Different people have different views on birthdays. Some say we lose a year and others who are a little more on the bright side say we become one year wiser!! i believe it really depends how our year has been before deciding that we lost a year or gained wisdom from it!

What challenges did i face this year? have i come out as better wiser person and got the lesson i am meant to get from them?

What were my most happiest memories of the year? am i being grateful for those happy moments as what i appreciate appreciates

What could i improve upon? so i create an even better year while i am around.

Remember, while we are on this planet we are always leaving prints.. FOOT PRINTS or BUTT PRINTS!!

Some people spending their entire lives sitting and watching life happening to them.

I don’t know about you..but i’d rather leave FOOT PRINTS of my life for people to know that there was someone who made a difference in our lives just by being around.

May you take the time out to visit RE as well…
to :
Re- Evaluate
Re-Engage
Re-vist
Re- Discover
Re-inforce!

You don’t have to wait for you birthday by the way as every day brings a choice to take time out and visit RE!

Good Luck!
Love, Laugh and BE HAPPY!
xx

Your best friend or greatest enemy, I am your greatest companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onwards or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do, you might as well turn over to me and I’ll do them quickly and correctly. I’m easily managed, but you must be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and, after a few lessons, I’ll do it automatically. I’m the servant of all great men and, alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I work with the precision of a scientist and the passion of a patriot. You many run me for profit or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. But be easy with me and I’ll destroy you.

So, Who am I?

I am Habit!

Most people fail to live to their true potential because they have habits that don’t serve them.

As human beings we are creatures of habit, we do what we know, what is comfortable and what we think will work. All behaviour is habitual, even when, sometimes, people behave out of their norm, which might be a result of some other habitual patterns being triggered.

So, how do we create a habit that serves us?

Habits comes from repeated actions on a consistent basis. The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds our thoughts to action.and habit.

It is said that, it takes 21 days of consistent action to form a habit.

So, What habit would you acquire that will serve you on your journey to happiness?

Good Luck with that,

Best Regards,

Sidra

Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his course under disciplehood of a great painter. This young artist decided to assess his skills so he decided to give his best strokes on the canvass. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery.

Suddenly an idea flashed in his mind and he decided to display it on a busy street-square of his small town. He wanted people’s opinion about his caliber and painting skills..

He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below a board which read-”Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I’m new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake.”

While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with Xs (crosses) and some people had even written their comments on the painting.

Disheartened and broken completely he ran to his masters place and burst into tears. Sobbing and crying inconsolably he told his master about what happened and showed the pathetic state of his creation which was filled with marks everywhere. Such was the state that colors were not visible, only things one could see were crosses and correction remarks.

This young artist was breathing heavily and master heard him saying “I’m useless and if this is what I have learnt to paint I’m not worth becoming a painter. People have rejected me completely.. I feel like dying”

Master smiled and suggested “My Son, I will prove that you are a great artist and have learnt a flawless painting.”

Young disciple couldn’t believe it and said “I have lost faith in me and I don’t think I am good enough.. don’t give false hopes..”

“Do as I say without questioning it.. It WILL work.” Master interrupted him.

“Just paint exactly similar painting once again for me and give it to me. Will you do that for your master?..” Master instructed.

Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.

“Come with me.” master said.

They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -”Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I’m new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it.”

Master and disciple walked back home.

They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. But master wasn’t satisfied as yet and he told his disciple “May be one day was too little a time for people to come up with ideas and take out time out of their busy schedules to correct it so let us keep it here for one more day. Tomorrow is Sunday, so we can expect some corrections coming in.”

Next day again they visited and found painting remained untouched..

They say the painting was kept there for a month but no correction came in!

Master looked at that young inspiring painter and said ” See!  It is easier to criticize, but difficult to improve”

So, Next time when you are in a position to give your opinion about any situation and the feed back is critical then before you give that feedback just stop and ask your self this question :

Is this criticism adding any value  and will lead to improvement?

if the answer is YES only then go ahead with it!!

Remember, we are all magicians in this world using our words to cast spells on each other.

Use your words carefully to cast a spell of Happiness!

Best Regards,

Sidra

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. A small, happy little boy learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house.

He looked through the doorway with excitement as he jumped up and down and started clapping with joy as fast as he could.

To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other little boys clapping and jumping just as fast as him. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. As he left the House, he thought to himself, “This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often.”

In this same village, another little boy, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking boys staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little boys growling back at him.

As he left, he thought to himself, “That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again.”

Most people just look at the reflection and if they don’t like it they try and change the reflection.

What you see in other people is just an indicator of where you are in life…

So, next time if you come across someone who is not reflecting what you would want to see then ask yourself this question :

what can I change within me that would get me the reflection I want to see?

Gandhi nicely summed this up by saying:

“Be the change you want to see in the world”

Good Luck with this one,
Until Next Time,
Best Regards,
Sidra

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone.”

