An affair with Nature : Mahableshwar and Panchgani

After Working for 3 years without any vacation I finally decided to take a break...

Early January, the announcement came that our company would shut down and all those working would be laid off. Our company tried its best to get many placed. But a chill ran down my spine. I was in tears, not because I had lost my job or I was worried of what the future would hold. I was simply low because I had struggled to much, scarified too much to let go something dear to me. My job at my firm was something  I enjoyed. For those 9 hours of my Life, I would love to give my 100% and someone takes it away from you. The sad part is, it happened twice in one year...

It when I decided to take a break, head to India to gather some strength and positivity before I could get on track with the " Struggles of working class"


I left from Dubai to India on  a Friday. My tickets booked, shopped some stuff, bags packed all in two days time. As I landed , same morning I headed with my sisters to Mahableshwar and Panchgani. Located in Satara, about 3 to 3 and 1/2 Hour drive from Pune, Maharashtra.

Leaving a desert country and visiting a hill station is was like a Natures Gift.Everything stood still, green and beautiful.Nature in its pure form. The air I breathe was soo fresh and cold.The moment we started to approach the weather would just get better and better. I would love to fall in love with beauty surrounding me at that time again and again.

Only when you have been away you know what Home is.

I had missed nature for almost 3 years of my life. Working in a metro city , the daily hustle bustle of life, I had forgotten to live. I would look at the skies and always wonder if I could ever hug nature soon. The whole universe led me to find this beautiful place. Even when there are various places around the world people would go this was my escape from the life I lived.

Every time I now looked at sky I thanked God getting me to such a beautiful place and the much needed time for myself. I was surrounded by people but I let my soul free in the arms of Nature. I was at a place where I could feel very close to God. His marvelous creation of nature.

We can boast about how tall the buildings are and technologically advanced a city is. But for me this place was untapped creeping concrete jungle, loved all the wild beings. I would look up at the skies and just Thank God and the rains...


The rains: The rains in Mahableshwar as most would say would not provide you a pleasant stay. But I love rains. I had secretly wished for it. It drizzled and then came the down pour.Its the best time you can be travelling the roads are beautiful, rainbow in the valley, the fog and low visibility . I would look out of the car window, until the rain drops would wet my cheek and clear the make up I was wearing. How funny it is to loved by nature, be true to yourself and then you move ahead in life. Accept all truth just like Buddha said and I allowed the rains to help me feel it.



Mahableshwar and Panchgani , are places where people go for weekend fun, family picnic, honeymoon perhaps as well. Who knew this place would bring me back my breathe which I had lost in achieving life goals. Working day in and out, the pressure, the fear of failure, the fear of letting your loved ones down, not living up the dream.. 

and then you have these tall trees who stand there for years teaching you be alive in whatever situation you are. You have the rains to which will keep pouring you have to learn to cleanse yourself and brace your real nature. You have the mountains soo huge , if you come from a  desert place and you see mountains you would be a fool not to admire the beauty of the huge mass of land. Immediately, my mind recites Matt 17.20" if you have faith as much as the size of a mustard seed, you will move mountains"  


A wonderful peaceful place to reconnect with the lost you. To take a break, think and most of all to have an affair with nature.

 

A Day in a Life of an Accounts Payable

"This story is about Natalie. The character named after my aunt, who I'm seen working tirelessly since the time I saw her for the first time and knew she was my aunt"

It’s the 21^st Century and people have forgotten about miracles. For Natalie though, everyday was a miracle. She was home, had quit her job, was broke and had picked up odd jobs to meet her expenses. She didn't like being dependent on anyone but here she was slowly starting to get dependent on her family and friends.

Due to the economic crisis it was difficult to find a job. One related to what she wanted was far off. Jumbled up in thoughts about studies, given up career, and odd jobs one noon after returning from a super market she got an interview call. She was very excited. But, kept her hopes low because she had been rejected more than a dozen of times

Miracles happen!

Next morning she had to go for the interview. She was about an hour early. Dressed in formal attire. Her brother dropped her off. She always felt her brother was her lucky charm. He was too shy but he would open up and say “Hey, all the best”. She sat at the reception and prayed. This office was young. The walls painted in blue, green, yellow, red. Everything was calm and made a wonderful surrounding. It was difficult to feel tensed.

Natalie sat watching the walls painted and how the various pictures were connected to each other. Her name was called and she went in. She gave a the interview . Was screened twice, under the Finance Manager and then the CFO.

She did her best and left. She came home, laid on the bed and thought about the interview.  She took her Apple, and began to type a thank you Message to the company, when the phone rang.

