Remembering Maya Angelou

She is gone, but
Her words live on:

Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

I do not trust people who don't love themselves and yet tell me, 'I love you.' There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.

The love of the family, the love of the person can heal. It heals the scars left by a larger society. A massive, powerful society.

Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

Nothing will work unless you do.

It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

Thank you The Gaurdian for the quotes and info.



Breathe

A Poem: Kindness and Caring

To be kind and to care

Is a gift I try to share,

It is difficult at times

To forgive others of their crimes.

My heart is big, brimming with love,

I come in peace, I fly the white dove,

I choose to be kind and nice

To both men and mice.

Some mistake my kindness

To be a great weakness,

Some think my sharing

Is something so daring.

These are my choices

To stand up for unheard voices,

This is who I am,

I wash myself in the blood of the lamb.

There is a joy in giving,

Service is the purpose for us living,

People fear giving,

For they often fear living.

Sometimes we become selfish

After being hurt by those who are devilish,

We close the doors to our heart

Keeping us apart.

There are those who take advantage of my kindness,

Often rendering in my mind and heart a huge mess,

I hope they learn and grow someday

Or else I fear their future is dark and grey.

Letting go of our egos

Loving our foes,

Are what religious books preach

For some these goals are so hard to reach.

I warn those who hurt me,

That I will give them a chance or will let them just be,

Cutting all ties,

I will not deal with lies.

I do not have swords or guns

And about me and my heart you may make fun,

I may be struck down,

But on my face you will never find a frown.

I'm not perfect, for I do falter,

But my shortcomings I always try and alter,

I try hard to keep my word,

I try to not let my anger be spurred.

My strength lies in my heart,

Which is wide as an ocean, and warm as a hearth,

My strength lies in my mind,

I realize to be sharing, caring and kind.

Breathe.

Painting with My Fingers

Pick up a book!

The spark of creativity
Thus unfolds
The innocence and naivete
That imagination often holds.

To frolic and dance,
To paint trees and mountains,
To play with unicorns perchance,
And to swim under magical fountains...

From my mind
To the paper or screen,
Do my fingers tap dance, in kind,
To make what never was, to have always been.

That spark of creativity,
Awakens my mind,
In my heart an raging energy,
With words giving vision to the blind.

Tingles in my fingers
Longing to paint and dance on paper with a pen,
Creating amazing imagery, and stories that linger,
Tales of fantasy, fright, women warriors and loyal men...

This spark of creative energy
What will I create today?
Where will I travel?
Who will I meet? What adventures will I embark on?
Will you share them with me...?





-Breathe-

Falling Water's reading room...

This is what I envision when I think of reading... oh and hot chocolate, the fireplace crackling...

The Wall - Jon's Lament

"You know nothing, Jon Snow." Yigrette
She would tell me many a time,
Then she betrayed me like I would never forget,
She did what she knew, I forgive her of her crime.

The wall it stands there,
Looming,
Just thick ice reflecting the sun's glare,
Throughout the North, where it is forever gloaming.

Shall we place the wall between us?
With you on the cold side
Me on the South side
It freezes our love and trust.

I was always true,
To my black brothers and to you.
Then there was that moment,
When I had to choose, and it was sealed in cmement.

I chose to forgive,
I chose mercy and honor,
For the old man to live,
We had him in a corner...

You killed the old man,
For what? He begged for mercy.
Then you shot me in the leg, woman!
I know all women are crazy...

You know nothing Jon Snow!
That's all you said,
South of the wall I knew all there is to know,
I loved you for more than just to take you to bed.

I knew we could have had a different life,
We could have started afresh,
Without sticking the man with the knife,
You went ahead and created a mess.

I know you would blame me,
Saying "you know nothing, Jon Snow",
I am not as naive as I seem to be,
You just didn't see the entirety of the show.

Now you are gone,
I shall miss you,
Remembering always all that was done,
However, everyday is begins anew.



For Jon Snow, of the Night's Watch, on the Wall...

Reject

Have you ever felt lonely in a crowded room
Everyone's laughing, talking, mingling,
The room is bright and yet you see only gloom
And in your ear the endless silence ringing.

Have you ever felt left out
Of a circle of smiling friends,
As they make plans without a doubt
Not inviting you, not even an apology to make amends.

