Live Positive Way - Happy 2022!

Live Positive Way

Live Positive Way - Find Your Balance

Live Positive Way - Find Your Balance

"Every time you decide, you shift.

Choose who you want to be, and you will shift into that version of yourself.

You are always being led to your heart's core.

Reclaim your awareness. Be here now" (Anonymous).

- When I read this quote, I had an immediate profound connection with these lines. This is what today's blog is all about.

I am extremely grateful to my friends/blog-walkers who kept inquiring me about my well being, and was curious to know what happened to me since there was no posts from me for quite sometime and why I am not writing these days. My heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who is reading this right now. Thank you so much for believing in my words and for being there for me. Also, my apologies for the delay. Here we go!

'Positive Thoughts blogger' isn't a 'Superwoman', I too go through tough times in my life. I can be a motivator or an inspiration to a few, but I too have my ebb of life. I too get ignored by some close ones...have stressful days....and drift into deep emotional insecurity. At times I too long for validation of my thoughts, my feelings and my existence. Such periods existed for a couple of months now, but I don't lose myself entirely due to 3 things that I follow every day in my life.

Before getting into the blog, I must say that the recent festival time was awesome, which helped me rejuvenate and thanks to one of my close friends, Ms. Laxmi who said, 'Sugan am not able to find time for myself. Getting completely immersed in family, kids & work. How are you managing? Write about that'. This engaged me to pen down my thoughts here.

The three things that I mentioned earlier are tied up to two people. For two significant people I keep myself going. Come on! Don't start thinking about family, friends, or any special ones here... Nah! It's for the one who brought me into existence — my GOD, and the one who exists because of him — ME. Yes, sounds interesting right?

'My God and Me'.

Often people prioritize everything for everyone, but overlook these two significant people and put everyone and everything above them. And in the routine race we forget these two significant people. The magic happens only when we realise that even though we are struck in the mundane affairs, we have just this life for ourselves since the idea of rebirth too still is hypothetical, so...

No. 1 - God gives us 24 long hours a day. We meticulously formulate a time table in our mind for everything, but we really forget him. I have made my timetable, in which, daily I allocate an uninterrupted 30 minutes just to pay my gratitude to him. I do my slokha chantings in that time with absolute dedication. No phones in hand or will enable DND (DoNotDisturb mode), no house hold chores and I will strictly not entertain any external activities that time. I choose the time and my people respect and appreciate my thoughts and never disturb me. This undoubtedly helps me to hold on to my faith and the trust I have on my God Krishna. Each and every time when I face a challenge, my mind will immediately throw light on the fact that he is there for me to fix anything and it gives me reassurance.

No. 2 - Another 30 minutes I spend for myself. People close to me know that very well. I am my own admirer and my own lover. Some may mistake 'self-love' for being 'self-centered', but I think there is a subtle difference between them. I enjoy the bliss of solitude and self-love. Whatever be the issues that surround me, I surely have this 'Me Time'. Are you wondering what I will be doing at that alone time? A sample is readily available here, the blog post which I am drafting in my journal now, penning down my thoughts for all of us. Sometimes engrossed in a physical book copy in hand or reading a PDF in mobile. Some days I will be singing in my room with my Mike on as if a stage is set for me with millions off the dais cheering and listening to me. Sometimes I get on my room floor and dance bindaas. I give a damn to anyone who thinks I am insane or childish. Some days I simply sit and reflect on me...what am I going to do to make this present 'me' into a better 'me'. At times I will be watching my childhood heartthrob, Actor Akshay Kumar's songs and movies. I enjoy his screen presence which gives me a psychological satisfaction. (thanks to my super supportive husband who too eventually became his fan).You can include as many things as you want to, to this never ending list. What I believe is the fact that if I keep the 'child in me' happy I can rediscover the peace in me to tackle my stress.

No. 3 - Again, it's about me, but a little concerned about the people who need me in their life. I have to stay fit to keep them happy. For that and for my own benefits I complete my regular exercises. I at times club this with my No.2. For example; walking - with my earphones and MP3 on listening to my favourite songs. Do Zumba - since it is a fitness dance! Not exaggerating, but you bet me I will not hit my bed until and unless I finish the step count for walking I have set for myself or my plank counts, that's the commitment I have given to my own self which I can never ever break.

You may think it is possible for me and not for you, but trust me, we all are good with time management, it is only our conviction which should be strong enough to support us. These things I slowly cultivated in me for many years and these alone, I believe, are helping me cope up with my tough times. So far I have shared what I do to keep myself positive in my tough times and it is up to you, my dear blog walkers, to adapt or to skip these techniques.

In the process of becoming a Superwoman :)

Thanks again! Keep visiting my webpage!

Stay positive! 

