Bruges’ is an absolutely fascinating fairytale kind of town,and at night, under the moonlight, it’s magical atmosphere intensifies.
A canal trip in the Reie named after the river Roya totally worth it.
Savvy
Travel Trails
Tag Archives: #Love# #Life n living
Spaces between…
As the spider weaves its web…
It leaves us in awe of its perfection. Spacing between the webstrings
Interweaved in the intersections.
Speaks to us to understand
The spaces between our steps.
For those gaps in between
Holds us in place, as we are.
Lessons from nature,
Resonate now, more than ever
To value the spaces and pauses
To balance our very life and living.
Savvy
#learningfromnature ##lifelessons
Love takes all of you!
Love can happen to any of us
In a heartbeat
But it takes all of you
To sustain the love.
For true love is precious
Love takes effort and care
Love ain’t easy
Love is not a game
To play and forget.
True Love is commitment
Love is consideration
Love is expression
Love is knowing what matters
Love is challenging
Love is showing up
Love is mutual
Love is intuitive
Love is kind
Love is rewarding
Love is responsible
Make time for love.
Live life lovingly!
Savvy
A poignant tale
Sharing this is very poignant piece of writing that I came across. Although it is truly touching it does leave us with a valuable learning on living life…
Do care to read.
ONE BEDROOM FLAT…
Written by an Indian Engineer.
A Bitter Reality
As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.
Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.
My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.
I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald’s and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.
Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I went through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.
In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbours to look after them, we returned to USA.
My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.
After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.
Every year I decide to go to India But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not go to India … The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.
After couple more years passed away, much to my children’s dislike and my wife’s joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA…
My children refused to stay in India… So I returned to USA with my family.
Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA… I decided that had enough and wound-up everything and returned to India… I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.
Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.
Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?
My father, even after staying in India,had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.
I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.
Looking out from the window I see my childhood and the beautiful moments that I missed. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.
Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbours again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.
But the question still remains ‘was all this worth it?’
I am still searching for an answer!
START THINKING
IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???
LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …. .DON’T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ..
LEAD YOUR LIFE HAPPILY WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AROUND.
Enjoy it with your near and dear ones
Money does not make you happy,
love of parents, children and all close to us does.
“So much pressure in today’s world to succeed at all costs, to attain materialistic desires, somewhere loses its way and all seems to go back the start.
Such is the irony of life and living”
Savvy
Once upon a time
Once upon a time
Long long ago
In a far away land
Was a sweet little child
Who used to have a fairy tale book
Read to her by her dear mother
Every night as she was tucked into bed
She would hear a story from her mom
But there were clauses to this plan.
It was a given thing between the two
The story had to have a happy ending
The story includes people and animals
Or even a garden of fruits and flowers
Enchanting stories of courage and dare
Of compassion and care
Of humanity at large
In goodwill and love
Or even seemingly silly stories
Of life and living in general
Of fun and frolic.
But there was a pact between the two
Which her mother followed to the tee.
Simply there was one area
The story must not go to or be
Of things above in the sky.
Although her mother was too drawn
To explore the mystery of space…
But the little girl felt a little too lost
To fathom space and beyond
May be it was just her nature
Or perhaps there was more to it
Of why she was uncomfortable with unknown space!
Leaving a few musings in contemplation…
Are fears rational or just an illusion in the making?
What are irrational fears?
Are they there for a reason?
Do fears manifests from past lives?
Do fears eventually help us someway?
How does one overcome these fears?
Can we grow out of our little fears?
Do you have any experience of fears as a kid?
Have you chosen to outgrow them?
Have you managed to face your fears?
For life awaits on the other side of fear!
Savvy
An invitation to dance…
A good dancer invites you on a journey
You choose to flow along if you wish
Never in compulsion but in emulsion
Of the spirit of the moves
In unison from the heart of the art
In emulation of the joy of the dance
That frees you into acknowledging
The rhythm within so divine.
Listening to the melody in reverance
Tuning to the beat of the distant drums
Movements in momentous vibrance
Then all is harmony in the symphony.