Have you ever felt not good enough
Like you were not pretty, thin, or buff
That your friendship didn't count
They only wanted someone they could flaunt.

Have you ever felt hurt
More painful than the deepest cut,
When someone you love pushes you away
Even though they will need you once again, some day.

Have you ever felt abandoned
Not loved or cared for, instead only scorned,
Forgotten in lieu
Of someone new.

Have you ever felt replaced
When they replace you with another face,
What did your friendship mean
Or was this the worst yet to be seen.

Have you ever felt betrayed
Like what happened to Robb and Catelyn, at the hands of the Freys,
To be treated as family only to be stabbed in the back
Those types of people aren't worth jack.

Have you ever felt rejected
Like your own father won't accept you
Like Tyrion his who life, dejected,
Discriminated like a diseased ridden ewe.

It's good to know
These are just feelings
A chemical reaction that may pass.
It's sad to feel, however,
For these are people's feelings,
Of which we should be mindful of, or peace,
is the ultimate goal.



Breathe



Tribute to Tyrion and Penny.

Found In A Raincoat

You are a Goddess!

The best conversations happen where cell phones have no power.

The outdoors can soothe a cranky mood, a hectic day, a restless heart.

Stars, Maps, Instincts... What do you follow?

The answer to "Ready"? Is always "yes".

Journeys are more interesting than destinations.


Thank you awesome raincoat making company for giving me more than just a raincoat, but something to have adventures in and inspiration.

Breathe

My Raincoat fits into it's own pocket!

When Dreams Whither and Die

Life is not what I dreamt it would be:

Knights in armor; oh the chivalry,

Fancy balls, handsome princes, long lovely dresses,

Palaces, fine things, and romantic kisses...

Whatever happened to my dream?

Why does real life make me want to scream?

I can't scream, I must be strong,

Maybe my true strong prince will come along.

Who am I fooling?

All my schooling?

It was all for naught,

If only my sister, with my prince, hadn't fought.

My prince began to loath me,

He couldn't even stand the sight of me,

So I tried my best to win his favor,

In whatever way, whatsoever.

I was selfish,

And as I undid my father, I did relinquish

For a while. Until I realized I did never see the whole game,

I brought shame unto my family's name.

With that shame I still live,

What a heavy burden, which I can not share or give,

My father dead, my mother and brother dead too

Of my other siblings, I have no clue.

They wed me to the imp,

Foiled was the plan to wed me to the cripple prince with a limp,

I was hounded, I was whisked away,

And to the tallest tower to stay.

Whatever happened to my dream?

Why does real life beg me to scream?

I can't scream, I must be strong,

Maybe my true strong prince will come along.

From the tower I came descended,

A whining prince in tow, undefended,

Winter is coming,

And a surprise awaiting.

My new father awaited me,

He said "Guess who your new husband will be?"

I masked my shock and sorrow with joy,

Alas I am still treated as a piece, as a toy.

I was a dreamy young girl once,

I dreamt of gallant princes and Knights,

All to be shattered and prove me a dunce, 

Everything to wither into the winter of night.

I was taught the story that princes and knights were honorable,

I was shocked to learn that this was naught

The queen herself proved to be dishonorable,

This is the new story I have been taught.

I am now a woman grown,

It was not as I thought it would be, and the truth of it makes me groan,

My family gone, and I am helpless with no one to trust,

I am me no longer, but I am another; and men still lust.

Whatever happened to my dream?

Nothing goes my way it seems,

I can't give in, I must be strong,

Maybe my true prince will come along.

Someday...

Till then Winter Is Coming,

For spring I shall wait,

The Summer was strong and shinning, 

The Autumn reality grim and stark with a cold fate.

-Pree for Sansa 9/23/2013

And to the tallest tower to stay

They wed me to the imp

Life is not what I dreamt it would be:

Knights in armor; oh the chivalry,

Fancy balls, handsome princes, long lovely dresses,

Palaces, fine things, and romantic kisses...

The Game of...

Everyone plays a game;

There is the game of love,
Until you become jaded and frayed.
Some play silly games, innocent as a dove,
Until your heart is broken from all the games played.

Men play the game of thrones
Across cities, countries and continents,
How the people weep,
When the Rich play their games.

