LIFE - is a jigsaw puzzle so don't allow for missing pieces!

All of us have days when we wake up.. think about the day ahead.. and want to just burrow into the bedclothes and go right back to sleep.. right? Days when we feel overwhelmed.. anxious and maybe just plain and simple stressed about.. days where the fate of something or someone important lie in the balance.. days when we are worried or hassled..

These are invaluable moments because they FORCE us to stop in our tracks.. both - mental and emotional.. and take stock of where we are versus where we want to be.. and need to be.. We get so caught up in completing our "to do" lists.. and getting through the mundane seemingly essential daily tasks that we often stop listening to the little voice at the back of our heads that's gently whispering to us to take it easy.. slow down.. and be kind to ourselves! 

That gentle whisper gets ignored.. the feelings keep simmering.. we keep suppressing them.. the whisper gains momentum and before we know it.. it's escalated into a full-blown cry for mercy and help.. AND.. we feel like everything's crashing down around us! Time to pause.. reset.. analyze and understand what's going on.. and recalibrate our lives!

A great analogy (according to me) is saying that life is like a jigsaw puzzle.. our lives are made up of friends family work fun health happiness hobbies travel etc.. and jigsaw puzzles are made up of corner pieces.. and pieces of various colours.. each piece independent and having it's own "place" and each one essential to "completing" the picture at the end! 

There are a number of what are popularly referred to as four-letter words and some of them aren't always the most pleasant ones.. but there is another whole list of much more important four-letter words which we need to be aware of and they are : grow.. able.. rest.. flow.. calm.. work.. fill.. with.. home.. and most of all.. LOVE!

Being career-minded and driven, a number of us tend to give too much of ourselves to work and the attendant stresses.. and who are the casualties of this? Friends.. family.. and most of all - ourselves! When our life boat gets rocky, we panic and don't know how to cope and think that the worst is going to happen! The dangerous part is when we start doubting ourselves and our self-worth plummets! 

Be aware.. identify your strengths and good qualities.. know how much "you bring to the table" at work and at home.. Make sure you spend time with your parents (if you're lucky enough to still have them).. hang out with your siblings and cousins.. share your desires aspirations and concerns with your spouse.. carve out "quality time" (mobile free) with your children and discuss what's going on in your head and heart with your friends.. 

We have unique relationships with everyone in our lives and we are all special to each other.. simply because NO ONE ELSE can mean what you mean to the other person and vice versa! ALL these people are vital parts of the puzzle and HOME is where you go at the end of the day to recharge, rejuvenate and get ready to face the world again tomorrow! 

Keep your "jigsaw puzzle" carefully in your head and heart.. cherish it.. and discover the pure joy that living an emotionally balanced life can bring.. it's one of the greatest blessings that we are empowered to create for ourselves.. and SO achievable! 

Stay aware.. blessed.. thinking.. feeling.. and connected!

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY TO SPECIAL PEOPLE!!

September 5th is and will always be one of the most special days in the year for me.. it is Teacher's Day and a reason to celebrate! I have written in an earlier blog about how I actually decided to become a teacher.. but when I sit and reflect, it is a great joy to have realized that nothing else could possibly have brought me this much pleasure! It's been 25 years of teaching and miraculous to look forward to going to work every single day! To be honest, teaching pre-school has to me.. always felt almost like getting paid to go.. be surrounded by positive energy.. and have a good time! Today am sharing some stories about the people who have inspired me and helped me become the teacher and person I am today.. 

This profession has brought some truly wonderful people into my life as well.. my Heads of Department and professors Jana Mahadevan.. Nalini Chugani and Nandita Jhaveri.. They saw my potential.. extracted as much as they could and constantly inspired me to always do more and give my best! Jana is even today a very dear friend and close to a mother figure.. Nalini is a quiet presence but all our interactions (even on WhatsApp) are both thoughtful and meaningful.. Nandita is highly creative and has a terrific sense of gentle humour so we share some great conversations as well.. and she often has a unique perspective on things which appeals to me tremendously! We are good friends and very much in touch even after all these years.. I know you are all reading this so please accept a heartfelt thank you for making my journey so memorable! 