Its that ability to give so unconditionally defines our true wealth.

Most people are so attached to their material possessions that the thought of giving what we hold dear seems like an alien concept.

Once you let go of your attachment to material possessions, something would shift inside you and you will feel liberated.

The true art of giving is giving someone your essence.

something that will remain with them forever.

A smile, a kind word or just a hug goes a long way..

So, test this one and experience the liberation..

Best Regards,
Sidra
xxx

I came across the following parable that beautifully highlighted the importance of time and prioritizing our time that makes all the difference in the world!

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a
Group of business students and, to drive home a point, used
An illustration those students will never forget.

As he stood in front of the group of high-powered
Overachievers he said,

“Okay, time for a quiz” and he pulled out a one-gallon,
Wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of
Him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and
Carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would
Fit inside, he asked, “Is this jar full?” Everyone in the
Class yelled, “Yes.”

The time management expert replied, “Really?” He reached
Under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He
Dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of
Gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the
Big rocks. He then asked the group once more, “Is the jar
Full?”

By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one
Of them answered.

“Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought
Out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the
jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the
Rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, “Is
this jar full?” “No!” the class shouted.

Once again he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of
Water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to
The brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, “What is
The point of this illustration?”

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is,
No matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard
You can always fit some more things in it!”

“No,” the speaker replied, “That’s not the point. The truth
This illustration teaches us is: If you don’t put the big
Rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”

What are the ‘big rocks’ in your life?

Time with your loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy Cause, teaching or mentoring others?

It can be absolutely anything!

Remember to put those Big rocks in first which makes the most difference in your life!

So , next time you are scheduling your diary just ask yourself the following question :

What are the ‘Big Rocks’ in my life?

Then, put those in your “jar” first and then fill the rest with all the other mundane chores that are needed to be done.

Good luck with this one!

Best Regards,

Sidra
xxx

I was going round and round and kept falling over at various spots.

Then I decided to take a step back to see if there is something I need to learn.

I believe every experience in life is a learning experience and sometimes we are so busy being in the experience that we miss the lesson, hence the re occurrence of the experience.

As I sat down and observed my last few rounds on ice, I realized that I had fallen at the same point 3 times. Without even being aware of it.

Then I started observing the ice and realized that area had little hills of ice, which I was unaware of.

This is a perfect metaphor to show that how often in life do we experience failure and without analyzing the cause and learning from it we just move on only to find ourselves in the same situation again and again.

For some people its bad relationships for others it could be finances or health.

The key here is to be aware and pick up the pattern to learn from it before moving further, Otherwise the circumstances might be different but the emotion would be the same
Just like I kept falling on ice at different places but the reason was same ice hills!

So, next time you experience a set back in life, take a step back from the event and see if there is a pattern and the way you can identify a pattern is to look back and ask yourself this question :

When was the last time I was feeling this way and what was happening then ?

You would be surprised to see how there is a common thread in various different events.

Once you see the pattern, you can learn from it and be ready for new experiences without past baggage!

Good Luck with this one,

Until Next Time,

Love, Laugh and Be Happy!

Sidra
xxx

Why didn’t Sam ask for a detached 4-bedroom house with basement, garage and a backyard?
Because like most of us, Sam’s tendency was to limit God, universe or the higher source.

For some reason we get stuck in our immediate need and forget that the one who created the earth, the sun, stars, mountains, rivers, oceans and trees is an abundant source and we have an unlimited account at the universal bank.

When we truly appreciate the omnipotence of this power, only then we ask for we can receive and not what we THINK we can!

Remember what we receive in life is in directly in proportion to what we ask for!

So, look around the aspects of your life and see where you can receive more in life.

One way to do that, is to be in gratitude and ask the question

HOW DOES IT GET EVEN BETTER THAN THIS?

Good Luck with this one,

Until Next time,

Love, Laugh and be happy!

Sidra
Xxx

“Oh you silly girl,” he exclaimed  ”you can’t possibly save all of these starfish. There’s too many”

The woman smiled and said, “i know .But i can save this one” And she tossed another into the ocean, ” and this one,” toss, “and this one…”

And this is so true in our lives as well that some times a task is so big that we give up even before starting. In our heads we think that it won’t make a difference  and we can’t possibly save the whole world. no you can’t individually but if each and every one of us commit ourselves to doing our bit. keeping just our surroundings clear making a positive difference in our loved ones lives then atleast at the end of the day we know that we have done our bit!

So, next time you find yourself blaming the government, the people, the weather or anything else..

Check within yourself first and ask

Am i doing my bit and making a difference in my own life?

and this would help you stay focused on your own actions and behaviours..

Good luck with that ,

Until Next Time,

Love, Laugh and BE HAPPY!

Sidra

xxx