The Ice Breaker

Tell us about your first day at something — your first day of school, first day of work, first day living on your own, first day blogging, first day as a parent, whatever.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us BEGINNING.

I remember the day.  It was the 10^th August 2010.  I had joined Bishan Toastmasters Club to improve on my public speaking and leadership skills.  It was going to be a speech about myself.  I spoke about “Looking through the kaleidoscope of my life”.  It was interesting opening up before my club members.   When you speak about yourself it is easier to connect with your audience.  I spoke about my childhood, my education, my career and my move to Singapore from India.

Now it is more than 3 years and I am currently the President of this club.  I enjoy being with this club as we have a very jovial atmosphere.  Our members are also very encouraging and we motivate each other to excel.

In any endeavour in life, I think that taking that first step is the most important.  It is fun to try out different skills in life.  We may find along the way that we are not suited for  a particular field and then we just try another field.  I find that in this manner our learning curve improves.

Joining toastmasters has helped me to network with like-minded people from all over the world with different backgrounds and cultures.  We also learn about each other and in this manner we celebrate our diversity.

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://myvividvisions.com/2013/10/30/daily-prompt-first-day-at-work/
2)  http://myextraordinaryeverydaylife.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/daily-prompt-first/
3) http://wannabepoet.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/my-first-day-as-your-mommy/
4) http://metarvheenoia.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/first-day-in-wp-first-poem-posted/
5)  http://imjustsupersaiyan.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/my-first-time-doing-public-speaking/comment-page-1/#comment-1170
6) http://artmoscow.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/first-tail-coat/
7) http://underthemonkeytree.com/2013/10/30/daily-prompt-first/
8)http://maryangeliniphotography.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/first-day-back/
9) http://natureactivities.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/good-walk/
10) http://tessarts.net/2013/10/17/pretty-lady/

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Seven Wonders

Khalil Gibran once said that people will never understand one another unless language is reduced to seven words. What would your seven words be?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us SEVEN.

“Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya,
Jeevo Brahmaiva Na-Aparah”
These 7 words appear in the Mandukya Upanishad a hindu spiritual text.  The meaning of these words are : Brahman (Consciousness) is the only reality -This world is an illusiion. This self and consciousness are one and the same.

The world is an illusion, it includes birth, life and death, which happens within the world.  Thus the seekers main aim is to mentally trace the formless substance of the illusion,  which is also the witness of the illusion. The formless substance and witness of the illusion  (world) is the Atman, and this Atman itself is Brahman.

“From the standpoint of the waking entity the universe is a reality from the standpoint of the soul, the innermost self, the universe is mere illusion created out of consciousness. When wisdom dawns then one realizes the whole universe is consciousness. The dualistic view is possible only in ignorance. At the dawn of Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana there is only non-dualistic view in the midst of duality because the whole universe is consciousness.
Thus all the contents of the universe are also consciousness. Thus form, time and space are mere illusion created out of consciousness. If the form time and space are consciousness than the experience birth,  life and death also consciousness.

The word Brahman means ultimate truth or reality which cannot be indicated by any word.  The Brahman can be expressed through silence because it is beyond the experience form, time and space.  The final use of pursuit of truth is to know that self is consciousness.

 

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://blueloft.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/touched-by-seven/
2) http://musicalfoodielove.com/2013/10/28/daily-prompt-seven-wonders/
3) http://desfischersauge.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/daily-prompt-seven-wonders/
4) http://shreyapunj14.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/seven/
5) http://penpixels.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/daily-post-seven-wonders/

 

The Golden Hour

6:00AM: the best hour of the day, or too close to your 3:00AM bedtime?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us DAWN.

 

 

 

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://fotoeins.com/2012/08/14/wellington-mtvictoria-sunrise/
2) http://emeraldstudiophoto.com/2013/03/29/mt-st-helens-sunrises/
3) http://emeraldstudiophoto.com/2013/04/06/mt-hood-sunrises/

 

As seen on TV

Write a script for a late-night infomercial — where the product is your blog. How do you market yourself? What qualities do you embody that other “products” don’t? What are the benefits of reading your blog?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us LATE.

Blog TV today presents ‘My Kaleidoscope’ a blog by writer sajeev Kumar Menon featuring a tapestry of poetry, views, opinions, science, technology, travel, sports and humour.

Would you like to look at life’s myriad images through a kaleidoscope? Then why wait – just click on subscribe and kickstart your journey.

The content here will interest you, engage your attention and benefit you.

My blog is :

1) An outlet for creativity:
A creative flow from the deep recesses of my mind. An outlet to express my emotions. An expression of love, a celebration of success, an inspiration on the joys of life and a search for the truth.

2) A source for inspiration:
I write to inspire people to live a life of value based on simplicity, truth and courage. To stop the mad rat-race and greed that is leading to our downfall. To seek to know the true purpose of our life.

