatives aligned to specific causes – Causes related to improved education, affordable healthcare, better employee ability, betterment of animal welfare, eradication of poverty, affordable energy, a green earth, better policies, administration, governance, job creation, equitable wealth distribution, etc. etc. etc.

And there are many ways in which you can genuinely support one / many causes. In this blog, I have articulated the 12 Most Genuine ways in which you can support a cause:

1. By educating yourself

The first thing that you can do is to make an attempt to learn (in theory) about the cause. Basic things like what the cause is about, what individuals or groups aim to achieve from the cause, the kind of efforts being rallied, the kind of impact, the scale of impact, the kind of actions that are elicited to show support for the cause and the time horizon in consideration.

2. By creating awareness

Once you have the required knowledge, you can generate awareness by educating others in your sphere of influence. It could be through formal or informal communication channels. For example: You can inform people during a discussion, over mail, as a FaceBook update / status, as a tweet, on your blog, etc.

3. By doing your bit in favor of the cause and its many manifestations

Whatever be the cause, you can always find a way to do a little bit as a part of your everyday life – as and when you get an opportunity and within your sphere of influence. For example.: You can personally do your bit to optimize your water consumption and power utilization to contribute towards a Green Earth

4. By providing financial assistance

One of the requirements of any cause is the perpetual requirement of funds. And if you do have financial resources, you can always support a cause that you believe in

5. By not objecting / unnecessarily interfering with those supporting a cause

One of the best favors you can extend towards a cause is to not object or unnecessarily interfere with others who are genuinely working on a cause. Not only do these kinds of interventions slow the progress but they also tend to create a negative working environment which impedes advancement

6. By providing ideas / suggestions / inputs / feedback / recommendations

One of the best ways you can extend support towards a cause is to provide ideas / suggestions / inputs / feedback / recommendations to people working on a cause. This is important because at some point in the life cycle of a cause, people get very involved in the specific cause and are unable to view things with a new lens. So fresh perspectives in one or many forms are always welcome by those championing a cause

7. By motivating those who believe in the cause

Motivation is a vital fuel required to keep trudging ahead for any cause. And the reality is that there will be times when there are several roadblocks and challenges in the life cycle of a cause. At these times, a little motivation acts as the catalyst in crossing the chasm and helps move ahead with renewed spirit and optimism.

8. By making things easy for those working passionately towards a cause

You can actually support a cause by making things easy for those who are working on the cause (in whatever way you can and in whatever way they need!) This can simply translate into making day-to-day things easy for them so that they can focus their time, efforts and energies towards a larger cause.

9. By actively supporting the cause

Of course, you can actively support a cause by being a volunteer or by making meaningful contributions in ways that will make a difference. Obviously the pre-requisite here is that you have the required knowledge on what needs to be done.

10.By endorsing the cause

If you have the required power and authority to endorse a cause, then one of the most genuine ways you can support it is to provide the required approvals after adequate due diligence

11. By rallying support towards the cause

Again, a very important aspect in which the power of your personal networks and relationships go a long way. For example.: If you know someone who is interested in being a volunteer for some community work and you are informed about the need for volunteers in a specific area, you can connect the two OR If two of your contacts are working on causes related to empowerment of youth, one of the best service you can render towards the cause is to connect both of them to explore synergies on how they can collaborate towards a larger good

12. By just being there

Lastly, sometimes all you need to do is just be there – Sometimes as a silent spectator, sometimes as an observer, sometimes as a friend, sometimes as a philosopher, sometimes as a guide, sometimes as a mentor, sometimes as a confidant, sometimes as a sounding board, sometimes as a critic, sometimes with an acknowledgement of efforts (irrespective of the fruits they bear), sometimes with appreciation and praise, and sometimes as just another human being.

How do you most prefer to support causes you care about?

Originally published @ http://12most.com/2011/12/15/12-genuine-ways-support/

Thought Provoking Quotes I Read in April 2012..

"Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your unguarded thoughts" - Buddha

"When you refuse to set boundaries to what is achievable, you can inspire others to believe that they, too, can make the impossible happen" - Author Unknown

"Nothing can be taught to a man, but it is possible to help him to find the answer within himself" - Galileo Gallei

"We are what we repeatedly do, Excellenxe, then is not an act, but a habit" - Aristotle

"The difference between what we are doing and what we are capable of doing would solve most of the world's problem" - Author Unknown

"If you value your thoughts and use them carefully as you use money, you will never be spiritually bankrupt" - Author Unknown

"Life is a series of thoughts.
We become what we think about.
We can choose what we think about."
- Walter Staples

"The ancestor of every action is a thought" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Great minds have purpose. Others have wishes" - Author Unknown

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, and you find yourself in a New Great and Wonderful world" - Patanjali

"We should think over what we have read, digest it and make it an integral part of our daily life" - Mahatma Gandhi

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at, when we created them" - Albert Einstein

"When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state" - Swami Vivekanand

"Meditation is simply a means of teaching your mind to think in a right way" - Author Unknown

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man can become perfect without trials" - Chinese proverb

"Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you" - Author Unknown

"To live is to suffer and to survive is to find meaning in the suffering" - Author Unknown

"Self Transformation will bring World Transformation" - Author Unknown

12 Most Noteworthy Aspects of Cooking

My culinary experience over the last several years has left me with numerous learning’s, insights, opinions, views and realizations. In this blog, I have articulated the 12 most noteworthy aspects about cooking – aspects that are worth writing, worth reading and worth sharing…
And in my view, these will resonate with anyone who has tried their hand at cooking – irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, profession, interest, level of expertise, current latitude and longitude on the earth,…

1. Cooking is a creative process

Cooking is a process.. And like any process there are inputs, execution steps, tools, techniques, catalysts, deviations, exceptions and outputs. But it is a creative process – one which requires knowledge, creativity, skills, technique and craft. And what’s of paramount importance is to really understand the process of cooking. Because if basics of the culinary process are clear, you can cook anything under the sky.

2. Basics of cooking will always stay the same

The basics of cooking will always stay the same – no matter what decade you are in, no matter how much technology advances, no matter who cooks. It can get simpler, easier, automated, and quicker – but the basics cannot really change.

3. The more you cook the better you get

The more you try, the more you fail, the more you experiment, the more you learn, the more you innovate, the more you create, the more you succeed. All only enrich your culinary experiences; and no one can take this away from you.

4. Nothing like fresh ingredients in the final flavor of what you cook

Fresh ingredients like vegetables, fruits, freshly grounded spices, etc. make an ocean of difference in the final flavor of any dish – one which affects the final color, aroma and taste.

5. There are all kinds of cooks, and all cooks have all kind of days

Yes! Like with everything else in life there are all kind of cooks – excellent, great, good, just okay, bad and really bad cooks. And every kind of cook has different kind of days in their culinary journey – fantastic days, good days, not-so-good days and really bad days. It’s the law of averages at work again!

6. The cook’s state of mind and emotions affects the end result

I don’t have scientific data or evidence to prove this, but can vouch for it from my personal experience and the experiences of expert cooks that I know. If you are experiencing a positive thought or emotion, no matter how many errors you make – the end result is usually good. And on similar lines if you are experiencing a negative thought or emotion, no matter how hard you try – the end result is not really good!

7. The hands of the cook make all the difference

The same raw materials, the same ingredients and the same process – and yet the same dish by two different cooks can taste radically different. Again, this is my hypothesis, but there is magic in some hands, and it’s almost impossible to re-create this magic. It is a unique and exclusive endowment on a gifted few.

8. Tools and cooking appliances have their pros and cons

Like with everything else in life, tools and cooking appliances can be a big boon for cooking. They can make the culinary process faster, easier or more efficient. They also come with their own share of banes – like additional cleaning, maintenance, storage space, etc. It’s a personal choice on whether you want to use them or not, and to what extent you want to use them. There’s no right or wrong – it’s what’s most relevant in your individual context.

9. Good cooking is about teasing and pleasing all sense organs

A good dish is one which is a visual feast to the eyes, tickles your nasal passages, can render music in your ears, mind, soul or is accompanied by a specific music or sound, is great to touch and feel and of course, appeases your taste buds. Not every cook can do this, and it’s not possible for every dish. But the one’s that do tease and please all sense organs almost transport you to a different world!

10. Each family has their trademark recipes

Every family has their trademark recipes – those which you acquire the taste and appreciation from childhood, those which have a history and legacy as they were handed down through the generations, those which any outsider will never probably understand in entirety and those which you can only fully enjoy with your very own family. And if you devour such a dish after ages, you will relish it completely!

