LIVING

 

                LIVING           

                        What follows is a ten-line anonymous poem titled ‘Living”. Its purpose is to give useful hints to the readers about spending their life time joyfully in this world.

            We shall have a look at each line separately and try to learn from it whatever we can about the art of living.

1.To touch the cup with eager lips and taste, and drain.

The cup here means the cup of life. Let us hold it eagerly and decently and drink its contents gradually. There should be no haste, no hurry.

2. To woo and tempt and court a bliss---and not attain it’

      Try to win over a sort of life’s bliss but not succeed in attaining it as much as you try.

3. To fondle and caress a joy, yet hold it lightly.

       Do long and embrace a joy of life but not hold it tightly. Do it gently.

4.  Lest it become necessity and cling too tightly.

      We should not make any joy an addiction, a habit, or a necessity.

5. To watch the sun set in the west without regretting.

     We should not feel sad when the sun which rises in the east in the morning sets in the west in the evening.

6. To hail its advent in the east-the night forgetting.  

      We should welcome the arrival of the  sun in the in the morning but should not forget that it will disappear at night.

7. To smother care in happiness and grief in laughter.

       We should keep a touch of care or worry in happiness and grief in laughter.

8. To hold the present close ---not questioning hereafter.

       It is fine to focus ourselves closely on the present time but should not forget that it will be over and the future will follow.

9. To have enough to share ---to know the joy of giving.

     We must not spend all our assets immediately; on the other hand making savings and share them with other needy people because there is a joy of giving.

10. To thrill with all the sweets of life ---is living.

In this final line the anonymous poet gives his central message and that is sharing our sweet joys of life with other people.  

                                                *****

G.R.Kanwal

2^nd February 2026                                                

PUNCTUALITY

 

          PUNCTUALITY

            Punctuality is timeliness. It may also be called promptness. It is doing things at pre-arranged, pre-fixed, pre-appointed time. It is a virtue. To be unprompt and late is a vice.

            Unpunctuality has many disadvantages.The saying better late than never is not admirable. Untimeliness,  even by the fraction of a second , can be dangerous.

            Here are some famous quotes on punctuality.

1.     I could never think well of a man’s intellectual or moral character , if he was habitually unfaithful to his appointments.

2.     Habitual late comers are unreliable.

3.     Want of punctuality is a want of virtue.

4.     The English divine Richard Cecil (1748=1777) said: Appointments once made, become debts. If I have made an appointment with you, I owe you punctuality; I have no right to throw away your time, if I do my own.

5.     According to the English essayist J. F. Boyes (1811-79) Strict punctuality is, perhaps, the cheapest virtue which can give force to an otherwise utterly insignificant character.

6.     The English novelist Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873) believed : Punctuality is the stern virtue of men of business, and the graceful courtesy of princes.

7.     An interesting quote on punctuality is by the French Gastronomer Brilliant-Savarin (1755-1826) . He says: The most indispensable qualification of a cook is punctuality. The same may be said of guests.

8.     Arriving late is a way of saying that your own time is more valuable than the time of the person who is waiting.

9.     Punctuality is the soul of business.

10.                        The while we keep a man waiting, he reflects on our shortcomings.---French Proverb.

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

1^st February 2026

 

 

 

TALKING ABOUT HOME

 

TALKING ABOUT HOME

1.     East or west, home is the best

2.     To Adam paradise was home.

3.     Without hearts there is no home.

4.     It takes a woman to make a home.

5.     The first sure symptom of a mind in health, is rest of heart, and pleasure felt at home.

6.     Be it ever so humble, there is no place like a home.

7.     Every house where love abides and friendship is a guest, is surely home.

8.     The most essential element in any home is God.

9.      A good home implies good living, which is also a means and a token of true culture, since without good living there can be no good thinking.

10.                        To be happy at home is the ultimate aim of all ambition; the end to which every enterprise and labour tends, and of which every desire prompts the prosecution.

11.                        Don’t scruple freedom in brightening home.

12.                        Home is the seminary of all other institutions.

13.                        Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, a dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest.

14.                        Home is where our story begins.

15.                        Home is the starting place of love, hope and dreams.

16.                        The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave and it feels even better to come back.

17.                         Good food and a warm kitchen are what makes a house a home.

18.                        Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong and laughter never ends.

19.                        In a happy home, hearts are full, and smiles are contagious.

20.                        Home is where the heart is and one’s heart is always happy where he is surrounded by the ones he loves.

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

30^th January 2026               

 

 

WHERE S HOME?

 

                WHERE S HOME?             

            There is no simple definition of home. According to one of them  it is where you live, your house, apartment, also the place where you feel most comfortable, loved and protected. Another definition says it is the house or flat that you live in, especially with your family.

            The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household is also called home.

            Your hometown is that where you lived in a family you were born in even if you are not living there today.   

            A house is a building designed for human habitation, providing shelter, security, and comforts like bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and space for the benefit of  other family activities.

            An English poet and engraver Charles Swain (1801-1874) who was also an honorary professor of poetry at the Manchester Royal Institution wrote a poem with the title: HOME IS WHERE THERE IS ONE TO LOVE US.

