Four Months. Four Lessons.

A thousand miles away from my home town, I stand here, in the heart of Bangalore, looking outside the window of my shared apartment, reminiscing about my new life. It's hard to believe that I have completed four fabulous months in the garden city of India. So, in this blog post, I'd be sharing four life lessons that living away from home has taught me in these four months.

1) It's okay- best, in fact- to be just the way you are.

2) No matter how busy you get, finding time for your loved ones back home is an absolute must.

3) You can't choose your classmates or co-workers, but you can choose your attitude in the classroom or the cubicle.

4) Everybody is fighting a battle they don't want to lose. Sometimes they may behave badly. But that doesn't mean they are bad.

The Happy Poem

You are wiser than you think you are And there is no reason for you to ever believe That serenity and peace is a dream too far

For, peace of mind is a thing you need Same for joy, and grace indeed And let us not forget, the power of love The green of a leaf and the white of a dove And the magic of being the way you want to be This world, my child, has many great sights to see So put on your shoes and trek around I wish you thrill and kicks abound Love your life, love the way it goes And keep on grasping the many lessons it shows Find your bliss in the warmth of your kin But be sure and strong, develop a hard skin And don't ever lose the wonder in your eyes The red of the sun and the blue of the skies Ride on your faith, give it a fair chance As the famous song goes, I hope you dance

A Funny Take on Life

Didn't you know
Life's not fair?
Did you ever
go missing in the fair?
Would you say
They don't really care?
In that classic race,
Are you the hare?

Do you feel you talk more
Than your friends ever share?
Have you still not found
Your ideal pair?
Do you often find yourself
Giving them a cold stare?

Tell you what, 
You just need some fresh air
Or maybe grow back your hair
Or, if you are wild, have an affair!
This life's like one big bubble,
Before it bursts, go out there
And dare!

Guest Post: Life's Simple Pleasures

"Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music."
- William Stafford

I was updating my 'To-Do' list while returning home in an auto today. It was a bumpy ride and I was cursing the roads. I looked outside; there was a furniture shop and in front of it, I saw two school kids bouncing on a newly made sofa, like it was a trampoline! They were delirious and didn't seem to care about the shop owner or the onlookers! Somehow, it gave me great joy to watch them! I smiled to myself and vaguely added to my 'To-Do' list - "Have fun this weekend!"

This post was written by Santosh Charan Prasad, a friend and a colleague at Teach for India. You can write to him at santoshc.prasad2011@teachforindia.org. 

On Death: Some Lessons

Life never ceases to surprise and, in some cases, shock anyone

I did not know them very well. But the shocking news of their untimely demise sent chills down my spine and made me sit back and take notice of the harsh realities of life. I feel it's time to shed away those rose-tinted glasses.

                        

Death creates voids, but love helps in filling up those empty spaces

It is tough, really tough to deal with the loss of a loved one. The only way out, I feel, is to live on for them; their souls wouldn't like to see us inconsolable and anguished. Let our love for them never die.

                         

Life is too short and too precious to live with bitterness or any regrets

I am determined to live a life of purpose, want to take in as many experiences and give back as much as possible. I want to feel universal love, live through testing times, overcome my fears, taste successes, expand my locus of control, envision a better world and create it, celebrate happiness and inspire positivity before the final goodbye.

A little bit on life's journey

It doesn't matter where you come from

What matters is where you want to travel to,

The path you take,

The people you chose to engage with,

And the decisions you make

http://www.ltgtr.in/2012/07/the-journey_19.html

To Make Each Day Count

As you wake up this morning,
Be grateful to God for giving you another day
In your life full of purpose.
Thank Him for the love that you get
And the ability to love back,
The zest for living, the knowledge to survive,
The joy to smile, and the wisdom to be kind.

If these things don't quite resonate with you,
Thank Him for a heart so open
That allows new people, experiences and ideas to enter in the mind.
A mind so strong, that's capable of learning and unlearning.
And a body so capable of doing what is right,
And fighting against the odds in a righteous fight.

Being a Giving Tree

Life is just like a roller-coaster ride. Sometimes you are high and you feel like the king; there is no looking back or forth; today is your day and you better live it up. Sometimes you are made to roll all the way upside-down till the time your knees begin to hurt, your back starts to ache and you become too befuddled about the reality of your own self. Then there are times when you live your life on the edge. Yes, this world could be a dangerous place to be in. But if you can find supportive and understanding companions, just how you would find a partner in a roller-coaster ride, those who'd celebrate with you on days you're joyful, those who'd wipe your tears on days that are not meant to work for you, and those who'd assuage all your pain and fear, hardships and burn-outs after a day or night of living life on the edge, then your life becomes worthier and happier and your struggles seem diminished.

Today, let's become a giving tree to someone in our lives. And thank the existing giving trees life has bestowed upon us.

P.S: The Giving tree is a children's story book written by Shel Sirverstien.