I walk again..

Hello World!

Its been a long long time since I felt the urge to do a write up. Though ironical, studying Journalism has dissolved the passion for writing. That's because writing was always a refuge. And when it became a part of the job, it was only natural for the mind to do tricks to evade it.

Anyway, so why today of all the days? That's because I 'stumbled upon', quite literally on a page of quotations on writing..one of which read,"write everyday." (In a more flowery and inspirational lingo of course!). Also, another one talked about how it is important to write for yourself. And only writing can improve your writing ;) How simple yet meaningful!

So I thought might as well give writing another chance :) And let the river of thoughts find a direction yet again.. Who knows? The change could be for the better. And Changes should always be :)

Cheers,
Anshika

The Presence.. ;-)

This is one of those times one experiences in life when love is touching the peak.
And in my case, you have just one somebody to blame..
Sri Sri :-)

His presence uplifts you so much..
And sorrows dissapear..
Ego dissolves..
The Self blossoms..

Thats the love of a Guru..So soothing..so intoxicating that all you can feel is bliss..

It is said that of the restlessness at five levels, restlessness of the Soul is experienced by the very fortunate beings.
It is said that when everything feels empty and meaningless and the longing for the divine comes up..know that you are very fortunate.. :)
Its a blessing!

Because Everything in the world will tire you except one.That is love.
Divine Love..



Smile and serve..
Meditate and celebrate..

Jai Gurudeva!
Anshika

A day with the Divine!

"Humara to kaam hi hai mood change karna..", began Guruji who was ever His playful self today as the CDD volunteers gathered for an interactive session with Him at the Nehru Planetorium.

During the session, He welcomed questions and reiterated the need to take bigger sankalpas and urged one and all to move together to display our strength as a One World Family.
Acknowledging the efforts put in by the volunteers to spread awareness in large numbers, Guruji suggested to keep in touch with all those who were a part of CDD by meeting once in a while and staying connected through Satsangs.
He expressed His desire to see more number of people from the low key background to come forward and participate in campaigns like CDD.For this He asked everybody to connect atleast 100 volunteers each from the slum areas,etc within a year.More number of Nav Chetna Shibirs were what He asked everyone to work for.

Guruji said that one need not go too often to these areas for development, only once in a week or once in 15 days is sufficient."Satsang karo..prashad baanto..month mein 2 sundays"

For those who are good at writing,He welcomed more and more blogs talking about how spirituality has made a positive difference in their lives to be written.

"Parents ko course karvao.
Ghar mein jo maids/servants hain..sabko blessing do aur kaho Om Namah Shivay Chanting karein.."

Guruji wants everyone to visit the Art Of Living website( click to read ) regularly for updates and use more and more Sri Sri Ayurveda products and promote it :-)
"Hum logon ko internet ka puri tarah se use karna hai.."

He was so happy talking about Art of Living's Silver Jubilee Celebrations that saw 25 lakh people from over 150 countries come together to join the festivities with not even a single traffic jam and within a budget of 10-12 Crore Rupees. CWG involving expenditures of over 75,000 crore sure got to learn from AOL! :P

Here is the video captured while He was singing and dancing blessing people away to glory! :) :)
Ignore the special effects in the background :P Sorry for that :P

Keep Smiling and know that you are being taken care of..always!

Jai Gurudeva!
Anshika

On a Holiday..

Blogging is not always about motivational posts..
Its about putting your thoughts into words and I think posting tid bits is the way to get regular with it :P I wish it works!

Here I go..

'On a holiday'

On days that I decide to take a break from work ( yes, school sure can make life very complex :P ) , I wake up with one wish.
That Star Movies be generous and show a really nice flick.
Time-Pass you are thinking? Na..thats what my holidays are usually meant to be for :P
Alrite..so yes..A really nice movie..
And God gets an extra big 'thank you' if the movie being played is Legally Blonde, Confessions of a shopaholic and the related genre. Wow! Dont tell me. You have missed any of these.