3) A stand against injustice:
My blog helps me to take a stand against injustices prevailing in society like corruption, child labour, rape, terrorism, atrocities against women, racial distinctions etc. By writing we can take little steps to enlighten and educate people of the ills in our society.

4) Support for noble causes:
My blog helps me to mobilise people to work for noble causes like education for the poor, the fight against poverty, environmental causes, food and water for poor etc.

5) Recognising the oneness in us:
Writing opens our heart to the world. It recognises the oneness in all of us. And by sharing our joys, sorrows and successes we recognise and re-inforce the belief that a community effort is more successful than a lone voice that cannot be heard. It helps us to mobilise people towards a noble cause. We can write to inform, to educate, to share, to lift the spirits, to lighten the mood, to seek the truth, to inspire with poetry, stories, art, travel and photography.

 
Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://angloswiss-chronicles.com/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-as-seen-on-tv/
2) http://icedcapppuccino.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/infomercial-mania/
3) http://charronschatter.com/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-as-seen-on-tv/
4) http://terry1954.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-as-seen-on-tv/
5) http://starvingactivist.com/blog/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-but-wait-theres-more/
6) http://khanasweb.com/2013/10/23/as-seen-on-tv-hopefully-soon/
7) http://jullianiskool.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-as-seen-on-tv/
8) http://littlegirlstory.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/daily-prompt-as-seen-on-tv-bedtime-stories/
9) http://imjustsupersaiyan.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/the-blog-infomercial/
10) http://emotionalfitnesstraining.com/2013/10/23/laugh-and-play-time-with-efit/

Sad but true

Tell us about the harshest, most difficult to hear — but accurate — criticism you’e ever gotten. Does it still apply?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us HARSH.

There are very few people who love criticism. Sometimes we do need pointers to remind us that we can do better. So criticism is not always bad. But it is stinging, harsh and personal criticism which hurts and destroys our enthusiasm.

When we criticize because we care, because we want to uplift and motovate a person we are being genuine. But when our intention is to belittle  a person then such criticism is harsh.

I think that many people give harsh criticism because they feel incomplete and are jealous of your achievements. It is best to ignore such critics.

So it is always good to sandwich our criticisms in between words of praise as they do it in a toastmasters evaluation. In this manner the speaker does not feel let down and is motivated to continue on his journey.

I have experienced and keep experiencing criticism and have learnt to take it in my stride.  Criticism which is personal based on a persons look, race, religion etc is harsh and totally baseless. . If the criticism is negative and meaningless then I just ignore it and smile.

 

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://thirtystartgo.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/daily-prompt-sad-but-true/
2) http://mardmoodblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/ouch-daily-prompt-sad-but-true/
3) http://lifebeinggirly.com/2013/10/22/sad-but-true-daily-prompt/
4) http://deepwatergoldfish.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/dp-sad-but-true/
5) http://flowersandbreezes.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/a-torment-to-bear/
6) http://processingthelife.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-sad-but-true/
7) http://kate0murray.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/sad-but-true/
8) http://terry1954.wordpress.com/2013/10/22/daily-prompt-sad-but-true/
9) http://helenmeikle.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/daily-post-sad-but-true/
10) http://starvingactivist.com/blog/2013/10/23/daily-prompt-is-that-supposed-to-be-abstract/

 

YOU is the new PERSPECTIVE

Click over to your favorite blog, and pick out the 4th and 14th words (that aren’t “the” or “an”). Drop them into this phrase:
“_____ is the new _____.”
There’s your post title. Now write!
Photographers, artists, poets: show us BLANK.

 

YOU is the new PERSPECTIVE

Yes. This world is badly in need of introspection. From morning to night we are in a mad, blind rat race without sparing a second to think or reflect.

Our senses are flooded with inputs visual, vocal, smells, tastes and sensual. So much that we run amock after them. Little do we realise that frantic chase of wordly and sensual pleasures is bringing us more pain.

Let us take a new perspective. And look into ourselves, reflect  and meditate – every day. Let us start with ourselves and the world will take care of itself. As Gandhi said – “Let us be the change that we want to see in the world”

 

Ohter interesting posts in this category:
1) http://myvividvisions.com/2013/10/21/daily-prompt-______-is-the-new-______/
2) http://muddyrivermuse.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/many-is-the-new-domestic/
3) http://edwardhotspur.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/whatever-is-the-new-whatever/
4) http://studyinscarlett.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/daily-prompt-birthday-is-the-new-honour/
5) http://myatheistblog.com/2013/10/21/daily-prompt-grandmother-is-the-new-kid/
6) http://extraordinarylivingblogs.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/back-is-the-new-bank/
7) http://hudleyflipside.org/2013/10/21/winter-is-the-new-rock/
8) http://manresamaine.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/clean-is-the-new-way/
9) http://lifeconfusions.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/favorite-is-the-new-word/
10) http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/daily-prompt-_____-is-the-new-_____/

Release Me

Tell us about the blog post you were most nervous to publish — and what it was like to set it free.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us FREE.

