A Birthday Prayer

This is a Birthday Prayer that dates back to my childhood days. Dedicating this to a very special friend whose birthday happens to be today....

Thank you, God, for giving me another year of life.
Thank you for all the people who remembered me today
by sending cards, and letters, gifts and good wishes.
Thank you for all the experience of this past year;
for times of success which will always be happy memories,
for times of failure which reminded me of my own weakness
and of my need for you,
for times of joy when the sun was shining,
for times of sadness which drove me to you.
Forgive me for the hours I wasted,
for the chances I failed to take,
for the opportunities I missed this past year.
Help me in the days ahead to make this the best year yet,
and through it to bring good credit to myself,
happiness and pride to my loved ones,
and joy to you.

Amen.

Fear of the unknown

When we are born, we cradle comfortably in the trusting arms of our mother. Then mother induces us to walk. We walk a few steps, then are afraid, lose the balance, and fall. Mother holds our little fingers in her own magical hands, endures our so many falls, helps us rise again as she drives us into the unknown world.

The unknown world out there is fearsome. As mother gently pushes us to walk on our own, she protects us till we right ourselves and then leaves us free. This is very similar to our relationship with God and the way we live life.

Throughout our life we are thrust into the unknown as we face new challenges, wake up to new horizons and constantly endure the circle of change. We tend to cling to the familiar but most of the times change becomes inevitable and we have to believe in the larger scheme of life and the universe. As we are pushed into the unknown world, we feel threatened, alone and fearful, but God like the mother protects us from all sides. When we feel we will have a free fall, God, whether through family, friends or kind strangers, covers us and protects us till we are able to right ourselves again.

We may flounder but God's protective hand bears us and enables us to walk. Thus although we may feel we can no longer handle the uncertainty, we need to have the trust that we will be able to overcome what we need to and with this trust we will be able to walk into the uncharted with a confident gait.

Welcoming Spring!

The advent of a new season is always so exciting. Whether it is our constant desire for change or the freshness that a new season brings we are always happy to bid adieu to the winter and welcome spring, swim happily into the summer as spring leaves us, say goodbye to summer as autumn approaches and are ready for the quietness of the winter as nature comes a full circle yet again.

The arrival of the spring brings a new freshness to everything around. New leaves fluttering on the tips of longing branches, flowers blooming into a romantic orgy of beauty and desire and the whole atmosphere is filled with fragrance and colors. We cherish the sunlight and the lengthening of the days. It is the season of the cherry blossom and the beginning of a new harvest.
Early morning chirping of the birds, the warmth in the weather and the evening breeze is what makes spring so special. The streams and rivers swell as the snow melts and the trees gush with their new wealth.

While summer brings along with it the excitement of water sports and beach picnics, autumn gives a treat to the eyes with the colors of the fall, and winters mark a quieter and relaxed end of the year when snow sports give a boost to adrenalin levels.
But of all the wonders that nature presents, I like the spring the most and basking in the spring sun fills me with new energy. I feel a step closer to the nature and I feel bright and cheerful. It is also the time for some new exploration as we make plans for the coming summer months.

Extending a warm welcome to spring...