BE SURE TO SELECT SELF LOVE

 

Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that grows from actions that support our physical, psychological, and spiritual growth. Self-love means having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness.

 To cultivate a healthy spirit, mind, and body, it is important to participate in self-love habits. Self-love looks different for each individual.

 Self-love means that you have an appreciation, affinity, and positive regard for yourself. It's closely related to self-esteem and self-compassion.

 While it can look different to each person, it encompasses being kind to yourself—so forgiving yourself, refraining from self-judgment, trusting yourself and understanding and valuing your worth are some ways we can demonstrate self-love.

 Self-love for me is to:

 Prioritize self-care and positive self-regard.

 Practicing self-compassion, and treating with kindness during setbacks.

 Set boundaries to protect emotional well-being and say no when necessary.

 

Feel that You are special, unique, loved, and deserve to be recognized for all the wonderful things you do each day.

 By nurturing a positive relationship with yourself, you can quiet those negative, self-critical thoughts and achieve inner peace and happiness. Cultivating self-love can help you feel happier, more optimistic, and more connected to those around you.

( This blog post is a part of the Blog chatter's Half marathon: https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2024

(Prompt: What does self-love mean to you)

ROBERT BROWNING'S POEM LIFE IN A LOVE

 

On the 21 st day of the Blog chatter’s #WRITEAPAGEADAY, Here is a poem with love as the major theme.

 

Poet:  ROBERT BROWNING

Poem:   LIFE IN A LOVE

 

   Escape me?

   Never—

   Beloved!

  While I am I, and you are you,

  So long as the world contains us both,

   Me the loving and you the loth,

  While the one eludes, must the other pursue.

   My life is a fault at last, I fear:

I   It seems too much like a fate, indeed!

  Though I do my best I shall scarce succeed.

   But what if I fail of my purpose here?

I   It is but to keep the nerves at strain,

   To dry one's eyes and laugh at a fall,

   And, baffled, get up and begin again,—

   So the chase takes up one's life, that's all.

   While, look but once from your farthest bound

   At me so deep in the dust and dark,

   No sooner the old hope goes to ground

  Than a new one, straight to the self-same mark,

I  I shape me—

   Ever

   Removed!

 

  Robert Browning the passionate singer of love, youth and the world of sense. Each has attracted its little coterie of admirers. He is a poet of not merely the greatest of the artistic value but of the greatest human value. Browning is the most vital and compelling genius and a dramatic singer of love and life.

  In Browning’s poetry love is an ideal as well as a present actuality, and being an ideal its satisfaction is ever incomplete- “infinite passion and the pain of finite hearts that yearn” – hence the divine restless of human heart. The elusiveness of love is more fancifully dealt within life in a love.

   Certain aspects of love have been more finely rendered by other poets; but in range of matter Browning has no superior. His art as a poet of love suffers limitations to that extent, but the underlying inspiration is the greater. For his outlook on love is the outlook of a man who puts it in front of any other thing in life, as a force for sanctifying and strengthening the soul.

THE SUCCESS STORY OF A SELF PUBLISHED BOOK

 

It is also a testament to the fact that not all self –published books are necessarily below par said Sharmila Ribeiro in an interview with Meghna Majumdar.

You might think why I’m sharing about this now. It all began when I was going through my old records where I found a paper cutting which I kept to add it to my scrap book.

The paper cutting was folded and it got stuck inside the book all these days. When after 4 years I was planning to check the condition of my old records this paper cutting popped up and it reminded me of the cook book author and her statement about self -publishing.

Sharmila Ribeiro is an author of a cook book: EVERYDAY LOVE: A MOTHER’S GUIDE TO HEALTHY COOKING FOR KIDS. She is a winner of the family cook book category at the Gourmand World Cook book Awards conference, 2018 in China.

Ribeiro says she never approached a publisher with her work; self –publishing was her go to choice for a reason. She and her team handled everything from layout to printing. Their efforts were fruitful. This brings us to focus on the four major pillars of this book.

 

·  TOPIC : The topic of the book was highly relevant and it met an urgent need of a nutritious diet for the kids

·   TITLE: The title of the book was perfect. Who other than a mother care the most for her children’s diet?

·   COVER AND DESIGN: The cover of the book with pictures of vegetables is a symbolic representation of the content inside. The colour and the pattern of vegetables were like the ones drawn by the children which assure that the focus of the book is on children.

·    PUBLISHING: Self –publishing paved way to bring the book the way she wanted.

 

The award though meant for her alone but it has also turned many to work towards self -publishing and also ensured that self –published books are also being considered for awards these days not like earlier times.

