2011 is almost here

Dear Readers,
At last the morning air, at least, is cool in Mumbai. There is a fine mist (not pollution) which covers the residential towers that surround my apartment. I can hear birds chirping, not to mention the cooing of the pigeons. On the drive to office, I can often spot butterflies at traffic signals, trying to catch the morning sunshine as they flit around the few flowering plants that have been planted at these traffic junctions. India is fortunate enough, to celebrate all festivals. So the Xmas cheer is also visible. The cool air brings a smile to many faces, including those on that of the street urchins who are busy selling Santa hats.
But what is just another New Year? Why do we look forward to it?
Guess, it is summed up best in these lines: And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream
So, here is hoping that your dreams come true in 2011.See you, next year.
Warm regards,
Lubna

The Prophet by Kahil Gibran

And an astronomer said, "Master, what of Time?"

And he answered:

You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.

You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.

Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.

Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness,

And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.

And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the
stars into space.

Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?

And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not form

Love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?

And is not time even as love is, undivided and paceless?

But if in you thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,

And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.

Photograph: There is a tiny pond in the Bibi Ka Maqbara premise at Aurangabad, where I photographed this water lily.

2010: A huge big mixed year for me

Dear Readers,

How has 2010 treated you? For me it was largely a mixed bag.

But let me just feature the good. The last blog post of 2010 should end on a nice note.

1) Moved back to Mumbai: Hurrah!. It is close to a year since we moved back. All said and done while Bangalore was a nice place to spend a few years in, there is nothing quite like one's home town. Walking on the familiar streets of Mumbai is sheer bliss.

2) Raised funds for Room to Read. The fund raising at my employer organisation is ongoing. Hopefully I shall get a cheque to give to Room to Read, in January.

3) Learnt to slow down. There is always a silver lining somewhere. I am now working part time and am actually learning to have a life, other than a working life.

4) Complete a decade as a columnist with The Economic Times. I upload my monthly columns on my other blog: Talking Tax.

5) Made new friends: Both at the workplace and in cyberspace.

6) Went on vacation to Aurangabad: The highlight here was meeting Rani - an adorable doggie, who is now part of the hotel management's team at Lemon Tree Aurangabad. Not to mention the peace that I found in the several Sufi shrines I visited at Khuldabad.

Would you like to share, how 2010 treated you?

Wishing you happy festivities and a great 2011. See you in blogsphere in the New Year.

Warm regards,
Lubna

Source of the Photograph

When life hands you lemons....

Dear Readers,

The popular saying is: When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Many people I know, either in person or via the wide world of cyberspace are facing challenges. They are doing so bravely, perhaps even more bravely than I am facing my challenges which are minor in comparison.

A colleague is recovering from cancer, so is a close friends' parent, so is my cyberpal, Dr Katherine Howard. She is one of the bravest people I know. She has set up a blog: Life after Total Gastrectomy and won't you please pay a visit to her Etsy store and buy her beautiful scarves and cowls. They would make for a warm present this festive season.

Dr Katherine's (Doctor Dude as she was known on one LinkedIn Group)Etsy store is here:No more cold necks

Another cyber friend's teenage son has been diagonised with Ataxia - there are 21 strains and testing is available only for half that many strains. Doctors have ruled out SCA 2 and Ataxia telangiectasia. If anyone knows of any support groups, especially in India or clinical research, anywhere in the world, please comment here, so that I can pass the details on to my friend. Yet another cyber friend's teenage daughter is battling glaucoma.

Please pray for them all. For courage in times of strife and for recovery. And yes, do visit Doctor Dude's Etsy store.

Meanwhile I shall leave you with one of my favourite quotes:

“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow.” - Mary Anne Radmacher, writer.

Photograph: This photograph was taken in Bangalore in 2009, at my favourite spot - the pond/lake at Lalbaugh Botanical Garden.