After just two years of teaching, I was selected to conduct two workshops at a seminar on "Professionalism in Education" where I met the quietly brilliant Roshan Billimoria! She came to borrow a stapler from me.. we talked.. the seminar strangely enough, inspired me to write a poem.. that led to an invitation to lunch at her beautiful home.. and now we are friends forever! Roshan and I have a very strong karmic connection and serendipitiously similar things happen in both our lives around the same time.. give or take a week or two! She is quiet.. I am the chatterbox.. but we both draw positive energy and happiness from each other.. and she numbers among my closest friends! 

During the course I was with Ami Mody (now Thakker) who is hands down, the sweetest and gentlest person I know.. and the most patient teacher for sure! She has always been someone who believed in me and my abilities more than I myself ever did! A truly lovely friend who always participates in my wild enthusiasms (which have fortunately always been for the good) and done so whole-heartedly! Equally blessed to have met Alefia Zoomkawala who came to train at the Saifee nursery and became a willing partner in crime with Ami and me at Salaam Baalak Trust where we did English conversation with street children! Alefia also soft and gentle - and diametrically opposite to me personality-wise this trio proved that opposites attract and can work wonderfully together! Thank you both for also agreeing to be a part of the Palghar school project - hope it starts up soon! 

After one year of teaching with Sangeeta Patel (another darling who's a close friend) I was invited to teach at the Saifee nursery at Malabar Hill. I was lucky in my first year of teaching and supervising to meet Rohaina Kher who is a born teacher! She is very artistic, super creative and a perfectionist - and a reminder that "God is in the details".. have yet to meet a teacher who brings that much finesse to her work! Moving to Saifee nursery, I made three more lifelong friends - Anu Thyagarajan.. Sadhana Khagram.. and Renu Haksar! NOBODY in the world can tell a story like Anu can.. and even though she's in Singapore now, we talk pretty much every other day and can read each other's minds and take the words out of each other's mouths even today! She also happens to be my best friend! Sadhana is super organized and very patient with children (because she's basically very kindhearted) and Renu.. well.. Renu's a whole different story! Her son Rajat was in my class and she used to come to help voluntarily.. Rajat settled in school and would only come to me.. and I found in Renu a kindred spirit! She and I have had the most fun times conducting teacher workshops together too! We are both similar in being finicky.. perfectionists.. and OCD to the point where we were referred to as "Choi & Moi"! Have to mention that we share a super wacky sense of humour as well and can talk non-stop nonsense endlessly! Renu and I are very close.. each other's support system.. friends forever too and the day isn't complete for either of us until that last call at night takes place! 

There have been so many teachers with whom I have worked or even just become friends with including Vaishali Mehta (we had a super time at Bombay International School) who is creative to the last degree.. Kavita Khanna who is the most sincere and committed teacher I know.. Mana Mehta who is the best French teacher ever.. Manisha Desai who is a motherly and loving teacher.. Praneeta Varadarajan.. the children in her class never want to move on.. and there are so many more.. I could go on and on.. 

At a wider level, we learn from every person we meet and so are surrounded by teachers - in our homes and families.. from our friends in the workplace building and office.. and most of all.. our elders AND our children! 

Teaching means touching and transforming lives.. and to everyone mentioned above and a whole lot of others whose names don't appear but who still matter.. and are IMPORTANT.. AND SPECIAL.. Thank you for touching my life.. am truly blessed and grateful to know you all.. 

Here is my wish for you all on this most special day of 5th September.. 