I have no qualms about being sincere when it comes to blogging.  It feels a lot easier to write about anything than tell it to someone. So, I have written a lot about my character, my likes, dislikes, inhibitions etc in my posts.

I find that there is no point in holding any secrets, misconceptions, prejudices, false notions etc in your heart. We have to release these things….We have to  let go… and live a carefree life… a life of freedom!

Like a boiling frog if we keep our worries and anxieties to ourselves, one day we will be overwhelmed and then it will be too late.

So release those skeletons from your closet.. and let truth prevail

 
Some other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://zirkusdeslebens.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/release-me/
2) http://stephaniemartinglennon.com/2013/10/20/a-different-kind-of-letting-go/
3) http://soletusknow.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/daily-prompt-challenge-free/
4) http://cobbies69.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/dp-release-me/
5) http://neasblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/free/
6) http://muddyrivermuse.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/setting-me-free/
7) http://kate0murray.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/release-me/
8) http://heymissadventures.com/release-me-letting-go-and-moving-on/
9) http://charronschatter.com/2013/10/20/daily-prompt-release-me/
10)http://mauldinfamily1.wordpress.com/2013/10/20/daily-prompt-release-me/

Harmony

Your entire community — however you define that; your hometown, your neighborhood, your family, your colleagues — is guaranteed to read your blog tomorrow. Write the post you’d like them all to see.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us COMMUNITY.

Like a ripple in a pond
Starting at the centre of the heart
Love flows
Touching the hearts of family
The immense sacrifices of parents
Shared experiences of siblings

Then the ripple grows into a wave
To touch the neighbourhood
Breaking from limited confines
Melting hearts and minds
Reaching out to the community
To help, to share and to serve

The wave gushes forward
Uniting the whole nation
In a symphony
The music reverberates
Countries unite
People of all races, creed and colour
Singing a song in harmony

 

(Pic: courtesy – Harmony Ink Press – Johanna  Parkhurst)

© copyright skm,  18th Oct, 2013

(I would like to thank all who have influenced me and shaped me in one way or the other !)

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://jullianiskool.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/daily-prompt-community-service/
2) http://humanrightswarrior.com/2013/10/17/chronicles-of-a-bike-commuter/
3) http://drpriyankamehta.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/do-you-wanna-join-my-community/
4) http://angloswiss-chronicles.com/2013/10/17/daily-prompt-community-service/
5) http://momasteblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/gratitude/
6) http://littlegirlstory.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/daily-prompt-community-service-pay-it-forward/
7) http://lifeconfusions.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/my-community/
8)) http://purplerosemary.com/2013/10/17/daily-prompt-community-service/
9) http://randomencountersoftheinquisitivemind.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/lets-build-a-community/
10) http://flowersandbreezes.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/the-community-of-bloggers/

Honorific

October 16th is officially declared “Person X Day” — and you get to pick Person X. Tell us about someone who deserves to be commemorated.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us HONOR.

 

I would like to pay tribute to the founder of the Chinmaya mission, Swami Chinmayananda.

Chinmayananda Saraswati (8 May 1916 – 3 August 1993), also known as Swami Chinmayananda and born Balakrishnan Menon, was an Indian spiritual leader and teacher who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission in 1953 to spread the message of Vedanta. The organization, which was founded by his disciples and led by him, has over 300 centres in India and internationally. And he is the Co Founder of Vishva Hindu Parishad Largest Hindu Origination.  He was a disciple of Sivananda Saraswati at Rishikesh, who founded the Divine Life Society. He was later advised by Sivananda to study under Tapovan Maharaj in Uttarkashi in the Himalayas.

According to the Chimaya Mission, Balakrishna Menon, who would later be initiated into sannyasa as Swami Chinmayananda, “was born on May 8, 1916 as the son of Parakutti and Kuttan Menon in Ernakulam, Kerala in a noble aristocratic family that strictly followed the Kerala traditions.” Upon his birth, his father called for an astrologer, Yogiraja Bhairananda, who stated that Balakrishna’s birth was an auspicious one and that he was destined for greatness. At an age of 5 Balakrishna lost his mother; his father later remarried.  He studied science at the Maharaja’s College at Ernakulam and liberal arts at St. Thomas College, Thrissur. He graduated from Madras University in 1939 and went on to do graduate study in English literature with a secondary course in law at Lucknow University.

