Santa is here early....

At the bottom of our heart we are still children living gifts.

It was another month of thoughtful gifts. Tangible and Intangible.  Surprises and Known.

One was the travel, the trip.

The cards.

The dress.

Travel

Flowers

Yummy food

Diwali gift and Cricket gift, poster. 

The surprise sweet and diwali box with Divaya.

The Tripod

Hope I make lots and lots of reels with this and they all go viral. 

Looks like Santa too got impatient and visited me a month before.  

Or may be am blessed to be showered with gifts all round the year.

Why a day for festivals. Let life be a celebration. 

NaNoWriMo

Kind of a great situation - fingers tapping on the laptop and mind kind of zoning out of the world and into the great essays and stories I am trying to tell that same world - tap-tapped into some 57 thousand words -  somehow believing I will be part of the 50,000 word jamboree by end of Nov. could do it by 23rd.

⁸

https://nanowrimo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403967127956-How-do-I-update-my-progress-How-often-should-I-update-it-NAnoWiMo

It was a memorable one month, keeping me motivated and focused to ✍️ write.

Word of the Year

 This is 20th year since Merriam-Webster started publishing word of the year.

In an age of deepfakes and post-truth, the Merriam-Webster word of the year for 2023 is “authentic.”

Authentic cuisine. Authentic voice. Authentic self. Authenticity as artifice. 

“We see in 2023 a kind of crisis of authenticity, What we realize is that when we question authenticity, we value it even more.”

The previous 20 word of the year were:

2003 democracy (noun) State governed by the people or by officials elected by the people.[

2004 blog (noun) Online journal where the writer presents a record of activities, thoughts, or beliefs.

2005 integrity (noun) Adherence to moral or ethic principles; incorruptibility.

2006 truthiness (noun) Truth coming from the gut, not books; preferring to believe what you wish to believe, rather than what is known to be true.

2007 w00t (interjection) Expressing joy.

2008 bailout (noun) A rescue from financial distress.

2009 admonish (verb) to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner.

2010 austerity (noun) Severity of manners or life; extreme rigor or strictness; harsh discipline.

2011 pragmatic (adjective) Practical, concerned with making decisions and actions that are useful in practice, not just theory.

2012 socialism (noun) Any of various economic and political philosophies that support social equality, collective decision-making, distribution of income based on contribution and public ownership of productive capital and natural resources, as advocated by socialists.

capitalism (noun) A socio-economic system based on private property rights, including the private ownership of resources or capital, with economic decisions made largely through the operation of a market unregulated by the state.

2013 science (noun) Knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation.

2014 culture (noun) The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place, or time.

2015 -ism (suffix) A suffix that forms abstract nouns of action, state, condition, doctrine.

2016 surreal (adjective) Marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream.

2017 feminism (noun) The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

2018 justice (noun) The maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments.

2019 they (pronoun) Used to refer to a single person whose gender is intentionally not revealed, or —Used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary.

2020 pandemic (noun) An outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affects a significant proportion of the population.

2021 vaccine (noun) A preparation that is administered (as by injection) to stimulate the body's immune response against a specific infectious agent or disease.

2022 gaslighting (noun) A psychological manipulation of a person usually over an extended period of time that causes the victim to question the validity of their own thoughts, perception of reality, or memories and typically leads to confusion, loss of confidence and self-esteem, uncertainty of one's emotional or mental stability, and a dependency on the perpetrator

2023 authentic (adjective) Not false or imitation: real, actual

It indeed is a surprise cause we had been discussing about this just last saturday. 

Love a soft Person

 

"Love a soft person.

The kind whose heart breaks over puppies and injured children.

Someone who cries over sad endings to movies and feels deep joy over happy ones.

The sort of person who is told they are overly-sensitive because they have a more fragile,

easily wounded heart.

(Yet soft people will always find a reason to smile,

no matter how unhappy things are.)

Love a soft person.

A human being who always has a kind smile for everyone,

even when they do not get a smile back in return.

Someone whose heart breaks over the condition of this world.

