I went to get my pearly whites, whiter the other day and had a moment with the hygienist. so, as she cleaned my teeth with her technical instruments (do not know dentist nomenclature), we started talking about a series of random topics that ranged from how the ancient chinese believed the best time for bed is around 10pm because your internal organs function better since you’re more biologically aligned for digestion (LOL), to talking about true friendships and the strong foundation that lies beneath them, to showing me a picture of her precious newborn baby….in fact, we seemed to be talking so much, that I hardly felt the pricks of these slender metallic pencil-like tools, or the gritty flavored paste that polished my teeth, and we laughed so much that I was not even ready to leave. As a token of my joy, I tagged her! Although not anonymous, I wanted to leave behind a smile, since she so kindly put one back on my face!
Btw, no cavities!!! :)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
"In Honor of Father's Day: Remembering Tim Russert"
Hi Everyone and especially to all of the Fathers of the world:
As your Father’s day comes to a close wherever you may be, I thought I would honor the day through remembering a father in particular who was perhaps a father in more ways than he realized.
The tragic news of hearing of the passing of MSNBC’s beloved star of Meet the Press, Tim Russert, deeply moved me, in fact to tears. It was hard to capture the rationale behind how or explain why I felt so deeply about his loss until I dug a little deeper. It’s as if I didn’t have to personally know or meet him to cry about his passing. He was just someone who you knew was a good person because his presence seemed to shine through the television screen. The smile he brought with his prosecutorial-like cross-examination questions to politicians on both sides of the spectrum had the paradoxical effect of being both intimidating yet sweet, akin to what some might call, “a velvet hammer.” I saw him as one of those journalists who brought joy and enthusiasm to his profession by seeking ultimately what was important —“truth” but always with a smile.
As someone who has only more recently become engaged in politics, I felt that since January of this year in our family’s ritualistic nightly viewings of the tumultuous and exciting Democratic primary season on the local networks, Tim was a fixture in “our family’s living room,” as he was to many others across the country.
While TV is often considered an addictive, distracting, passive mode of entertainment, for some reason, this guy seemed to turn all that around as he livened up the television set, (and in turn enlivened the viewers as well) through the probing questions he asked to his guests who came on his show and took “the witness stand.” His dedication to sticking to the facts, the proof , (the truth), combined with his demeanor as a chubby-cheeked, middle-aged, home-town, father, with a sharp wit and a constant grin, made him lovable and endearing or as the “Meet the Press” crew called him, “beloved.”
On the night of June 3, 2008, when Barack Obama clinched the Democratic Nomination for President, I noticed that while many of the news anchors were excited to announce that Barack Obama had won, Tim, for some reason stood apart from the rest. In fact, he was glowing with happiness that day saying that he was so excited to be a part of this primary season in politics that it made him feel almost compelled to go to classrooms and teach children about how history was being made in politics in that moment. You could just feel the sincerity of his presence. It was almost as if, (and I said this that day to my nephew), that, “this man is so happy right now, I think he might just jump out of the television screen.”
I was so crushed to hear during my lunch break on Friday, June, 13, 2008, that Tim had tragically died due to heart failure and when I started to connect with others about it, I began to see how this wave of empathy for the loss swept across many of our hearts which opened up to the moment as it gripped our country. I began to understand more clearly that this man affected us more acutely because while he made a great contribution to our lives through his work, I think he affected us even more through the way he treated others. He was perhaps one of the few journalists who did not personally attack those who held differing views from his own and he even willingly went on Fox News to be interviewed by the often criticized “Bill O’Reilly” and “Hannity & Colmes!!
Having been so impacted by the loss of this inspirational figure, I even briefly spoke about it with my bar exam instructor, who left me with two positive remarks which I thought were profound. He said that “he raised a wonderful son” and that “those who have passed on are still teaching us. They are still here teaching us, just not in the same form---not through the same dimension.”
To many of us, Tim was the “Father of Meet the Press,” but as I just recently learned, he was first and foremost, the Father to his son Luke who just graduated from Boston College and despite the passion for politics this man imparted to us all, he cared most deeply for his family first. He seemed to be so grateful for the values of what his own father taught him about working hard, having discipline, following his dreams, and doing what he could to make sure his son received an education, namely working two jobs, (one of which included the humbling role of a garbage collector.)