While almost all self-published books do not make much money, there are dozens of self-published books that have broken through to huge audiences and success, and which get much media attention. The number of authors who have sold more than one million e-books on Amazon from 2011 to 2016 was 40, according to one estimate states the Wikipedia

Go with your creative flow and bring out the best author in you and flag off with self –publishing.

SELF CARE IS ESSENTIAL FOR EFFICIENT ENERGY LEVELS

    

 

 

Taking time to do activities that make you feel relaxed and happy can help recharge your energy levels. Examples of self-care practices include getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, exercising regularly, taking breaks throughout the day, and engaging in hobbies or creative pursuits.

 In addition to reducing stress, self-care can also boost our mood and increase our energy levels. When we make time for activities that nurture us, we're more likely to feel happier and more motivated. We may also find that we have more energy to put towards the important things.

 Self-care activities can range from physical activities such as exercising and eating healthy, to mental activities such as reading a book or practicing mindfulness, to spiritual or social activities such as praying or catching lunch with a friend.

 Self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting our own well-being, pursuing happiness, and having the ability, tools, and resources to respond to periods of stress so that they don't result in imbalance and lead to a health crisis.

 Taking care of yourself allows you to recharge and rejuvenate, leading to increased productivity, improved concentration and better problem-solving abilities. When you prioritize your well-being, you have more energy and mental clarity to tackle daily tasks.

 Research has shown that regular exercise increases the level of serotonin in our body significantly improving mood and energy. When exercising for self-care, you should choose an activity you love. It could be a regular run, brisk walking, swimming, or just about any other thing that makes you feel alive.

 Self-care offers numerous benefits for your overall well-being. Here are some key benefits: Improved physical health: Engaging in activities like regular exercise, getting enough sleep and eating nutritious meals can enhance your physical health, boost your energy levels and strengthen your immune system.

 Thus make sure to incorporate self care regimen in your routine and witness the surge of your energy levels. self-care is different for everyone. It's most effective when an individual identifies their goals and the steps they want to take to achieve them.

LEAD A SMART LIFE WITH LIVE SMART BY TEJA LELE

 

TITLE OF THE BOOK :  LIVE SMART -100 HACKS FOR A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE 

AUTHOR : TEJA LELE

GENRE : HOW TO

PUBLISHER : HARPER COLLINS 

BOOK BUY LINK  @ : Amazon

Self - sufficient and self -sustainable will be the way of life for all those who possess a magical handy kit in the form of a book - LIVE SMART -100 HACKS FOR A HEALTHIER AND HAPPIER LIFE  by Teja Lele. After reading the book the readers will be happy to announce that the title is wisely justified and it is true that they are going to LIVE SMART after this momentous journey.

When every one becomes self sufficient and self sustainable automatically the over all self confidence will get a big boost, there by performance level will improve and less stress, there by leading to happy living and obviously healthy life. Lovely to imagine know. Its quite possible with this book .

Author Teja Lele  an editor for twenty years, she was been DIYing ever since she discovered the joy of making over and upcycling. The book of 245 pages is full of  solutions to day to day chores  to avoid chaos which every  household experiences at various situations.

With this statement, not to fix that its meant for house wives or for married ones, or for senior citizens  who are unable to rush out for assistance or for the ones who need to manage the house. But the book is for all who run errands and especially to ones who love to learn to fix things on their own.

 For the ones who long to hear or to wear The tag - " He/She manages everything in  a jiffy" - this book is a boon. One can enjoy absolute luxury of being on their own with this book. The book categorizes the DIY's in support of the activities carried out in five sections namely - Home, food and kitchen, Beauty,  Health and well being, Reuse and recycle.  

The Author suggests decluttering and organizing repeatedly , choosing quality over quantity, bringing in reusables, resisting frequent  upgrades and most importantly, not to follow trends mindlessly.  The author is successful  in highlighting  and encouraging the readers to adopt to the theme of  minimalist decor aesthetic. 

Every section opens with a quote, includes SMART TIPS& BONUS HACK   at needed junctures with 100 DIY's which are at the best of their functional utility.  The book inspires us to realise our potential self to carry out our responsibilities to restore the lost green environment.

Moreover stain removal guide,  expert cleaning tips,  the complete cleaning checklist,  the difference between best before and use by, kitchen conversions, money saving tips, simple desk exercises, '' grounding'', the 7Rs, are the necessary guide to have a smooth flow of the tasks handled by the individuals duly.