11. Nothing like Mom’s cooking

There will always be something exquisite about Mom’s cooking – something which you can never really replicate or re-create. It’s always in a different league. And like everything else in life, you realize its value only when you don’t have it…

12. If you cook from your heart, it invariably turns out superb!

Look back at your own culinary experiences or draw in from experiences of friends / family or look at the top chefs across the globe, and you will hear a re-sounding yes to this! As with anything else in life, if you cook from your heart with love, it invariably turns out superb. It is indeed a moment of great pride and satisfaction when you make that just-so-perfect dish.

Something which you will probably cherish forever!
Something which will be cherished also forever!!!
Happy Cooking!!!

Originally published @ http://12most.com/2011/12/30/12-noteworthy-aspects-cooking/

What every Housing Society in India should have?

What is a Housing Society?
Housing society is a term used to describe residential complexes usually consisting of buildings each having flats, especially in India. A housing society is a group of house owners generally residing in same building, apartments or same premises formed as per relevant laws for smooth functioning of utilities and other amenities provided to them. The housing society formed must be formally registered with registrar of Co-operatives. Each state has its own rules in this regard.
[Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_society ]

Some Trends in India
An increasing trend is the rising demand and popularity of Housing Societies in India - and this is true for all economic sections of scoiety and in several parts all over India. Even families who can afford large independant houses prefer to purchase smaller houses in such housing societies. While a % of these purchases are purely from an investment stand-point, a significant number of families are looking to live in such housing societies.

The key reasons being:
* Emergence of the nuclear family in which there are at most 2 - 4 people living in a house. And hence, a smaller house set-up is probably sufficient and relevant to the current life style
* Increased need for personal safety and security - Also usually provided as a shared service by the Housing Society

Personally, I've lived and experienced both worlds - The life in a lavish independant house and the life in a housing society. And they both have their pros and cons - What you eventually choose for yourself is based on 2 things:
1) What you can personally afford?
2) What you personally need?

Also, I've increasingly observed a great diverity in the residents of any housing society. This includes
* Diversity in age - from new born babies to people in their late 80's
* Diversity in professions - from writers, to Bollywood celebrities, to IT professionals, to business owners, to government employees, etc.
* Diversity in ethnicity - People from all over the world are living in India and making it their home - From Koreans, to Americans to Brits to Germans, etc.
* Diversity in cultures - By this I mean a variety of Indian cultures itself and cultures from all over the globe
* Diversity in work timings and styles - From those who work at home, to those who work in the day to those who work at night, etc.

In this blog, I will list my view on What every Housing Society in India should have? keeping in mind this diversity and changes at the sociol, economic and demographic level....
* Place to buy every day Groceries - Fruits + Vegetables + Provisions
* Access to quality Medical Aid / Care - especially in case of a medical emergency. This could be as basic as a qualified medical practitioner visiting the housing society periodically and providing his / her contact number for an emergency OR identification of a medical practitioner within the housing society who can be contacted in case of a medical emergency. Another important necessity is the access to pediatric medical care
* Place to Exercise - This can include a place to walk and basic gym infrastructure
* Place to teach and practice Yoga & Meditation
* 24 X 7 Maintenance and Support Services - Plumber, Electrician, Carpentar on call
* A play area for children
* An ATM - to withdraw cash
* A Stationary Shop - Especially since there is a perennial requirement for school related items (and usually it is a last minute purchase)
* A cobbler - for repairning shoes
* A tailor
* A dhobi / laundry - To wash / iron clothes
* A Place of worship
* An Eating Joint - To snack at and to have a decent meal like lunch or dinner
* A Parlor / Hari Salon
* A Community Center - for people to meet interact and socialize. This could also be a place to play every day group games - board games like carrom, chess, etc.
* Periodic Cultural Activities - to know each other, build and strengthen relationships. Specific competitions / events can be scheduled to encourage interactions among residents of the housing society
* Festival Celebrations - to know, learn and understand about Indian traditions and the traditional Indian way of doing things.
* Special Interest Groups - Based on Age, Occupation, Hobbies / Interests, etc. which meet and interact on a periodic basis. For e.g.: A music lovers group, A photography group, A cycling group, A walking group, An art group, etc etc
* An annual dinner / networking get-to-together to all residents
* A responsible motivated and well-meaning RWA (Resident Welfare Association) who works in the interest of the residents in the housing society. The RWA should formalize and mandate periodic discussions among residents to get feedback and suggestions for continuous improvements.