As ironic as it may seem that I genuinely cried for what some might say was a “television personality,” or someone who I didn’t really know, I would say that I didn’t just see him as just another figure on television casting news, because to me, he wasn’t a personality. He was a person. To me, he was real---and that’s personal.
I will leave all of you with this touching and inspirational clip that captures Father’s Day through Tim’s words as they can again enliven us all, and this time, speaking not about his understanding of politics, but rather his understanding of the unconditional love of a father.
I wish you all a very Happy Father’s Day!
With Love,
~Mitu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwy-c2um5ZI
As your Father’s day comes to a close wherever you may be, I thought I would honor the day through remembering a father in particular who was perhaps a father in more ways than he realized.
The tragic news of hearing of the passing of MSNBC’s beloved star of Meet the Press, Tim Russert, deeply moved me, in fact to tears. It was hard to capture the rationale behind how or explain why I felt so deeply about his loss until I dug a little deeper. It’s as if I didn’t have to personally know or meet him to cry about his passing. He was just someone who you knew was a good person because his presence seemed to shine through the television screen. The smile he brought with his prosecutorial-like cross-examination questions to politicians on both sides of the spectrum had the paradoxical effect of being both intimidating yet sweet, akin to what some might call, “a velvet hammer.” I saw him as one of those journalists who brought joy and enthusiasm to his profession by seeking ultimately what was important —“truth” but always with a smile.
As someone who has only more recently become engaged in politics, I felt that since January of this year in our family’s ritualistic nightly viewings of the tumultuous and exciting Democratic primary season on the local networks, Tim was a fixture in “our family’s living room,” as he was to many others across the country.
While TV is often considered an addictive, distracting, passive mode of entertainment, for some reason, this guy seemed to turn all that around as he livened up the television set, (and in turn enlivened the viewers as well) through the probing questions he asked to his guests who came on his show and took “the witness stand.” His dedication to sticking to the facts, the proof , (the truth), combined with his demeanor as a chubby-cheeked, middle-aged, home-town, father, with a sharp wit and a constant grin, made him lovable and endearing or as the “Meet the Press” crew called him, “beloved.”
On the night of June 3, 2008, when Barack Obama clinched the Democratic Nomination for President, I noticed that while many of the news anchors were excited to announce that Barack Obama had won, Tim, for some reason stood apart from the rest. In fact, he was glowing with happiness that day saying that he was so excited to be a part of this primary season in politics that it made him feel almost compelled to go to classrooms and teach children about how history was being made in politics in that moment. You could just feel the sincerity of his presence. It was almost as if, (and I said this that day to my nephew), that, “this man is so happy right now, I think he might just jump out of the television screen.”
I was so crushed to hear during my lunch break on Friday, June, 13, 2008, that Tim had tragically died due to heart failure and when I started to connect with others about it, I began to see how this wave of empathy for the loss swept across many of our hearts which opened up to the moment as it gripped our country. I began to understand more clearly that this man affected us more acutely because while he made a great contribution to our lives through his work, I think he affected us even more through the way he treated others. He was perhaps one of the few journalists who did not personally attack those who held differing views from his own and he even willingly went on Fox News to be interviewed by the often criticized “Bill O’Reilly” and “Hannity & Colmes!!
Having been so impacted by the loss of this inspirational figure, I even briefly spoke about it with my bar exam instructor, who left me with two positive remarks which I thought were profound. He said that “he raised a wonderful son” and that “those who have passed on are still teaching us. They are still here teaching us, just not in the same form---not through the same dimension.”
To many of us, Tim was the “Father of Meet the Press,” but as I just recently learned, he was first and foremost, the Father to his son Luke who just graduated from Boston College and despite the passion for politics this man imparted to us all, he cared most deeply for his family first. He seemed to be so grateful for the values of what his own father taught him about working hard, having discipline, following his dreams, and doing what he could to make sure his son received an education, namely working two jobs, (one of which included the humbling role of a garbage collector.)
