The Silver Lining of My Dark Cloud

#TalesOf2015

“I’m sharing my #TalesOf2015 with BlogAdda.” As it was a prompt from BlogAdda which made me see the silver lining of my dark cloud that was 2015.

The prompt was to share our personal tales of 2015 and end it on a positive note so we could  start 2016, and inspire others also to, with a bright and right attitude.

I've never felt this low towards the end of the Georgian calendar since the Tsunami of 2004 which hit major part of South Asia.

Like all the other years even this year was a rollercoaster ride of emotions, perceptions and prospects, but I suppose the lows hit me a bit more sharply this year and their impending fear plus resulting hurt overrode a large part of the joy the highs gave.

Maybe it was because I've waited long (years) for few things to happen, and now I've lost hope for some of the precious ones, and lost all desire in few of the others. This year even brought to light the fact that what precious little I have in my life, that make my world, are brittle like a dream and my deepest fears are not that improbable too.

I don't want to dwell on their chances or impact as I'm not ready to face any of them yet, and BlogAdda too wished us to look at the brighter side of our year that departs. And for this prompt I'll ever be grateful to this forum because it made me see how bright and beautiful my silver lining actually is.

The biggest gifts of my life have always been my friends. I've met such wonderful people from so many walks of life from the world over in my life, and so many of them have become such dear friends to me that I cannot imagine my life without them. I even began this year with a series of guest posts featuring some of my best friends I made last year- Elly Stornebrink, Judy Yaron, Cindy Ackley, Huma Masood, and Sophie Bowns (though I very regretfully couldn't post the latter two awesome people's due to a major technical cliche).

This year blessed me with the friendship of few more such wonderful personas:
Anna Geller, is an amazing spiritual healer, motivationalist, entrepreneur, and a young lady with a pure and loving heart.

Emilia Previdi, who is an awesome fanfiction author, a hardworking woman and a dedicated wife and mother. Her wisdom and love are a true treasure.

Jeanneclaire Probst, is a celebrated author and beautiful poet, and a person who is so full of love and encouragement that every gesture from her are like antidotes against gloom and negativity.

Ophelia Elise West, is a person who is a natural silver lining seeker. She sees only the good and bright things of every situation, and spreads warmth and cheer around her like sunshine. She is a member of OneWish foundation, daughter of Jeanneclaire Probst, and the definition of inspiration.

Also this year I learnt to improve my writing and tailoring skills, became part of an amazing Facebook forum for she-preneurs Granny's Girls- GYM, learnt few new cuisines and touched new depths of my faith.

So, What Do I Take From 2015? What Did I Learn?

I take with me a renewed sense of self sufficiency that keeps me going despite all odds. I take with me the realization that The Almighty never abandons those who truly believe in him, and the assurance that no matter how low I feel, or lost I become I have friends who are only a click away and always there to embrace me in their warmth of love, wisdom and friendship.

I learnt that it is foolery to invest too much hope in life and dreams. Both are brittle in nature and hurt when their crash. Go with the tide and salvage what you can.

Pragmatism, Wisdom and Confidence are true treasures. Never rely completely on your mind nor your heart. Both are fickle implements and tend to behave with partiality. It's these three treasures that will help you gladiate through life.

Looking at the silver lining helps to clear the cobwebs in your mind and see things in a brighter and lighter light.

Happy 2016 to all!

My Inspiration- Judy Yaron

When I first read about the Tata motors blog prompt #madeofgreat, the first person I thought of was my dear friend and mentor Judy Yaron. She fits the slot perfectly, and so I knew I have to write this one in her honour. 

 A loving grandmother from Israel in her mid 60's and an earnest blogger, young at heart Dr. Judy Yaron has a Ph.D inShared Leadership. She is a Pedagogical Advisor (though she prefers to call herself as a Pedagogical Artist), a teacher, an A1 class content strategist, and proprietor of the website for writing solutions-www.cutthecrapsolutions.com.

