Milestones of 2023 – New record in the number of posts this year - …. Posts

 

Milestones of 2023 – New record in the number of posts this year - …. Posts 

The total number of posts for this year stands at “ 234” as on 31^st Dec 2023.

This is a new record!

Hurray for that!

It shows – We may seem lagging in our target that is set in any aspect of our life, but when we tighten our seat belt and set to work honestly and sincerely, we can always make ‘history’.

Don’t go on a guilt ride of “wasted time”.

Don’t keep going around “but if only I/he/we had done….”.

Whenever you realize you have wasted enough time, that is the right time. Then, don’t waste any more time and start working. Give your 100%. Don’t keep looking at the target. Don’t bother about the target!

Just keep working.

And, then, you’ll be surprised at the length of the journey you’ve made at the end of the journey!

So, similar to our ‘blog posts’ story!

Take this from this year’s blog – target reached and apply it in the area of your life that is relevant and important to you.

***

Note : One of you guessed we would cross 225 and we did....so technically each one of yours guess had come true!

Take a leaf from that too!

Question time:

So, what are your takes from blog this year?

How did it benefit you?

What are the changes you would like to see in the blog posts?

What are the things that you would prefer to delete from posts in the coming year?

What are your lessons from this "milestone reached"? How are you going to apply it in your life?

Share any other thing that comes to your mind/ understanding/ experience related to this blog/ blog posts....

 

December 31st – last day of the year – 2023

 

December 31^st – last day of the year – 2023

e.    Little moments of joy are many in between. In the rush of chasing bigger and meaningful dreams and desires, don’t miss out on living these lighter moments. At the end, only those matter. Bigger achievements are far in between. Chase them anyhow. But the little joys are score to a dozen a day. Chase them, live them, be with them. Awareness is all that is needed to live them. Collect them, before long you are rich with fond and sweet memories. Don’t underestimate the power of a penny!

f.   
Don’t fret and fume about the future. Just do your bit for today and the future will take care of itself – very well too!

g.     Time flies – both good and bad. So, in tough times, hold tight, be in sadhan and try to make contributions, however small in every field to come out better than last time!

h.   Be in sadhan in good times, so that you develop clarity of thought to face tough times when they do. You’ll develop internal and mental strength to face tough times when they come. Little by little your strength increases – be in sadhan every single day.

i.    Bring your awareness to every single act of the day! That way, you would have cherished what you lived. Otherwise, we mostly just exist. We pass our days like zombies! Think about it!

Care to add some more points here??!!

So, let's take these lessons and start this year. This way, our journey for this year has already got the momentum it so deserves. 

Now, we are ready to welcome this year - 2024!

**********         

# milestones, end of year 2023, start of new beginning, every old gives rise to new, year end,

Question time:

    So, what other lessons have you learnt this year?

  What are your achievements for this year?

     What are your goals for this coming year - 2024?

December 31st – last day of the year – 2023

 

December 31^st – last day of the year – 2023

So, the year 2023 ends! With it comes a new beginning – the year 2024.

At the start of the year, the year seems so long and so full of dreams and hopes. We are all excited and looking forward for our dreams to be fulfilled. And, at the end of the year, the whole year seems to have “just passed by”. So it is with this year too!

So, what are the lessons we can learn from this?

a.    Time flies. We assume there is lot of time to do the “right thing” like meditating, healing, being in sadhan and lo! The entire life has just flown off…

b.    Now, is the time to do the “right things” of life. Those are the only things that are going to come with us. All other things and people of this world are going to stay back here for everyone! Enjoy the things and time with people in your life but also take REGULAR time to be with yourself and that happens only when you are in sadhan.

c.     Sadhan, meditation, healing is the way to get reconnected with oneself. Don’t miss that out for anything – I repeat, anything of this World!

d.    Little deeds of goodness can be sown now and here. In the process of wanting to do something big and meaningful, don’t waste time. Don’t postpone doing good now! Do whatever you can, however small it seems, right now, right here! Remember, time flies.

Contd....

# milestones, end of year 2023, start of new beginning, every old gives rise to new, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=year+end

Penny a day – target for the year 2024 - starting January 1st - Day after tomorrow!