To become a teacher is a joy and to be a teacher is a privilege! You get to be an important part of a child's formative years and a strong influence.. for better or worse! It's a huge responsibility and commitment that only a few genuine teachers can fulfil completely.. It means putting and keeping someone else's hopes dreams and desires ahead of your own on a constant basis.. It means being patient even when you don't feel like you can.. It means hard work and being genuine.. It means a listening ear and a helping hand.. It means "kissing it better" and the magic of a hug.. It means celebrating every little success.. It means being a subtle support who just enables things to (seemingly) happen "on their own".. It means having a "virtual" doctorate in crisis management.. and most of all.. it means.. being a magician-superpower-omnipresent-demigod-entertainer-and mini-Einstein all at the same time! It means you have been incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity to create and witness the "magic of learning" in front of your eyes!! 

God bless you for being a truly inspiring motivating and exceptional teacher!! Happy Teacher's Day!!

AM BECOMING ALLERGIC - AND SPREADING IT!!

"Some people can't function without negativity.. because bringing others down makes them feel better" - sad but true.. 

We all know people who not only live on negativity but thrive on it! Being on my own spiritual path of learning and self-growth.. it truly amazes me   as to how much hidden and open negativity we are surrounded by! What is even more unbelievable is how resilient the human spirit is.. we either accept it.. live with it.. ignore it.. or.. if we have taken the time and trouble to go within ourselves.. we decide to put it in the past and.. rise ABOVE it!

Easier said than done right? Absolutely.. but.. essential if you have to keep yourself happy positive and at peace with yourself and the world around you! If we allow the everyday stresses like road rage.. inefficient vendors.. unpunctual people.. uncooperative team members.. lazy staff or unpleasant relatives to occupy space in our heads (and sometimes our hearts) for more than a minute or two.. we are the sufferers! Why SHOULD we allow this? Is anything or anyone SO more important that we should ourselves to be adversely affected by their words or actions? Negative people will say or imply something negative and then go away after planting that seed in your mind.. are you going to water it and nurture it to fruition or just see it for what it is.. "pull it out".. and throw it away?

It has taken a number of experiences and great deal of pain for this realization to have taken place.. and it hasn't come easily either.. I have STAYED in friendships that were toxic and unhealthy simply because my "need to be needed" overcame my need to be happy! Even if the other person never called.. wasn't particularly kind or considerate.. it was so scary for me to think of being "without" them.. I would still "put up and shut up"! The "need to feel needed" was so overpowering that it kept me in an extremely toxic marriage until things got physically verbally and emotionally abusive and I FINALLY woke up to the realization that staying in the relationship could and would destroy me completely! Took a great deal of courage to decide to "walk out" but was supremely empowering when it finally ended! 

Ending friendships and relationships is a sad thing.. because we are human and by default we like to believe in the concept of "happily ever after"! I'm not saying be intolerant.. am sharing my experiences to try and empower people who are suffering to find the courage to take control of their situation and change it.. People are unreasonable.. strange.. difficult.. temperamental.. and all that is fine.. accept them for who they are without trying to change them.. BUT if they are unkind mean hurtful and negative.. RUN.. don't walk away! Trust and believe that you WILL find other friends to fill the gaps and that you deserve to and you WILL be happy without them! Don't be with people who are judgemental.. they are "energy vampires" and will suck you dry and move on to their next "victim" - and how do you know when this is happening and how will you stop it?

LOVE yourself and believe in yourself first of all - tell yourself that you are a clean pure and happy soul who believes in the essential goodness of human nature.. that you are worthy of respect and love.. that you are bright capable and strong.. The pandemic hasn't gone anywhere.. new waves are constantly looming threateningly on the horizon.. young fit and healthy people are dying all of a sudden.. and there is stress all around.. Choose to live in a self-created oasis of  happiness positivity and joy.. your life will transform into a continuing beautiful  celebration!

Just a few words of wisdom and caution to be heeded..

Cut negative people out of your life.. the people you spend time with influence your attitude and thoughts more than you think..

Negative people need drama like it is oxygen.. stay positive.. and take their breath away!

