The Quest

For some people, a quest may be encased in a religious experience—for others, it might be a crisis or a dramatic change in personal circumstances, such as a birth or death. And while religion is the spark that lights the fire within some individuals, it can also imposed a limiting structure with rules and belief systems that interfere with true personal growth—especially when the distinctions between religion and spirituality become blurred.

We believe that our purpose in being here is to grow spiritually. We do this in a variety of ways—none of which are better or lesser than others; but, rather, are chosen by us because we are at various stages of spiritual unfoldment. The goals of peace, integrity, clarity, compassion and in particular, the balance between mind and body through personal and spiritual development are essential to spiritual development, regardless of the particular path one chooses to follow. Spirit [God] is equally present in the job as in the remote mountainside.”

In the end, setting out on a spiritual quest—may be less a choice than it is a necessity. What often makes people begin a quest, is a feeling restlessness, and that something beyond is coming through to us, says Andrews. Begin by seeing your intentions. Set your intention to live a happier or fulfilling life. Speaking strictly to that intention will lead us to being aware of guides or teachers around us, someone who can help on the path. Again, it’s essential to set your intention to reclaim your own happiness and connection with life. I feel that the spiritual path to greater consciousness has been –part of the human experience forever, and always will be. - Fit Yoga

Fearing Factor

Whenever I am alone with my quiet times, I’ve always wondered who is braver—the person who has no fear of the one who has much fear but overcomes it. I fall into the second category most of the time. Imagine you do too. Almost every day we face circumstances we think might be too much to handle.

I have known many people filled with courage. My favorite is my mother when she was still alive. A pregnant women who was about to deliver her baby after a month of her due date. But delivered it early. This was happened to her again as her first baby was also a premature baby. She knows that it’s a risk for the baby’s condition when she will be delivered in premature way. The women had all her courage to face it as she was aware that it could be the cause of the death of her unborn child.

A friend who face the full courage about her mom who was on coma. He had to be strong to accept what will be the result in the end, as he knew that very few were healed with this kind of illness. But with all the strength he manages to have that courage to face the will the truth.
A woman tells her spiritual voyage has taken her through the darkness and the light. She struggles a lot with doubt and how a high purpose overcome it.

The ultimate triumph of faith over fear, of life over death; yet even Jesus shivered in the Garden of Gethsemane. To be afraid is to be human. It is our faith that bridges the gap between fear and action.

Dream Big

Somewhere I read that a goal is simply a dream that has been shared. So I want to share some of my dreams with you:

♥ Work Abroad.
♥ Help needy people.
♥ Lend a hand to Charitable Institutions.
♥ Drive my latest model car.
♥ Have my own house.
♥ Be famous as an athlete.
♥ Climb Mt. Everest.
♥ Go to a beach by myself.
♥ Observe a vow of silence for a day.
♥ Be a dog for a day like tikoy.

All right, so that last one is a little off the wall. But the rest are achievable, as I read one article written by Bob Haverstick which reminded me in his story Never Too Late. His organization makes wishes and dream come true for senior citizens, but really you are never too young or too old to dream, right? For me, dreams are a kind of spiritual yearning, a form of hope that is rooted in the belief that a loving God wants the best for us. So maybe God will allow me to Climb the Mt. Everest. But even if I don’t, the act of dreaming is a form of faith in and of itself. By dreaming we practice hope. We visualize the future and start to bring our dreams in life.

I want to know what your dreams are. Have you thought of anything you dream? We may not be able to make them come true, but we can let God and ourselves feel that we have a goal in our life. Isn’t it? And it’s all up to God if He will give it to us.

The Secret of Living

Good morning everyone. Ones again I’m greeting everyone a very Happy New Year. Start of the year 2010. I wish we should all start the year with a positive views in life. J. Carie Sexton gave his thoughts about the secret of living. Let me share you one article I read. This is good one.

The Secret of Living

To appreciate beauty and the gifts nature brings,
To discover the pleasure of life’s simplest things,
To remember the blessings we received every day,
To explore new horizons as we travel our way—
This is the Secret of Living

To find hope in each rainbow that appears in the sky,
To give comfort to strangers who may be passing by,
To keep smiling whenever there’s a task to be done,
To be gracious in losing and give thanks when we’ve won—
This is the Secret of Living.

To build meaningful values in this life that we live,
To be full of compassion and be willing to give,
To regards as a treasure every friendship we’ve made
And to find peace and love even time cannot fade—
This is the Secret of Living.

Basilica of St. Mary Major

According to an ancient tradition, the Blessed Mother appeared to a certain John, declaring that she wished a church to be dedicated in her honor in summer. Accordingly, Pope Liberius built a church on the Esquiline Hill in 352, which was later enlarged and consecrated by Sixtus III in 435. The Basilica contains the relic of the crib of Bethlehem, in which Christ was laid at this birth.