Penny a day – target for the year 2024 - starting January 1st...Day after tomorrow!

Money-wise, let’s do a small exercise. Go start an account in Bank if you have only one. If you already have two accounts, then keep one account for this exercise. Better still would be opening an account called “Multiple Deposit RD Scheme” – where it is a RD account but you can change the amount deposited every month. Nationalized banks have them. If not, just use ordinary account for this exercise.

Keep a box or piggy bank for this. Involve your child if you have one who is at an impressionable age to teach the basics and importance of saving little.

Now in that piggy bank, deposit Rs.1/- (Yes, you heard it right. Just one rupee the first day, i.e., January 1^st).

Next day, deposit Rs.2/-.

And the day later, deposit Rs.3/-.

This way, just increase one rupee more per day.

a. 
    When you come to Rs.100/-, it may be difficult for most of you. Last month it would be Rs.9000/- for full month. So, everyone can try this. 

For those who find it difficult to deposit Rs.100/- every day and also increase by Rs.1- every day, start with Rs.1- again and repeat the cycle.

b.     Those who are abroad can start with just a penny a day and see results at the end of 31^st Dec.

c.      Those who can afford to deposit more than 100 per day, continue depositing by increasing 1/- rupee only over 100. That way you’ll be depositing Rs.365/- on 31^st Dec 24. 

Take out the money and count. You’ll be surprised at the amount you have saved. So will your child. Do this exercise without fail! Those who don’t have kids also can do this. I am doing it to be your partner in crime. So, you don’t have an excuse that “I am feeling lonely doing it alone maam”. Let’s start and play this little game.

Each one is going to follow a different denomination depending upon affordability. So, don't feel bad comparing your savings with others. Let's just make our pot of gold for once!

All those who want to make it big do this. Complaining, worrying, and fighting with others in family for not earning enough will not solve the monetary problem (both imaginary and real). Let’s take action and see results. Let’s own up our life for just one year and see results. Let’s start small. Let’s end this year with a bang!

I want to hear the tinkering sound of coins and pennies every single day! Every weekend, come back with a “I saved this week too” statement through the comments section.

** Those who are very rich for this also can participate.

** The rich can start with Rs.100 and increase the amount accordingly if you wish!

Hope this is clear!

***** 

        

# saving money, multiplying money earned, penny a day saved is good enough money at the end of the year, every drop maketh an ocean, being responsible for our future, make your future money ready, teaching children the importance of saving, 

 

End of year – 2023 - A round up!

Contd....

End of year – 2023 - A round-up!

Just remember that all this is for the higher cause. Enjoying things of this world is not the Be- all of our existence! Experience our ‘Beingness’ is! As you make your life comfortable, delve deeper within yourself to discover yourself. Don’t get bound by things of this World. Don’t be so blinded by them you choose every method to get them. They don’t deserve any importance apart from making our lives comfortable. Develop that clarity! Reiterate that every single second of your wakeful time!

When we are slaves of this world, we become selfish, self-centered, vicious, and live in eternal fear. Our pleasure and growth – both remain stunted.

Instead, grow in oneness. Aim high beyond selfish reasons. Think global. Achieve success and happiness by cultivating oneness, servitude, cooperation and harmony.

Bring a smile to every place you inhabit.

Seek the highest and don’t settle even for the second-best!

Concluded....

******* 

# year end, looking back, purpose of life, living life aimlessly, search within, kingdom of heaven, soul energy, soul power, unlimited scope of our expression, divine nature, asuric nature, attitudes, character, growing as a person, scaling heights of spirituality, ego, awareness, mindfulness, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2015/05/purpose-of-life.html 

and

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=temple+construction 

Year-end treasure hunt:

Let's look at all that the year gone by 2023 has left behind in our lives.

Let's make a memoir of things that we achieved this year.

Let's kneel down for all the things that worked out for us.

Let's celebrate and thank for all the dreams that have come true.

Let's bless others with all the riches that we have experienced this year.

Let's look at all the areas we worked on ourselves and feel the pride in the process and the steps we have taken towards our better self!