- Suganthi Sankaran 

Educational Therapist, Positive Blogger & Counselor

Live Positive Way - From my lockdown diaries (4)

Live Positive Way

Even after a year, the Pandemic is still hanging around and striking us badly but anything and everything has to change and this too will change. Till then, have faith. The best times are ahead of us and if you are an atheist then trust in nature and if you are the theist like me, whatever your faith is, trust your God. He will protect us. I request all my blog walkers to stay safe, wear mask while you go out, wash hands regularly and maintain social distancing. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
 

वनमाली गदी शार्ङ्गी शङ्खी चक्री च नन्दकी |

श्रीमान्नारायणो विष्णुर्-वासुदेवोऽभिरक्षतु ||

 

vanamAli gadI shArngI shankhI chakrI cha nandakI

shrImAn nArAyaNo vishNur vAsudevo'bhirakshatu

 

Sriman Narayana, who wears the garland of flowers (vanamali) and who, has the mace (sharnga), conch, discus and the sword (nandaki)- may that all-pervasive Vasudeva protect us all.

-------

Sometimes we get inspired by people who are close to us. Not just our parents even our kids influence us a lot. My daughter does it so gracefully all the time. I see her as my grandma’s replica and she maintains her own rules. From her formative years she believes a lot in God and prayers (thanks to my mother who inspires her in this regard). Since when she was 8-9 years old, she started chanting “Vishnu Saharasnama” (Chanting sloka which consists 1,000 names of God Vishnu) and she can recite it by heart. I have always absorbed her chanting in the evenings which runs for about 40 minutes. She used to chant along with the voice of Ms. M S Subbulakshmi (prominent Carnatic singer), which plays out of an audio tape. I used to utilise that time for my dinner preparations. One day when I sat next to her, I was awestruck to see how meticulously she chants and I felt I must also start chanting daily. The next day I sat with her and started reciting the sloka with the help of online lyrics. When I started, I felt it will be extremely difficult for me to chant the entire phrase and expected it to be tough. To my surprise I was able to chant and I indeed started getting hints of the upcoming next phrases, rhyming stances, and the notations where I must give a stress, where to pause, everything in alignment with the way I was hearing. That was my first try, and I started wondering how I was able to read that well. Few days passed by and chanting in the evenings with my daughter became a new routine.

------

 
A few days back we celebrated Ram Navami, the birth day of Shri Ram. When I was young, we used to stay in East Tambaram and nearby there was an “Anjenaya Temple” and it is also known as “Ramar Kovil” since they have Ram, Sita & Laxman deities too. They used to celebrate Ram Navami during the month of March-April and the speciality about the temple is all that, for all those 30 days devotees will be offered Prasad of Pulisadham (Tamarind Rice) and Kadalai Sundal (Sundal -A dish made out of different legumes – here with white chickpeas) after their long pooja in the evening. Since by that time, schools will be closed for summer vacation and being fond of that temple offering I used to attend the function for all those 30 days without fail. Since temple will get crowded at the time of offerings and people who will be seated inside the premises will be given first preference I will be there inside the temple 1-2 hours before and used to sit there and watch the pooja. A group of devotees start chanting slokas and being a small girl then and the rhythm of their chanting and the evening breeze from trees make me fall asleep. Somehow I always wake up few minutes before the closure of pooja and get ready to have my favourite Prasad. This actually had run for several years. I used to always be present in those 30 days in that temple and have relished its Prasad every year. I have even taken my brother and friends along to enjoy that bliss.

-----

 
There is a link between the two shared events. The "Vishnu Sahasranamam” which I am chanting now as if I have known it for years is the same slokas which were recited in that temple those days. Though I didn’t know what they were chanting, it indeed got into my subconscious mind through ‘rote memory’ and when I chant now I am able to identify where to pause, where to stress, when it is going to end, etc. That is the super power of our subconscious mind.
 
When we were small, our teachers used to make us read or do the same work repeatedly. It was in fact to aid us to transfer the data from our subconscious mind to long-term memory so that it stays with us forever. If the rote memory which I had carried unknowingly can stay forever in mind then think about children learning things they love and do practise it regularly. It will help them do wonders in later part of their lives. We, as a parent/facilitator must support them to perform or practice things "repeatedly" in which they exhibit interest. This will certainly help them gain mastery in that field. To put in other words, positive conditioning with some stimulus will help, the way 'Prasad' acted as a stimulus to me in my story.
 
The story didn’t end here. We got shifted to a new residence and by then I became a grown-up girl. My parents never forced us to do anything in life and give utmost freedom to choose what we desire to do. It is same in following our religious faith too. When my dad found out that I like worshiping forms of Vishnu, he consistently supported me in a unique way. In our new locality, we used to go to another temple during Ram Navami and this temple had a different way of celebrating the event. They used to organise 'upanyasam', where an orator narrates the story of Lord Rama in a musical way. And at the end of each day before dispersal devotees will be offered Prasad and that Prasad will be sponsored by some volunteers/devotees. Sponsors used to take turns to prepare the same. While choosing the day, my dad always chooses the day on which my moon star falls in that month. He also encourages me to prepare the Prasad. He ensures that he supports me in every way he can, and I used to get so thrilled since Prasad needs to be made in huge quantities and we should not taste it during the process of making and only after serving it to all we get to know how it tastes. Thank God, it always tasted the best. Somehow at this place my stimuli were the appreciation that the people showered on me after knowing that the Prasad was made by me remained a motivating factor to prepare it for several years.
 
