Giving Thanks

Before I came to America, I did not know anything about Thanksgiving but now this is one festival which is growing its ranking in my list of things which I label with "I like it" This is a day when American families sit down together to share a meal, or two, to give thanks to people who came to this land to make new life and the native Indians shared their harvest with these new pilgrims. It is also called a Turkey Day as that is what is traditionally eaten on thanksgiving. If you are a Turkey, consider hibernating!!
I am starting to develop a fondness for this day because this festival is not associated with any religion, it does not celebrate any mythological superheroes. It honors actual real people who dared to think different and embarked on a long and difficult journey with hopes of fulfilling their dreams and they actually did! This day makes me stop, only if for a moment, to give a thought to all the things that are going right for me. The day does not ask me to follow any rituals that I do not understand, all I need to do is have a good meal, after which most of my clothes would not fit me, with my family and friends and be happy about the positives in life.
Though the focus of the day is on the bounty that you have, all the newspapers and television advts. about day after thanksgiving sales won't let you forget all that you do not have!! I can't say that I am not thankful for all those sales, in fact I am very thankful. Yea, I am gracious like that.
Splendid food, cheerful company of close friends and tireless shopping the next day that not only gets you those sexy boots that you were eyeing for a long time but also helps you burn those tonnes of calories that you consumed while being thankful, What's Not To Love? I say its brilliant! But if you are a Turkey, I am sure you have a different take on this whole thanksgiving business. I hear ya!
For all the non Turkeys "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Tangy Tuesday Turned Sweet

I am so very pleased to tell you that my post My Shishya : My Guru has been picked up by BlogAdda for their Tangy Tuesday Picks. I say that's pretty sweet way to start a day!
You can applaud now 'taking a bow' Thank you very much!!
You can see the entire list of wonderful posts (including mine, :-))

My Shishya : My Guru

This post has been selected by Blogadda as Tangy Tuesday Pick!
My Little girl, the soon to be five year old, is like spicy Indian street food whose spiciness brings tears to your eyes but you don't want to stop eating. Her conversations never end!! In her quest to read more and more, it seems she has forgotten to learn the importance of "period, the full stop". Talking too much has also made her very expressive, she can verbalize every little thought and experience. Running to me in the school foyer, tightly hugging, the little voice said "You are best mamma,everyone wants a mamma like you". Awwww that's so sweet. But what did I do to hear that? Exactly nothing! She was cheering her mamma up because she knows mamma is not in the best of her spirits these days. When do kids learn this? How do they know compliments would perk up everyone. So an otherwise tired and gloomy mother, got a cheer on her face and they both ran to the car, giggling like two mischievous friends who know all the secrets of the world. In past few days I have come to realize that she is not only my little daughter but my friend and my security blanket as well. Her presence keeps me going in good as well as bad times, she has made me realize that there is no "full stop" in life, there are only pauses, no matter how bad or good things are, life must go on.

How do you show respect?

When you are growing up whatever elders say is right. Right? No! But you are expected to follow what they say and take it in your stride. What if you don't? Are you just voicing your opinion or you are showing disrespect? Does respecting someone means being meek or being submissive to them?
Also, after getting married, girls are expected to touch feet of all of the in laws, whether you know that person or not, of your brother as well as sister in law, even if they are bride's age. Does it really initiate respect in her heart for them? She might still hate them or maybe more because of this. A man on the other hand isn't allowed by his parents to touch his in laws feet, no matter how old they are to him. What this tells about our society? If touching feet is a way of expressing respect, a girl's parents and siblings are not worthy of respect?
I loved being a new bride and enjoyed touching feet so much that many a times I over did it. But today I do not resonate with the custom, I can show respect in many other ways like by giving weight to your thoughts, by being nice to you, by letting you sit first, by being polite, by helping etc. Why is this public display of one person being submissive shows the glory of others?
What do you say?