Savvy
On Love
As love conquers you it blesses you in the knowing.
Make not a mockery of love
Serenade love and allow it to speak truth
Love surfaces from the depth of emotions
To mend you and this world to a better place.
As true love is eternal
Free as bird in flights of oblivion
Travelling in the abandon
Of the wilderness of the spirit
Yet bonded in the boundless infinity
Endless love a gift of grace
Acknowledge this treasure
Blending two souls in one
As a life loved is well lived… such a rare sight!
What a blessing it truly is….A love like that!
In realising the many miracles of life is knowing a love that can move the soul of our being. We can consider ourselves lucky to even have been touched by a love like that!
Savvy
Happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends and readers!!!
Embody Love
A personal mantra…
Live the life you love and love the life you live!
What happens to you when you embody love…
You realise your self worth in awareness
You start to give and receive in gratitude
You gradually become a kinder human being…
Your actions gradually turn compassionate.
Your respect for life increases leaps and bound.
You value the power of love in life at large.
You begin to see the larger picture
You know you are born for a purpose.
Your movements become life affirming
Your positivity spreads beyond yourself
You begin to generate joy and thrive in goodwill and gratitude.
You begin to see the meaning in celebrating life and living in the now.
Savvy
THE LIFE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR
Ups and downs are part of life they say,
But if you have ever been in the shoes of an entrepreneur
Check out life on the other side
Where pitfalls and catapults are happenings of every day!
Easier said than done, get married to one
And watch the brewing storms and tumults of every moment.
Staying centered is the name of the game
Play on, as fame and shame are small matters under the sun…
Just know in your heart to trust the moment
Live it with love and enjoy this now
Cos worrying is never the path to take
For it traverses on, a test of will in the torment.
Change is the only constant they say and its best manifested in the life of an entrepreneur…
One of the important lessons in living with an entrepreneur… that I can pass on…
Well take nothing for granted
Neither the gains nor the pitfalls.
Everything is in a flux.
So enjoy the moment at hand
And happiness is in your heart!
Savvy
Sounds so wonderful to say I have my own company, or I am the Founder ….
But chew on this a while ….before you bite
Entrepreneurs are a breed apart
They strive for and thrive on success.
Of late the world seems a breeding ground for entrepreneurs and their dream what with almost every one dreaming to become one . Yet the price of startups in scaffolding years leads to so much learnings through it all.
Yes amazing is the feeling of being the boss, where you think you have it all taken care of and you have mastered your game… but then being at the healm of things has so much more at stake! Like never ending work hours , overt commitment workholism, insecurities,and relentless tensionand stress and most of all the looming responsibility of raising funds.
You realise you have to answer to your investors and funders . Your liability is your own conscience Your success is like a game of chances. The laws can make or break you in no time!
Your peace is at stake and your family takes a backseat most often, as you have so much to prove every day!
Your time is not your own but your companies ….and you realise it all only too late.
It certainly is not for the weakhearted as the pressures that surmount to stay at the healm can challenge the strongest minds.
I wrote this as I have personally witnessed the price of the entrepreneurial dream upclose. In the ups and downs the journey goes on , as ironically, these bravehearts never back down!
Lessons from a Mirror
In continuation of my reflections on the Mirror, I came across this relevant piece on lessons from a mirror…
3 lessons mirror teach us.
1. It reflects things as it is , whatever stain or dirt in our face , it never adds or reduce it.
We should learn to show (whether it is our spouse, children, relatives or friends,)others merits or faults just as they are. Never exaggerate or hide just because of our prejudices. Never make mountain out of a molehill or viseversa.
2. The mirror reflects only when we are in front of it. Once we move away it becomes silent.
Learn to praise or complaint to the person directly when they are face to face . Never backbite. Appreciate them personally or talk about their defects that bother you in person, Never to a third person when they are not there.
3 The third lesson is we never get angry with the mirror because it is showing the stains or defects in our face.
Similarly when someone points out our defects we should learn to thank them instead of getting angry or hurt and try to correct our faults.