 The book is definite to inculcate an urge  in readers to rethink their step and action at every level. Here we can recollect the idiom ; LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP. 

Just remember the way our grandparents  has led their life- Simple yet satisfying and stunning. How they charted a plan of action with what they had and created a pattern of life in accordance with nature. The hacks stated by the author in this book may sound similar to the one followed by your grandparents. All these are not new, these are time tested ones and stand as a testimony to their  values in connection with environment, health, money and food. This is the right time to connect to our own ancestors by following their foot steps for the betterment of the planet and our own self.

In this book the author has left few recommendations with regard to  books and blogs adapting to sustainable lifestyle.

Do grab a copy of this book and see how it turns you to become self -reliant.

(This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program" - https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review-program-from-blogchatter)

( This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.)

BIDDING ADIEU TO HALF MARATHON

 

Writing daily, particularly for a campaign or a program often keeps us on the toes rather than writing something or the other daily on our own.

It’s a task that demands commitment, attachment, planning, and processing. Executing, posting, sharing, and submitting to the said category is the thing that needs to be done to complete the task.

In this way, Blog Chatter’s half marathon started on 28th August and concludes today on 11th September.

I presented ten blog posts using the varied prompts supplied by Blog Chatter.  The initiation provided by Blog Chatter in the form of prompts was a class apart. It cleared me off the cloud of doubts thinking about what to write

A well-crafted prompt establishes the tone and direction for our writing. It can spark creativity and help us concentrate on our ideas.

These thought-provoking, thrilling, and fun-related prompts sent our imagination off and run.

Choosing one prompt a day and writing a few paragraphs on it was an engaging process with a huge positive impact on coming up with a blog post in a relaxed manner. Here are my blog post links written using the prompts:

(Prompt: A story about a magician whose tricks always go hilariously wrong): https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-story-of-clever-magician.html

(Prompt: Is it possible to rewrite our fate/destiny): https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/08/we-are-masters-of-our-own-destin.html

Prompt: (The first time you understood the healing power of art): https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/08/colouring-made-me-realise-power-of-art.html

(Prompt: What does self-love mean to you) : https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/08/be-sure-to-select-self-love.html

(Prompt: When life gives you lemons, what do you do with them…) : 

https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/09/be-firm-to-transform-sour-into-sweet.html

(Prompt: Draw a flower and write a haiku around it): https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/09/read-haikus-of-pretty-flowers.html

 Prompt: (Shows or movies that made you laugh out loud): https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/09/sitcoms-are-seriously-to-lol.html

(Prompt: Do you think it was destiny or hard work that made you a content

Creator?) :  https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/09/bloggers-are-hardwired-to-do-hardwork.html

(Prompt: Have you become the person you wanted to be): https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/09/discipline-directs-towards-dear-life.html

(Prompt: Favourite family traditions):   https://bookfoodlanguage.blogspot.com/2024/09/a-family-tradition-based-on-beliefs-and.html

 

 The blog chatter half marathon encourages not only writing but also engaging with the blogpost of fellow bloggers. The blog posts were rushing in in large numbers from the participants and were no short of a choice to read. That too reading one post a day and sharing it with the #ReadTheNew hashtag was quite a delightful experience. Here is the link of the blog post that I read.

 

1.    https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/destiny-vs-hard-work-my-journey-to-becoming-a-successful-content-creator-blogchatterhalfmarathon-pebbles-galaxy

2.    https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/a-little-haiku-visits-my-home-adis-journal

3.    https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/understanding-microsoft-copilot

4.    https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/book-review-balu-aur-malanga

5.    /blogrolls/book-review-the-dog-who-unleashed-the-truth-and-other-stories-by-suresh-nair-a-collection-that-is-full-of-humour-and-satire-jainand-gurjar 6.

   https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/if-you-could-relive-any-incident-what-would-you-pick

7.    https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/the-day-i-learned-to-embrace-imperfection-a-lesson-from-the-kitchen-blogchatter-half-marathon-2024-entry-no-4-by-sameer-gudhate-aug-2024-medium

8.    https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/which-is-more-important-family-care-or-doing-service-around-blogchatter-half-marathon-2024

9.    https://aishwariyalaxmi.com/2024/08/29/do-you-think-it-was-destiny-or-hard-work-that-made-you-a-content-creator/

10.   https://matheikal.blogspot.com/2024/08/heights-of-evil.html?spref=tw

 

This time I fondly realised that reading these blogposts was a positive distraction. Reading always gives us pleasure until we read something that interests us. Read whatever you like…in the long run, it will be helpful.

