Be a Bubble!!

Have you ever seen children play with soap bubbles? Many of us would even remember playing with them in our own childhood. Have you noticed how excited and happy you felt when these bubbles would burst? Do you know why we laugh when they burst?

Every time the bubbles touch us, they burst and make us laugh. Isn’t it wonderful how something that holds nothing and is made up of nothing brings us so much joy? A small bubble has the power to elevate our mood, so imagine how much happiness we all can bring in somebody else’s life! Our presence should be light like a bubble… every person should feel lighter and happier after meeting us. Even if we make somebody happy for some time, one of the purposes of our life will be served. Be committed to being happy and spreading the happiness without getting attached to people. We all must be like these bubbles, but bubbles without the gum!!

1 tapa old and still going strong!

Hindus across the world are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi today. This also commemorates the beginning of Ganeshotsav or Festival of Ganesha which will go on for another 10 days. The entire city has been dressed up in bright lights and colors and people can be heard shouting “Ganpati Bappa Morya” as you walk down the road. Today, everybody is celebrating the Lord’s festival. And we aren’t far behind.

Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi has been a part of our family tradition and this year we complete 70 years. The practice that was started by my grandfather in 1942 was continued by my father and is now overlooked by me. Over the next one and a half day, our house will be open to anybody and everybody to seek the blessings of the Lord.

Apart from completing 7 decades of a family tradition, today is a special day for me because of another reason too. On this auspicious day today, I complete 12 years in the Art of Living family. It is said that 12 years equal 1 tapa and I’m glad to tell you that I’m successfully 1 tapa old now!

Lord Ganesha is the symbol of prosperity and good luck. Honestly, I couldn’t have agreed more. I’d set out on a road 12 years ago as a naive person who had no clue where his life was heading. But Lord Ganesha showered his blessings on me and guided me to that one soul, who would change my life forever. Maybe it was the result of a tradition that my previous two generations dedicatedly followed that I was chosen to be transformed into the person I am today.

The journey on this path has been extremely enriching. I’ve met scores of people, learnt loads of new things and still managed to dive deep inside myself. But all of this wouldn’t have been possible without one person, my guiding light and my master, Gurudeva Sri Sri Ravishankar ji. I’ve managed to stay on this path only and only because of him. I bow down to my Guru in reverence and seek his blessings and pray that I continue to do what I love doing the most, my Guru’s work.

I pray that on this auspicious day, everybody’s materialistic as well as spiritual life be enriched and uplifted.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Jai Gurudeva.

Be a Player

What makes a player "great player"?

Success? Style? Fame? Attitude?

I guess not.

I believe it is the love and dedication for the game that makes a player great. It's also about living the game to its fullest on the field and most importantly, off the field too. It is also crucial to engage in activities that will help one grow in that particular game. Also, discipline helps keeps one in check and on the right track.

There's an old saying that "Failures are the stepping stones to success". Likewise, one can never be a great player if he never faces failures. Overcoming one's failures and bouncing back in action are signs of a great player. In this process, not only does one uplift himself but also inspires the rest to push their limits and transform their lives.

I believe that life is also a game where its quality depends on how we live/ play it. No matter the odds are, we should live it to the fullest with love and dedication.

A one-pointed focus on the goal helps ignore the rest of the incidents happening around us that create distractions. This is also a sign on a great player.

I believe that this is the way the game of life should be played, isn't it?

Teacher's Day

It's Teacher's Day today here in India and also the day when I step into the world of blogging. Here I am, welcoming you to my new endeavor that will help me to share my experiences with you in detail (no 140 words limit here!).
On this auspicious occasion of Teacher's Day, I want to first thank my greatest teacher and spiritual Guru, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankarji for making my life a constant celebration. Without his guidance and presence, I would not have been where I am today. I owe myself to my master.
I also wish to thank all those who have stood by me and made me a better person, whether it was my teachers at school or college. I also wish to thank those who have knowingly or unknowingly given me valuable lessons at various points in life and made me wiser and humbler.
Sri Sri says "A student means one who can stand independently", and so I'm grateful to all the teachers in my life who first made me stand independently and then also helped me to become a teacher. 
Lastly, I'd like to thank all my students without whom I wouldn't have been a teacher. Every teacher dreams of seeing his students rise above in life and achieve greater heights than himself. I believe that every student is capable of doing so; and as a teacher, I am always there to support you and help you rise up.

Happy Teacher's Day.

Jai Gurudeva.