 

She is also the founding member of the Facebook group Granny's Girls' GYM,which is dedicated to helping she-preneurs create quality content for learning materials, websites and opt-ins as well as to explore and utilise their Gifts and Geniuses, find their rhythm and get their ideas working. She also regularly contributes to several other such forums, and held a senior position in the Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP), an independent not-for-profit educational organisation based on a partnership between Australia and Israel. She has traveled around the globe training teachers to improve the learning of children in need, plan their curriculum and develop learning programs and materials.

 

Born to a highly respected US Navy officer, Zionist and author Haim Gershoni, and a beautiful, talented painting artist Marilyn Gershoni Jung, who immigrated to Israel, Judy takes after her parents amazingly.

A passion to serve, the courage to face any odds, love for everyone, boundless creativity, and a golden heart above all are what makes her so special, and a person #madeofgreat.

She has seen life in all its colours, welcomed every hardship that came her way, and conquered all her problems with a smile, sensibility, self confidence and strength. As straightforward and honest as she is in her opinion, she is never discouraging. She may tell you directly, when she feels that there is room for improvement, but she always treats everyone as equal, with fairness, compassion and respect.

I met Judy a little over a year ago on Facebook via a blogger's forum Ultimate Blog Challenge.  Our friendship was instantaneous.

Having spent years trying to find my space in the world of writing and failing one too many times by then, I was ready to give up everything, accept failure and lose myself in oblivion. But on Judy's insistence I decided to give the forum's month long Daily Blog Challenge a try. And her first comment on my first blog under the Challenge proved to be my anchor against my inner storm and a leverage to keep trying onto the end.

In consequence, I completed a very successful Challenge, improved my writing skills by degrees, reached international readers, and made some truly precious friends from around the world. Judy has always been by my side ever since providing me the much needed moral support, advice, counselling and career guidance. She has helped me find new avenues and learn from every new experience.

 

Judy Yaron for me is the definition of true friendship, perseverance, and wisdom. A woman #madeofgreat, made for great, and someone I will always admire and look up to from the bottom of my heart.
 

* To read an exclusive guest blog post of Judy Yaron on my blog site written earlier this year and have a glimpse of her visit the post "To Become an Ultra Orthodox"

* To understand better how special Judy truly is read one of her latest blogs- Don't you just hate it hate it hate it when people take take take?

 

* To know more about Tata motors campaign #madeofgreat with the amazing footballer Lionel Messi visit  http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

 

* You can know more about the YALP organization from their website. www.yalp.org.au/

 

* And here's a chance for my readers to win big. Amazon Voucher worth Rs.750 to be won for the best comment on this blog post which answers the question "What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?".

My Inspiration- Judy Yaron

When I first read about the Tata motors blog prompt #madeofgreat, the first person I thought of was my dear mentor and friend Judy Yaron. She fit the slot perfectly and I knew I have to write this one in her honour.

A loving grandmother from Israel in her mid 60's and an earnest blogger, young at heart Dr. Judy Yaron has a Ph.d in Shared Leadership. She is a pedagogical Advisor (though she prefers to call herself as a Pedagogical Artist), a teacher, an A1 class content strategist, and proprietor of the website for writing solutions- www.cutthecrapsolutions.com.

She is also the founding member of the Facebook group Granny's girls' GYM which is dedicated to help she-preneurs create opt-ins, explore and utilise their Gifts and Geniuses, find their rhythm and get their idea working. She also leads several other such forums, and is a member of the Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP), an independent not-for-profit educational organisation based on partnerships between Australia and Israel. She travels around the globe teaching special courses to children, helps schools plan their curriculum, and helps anyone in need.

Born to a highly respected American military officer, reformist and author Haim Gershoni, and a beautiful, talented painting artist Marilyn Gershoni Jung, who migrated to Israel when Judy was six years old, Judy takes after her parents amazingly.

A passion to serve, the courage to face any odds, love for everyone, boundless creativity, and a golden heart above all are what makes her so special, and a person #madeofgreat.