Visual source: media.photobucket

Worry-free Holidays (1 of 2)

Christmas is a time for spreading cheer and handing out gifts, but advice comes in handy too during this happy season. Here are answers to a few simple questions that may make your holidays truly worry-free:

Q: I am new at the office where I work as an Executive Secretary. I have been made to understand that it is de rigueur around here for secretaries to vie gifts to their bosses. Do you have any gift ideas that would be simple and practical enough, and yet fit a secretary a budget?

A: since you are his secretary, and are in contact with him practically the whole day, you yourself are in the best position to decide what gift would be most suited to your boss. Two rules to remember: One, do not give anything intimate, like an article of clothing. Your relationship with your boss is not personal, and it would not be appropriate for him to receive personal gifts from you. He could misconstrue this as an “invitation”. Rule number two: Practical, usable gifts are better. A tin of his favorite ground coffee or biscuits never fails, and does not cost too much either. Other choices would be a book he has always wanted to read, or a cassette tape of his favorite classical music.

Q: If an officemate or friend gives me a gift, am I obliged to give one in return?

A: Only if you can afford it. if you can’t,, a sincere, handwritten note of thanks wishing the giver a “Merry Christmas” will be much appreciated.

Q: My husband and I have been invited to have Christmas dinner at my in-laws’ place. My sisters-in-law, who are all very good cooks, have volunteered to handle the cooking chores. Since I’m not as good a cook as they are, what can I contribute to the dinner so I’m not left out?

A: Offer to handle some of the non-cooking chores, like calling up other guests to remind them, decorating and fixing up the place, or handling the marketing. Bu offering to help them this way, you save them time that they can use to complete other, more important tasks. Believe me, your efforts will be just as appreciated.

Q: I’ll be hosting a party at home for some close friends. could you give me some quick and inexpensive decorating tips? I plan to have the party outdoors, on my porch.

A: Outdoor parties are the easiest to decorate for, since you can use the natural scenery as inexpensive props. Why not string small shrubs with little Tivoli lights? You can hang tinfoil stars or icicles from tree branches. Or make a cheerful centerpiece from apples, candy canes and sprigs of green from your tree or wreath.

Worry-free Holidays (2 of 2)

Q: I am sales executive of a large, multinational company. during Christmas, I get a lot of gifts from clients and suppliers, and more often than not, I end up with things like four fruitcakes, seven gift baskets, and so on. Would it be all right for me to “recycle” some of these gifts and give them to other people?

A: that is perfectly all right, but make sure you don’t end up diving the same gift back to its original giver. Keep track of which “Recycled gifts” you give to whom by keeping a written list.

Q: Is it proper to give—and receive—cash gifts at Christmas?

A: It depends on the age and status of the recipients. Young children below ten years of age would prefer simple gift wrapped times. For them, half the thrill in receiving a gift lies in tearing open the gaily—colored wrapping. You are safer giving cash gifts to older children and teenagers who understand the concept of money and who are old enough to make decisions about what they would really like. Moreover, giving them money gives them the freedom to make a decision and saves you from having to take back a gift that is not the right size or color. Adolescents grow very quickly, and are very sensitive to fads, and what you buy may not be currently “in”.

Cash gifts would not be appropriate for a person in authority, such as boss or supervisor. They are also not available for older relatives, who, like a boss would be more appreciative of the trouble you went through trying to pick out a suitable gift for them instead of resorting to just stuffing money in an envelop.

Q: If I receive a gift that does not fit, how can I return it without offending the giver?

A: if you know where she bought the gift, try bringing it directly to the store to exchange it for the same item of the correct size. This will save the giver the trouble of actually having to go to the store herself. If not, explain to her that you like the gift so much that you can’t bear not to wear (or use) it because it’s the wrong size, and ask if she would accompany you to the store where she bought it, to have it changed. Don’t forget to thank her, and emphasize that you only want the size, not the item, changed.

Christmas can really be an enjoyable time for all concerned. With the right information and advice, celebrating the holidays is no fuss at all. - Nestle

The Holy Door

The Holy Door symbolizes Jesus Christ, who said: “I am the gate: whoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9). As it was prophesied. “This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter” (Psalm 118:20). By passing through the Holy Door we profess that Jesus is the Messiah.

Visual source: travelpod

The Pieta of Michelangelo

You can find this beautiful creation of Michelangelo inside the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It is "The Pieta of Michelangelo."

Visual source: panathinaeos

The Basilica of St. Peter in rome

The Jubilee 2000 begins on Christmas Eve of December 25, 1999, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, and ends with its closing on Epiphany, January 6, 2001.

Visual source: ivarfjeld

Sunset

“Sunset in our life”. Simple words and yet deep meaning. There are times in our life that we sometimes feel that it’s the end of the world. It’s natural. But after the storm in our life there will always be a light. We should just trust to our God Almighty. He will not give us trial if He thinks we can’t handle it. Have faith . . . that’s all we need to do. Soon there will be a “Sunrise”.

Special Day of Daddy!

Today is the special day of my father. If he was still alive today, he is already 83 years old. In this picture he is still at the peak of his badminton career. He became the First National Badminton Champion (Men’s Division). I am proud to be the daughter of him. “Happy Birthday Daddy!”