Someone who always has a gentle word for those who have received the worst news they could in that moment.

Protect a soft person.

These kind of people are becoming endangered with words like ‘toughen up’ and ‘you’re so naïve’ and ‘they’re going to take advantage of you’.

Be a soft person.

Be a cushion in a world full of rocks and hard places.

Be a gentle soul where everyone else is jaded.

Be that person.

Because people like that are rarer and more precious than the rarest of jewels in this world."

🖊Author|Nikita Gill (An excerpt)

🎨Artist: Lisa Aisato

Now tell be what do I do?

If the soft person has OCD and NCD?

An extreme self focus, inflated sense of self and a strong desire for recognition and praise? Ignore your needs.

Mangalore - Mukambika - Murudeswar - Uduppi

Travel brings power and love back into your life.  It is not the Journey or the destination that matter, but the company.

“There is no such thing as a bad decision while travelling.” Life is the biggest journey that we are aware of.

Many a times life takes your through same or similar path, but will give your different experience. Everyday is a new learning, light, darkness, life, death, pain, pleasure, sorrow, joy, misunderstanding, peace, fun, fly, ride, life is but a fleeting show. 

At times we spend money, we lose peace of mind, but there are lot many lessons that we learn. 

There is two part or even more for every travel. What we plan and wish to do, and what actually happen. It could be same as per plan - which is very rare, better or worse. But it is up to us on how we take it. What lessons we learn from it and how we react. 

Remember, 'don't let anyone lover your vibrations. In this journey, some people who are in lower energy will not like your higher vibration, they will try to let you down. Own your emotions and own your power. Ignore and say your prayer and focus on your journey. '

The train was late, we spend some time walking around the station, had a good glass of coffee. 

Recollected how Thara was about to fall into the river, when at Adityan's naming ceremony. The car was not put in hand break and went backwards and hit the boundry. An old man asked for lift and would not get out. The host sprained his leg. While retuning, Swiggy failed to deliver full order and when another order was placed, both came. The train would not move out of Edapilly Station, though we were to get down at Ernakulam. And finally we got down at Edapilly and before Rajesh would, the train started moving. So many experiences...and So many people we met enroute. 

Today Ernakulam is in limelight, but once it was Musiri. It was at that time subjected to attacks from the pirates of Nitrias. Nitrias of Pliny and Nitran of Ptolemy is the modern port of Mangalapuram, upon the mouth of river Netravadi. That was the principal port of Thondi and Musiri until the Cheras took possession of them in the first century.

Thankfully we had Santhu Lakshmi and Innova Baleno - to make the travel easier. 

We could taste various food, but did have to avoid Non Veg because of mandala kalam, Karthika Deepam. 

 Remember, "When another person makes your suffer, it is because they suffers deeply within themselves.  Their suffering is spilling over. They do not need punishment. They need help. That's the message he or she is sending. "

Had good Darshan at Mukambika and then the anniversary, like a rose. 

Had to drop the Kudajadri plan yet again. Stayed at Bhagirathi Lodge. Could got and touch the Sowparnika water. Bliss. 

From there we set forth to Murudeswar. This time could get on to the Gopuram for the aerial view. 

Could not get into the beach, because of icecream and when Amma wanted to have fruit salad and juice the waiter asked her, will she have Rupees 300. 

From there went to Uduppi...there were beautiful beaches enroute too. 

Karthika Deepam was beautiful. Got to revisit Hotel Mayura too and had dinner there. Was suprised to hear Neil shout 'You stupid'

Breakfast at Woodlands was yummy, but could not get into both Malpi beach or Kaup light house beach. 

The four candles burns slowly.

The first one said, “I am Peace!.”

It’s flame rapidly diminishes and goes out completely.

The second one says, “I am Faith!"

A breeze softly blew on it putting it out.

The third spoke: “I am love!.”

Waiting a little longer it goes out.

Then the fourth candle said: “Don’t be afraid, while I am still burning we can re-light the other candles, I am Hope!”

