Image Of God!!!

THE IMAGE OF GOD!!

                It all started with me putting an image of Jesus as my profile picture in Whatsapp. I had always loved that image and hence put it as my DP. But then my friend Isaac pestered me to remove it. His point of argument to remove the picture was "God is beyond human imagination". How much he pestered me to remove it!!! That is when the thought- "Image of God" was initially sowed in my mind. The date was 2nd January, 2018. Then today, 14th January 2018, during Father's sermon at Sunday Mass, the same thought resurfaced - What is the image of God?

                Fr. was comparing the beginning of all the Gospels - How the beginning of John's Gospel differed from the rest: In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God.  That's when I got drifted into my own thoughts. What is the image of God? What does God look like? How will I know?

                 I received the answer to all these questions - The Word of God : The Bible.  Often when I read a book / novel, I imagine the characters depending on the description in the book. Obviously, in the same way, the Bible will tell me about the image of God. What better source to tell me about God than His own words.

                The Bible says - God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him. What is this image and likeness? God's image is Love!!! God is Love!!!   Even the only two commandments given by Jesus talks about Love - Love for God and Love for other  beings. The Bible is the story of God's love for us inspite of our shortcomings. We can see God's image (i.e. Love) through the Bible.

                Many of us do not know how to read the Bible. We just open it and randomly read it and then we complain that we do not get any message from the Bible. Long back, in one of our conversations about the Bible, I had told Isaac that many times I do not understand what is written in the Bible. He asked me if I read any book/ novel from the middle of the book? I said - It would not make any sense if I read it from the middle. His reply was - The Bible also should be read from the beginning, praying to God and contemplating on whatever we read. Often I have read the Bible from the middle, like sometimes from the Gospels, sometimes the Revelation, but I have not read it continuously from the beginning and hence could not make much sense. Recently, I have been reading the Bible from the beginning continuously and I have completed 20% of it. And yes, I can understand much better now, how He saved His people, how often His people wandered away from Him and still He continues to love them. 

So to understand God's image, read His Word - The Bible.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard : Hammer of Thor - Rick Riordan

The Hammer of Thor - Rick Riordan

I did not find it as interesting as the first one (Sword of Summer) ... Some places it seemed like that the story was just dragging on... I felt that there was too much of details from the previous book of the series  which was the reason for the drag. The storyline didn't get me hooked. But still I want to read the next book of the series - Ship of the dead. Why????
(Spoiler Alert: Towards the end of the book, when Magnus is talking with Annabeth, she tells that its time for Magnus to meet Percy. ) Hence I'm waiting eagerly for the release of the next book in the series. In the mean time, I will jump of to read "Trials of Apollo"

“You know, Magnus.....sometimes it's best not to look as far as you're able to look, or to listen to everything you're able to hear."

―Heimdall, Magnus Chase : The Hammer of Thor,  Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard : Sword of Summer - Rick Riordan

Sword of Summer - Rick Riordan

It had been almost a year since I read a book. One of my students, Kavin (who knows I love reading and that I love Rick's books) asked me whether I finished the Magnus Chase series and have I started reading the Apollo series... Needless to say, having not been in touch with the reading world, I did not know what he was talking about. But he piqued my interest. I went home and looked for means of getting my hands on one of these books and I succeeded. And I embarked on the Viking journey along with Magnus....

Rick has a wonderful way of telling stories when it comes to mythological ones. Magnus Chase series is also as interesting as the books of Percy Jackson or Jason Grace. Once you start reading you can't stop reading. I scolded my student lovingly for getting me hooked on to books again!!!

It was a very good read!!! Waiting to finish reading the next book - Hammer of Thor!!!

“The thing about fate, Magnus: even if we can't change the big picture, our choices can alter the details. That's how we rebel against destiny, how we make our mark. What will you choose to do?" 