Don't chase people. Do your own thing and work hard. The right people.. the ones who really belong in your life.. will come.. and stay..

"You can't calm the storm.. so stop trying.. 

What you can do is calm yourself.. 

The storm will pass"

And finally.. just remember.. be allergic to negativity!! Be contagious so the people around you become that way as well!! Keep spreading the positivity and sunshine!!

BIRTHDAYS ARE SUCH A BLESSING!!

Birthdays are a special day in the year.. They remind us that we’re a year older and simultaneously show us how far we’ve come.. They are a great reason to celebrate and to let the people you care about how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them!

There are people who don’t get excited about birthdays at all and say it’s just another ordinary day.. there are people who blow the candles.. cut the cake.. maybe have a drink with their friends and that’s it.. and then.. there are people like me.. Actually I don’t know anyone who celebrates birthdays the way I do so let me say.. and.. there’s ME!!

To me, a birthday is a day I really look forward to! There is a seemingly unending cascade of calls and messages.. cakes.. food.. drinks.. wishes.. bonhomie.. jokes.. laughter and love.. MOST importantly.. it’s a day when even my least expressive friends make the truly Herculean effort to express their feelings when they wish me! How humbling and touching is it when people who would otherwise make do with a simple “happy birthday” actually SEARCH for the perfect physical card or e-card or quote that says what they want to.. but think they can’t?!

Who doesn’t like feeling super special important cherished loved and on top of the world for an entire day? What a joyful feeling it is to receive loving messages wishes and blessings.. and ever since I have stopped gifting.. the birthday wishes have become EVEN more precious! While it’s great to be on Cloud 9 all day long.. it’s always a good time to introspect about it as well.. am just sharing my early morning reflections of the 25^th..

When my eyes opened on the birthday morning.. it was almost like God was telling me “Be happy and celebrate.. you are a very special and unique person! Today is the day you were brought into this world to be a blessing and an inspiration to the people around you!” Being a blessing AND an inspiration? That’s a tall order for sure.. and then again.. maybe not SO difficult to do after all.. Essentially it means try and be the best version of myself that I possibly can!

My birthday every year starts with a beautiful BIG bouquet of flowers given by my devoted and loving staff Kishore and Savita – it always has lilliams carnations and the Thai purple orchids because those are among my favourite flowers! They also make sure a favourite breakfast is ready for me! It’s also the one day in the year that they get OUT of their usual “Tom & Jerry mode” and behave in an exemplary manner for a change! They go all out to cook a veritable lunch feast for my core group of special friends that I cannot imagine my life without! The pampering goes on all day long..

It strikes me that it is SO easy to be good when we are happy.. so why not decide to be happy (and by default.. good) all the time? Everyone reading this blog is blessed enough to have food on the table.. clothes on the body.. some good friends.. a caring family.. a decent education.. money in the bank.. and something interesting to do in life.. that’s a LOT to be grateful for right?

I have been called a blessing and an inspiration (which I don’t really take seriously.. people tend to exaggerate kindness) and would like to celebrate my birthday here by sharing a few of my birthday (and life) beliefs here..

First and foremost, if you are blessed with abundance, you are morally and ethically bound to share it with those less fortunate.. Give.. give.. and give some more.. We live in a country that makes it so EASY to do this.. give things of course.. but give attention.. affection time.. and.. give of yourself.. Identify your special gifts and qualities and reach out and do something for others using them.. it is SUCH a rewarding experience!

Keep an eye firmly focused on your spiritual path.. make sure that you read inspirational books.. read articles.. talk to wise people who are firmly on the spiritual path and let them guide you.. This is imperative since it’s the only thing that will sustain your soul and keep it bright shiny and happy!