She has seen life in all its colours, welcomed every hardship that came her way, and conquered all her problems with a smile, sensibility, self confidence and strength. As Straightforward and honest she is in her opinion, she is never discouraging. She may tell you directly when you are at wrong, but she always treats everyone as equal, with fairness, compassion and respect.

I met Judy a little over a year ago on Facebook via a blogger's forum Ultimate Blog Challenge.  Our friendship was instantaneous.

Having spent years trying to find my space in the world of writing and failing one too many times by then, I was ready to give up everything, accept failure and lose myself in oblivion. But on Judy's insistence I decided to give the forum's month long Daily Blog Challenge a try. And her first comment on my first blog under the Challenge proved to be my anchor against my inner storm and a leverage to keep trying onto the end.

In consequence, I completed a very successful Challenge, improved my writing skills by degrees, reached international readers, and made some truly precious friends from around the world. Judy has always been by my side ever since providing me the much needed moral support, advice, counselling and career guidance. She has helped me find new avenues and learn from every new experience.

Judy Yaron for me is the definition of true friendship, perseverance, and wisdom. A woman #madeofgreat, made for great, and someone I will always admire and look up to from the bottom of my heart.

* To understand better how special Judy truly is read one of her latest blogs- Don't you just hate it hate it hate it when people take take take?

* To know more about Tata motors campaign #madeofgreat with the amazing footballer Lionel Messi visit http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

* You can know more about the YALP organization from their website www.yalp.org.au/

* And here's a chance for my readers to win big. Amazon Voucher worth Rs.750 to be won for the best comment on this blog post which answers the question "What do you think of Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi?".

Do, if you dare

I have seen lives ruin, homes shatter and promising futures dim out because of one deathly habit, yet I cannot understand the inducements it holds. The allurements of nicotine is strong and above rationality.

One of my very dear friend once asked me if I have to put my finger on one such habit in men that I really hate and beyond my tolerance which one would It be? I did not have to think long and the answer was straight and prompt: Smoking. (Being brought up in Indian scenario, incidences of women smokers is still not common and almost alien to me, and belonging to muslim community the evils of alcohol is equally remote).

My maternal great grandfather failed his lungs because of his addiction to beedi (a rustic form of cigarettes) and that heralded the downfall of his empire. I don't blame him for the consequences of his death, but he was a very commendable man and deserved a better death.

One of my aunt's husband was a chain smoker and died of lung cancer  within 13 years of their marriage. He was a very gregarious man and had thousands of colourful dreams. It took away his entire earnings and savings to try and save his life and in the end he left a void in his wife and two little boys lives, plus some really pressing and heavy debts. and I know how different their lives would have been if he had only kicked the habit and was still here.

My father's uncle invited Asthma on himself due to the same nagging habit of smoking, my mother's uncle died of heart failure because he couldn't kick the habit despite young with several family responsibilities and doctor's strict warning, and more recently one of my sister's brother-in-law suffered a nearly fatal gall-bladder infection as a result of his heavy smoking and had to have it chopped off to save his life.

If it did anybody any good, it was understandable, but God only knows what made man to invent such a nasty habit, and what hooks people to its horrible smoke! Of all thing I know, humans were and are better off without it.

A beautiful poem contributed by a wonderful friend I met recently, Jeanneclaire Probst.

And I do know a few men who won over it and whom I salute for their will-power and achievement.

My mother prides over her father who loved his family above himself, and when his mother-in-law showed him sense, on my mother's birth, to quit smoking for his better health and future, he took heed and never touched a cigarette again. Whenever he felt craving for it since then he looked at my mother and the innocent trust and love in her eyes steeled his will.

My uncle himself is so grateful for that one slap my father gave him when he was caught smoking for the first time. He says it was his wake-up call and he could not dare touch another cigarette for years after that and soon understood my father's care and his own good in that one slap.

Would love to read your thoughts on this post.

All those who smoke, just give this blog a serious thought and which is a better option for you?