At zen with my shadow

Me and my shadow

often talk to each other

It tells me to walk tall

to climb every high wall

never hesitate to fly

and to hold my head high

to stay calm

and carry on

my shadow tells me

to be firm in my steps

 to face the sunshine

so it can fall behind and follow me 

I count on this closest friend 

no matter what and where

it will be there

throughout the years 

it will be there when the need be

the reflection of my shadow is me!

Sharing this post with  Inspiration Avenue  and  APR 

where the theme was 'mandala'and 'shadow' respectively.

 My heart told me to club the two 

and here I am with a shadow at zen 

with her colorful mandala ...

what do you think? 

The shadows too can have color :)

Hot and sour...chillies and lemon

via Yesterday was dramatic, Today is OK

via Your Old Man Says

via Trekearth

via squierj.freeyellow.com

Do you see anything common in these pictures?

Well well it is the  contraption of chillies and lemon.

Now why did I bring this interesting story here ?

Actually  APR  asked for a  'pair' in our drawings and I was suddenly reminded of this' hot and sour 'pair of chillies and lemon.

One can find this contraption of seven chillies and a lemon

 tied in a string and at times with a piece of coal , all over India.

This is hung on the doors of shops , business establishments , houses

 and even vehicles to shoo away evil eye and frighten evil spirits much like the 'blue-evil eye device' in Turkey and the placing of 'horseshoes' by Romans above doorways.

All inspired I sat down to paint my own doorway
and also the chillies and lemon contraption dangling there nicely :)

Does any such belief prevail in your side of the world ?

Sharing with all my beautiful friends at PPF

Celebrations...

Come October...and I am all happy and cheerful :)

Its the time when I have that smile on my face and that shine in my eyes...

why?

Because it is the time for festivities....celebrations

It starts with the Ganesh chaturthi..then  Navratris and goes on 

 to Dussehra and Diwali and Bhai dooj and oh 

I miss you India !

This season is a spectacular mosaic

 of rituals...prayers...colors...enthusiasm...

creativity...feasts...attires...music...dance...

its the time to rejoice...a sight to behold :)

एकदंताय वक्रतुण्डाय गौरीतनयाय धीमहि ।
गजेशानाय भालचन्द्राय श्रीगणेशाय धीमहि ॥

Lord Ganesha ...Hindu deity considered as Remover of all obstacles

So my dear dear friends in whichever part of the world you are...

celebrate ...enjoy...

and make memories this festive season :)

Sharing the post with OLW and Inspiration Avenue

Need a reason...to love only one season

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” 

― Henry David Thoreau, Walden, or Life in the Woods

Now to choose a season ...(...or how to choose a favorite season ??)

Winters  ...season of mist

a hot cup of adrak ki chai (ginger tea)

warm peanuts with shells

carrot halwa

hot soups

cozy blankets

warm mom made sweaters

Summers ...all sunny and bright

chilled lemonade

Juicy red watermelons

ripe sweet mangoes

white cotton dresses

shorbets

drippy ice cream cones

a book in hand under a shady tree

Autumn...fall

change in the scenery around

light breeze

cinnamon scents

crunchy leaves

festivities

Spring...celebrations

colors

buds and blossoms

fresh green grass

chirping birds

wind chimes

rainbows

Aahh ... so much to live for...and the list is not exhaustive ....
Can you choose one...yes only one on the list ...well I can't !

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.” 

― Yoko Ono

Sharing this post with my friends at Inspiration Avenue and  Paint Party Friday

Fall fearless fly

I dare to be myself...

embrace the unknown

try new things...

am ready to ...Fall .

I am not afraid

to take risk...for I have faith

 in my little heart

I accept the challenge

...and am Fearless.

one day at a time

I keep moving

letting go...loving and giving...

I know

my Future is safe...in His hands :)

Sharing my post with Fall fearless and fly
Paint party friday and Artist's Play Room

Zest of life...again !

Weekly challenge at Inspiration Avenue called for artwork in'orange'.

Now orange is my favorite too because it not only is vibrant and lively and energetic but also sends those positive...happy ... feel awesome vibes...which are so necessary for my daily dose.

It also stimulates enthusiasm and CREATIVITY :)

So to meet my daily requirements I once thought of doing something with this orange crush of mine and the result...you better see for yourself :)

Is this 'ORANGE in plenty' or 'JOY in abundance' ? ... :)

Also sharing my 'Zest of life'...as I call this painting ...with  Mandarin Orange Monday.

Follow your heart...

This weekend was really really long...

or may be sometimes I get too engaged in the things I love to do

 and then there are so MANY which can be listed here...

But I am not going to name them in this post

rather I want them to float here...

around me...

and whisper in my ears ...

to choose...one of them

for the day :)

Today my heart tells me to choose happiness !

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” 

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!



What did YOU choose today ?

Thanking all the lovely people who choose to visit me and leave their even lovelier notes here...

Sharing with my friends at Paint Party Friday