There is The Game,
That no one can never be win,
No throne to claim,
No prize at the end. Just naught. Fin.

Valar Morghulis.

The game of life,
Some are aware of it, Some call it strife,
Some are caught up in the petty,
To worried about wealth, or looking pretty.

The game of life,
We all seem to play,
Some play it with ethics and morals,

Some with another man's wife.


The game of life,
A tricky one it is, some play it with a knife,
Some play it well, some play you for a fool,
Some are conniving, while others... pure evil.

Some play bravely, others are loyal and true...
Which one are you?
What game do you play?
Oh hark, you will pay you toll at the end of the day.

Valar Morghulis.

Of A Broken Heart

What is to become of me?
Me...

Of a broken heart I shall die,
The end is nigh.
I see no reason,
struggling season after season.

Wat is to become of us?
Us...

Of what significance am I to you?
Of my pain and strife you have no clue.
The end is nigh,
For what other reason should I live for other than to die?

You strike me down
You wear your crown
So proud so perfect
You crush me like a mere insect.

The end is nigh,
You sit so high.
You see it not,
That this is all for naught.

What is to become of me?
Me...

A shattered heart
Bleeding black.
Of dreary darkness and cold depression
There is no lack.

What is the purpose,
When all men must die,
Valar morghulis,
So you agree? The end is nigh.

The Trident - By Jayson Mondola

Breathe

Loss

On losing you, I feel such deep sadness, I can only sigh,
On realizing I will see you nevermore, I cry
But your face is ever clear in my mind's eye.

Your voice is ever clear in my ears,
Ringing shrilly through the tears,
Waking the neighbors, through the crowds, for all those years.

I saw you last, so pale and ill,
My heart shattered a thousand times over,
They kept feeding you pills to no avail. Only I could hear you wail.


Through the silence and the darkness, your eyes told all,
All you wanted was to be together again, not stuck in this form,
Now at least you are free,  I set you free, fly back to your love, fly back to me.

Parting is always such sweet sorrow,
It must be done some day, if not the morrow,
Letting go is something humans strive to learn, we always chose to mourn and mourn
                                                                                         till the next morn.

I love you dearly I must say,
Even if we couldn't share recent days,
My sweet memories of you will always linger on, and on and on...
                                                                                         and there you will live for me to cherish.




(Renuka / Mejho Dida 8/6/2013)

Backpacking Love

I love this place, I love this man,
The sun I love, and even the sand...
From atop the dunes we survey the beach,
The bald eagle flies just out of reach,
High we sit, and watch the sparkling lake,
Leaving only footprints, only pictures we take...
We own no land, nor the skies,
But today this is ours, fleeting moments, as the eagle flies.
We do have each others' love and trust,
For us, right now, that is enough.

Ryan and I at Manistee National Forest, Michigan... Pure Michigan.

 Breathe!

Indian Dinner With Friends and Birthdays

My friend Marina is returning to Russia, so I wanted to see her one last time, so I organized another Indian Dinner outing to the restaurant "Cafe Tandoor". About 21 people showed up. There were a few birthdays that week, so we decided to celebrate it that day. They didn't know so it was a surprise!

My friend Marina smack in the center!

We wish Marina much luck for her future, and we will miss her, however she better be ready for some visitors!

Everyone had a great time, ate heartily, and the birthday people were much surprised! The cake was yummy!

Breathe!

Patterns

"We hurt the ones we love the most"
Its a saying we always hear,
When we are sad, angry or in some difficulty
We lash out at the ones nearest
They are also the dearest.
By doing so we drive them away
In turn, they hurt someone else nearest
and dearest.


The pain continues
The hate increases
The egos engorge
The tears break.

They will cry alone
You will die alone
Cold and miserable
All because you wanted to be right.

They will appologize
You will stand up with pride
Assert your ego
You were always right!

They shake their head in sorrow
For you will never know tomorrow
You were blinded by ego
To see the simple beauty of a sparrow.

Don't be that person
Don't be the jerk
Tell your ego you're done with hurt
Let it go! Let it go! Let it go!

It's ok to love selflessly
It's ok to love unconditionally
Everyone loves a team player
No one likes the prideful selfish achiever.

When you are hurt or angry
When you are sad and lonely
Remember love
To love yourself first and everyone else.