Even now when I make Prasad for God’s offering it comes out so well since that same involvement comes out automatically and it offers an inner satisfaction. I know times have changed now, and day in and day out we are running mechanically to make our ends meet but still we must try to help our children to know our custom, our traditional practices and our values because time will keep flying and all of us have to leave sooner or later but these are the few things that we teach and share with our children will remain as a guiding path for them. Today my dad is not with me physically, but I always feel if I keep doing all those which he fondly induced in me, that will definitely keep his soul happy and I am sure he must be talking about these things in the other dimension where he is now! Love you Appa for all that you provided me!
 

कायेन वाचा मनसेन्द्रियैर्वा बुद्ध्यात्मना वा प्रकृतेः स्वभावात् ।

करोमि यद्यद् सकलं परस्मै नारायणायेति समर्पयामि ॥

 

Kayena Vacha Mana-Sendriyair Va, Budhyaatmana Va Prakruteh Swabhavath

Karoami Yadyad Sakalam Parasmai, Narayana Yeti Samarpayami

 

Whatever I do with my body, speech, mind or with other senses of my body, or with my intellect and soul or with my innate natural tendencies I offer (dedicate) everything to Narayana - My Bhagwan Krishna!

- Suganthi Sankaran

Live Positive Way - Happy Women's Day

 

Live Positive Way - A special bonding!

Live Positive Way - A special bonding!

Let's start with a riddle...
Those sparkling eyes, ease out the pain.
That prettiest smile...relieves the stress.
It possesses no name, still adds meaning to life.
That demands no commitment, still it keeps going for years…
Create new chapters, revives old memories…

Just before starting this new blog post, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to those who read my blog posts regularly. Your valuable comments, your continuous support and encouraging words keep me motivated and help me pen down my thoughts regularly. 

Motivation – remains one predominant thing that pushes us to achieve more. The person who stays motivated can handle any situation, but sometimes we need something more than just motivation to stay active. Hope you agree! 

There are a few blessed people who stay afresh, keep accomplishing new things and always stay active. They are not supernatural beings but they must be having someone in their life who consistently keeps them happy. This "someone special" give them that much needed 'extra power' without even remotely realising that they are doing it. Even during extremely bad times just one ‘Hi’ message or even a ‘forward’ message from the "special someone" will brighten up the day. Wondering who this is? Since I mentioned ‘the special someone’ it doesn’t necessarily imply only the better-half.

This person 'may not' be our parents, spouse, siblings, friends, colleagues whom we meet every day, but that ‘special someone’ will still remain an integral part of our life. When we are struck in a profound tension, one call from this person will immediately light up our spirits. When we feel that none of our close relatives understand us or to support us, this "special someone" will ensure that they are there for us always and will share a perpetual bonding and an emotional comfort. A casual glance from a distance, a quick meal together, a short ride with this person, can keep our mind charged up for a longer time.

Some relationships in life come without a ‘name tag, yet they become very close to heart'. They will help us understand ourselves better and make us feel our real worth and keep us going when we experience challenging times in life. They will be our confidant with whom we can share all our fears and challenges and be assured that they will never take advantage of our short-comings.

There be crazy moments of casual leg pulling and funny chats too. We will feel like a child when we are with them. They may even be distance apart and might hardly meet them but when we catch-up, it be an instant connect and feel like picking up the chat from where we left yesterday and the comfort that we have with them will be unmatched.

Not everyone whom we meet in our life can stir the magic inside us, but such a special person 'can' create that magic in our life. We keep wondering on how to label that relationship? Brotherhood? Sisterhood? Love? ‘Best friends’? But actually it does not fit into only one of these categories instead it stands above all these nomenclatures and stays special in our heart forever. It’s unimaginable to think of our good days without them even if they aren’t a part of our every day’s routine life. They will never breach our trust, there will be a small distance at times but eventually they are back in our life. There will always be something special with this person---a relationship without a “Name Tag.” 

I always have the habit of putting a name tag for everyone I meet. I make them my brother, sister, aunt, friend, etc. But with age and maturity I feel it is not necessary to have a name tag for every relationship that we make. There exists some relationship with special bonding 'without a name tag', and yet will outshine all other relationships, it is meant to be called - the soul connection – an ‘eternal’ relationship? 

We are constantly taught and conditioned by our society to create such tags for every human being that we meet in our life but I feel it is not necessary at all. All the while when you were reading this blog you might have thought about someone who fits into this category. If you have such a bonding with a 'special someone' you are lucky. By the way some may think such a relationship without a name tag can exist only between people of opposite sex, but that’s not true. It can be between people of same sex, without any age bar, can be a small child next door, it can be an elderly person with whom you interact with. As love has no bounds so do certain relationships. Keep that relationship alive and the spark alive.

It has no name, yet profoundly meaningful.
That demands no commitment, still it keeps going for years…
Creating new chapters, new memories…Forever and ever…
 
Keep blog walking! Stay positive!

- Suganthi Sankaran