―Loki, Magnus Chase : Sword of Summer,  Rick Riordan

Me and Mr. Darcy - Alexandra Potter

Me and Mr. Darcy - Alexandra Potter

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.”

- Sam Keen, 
To Love and Be Loved

I JUST LOVED IT!!!!
Its been a long time since I wrote a book review (for that I should find time to read a book!!!) 

On my recent trip to Goa, I started reading this book in the flight. (I find flights scary and what better way to distract my mind than reading a book) Honestly, I have never read a classic. So when the book started with descriptions about Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, the ultimate fantasy of women since ages, I really could not connect.But still I read on. Maybe because on some level I'm like Emily Albright ( a hopeless romantic) who feels that men in the real world are not good enough, are not chivalrous, are not intense and so on... She compares every man she meets with Mr. Darcy. And when she meets Mr. Darcy - Its all her dreams come true!!!! But let's face it! He is not real!!! 
The similar thing happens to many of us. We want our men to do things in certain ways, we set standards for them (some based on movie characters, some based on book characters and some based on our own high expectations) but those characters are fictional, they are not real.... While dreaming about the perfect man (Which is non-existent) we lose sight of the ones who are meant for us.
I loved the way the story goes through twists and turns. I couldn't just stop reading unless I reached the end, unless I was satisfied that Emily met her "Perfect Man" And after reading I had to write this review immediately. 

“I am a hopeless romantic. A silly, ridiculous, foolish romantic. I live in a fantasy land. I need to get real. And now, for the first time, I want to get real. I want a real relationship with a real man in the real world–-with all the real problems, faults, and whatever comes with it.” 

―Emily Albright, Me and Mr. Darcy,  Alexandra Potter

LOVE!!!!!!!!

Love : Love in different forms : A child's innocent love, a teenager's crazy love, a man's/ woman's first love, a parent's unconditional love, God's love!!

Which is the best????

What is Love? Is it just some kind of reaction produced by the brain in response to some hormones? How can one best explain this wonderful feeling called Love?

I started writing this post all of a sudden with no intention of actually publishing it... I wanted to pen down (or rather type in this case) my emotions and feelings about love ; to be more specific about the love I share with a special person in my life....... None other than my dearest hubby Liju.......

Many times I ask myself some questions like Why do I love him? What did I first like in him? Do I really know the answers to these questions, that too I do not know...

I do not remember the first time I saw him. (He belonged to my parish when we were kids, his sister was my friend) I had never paid him any attention then.......But yes, I do definitely remember the first time he came to my house as the guy whose proposal has been initiated by both sets of parents..... This proposal had been initiated by few family friends two or three times earlier also, but then maybe the time was not up, both families hadn't taken it seriously before...

I had met many guys whose proposals had been rejected by me giving various silly excuses (Eg - When a mumbai proposal came - I want a guy from kerala, When a kerala proposal came - I want a mumbai based guy only, Other excuses - the guy is very thin, the guy still plays football, etc, etc.) My only intentions in those days were to delay marriage as much as possible... But then God had other plans.... On the day that he came to see me (pennukaanal), before I even saw him, my heart was telling me : "Tincy, your time is up!!!! No more goofing around!!!" It clearly meant God had destined us to be together! And I surrendered....

He is not really the type of guy I would have fallen for had it been a love marriage... But you know what, GOD knows what type is best for me and LIJU is exactly that (though I would not admit this to him ever!!!!!) He gives me almost everything I wish for (I don't wish for many great things though, just simple wishes) He loves me in a way only he can.... He gives me enough space, not unlike some guys I knows.... He has a kiddish nature that comes out only when he is alone with me (We are like kids, playing, talking and fighting like kids) I have not seen Liju show this nature of his before anyone else... Though he loses his temper very fast, he is really very paavam!!!! He is a foodie like me.... He hates it when I cry.... And the list goes on......

God really knows what we need in life... And for me, God really showed me how much HE loves me by giving me LIJU.... Love you da!!!!