Practise gratitude actively and keep your faith strong.. these are things that multiply a great deal when you keep them at the forefront of your head and heart! They don’t cost anything except being aware and conscious about all the magical gifts that life and destiny bring us – friendship camaraderie understanding companionship success travel challenges acceptance comfort health happiness laughter and love! And as far as possible.. be KIND.. In the words of Henry James “Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”

My eyes are welling up with tears as I write this blog.. just with sheer gratitude for the people things opportunities freedom and blessings I am abundantly blessed with.. Thank you all.. for reading this blog.. “celebrating” my birthday with me.. and for being such an important person in my life..

Wishing each and every one of you a blessed birthday!

As always.. with much love coming your way..

 

 

 

 

FRIENDSHIP DAY is SO important!

Waking up to a number of Happy Friendship Day messages this morning.. it's imperative to share my thoughts about this! Some people will just treat it like any other day while others will go all out to celebrate with pomp and cheer.. and some others will send out forwarded messages and feel "thank GOD that's over and done with for this year!"

This is THE most important day of the year for me.. the most special precious and one-of-a-kind opportunity to celebrate some of the most special people in our lives! To me.. it's bigger than Diwali Christmas New Year's Eve and any other celebration one could imagine! Reason being.. my friends are my oxygen! It would be impossible to imagine my life and my world without my friends!

God is kind and ensures that we are born into families (happy families for the most part) and one of the greatest blessings is that we can also CHOOSE our friends! Let's also be very specific who we refer to as our friends.. there are acquaintances.. and then..  there are friends! Friends are the family we choose for ourselves and the word "friend" is not one to be used lightly.. so who is a friend you wonder..

A friend is perhaps everything that the flowery cards convey.. but the meaning goes much deeper than that for me.. If and when I meet someone with whom I feel a strong "connect" or someone who has a very special quality that I am drawn to.. THAT is likely to become a genuine long-lasting friendship! Someone who has shared their deepest beliefs hopes and aspirations.. successes fears and failures.. A person who inspires and compels me (without saying a word) to be the best version of myself is a friend.. 

True friends offer consistent unconditional love and are super happy when good things happen in your life.. there's no scope of jealousy and envy! At the same time.. they're always going to give you an honest opinion and speak their mind.. because that's what you need to hear! Everyone will be around for the good times.. but friends will just be a quiet solid presence when the chips are down.. no matter what!

This depth of caring understanding and giving doesn't come easy.. you need to respect the relationship and nurture it with love time calls messages happy memories and gratitude.. There are times when you're too tired to do it and put it off for another day.. but why would you want to deny your friend the chance for his/her eyes to light up.. to grin from ear to ear.. to laugh until tears roll.down.his/her cheeks.. or feel blessed to have found someone so caring?

Am on holiday with friends in Kurseong and it's quite a motley crew.. but truly magical to see how the group (who don't really know each other really well) formed a beautiful synergy.. everyone formed their own connect and there were great conversations! One is wise.. another is loving.. yet another is brilliant.. another is accepting.. for which I am tremendously grateful because each one has brought something unique and special to this time spent together! 

To all my truly special wonderful friends that light up my world.. and whom I cannot imagine going through life without.. a very happy Friendship Day to you all.. know that you are loved cherished and treasured beyond measure!!

God bless and much love always!!

GURU PURNIMA - I bow my head with folded hands..

 "Light another's path.. and the universe will light your own" such true words from the extremely wise author philosopher and entrepreneur Matshona Dhliwayo!

Guru Purnima is a red letter day for all those who have faith in their gurus.. who is a guru and why should we have one you must be asking? Traditionally, a guru is someone who assists and guides you on your spiritual journey.. it doesn't mean at ALL that you have to be ready to forgo worldly pleasures.. wear loose flowing robes.. sit in the church, temple, mosque or gurudwara.. but having a guru is the need of the hour!

In the pandemic situation.. stress levels are high and things are difficult for everyone.. whether it is stress at work.. lack of work.. discord at home.. financial worries.. interpersonal relationships.. feeling taken for granted.. lonely.. being unable to cope.. time management.. Within the stress.. it IS possible to cope much better if you channelize your internal guru! We have all been born with the "tattva" or essence of a guru inside us.. what remains to be done is to awaken that consciousness and we will get access to the greatest wisdom in the universe! The really good news is that it's relatively easy to tap into that wisdom.. all we need to do is be AWARE of what's going on around us.. 

