COURAGE - JUST 20 SECONDS OF IT

(Quote from the beautiful, touching and inspiring movie "We bought a Zoo")

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - THREE DIFFERENT BIRDS

This photo was taken in Stradford Upon Avon, UK.

GOOD BOOK - INTERPRETER OF MALADIES BY JHUMPA LAHIRI

My son told me about this beautiful Pulitzer Prize winning book that he read two weeks ago,  'Interpreter of Maladies' by gifted writer Jhumpa Lahiri. He said he enjoyed it a lot and recommended I should read it. It was published long back in 1999. It's a collection of nine short stories and my son was telling me how each those nine stories were beautifully written by Jhump Lahiri. The book also won the Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award in 2000. Interpreter of Maladies had sold 15 million copies worldwide. After the book was published, it was chosen as The New Yorker's Best Debut of the Year.

The stories are about the lives of Indians and Indian Americans who are caught between the culture and Indian traditions they have inherited and the "New World". The stories are touching and seek love beyond the barriers of culture and generations.

Jhumpa Lahiri, 45 was born in London and raised in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. If  you have a love for reading good books, try to get this book for you will definitely enjoy it.

Other books by Jhumpa Lahiri - Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth

Author Jhumpa Lahiri

HUMOR - EXPRESSING EMOTIONS TO SPOUSE

ART WORK - HE LIVES IN MY CLOSET

An interesting work of art by Sonya Revell titled 'He lives in my Closet'. I liked it the moment I saw this creative work by Sonya.  Using a camera, she constructs and creates imagery inspired by her delightful daydreams of dazzling colors and capricious characters. Sonya Revell hails from Kentucky.

WHAT DOES THE WAY YOU COMMUNICATE SAY ABOUT YOU?

We spend a fair amount of time each day talking to so many people around us. What do we really talk about? What does the content of our communcation revolve around? Now this is other than work. What I am talking about is communication on a personal level. We talk the same old way to our families, friends, co-workers and even make the same fleeting conversations with sales persons in supermarkets and department stores. Pay attention to your conversation and what you choose to communicate about. What is the message you are giving out about yourself constantly? Do you find yourself talking about interesting things or events, positive things, and some of it even laced with humor? Or each time you talk, you are gossiping about others on matters you heard through the grapevine which you are not even sure of, complaining about trivial things which need not be blown out of proportion, bragging to prove that you are way bigger than those around you, or your conversation is laced with frustration or negativity?

If your conversation is laced with negativity, frustration, continuous complains or whining, it's like being an energy vampire, sucking people's energy, leaving them tired and depleted, which is actually a terrible thing to do to them and yourself. Share your problems with your family or close friends. Those who truly care will point out your mistakes rather than agree or support anything wrong you do. Be wise to consider the essence of all the good advice and then stop right there. Don't keep unloading on them non-stop as if your friends and family are some trash cans.  Remember everyone is fighting their own battle. If you look deep into some of the people's lives, your problems might be nothing or almost insignificant compared to theirs. Avoid gossiping about other people, for you are not in their shoes and do not know if what you are gossiping about might be true or half true or not even true. Other people's lives are their business and not yours. I have a friend who brags non-stop. I don't know if I should call her a friend, for most of her grandeur stories are false and fabricated to create an 'impression'. People who brag non stop can be boring, and intolerable after a while. One doesnot have to brag to impress. Just be who you are. People can see right through you. Worst of all, never carry your personal problems to work, and whine to your boss and co-workers. That will put you in bad spot or reflect on your negatively for you might be misunderstood and misconstrued as emotionally unfit to do justice to your work.

Most of the time, you can work on your inner self, address whatever issues you face and the solutions and answers you seek would be right within you. Sometimes, a change of attitude or perspective or compromise can alter many difficult situations. If there is something you can't do anything about, be patient, some problems just go away on their own as time always changes so many things. For your own emotional wellness and to cultivate a healthy attitude and mindset, and to be brimming with positive energy, be mindful of your communication. No one likes to be around a person who is habitually negative, full of woes and unending saga of complaints and frustrations, or a braggart, as if the whole world revolves around them. Just that sometimes people are too polite to tell you, 'That's enough, stop complaining so much, we have our own problems.' Mindfulness in communication will bring peace and happiness in you, improve your confidence and make you feel empowered, erase many of the negativities in your life,  and you know what, some of that positivity will rub on to others as well.

BELIEVE PASSIONATELY IN YOUR DREAMS TO MAKE IT COME TRUE

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - LOVELY SEAL SKIN PRODUCTS

Seal skin shoes

seal skin toys and footwear

seal skin purse and bag

Don't these seal skin products look lovely? These photos were taken at the Acquarium, Niagara, New York.

IKEA FLOATING MARKET IN REGENT CANAL LONDON

IKEA set up a one day Floating Market in Regent’s Canal in North London showcasing their latest collection. Visitors must had a wonderful time viewing the collection while enjoying a scenic boat trip down the canal, with the sight, sounds and smells of an authentic floating night market. Via Ikea UK Facebook Page (see more pictures)

FARMER'S MARKET IN GEANT 360 MALL

I was at Geant Hypermarket on Saturday and noticed they had a Farmer's Market section, where absolutely fresh produce, honey, pickles, eggs, dried fruit, and lot many items are available. Next time you visit Geant, be sure to take a look at the Farmer's Market section.

Farmer's Market section

Dried pineapple and dried mango. (I should try these...)