I can skip my tuition classes, give up my plans of eating a delicious brownie sundae and put the usual gossip session on hold if I happen to be right in time for a movie of my kind..
A non-fiction, non-action and happy ending flick..
Umm..well, anyway, what could be a better treat than that on a day free from work?

:-)

Cheers!
Anshika

In Our Hands..

Happiness is not an accident but a choice.

Thats what came as a lesson as I read through a masterpiece of poetry by Em Claire.

Well yes, she is one of America’s leading poetic voices and her work titled ‘What is it that you were given?’ ( click to read ) has opened up floodgates of emotions in many like me.

Through her simple yet profound expression, she explains how even loss is a gain for us.

I dont have a lot to say about that cos it would speak for itself!

No doubt..

Read on!

Cheers!

Anshika

Till the end of time..

Back to my favourite hobby!
Poetry writing :-)

A true love story together we make,
The God born for the devotee's sake
And He takes everything on Him
The devotee gets a life of His dreams

With twinkle in eyes He says
"I'm here,let the fear subside
With love in His voice again
"Dear, you are my loveliest child."

With warmth in his actions, He says
"I'll be besides in each strife"
Bringing another joyful ray,
He brightens and brightens the Devotee's life

In the heaven while still alive
The grateful devotee's heart cries
"This lifetime just with the Divine!
We'll be together till the end of time!"

Jai Gurudeva!
Anshika

Being Different..!

This post comes in wake of all the confusion that is surrounding my friend circle.You know, the typical 'what about my future' anxiety!

Every young individual who is ambitious,over-ambitious or having any degree of concern pertaining to his/her ambition in life, at some point or the other thinks about being different.

This comes from the numerous value education lessons being taught to him right from his childhood or chancing upon inspirational quotes from those well established in their respective professions.And so almost naturally, a desire is born to live life the different way confusing it with 'real success'.
But does being different mean the only one to taste success in the world in its highest form ?



No..
Being different doesnt mean you'll be the only one happy at the end of the day and the others will regret taking the path they chose but probably that you'll be living your passion and making less efforts to keep that smile on your face 24 hours.
Being different doesnt mean you'll be the only one successful in living your dreams but probably that you;ll be among those handful who grew up to live their passion.Again,not the only one.
And so being different doesnt mean that you'll be one of a kind but probably that you are brave enough to take challenges your own way.Because 'your own way' is 'one of a kind...'

In the words of Shiv Khera,"Winners dont do different things.They do things differently."

The path may or may not be tread by many.But the passion and the attitude with which you tread the chosen path makes you different.



"Dreams are whispers from the soul.
Believe in them.
And follow where they may lead."
Doing the ordinary,the extraordinary way is the mantra for real success in life!
Thats what makes anyone who is special,special!



Jai Gurudeva!

Anshika

Breaking Patterns

Yes, change is the only constant in life.

We have learnt that for a good part of our life,isnt it?

They say childhood is the princely period in time and thats true because of the charm it has about it.
This struck me as I was re-reading the various mails I have drafted and sent all over since I was in class 10.
Its not even been one full year that class 10 result was out and it seems as though it is a thing of another lifetime.

No,I am serious.

Do some experiences impact our lives to such an extent that everything before that becomes insignificant?
Many a times in life, we so attached to just a handful of events that were completely different from the rest and resume life on those patterns,forgetting that life's good and better.Stepping stones to success should be learnt from and left behind.Not carried till it finally manages to put us down with its unnecessary burden.

Break PATTERNS.
They are the enemy.

Thats my message as I break another pattern of not blogging!

Jai Gurudeva
Anshika

P.S. We got a lot rolling over nowadays!
Lets see if some very interesting stuff makes to this blog :)

Remembering..

His angel in my life..