What's your view? Leave a comment to let me know

12 Most Promising Outcomes from the Regular Practice of Yoga

I attended my first yoga workshop when I was about 10 years old. At that time, I enrolled myself as I was curious and excited to learn something new!

However after the 1 month workshop, I decided that yoga was not for me, simply because yoga forced me to slow down and calmed me. I did not like this state and outcome. In retrospect, I probably had too much energy and needed something more active to keep me physically engaged.

However, over the past 10 years I have been re-introduced to yoga several times — through family (my parents and sister made yoga part of their lives), friends (most of my closest friends have also made yoga a part of their every day lives,) and most importantly, under the guidance of some very learned yoga practitioners/gurus (teachers) in India. Not to mention, there were also insights and comprehension that I have gained through my own personal research and experience.

In this post, I have listed the 12 personal benefits that I have realized through the regular practice of yoga. And the best part is that they span across all dimensions — physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual.

1. Your physical agility is improved
Yoga makes you physically agile — almost like a baby. The more regular you are in the practice of yoga; you will realize that your body becomes more flexible, agile and supple. And that’s a wonderful feeling!

2. You get a wonderful body tone
This was a surprising discovery as yoga tones your body in a way that exercise/gym work-out possibly does not. And this body tone is remarkably distinguishing. Of course, some people are naturally gifted here; but many people I know have a wonderful body tone only because they practice yoga.

3. You have a radiating glow on your skin
The glow on your skin is the most noticeable, simply because yoga improves your blood circulation and the flow of life energy in your body. And this is the most prominent and visible on your skin; there’s a special glow on your face. The only other time that I have seen people having this spectacular glow on their faces is when they are in love (can be in love with anyone including themselves or anything in the world) and/or truly happy (and yes! the reality is that love and happiness don’t always co-exist!)

4. You look younger than your age
I can personally vouch for this. When I practice yoga regularly for a month, people who know me say that I look younger than my age. I know of a family friend who has practiced yoga for close to 40 years and is in his 70’s today. He can pass of as being in his 40’s — and I mean it! If nothing else, this one reason should motivate you to practice yoga! Who does not want to look younger than their age.

5. You experience increased energy levels
If I practice yoga, my energy levels are definitely higher — and this outcome has been echoed by everyone I know who practices yoga. Increased energy level usually translates into better efficiency and effectiveness in all that you do as a part of my day-to-day life.

To be honest, I initially used to find it hard to find 30 minutes to practice yoga. But once I did, I realized that what used to originally take me say 5 hours to finish, would get done in 3 hours. And that’s a great way to gain some extra time to do things that you love or things that you really want to! So investing 30 minutes to gain 90 minutes seemed a good bargain of my time!

6. An unbelievable control on your mind
This is by far the BEST and most SIGNIFICANT outcome of the practice of yoga. Yoga calms the mind, and hence you have a better control of your mind — more specifically, your thoughts. And if you are able to control your thoughts, you are able to control your expressions, reactions and its many manifestations in your life. Most importantly, this bring unparalleled clarity in your own thoughts

7. You get “ME” time
Yoga provides a golden opportunity to get ME time. A few minutes in the day just for yourself, with yourself and by yourself!

8. You have better control on your emotions
When you start practicing yoga, you have a “unique sense” of internal calm, peace and harmony. As a result, you are in better control of the emotions you feel and what you express.

9. Your personal relationships transform
I intentionally use the word transform here, because when you start practicing yoga, you become more mindful of what you think, what you say and what you do as a part of your day to day interactions and relationships. And when you are aware, you tend to pause before you speak or act. That in itself has the potential to change your own outlook to every relationship and over a period of time, even others will view you in a new light.

10. There’s phenomenal focus in your life
Yoga brings phenomenal focus in everything that you do — there’s better precision, better prioritization and better perspective for everything in life.

11. You’re decision-making abilities improve phenomenally
How can decision-making not be easy if you are in control of your thoughts and emotions?

12. You are more “connected” to your spirit and soul
This one is tough to explain and comprehend — best left to be experienced!

Ending Words of Wisdom:
• It’s important to learn yoga from the right guru/teacher before you start practicing it
• It’s important to relearn yoga at periodic intervals — to make sure that you are doing it right and to upgrade yourself
• It’s important to make yoga a part of your everyday life

What benefits have you observed in those who practice yoga? What benefits have you personally experienced? Leave a comment and let me know

Originally posted @ http://12most.com/2012/03/30/promising-outcomes-from-regular-practice-yoga

12 Most Guaranteed Outcomes of Photography as a Hobby

Photography seems to be the favorite hobby of every third person I know. And the rest are on their way to reading about photography or learning photography or buying cameras and photography equipment or experimenting with existing cameras, gadgets and tools. I was wondering why photography is gaining so much popularity.