It was the HR and she gave her the news that she was finally hired!

Tears of joy and a happy weekend was finally over and she had a first day at work. Soon she realized her job was a bit demanding, people around her were professional. Coming from a background of odd jobs she had now taken up her career seriously and found that she was far behind. Even though she had never done accounting for a large firm before. She managed to get through the month and then it was the company meeting that announced she had out performed her peers.

THE DAY

She left her home early morning and was on time. Never before she thought that being punctual was difficult task. She sat and jolted down the  payments for the day and prepared them. She had for the first time in her life kept her work above her personal life.

By 9am the office was full.

Sales personnel would stop by her desk and ask if their merchant payments were ready. She was strictly told to advice everyone to drop emails. Natalie was soft at heart. She would check their payments then and there and give them an update. It was when her boss strictly warned her about concentrating on achieving self goals first, before helping others. She learned what was detailing. To pay attention to minute errors ,build perfection.

At some point of time in life when you are young you want to do many things seriously. But seriously its not possible. You always have to have one goal at a time, and in that one goal you have to break it into small pieces and each it bit by bit. It’s very easy to get diverted and make a mistake but that’s what accounting is different about you can’t be distracted you cannot afford a mistake. It money and money is dear to everyone. One penny less or one penny more there is a complain,  so as to why?

Soon it is 1pm Natalie finishes her daily payments checks her phone takes a quick break and sorts the courier.

Her office had strict timings for cheque collection.

 The story starts at 3pm when the rich merchant representatives come in, to receive their cheques. They are usually tired and 10 to 15 minutes early. They wait for the watch to tick 3PM and Natalie receives a call from the reception.

These are drivers, assistants, secretary. They are always sharp on time. They have a tired look on their faces as they patiently wait for their turn. Natalie gets their payments and they leave without a smile. The money they take goes to their bosses. It would make Natalie think maybe they never get the share for coming far off in the heat and collect money for their companies.

Some of them are quite, sit innocently. Natalie was barely turning 25, but people were aware of her and knew it was not good to upset her with their behavior.

Slowly its 3:30pm when the cheque collection guys arrive. These are hired by huge multinational companies who cannot afford to send their own representative to receive their payments. These men aged young to 60 years old. Who would carry a receipt book and a pouch to dump all the cheques they receive. They would too wait patiently and sign only after checking of all the documents were in place. They would then respectfully say a good-bye. Their manners matter to keep them in business.

At 4pm it was the time for the courier guy to come in. He is asked to wait for a few minutes. He rushes to the pantry, drinks a glass of cold refreshing water and makes himself a cup of tea. Natalie would then get the payments to be couriered and take his signature on the copies. He seems happy to meet Natalie. She calls him his elder brother. He sees to it that there is no mistake that would put Natalie in trouble. He smiles and says a good-bye.

Its 4:30pm when the merchant themselves turn up in office. These kinds are funny. Some are arrogant, some are calm, some just take their payment and leave. There are the ones who seek for more information. They mentioned about future collaboration and potential business.

Among-st these are kind people. Like she encountered a lovely pregnant lady. May be at the peek of her pregnancy. She was told her payment would be due tomorrow. She smiled and said she would come back again. Not arrogant and no anger just a pretty smile.

Encountering few elderly people who still worked for self dependence we grateful and smiled.

It is a wonderful thing to pay others and see them smile. Their happiness is because their hard work has paid off. It’s the company that pays but she was the face of the company who was in contact with the people.

Natalie always strives for perfection and the journey still continues…

Movie review : Queen

After watching the trailer in the theatre itself I decided I had to watch this movie.

Since not many theatres were screening the movie . I finally made it to the second week show at the multiplex. We went to the counter to get our tickets booked. But shows until mid night were sold out. We finally made it to another multiplex luckily getting  the tickets.

 Review: Queen

The movie began with a blast about Rani's mehndi ceremony. Preparing for a wedding that never happened. The guy backs off due to reasons and she is left heart broken. 3 Days before her marriage she is told that she won't be a bride. 

The scene that made me cry here was when she gets out of the cafe and gets back in. She trembles and cries that she is not willing to breakup. She wants to stay together but her fiancé  doesn't bother. He tries to explain her his point of view.

I realised recently how my life. I could feel myself in her place at that time. Sometimes I feel men are made of stone. Would they ever trust and feel the love than believing the evidence? Which speaks otherwise. Gradually when things fall in place, the truth is out ,we too have to forget and move on... Same ways

The scene where her father gets her tea. Made me realise how I'm dependent on my parents for morning tea. While I'm in bed the tea is always ready when I wake up. I know I won't have this luxury later in my life. It just made me feel very blessed to have caring parents throughout my life.