24th March 2008

2 years later I stand here
Thinking about you again
Ma'am you were magnanimous
In every possible way

I was still learning how to use the correct tense in sentences, when one fine day I was lead to our school's NIE room.
"You are Anshika?"
"Yes Ma'am"
"Won any debates?"
"In the primary classes.."
"You'll be making announcements for Media In Education Activities now on!"
Joy,blushes,I was all smiles!
What did I just hear?
And thus began the journey of my life as I am called; 'Anshika Bansal on behalf of Media In Education'
Words fail to describe the worth that one incident carried in my life..

Isn't it rightly said that you never know when one act, or one word
of encouragement can change a life forever..

I lived it..and miss it today!

Aaah..
It was something unpredictable
But in the end it was right
Truly,
It was 'the' time of my life..

24th March 2008
Unforgettable
The heart resists to write more..

In remembrance..
Anshika

Happy Birthday!

Today is the First Birthday of this blog-The Shore!
And as history repeats itself, one year later I am still in the same scenario-Exam fever :) And I'm sure on many more birthdays to come, I'll be in no better a position!

As a record, the one year that this blog has existed in the blogging world, 30 posts got published here with many words from you all!

Not bad! *winks*



So as I continue to share my life with alllll of you reading this, here is wishing you a happy,happier and the happiest life ever!

May Awareness,Divinity and Knowledge continue to flow through our intellects and May we all serve the unique purpose we are here for :)

Satyam Param Dhimahi!

With Gratitude

Lots of love

Anshika

Education : A birthright

In my days as an even younger child,I often saw dad telling children of the first generation schooling families never to leave their basic school education incomplete.Never.Because with that, you are atleast 'some'where in life.

And so pushing kids around to go to school,study,become worthy citizens came to me naturally.

Guruji added magic to it.Blossomed it out.

May-June 2009, we volunteers taught kids in slums.Dancing and singing.Reading and writing.Smiling and breathing right :)Yes, we taught them the Bal Chetna Shibir too.

It was an experience that ensured our smiles lasted throughout the day.So beautiful it was of Guruji to have given us a chance to spread His message around.For the kids,it was as if their lives were now being actually given a direction..Their talents being given wings..Joyfully they used to enter the class..learn whatever they could and more joyfully they returned. On the last day of the course, we were asked for autographs by them! It was just Guruji's way of making us feel special..

Namit Bhiya's singing sessions,Priyam and Prateeksha's dance lessons and Vishakha's strict teaching classes.Fun they were :)

And now that some of us are realising the importance of being in Seva in some degree or the other again, we are starting with the classes of the kids in the slums again.


Its a chance for us to experience Grace.Live it.

Looking forward to gifting the kiddies all that Guruji has in store for them.And trust me,thats a lot.



Come,join in! :) :)

Jai Gurudeva!
Anshika

Acceptance!

I just finished reading 'The Iceberg Is Melting' by John Kotter which I picked up from dad's table secretly :-)
Its a Management book but promises help to everybody from high school students to working professionals.



It suggests something that I could very well relate to..
Accepting and learning from change- the inevitable phenomenon!
The award winning author very finely explains through a fable that somewhere or the other,all of us are living on icebergs that are developing cracks and could melt very soon.The first step towards handling a change has been described as realising AND accepting the fact that unexpected things ARE happening..
Whether we like it or not..Whether we are too good to have such experiences..Things ARE happening..

Things could be in the worst possible condition and hope could be far from sight..But that it IS happening cannot be denied!

And there you go..

Once the threads of complacency are broken..And an acceptance that things are 'Not Okay' comes up..The solution is not far..!

It gives an eight step guide to accessorise our life by learning from each change that comes our way. There would be some who would further mess up things for us when things are already in a mess, others who might seem to be of some help and still others who'll inspire us. But if you trust yourself and know the right way out, then changes become experiences rather than miseries :-)

This was also talked about in Bawa's YES!+ in Delhi of late..

Acceptance-The key to handling Changes :-)

And taking action after acceptance, the key to learning from them! :-)



Jai Gurudeva!
Anshika

Destiny..!

