For the restless spirit!

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. Khalil Gibran Scars .... As I look around these days, I see a lot of people with scars - real and perceived, big and small, healed or hidden - and I see the struggles that most of them go through to deal with these. I have had my fair share of these. Maybe that's why I see this more clearly now ... I understand now that to be able to bring peace within, to live in the moment, to be happy, these scars  need to be healed.  And that's the real test of mental strength. That's what these "massive characters" Khalil refers to, have managed to achieve. It's not easy. Especially if the scars have been life shattering. If they hurt to even acknowledge them. But that's the only route - of that, I am certain. There is absolutely no other way...  Carrying them to your grave doesn't make them go away either .... it could still come back.....

I've been away for a while.... Life has a way of overtaking you at times... and then it stops and looks back, benevolently, almost like it's allowing you to catch up, to catch your breath...before it starts its relentless journey again, a journey no one can truly control! While I was gone, a lot happened in my otherwise stormy life .....some horrible stuf, some not so bad ....but what it reiterated for me was that this Life comes with no guarantee, absolutely none! Because you have good health today and you work hard to keep it that way, doesn't mean you will live for long. Because you often neglect your health and indulge, doesn't mean your end will not be peaceful.  Because you have  many friends today, doesn't mean you will not be lonely, ever. Because you have strong relationships today, doesn't mean they will last forever. Because you have a roof over your head and food for your mouth, doesn't mean you cann...

This is especially for all those strong men and women that I know of .....  This is to say that while I may or may not understand your journeys, I surely understand the effort it takes for you to keep showing that mental strength, keep being the lighthouse in stormy seas ...... despite the tumultuous storms that rage within.  I salute you.   I believe I belong to this group. I am often referred to a "strong woman". I know I am one. And because I am "strong", I know what it takes to be "strong". Unfortunately, not many realize this. Life has knocked me down a couple of times, has hit so hard I barely could breathe.... but because of the One Hand that never lets go.... I have managed to hold on, to dust off the muck and stand again, even if the ground I stand on today, is not so firm. But I still stand tall.  Not many know the battles that I have had to fight - I do not wish them to know. Not many know the emotional outbur...

I am not so sure ..... not anymore....  It was not like this before.  And it will not be like this for long, I know. But for now, I am not so sure there is somebody home....  The restless spirit has escaped, it seems. Sneaked out like a jolly young puppy gleefully running down lanes that it does not know, yet fearing nothing - simply enjoying the freedom of the moment, the joy of rushing ....towards.....well, just rushing for now!!!  I should be worried. A lot around me nudges me to be more practical, but I am still not fazed by my circumstances.... nobody's home and yet I am not worried.... I don't look beyond a point. And that's saying a lot for a control freak like me. I am gradually ceasing to care. The restless spirit deserves a break. It may come back, richer with its experiences and lead me to a new high or it may come back, tired and bereft of the enthusiasm it had while slipping out and seeking shelter again. I don't know....

The mind is indeed, everything.....  So what are you doing to keep it healthy, cleansed and in peace?  Last night, I spent a lot of time simply focussing on my mind. The day was over and I was ready to retire ..... but my restless mind was not ready to sleep. No, there was nothing specific on my mind that was bothering me - just a mental sense of "hello, may I get some attention here please?"..... my mind indicated that it wanted to "talk" to me.....  And I let it .... I let it go through its motions, a myriad of emotions unfolded as I sat with myself for almost 3 hours .....it was almost like a well planned gym workout. I sat like a close friend of my mind - simply listening, laughing, crying, comforting..... just being there, understanding. The wind played with my hair and I felt the affection in its ruffles; the waves crashed to the shores like the emotions that were coming forcefully into focus, only to fade away, in preparation f...

March 8 : International Women's Day  International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. I am a strong feminist. I believe we women, make this universe a softer, humane and more interesting place. Yes, we are nurturers by nature. But thankfully, today we nurture not only kids, but entire families, corporations, communities, even states. We, women, have come a long way. And it's no competition with the men, as often is  perceived. It's simply a statement that we need to be accepted as we are. I am proud I am a woman.... Despite often being treated as children of lesser Gods, not given equal opportunities at many times, we rise against all odds, shouldering responsibilities, protecting our worlds as fiercely as only a woman can. Salute! Despite often being taken advantage of, on the streets, in offices, sometimes, even in the so-called safety of our ...

My daughter has started the last exam she will take while in school - then she goes on to college. I am hopeful that she will go to college in a distant land - far away from me. Many close to me find this difficult to fathom that given where I stand in life, I wish for her to go away and live away from me.....  To be completely honest, it freaks me out too. Sometimes, my mind fast forwards to the end of this year, when she is not around ....... and I plunge into severe depression..... I howl softly into my blanket, cuddling my soft pillow.... But I don't dwell on it too much ..... I try and shift my focus as soon as possible ..... that is a bridge I will cross, when I come to it. For now, I bring the focus back to the excitement of a 17 year old preparing to leave her nest and face the world alone.....I share her feverish anticipation.  I want to give her wings, I have always done this  ......wings... to fly as high as she wishes, to places an...