In 1942 Menon joined the Indian independence movement. He became involved in writing and distributing leaflets, organizing public strikes and giving speeches. Because of these activities a warrant was issued for his arrest by the British Raj authorities. Despite going into hiding for a while, upon his return he was caught and imprisoned. He spent several months in an overcrowded prison with terrible conditions: near-starvation diet, lack of hygiene and lack of ventilation invited disease. While there he reflected upon his own life, as well as on life in general

Menon entered the field of journalism, and worked for The National Herald, where he felt he could influence political, economic and social reform in India. While working at the Herald, Menon went to meet Sivananda Saraswati at his ashram at Ananda Kutir,in Rishikesh because he wanted to write an article criticizing Hindu monks. But instead, Menon’s life was changed forever as he became interested in the Hindu spiritual path. Balakrishnan Menon took sanyas deeksha (monkhood) from Sivananda on Mahashivratri day on February 25, 1949, and was thus given the name Chinmayananda Saraswati – the one who is saturated in Bliss and pure Consciousness.

He stayed at Sivanada Ashram, Rishikesh for several years, and subsequently Sivananda saw further potential in Chinmayananda and sent him to study under a guru in the Himalayas – Tapovan Maharaj under whom he studied for the following years. Tapovan Maharaj was known for his rigid teaching style, to the point where he told Chinmayananda that he would only say everything once, and at anytime he would ask questions to him. Even with these extreme terms, Chinmayananda stayed with Tapovan maharaj until the very end of 8 years. Being a journalist at heart, Chinmayananda wanted to make this pure knowledge available to all people of all backgrounds, even though Tapovan Maharaj had initially advised against it. Through gentle persuasion and a promise that he would, as the Ganges River, take the knowledge to the plains for the benefit of all Indians, with Tapovan Maharaj’s blessings, he left the Himalayas in 1952, to teach the world the knowledge of Vedanta.

In 1953, his closest disciples founded the Chinmaya Mission, named so to indicate that the goal of its followers was infinite bliss. During his forty years of travelling and teaching, Chinmayananda opened numerous centres and ashrams worldwide. He also built many schools, hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. He played a major role in the renovation of many temples. His interest in helping the villagers with basic necessities lead to the eventual creation of a rural development project, known as the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development or CORD. Its National Director, Dr. Kshama Metre was recently awarded the Padma Shree National award in Social Work
Death .Chinmayananda died on 3 August 1993 in San Diego, California after suffering his fourth heart attack. He was aged 77 at the time of his death. His mortal remains were placed in a Samadhi on 19 August 1993, at the Sidhbari Ashram in the Himalayas.

Today, his legacy remains in the form of the vibrant international organization called the Chinmaya Mission. This mission serves Chinmayananda’s vision of reinvigorating India’s rich cultural heritage, and making Vedanta accessible to everybody regardless of age, nationality, or religious background. Over 10,000 members of the Chinmaya Mission from over the world gathered in Mumbai in December 2001 to commemorate 50 years of the first Gyana Yagna at Pune. Two years later in 2003, the Chinmaya Movement celebrated its golden jubilee.

(source : Wikipedia)

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://awlscribe.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/daily-prompt-honorific/
2) http://conversationswithyolandi.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/in-honour/
3) http://ashwitaashok.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/honorific/
4) http://kevindeisher.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/199-a-day-for-her/
5) http://completelydisappear.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/daily-prompt-honorific/
6) http://jcbridewrite.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/honorific/
7) http://tyviner.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/daily-prompt-honorific/
8) http://ledrakenoir.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/walt-disney-created-my-dream-girl/

Childlike: Innocence

Explain your biggest regret — as though to a small child.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us CHILDLIKE.
(Here I am posting again a poem which I wrote on Innocence.  It is not a regret but I would say we have to keep that childlike Innocence alive in us to live a happy life )

 

 

Those sparkling eyes, that charming smile
That countenance full of love
You cast a spell on everyone,
Innocence, you are a child!

Your naughty pranks, your witty lies,
Your cries and your giggles
I have no answer to your endless queries
Innocence, you are a child!

You know no caste, you know no creed
You know no envy and pride
You put to shame, men at war
Innocence, you are a child!

I watch you sleep, undisturbed
A picture of serenity!
With a smile on your face and a tear in your eye
Innocence, you are a child!

 

©copyright 9th Dec 2010, skm

 

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://somedayiwilllearn.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/daily-prompt-regrets/
2) http://jacquelinebrinkman.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/childlike-a-mothers-plea/
3) http://rebeccabarray.com/2013/10/15/childlike/
4) http://eikonism.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/daily-prompt-childlike-those-days-are-different/
5) http://conversationswithyolandi.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/on-regrets-dear-child/
6) http://peeksi.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/daily-prompt-childlike-be-fearless/
7) http://stevemcp2002.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/daily-prompt-childlike/
8) http://nuvorbiscrie.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/enjoying-ice-cream/
9) http://bellemorgen.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/daily-prompt-childlike/
10) http://themagicblackbook.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/like-a-baby/