Why is God laughing? Deepak chopra

  Why is God laughing? - Deepak Chopra

I read this book for "The Book Review" as part of my B.Ed course.

Though basically I’m a fiction lover, I’ve tried reading some self-help books before but could not go past the first chapter.

But this book is written in such a simple language and the use of the story of Mickey Fellows made spirituality really interesting. Not many technical words have been used which may confuse the reader.

It was a very good idea to use a fictional tale of a comedian and his unlikely mentor to show us a path back to hope, joy, and even enlightenment—with a lot of laughter along the way.

I didn’t want to stop reading the book in spite of the hectic B.Ed schedule. It kept me wondering what will happen next. The ten principles mentioned at the end makes the learnings from the story much more clearer. We often take too much stress and are always anxious about something or the other. This book teaches us to look at life through a new perspective: There is always something to laugh about and as it is said “Laughter is the best medicine.”

That's the way we met - Sudeep Nagarkar

That's the way we met - Sudeep Nagarkar

After finishing the book, I didn't feel so great about the book... The end was not as expected... The title of the book does not go along with the content.... And the way the two lovers talk about years of love between them, it seems they have been in relationship since a very long time.... But its only two years.... In some parts I don't understand why do they use the term "years of our love"... It gives the wrong impression.... I'm not saying that the love was not great or true, it may be.... But, why the wrong use of the phrase.......

“A person lost in love can win anything in this world.”

- That's the way we met, Sudeep Nagarkar

House of Hades - Rick Riordan

  House of Hades -Rick Riordan

As usual, like all other Rick Riordan books related to Greek mythology, this was also a superb book. Couldn't keep it down. The characters Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Nico, Frank, Leo - all become a part of you... You keep wondering how will they succeed, will they perish, will they defeat their foes... And still the mystery continues... Eagerly waiting for the next book in the series........

“Love is on every side. And no one's side. Don't ask what Love can do for you. Ask what you can do for love.”

- Cupid , House of Hades,Rick Riordan

The Book of Tomorrow - Cecilia Ahern

The Book of Tomorrow - Cecilia Ahern

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

-Albert Einstein

I read this one after the book "Girl in the Mirror"... Had no hopes of it being a good book, but started reading it for the sake of it as I had issued the book from the library, so why waste money.... Let me bear the torture....
Initially the book was very boring... Didn't understand the present or the past of the characters, but slowly interest started building up...... The author had simply dragged the beginning, she could have made it more interesting.... Anyways, the book became interesting and then it took a firm grip on my mind... I wanted to know what would happen next... So I take back my words about Cecilia Ahern, she does have good books among her works (though not all)....

            Some things that I liked about the book... It teaches you one important thing "Your actions and words have effects and consequences on your future"

“What if we knew what tomorrow would bring? Would we fix it? Could we?”

- The Book of Tomorrow, Cecelia Ahern

Girl in the Mirror & The Memory Maker - Cecilia Ahern

Girl in the Mirror - Cecelia Ahern

Another flop according to me from Cecelia Ahern..
The book itself is so thin that I wonder now as to why did I choose this book to read.. The thin size itself was an indication of the quality of the book...
Now about the two stories..."Girl in the Mirror" and "The Memory Maker" - both stories were meaningless, hopeless... 

I still wonder if "P.S. I love you" is genuinely a work of Cecelia Ahern......

Letter from a newly married girl to her Mom

Dear mom,

Like every normal girl, I was excited about marriage right from my childhood days. I never thought beyond the time that I would spend happily with my prince charming. 

But today when I am married, I realize that marriage is not all roses. It’s not just about being with your beloved and having a gala time. There is so much more to it. It comes with its own share of responsibilities, duties, sacrifices and compromises. I can’t wake up anytime I want to. I am expected to be up and ready before everyone else in the family. I can’t laze around in my pyjamas throughout the day. I am expected to be presentable every time. I can’t just go out anytime I want to. I am expected to be sensitive to the needs of the family. I just can’t hit the bed anytime I want to. I am expected to be active and around the family. I can’t expect to be treated like a princess but am supposed to take care of everyone else in the family. 