Same way how they send her on her own to Paris but be in contact with her about her whereabouts.

The movie isn't a love story and that's what is different about it unlike other Bollywood movies which are dependent on love stories only. 

At times when her fiancé would try to meet her and dominate her , was a constant reminder of self life to me. Something that comes under the umbrella of being caring. Sometimes you find yourself caught up in situations and expect someone to understand you. But they cross question you about the situation. Making us answer ,questions ,which you don't want to answer. Sometimes all you need is a hug. But you have to stand in the court and be judge before you are shown mercy.

The time when the Japanese guy in the movie is shown making her feel better was amazing too. Sometimes what we are going through in life is still bearable for a person who is going through the worst.

I'm blessed to have a fiancé who loves me soo much. And after difficult steps in life ,we turn out to be more understanding and loving towards each other. 

This movie was about a family with a daughter. And how things revolve around a girls life. How easily we are influenced and how easy we are left heart broken. We take it all and be strong. Learning from mistakes and doing what is right.

Listening to parents is a good thing because they are the only ones who want  good for you, Selflessly  .

 

Book Review : Inside the Space Ships

An amazing book that I read recently. My appetite for sci fi started through reading the Bible. I really feel there is no harm , in believing that there are things / beings out there and we are a part of the universe and not the only beings here. There may be many evidences against these things but in the end " it is what you chose to believe"@Elizabeth Shaw: from Prometheus

My hunt for INSS (inside the space ships) , started with a thought to read a good book on not-so-obvious , we-are-not-alone subject. I typed it in google and found this as one of the best selling ones. As I thought , the book didn't disappoint me.

Few things that I truly believed while reading this are as follows,

" Speed to us", was the reply. " does not mean what it does to you.: For once the ship is launched in to outer space, the speed of the ship is equal to the activity in space! Instead of being artificially propelled, as are your planes, ours travel on the currents of space"

this easily explained how travelling was easier to depend on the forces in Space than using fuel combustion. This is what we now strive for. A permanent source of energy.

the book also speaks of how foolishly we name the asteroids, stars etc and are also looking to build a military base on the moon. It's true. We hear about this in news and how easy it will be to travel in space in a few years. 

The book very much emphasises on the knowledge to live in peace and then in harmony we can move towards the wisdom of the universe.

The Master , according to George Adamski, says really good and simple things, yet hard to achieve by us humans.

" Yes" the master said ," it is very much like that, and as your scientists work on this principle, more understanding will come to them. For nature herself will reveal her secrets to all who seek with open mind" Beautiful Beautiful.

" Thoughts are again received and transmitted in exact same way as the radio, along certain wave lenghts , but minus any instrument. We work directly from Brain to Brain, and here again distance is no barrier"

I couldn't help myself from being amazed, if this was ever possible, we could cover distances in no time. How we can mange this to be a reality , still too much of time. We would be dependent on us more than any artificial instrument. A hope that our mind is capable of doing more than what it is currently doing with the help of other instruments.

"Quite simple" he explained," it is still a very powerful thought picture in what you might call the " the back of your mind". 'Few people", he went on ," recognize those destructive emotions within themselves for what they are and even those who pride themselves on possessing mild disposition. Yet notice what a small incident is necessary to cause a man to lose temper . While, with a little more aggravation, he enters the fighting stage and he becomes aggressive in what he calls" self protection"

" Actually, this is nothing but a state of emotional unbalance that carries with it a force of fury that sheds all reason. Once recognized, such habit patterns can be curbed, or even broken"

The encounter with the beings was a peaceful one. Quite contradictory to the movies I seen. One such movie Prometheus. Beautifully made. I'm yet to understand things about the universe and its relation to my religion. But then there was no harm in reading this book. It only spoke of our capabilities and how , if we are able to control our we can do the things that seem impossible.

My encounter with a doctor here in the Middle East, he happened to be my friends neighbour. She complained to him that I wasn't eating and that I was on a strict diet. She told him to provide me with some tips.

He seemed happy to help but I was rather disappointed by what he told me.  I sat with with a note book and pencil to take notes. While he just told me, " Vanessa,my dear, the diet and the intention to lose weight starts  here ( he said pointing his finger towards his head)" He said it all starts with the mind. You control your mind and you can control everything. Not that I have followed his rule. But then it did click me on how some of us truly understand the power of the mind.