            Here he is what he said in that famous poem:

“Home’s not merely four square walls,
Though with pictures hung and gilded:
Home is where affection calls,
Filled with shrines the heart hath builded!

Home! go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing ‘neath the heaven above us;
Home is where there’s one to love!
Home is where there’s one to love us!

Home’s not merely roof and room,
It needs something to endear it;
Home is where the heart can bloom,
Where there’s some kind lip to cheer it!
What is home with none to meet,
None to welcome, none to greet us?
Home is sweet, -and only sweet-
Where there’s one we love to meet us!

                                                *******

G.R.Kanwal

29 January 2026

 

 

FROM THE BIBLE

 

                FROM THE BIBLE

            Don’t stumble in darkness. In  The Gita, The Bible and The Koran; besides other holy books, there is a lot of light towards the right path.

            Humanity is one and so is the key to peace and tranquility. Hold it firmly. Use it regularly and maintain the inward joy of your mind soul.

            An extract from the Bible says:

            We are you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are working so hard among you. And in the Lord’s fellowship are your leaders and counsellors. Hold them in the highest possible esteem and affection for the work they do.

            You must live at peace among  yourselves . And we would urge you, brothers, to admonish the careless, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, and to be very patient with them all.

            See to it that no one pays back  wrong for wrong, but always at doing the best you can for each other and for all men.

            Be always joyful; pray continually; give thanks whatever happens.

            Do not stifle inspiration. May God himself, the God of peace, make you holy in every part, and keep you sound in spirit, soul, and body, without fault.

            Brothers, pray for us also.

            Greet all of us and also our brothers with the kiss of peace.

                                                ********

G.R.Kanwal

28^th January 2026

           

           

THREE TYPES OF MAN

 

THREE TYPES OF MAN         

            It is Lord Krishna who mentions three types of man in his sacred book The Bhagwad Gita, a Hindu scripture, probably composed in the second or first century BCE.  

            This world-famous scripture forms part of the epic poem Mahabharata. It is not a small book with only limited details about man, life and death.

            Its translated versions are available in innumerable languages of the world. It is a holy poetic song that mentally and spiritually uplifts every reader .

            Defining man as a combination of body and soul, it describes the body as perishable and the soul as immortal. The body dies but not for ever. It assumes a new form and continues to exist. It is an example of transmigration.

            According to Lord Krishna there are three types of men ---Sattvic, Rjasic and Tamasic. Those with Sattvic disposition are worshippers of God. The bearers of Rajasik temperament  worship demons, and persons of Tamasik nature are devotees of spirits and ghosts. Food also of these three types  of men is according to their respective natures.   

            Sattvic men perform their duties unselfishly. They don’e aspire for the  fruit or the reward of their actions. They also avoid every type of ostentation.

            The worshippers of God possess the following qualities: Fearless acceptance of truth; purity of intention; steadfast in research of knowledge; study of scriptures; total austerity; constant uprightness; everlasting non-violence; tranquility of mind; absence of abuse; perfect compassion; non-greediness; gentleness, modesty; forgiveness; fortitude; humility; and absence of pride.

            Finally, the three major  qualities to avoid the gates of darkness (hell) are: 1. Lust; 2. Wrath; e. Greed.

                                                ********

G.R.Kanwal

27 January 2026

QUALITIES OF SUPERMAN

 

          QUALITIES OF SUPERMAN 

            The term “man” has many dimensions. There are a number of books on all of them.  The word “superman” is defined as a man who is unusually strong or intelligent or who can do something extremely well.

            One who is superhuman is supernatural ,  herculean, phenomenal, prodigious, stupendous, heroic, extraordinary, divine, god-like, etc.

            A superman is defined by a combination of immense powers and deeply principled, compassionate, and humble personality shaped by his upbringing. He is often viewed as a “paragon of virtue; a symbol of hope, and a modern-day mythological hero” who strives to bring out the best in humanity. His core moral and personality traits are : compassion, kindness, goodness, selflessness, sacrifice, non-violence, restraint, humility, dedication to truth, justice, super strength, flight, energy, extraordinary sense,loving, trustworthy, etc.

            He is the product of life’s evolutionary process walking on the road leading to divinity. He has such characteristics as may be called : bravery, courage, conviction, determination, helpfulness, honesty, inspirational force, and moral integrity.

            According to the Irish playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw ( 1856-1950) a superman is a product of evolutionary Life Force that posits a universal, evolutionary drive for perfection, embodied in women who , driven by instinct seek men to create a higher humanity, through “creative evolution”, seeking greater intelligence, power, and spiritual heights, eventually towards a “Godhead”.

            Women, according to evolutionary life force , uses humans as instruments to evolve beyond current limitations, “better humans” .      

            Finally, a different view by the Indian mystic and philosopher OSHO (Acharya Rajneesh 11 December 1931- 19 January 1990} : “Be human; don’t try to become superhuman. Just be human and accept the limitations of a human being.

                                                ******

G.R.Kanwal

26 January 2026