Moreover, in this half marathon, many bloggers used prompts, if we go through the writings of different people on the same subject we will find different views. We realize that there can be many aspects of a particular topic.

Like these, there are many known and unknown benefits of reading and writing blog posts.  This year’s blog chatter's half marathon was wonderful participating and thoroughly enjoyed doing the assigned tasks.

Looking forward to the next year’s program.

HOW I GOT TO READ A SHORT NOVELLA AND FALL IN LOVE WITH IT

   

  

 

One fine day my uncle was clearing his old wooden boxes in which he had many of his books. From it, he took out a book and gave it to me. It was an old book and a bit torn in the corners. Even the papers became dull and some stains were also there. I didn’t like the book with its appearance and was sad that he gave me such an old, toned book to read. “Can’t he buy me a new book?”  I thought and kept it aside not to touch.

The book lay separately from my small collection of books which I had in those days. After many months when my uncle’s friends visited our house, in between their talks I happened to overhear the discussion about the book FAREWELL MY FRIEND AND THE GARDEN by Rabindranath Tagore.

One of his friends recited :

“Blow gently over my garden

Wind of the southern sea

In the hour my love cometh

And calleth me.

And they had a fun time till they finally dispersed.

The next day when I opened my book shelf to take out some stationery, This book caught my eye. Its outer appearance disturbed me a lot. But I finally thought to just check out its pages and wanted to know what it was all about.

At that time I only  know that Rabindranath Tagore was a Nobel Laureate who wrote GItanjali and little more was known about KABULIWALLA as it was part of our studies. Nothing more about his other works, writing styles, greatness, or his contribution to English Literature.

The book contained two novellas = one was FAREWELL MY FRIEND with 106 pages, and the other was MALANCHA OR THE GARDEN  with 50 pages along with the Translator’s note in 2 pages. The book was translated from the Bengali by Krishna  Kriplani and published by Jaico Publishing House, Bombay

For this also I was disappointed that why two novels were combined into a single book.  With many issues with the book, I started reading it slowly and went with it in a smooth flow.

 The main character in Farewell my Friend is Amit Rai. He was a barrister, he doesn't practice much law, or any other profession -- though he does dabble in poetry.

He has two sisters. When everyone leaves the city in the summer he does too -- but he heads to Shillong instead of Darjeeling. But it is here he encounters a young, well-educated, and well-read woman working as a private tutor, Labanyalata, and falls in love with her.

Farewell My Friend is a distinctly -- and amusingly -- literary novel. Tagore's playful use of his own poetry and self is charming and adds a nice twist. And it is a very amusing read.

Finally an affecting love story -- and ultimately a lost love story.

  In this book, Translator Kripalani admits to the difficulty of capturing and rendering "the artistry of the author's style" in English in a Translator's Note.

I enjoyed reading the book and immediately I decided to put a cover to the book with an advertisement sheet from the newspaper which was available next to me. and stick the torn pages. I quietly thanked my uncle and his friends for introducing me to such a nice book.

Then I made up my mind not to focus on the outer appearance of the book and reminded myself of the metaphorical phrase – DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.

 Till to date, this book is with me along with my collection and I’m proudly using it for TBR blog post today.  Farewell my friend is an enjoyable and touching short read.

 

 

(This blogpost is part of BLOGCHATTER’S #TBR challenge prompt for the month of APRIL :  A NOVELLA YOU LOVE)

LOVE FOR A LOVELY VOICE

      

A "LOVE FOR a lovely voice" can mean many things, from appreciating someone's beautiful singing voice to finding comfort and connection in the sound of a loved one's voice. It can also refer to the act of loving and cherishing one's own voice and using it to express oneself. 

Here's a deeper look at the various aspects of "LOVE FOR a lovely voice":

1. Appreciating a Beautiful Singing Voice:

Complimenting a singer:

You can express your appreciation for someone's singing voice by saying things like, "Your voice is so soothing," "You have a beautiful voice," or "I love the way you sing".

Finding solace in music:

A lovely voice can evoke emotions, create a sense of peace, and offer comfort.

Connecting with music:

A beautiful voice can help you connect with music on a deeper level and appreciate the artistry of a singer. 

2. Finding Comfort and Connection in a Loved One's Voice:

The sound of a voice:

The sound of a loved one's voice can be a source of comfort, reassurance, and connection. 

Missing a voice:

When you miss someone, you might find yourself longing to hear their voice. 

The power of words:

The way someone speaks, their tone, and their choice of words can create a powerful connection. 