Even Jesus, has said "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind; that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."(Romans 12:2)

Sin starts from the mind, hence we need to guard our mind. Once we are able to guard our mind against the evil , only then  can move ahead. For me its like energy. Mind is the energy.  We can shift it from bad to good and once we have put our mind on the forces of good we can gain what we think is impossible , what we once thought, was completely out of our hands.

On page 57 ,of the book they speak about love. How it is supposed to be free, et, here on Earth, we believe in the power of possession of love. We allow it no freedom and also forget to respect on another.

Really amazing stuff happens on page 74. " So for the reasons that I have just mentioned , the Earth in our system was chosen for the new home of these unruly ones from many planets and outside our system. ( explaining the concept of fallen angels) , these exiles , what you on Earth call them , ' trouble makers. We could neither destroy or  nor confine them, since that is contrary to the universal laws. But as these people were all of the same arrogant nature, it was felt that, since none would yield to the other, they would eventually be forced to work out their own harmony. These are the true source of your original '12 tribes' on Earth."

The story goes on where they were sent to earth without any help. According to my reading from the Dead sea scrolls. This was true. We were put down on Earth. God sent us help time to time. From agriculture to pottery to building tools. 

The book amazes me at all the the chapters. The use of Earth and Universal forces for travelling. The ability to exchange thought through mind without the use of any communication instrument. The picture about telepathy was not clearly mentioned but never the less its also not mentioned that it was impossible. 

The book was a wonderful read. I loved it mostly because I could relate to it. 

I wish to read more such books. 

outside the office window :) when it rains in the Middle East

Resisting Temptations: Discipline

I was sitting and sipping my tea early morning on my weekend when I thought of seeing a video online of Joyce Mayer. She has always inspired me in a funny way to love God. And how silly a person can be blinded in his own understanding for God.

    I then, was listening to her , when she kept on saying the whenever we face problems in life the it is a war in our head, it occurred to me , yes, that a true story.

   While we read the Bible or rather say before reading it, we think of N number of things. This is the Satan working. When I was a kid and read Bible Satan always came near me and told me silently, 'God, will understand, common one episode of the daily cartoon show"

   A little grown up he would say ," aah, its ok, you need to have your beauty sleep tonight for tomorrows birthday party at your friends, God won't mind"

   Then now, that I'm a full grown up person trying to be in Gods grace, avoiding the temptations and esp reading about how God requires us to be most possible way of hygiene and cleanliness before we read the Word. Satan would say " ahh, you need to take a shower," " you haven't worn the right clothing"

  This Guy Satan is like a fellow who knows you well inside out. He studies with you. He knows the Bible on the Tip of his tongue more than you do. He will twist the scriptures and try and keep you away from God,and the best Part id you won't realize it. Because you would feel ahh,I guess that needs to be done.

 What happens next, there is an amazing scripture in Philippians Chapter 2: 'Therefore my dear friends, you have not only obeyed in my presence but also in my absence, continue to workout your salvation with fear and trembling,for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose, do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may become Blameless and Pure, Children of God WITHOUT FAULT in a warped and Crooked generation, and then you will shine among them like starts in the sky as you hold firmly to Word of life"

Keep life simple. Keep life disciplined. If I could only tell you what God has to offer us all. Gifts and soo many gifts. We have to be blameless. Yes, a small perfect word for being God's child.

  If Satan ever tries to tell you to do things last minute before reading the Bible, think of it. What is essential? If you have prioritized your life a fixed time in the day / Night for the WORD of God. Nothing can stop you. The key to everything is Discipline. All the causes of my failure in Life is discipline. It because at some point of time I went out of my way to prioritize other things in life. But, now I know where I went wrong and where I can improve myself.

     We have to fight Satan by being blameless and accepting the Truth, Only then it will set you free. A lost loved one, a feeling of betrayal in the past, a big loss of finance, just put your problem here ______________________ and accept it. There is no one on Earth whom you think that you need to answer. Action your ways in which you think God the Father will approve of it.  Discipline your life. Give time for the word. Once you strive towards becoming blameless Satan won't have a say in Your life. By Doing things that Please God and Right in His sight, why would He harm you? (I will surely write about God's Plans in my next write up.)

      There is soo much to learn from the Bible that no other books can teach. I'm working in the Finance department of my early career, I can relate my work to the scriptures in Bible. Be it the team leadership, about money, about relations and about everything. Bible is you answer to everything. It is the only weapon you can use against Satan.

