Archive for January, 2007
Love is all that matters…
This is my 100th blog ever – and what started off three weeks ago as a firm commitment to my friend Kavit Haria to post 100 articles by the end of January has manifested.
My writing over the last few weeks and the articles have become a real labour of love. Which neatly brings me to the topic of love. For my 100th article, I had to choose the only thing that truly matters.
To me, life is very simple. Love is all that matters. If you get that message right now, then read no further - I have already served my purpose. Now go and live the rest of your life with that mantra in your heart. You will have daily miracles in your life.
However, if you want to learn more, then stay with me and let’s share a journey of exploration which will ultimately bring even more love into our world.
Eat your Sprouts Daily!
I am back on my favourite topic once again – FOOD!
One of the most nutritious and healthy things you can eat is sprouts. I don’t mean Brussel sprouts - but bean sprouts.
Eating well and eating healthy food is all part of getting the life you love. It is crucial that you begin to assess what you eat and how you eat.
Sprouting seeds is something you can easily start doing from today. In the picture above, you can see the bean sprouts I made only yesterday. The whole process took just two days using my method below:-
Carry out Random acts of Kindness daily
As part of Personal Socially Responsibility (PSR), you might want to consider carrying out random acts of kindness on a daily basis.
It is truly a win /win / win situation. The person you are being kind to benefits through your help. You feel good for having helped someone. And the world is a better place through your kindness.
“Personal Social Responsibility” is here to stay…
One of my key areas of interest has always been how we as individuals and groups can improve the world. To me it is all about addressing how we live our lives and the impact we have on everything and everyone around us, both locally and globally.
After all, a butterfly flapping its wings in Regents Park causes turbulence and havoc in New Orleans - now you know what really caused Katrina 
The point is that everything we do matters – and makes either a positive or a negative impact on everything around us.
Be the Change you want the World to be
Yesterday, 30th January was the anniversary of the death of Gandhi.
I was privileged to be part of an amazing candle-lit, inter-faith celebration of Gandhi’s life, in the middle of the City of London, at St Ethelburga’s Church.
This was the Annual Interfaith Event to celebrate Gandhi’s life organised by the Gandhi Foundation.
The faiths represented were Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Judaism and the Brahma Kumaris. They all spoke very eloquently about Gandhi’s life and how his teachings could be applied to avert climate change and bring more peace and love into the world today.
Our Light…
Some inspirational words continue to inspire you every time you hear them.
“Our Light” from Marianne Williamson has that power. The words are from her best selling book - A Return to Love (Amazon UK
I have heard these words said aloud on many occasions now and I still get goose bumps every time.
Nelson Mandela is said to have used some of these words, either during his inauguration as South African president, or soon after. But there is no record of this in any of his official speeches.
Ask and you will receive…
During the summer of 2005, I took a lot of time out to reflect and rejuvenate.
A major breakthrough also happened for me during that period of rest and reflection - I finally began to ASK people for help and support. Though I had always been great at giving, I was relatively poor at receiving and asking for help. That changed that summer - I was no longer “Mr Independent” and it felt great.
An Invitation…to reflect on your life
A few years ago, I came across some powerful and thought provoking words of inspiriation verse at just the right time in my life.
I was going through some major life changes, and a poem called “The Invitation” really resonated with me.
The verse is from a famous book - The Invitation (Amazon UK
Nirvana Children - you are so Beautiful.
I was lucky enough to visit Nirvana school once again in 2005 .
This was my third ever visit to the school, based in Pondicherry, South India. Depending on the prevailing weather and the taxi driver you get, the school is about two hours drive from Chennai.
Upon my return that year, I created a new website for Nirvana school - I felt I had to create a suitable tribute to the amazing work being done by a remarkable 65 year old woman, Vinumassi.
It just shows what is possible when you become clear about what is important in your life.
The Power of your Words
Many years ago, when I first got involved with Nirvana school, I gave a short ten minute speech about my recent visit to the school. The speech was after a golf tournament held to raise money for the school.
There were about 50 people in the audience, and though I knew most of them, I was extremely nervous. It was my first ever major public speech about a topic that I am very passionate about.
Your life is not a Wild Goose chase!
Next time you see a flock of Geese in the ski, just stop and marvel at the way they fly in “V”
formation.
As so often nature offers us a key lesssons in teamwork, sacrifice and community spirit.
Let your inner beauty blossom…
We all have so much inner beauty in us and yet we rarely let it emerge. As we go through life, it gets submerged and hidden amongst layers and layers of life experiences.
Yet we all have so much to offer - both to ourselves and others. So often we just have to seek out and find the inner beauty which is there just below the surface.
The True Joy in Life
I first came across these inspirational words from George Bernard Shaw a few years ago when I began my journey of self development and personal growth.
I was attending this personal development seminar, and the presenter ended the evening by quoting these words. It was a fitting end to an interesting period of learning and growth, and his words seemed to have a profound effect on most people in the room.
Inspiration of Desperation!
Do you remember cramming for a college exam the night before? You suddenly woke up to how imminent an exam was and you burnt the midnight oil to somehow get through. You also promised yourself that next time you would study much more consistently and not squander all that time.
You found yourself suddenly understanding everything and learning better and faster than ever before. You also wondered why you ever found the material difficult. For a few hours and days, you were “super smart”.
I call this phenomena “Inspiration of Desperation”!
Amenana – Food of the Gods
One of my favourite topics is FOOD
Nothing beats a nutritious home made meal, prepared from fresh ingredients. However the most ingredient with any dish is the thoughts you have as you prepare it. It is also important to serve the food with love and to create a pleasant atmosphere as you eat. You are after all serving your body which is a temple. Everything you put into your body is what will ultimately sustain, nourish and enrichen you.
A letter from Africa…
I recently received one of those emails which really warms your heart and inspires you with the kindness and self sacrifice some people put in for others.
Build up your self esteem
Do you suffer from low self esteem? Or are you someone who really believes in themselves?
Having positive self esteem makes you capable of meeting life’s challenges and allows you consider yourself worthy of happiness.
We all want to feel great about ourselves and to go through life feeling that we can conquer anything that comes our way. However, most of us suffer from simply feeling not good enough or lovable enough.
What is Love?
Every now and then, you come across a piece of writing or a quote which really moves you with its apparent simplicity and the depth of its meaning.
A while ago someone sent me this extract from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (by Louis de Bernieres):-