Of course we're aware you think.. we're up to date on the latest in politics.. Bollywood gossip.. sports news.. the Page 3 scenario.. Covid statistics.. scientific research.. the arts and cultural scene.. trending fashion.. new age music etc.. that is sadly NOT the aware that really matters! What you need to be aware of is.. is everyone in your family in a good mindspace? Do your friends sound happy when you speak with them? Is someone facing a problem alone? Does your watchman look stressed about something? Does your staff at home seem content? Has the newspaper vendor who sits outside your building been coughing for too long? Have YOU been making mental notes to reach out and do something for a few people.. but haven't managed to convert that thought into a reality? You're obviously missing a guru! 

Perhaps someone has even gently reminded you to keep that promise you made to yourself.. but you didn't really register it.. it has happened to me innumerable times! Sometimes a friend or acquaintance has knowingly or unknowingly made an observation to you.. and that is the moment they are BEING your guru.. To share a personal experience, my friend Parul once told me "I am so happy to see that you have made such a tremendous effort to calm down and control your temper.. you seem so much more at peace and happier now".. it was a seemingly simple statement of fact - but had a HUGE impact on me! So rewarding that my efforts hadn't gone unnoticed and the benefits I was experienced were REAL ones and visible to others!

Gurus surround us disguised as various people.. anyone who accepts you AS YOU ARE.. encourages you.. believes in you.. tells you the truth.. holds up a (virtual) mirror to your face (especially when you're not being your best self).. holds your hand through the tough times.. and lets your fly and cheers you on is a GURU to you! This might be a parent.. teacher.. sibling.. friend.. gym trainer.. doctor.. neighbour.. work colleague.. mentor.. 

There are some qualities that a guru must have in order to fulfil their responsibilities in the best possible way - open acceptance of people.. wide knowledge and clarity of mind.. firm resolve to say and do the right thing.. wisdom sensitivity and compassion for others.. willingness to share life experiences.. practising kindness and good conduct.. and leading an inspirational life!

When I pause and reflect on the numerous gurus that have been and still are actively present in my life.. am just overwhelmed with gratitude.. gratitude that they are around me.. and also for the wisdom I have received to be able to perceive and recognize them as such! This post will be incomplete without naming a few of them..

Sumit - who is my best friend and rock solid support! He consistently inspires me to give more of myself.. reach out to others and shows me the sunny side of life even in the darkest times!

Porus - who is a willing partner in gentle jokes at the world in general and at ourselves too! We have the most incredible conversations about life.. love and everything in between!

Jana - who met me as a giddyheaded clueless young person who didn't have direction in life.. she saw the potential.. nurtured it.. encouraged me to dream big and do well.. and STILL does!

Brinda - who constantly shows me the meaning of unconditional acceptance and loves me bigtime no matter how unreasonable I can be when I'm in one of my moods!

Varsha - who always has my best interests at heart and expresses her worries openly.. keeps me on the straight and narrow and is fiercely protective about me!

Shriti - who is the ultimate realist and with me being the ultimate idealist she gives me a reality check whenever it is required.. and would do pretty much anything for me as well!

Lavina - who is the most easygoing and accepting person I know.. and is a great sport and always there right with me on all my travels and crazy ideas too! (She was terrified when I did the world's highest bungy jump.. but still came with me for it and watched it on the screen!

Smita - who is the gentlest and softest person I know.. and the most hospitable person in the world.. it's an incredibly open honest and rewarding friendship that we share!

Renu - the one person who I HAVE to talk to every night before going to sleep.. my soul sister who brings a lot of magic masti and madness to my life.. this amazing woman I love dearly!!