So Fight back with love
Heal with time and patience
Confront with understanding
Calm the ego altogether.

Ruin the pattern
Break the cycle
Kill the ego
Meditate on being.

Breathe!

Every Now and Then

Every now and then
you help someone who needs help
Not knowing who, what or when
and suddenly you are the one in a mess - screaming help!

They suck you into their drama
They suck your life out too
They want you to scream for your mamma
They want to keep you in their zoo.

It all starts with your good intent
To help someone who calls out
Little do you think your energy is badly spent
Until they hit you upside your head with a clout.

Who would ever think helping a friend
Would lead to this
When all relationships end
Is a terrible icky sticky pile of a mess.

Lessons learned!

Breathe

My life is like a zen garden!

Ego

I hide from plain sight,
I hide so well even when it's not night.
I seem all warm and fuzzy
Come close and I burn you with my fury.

I snap out in a flash when I feel threatened,
Diminished, belittled, hurt of forgotten,
My punches blow holes through your metaphorical mind,

At my peak I am very unkind.

I simmer down like a mouse, I hide in wait,
When the time is right, I stride up in a flamboyant gait,
I tower above you, transforming from mouse to lion,
Devouring you,just another meal for the dragon.

Oh why did you think you could win against me?
From now on just grovel on one knee. 
I always knew I was superior,
You're genes are simply inferior.

I am the one that feeds my master,
I am her protector, keeper and defender,
I fuel the fire, and encourage the flames,
So that I always win, and you are the one to blame.

Survival is my middle name,
Being the fittest is my game.
I run the fastest race there is,
I hold the peace for my id.

Some people quiet me down,
Some people let me drown,
Into a bottomless pit I will be lost
They meditate till I am forever tossed.

I do lurk in that deepest darkest hole,
Waiting for a day I will come back and be whole,
A day of opinions, discussions, ideas,  and arguments
A day when frustration surmounts and we need to vent.

I'm always there the devil in disguise,
I am the ego and the will await the demise
Of that beautiful angel that guides you
Away from my conniving way and more to pure truth.

I See You For Who You Are
Picture Courtesy Piyali Banerjie

 Let go!






Breathe

Try Love Instead

What do you gain from hate and war?
Nothing, Nothing at all.
Why do you hate, what is it for?
Question deeply before you fall.

Hate leads you to a dark deep pit,
Where your heart will sink and sit.
You lose your light, you lose your friends,
You lose every hope of making amends.

Why do you hate and cause unrest?
You lose all peace of mind to stress.
If anything this is a test
To free your soul, your heart from this mess.

You bear a grudge, and close off your mind,
Do you know that is very unkind?
Unkind, not to others, but to yourself
Because in the end, you're the one that needs help.

Open your eyes and see
The beauty in the world through diversity.
Open you heart and feel
That circle of love will grow and heal.

You miss this chance when you hate and fight,
To love everyone with all your might.
The more you give the more you get,
Just change your heart and your mindset.

Try love instead,
Get negativity out of your head.
Let the toxic out of your heart,
Make room for a fresh and positive start.

Its really not difficult to do,
All you have to let go of what's bothering you.
Look deep inside and see,
The person and things I hated, were in me.
Learn to grow and be strong,
And then with other's you will find no more wrong.



I know all this is real and so true,
What I know even more, is that I love you!

Durga Devi Mahashakti - A Poem

Our Reflection in Mahashakti “Dasavuja”

All mankind

is born, aspiring for perfection

and each shall attain it

will he but follow

his nature’s duty,

listen mindfully, like ‘manifest’ glory.

Now that he holds it

he knows this treasure

above all others.-

Faith so certain

shall never be shaken.

Heaviest sorrow-

vanity, violence-

Pride, lust, anger so bemused-

all possessions though not tainted.

The sense is ego, that matters-

endowed ‘shakti’, let man acquire,

embrace, “Mahashakti” so epitomized.

Endearing and blissfully

ESPIRIT DE CORPS- SO UNIVERSAL,

wonders visibly.

Seer provider omnipotent

our Ma Durga.

Being so obsequious

each of us inspired-

ordained by the nature.

Born out of your showering

noble gifts “Mahagunas” as every.

