Deep Within Me lies.....

Thursday, January 31, 2008

So Inspiring - Team Hoyt

.................“ THERE ARE NO EXTRA-ORDINARY MEN...
..................JUST EXTRA-ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES...
.............THAT ORDINARY MEN ARE FORCED TO DEAL WITH "

Saw this amazing Team Hoyt on Oprah Winfrey Show and was so moved. So glad to have found some clippings on YouTube and wanted to share wid u all...Parents will go to any extent just to see tat smile on their child's face. Nothing can ever replace the love of your parents. Please cherish Them.



More info: http://www.teamhoyt.com/


The goal of Team Hoyt is to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life.

One way to accomplish this is to educate the able-bodied, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day.

Another is by actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Team Hoyt targets both of these areas.


Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 10:59 PM :: 0 Comments:

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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

A Restless Mind


Who am I?
Who are we?
What is our existence?
What is life?
Is there something more to life after death?
What is the main purpose of our life?

These questions have always been on my mind but the answers to these quests are not so easy to find.
Hence I am always restless…
I never feel completely satisfied even when I get success through my hard work and 100% involvement as I know I am missing the larger picture
But what exactly is this larger picture???
I am yet to find!!!

The only time in my life I have felt at peace with my soul is when I did something with my friends for 30-40 street kids on Xmas eve, i.e being santa to these kids…
That one genuine smile makes your day and leaves everlasting impression on your mind…but I wish to do more than just distributing gifts to street kids….I wish to transform these growing buds into blooming flowers through education…
And sooner I will…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rreenasharma/332682818/in/set-72157594446576045/

I felt at ease when my friend and I celebrated my birthday with blind kids from Kamala Mehta School
Those Happy Birthday wishes still rings in my ears, the beautiful flowers that they have never seen were made by these girls and gifted to us brought tears to my eyes as I felt that how unfortunate are those people who cannot see GOD’s beautiful creation….but when I saw their talent, their discipline, their innocence, their confidence, I realized that god’s gift can be felt through sound of music, through touch of nature and many more things that people who have eyes yet are blind to see God's beautiful creation…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rreenasharma/466808848/in/set-72157594446576045/

I feel at peace when I see happiness on my parents face as they are my prized possession.

I recently saw documentary Truth about God which talks about different religions and their different GOD…and I got curious about Buddhism…hence posting the article on 'Teachings of Buddha' below…

I have started meditating, trying to find solace for my restless mind and hoping that one day I might find answers to my questions…
Till then keep scaling higher heights in your professional life and keep doing good karmas,try to bring a positive change in yourself and to people around you, specially the unfortunate one's an make them feel that this world is indeed beautiful…

Looking out for SPIRITUAL FREEDOM ....@ Sweet Angel Rree


Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 12:36 AM :: 3 Comments:

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Saturday, January 19, 2008

Teachings of Buddha

Pic Courtesy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelakey/109721663/

Buddha said,

The kind of Seed sown
Will produce that kind of Fruit.
Those who do Good will Reap good results.
Those who do Evil will reap evil results.
You carefully plant a good seed,
You will joyfully gather good fruit
- Dhammapada


THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1.There is Suffering - Suffering is common to all.

Suffering: Everyone suffers from these thing
Birth- When we are born, we cry.
Sickness- When we are sick, we are miserable.
Old age- When old, we will have ache and pains and find it hard to get around.
Death- None of us wants to die. We feel deep sorrow when someone dies.
Other things we suffer from are:
Being with those we dislike,
Being apart from those we love,
Not getting what we want,
All kinds of problems and disappointments that are unavoidable.

The Buddha did not deny that there is happiness in life, but he pointed out it does not last forever. Eventually everyone meets with some kind of suffering. He said:
"There is happiness in life,
happiness in friendship,
happiness of a family,
happiness in a healthy body and mind,
...but when one loses them, there is suffering."
- Dhammapada


2. Cause of Suffering - We are the cause of our suffering.
The Buddha explained that people live in a sea of suffering because of ignorance and greed. They are ignorant of the law of karma and are greedy for the wrong kind of pleasures. They do things that are harmful to their bodies and peace of mind, so they can not be satisfied or enjoy life.