And then I think to myself, ‘why did I get married at all?’ I was happier with you, mom. Sometimes I think of coming back to you and getting pampered again. I want to come home to my favorite food cooked by you every evening after a nice outing with friends. I want to sleep on your laps like I have no worry in this world. 

But then I suddenly realize, had you not got married and made such sacrifices in your life, I wouldn’t have had so many wonderful memories to hang on to. 

And suddenly, the purpose of all this becomes clear- to return the same comfort, peace and happiness to my new family that I got from you. And I am sure that as time would pass, I would start loving this life equally as you do. 

Thank you mom for all the sacrifices and compromises you made. They give me the strength to do the same. 

Love you.

Marriage

Monica married Hitesh this day. At the end of the wedding party, Monica's mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook with Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother: "Monica, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your marriage life.When there's something happy and memorable in your new life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line.
The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with Hitesh. When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you've had."

Monica shared this with Hitesh. They both thought it was a great idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit can be made.

This was what they did after certain time:

- 7 Feb: Rs.1000, first birthday celebration for Hitesh after marriage

- 1 Mar: Rs.1000, salary raise for Monica

- 20 Mar: Rs.2000, vacation trip to Bali

- 15 Apr: Rs.3000, Monica got pregnant

- 1 Jun: Rs.2000, Hitesh got promoted
..and so on..

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing for trivial things. They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the most nasty person in the world.... No more love...Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Monica talked to her Mother, "Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We have agreed to divorce. I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!"

Mother: "Sure, girl, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing first. Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money & spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage."

Monica thought it was true. So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account.

While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record. She looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came to her mind. Her eyes were then filled with tears.

She left the bank and went home.

When she was home, she handed the passbook to Hitesh and asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, Hitesh gave the passbook back to Monica. She found a new deposit of Rs.5000. And a line next to the record: "This is the day I noticed how much I've loved you through all these years, how much happiness you've brought me."

They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe.

Do you know how much they had saved when they retired? I did not ask. I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone through all the good years in their life.

"When you fall, in any way, don't see the place where you fell, instead see the place from where you slipped. Life is about correcting mistakes."

The Teacher

Her name was Mrs. Thompson. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in 
for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a 
struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death had been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if 
some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter-full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mother used to." 
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in 
his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, but he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then, four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer-the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for 
believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know 
how to teach until I met you."


Please remember that wherever you go, and whatever you do, you will have the opportunity to touch and/or change a person's outlook please try to do it in a positive way.

Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella

Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella

“By all means marry. If you get a good wife you will become happy - If you get a bad one you will become a philosopher”

- Socrates

It was a bit boring in the beginning, for the first few chapters.... But faith in Sophie Kinsella kept me going... Later on, I just couldn't stop reading... I just had to know if Fliss was successful in stopping Lottie and Ben... Will Richard go back... It was good... But it didn't measure up to all the other Sophie Kinsella books.

“Youth is still where you left it, and that's where it should stay. Anything that was worth taking on life's journey, you'll already have taken with you”

- Arthur , Wedding Night, Sophie Kinsella

Salt, Pepper and the Spices of Life

Salt, Pepper and the Spices of Life

You're sitting at a table, having a meal with some friends.


Bowls of soup are served to everyone at the table. Before tasting the soup, the person next to you reaches for the salt and pepper, and for the next 20 seconds vigorously shakes into the soup more salt and pepper than you would use in a month.


