Winding up

I still remember when it was October this year. I was putting out my holiday crockeries during that time. Friends who know me close enough will vouch for it. I like to start the holiday season in the month of October, so I get plenty of holiday time. My ritual of putting out the holiday cups and plates started a couple of years ago, just to get in the spirits of holidays. I then put it out in November for
ThanksGiving but it all seemed to end too soon with Christmas tailgating ThanksGiving. So I decided to start the ritual in October to give me more holiday time.

Holiday time seems to wrap up too soon. Yesterday seemed like ThanksGiving but now Christmas is over with less than a week left for New Years'. This is the time when I start feeling bad that its all coming to an end. But it all has to end and the normal course of life will soon resume. I am pretty sure, I will be waiting for all this to happen again next year. My level of anticipation will go up once July arrives. I hate it when good and fun time ends. But my friend would say "It has to end, for it to start again."

I just hope that the new year would bring laughter and happiness to me as I am a person who is always smiling, no matter what. This year had its own ups and downs and I just hope that the new year will show me more ups than downs. I hope to achieve what I want in the coming year and that the new year will help me discover who I am. There is no turning back, so bring it on!!

Heaven or Hell

Everyone gets one life in this lifetime. What we make of it is left to us. But after we are done here, where do we go? Heaven or Hell? Is there anything like it? I saw a TV show by Barbara Walters who talked about the beliefs of Heaven in different religion.

Christians believe that after death, they go to heaven where life is much happier. There is no need for sex in heaven as you have the joy of the Lord with you in heaven. But you do not go to heaven, if you do not have faith in the religion. But on the other hand, muslims believe that life in heaven is wonderful as you get to do what you cannot do or have on earth. That includes drinks, sex and such. They believe that virgins will be waiting for you in heaven irrespective of what gender you are.

Hindus believe in karma (and so does other religions) and in the end all the actions are accounted for and based on that balance sheet, God will decide whether you go to Heaven or Hell. Many religions have similar believes and faith that helps them to live their lives as better people on earth. But when I ask the same question to myself - "is there heaven or hell?", I come up with "No, there isn't." Why do I say that - Well for one, you believe in something that you have not seen or not sure of. We hope that life will be better in heaven and we will get to do what we really want to do while in heaven. This is a way of pacifying our minds that we will have a better life after death. Then what is the purpose of this life that we are having on earth. We should be able to do what we really want to do in this life, instead of hoping that we will do something better in heaven or afterlife, which you are not even sure about.

Bottomline is, do what you want to really do in this life. Be the real person you want to be. Live a better life that you wish for, in this life and stop dreaming or thinking about afterlife or heaven or hell. Nobody will see what you are doing in heaven but people see what you are upto in this life. This is your life and the only life - live it the way you want. Be with the ones you really want to be with and enjoy everyday of your life as if you are going to die tomorrow. Have fun!!!

Crossroads

Have you ever stopped at a crossroad and wondered what road to take? Whether it is during hiking or biking, driving or walking, there are times when we come to a halt to make a choice as to which direction to proceed further.

In life, many a times we come at crossroads where decision making becomes critical. We have to make our choices based on information on hand, based on what our past was or what we hope for our future. But whatever decision we make, the road to that path opens up after we have made the choice and there is no turning back at that point in time.

After making that choice, we can always turn around and see how the path unfolded itself. We can always feel and say, "I could have chosen the other path and it is so much better than where I am now" - Well, hindsight is always 20/20. Before making a choice, weigh all possibilities, analyze every solution you can, leave no stones unturned and then make your decision. But after making that choice, stick with it! Fight for the choice you made and make it happen.

No matter what decisions you all make for the coming New Year, work on making it happen for you. All the best!!!

Men Vs Women

Based on the way genes are formulated in humans, things are perceived differently in men and women. May it be pain, emotions, senses or anything for that matter, there is always a subtle difference in gender.

How is pain perceived in men and women? Is pain experienced the same between genders? Well, research has shown that pain is experienced differently between men and women. Nervous systems processes pain information differently and acts on it differently between genders. Women get pain, they take painkillers and move on with what they are doing. Men on the other hand, have to protest saying that they are machos and can deal with pain. They wait, experiencing pain, stressed and then they go for the pills anyways.

It is like when men get lost while driving but don't want to stop by and ask for directions. They know it all and can figure it all by themselves. It is their in-built gene of 'knowing it all'. Women on the other hand, will ask and make sure what they know is correct and confirm it, even if they have done the same things or been that route many times. It is their gene of 'doing it right'.