As ironic as it may seem that I genuinely cried for what some might say was a “television personality,” or someone who I didn’t really know, I would say that I didn’t just see him as just another figure on television casting news, because to me, he wasn’t a personality. He was a person. To me, he was real---and that’s personal.
I will leave all of you with this touching and inspirational clip that captures Father’s Day through Tim’s words as they can again enliven us all, and this time, speaking not about his understanding of politics, but rather his understanding of the unconditional love of a father.
I wish you all a very Happy Father’s Day!
With Love,
~Mitu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwy-c2um5ZI
Friday, May 23, 2008
“A Moment to Heal”
I began my evening with what I thought would be completing the mundane task of picking up my flat iron that I had left at a fashion designer/new acquaintance’s house. After a 20 minute jog, eating half a pita bread with hummus, a gulp of lemonade, and a quick shower, I dashed off, feeling disoriented not just because I was physically malnourished but also because I carried with me a cluttered mind (one stuffed with three “to do” items---1. buy my friend’s wedding gift at BB&Beyond, 2. pick up my flat iron, and 3. collect my medication from the pharmacy). My evening probably couldn’t get more banal than that—until I just so happened to arrive at the home of this new woman in my life—and realized that I had entered much more than her home and had arrived there and received so much more than an opportunity to collect my hair straightening iron!
After a kind offer by her to come in to share some words together, have some sugary and creamy coffee with just the right amount of froth, and after watching our fashion show video which we had worked on together, I was fully content. I thought this was a pleasant experience, something I had just needed to sooth my harried mind and body…I was satisfied with that exchange, as unplanned, welcoming, and present as it was. I could not have expected anything more.
Yet, it didn’t stop there…
As we hugged and she walked me outside to my car, we somehow started talking about our lives, families, relationships, and being assertive. We learned about each other through a realm beyond the material world---literally beyond clothes, blowdryers, catwalks, etc. :) In fact, I learned from my new friend, which I truly believe she now is, of the healing powers of reiki and the gift that comes through an awareness of the life force energy that exists among all of us within the universe. As we both shivered under the moon and stars in her neighborhood, we let our conversation with each other flow. Just being open to the moment, I not only learned so much from the words this new healer of mine had said on very basic steps I could take on improving my life emotionally, but I also felt that it was more than just her words that had the power to heal—it was in her silence, in her careful listening, in her willingness to shiver in the night with me(as silly as that may sound), and the honesty that she herself brought to this conversation of us two young girls exposing our life experiences to each other. I knew that this moment, (that I never could have known would take place,) just did. Simply because of the randomness of timing, a phone call, a decision to run an errand, and an openness between two spirits—I knew the moment was a gift. I returned home transformed from something as simple as a conversation, and not worried about completing tasks 2 and 3. :)
Thank you to my new friend!!!
After a kind offer by her to come in to share some words together, have some sugary and creamy coffee with just the right amount of froth, and after watching our fashion show video which we had worked on together, I was fully content. I thought this was a pleasant experience, something I had just needed to sooth my harried mind and body…I was satisfied with that exchange, as unplanned, welcoming, and present as it was. I could not have expected anything more.
Yet, it didn’t stop there…
As we hugged and she walked me outside to my car, we somehow started talking about our lives, families, relationships, and being assertive. We learned about each other through a realm beyond the material world---literally beyond clothes, blowdryers, catwalks, etc. :) In fact, I learned from my new friend, which I truly believe she now is, of the healing powers of reiki and the gift that comes through an awareness of the life force energy that exists among all of us within the universe. As we both shivered under the moon and stars in her neighborhood, we let our conversation with each other flow. Just being open to the moment, I not only learned so much from the words this new healer of mine had said on very basic steps I could take on improving my life emotionally, but I also felt that it was more than just her words that had the power to heal—it was in her silence, in her careful listening, in her willingness to shiver in the night with me(as silly as that may sound), and the honesty that she herself brought to this conversation of us two young girls exposing our life experiences to each other. I knew that this moment, (that I never could have known would take place,) just did. Simply because of the randomness of timing, a phone call, a decision to run an errand, and an openness between two spirits—I knew the moment was a gift. I returned home transformed from something as simple as a conversation, and not worried about completing tasks 2 and 3. :)
Thank you to my new friend!!!
