At The BRIM

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Imagine for a second that you are in a room and suddenly the lights go off. You are blind to everything surrounded by darkness. Instinctively we blink our eyes and remember the position of the things that were around us. Our mind opens up and we see what we know. Actually we believe in what we know at that very moment. Without a doubt. To me faith is that belief. 

An anchor we need to hold on to for our progression in life. It is the only thing that can provide meaning, hope, and guidance to all of us. The only thing that can get you through times of uncertainty stress anxiety. 

Whether it is faith in a higher power, oneself, principles, or even in the goodness of humanity, it can provide solace and strength to get through life. At its core, faith is about trusting in something beyond what can be immediately seen or proven. It is about holding onto beliefs that give meaning and purpose

As most of us would want our path to be always well organised and planned, more often than not let’s say life throws us into the spin wheel. We derail and there is shock, stress and a lot of other emotions. Many of us go through longer cycles of this leading to the thought that this crazy wheel is never going to stop. 

Those are the days that your strong faith in what ever it may be comes out. Helping us find resilience and hope amidst the chaos. 

For me, faith has always meant believing in a higher power, but I have  come to understand that it is different for everyone. Regardless of what we have faith in, it gives us patience – a gift not everyone has. Faith teaches us to wait calmly, knowing that things will eventually fall into place. All because it is the most natural instinct our heart has provided for us.  I have come to tell you this today. Have Faith, the spin wheel will eventually stop and everything will fall in place.

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I was recently talking to a good friend of mine who was sharing something personal with me and I was so engrossed in what she was saying When she completed the story and looked at me I just shook my head, and said everything will be fine. No opinion or advice and I left the conversation at that. A little later I found myself wondering why I didn’t say anything? Usually I expect myself to be someone giving extraordinary advice or some fresh perspective and I had nothing to say. I was almost feeling bad that I could not keep up with my expectations. 

She called me just a little while later saying it felt nice talking to you I feel like I have offloaded something. Feels lighter and thanks so much for listening to me. Ah now I understand, that’s truly listening to someone without trying to draw parallels in the head. 

That struck me. Active listening is not merely hearing people talk, it is being present, being involved feeling all the things they are saying heartfully and also like a sponge absorbing everything quietly. 

This has been a journey of personal growth, allowing me to be wholly present for someone else without immediately injecting my perspective. Understanding that everyone has a unique journey, I have come to appreciate that not every conversation requires my input.

It is about building connections grounded in understanding, free from the constant comparison of experiences. Let us make an effort to be active listeners, radiate positive energy, and nurture an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Sometimes, a quiet listen can be more powerful than spoken words.

I leave you with your cup of coffee and this though to ponder over today. You never know what door it might open for you!

Music: Memory
Musician: Xuxiao

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In my view, it's crucial to keep practicing constant deliberation—a habit that brings out virtues like honesty and fairness in thought, essential for personal growth. While our egos shape us, setting boundaries through thoughtful considerations helps avoid its pitfalls that might lead to inhumanity or insolence.

Passing through these ego-driven moments believing that I am neither above nor below anyone but just embracing equality in thought is key at that moment. I firmly believe that in a diverse world, differences in knowledge, wealth, and exposure are often seen as what sets us apart. Yet, I have come to understand that the real differentiator lies in our minds.

This understanding opens doors to significant changes in how we approach life. I conclude these reflections, acknowledging that fairness in thought is a result of ongoing deliberation, shaping a more balanced world. Let's keep questioning the purpose that guides our actions on this journey. Until next time!

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Recently I read Ekalaivan's Mahabharata story which deepened my thoughts on the delicate balance between control and surrender in life.

Navigating the balance between asserting control over our lives and allowing nature to unfold is definitely a constant struggle. Understanding the reasons behind our experiences, big or small, can be tricky a lot of times. Our minds, a subtle yet powerful force, often sway between these extremes. Achieving a centered state is a challenging process, fostering the belief that every event serves a purpose. 

Ekalaivan's willingness to sacrifice his thumb as Gurudakshina showed a profound commitment, emphasizing the importance of humility and devotion in our personal journeys. 

This story serves as a stirring reminder that sometimes, letting go can be a powerful act of trust in the unfolding course of our lives. Attempting to control everything is like clutching a delicate flower too tightly. Regardless of our current feelings of insignificance or significance, embracing the assurance that our lives have purpose can be transformative. 

Today, let us turn a new leaf, trusting in the unfolding journey. I sign off with my cup of warm coffee as I delve deeper into these musings. Have a blessed day!