I ask some,
I Google a bit,
I observe a little,
I mull, ponder and reflect a lot…
In this blog, I have listed the 12 Most guaranteed outcomes of photography as a hobby.

1. Enables you to capture moments of life

One of the most obvious outcomes of photography is that it enables you to capture life moments and experiences. Given the convergence and integration of cameras with the mobile phone, it is becoming convenient, easy and affordable for everyone to take photographs. And then of course, a picture is worth a thousand words. So much said in one good photograph!

2. It’s a great reason (& excuse) to explore the world with a new lens

Photography gives you the reason (& excuse) to travel anywhere from the local vegetable market to the weekly flower market to the Himalayas to the far east to the cold south to any other coordinate in the world – just to capture that one perfect view, sunrise, sunset, picture, event, person, or moment.

3. You can re-connect with your creative side

Photography brings you closer to reality, to nature, to life. And this empowers you to re-connect with your creative side.

4. You can make some extra money

If you are really good, you can make some additional money – By participating in contests, by doing photo-shoots, etc. And who does not mind some extra money for doing things they love?

5. Makes you happy

Photography can make you personally happy and contented. Not to mention the additional delight when someone compliments you for your photos!

6. Keeps your social media profile active

If you have nothing really to say in your Twitter / Facebook / Blog, just upload a picture. So much is said with one photograph!! As a result, you can generate some activity from those following you!

7. An opportunity to off-load some of your bank balance

Good cameras, photography equipment and accessories are expensive and can definitely help you in reducing the load from your bank account. But it’s definitely worthwhile if you are really passionate about photography.

8. You get ME time

The art of photography is personal, private and exclusive – And hence you naturally get time for yourself to observe, think, learn, experiment and improvise.

9. Relationships improve!!!

Many of the boys / men who have been / are pursuing photography as a hobby say that it has actually improved their personal relationships as photography makes the girls / women in their lives happy . Apparently, the girls / women don’t really complain about this hobby / passion / obsession as long as an occasional picture of theirs is taken… Bah!!!

10. You learn a new hobby and also learn about yourself

Along the way photography can definitely be added to your list of hobbies. And the skills you acquire in your journey as a photographer can be applied to one or many other things in life. As you discover the process of photography and begin to enjoy it, you also begin to learn and discover new facets of your personality and of yourself.

11. Open new avenues

Photography opens new avenues in your life – I know of people who made new friends due to a common love for photography, who became part of a community, who go on photo shoot-walks, who started a blog to showcase their photographs, etc. So there can be a host of other avenues that can open up with photography – you just need to have an open mind and be open to learning.

12. Gives you an opportunity to re-live some special memories

I don’t know of anyone anywhere in the world who has not at some point in time looked fondly at old photographs to cherish and re-live special moments and memories – it could be with your family, your friends, your love, your school, your wild times, your youth, your adventures, your tears, your joys, your experiences, your milestones in life, your achievements, your key life events…And the reason you had this opportunity is because someone actually took the effort and trouble to capture it from behind the lens.


So what are you waiting for? Grab your camera and click a photograph

Originally published @ http://12most.com/2012/01/25/12-guaranteed-outcomes-photography-hobby/

Social Good - Dream a Dream - Empowerment of children

Founded in 1999, Dream A Dream is registered Charitable Trust that seeks to empower children from vulnerable backgrounds by developing life skills and at the same time sensitizing the community through active volunteering leading to a non-discriminatory society where unique differences are appreciated. Over 11 years, we have impacted the lives of 10000 children with support from over 2000 volunteers who represent an increasingly sensitive community.
[Src: http://www.dreamadream.org/ ]

HISTORY
It was in late 1999, when Brinda Jacob started sharing her idea of the "Power of One" to bring about positive change in our communities. She was fascinated by the opportunity to engage young people and to powerfully utilize their passion and energy to bring about change within their communities. In no time, 11 others got inspired by her idea and joined hands to start Dream A Dream in November 1999.

The single powerful desire to make a difference in their communities brought together, an assorted group of young people huddled in a garage and discussing ideas to change the world.