Let's thank for all the relationships that we earned or healed and enriched ourselves with affection in our lives.

Let's pat ourselves for having the courage to let go off the toxic relationships in our lives.

Let's look at all the milestones that we had set to cross this year and did!

And add anything else too if you please!

End of year – 2023 - A round up!

 

Contd....

End of year – 2023 - A round-up!

But, it can’t be yours despite it being yours till you hold on to your vikaras (negativities) like anger, jealousy, laziness, greed, selfishness, stupidity, and manipulation which is admired as “cleverness”, cheating, lying, dishonesty, double-standards, ingratitude, arrogance, inferiority complex, confusion, complaining nature, seeking pity, playing the victim or guilty and so on!

Find out what attitudes you’ve of these. For that, you need two great weapons – honesty and courage. Honesty to look at your true nature and courage to accept it without any justification. Drop them. You don’t need them. They are stopping you from being fearless, courageous, satisfied, independent and peaceful.

All this doesn’t mean you’ve to run away from the World or things of this world. You don’t have to go into some jungle in some loin cloth, no! Let’s take the middle path!

You don’t have to lead a sad, poverty-stricken life. Live life king-size! Go to an exotic location. Enjoy the best of food, clothing and shelter. Shop in the finest of malls. Enjoy all the comforts of the World.

Contd....

# year end, looking back, purpose of life, living life aimlessly, search within, kingdom of heaven, soul energy, soul power, unlimited scope of our expression, divine nature, asuric nature, attitudes, character, growing as a person, scaling heights of spirituality, ego, awareness, mindfulness, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=Me%2C+my+Guru+%E2%80%93+Full+moon+and+the+monk%21  

Clarification on homam:

Homam has to be performed at the designated time ONLY!

End of year – 2023 - A round up!

 

Contd....

End of year – 2023 - A round-up!

“Your life is a reflection of your thoughts”. A grateful mind is ever happy. And a happy mind creates a happy world.

A petty mind discusses, thinks (or rather judges), and focuses on petty, insignificant things.

An angry mind creates an angry disturbed chaotic world.

The world being the same for all, it appears different to different people. And that depends totally on one’s mindset. So, first take a little time daily, to bring awareness to your thoughts, and actions. Little by little see how and where your mind is resting every day!

Saint and the sinner – both have the same soul – same energy.

Krishan and Shakuni have same soul.

Buddha and the thief both have same soul.

Ramana Maharshi and you – both have same soul – then why the difference?

YOUR thoughts are scattered, disturbed, chaotic, unruly, distracted, unruly, distracted, inconsistent and have no focus what-so-ever!

Hence, they lose their power in being so. Collect them. Focus them. Raise them from petty things of this world to the higher things – step by step. With regular practice and sadhan. Tap into the immeasurable power within. Don’t be and live like a beggar seeking alms saying “maam, bless me so my desire be fulfilled” or “Bless me and work your magic” – DON’T!

You have got the power to move mountains! Aim for the highest!

Aim to tap into that unlimited power that is rightfully yours!

Contd....

# year end, looking back, purpose of life, living life aimlessly, search within, kingdom of heaven, soul energy, soul power, unlimited scope of our expression, divine nature, asuric nature, attitudes, character, growing as a person, scaling heights of spirituality, ego, awareness, mindfulness, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=Me%2C+my+Guru+%E2%80%93+fish+and+the+ascetic+ 

End of year – 2023 - A round up!

End of year – 2023 - A round-up!

One more year comes to an end!

Let’s reflect on the year and recollect all it has been to us. Reflect on all that has gone by. Reflect on yourself! Reflect on the purpose of your life. Does it have any? Or is it just a string of desires woven together and all you do is go from one desire to another? And you also think you’ve achieved a lot by leading such a life??!! Think about it.

Think about it for it’s your life! If you don’t who will?

At least, one day a year shouldn’t we set aside to ask such questions? After all, life once gone by can’t be retrieved. So, is knowing the' purpose of life' not all the more important question? don’t immediately ask  “ma’am, tell me my purpose”. No! Nobody can tell you your purpose of your life. You need to find that yourself. Don’t come up with shallow answers.  Don’t settle for shallow answers. Don’t go for fancy answers too (remember, you are not in Ms. World contest). Search for it within.