For example, once children have had a taste of candy, they want more. When they can't have it, they get upset. Even if children get all the candy they want, they soon get tired of it and want something else. Although, they get a stomach-ache from eating too much candy, they still want more. The things people want most cause them the most suffering. Of course, there are basic things that all people should have, like adequate food, shelter, and clothing. Everyone deserve a good home, loving parents, and good friends. They should enjoy life and cherish their possessions without becoming greedy.

3. End of Suffering - Stop doing what causes suffering.
To end suffering, one must cut off greed and ignorance. This means changing one's views and living in a more natural and peaceful way. It is like blowing out a candle. The flame of suffering is put out for good. Buddhists call the state in which all suffering is ended Nirvana. Nirvana is an everlasting state of great joy and peace. The Buddha said, "The extinction of desire is Nirvana." This is the ultimate goal in Buddhism. Everyone can realize it with the help of the Buddha's teachings. It can be experienced in this very life.

4. Path to end Suffering - Everyone can be enlightened.
The path to end suffering is known as the Noble Eightfold Path. It is also known as the Middle Way.



THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH

When the Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park, he began the 'Turning of the Dharma Wheel'. He chose the beautiful symbol of the wheel with its eight spokes to represent the Noble Eightfold Path. The Buddha's teaching goes round and round like a great wheel that never stops, leading to the central point of the wheel, the only point which is fixed, Nirvana. The eight spokes on the wheel represent the eight parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. Just as every spoke is needed for the wheel to keep turning, we need to follow each step of the path.


1. Right View. The right way to think about life is to see the world through the eyes of the Buddha--with wisdom and compassion.

2. Right Thought. We are what we think. Clear and kind thoughts build good, strong characters.

3. Right Speech. By speaking kind and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone.

4. Right Conduct. No matter what we say, others know us from the way we behave. Before we criticize others, we should first see what we do ourselves.

5. Right Livelihood. This means choosing a job that does not hurt others. The Buddha said, "Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy."

6. Right Effort. A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having good will toward others. This also means not wasting effort on things that harm ourselves and others.

7. Right Mindfulness. This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds.

8. Right Concentration. Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind.

Following the Noble Eightfold Path can be compared to cultivating a garden, but in Buddhism one cultivates one's wisdom. The mind is the ground and thoughts are seeds. Deeds are ways one cares for the garden. Our faults are weeds. Pulling them out is like weeding a garden. The harvest is real and lasting happiness.

PS - For more enlightenment, please click on the following-
http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/footsteps.htm

Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 2:05 PM :: 0 Comments:

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Thursday, January 17, 2008

If I knew it would be the last time...

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd see you fall asleep,
I'd tuck you in more tightly,
And pray your soul to keep.


If I knew it would be the last time
I'd see you walk out the door,
I'd hug you and kiss you--and call you
Back for just one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
We'd spare a minute or two,
I'd stop and say "I love you,"
Instead of assuming you know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd be there to share your day,
I wouldn't wait until tomorrow,
Letting time with you slip away.

For surely there is a tomorrow
To make up for an oversight,
And we'll always get a second chance
To make everything all right.

There will always be another chance
To say our "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
To say our "What I can do."

But just in case I might be wrong,
And today is all I get,
I'd like to say I love you,
And hope you never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
Young or old alike,
And today might be your last chance
To hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
Why not do it all today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
You will surely regret the day

You didn't take the extra time
For a smile or hug or kiss.
And you surely aren't too busy to grant
What may be their last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
And whisper in their ear;
Tell them how much you love them,
And that you'll always hold them dear.

Take the time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Forgive me," or "It's okay,"
And if tomorrow never comes,
You'll have no regrets about today... @Unknown

PS - My closest pal had come down to Mumbai for few days from Indore for her wedding shopping and we all friends took this opportunity to catch up with each other. Due to some other committments, I would be unable to attend her wedding in FEB, O8.

We both had shared our Life's Ups and Downs, be a support to each other in times of despair and multiply our happiness when special occassions were there...I know we both had lots to catcup with, to share and talk about our lives, ever since she moved to Indore from Mumbai. But time was the biggest crunch.

And while I was waving her goodbye, It suddenly struck me that probably this would be the Last Time, I would be seeing my buddy in person as she would be off to US after her marriage...

I know Life goes on...and we all would get busy with our own world...but for the past few days, have been feeling very senti, felt like one beautiful chapter of my life has come to an end and I will miss my sweet friend.