I fell in love with the beans, it was soooo green and fresh.....(You know green beans are nature's greatest  vegetable for health)

Local honey

WEIGHT LOSS - AVOID HIGH CALORIE FOODS WHEN YOU VISIT FRIENDS

Are you trying to lose weight and you have been doing a good job by avoiding high calorie foods filled with fats or sugar? And you have been fairly successfully following a pattern of healthy eating, until your friends decided to call you for an all girls or all ladies get together or for tea. You are worried if they'd take offense when you refuse or avoid all those goodies like cakes, pastries, cookies or snacks they may offer. Well, just tell them the truth. They may push you at first, saying a little bit of this or that won't make you fat and you can go back on your diet tomorrow. Smile and go for the tea or coffee with a teaspoon of sugar or fresh juice and avoid the snacks and cakes. Busy yourself with conversation and catch up with all the latest happenings in your friends' lives and  don't even look at the cakes, pastries or snacks to avoid temptation. Well, okay...look but restrain yourself. Don't let your hand reach out for any of these fattening foods. If they can't take no for an answer, say you will have it later. In all probability they may forget and not force you after that. And if they remind you, tell them, you feel full already and to pack it and give it you. Take it home and give it to your husband (if he is not on a weight loss regime) or children. A note of caution...don't make the mistake of taking it home and 'sharing' it with others by taking a couple of bites yourself. Self restraint is a great tool that overpowers the desire to  indulge.

WHEN YOU CANNOT CONTROL ALL THE EVENTS THAT HAPPEN TO YOU

DESIGUAL NEW COLLECTION

I enjoy dropping into Desigual. I love the colors and shades in the clothes they have. Very playful and artistic. Most of the outfits have bright shades and combination of colors. Some of the outfits can really brighten up a person's moods.  I think the designers for Desigual are very creative, always coming up with a unique set of designs and clothing that would go well on young ladies. I like their bag collection as well. Usually the outlet is dimly lit, but when I was there on Saturday, the shop had brighter lights which enhanced the beauty of their new collection. They have artificial jewellery, but not a huge variety.

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - GRILLED FISH

I love grilled fish with bit of spices and herbs. This photo was taken at Geant Hypermarket. The grilled fish they have at the Hot Food counter is really good, because we had tried it before. I didnt buy it this time. What I did was I bought fresh fish so I can apply some nice marinade and then grill it myself - soon in two days time.

IMPORTANCE OF MONEY AND WHAT YOU CANNOT BUY WITH MONEY

I for one believe it's a good thing to attract financial abundance. Be thankful for your blessings if you are earning enough or even plenty of money through right means. We need money to survive,  to buy the things we need. To pay the rent, for our daily food, for our children's education, for our hospital bills, vehicle repairs, for our travel,  for our investments, to buy a house, save for our future, and what not, the list goes on...

Human desires and wants are, well, actually endless.  There is nothing wrong in that, so as long as we are not stepping on someone else's toes or pulling someone down as we climb the ladder or harming someone in our quest for money success.  In fact we need money to live in this world and we certainly can't survive without money. If you are blessed financially, do make it a point to help at least one person in dire need, or keep aside a little money for a good cause. Do something nice or useful for an orphan, for the aged, for the sick, or help with a child's education, and make a difference as the universe has helped you.

All said and done, there is a flip side to it, you see, money cannot  buy everything. So what are those things money cannot buy? Take a look at this inspiring, thought provoking message....

It's not the quanity of things you can buy with money that counts at the end of the day, it's the values by which you live, the quality of life you lead, love and support of your family and friends, that makes you feel fulfilled and truly happy. 

CHOICE OF QUENCHING THIRST WITH WATER OR SOFT DRINK

It was after a huge gap, I had soft drink few days back. Truthfully, I enjoyed it. Brought back childhood memories. It always does. I was such a soft drink addict as a child. Not anymore though. You know what, when you are thirsty, reach out for plain water instead of soft drink. It will only make you healthy.  

When I was a small kid, a delivery van with different kinds of soft drinks used to deliver at every door, soft drink of our choice, and boy was it exciting back then. Little did I know what soft drink contained and how harmful it is really for our health. We'd keep them refrigerated; open bottles whenever we feel like and drink it cold and it tasted great. Most adults and kids were addicted to it. What about water? Nooooo.... as kids we prefered soft drinks - we'd have a bottle while we watch t.v, or we return after playing outside or while doing some art work. When guests come home, we'd open bottles and pour them into glasses, drop ice and serve. Today I'd never give this unhealthy drink to any of my friends visiting me.  I still remember my mom warning me, don't touch the cola, you have to have your lunch, or no playing outside in evening. Years have passed, and today, I drink cola only once in a while. But you know that once is while is still pretty exciting - I still love the taste of cola but I long got rid of the habit of buying and keeping at home. Just stick to plain water to quench your thrist. And your body needs lots of water for all the vital functioning.

What do soft drinks contain really? Why is it bad for us? What happens to us if consume soft drinks on a regular basis?

* Consuming soft drinks on a regular basis lead to obesity.

* Soft drinks contain large amounts of sugar and habitual intake can cause diabetes

* It weakens the bones and cause osteoporosis.

* Increases the risk of tooth decay. The acidic content in soft drinks can dissolve the tooth enamel and make them weaker.

* Causes kidney stones

* Impaires digestion and our digestive system.

* Both sugar and caffeine components in soft drinks are dehydrating agents and cause dehydration in our bodies.

* They contain strong amount of caffeine which causes irritability, restlessness, tension, high blood pressure, excessive urination and other side effects.

* Soft drinks increase blood pressure.

* Has harmful effects on liver.

* The sweetener used in soft drinks is Aspartame which is 200 times sweeter than normal sugar and is harmful with many side effects.