Are you just drifting aimlessly from point A to B or are you in the driver’s seat of your life? 

Contd....

# year end, looking back, purpose of life, living life aimlessly, search within, kingdom of heaven, soul energy, soul power, unlimited scope of our expression, divine nature, asuric nature, attitudes, character, growing as a person, scaling heights of spirituality, ego, awareness, mindfulness, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2016/06/applications-of-il-dolce-far-niente_3.html 

Milestones of 2023 – 225 posts

 

Milestones of 2023 – 225 posts

As of yesterday, we completed 225 posts for this year. As predicted by one of you, we have crossed 225 posts and couple more posts to go this year…new record set this year…..let’s see what that number would be….https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2023/12/milestones-2023-200-posts.html 

Read the links https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=milestones+posts to see how these blog posts can teach us some important lessons of life. If we don’t see these milestones as just a ‘random number of posts’ and ‘not much deal about them’ attitude to it, then we would be surprised how many of our questions are answered. So many of our fears put to rest with this understanding!

Let’s keep working on our goals, one step at a time. Let’s do our bit and leave the rest to time. Things will somehow work out right in the end. We may not see it as we start or as we are enroute but it will surely work out right. But, of course, there is a condition for that. The condition is, the intent should be pure and right, our effort 100% and we should be honest in our efforts. Perseverance and honesty are necessary ingredients for any success.

Even the unrighteous succeed in life or so it seems. But, that success is only temporary and ends up with lots of pain and suffering during the process and at the end of it too – for sure! The end doesn't justify the means!

All said and done, victory comes to all who have put in right efforts in right direction - always!

Christmas 2023

Christmas 2023

Come Christmas all one can think about is cakes, carols and Christmas tree. But, is that all it is about?

All these acts of festivities are the body of the Christmas. But what about the spirit of the festival?

And did you know that Christ was not born in December? December 25^th was celebrated to celebrate the winter solstice and to celebrate the birth of the Sun God. Later when Roman empire got baptized it changed this day when days would start getting longer as the “birth day of Jesus”. So, you see, a tradition doesn’t necessarily reveal or reflect the “Truth” after all! And to think, we fight all wars in the name of religion and traditions? Think about that!

To get to know the spirit of any religion or tradition we need to look into the person who started it. Know his spirit and find out what are the characters that shaped his essence. Jesus was driven by character traits of – forgiveness, being sensitive to the poor and needy, belief in the Almighty and working as an instrument to fulfill the command/desire of the Divine. He didn’t have any personal agenda to cater to. He forgave even the people who nailed him to death. His heart bled for the suffering and he would do anything to alleviate them of their suffering.

Now, when we eat the cake, are we also looking at these qualities that define Jesus? Are we invoking the Christ within us? Only if we do, is the real celebration of Christmas. It doesn’t matter which religion you follow. It doesn’t even matter with which name you refer to your God. But, Rigveda says “Aano bhadro krtavo yantu viswatah” meaning “Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions” – This is a Vedic Mantra from Rigveda 1:89. 1. So let’s live our Seer’s desire to receive good from all directions.

And is not forgiveness, working for the downtrodden, and being instrument of the Lord basis of our Sanatan Dharma?

May be we can’t imbibe all these qualities in toto in our lives, but we can have them as our road map. We can work towards them, one step at a time. And as Reiki Sadhak’s we have our techniques to develop these qualities. So this Christmas, let’s do them.

Let’s do charity – at least to one person (not to your maid or driver). Let’s do it to someone unknown to us – even just one packet of food (even fruits will do if you can’t cook). If you have a kid at home, let it be done through their hands. Let’s teach them young the concept of sharing with the needy.

You can also give your old clothes to the street children.

Now with the winter that is killing many, donate at least old blanket to one person.