After all the only treasure I cherish, are my Parents, closest Friends and few relatives of mine.

Never lose a moment to tell ur near and dear ones, how special they are to U, cause a moment once gone, might never come back again.

Its never too late to show how much you care, how much you love them....@Rree


Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 11:57 PM :: 1 Comments:

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Can YoU hear Me even in my Silence....


Silence is not a lack of words.
Silence is not a lack of music.
Silence is not a lack of curses.
Silence is not a lack of screams.
Silence is not a lack of colors
or voices or bodies or whistling wind.
Silence is not a lack of anything.

Silence is seeing and singing praises.
Silence is the roar of ocean waves.
Silence is the sandpiper dancing on the shore.
Silence is the vastness of a whale.
Silence is a blade of grass.

Silence is sound
And silence is silence.
Silence is love, even
The love that hides in hate.

Silence is the healer dreaming the plant,
The drummer drumming the dream.
It is the lover's exhausted fall into sleep.
It is the call of morning birds.

Silence is God's beat tapping all hearts.
Silence is the star kissing a flower.
Silence is a word, a hope, a candle lighting the window of home.
Silence is everything
The renewing sleep of Earth,
The purifying dream of Water,
The purifying rage of Fire,
The soaring and spiraling flight of Air.
It is all things dissolved into no-thing
Silence is with you always
The Presence of I am …@Elaine Maria Upton


PS - The pic is re-worked by a talented artist...

Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 11:15 PM :: 1 Comments:

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Thinking of YoU...


The sun is setting on a lonely day
The colours are splitting, the perfect way
Your strolling home as you see this too
And I watch from a window thinking of you

From this day on, Ill look forever
That magical sunset, our memories together
To help me through when my life gets tough
And when I feel that Ive had enough

The sun you see, makes me think of you
The miracle of it, the wonder too
I see you both everyday as you know
To stop seeing either, Id have to say, no

The bright colours shine from within my heart
The colours of a sunset, a special part
Of a day in my life I wish you could see
Just whats its like, just to be me...@Grooveysaz

PS - Self Capture....thru mobile phone..this poem doesnot depict my state of mind, but its more with the reference to the picture I captured and reworked on it....

Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 11:10 PM :: 0 Comments:

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Wednesday, January 02, 2008

U got to search the Light in U, in ur Darkest phase in LIFE

My light and my life
provided me hope for a future,
a reason to live
and the strength to exist.

Suddenly extinguished,
taken away without warning.
I was abandoned,
left in the darkness
trying to survive
searching for any glimmer
on the distant horizon.

I stand precariously
on a piece of solid ground
barely large enough for my feet.
Around me, a vast expanse
of desolation and emptiness
for as far as I can tell.

It waits
with extending arms
to engulf and surround me
in a permanent shadow.

I remain tenuously balanced
on this small bit of solid footing
Providing me the last vestiges of hope,
Unsure where to turn
or how to find an escape.

No path in sight,
it has decayed into the abyss.
No light to guide my footsteps,
it has been withdrawn.

In complete blackness
I close my eyes
waiting to fall.

A light appears before me
no,
from within me.

I discover
a brilliance inside
An internal source of strength, power
and illumination.

This force surges through my body
filling me with courage.
I open my eyes once more in the darkness
finally lose my balance,
and descend
into the eternal night.

But in falling, I discover
that I possess wings.

With new courage, my own light,
and wings to save me
from the everlasting darkness
I take flight
high above the waiting chasm
towards a faint glimmer
far on the horizon
and hope.....@ Kirsti A. Dyer

PS - One phase of my Life in 2007 best described by this poem...This phase taught me a lot of things in my Life, made me a stronger person and above all I recd the best compliment from my parents "You are not just a daughter but like a Son to us"...

Moreover, my closest friend emerged victorious from a fatal accident and was juggling between life and death in ICU. His second Life was the biggest Gift, God could bless us with, and now it feels like a bad dream getting over...

But posting this poem tat will remind me of my Power that I realised was within Me...

I have faith in GOD and I know God will work out the best for each one of us. May be this bad phase was actually a Blessing in Disguise which we will realise with time....

Posted by Rreena Sharma :: 12:01 AM :: 3 Comments:

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