Young marketing officers, management graduates, software engineers, chartered accountants, future business tycoons, photographers, ad professionals, a contemporary dancer and several interesting individuals from different backgrounds.

This heady and hearty mix brainstormed to conceptualize many new ideas and dream many different dreams; all against the common, binding backdrop of wanting to give back to the community and unleash the "Power of One".

Thus, was formed 'Dream A Dream' in November 1999. The twelve founder dreamers were Arjun Dugal, Brinda Jacob, Neha Shah, Pramod Ramprasad, Rahul Mathur, Rashmi Bajaj, Sandeep Wadhwa, Shweta Kothari, Supreeta Sampath, Vipul Chhabria, Vishal Talreja & Vishwa Prasad.

"We came together because we thought we could make a difference in a very small way. None of us realized the power we were unleashing - The Power of One. We didn't know how far we would take Dream A Dream, but what we did know was that our lives would never be the same again and we would greatly impact the lives of a few children." - Vishal Talreja, Director & Founder Member .
[Src: http://www.dreamadream.org/node/62 ]

Check this link for how you can support - http://www.dreamadream.org/Volunteer_Form

Indian Festival - Sankat Chauth

When is it celebrated?
In the Hindu lunar month. It falls during the fading stage of the moon i.e. 4th day after Purnima. (usually in January every year)

Why is it celebrated?
Sankat chauth is devoted to Lord Vinayaka (Ganesha). It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha

How is it celebrated?
Devotees pray to Lord Ganesha on this day. They also visit temples of Lord Ganesha. Devotees listen Sankat chauth Katha on this day. Devotees observe vratha / fasting on this day - until they see the Moon - Especially by mothers for the welfare of their children. It is believed that having Sankat Chauth fast brings material growth, prosperity & pleasure

References
http://hindupad.com/vratas-pujas/sakat-chauth-festival-magh-ganesh-utsav/
http://www.ganpatinews.com/2010/01/03/sankat-chauth-katha-celebration-2010-72076

33 FREE Blog Titles for YOU!!!

One of the biggest challenge for many bloggers is to come up with BLOG topics / ideas that they can write about. Since I'm always overflowing with ideas on topics for blog posts, I decided to publish one giving away 33 FREE Blog Titles which I believe anyone can easily write about...(as an act of GOOD Karma)

The best part about each of these is that it is personal to you, and hence the content is based on your personal experience - so hopefully each of them will be unique as I believe no TWO life experiences can really ever be the SAME! Combine your unique life experience with your personal literary style - And you'll come up with some original and interesting posts:
1) The BEST memories from my CHILDHOOD
2) What I loved about my CHILDHOOD?
3)  The Lessons my FATHER taught me
4)  The Lessons I learnt from my MOTHER
5) What my FAVORITE School Teacher taught me and How it made a difference in my LIFE?
6) What I LOVED about my school?
7) What I liked / disliked about the education system I was a part of?
8) The Most INSPIRATIONAL person of my life
9) My BIGGEST TRIUMPH in life and what I learnt from it?
10)  What the BIGGEST FAILURE of my LIFE taught me?
11) Why I like / dislike reading?
12) The BEST Books I read and would recommend you to read
13) The Most Unique HOBBIES I have seen in people
14) What I LEARNT from my experiences in COLLEGE?
15) My MOST Favorite Movie and WHY?
16) Why I like / dislike watching TV?
17) Why I like / dislike cricket / footballl / shopping?
18) The 3 Qualities I truly admire in an individual
19) The most EXOTIC dream / fantasy that I have had / read / heard
20) The BEST Day of my LIFE
21) The BEST Quotes I have come across
22) The BEST Blogs I have read in the Blogosphere
23) The 3 Life Experiences I think everyone should have
24) The Words that TRANSFORMED ME (Based on an experience in which the WORDS made all the difference)
25) What I miss the most about being a CHILD?
26) 10 Things I would LOVE to do today... If I had NO constraints or commitments
27) What my CLOSEST Friends have taught me and why?
28) The Lessons of LIFE I want to share with the WORLD
29) Why I like / dislike travelling?
30) What I like / dislike about the online / virtual world?
31) Why I like / dislike FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google?
32) The BEST meal I have ever HAD in my LIFE
33) The 10 Things I would BUY if I had all the MONEY in the WORLD

Which one did you like the best? Or do you want to add to the list?
Leave a comment to let me know..