"Going Green"
often times I have noticed that being a part of a collective that evokes the spirit of giving (such as the beautiful space I share with those on www.helpothers.org), I end up talking a lot about giving (which is great), but while we talk about giving, we cannot overlook the very moments of giving that come to us amidst this chatter of generosity. In fact, those moments come as gifts, sometimes packaged in people you may have least expected…I myself felt this surprise while speaking on the phone with my brother (who lives in LA) the other day. while I was sharing with him the news of my amazing experience during the 10-day silent meditation retreat I just returned from which focused on purifying the mind of deeply-rooted negative thought patterns and operating out of a place of love and compassion, I was on the verge of missing a beautiful moment when my brother spoke to me of service… Had I been so caught up in my ‘preaching,'I may not have realized that he had just started to explain to me that this upcoming Memorial Day weekend he and his wife, Jen, had decided to ‘go green’ all weekend—meaning no driving, no high powered electricity usage, no needless usage of paper napkins, to honor and protect the planet in which we live. It was then I realized, any given moment, could bring with it a lesson in service, and space must also be given to let those moments arise from others.
Happy Memorial Day! Let's Remember our Earth! :)
Happy Memorial Day! Let's Remember our Earth! :)
Monday, April 7, 2008
"MLK---The Message of Love"
a new friend of mine with a fresh sense of energy invited me to attend this human rights conference at stanford university last saturday to honor mlk (since april 4th marked the 40th anniversary of his assassination). i was so excited to go. seated at the kresge auditorium on the stanford law school campus, seeing the video clips of king and hearing his words vibrate within us listeners, i was just so happy to be there, holding my cup of coffee in one hand and gripping the armrest of the wooden auditorium chair with my other hand. later, i heard one of the speakers there, a woman by the name of reverend deborah l. johnson, and i was literally--- blown away. in fact her remarks impacted me so much, that i stood up to the mic in front of everyone in the auditorium and told her that. (i noticed i was shaking with anxiety symptoms after doing that--but i felt moved to--so it was worth the pain). :)
here's a moment from her speech that i recalled:
the reverend had said that the way king really spoke of the notion of "loving thy neighbor," or the notion of "love" itself was that "the love he spoke about was not a love based on family bonds, or kinship, or brotherhood, or some common link you experienced with another person, but rather a deep love for any person-- even if you don't like that person, or even if he is your enemy." she told us that this love is one where "'you love that person as if he were yourself" because ultimately we are one indivisible whole.
those words were so compelling for me that i couldn't hold them inside--i had to share them with you. :)
here's a moment from her speech that i recalled:
the reverend had said that the way king really spoke of the notion of "loving thy neighbor," or the notion of "love" itself was that "the love he spoke about was not a love based on family bonds, or kinship, or brotherhood, or some common link you experienced with another person, but rather a deep love for any person-- even if you don't like that person, or even if he is your enemy." she told us that this love is one where "'you love that person as if he were yourself" because ultimately we are one indivisible whole.
those words were so compelling for me that i couldn't hold them inside--i had to share them with you. :)
Monday, March 17, 2008
"A Cat Socializer"
hi everyone!
i thought i'd share this lovely moment i had today with my virtual world of helpers! i decided that i wanted to create a space in my life for the human-animal bond. it is a relationship that i never directly experienced in my life but considering the fragmented and often emotionally disconnected ways in which we live our lives, i think there is therapeutic value that can be generated from the bond between human beings and our companions in nature which could perhaps help to heal these man-made divisions. in fact, i've never been a pet owner, but for the past year, i had started to fall for the idea of having my own cat---but i couldn't explain why. initially i thought it would be low maintenance to have a cat rather than a dog, since cats are more independent and cleaner and i could go on vacation without them feeling too sad. lol. however, before i could become a cat owner, i realized that i need to know how to be responsible for one. i felt it was important for me to learn about them first---not just play with them and cuddle them, but also learn how to feed and clean them, and slowly begin to understand their world. on top of that, i feel that it could be another opportunity for me to cultivate more compassion in my life, so that while i can give my affection to the kitty, i could build gratitude into the experience by seeing the ways that the kitty could be giving to me. so i stopped into petsmart today, but the 'adopt a cat fair' was over and i couldn't pet the cats unless i was seriously considering adopting one!! instead, the lady told me about 'the humane society of silicon valley' in santa clara and said they need people who want to do exactly what i was looking to do---" be a cat socializer!" lol!