Empowered to unearth

materials transformed, tranquilled

in our mind & spirit, forever,

surely help us reinvent, bare.

“Mahatman” unfolds austere-

forbearing strength and wisdom

infusing firm faith

to prevailing the truth in us!

Thus our enamoring deity

so ordained by the nature-

mighty and bold

unflinching and fearless

becoming the subtlety of skill

making us a resolute mentor

to work for all humanity

the endeavor, honour

inner strength of mighty deity

help us win the battle of life.

To work for all men-

with humility- “As more we learn,

the little we know”

deserving benediction

-such is the duty of ours

ordained for the serves of

“Mahashakti Durga Devi.

By

Dino Nath Ghosal

This is a poem my grandfather Mr. Dino Nath Ghosal wrote but a few days ago. I hope you enjoyed it. 

 

Creating: Music, Lyrics, Writing

Once the fire of creativity makes its way through your veins and nerves and senses...
it's hard to make it stop. It is hard to go back to being a machine.
You're on bursting with ideas, potential, and it flows through you.

You can feel more, hear more, sense more, taste more...
Appreciate more
And then you meet the brick in the wall.

You can't make them see your light, your spirit; they are stuck.
Once you set a spark of creativity and imagination on to them, however you do it might be tricky...
It will slowly carve it's way through them... if left un-nourished it may diminish once again. So keep the fire of life, imagination, creativity burning.

Some of us get jaded, and like a smoothed rock we sit. We have become passive and complacent. We forget how to fight. Life threw too many difficult hurdles our way, too many loses, too many defeats. The bar was set too high, or the road was too long and winded. The task was too complex and difficult, we lost the battle of the wits. We gave up. Where did the fire go?

Like the Olympic flame, like the Olympians, we can not let that hope fade away.... If we fall, we get up, in time. We must learn from these creatures... and keep trying till we perfect ourselves. Not get distracted by the shiny objects that are there to throw us off the balance beam, not slow down to give into some temptation, not err just because we made a small mistake previously.

We can get back up. We can feel renewed, stand up, and start imagining; then creating.... then actualizing, achieving.




I once asked a very famous Indian music composer and a very famous Indian lyricist, "how do you know which song to put to this tune or that tune?" It is the strangest stupidest question ever however I now know the answer. And to those of you who didn't understand my question, I meant to ask when writing lyrics, how do you figure out what tune to put it to? And when writing a piece of music how do you know what lyrics to put to it. That is for the artist to decide. I know now the secret to this special ability. I won't forget their quizzical faces, or the music producer's reaction!


Breathe!

Tranquil Turmoil

I want to be happy -
I smile.

I feel the pain, I feel sadness-
Sorrow

You guide me through life -
I follow.

Blind leading the blind
You are only trying to be kind
Do me a favor, Leave me alone
I will surely find my own way...

...One day,
Might not be today.

I have nothing else to say.


I want to be free-
Be free.

I feel constrained-
Society.

I resent, repent, remorse, remember-
the past.

You think you know me
Do you even know you?
Do me a favor, leave me alone
I will find me, Go find you...

...One day,
Might not be today.
I have nothing else to say.

The darkness envelopes me-
Acceptance.

The light will shine once again-
Anticipation..

Lose the complacency, shed the passivity-
Fight.

It's my life and I will do as I please
We don't have to go separate ways but

Do me a favor, leave me alone
We can agree to disagree and be at peace...

...One day,
Might not be today.
I have nothing else to say.

Copyright Conscious Culture

Copyright Conscious Culture
By Piyali Banerjie
"Raise your vibration"

If The Dam Breaks

The water pressure builds
The rain pours
The reservoir fills and fills
How can it hold back much more?

If the dam breaks
There will be devastation
If the dam breaks
There's no knowing how much damage will be done
If the dam does not hold up
We may not be able to recover what is lost.

First it was a drizzle
There there was rain
The thunder began roaring
The lighting - shooting pain.

There's a leak

There is a creak and crack
It's gonna crash
let the floods begin.

If the dam breaks
There will be devastation
If the dam breaks
There's no knowing how much damage will be done
If the dam does not hold up
We may not be able to recover what is lost.

If the dam breaks
Everything will be washed away
If the dam breaks
Will we survive the wrath?
After the floods
Will we be able to start  anew?