November

Gosh, I can't believe that it is already November! Where has the time flown? Anyway just thought to pen a few thoughts that "November" evokes.

It is the 11th Month of the year (Gregorian calendar).
One of the months that has 30 days in it (one less day to work!).
Apparently gets its name from the Latin word Novem. (January and February were added to the Roman calendar later.)
Onset of winter.

One more month to go before the end of the year.

Christmas is around the corner.

My cousin Maryann's birthday. (Hope I remember to wish.)

Children's Day on 14 Nov.

Guns N Roses - November Rain

"Sweet November" - the movie with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron

Diwali (if it is not in October :-) )

This picture was taken 2 Novembers ago in Canada at the Niagara Falls.

"November always seemed to me the Norway of the year."

- Emily Dickinson

"November's sky is chill and drear,
November's leaf is red and sear."
- Sir Walter Scott

Would love to know what November means to you.

Positive Energy

The TOI on Sunday carried an intriguing article in the Speaking Tree column. It was titled "Packets of Thoughts, Full of Energy" and is an extract from the book "Let the Power be with you" by Shivi Dua.

Each thought is a prayer and every prayer is answered. So, watch your thoughts. Each thought creates certain vibrations in and around us thereby reaching the Omnipresent naturally. Each prayer is answered as soon as it is heard and each prayer is heard as soon as it is said. The effort that we do need to make, however, is in ensuring that all our thoughts are positive so that our prayers do not keep cancelling each other's effects.

Interesting. I am a firm believer of the power of positive energy and positive thinking. There are just too many instances in life to recount here. But be aware that when you consciously start thinking positively, you will be able to witness the incredible.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.

Bikram Hot Yoga

It's been six months since I have been practising Bikram Hot Yoga. For those who are not familiar you may check out the below links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikram_Yoga
http://www.bikramyoga.com/

In short it is a combination of Hatha and Raja yoga. Bikram's class consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises practiced in a room heated to 40 degrees Celsius. This entire sequence is completed in an hour and a half.

I must admit that this is one of the toughest things that I have ever done. Some days I love it and some days I hate it. There are times when I look forward to the class and there are days when I am just happy to skip. But the benefits have been focus, discipline, calm, stamina, youthful skin and the ability to maintain my weight.

Tomorrow they start a 30 day Bikram yoga challenge, i.e. 30 classes in 30 days. I cannot officially take up this challenge as I will be travelling during this month. But to make up for it, I have my own challenge - to attend the class for every single day that I am in town. And I am counting on you my friends to motivate and encourage me on.