Parul - who is invariably my voice of reason.. good sense.. and very "tuned in" to whatever frequency I may be in.. and keeps my feet firmly on the ground.. love her to bits!

Ujwala - twenty years younger than me.. but one of the wisest people I am blessed to know.. She can explain difficult situations impartially and better than almost anyone I know!

Anu - last.. but.. most definitely not the least! She absorbs my wild enthusiasms.. takes them in her stride.. calls a spade a spade.. and loves me more than words can ever express!

There are so many more.. I could go on and on.. but this post is already too long!

To all the gurus in my life.. I bow my head with folded hands and express the deepest gratitude for teaching me.. correcting me.. guiding me.. advising me.. supporting me.. believing in me.. accepting me as I am.. loving me.. and being such an integral part of my life! Abiding respect compassion thanks and love to you all on Guru Purnima!!

GUARDIAN ANGELS – they walk with us!!

 I believe some people enter your life as guardian angels.. and some connections can’t be explained in words alone.. It’s just this inexplicable feeling of total comfort confidence and trust.. and am convinced that these are your guardian angels!

According to religion, the most important duties of guardian angels are to protect and guide us.. but in the times we live in now.. they aren’t too busy.. because we are blessed with multiple people who play that role in our lives!

Being an idealist who views the world through rose-tinted spectacles, I like to believe that parents have their children.. seniors.. their caregivers.. children their parents.. teenagers their parents.. young people their colleagues.. employers have their staff.. office staff have their bosses.. and helpers their employers!

Maybe you haven’t given this a thought.. and you’re charmed by the idea of BEING a guardian angel to somebody.. or manybodies for that matter! How does one do this? It’s actually super simple.. first of all.. choose your “Guardian Angel adoptee” (hereafter referred to as your GAA)! It could be someone a little timid.. shy.. underconfident.. unexposed.. not in the best of health.. facing financial difficulties.. dealing with major family conflict.. you know what I mean!

Try and be your best self.. accepting.. loving and giving.. make that phone call when you know something major is coming up for your GAA.. check in on them regularly.. make plans to meet up JLT (just like that).. stay “tuned in” to the frequency at which THEY resonate..

Some fun facts about guardian angels :

Angels respect hospitality.. An ancient Jewish tradition to see if an angel visited would be to have some sort of food around and to offer it to the angel. Count the biscuits or sandwiches, or bananas (whatever you have handy in your house), and offer one to it. Count again after the angel leaves, and if there is one (or more) less than what you started with, the angel assumed a body!

Angels inspire us.. Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night because an idea popped into your head that you just had to write down so you wouldn’t forget it in the morning? Have you just been inspired to do something out of the ordinary that turned out to be hugely successful? Angels are always trying to inspire us with things that will lead us to happiness..

Angels contain the space in which they operate.. I always imagined that my guardian angel would hover above me and to one side, but since it makes sense that they surround us at all times..

Angels are like snowflakes.. as in each and every single angel is unique and different from any other angel, so much so that each angel could be considered a different species. This means that every angel has their very own, very different personality.

Angels appear more to women than to men.. but if they  are in your life.. you will just KNOW! Women seem to be more receptive, which may be the reason behind this. Angels are highly intuitive beings, so they are likely to be on the same sort of mental wavelength as the female populace.

How do I know this is true and that guardian angels really exist? My biggest and most loving guardian angel is my Daddy.. even after four and a half years, I feel his presence so strongly.. especially when there are important decisions to be taken.. or when I’m feeling a little low.. On a lighter note.. am blessed with so many guardian angels all around me.. unexpected phone calls.. meaningful conversations.. relaxed afternoons.. delicious shared meals..

Every single time something beautiful and wonderful happens in my life, I am so very grateful to the universe for the abundance of guardian angels in my life! They walk WITH us!! Look at the people in your life and see the guardian angels.. and be inspired to be a guardian angel to more people who NEED you.. reach out and remain blessed!!