THE FLAME OF HOPE SHOULD NEVER GO OUT FROM LIFE.

…Each of us can maintain Peace, Faith, Love and Hope!!!

Just Because ~ Matthew McConaughey

 Just Because by Matthew McConaughey, illustrated by Renée Kurilla

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-i14c8aYx4

The debut picture book by Academy Award-winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey.

Just because I’m in the race,

doesn’t mean I’m fully ready.

Just because I’m shaking,

doesn’t mean that I’m not steady.

Have you ever felt worried and excited at the same time?

Have you ever had your feelings hurt but forgiven someone anyway?

Have you ever thought there was more than one right answer to a question?

That’s because contradictions are all around us. And they make us who we are.

Filled with his trademark humor and wisdom, Academy Award–winning actor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Matthew McConaughey has crafted a soulful and irreverent collection of life lessons that empowers readers, big and small, to celebrate how we are all full of possibility.

Why? Just because.

Harassment and Discrimination

Harassment

Intent vs. Impact

Sometimes, when employees are the subject of a harassment complaint, they’ll try to defend themselves by saying, “it was just a joke,” or, “they didn’t mean to offend anyone.” But what’s important to remember is that when it comes to harassment, our intent is not what matters. What matters is the impact of our words and actions on the other person and how it made them feel.

That’s why it’s so important to always pause and consider the impact of our words and actions before we act. This helps us avoid unintentionally engaging in harassing behavior and creating an unwelcoming environment that stops people becoming the best version of themselves.

It’s never acceptable to make jokes about our colleagues’, or anyone’s, nationality or about any other legally protected class or category. Our nationality is a legally protected class and is also an important part of our identity and who we are, so it can be a very dehumanizing experience when someone makes even a single joke about it.    

A person who identifies as gender fluid doesn’t have a fixed gender, and the gender they identify with may change over time. Because many of us have grown up knowing only two genders, it can be difficult to understand that gender is a spectrum – and that’s okay. But just because we don’t understand something, doesn’t mean it’s wrong. What we do need to understand, though, is that our gender identity is important to our sense of self. Living a life that is not true to who we are can be distressing.    

That’s why it’s important that people must be able to be their authentic selves at work and people should feel accepted and valued for who they are in an inclusive work environment where their gender identity is believed and respected. We can do that by sharing our own pronouns, asking others what their pronouns are, and making efforts to use those pronouns correctly.   

However, be mindful we should not use the term “preferred” pronouns because this implies that there is a preference or that we may have a choice when it comes to gender identity, when it’s not a choice at all. It’s who we are.

Discrimination

What Is Discrimination?

Discrimination refers to unequal or unfair treatment of an individual or a group based on certain characteristics protected by law.

You have a legal, moral, and ethical responsibility to guard against this inappropriate workplace conduct.

Always select the best candidate for the position. An individual’s pregnancy cannot affect your decision.

Remember, it is never acceptable to discriminate against anyone because of pregnancy.

Murdeshwar

Murdeshwar Temple built on the Kanduka Hill, surrounded on three sides by the waters is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a 20-storied Raja Gopura with a lift that provides a view of the 123-feet Sri Shiva idol from the top of the Raja Gopura. There is also a Rameshwara linga at the bottom of the hill, where devotees can do seva themselves. A Shaneswar temple has been built next to the idol of Sri Akshayaguna. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it. 

There are statues of Sun Chariot on side of a park, pool, statues depicting Arjuna receiving Geetopadesham from Lord Krishna, Ravana being deceived by Ganesha in disguise, Shiva's manifestation as Bhagirath, descending Ganga, carved around the hill.

The temple is entirely modernised with exception of the sanctum sanctorum which is still dark and retains its composure. The main deity is Sri Mridesa Linga, also called Murdeshwar. The linga is believed to be a piece of the original Atma Linga and is about two feet below ground level. The devotees performing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava etc., can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the sanctum and the Linga is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests. The Linga is essentially a rough rock inside a hollowed spot in the ground. Entry into the sanctum is banned for all devotees.