The 15 Books I Recommend YOU Read…

Reading is a wonderful hobby to develop and inculcate. There are many benefits of reading, the key ones being
1) You get to learn
2) You get to know and appreciate alternate thoughts and viewpoints
3) Your own views, opinions, perceptions evolve as you read
4) Your vocabulary / literary skills improve - If you pay attention
5) You get “ME Time” – Time by yourself and for yourself
6) Your own “creative imagination” is enhanced – Books compel you to imagine and hence nurture both your “left” and “right” side of the brain..
7) You never feel lonely / alone – As long as you have a good book with you!

In this blog, I have listed the 15 Books I recommend everyone to read at least once. What you take away will be very specific to your individual context, circumstance, creativity and comprehension – However, the ONE thing that I can vouch for is that they will all DEFINITELY leave YOU with a POWERFUL TAKE-AWAY..
1) The Secret By Rhonda Byrne
2) Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson
3) Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
4) Jonathan Livingstone Seagull by Richard Bach
5) The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
6) The Art of Power By Thich Nhat Hanh
7) Love Story by Erich Segal
8) The KiteRunner By Khaled Hosseini
9) Mutation by Robin Cook
10) Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
11) All I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
12) Night Over Water by Ken Follett 1
3) The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
14) Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
15) The Other Side of Midnight by Sidney Sheldon

Want to add to this list with your recommendations? Leave a comment below…

Indian Festival - Navrathri

Navrathri is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped.
[Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri ]

Why is it celebrated?
* The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. Navaratri represents celebration of Goddess Durga, the manifestation of Deity in form of Shakti [Energy or Power].
* Navaratri, the nine-day-and-night long festivity seems to have sprung out of a prevailing cult of personal austerities for a desired end dedicated to Shakti, the supreme female power.
Certainly not a one-time initiative or an individual mind's creation, Navaratri perhaps began as expression of an agitated mind unwilling to accept the prevailing exploitation of foreign invasions and rules. Navaratri found expression in Devi's diverse manifestations, each representing an aspect of divine energy, inspired by her confidence-generating acts against corruption and crime as enumerated in Devi-related texts, and imbibing its basic spirit - people's desire to regain what had been seemingly 'lost'. More importantly, the medieval mind seems to have embraced Navaratri as correction of the general attitude towards the girl child. Over the years, as the girl child or woman became victim of violence at the hands of intruders, she came to be seen as a 'curse', as someone who could irreparably dent family 'honour'. Hence, it became necessary to exalt her with dedication for nine days and nights, each celebrating the Devi's various divine forms. While most other festivals, religious or social, are annual features, Navaratri is celebrated several times in a year, perhaps to keep alive the spirit of social transformation that would restore to women the respect due to them.[Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri  , http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spirituality/faith-and-ritual/Why-we-invoke-Devi-Ma/articleshow/12412251.cms]

When is it celebrated?
* Navaratri is celebrated five times a year. They are
1)Vasanta Navaratri (March - April)
2)Ashadha Navaratri (June - July)
3) Sharada Navaratri (Sep - Oct)
4) Paush Navaratri (Dec - Jan)
5) Magha Navaratri (Jan - Feb)
Of these, Vasanta Nararatri and Sharada Navaratri are important
[Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri   ]
 
How is it celebrated?
* Navratri is divided into sets of three days to adore three different aspects of the supreme goddess or goddesses.
First three days - The goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in order to destroy all our impurities.
Second three days - The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.
Final three days - The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship
* Austerities dedicated to these three forms, representing tamas, rajas and sattva, three elemental constituents of the manifest cosmos, help a seeker transcend the perplexing diversity of manifest existence to ultimate union with the Supreme. This is Navaratri's higher spiritual perspective.
* Many people keep a 9 day fast in which they eat primarily - makhana, kuttu aata pooris and sabudaana khichdi. Of course, this is supplemented with fruits and dairy products.
* Celebrations of the festival vary across all parts of India. Refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri
[Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri , http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spirituality/faith-and-ritual/Why-we-invoke-Devi-Ma/articleshow/12412251.cms]

Recommended Readings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navratri
http://www.navratrifestival.net/avoid-grains-during-navratri/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/holydays/navaratri.shtml
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spirituality/faith-and-ritual/Why-we-invoke-Devi-Ma/articleshow/12412251.cms
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-28/edit-page/30208779_1_idols-navratri-tenth-day

12 Most Significant Choices YOU Make in LIFE

Over the years I have come to believe that life is eventually about choices. And the choices you make shape your day, shape your views, shape your experiences, shape your thoughts and shape your life…
There are some life choices over which you have no control or which others will make for you — like when and where you are born, the family you are born to, your life during childhood, the school you went to, etc.
Beyond that, there are several other important choices that you make in life. In this post, I have articulated the significant choices which have the potential to transform you… your life. 