You have a pained look on your face. These thoughts immediately go through your mind: "Why would you put salt and pepper in soup, or on any dish, BEFORE you taste it? How do you know how much to add?" You might also think, "How can someone put so much salt and pepper in their food?"
Of course, the roles could be reversed. You might be the one who loves to put a lot of salt and pepper on your food and the person next to you eats the soup without adding salt or pepper. In that case, you think, "How can she eat this bland soup without putting any seasoning in it?"
When it comes to salt, pepper, onions, garlic, curry or just about any type of seasoning, we tend to see things only one way - OUR way. It's hard for us to understand how someone could enjoy food when it is not seasoned as we think is appropriate. We cringe when we see someone "overdoing" or "under-doing" the spices.
How we season our food is a matter of preference and personal taste.


There is no right or wrong way to use seasonings. Furthermore, the way in which another applies salt and pepper does not affect us in any way. They're not putting the salt and pepper in YOUR soup. They are putting the spices in their own soup.


Our world is so diverse, and yet it is difficult for us to accept each other's preferences. Often, when we see people doing things we wouldn't do, our mind says: Why aren't they thinking as I think? Why aren't they acting as I would act? Your mind would often have you believe that your way is superior. Your beliefs and habits are shaped by your genetics and your environment. Each person has different genetics and has grown up in an environment that is different than yours.


Why expect everyone to come to the same conclusion?
Our spiritual growth comes when we learn to accept that others have different preferences, and we honor those preferences. There is no universal religion that everyone will agree to practice. There is no universal political viewpoint that all will accept. There is no one way of raising children that all cultures will agree upon. Marriage customs will vary from culture to culture.
Getting people to agree on these issues is like trying to get everyone to use the same amount of salt and pepper on their food. It's not going to happen.


The diversity in this world is beautiful and we can open our hearts to it. Within our own country and in our relations with people in other countries, we need to continually remind ourselves that it's perfectly acceptable for people to have preferences. If the other person is not harming us, why can't we just smile and get on with life?
The next time you're tempted to judge or criticise the way other people think or act, realize that in most cases, they're just using a different amount of salt or pepper than you would use. Allow them to have their preferences, and there is no need to even consider what YOU would do.

Morning Questions: Use the Power of Questions to Change Your Life

Quality questions create a quality life. They direct our mental focus and therefore determine how we think and feel.

The difference in the quality of people’s lives often comes down to the difference in the questions they consistently ask themselves. If you ask a disempowering question (i.e. “Why does this always happen to me?”), your mental computer will look for an answer, even if it has to make something up! It might come up with “Because you’re stupid” or “Because you don’t deserve to do well anyway.”

On the flip side, if you ask an empowering question, such as “How can I take this experience and use it to contribute to others?” your brain will look for answers to this question and often come up with an answer that not only makes you feel better, but that can help others as well.

The key is to develop a pattern of questions that empower you. The following questions are designed to help you experience more happiness, excitement, pride, gratitude, joy, commitment and love every day of your life. Come up with two or three answers for each of these questions. If you have difficulty, simply replace “am I” with the words “could I be.” For example, “What could I be happy about in my life right now?”


1. What am I most happy about in my life now? What about that makes me happy? How does that make me feel?
2. What am I most excited about in my life now? What about that makes me excited? How does that make me feel?
3. What am I most proud about in my life now? What about that makes me proud? How does that make me feel?
4. What am I most grateful about in my life now? What about that makes me grateful? How does that make me feel?
5. What am I enjoying most in my life right now? What about that do I enjoy? How does that make me feel?
6. What am I committed to in my life right now? What about that makes me committed? How does that make me feel?
7. Who do I love? Who loves me? What about that makes me loving? How does that make me feel?


If you really want to create a shift in your life, make this a part of your daily ritual. By consistently asking these questions, you’ll find that you access your most empowering emotional states on a regular basis, and you’ll begin to create mental highways to happiness, excitement, pride, gratitude, joy, commitment and love.

Love Her..

Love Her..
When she sips your coffee or drink. She only wants to make sure it tastes just right for U....

Love Her..
When she is jealous. Out of all the men she could have, she chose U..... 