so, there i went---off to the animal shelter and discovered a cute little world of creatures i had never known much about. i talked to a woman, breanne, who said, all i had to do was sign up, attend an orientation, and come whenever i was available. after following the 'paw tour' throughout the shelter, catching a glimpse of kitties, rabbits, some grown-up doggies, and having a pleasant conversation with a nice lady (with a cool european accent) who worked there as a 'dog socializer,' and meeting a friendly asian couple who told me about the two cats they adopted and the rabbit they also had, i was so excited to jump into this new role!! i tucked a smile card and two 1 dollar bills into the donation box and picked up the volunteer sign-up sheet and drove off with a smile!!!
just thought i'd share the little joys of today with you all! :)
i thought i'd share this lovely moment i had today with my virtual world of helpers! i decided that i wanted to create a space in my life for the human-animal bond. it is a relationship that i never directly experienced in my life but considering the fragmented and often emotionally disconnected ways in which we live our lives, i think there is therapeutic value that can be generated from the bond between human beings and our companions in nature which could perhaps help to heal these man-made divisions. in fact, i've never been a pet owner, but for the past year, i had started to fall for the idea of having my own cat---but i couldn't explain why. initially i thought it would be low maintenance to have a cat rather than a dog, since cats are more independent and cleaner and i could go on vacation without them feeling too sad. lol. however, before i could become a cat owner, i realized that i need to know how to be responsible for one. i felt it was important for me to learn about them first---not just play with them and cuddle them, but also learn how to feed and clean them, and slowly begin to understand their world. on top of that, i feel that it could be another opportunity for me to cultivate more compassion in my life, so that while i can give my affection to the kitty, i could build gratitude into the experience by seeing the ways that the kitty could be giving to me. so i stopped into petsmart today, but the 'adopt a cat fair' was over and i couldn't pet the cats unless i was seriously considering adopting one!! instead, the lady told me about 'the humane society of silicon valley' in santa clara and said they need people who want to do exactly what i was looking to do---" be a cat socializer!" lol!
so, there i went---off to the animal shelter and discovered a cute little world of creatures i had never known much about. i talked to a woman, breanne, who said, all i had to do was sign up, attend an orientation, and come whenever i was available. after following the 'paw tour' throughout the shelter, catching a glimpse of kitties, rabbits, some grown-up doggies, and having a pleasant conversation with a nice lady (with a cool european accent) who worked there as a 'dog socializer,' and meeting a friendly asian couple who told me about the two cats they adopted and the rabbit they also had, i was so excited to jump into this new role!! i tucked a smile card and two 1 dollar bills into the donation box and picked up the volunteer sign-up sheet and drove off with a smile!!!
just thought i'd share the little joys of today with you all! :)
Friday, March 7, 2008
"Smiling Subway Sandwiches"
it's lunchtime!! it was going to be a quick one today, so with great determination, i stepped into 'subway' with the intention to secure my sweet onion teriyaki sandwich order with the deli ladies and make my swift exit. as i neared the cashier, i instead, turned to the portly asian man standing beside me, and asked him, "can i do something for you?" as he gave me a peculiar look which included a slight frown, i then said, "i'm part of this group which spreads kindness in the world, so can i buy you your sandwich?" his face softened, his teeth began to show again and he was reading the smilecard that was now in his hands which were also lightly gripping the plastic bag which showcased his lunch! the cashier looked at me a bit puzzled as well when i told her i was buying his sandwich for him---but then, i got a smile from her too! lol! the man, while perhaps still processing the experience, added, "hey thanks," and i scurried off and ran back to my smile-mobile as i made my escape from subway sandwiches! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