1. Choice to learn

Learning is a choice which you make consciously or unconsciously. This could be through formal college education (graduation, post-graduation, etc.) or self-learning through reading and books, observation, online tutorials, meaningful discussions, pursuit of hobbies, human interactions, personal experiences, reflections, self-realizations, etc. In the long run, the importance you personally associate with learning and how disciplined you are in your learning efforts can potentially transform your life.

2. Choices in and of relationships

The closeness or distances you chose to maintain with family (immediate and beyond) affects your life. In addition, the friends you choose to make and how you choose to nurture these bonds over a period of time impacts your life. More importantly, the choice of your life partner has a significant bearing on how your life will eventually turn out. And lastly, the choice of how you build and nurture other relationships in your personal and professional life makes a difference.

3. Choice on the importance you associate with your personal health

Your overall health is a function of many thing. The key determinants being the diet you consume and the nature of exercise you ensure on a regular basis. Of course, the pre-requisite is that you need to be aware about these two aspects on your everyday life and knowledgeable on how they affect your life. Beyond this, you need to ensure that you invest the required time and effort to eat wisely and exercise regularly.

4. Choice of the place you reside

The place you live in affects every dimension of your life, whether or not you acknowledge it. And place includes every dimension of your immediate environment — encompassing the milieu at home, to the exact location in terms of geographic coordinates; the latitude and longitude — to the weather, to the people living in your vicinity, to the community life, to the availability of resources, etc.
All these affect your daily routine, your lifestyle, your social networks, your productivity, your outlook to life, your opinions, your views, your judgments, your energy, your creativity, your thoughts…

5. Choice with respect to your personal finances

Your choices on the importance you give to personal finance will eventually determine the quality of your life. Beginning from how much time and effort you put in to understanding personal finances, to how much financial planning you do, to how much you earn, to how much you save, to how much you invest and most importantly to how frequently to review your finances and make the required course corrections.

6. Choice to bear children & how you decide to raise them

Children mark the beginning of a new phase in your life — one which changes almost every dimension of your life. And once you have children, you need to make choices in their upbringing — both minor and major. And all the choices you make for them will eventually determine how they grow and evolve! After all, children of today are the grown-ups of tomorrow. How you nurture your children will ultimately reflect in what they make of themselves and the mark they leave in the world. And this will be part of your legacy.

7. Choice on your life priorities

At some time in the journey of life, you have to be clear and decide on your life priorities and also rank them in an ascending order. There’s no right or wrong here — it’s just a personal choice. It’s vital to be cognizant that for every priority you choose, there are implications, both big and small, both positive and negative, both in how they will affect your life today and several years from now.

8. Choice of your vocation and organization

The vocation you choose affects many dimensions of your life — from how your daily routine is, to how happy you are, to much you earn, to the kind of people you interact with, to the kind of impact you can make in your sphere of influence. Based on the choice of your vocation, you also make a choice on the kind of organization that you work for — be it self-employed or as an employee.

9. Choice of how you value time — both yours and others

Time is one of the most valuable personal assets for any individual. And the respect, importance and value you associate with your time and others time will reflect in how you conduct yourself, how you interact with others and how others will respond to you.

10. Choice on your spiritual journey

One of the most important choices which you make in life is connected to your spiritual awareness, growth and journey. And what’s significant is how aware you are of this journey, the priority you associate with it and the personal commitment you make to progress and advance in this journey.

11. Choice of how you value yourself

This choice of how you value yourself can create a metamorphosis in your life. And this one single choice has the potential to change your acuity of yourself, your self-confidence, your dreams, your goals, your successes and also others perceptions of you. It is one of the most noteworthy and transformational choices anyone can make in life.

12. Choice not to choose

Last and most importantly, the choice not to choose the above or any other key aspect of your life is again a choice that has the potential to transform your life…
Ending words of wisdom — make your choices wisely today

Originally published @ http://www.thechangeblog.com/transform-your-life/
Edited and re-published @ http://12most.com/2012/02/06/12-significant-choices-life-2/