Yes, change is the only constant in life..
Events come and go and the wheel of life keeps moving..

We make so many decisions in life..Hoping for a better change..
And our callous attitude sometimes spoils the things because certain choices cannot be reversed..Certain paths if chosen have to be tread upon..though after completing them, at the next turn the direction indeed can be changed !

But once begun, the work has to be finished..!

Thats what is occupying my mind right now cos I stand at a position in life where I feel that certain choices made at the right time could have mattered a lot..and see a couple of friends in the same scenario..

Just one thing from me pals..!
"Each path, each direction in life brings along experience..enriching us in a form sometimes unknown..But at the right time, all that has to happen will happen..Destiny,we call it! And beautiful are its ways!!.."

And as Guruji says..
"Whatever you are craving for, will anyway come to you.You are holding your fist tight..Just open your hands.." :-)

Jai Gurudeva
Anshika

Not always..

Now as a routine,I begin writing a new post with apologies for writing after a long gap..So for the future posts, things like 'sorry for delay', 'I'll write more often',etc etc go without saying :-)

So, hie again.. :-)

In case you want to know, life at my end is finally gearing up..
And efforts to bring back knowledge in life are on the run..
And here goes the next post..

Not always does life come as a treat..
Not always are all challenges won..
And all enemies defeated..


Not always are memories happy..
And not always do all relationships culminate in love..

Not always are all promises fulfilled..
And not always are all tears wiped..

Not always are all feelings respected..
Not always do do we overcome a tide..

There are situations which we dislike..which we fear experiencing in life or simply which radiate a sense of unpleasantness..

But become necessary to 'live' in life..

If its not for sorrow, how will we value love ?
If its not for betrayal, how will we learn to trust ?
If its not for parting, how will we value togetherness ?

Giving that a thought, we'll see that 'unpleasant' experiences are so necessary in life and come to us a blessing..enabling us to grow in life..carving us into strong diamonds..with little cuts here and there..each valued..each making us shine even more..each giving a little pain..but assuring bliss in the time to come.. :-)

Yes,

We got to jump off cliffs some times, infact many a times, and build our wings on the way down ;-)

And thus we scale greater heights, soar higher in sky..Moving through the ups and downs..farther we fly..





Jai Gurudeva!

Anshika

A Little Assurance..

Class 10 was a lovely class me for me as a student, as a friend..
( And class 11 as a learner..winks..)
And the bonds of friendship just grew stronger with time..

On the first day of class 11, I went nostalgic..and emotions just flowed..

..A Little Assurance..

There was a time
When friends around
Were just like a treasure found



When team work
Meant friends grouped
And enemies were not booked

When the day began
By asking for notes
And rowdies appealing for monitor votes



When the physics class
Was a free time
To gossip and choose a valentine

When 'boards' were broken
And the sinner was crowned
When 'The Boards' almost made us drown

When a little assurance
Was worthwhile
And true friends made us smile



When each day
We wanted more
Heights to scale and skies to soar



When fun 'n' frolic
Were a routine
When life was pulling us all in

When being a student
Was a pride
When nothing stopped us, winds or tides



There was a time
When we were on a high
And had friends, who would forever stand by!



Love

Anshika

Friendship Day! - Part 2

If there is one relationship that teaches one a lot..Its friendship..


And you know what makes it different ?

That it appears to be a voluntary relationship..

We 'make' friends..
We 'choose' friends..

But going deeper into this, we see that friends are 'born'.. not made..Isnt it ?

To keep the long explanation short,

How is it that we learn something different from every true friend we possess ?

How is it that the true friends leave a mark in our life ?

That isnt possible until destined..until He chooses to send them in our life..and Until his wish is the same..

Think over it and you might catch up the subtlety I am trying to describe :-)

Friends : The special someones :-) The special messengers :-)

So even now, though we have the power to choose friends..we actually dont do that..