Next time whenever you stand in front of a mirror, remember these lessons.
Every woman…
In 1997, Pamela Redmond Satran wrote a list for Glamour Magazine. Having already passed her thirtieth birthday, her goal was to tell younger women about “the things I really wished I’d had and known by that important milestone.” It not only resonated, it became a phenomenon. To this day, the now bestselling author’s list continues to make its way across the web, via sites, inboxes, and social feeds, experiencing recurring surges of viral popularity. Yet, up until very recently, in typical not-giving-credit-where-credit-is-due internet form, it was most often shared with either no attribution to Pamela or tagged as someone else’s work, including “Maya Angelou’s Best Poem Ever.”
Here are 15 interesting points from that list …
1)”A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to…
……..
2)A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she’s content to leave behind….
3)A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
a past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
retelling it in her old age….
………..
4)A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ….
one friend who always makes her laugh… and one who lets her cry…
………..
5)A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
a feeling of control over her destiny…
6)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to fall in love without losing herself..
7)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship…
8)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
when to try harder… and WHEN TO WALK AWAY…
9)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that she can’t change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
10)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
that her childhood may not have been perfect..but its over…
11)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…
12)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
how to live alone… even if she doesn’t like it…
13)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can’t,
and why she shouldn’t take it personally…
14)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
where to go…
be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
or a charming inn in the woods…
when her soul needs soothing…
15)EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
what she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
a month…and a year…
So much for the creativity passed on without credit.
And here is a dedication to Every Woman out there…Enjoy 💖👍💖
Once upon a time…
This beautiful story conveys the preciousness of every life.
We are born for a purpose
Many times we are so busy searching
That we fail to see our own worth
In being as we are
There is always a reason
Why we are as we are
Just because we dont know it
Does not mean life is not worth living.
We are only as good as we learn
To see ourselves in our hearts
Cheer up from your trials and errors
For there are many paths on our way
To nourish with our nature
To heal and help evolve.
There is much that requires our being
To do, to care, to share, to love and live
In our own special way…
The way only we can !
Savvy
The Bond
To my loving child.
The Bond
Who says the umbilical card is severed.
Never, it can be so.
The bond of blood,
Sculpting every day
With ur flesh and blood.
Never a moment
In those nine months
Was careless or thoughtless
Of the growing life inside.
The miracle of life energies
To continue its cycle on earth Seeps in every cell in its own synergy
A bond that lasts a lifetime.
Age, time and distance doesn’t matter,
A child will ever be a child in the eyes of a Mother,
A continuation of her life
A source of her joy for ever.
A child’s misery bleeds her heart
All the foibles are erased without effort
How nice this world would be
If all have a mother’s outlook towards others.
Putting her child first comes natural, not by intention,
The only love that expects nothing in return.
Everything else becomes a shadow
When the child comes in a Mother’s vision.
A mother is a messenger of God
Not confined to humans alone
Look around to see this motherhood
In all the Species of Nature around.
Selfless and pure ,unconditional love
Caring and sharing comes untold.
The bond is in the senses and soul
Who says this cord is severed at birth.
Anjana
I am touched by the above verses that my mother has penned. I share this here with all my heart and soul, knowing every mother and child out there will relate to this beautiful poem from the heart of my dear mother Anjana.
Thank you dearest mom.
Savvy
Walk the path of love
Walk on the path of love
A whiff of love
Roses strewn
The path of love
Beckons you
Tread softly
Gentle is the way
For love is fragile
Treasure a trust that
Beholds you!
Winding along
You feel its intensity
In its passion
Yet you persevere
Be unwavering!
Know love teases
And tests you
Beguiles you
To reveal
Yourself to you!
Be true!
For the journey
Is an eternal walk
Infinite is its path
Be yourself at best!
Be the real you!
For all else sheds itself
Like those petals strewn
To be, at best wayfarers
In the trysts of true lovers!
Savvy Raj
Savvy Raj 