ISLANDS OF FEARS

We are
individual islands
of
love and compassion
Craving
to connect and share
yet are stopped
by invisible
fears of rejection.

We are
individual islands
of
unlimited potential
surrounded
by a sea of possibilities
yet are stopped
by invisible
fears of failure.


We are
individual islands
of
unique creativity
facing a huge canvas
striving to express
yet are stopped
by invisible
fears of ridicule.


We are
individual islands
of
courage and perseverance
attempting to do the right thing
every moment of our lives
yet are stopped
by invisible
fears of uncertain destiny.


ANJALI KUMAR

BOREDOM

Go and find your joy
in the little things you do
be like a beacon
do not brood.

What use is it
this constant need
to soar like the wind
plant your feet
on the ground
and don’t run
from experiencing
the emptiness profound.

Ride it like a wave
it is sure to crash
leaving you
to start afresh.



ANJALI KUMAR

How do we simplify our lives?

Its amazing how hectic and busy our lives are and instead of endeavouring to make them simpler we are excelling ourselves in complicating them further.The clutter that we collect in our emotional and physical space is ever increasing.Starting with the physical space the amount of things that we accumulate for comfort and self worth enhancement is tremendous.The high that we get from unbridled and unconscious consumerism is so transitory.Once the high  from one purchase subsides the search for another high starts.The addiction is self destructive.We need to control this behavior, declutter and reduce our wants.This is possible only if we are willing to be more conscious about how we choose to fill the emptiness, lack of self worth  and the absence of  goals in our lives.
The emotional space has its own culprits in the garb of difficult relationships and situations.We need to simplify our emotional lives by learning how to deal with the toxic demands made on us, by them.Running away from them is not a solution but having a neutral to positive attitude, altering our expectations to a lower level and undertaking affirmative action  can go a long way in washing the negative clutter off our minds.

How do you want your life to be judged?

Ever wondered how we have lived our lives to date and how it would be judged once we are no longer there.No one will remember us for the high profile jobs we hold, the impeccable dressing style, the fancy lifestyle,the wealth created and accumulated or the the influential social circle.The legacy that will be remembered is in the essence and quality of the roles that we have essayed in our lifetime as the member of a family, as a friend, teacher,humanitarian or a leader.Did you make a difference to someones life? Did you bring laughter into the room with your sense of humour? Did you inspire someone? Were you there as a sounding board or a compassionate listener during stressful times? Did you encourage someone to just hang on and not give up? Were you a joyful and optimistic person to be around? Were you nonjudgemental and helpful at the same time?There are innumerable roles in which we are of some use and of service to others and its that service for which we will be remembered and our life be judged.Think again.We still have time.

What is so magical about childhood?

Childhood is magical because we live that phase of our life the way our entire lives should be lived.Our happiness is linked to doing things which feed our curiosity,enthusiasm or the fun of just doing it.We try to find the end of the rainbow,hold little red ladybugs in our hands,catch the fireflies in a glass jar,colour the walls or play silly rhyming games.Happiness is linked to the action without any agenda of desire or fulfillment in future.So we actually experience the joy and fun of living in the present because we link our happiness to the action in present and not the some payoff in the future.
We lived each moment and day as it came..Ever remember planning your every free moment when you were a kid.If you were playing football and a friend suggested swimming you were ready in an instant.There was no need to control the flow the events and one easily detached oneself  from whatever one was engaged in.There was flexibility and impulsiveness at the same time.Isn't that what we want to do--relish the fun of living our lives like we did in our childhood.

 I suggest you watch this video to understand what fun is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK2RDuua54E

THE PLACE

Do you know
a place
where I can be happy?

Do you know
a place
where I can make a difference?

Do you know
a place
where I can live my best life?

Do you know
a place
where I can be myself?

Do you know
if such a place exists
or
is it a chimera?


Do you know
if it is
inside me
or
outside?

I wish
I knew the path
I wish
I could read the signs
I wish
had a guide.



ANJALI KUMAR

MINDLESS CHATTER

I wish
I could do away
this
constant flow of thoughts
in my mind.

I wish
I could do away
this
constant craving
in my heart.

I wish
I could do away
with
this constant self assessment
in my psyche.

I wish
I could do away
with
this constant desire to be needed.

I wish
I could
Just be.



aNJALI KUMAR

Why is nature so healing to the human soul?

Sitting on the banks of Kosi river and listening to the sound of its rippling flow,watching the leaves fall aimlessly from tree tops and birds gliding high in the sky I revel in the serenity.In the midst of wilderness away from the maddening noise of humanity the internal monologue of the mind subsides.The mind is quite,the egoistic "I" shedding all the self-imposed trappings of the world.One is no longer self absorbed but is deeply aware of being a part of the whole,of belonging and realising that the same core energy is flowing through you as it does through the entire universe.There is no lonliness,discontent or fear.There is the just the calm realisation that your life is about understanding that you are a part of this whole, you will ultimately merge into it and be born from it again.One experiences the meaning of "Just Being".It is meditating with all senses being acutely alive.