Warning: Having discipline in Life is not an easy job. But start one step at a time and feel happy about it and take another. Be glad you have a gift to read and understand. Listen to those who have ears and don't ignore what Discipline can do to you:)

'The Tol Mol ka Jeena' : A lesson for Life

Isn't it truly been always and always said" people come in your life to either be with you forever or teach you a lesson"

So... the story began last year October, when I had a change of my job. As we all know a job that is career oriented always has a low pay in the beginning, as what matters is your growth in the field. I worked a couple of months on a very very low pay. Thinking that I could conquer this career path of mine by a mere 2 to 3 months of experience. I gave N number of interviews looking for a suitable post. But I lacked in experience.

Lesson No 1 Learnt: No matter how much you have studied , the real world is completely different to the text books

Yes, I lacked the experience also During this course of time I concentrated/concentrating on getting my basics straight because no matter how high the degree shines, you should always know why the a= l +c. and all the beating around the bush that goes on around that equation. It can get quite stingy at times too.

then ..I never ever saved money in my life. Living paycheck to paycheck because I hadn't got out of the shell of my parents paying the fees and monthly pocket/ purse money. So I had nothing to worry about. I kept spending. I seen a few close friends of mine who were the sole earners to their families.I seen friends bargaining even at a grocery store which has MRP on a pack of biscuits or girls screaming and making friends with the shop keeper just because he/she can give you some more discount on the clothes you buy. It didn't bother me.Like seriously . I spend money on friends , helping them at their month end time. I never bargained at the grocery store or the local stores for even a penny, I felt sympathy as what harm would it do to me to give them 10 Bucks extra.

    I never actually bothered until the time when I seen a very close person of mine very wisely gifted told me about savings. Umm..yeh savings.Not earning much but saving. Yes, this is the person who came into my life and taught me the meaning of being independent and of course handling money. Did I mention I am a finance major post graduate?eerr yikes I know.

Lesson No 2Learnt : A Frugal in need is no Frugal indeed :D

now I started to save past few Months trying my best, It hasn't been satisfactory but I do end up having some cash carried forward to the next month. I liked to read it on my bank statement for the first time. I have started to invest in things I really really need. Not my wants. When I let go off the branded labels of my wardrobe, I have started to find clothes in the mall really silly. All though the bargain shops have limited size of clothes I have decided to put shopping aside for a few days. I loved eating alone and with friends treating them all the time.

   Well, with being frugal Things have become a bit disciplined in life. I have started to work on my weight and also doing good at it. It is a continuous struggle, and a difficult things. But weight issues, I'd better write about it when I achieve my goal weight by this year end. So, back to begin frugal , I love to read a lot. Anything that I get in my hand, I just love to see it and consume it all. Sometimes eating and reading seem the same darn thing to me :P

       I decided that I had to save. I stopped helping people. I stopped giving unnecessary gifts and surprises to people. I realized I was the only one playing the part in that relationship. I waited for gifts and surprises. But nothing came my way. I started to feel this world is not what it exactly looked like. Everyone does thing to you according to their wish. It was high time I got my wishes to make others happy under control. People can bare you fat but not bare you if you don't spend.I decided lets put it to test. I asked my near and dear ones to fulfill my wishes. because at one point of time I was showering them with gifts and surprises. Not to see that how much can one do for me but just that can anyone make me feel special? so frugal in need is no frugal indeed. I didn't find anyone by my side. Nothing came my way. something like "howri"( a Hindi word) was said to me. I was way to shocked. I had never asked anything from anyone. I was a good girl until then but then you just take a pause and reverse things. You get things straight.

Lesson No 3 Learnt: Tol Mol ke Jeena

Living life with measures. Keeping silent listening. I never was a show off nor did I want to tell people around me how much I did for them and put them down. But it was just a reality check. In which all failed. yes, ALL.

     I feel very grateful to God that He has given me this strength to over come this Truth a bitter one of course about life. Through this journey I started to read a book( e-book I downloaded for free) "Millionaire next door" by someone I don't remember now. But this book is pretty old, this is how I got it downloaded as the copyrights expired. All they focused on is "you being you favorite charity.", "Save by paying yourself first", beautiful book written long time ago.(Author is Thomas J Stanley just recalled), it is very elaborate on how to save and be frugal in life. Not a MISER but Frugal.

     I'm learning to save from the very bits that I earn. I spend only on what is required and save. Greater the number on the bank statement greater is the happiness. N no of course I don't treat my self any more at Dukin Doughnuts and KFC for saving. Things have changed a lot for me and soon will change for everyone around me.I'm yet to complete the book few more pages left. Because the excitement of having free books online made me download soo many. I'm working on limiting needs. well , thats a work in progress I must say.

Stay healthy and Stay Frugal  \\m//