Friends still remain kisses blown to us by angels..

Aah! Our life force they are!

Love

Anshika

..Expression..

I have something very interesting for the part 2 of the friendship day post.. But thats for another day.

Today..Its just another feeling that needs an expression.. :)

I am just back from the Bangalore Ashram and all that happened there( which is another post for another day) struck a chord in me..The music didnt happen..
But all that happened created a ripple for the creation of music..



The 5 nights I spent there..experiencing the warmth of Guru Grace once again brought an urge within to flow with the flow..
To stop nagging..
To stop cribbing and complaining..

And to find a goal..and commit myself to that..

It will happen when it is time for it to happen..but as they always say.. the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..

Here I take the first..in the faith that I'll be guided along the way.. :-)

Life!
Here I come!

Jai Gurudeva!
Anshika

Friendship Day!..

Does anyone remember who your first ever friend was ? Probably when we were so tiny, the hippocampus part of the brain responsible for new memories was under development :)

But I remember ( as most of us would ) my first ever friend in school and thereon the friends that touched hearts..taught lessons..broke teeth and got theirs broken :)That was a time when bonds of friendship were just made..they were so very spontaneous..We hardly had a thesis done on ways and means of friendship..That was a time when friends just came and went by..while some stayed..Naturally..not by choice..

And at some point or the other, we all realised that friendship is such a beautiful relationship in life!
Friends are kisses blown to us by angels..
Friends are the ones who make us realise how beautiful we are to the world..
Isnt it ?
And whoever was a friend when we were learning to walk and talk, was all nature's play and this play we saved many a valuable diamonds..

But what about now? When we are big enough to comprehend the subtlety behind this bond?
Do we now choose friends?
We actually go through their resume and give them an entry in our life?
What is it according to you?

Friendship THEN and frienship NOW?
Comment away..

To be continued :)

Love

Anshika

Perfect Balancing!

Things havent been going well all this time..
First, Guruji's rescheduling of His visit to Delhi
Second, the boring lectures in school
Third, the Seva activities..
Somehow all this time, I felt(and still feel as I continue to write) lost myself..
The girl who couldnt survive without grabbing opportunities..
The girl who couldnt stop crying if the score on the answer paper was a single digit less than the top score..
She seemed to be lost..
Lost in attaining perfection in everything..Doing everything just right of late..
And in that process she ultimately did nothing at all !>..

And so, wavered a little thought..
"If you wish to do everything just right..You would end up doing nothing at all!..Life is like a bicycle..To keep the balance on,You need to keep moving..!>.."



And so singing and dancing,I move on..in an effort to be perfect in whatever I do without losing the balance!>..

Jai Gurudeva!

Anshika

Back : Just to go forward!

Hey!Guyzzzz...
Its been seven weeks since I last posted something for you!
Arghhh.. Pretty long indeed :)

Let me tell you something very interesting..

You all know about 'Speaking Tree'?
Its a regular spiritual column featured in the Times of India.'Speaking Tree' is also a book under Times Publication which brings together some incredible views from inspirational personalities of almost all the religions.

On the day of Holi this year, it carried Guruji's view on the similarities between the festival of Holi and our lives :)

I freely quote what He said :)

At home, you have to be a daughter/son/father/wife.
At work you have to be a good officr/businessman/student (in our case).
In society, you have to be a good citizen..
And so on and so forh.

When sll the colours mix up, what is the ultimate colour ?
Black!
Similarly, when all the roles in life mix up your growth in life comes to a still.
That is it! There you fall!

And so it remains highly highly important to balance the bicycle of life.Its only then that the (beautiful) colours in life show their beauty :)

So, from the 28th day of June, my life ( and this blog ) is going to be about everything..and not just some things :) Howzzaat!

Jai Gurudeva!

Love

Anshika

P.S. Feels great to write after sooo many days and so there remains a high risk of multiple posts each day! I apologise in advance..Or would that be a treat for you? :) *Winks*