All the suggested options are doable by one and all. I am not asking you to do it in lakhs. So everyone can do this! If you are on facebook/social media site, post your pic donating and start a “Share to care challenge” or "Christmas spirit challenge" . Ask others to do the same and ask them to post their pics too….this way each one doing charity even to one person we can make a huge difference in real time.

Meditate on “surrendering to Reiki/God” one minute a day.

Kuch alag karthe hai, is saal….let’s do something different this year – let’s bring home Christ this year!!!

*****

Christmas, Jesus, forgiveness, essence of festival, December 25th, celebrating festivals, 

also read: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=christmas 

 

Reflections – on celebrating being alone!

 

Contd.....

Reflections – on celebrating being alone!

So, the point here is, that we may end up being alone for some reason at some point in time. We can make it our ‘miserable time’ or ‘time to be with self’. We always complain that ‘we adjust’ because of others in our family. Use such times to ‘live life without adjustment’. Live such times with right perspective and these periods can end up being – rejuvenating, claiming and beneficial for our well-being. We can use it to know ourselves and get connected to self. We can enjoy the silence that comes with staying alone! We can fix our timetable wholly as per our wish and comfort. Benefits are many – for those who view it as a ‘me time’. Now, people are spending huge amounts to get detoxed through ‘me-time’ or ‘alone time’ vacays.

We are getting all that free of cost. We too can get that benefit if we choose to!

Loneliness or alone time – it’s all in the perception.

Tanhaee mein rahane mein aur tanha rahane mein faraq hai. Mein tanhaee ke saath rahata hoon.

There is a big difference between being alone and living in solitude. I live with myself. I want to live alone! And hence know that ‘solitude is bliss’.

 Concluded....

******       

# loneliness, alone, solitude, bliss, on relationships, happiness, joy, little joys of life, you are what you read, outer world reflection of inner world, inner joy, calmness, disturbed mind, disturbing emotions, confusion, chaos, inner chaos, clarity of thought, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2016/10/me-my-guru-bhagavatam_21.html 

Question time:

What did you find here today?

What is your take on this post?

Did you find the solution to your problem?

Did you find the answer to your question?

Is it applicable to your life? If yes, how?

Have you ever applied it in your life? What happened? Did it benefit you or hurt you?

Reflections – on celebrating being alone!

 

Reflections – on celebrating being alone!

Lucky for me I have been alone – for a couple of days – so will be for a couple of more days to come. This is bliss for it happens far in between for me!

Usually, on such occasions, I cook khichdi or some simple dish. But not today! I took a complete 45 minutes to cook. I enjoyed cooking for myself.

I cooked two dry sabzis (veg curries) and one liquid side dish. And in each of these dishes, I had more than one vegetable. Can you guess the total number of vegetables cooked by me today – six in all – potatoes, pumpkin white and red, drumstick, and lady’s finger? Also cooked leafy vegetables and used coconut too in the cooking. The plate was so colourful and inviting not to forget nutritious! 

Here, I am concentrating on cooking despite being single!  When there is less number of people, I hear people being depressed and uninterested – in anything! “What is there to cook? We are just two of us??!!”

“I stay alone. I am not married/separated or my family stays elsewhere – so why cook well or how can I enjoy cooking and eating if alone??”

This is an oft-repeated statement I get to hear a lot!

Being alone – for whatever the reason and for whatever time need not become a reason to feel low and miss out on living the little joys of life!

One, Shekhar was living in Mumbai all alone. His was a transferable job and he stayed alone for almost 3 years there/. Daily he would cook well including biryani and take even for his colleagues. They would be surprised that he is not only happy but also eating well and sharing his cooking with one and all! 

Contd.....

# loneliness, alone, solitude, bliss, on relationships, happiness, joy, little joys of life, you are what you read, outer world reflection of inner world, inner joy, calmness, disturbed mind, disturbing emotions, confusion, chaos, inner chaos, clarity of thought, 

also read suggested: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2018/05/i-am.html 

and

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2020/08/on-loneliness.html 

Question time:

Share your experiences of loneliness and solitude, if not in blog at least in your reiki journal. Then read it again after 3 days, 6 days and after 10 days. See how you feel about the same. Write that down too...

Only those who do this exercise will understand why it needed to be done....