Love her..
When she has annoying little habits that drives you nuts. YOU have them too....

Love her..
When her cooking is bad. She tries for U.....

Love her..
When she makes you watch corny love dramas while sports is on. She wants to share these moments with U....

Love her..
When she spends hours to get ready. She only wants to look her best for U....

Love her..
When she buys you gifts you don't like. She puts in all her savings for U....

Love her..
When often her eyes water suddenly. She actually had a thought of loosing U....


Take time to make her feel special in every way u can & even if u don't ....
SHE'L LOVE U ANYWAY !! 
'coz its never been about her, 
it's always all about U.... 

The Burnt Biscuit

Mom liked to make dinner with extra care. And I remember one night in particular when she had made it after a long, hard day at work. That evening, Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burnt biscuits in front of Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed.

All Dad did was reach for his biscuit, smiled at Mom and asked me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and ate every bite.When I got up from the table, I remember hearing Mom apologize to Dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said, “Honey, I love burned biscuits.”

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, “Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides, a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!

You know, life is full of imperfect things....... and imperfect people. I’m not the best at hardly anything and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else.What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others’ faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences – is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.Because in the end, you are the master of your own life, to be happy or unhappy, to be positive or negative.

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship. Don’t put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket – keep it in your own.

So please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine…"

What's Love?

                                  

Are your palms sweaty, is your heart racing and is your voice caught within your chest?

- It isn’t love, it’s LIKING.

You can’t keep your eyes or hands off her?

- It isn’t love, it’s LUST.

Are you proud, and eager to show her off?

- It isn’t love, it’s LUCK.

Do you want her because you know she's there?

- It isn’t love, it’s LIKING.

You can’t keep your eyes or hands off her?

- It isn’t love, it’s LONELINESS.

Are you with her because it's what everyone wants?

- It isn’t love, it’s LOYALTY.

Are you with her because she kissed you, or held your hand?

- It isn’t love, it’s LOW CONFIDENCE.

Do you stay for her confessions of love, because you don't want to hurt her?

- It isn’t love, it’s PITY.

Do you belong to her because the sight of her makes your heart skip a beat?

- It isn’t love, it’s INFATUATION.

Do you pardon her faults because you care about her?

- It isn’t love, it’s FRIENDSHIP.

Do you tell her everyday that she is the only one you think of?

- It isn’t love, it’s LIE.

Are you willing to give up all of your favorite things for her sake?

- It isn’t love, it’s CHARITY.

Does your heart ache and break when she is sad?

- Then it's LOVE.

Do you cry for her pain, even when she is strong?

- Then it's LOVE.

Do her eyes see your true heart, and touch your soul so deeply it hurts?

- Then it's LOVE.

Do you stay because a blinding, incomprehensible mix of pain and relation pulls you close and holds you to her?

-- Then it's LOVE.

Do you accept her faults because it's a part of who she is?

- Then it's LOVE.

Are you attracted to others, but stay with her faithfully without regret?

- Then it's LOVE.

Would you give her your heart, your life, your death?

- Then it's LOVE.

Now, if love is painful and tortures us so much, why do we love?

Why is it all we search for in life? This pain, this agony...

Why is it all we long for ? This torture, this powerful death of self...

Why?

The answer is so simple...

Because it's LOVE....

Inferno - Dan Brown

Inferno - Dan Brown

“Remember tonight...for it's the beginning of forever.”

- Dante Alighieri

Another master piece from Dan Brown staring the famous Prof. Robert Langdon. Langdon has to solve an ingenious riddle inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Inferno in order to save the entire world from the invention of a fanatic scientist. As always, no one can guess the twists and turns in the plot.

One negative point for the book was that since the backdrop was based out of Italy, it had a lot of Italian language which I could not understand. (In some places, the meaning was not at all clear.) Overall,  an AWESOME BOOK!!!

“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”

- Bertrand Zobrist , Inferno, Dan Brown