Aspire or Inspire

Even when you can't get what you 'want'
You still can cherish that which you 'have'
Continuing to dream and high on 'hope'
Till the day your hope leads to have

TWIST Comment: Inspired by observing little children. The tantrums at new attractions are merely momentary till her mom diverts her attention to the beautiful things she's got in her toy box. Then the child goes on happily playing yet dreaming in secrecy for the things she always wanted. One day she gets what she wanted yet without having missed enjoying what she had in hand till then. Reflecting on troubled news we get to read of the economic turmoil and the distress people are going through losing jobs, homes or merely their luxuries, won't it be wonderful if we can all pause for a while to cherish the things we still have despite the ones we aspire for aren't reachable yet?

Happiness and Compassion

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion

[The Dalai Lama]

TWIST Comment: Behind the serious facade of Buddhism and Zen, there are such witty annectodes that capture our attention. Anything that is uttered with a tinge of wit stays in our memory for a very long time. Historically though, various religions and philosophies have rid the society of the natural tendency to exhibit happiness or laughter. This is a transformation we could almost recognize with a few of the modern spiritualists in their treatment of the lighter side in making us more alive and present. Watching a few of Dalai Lama's videos, I'm convinced he is foremost in this genre of people.

Respect

You lose respect
when you stop giving it

Run out of gas?

The stupidest thing a human being can do
is to run out of gas
in a car with a working gas gauge.

[George Carlin]

TWIST Comment: This might sound funny yet it's very true. We have the greatest gauge to watch over our thoughts, feelings and words - our brain or mind or intuition whichever you prefer to call it. Yet, we go over board more often than necessary and end up wondering how insanity is pertinent in sanity. So my friends, watch your mind and do not forget to read that gauge right in front of you especially on this long journey called Life. It's a wonderful life as the journey continues - the moment you run out of gas, you get stranded on the road side.

Real

Is this for real?

[Siddharth @ 5]

TWIST Comment: At five, Siddharth (my son) started asking this question when he saw anything new. For example, when he started listening to the radio while in the car, he would ask if what's coming up in the radio is for real. Answering this question of reality was so tricky and it opened a door to a new way of looking at the world around. As one keeps reminding oneself frequently, there dawns a realisation. Most of the time we live our lives in a dreamy imaginative state absorbed in constant thoughts that we tend to forget the physical reality. Even when the physical reality happens we are imagining ourselves in a different place. The ability to distinguish between what is real and not real is the fundamental aspect of an enlightened being.

The Simple Joy of Living from a Grateful Heart

If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.

Lao Tzu

Charming Others

Much energy is wasted in trying to charm others.
And in wanting to charm - I tell you, the opposite happens.

[Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Seva and the Art of Enthusiasm]