3. Loving and Cherishing Your Own Voice:

Self-acceptance: Learning to love your own voice can involve embracing your unique sound and overcoming insecurities.

Voice as an instrument: Your voice is a powerful tool for communication and self-expression.

Vocal care: Taking care of your voice through proper techniques and vocal warm-ups can help you maintain its quality and strength. 

HAPPINESS ASSURES ENERGISED YOU

It's the feeling of truly enjoying your life, and the desire to make the very best of it. Happiness is the "secret sauce" that can help us be and do our best. Here's what researchers found when they studied happy people: Happy people are more successful. Happy people are better at reaching goals.

 Recently, a critical mass of research has provided what might be the most basic and irrefutable argument in favor of happiness: Happiness and good health go hand-in-hand. Indeed, scientific studies have been finding that happiness can make our hearts healthier, our immune systems stronger, and our lives longer.

 

·         Happiness is a subjective experience, and what makes one person happy may not have the same effect on someone else. However, one thing that is commonly associated with happiness is energy. Energetic people are often described as being happy, outgoing, and positive.

·         Happy people are more motivated than unhappy people and that with happiness comes passion. Passion and happiness create energy. If you're not happy with something you're doing or in a relationship that is abusive, it may be time to assess what effect it's having on your life.

 

Always choosing happiness means constantly renewing your commitment to increasing your emotional well-being. That might mean focusing on self-improvement, like building more self-love, engaging in meditation practice, or putting extra effort into managing your emotions, like reaching out to a friend for support.

 Happiness is good for our health: 

* Happier people are less likely to get sick, and they live longer. 

*Happiness is associated with more satisfying romantic relationships as well as stronger friendships.     * Happier people make more money and are more productive at work. 

* Happier people are more generous.

Stress, anxiety, and anger can weaken our immune system, making us more vulnerable to illnesses. Happiness can also have a positive impact on our heart health. Studies have found that those who are happier have lower blood pressure and heart rates, decreasing the chance of developing coronary heart disease.

 Typically, happiness is an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction.

 It can enhance your productivity: You produce more when put in a positive mood. It can promote better health behaviors: Happier people engage in more exercise. It can lead to better immune functioning: Happier people are more resistant to colds and even experience faster-wound healing.

 Cultivating positive emotions, developing strong relationships, finding meaning and purpose, practicing self-care, practicing gratitude, and embracing challenges and growth are all strategies that can help us to achieve greater happiness in our lives. Be happy. Be energetic

SAMUEL DANIEL'S POEM - LOVE IS A SICKNESS

     

     

On the 10 ^th day of the Blog chatter’s #WRITEAPAGEADAY, Here is a poem with love as the major theme.

 

Poet: Samuel Daniel

Poem:  Love is a sickness

       Love is a sickness full of woes,

          All remedies refusing;

       A plant that with most cutting grows,

        Most barren with best using.

      Why so?

    More we enjoy it, more it dies;

     If not enjoyed, it sighting cries,

     Hey ho!

 

    Love is a torment of the mind,

    A tempest everlasting;

   And Jove hath made it of a kind

   Not well, not full, nor fasting.

   Why so?

  More we enjoy it, more it dies;

   If not enjoyed, it sighing cries,

   Hey ho!

 

 

Samuel Daniel was born in Somersetshire in 1562 or 1563, and little is known of his early life. His father is said to have been John Daniel, a musician. He matriculated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 17 November 1581 and left three years later, apparently without taking a degree.  He was tutor to William Herbert, Third Earl of Pembroke who later became Shakespeare's patron.  During parts of 1585-1590 he traveled on the Continent, likely developing the knowledge of French and Italian literature which was to influence his dramatic work.

 He was admired as a lyric poet and historian along with it he has found few enthusiastic readers for his dramatic works. Sober minded, restrained, reflective, and frequently prosaic, Daniel stands outside the popular-stage tradition, yet as an innovator he is of considerable importance in the history of Renaissance drama. 

He published Delia, a collection of sonnets in 1592, The Complaynt of Rosamund in the same year, and Cleopatra, a Senecan tragedy in 1594. His Defense of Rhyme (1603) was a reply to  Thomas Campion ‘s essay on the Art of English Poesy which contended that the English language was not suitable for rhymed verse. Daniel also wrote an epic poem Civil Wars (completed 1609), Certain Small Poems (1605), and several court masques which won him favour with Queen Anne.

Daniel was much admired by his contemporaries as well as later poets for his clarity of expression, technical skill, and versatility. "I know I shall be read among the rest / So long as men speak English" was his confident self-appraisal.