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Each of us has a unique life that is to be appreciated without comparison. We experience influences, but it is up to us to filter out the unnecessary. Being true to ourselves, empowering our inner voice, and embracing positivity shapes our lives and slowly helps shed materialistic fallacies. And we each have a unique timeline even for this to happen. While it does, let us focus on living a happy life; your subtle efforts in leading a simpler, goal-driven life might be the right influence for someone near you. 

Well, in the midst of it all, perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee—a comforting companion on our journey.

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In our human journey, we move from simply giving and incorporating love into our lives to a point where we not only give love but also become an embodiment of love. It's a transition where expressing love becomes an innate part of who we are, woven into the fabric of our being and reflected in our actions and interactions with others.

Consider this situation, a person who initially shares love through kind gestures and words. As they progress in their journey, love becomes more than just actions; it becomes an integral part of their character. They don't merely give love; they embody it, and their every action naturally radiates a genuine sense of love and compassion towards others. This transition exemplifies the evolution from offering love to becoming a living expression of it.

In life's diverse relationships – be it between parent and child, husband and wife, or acts of charity toward the less fortunate or those in distress or war – love evolves from a mere gesture to a profound embodiment. This transformation is not confined to human connections but extends to unspoken bonds, such as the devotion between beings and their masters. It exemplifies the deep impact of love, transcending various aspects of our existence.

As you sip on that cup this morning identify someone who embodies love in such a way in your life? Today you must acknowledge the positive impact they have had on you or others. Feel free to tag them here as an acknowledgment!

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"நான் அசைந்தால் ஆசையும் அகிலமெல்லாமே அறிவாய் மனிதா உன் ஆணவம் பெரிதா" 

A beautiful verse of a song from the movie Thiruvilayadal. While the song itself has a powerful back story my adaptation comes from the point of view of self-growth. Today I will talk about how I want to connect it to my heart, mind, and body. Through to Stillness. 

Before there came everything there was nothing and nothingness is stillness. What we all need in life is inner stillness just like the ocean, on the surface, there is always movement but the deeper you go the calmer it is. This is a natural phenomenon. That’s how human life is naturally. 

The rigidity of the environment I have created around myself, one of self-importance breaks down to worthless fragments when I replace the I (நான்) from this verse with my heart (where I believe my creator sits). 

When my heart is disturbed so does the body and mind but when the heart decides to stay calm under all circumstances the body and the mind follow suit - bringing about a stillness.

And every morning I sit down for my coffee time or what is called “me time” i look forward to a few minutes of stillness. I yearn for this stillness within me throughout the day, that would be bliss.

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A few years ago, I met @malini at an event hosted by my friend. Later that night, a few of us went for dinner, and Malini joined us a few minutes later. When asked about their fitness, Malini simply said, “I don’t do much, 'வயிறு போதும்னு சொல்லும் போது நான் நிறுத்திடுவேன்’”, following Nammalvar’s words. Roughly translated, it means when their stomach says stop, they immediately stop. This simple yet challenging concept applies not only to our stomachs but also to our hearts. We often cling to emotions so deeply that, even when our hearts signal that it’s had enough, we continue to feed into it. Whether it's love, excitement, anger, or worry, the more we feed, the harder it becomes to reverse the attachment's effects within us.

With the abundance of food and emotions around us today, the choice to moderate and indulge in either or both solely resides within us. Ponder on that as you sip your morning coffee. Have a wonderful day!

Music: Inspire
Musician: ASHUTOSH

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I believe that children are not an excuse they are a reason, worth everything you have. They give you a reason to live and the strength to tide over your toughest days. Hell yeah they can give you some tough days themselves. 

But, take for instance, when Covid hit home my boys and I fell sick all at the same time, and like a pack of cards the entire household followed. I had no second to spare, and with terrible aches I rose again I knew I had to. I am sure many of you went through the same. 

Pondering over what made me get over the excruciating physical and mental strain were just my kids. Maybe they needed me, but time and again, incident after incident I have understood that I needed them more like a life jacket. This transcends age. 

Endless such counters we all have had. Hold on to their thought that unconditional love will guide you out of anything you are going through.

Having a strong cup of black this morning as I write this. How about you? 

Background Music: 拾翠
Musician: EnjoyMusic
Site: https://enjoymusic.ai

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One of the many things I like to do like many of you guys is to have a quiet morning with my cup of coffee. Left to my thoughts, organise myself and plan my day ahead and to stay on top of my game. Well, truth be told I feel like this time of the day is purely for myself “The Precious Me Time”. 

Our days seem to be getting more and more chalk o block and power packed. You could have demanding children like mine, demanding work or demanding thoughts, but there is something happening all the time and this is great no doubt but you start waiting for nightfall. 

These are times you don’t feel any guilt for spending it on yourself. I know, I said it out loud. But reflection on the guilt topic is for another day. Today is all about appreciating our dear coffee for giving us some precious moments for self reflection.

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