Adieu 2010.

When I say 'Good Bye 2010', I do not intent to express the the warm greetings of new year, but when I tagged a photo with a logo, 'Good Bye 2010' on facebook, the response I got from my friends was just the reverse as I thought. All have thanked me for tagging them on the photo and the sentence following it shower their greetings of Happy New Year to me. I am thankful to all of them for their warm wishes.

Actually my intention was that why not I remind my friends about the year which is yet to finish, so that they could reflect and rewind themselves of things that happened in their life in 2010. To live a life worth living is not just a piece of cake but have to face the consequences of many ups and downs. For some it might be a year of pride having achieved something great, lets say getting employed so that one can fed ones stomach with ones own hand ( with every mouth, god has sent a pair of hand as stated somewhere in class 10 economics, if I am not mistaken), for few they could have begun a new life by getting oneself wed with the one whom s/he loved, for some they might have gained new vista of knowledge by exploring the already existing but hidden treasures, and et al.

But on the other hand there could be others, who were bereaved by loss of their loved ones to the cruelty hand of death, there might be others who got themselves breakup with their once promised - to tie their knot together, there could be few who failed in achieving their dreams despite their tiresome endeavour, few might have lost their final battle for success at the eleventh hour due to swing of ill-fate and quirk of luck. Besides there could be others who spent the year idly without doing anything new, and without achieving anything great, thus simply eyeing the passing by year.

So the year definitely will have certain impacts on our remaining half of life. While good memories are cherish-able throughout our life, bad memories too leaves a miserable effect which is difficult to erase. The wounds left in heart are always painful as it cannot be healed, unlike the superficial cuts which heal with the passage of time. But with every nimbus cloud, there is a silver lining as well. We can learn from the mistakes which we committed in achieving our dreams, thus reverting ourselves to the new path, for failure builds experience, which boast our confidence and which in turn helps in achieving the the miracles of life.

Lets wave good bye to the bad memories and unpleasant moments of the previous year and prepare ourselves with best gestures for the upcoming new year.

source: google images

From Idleness to Idealistic.

Photo source:http://www.vivagoal.com

  The first ever prize I won in games and sports was in 1995, when I was in class PP. I took part in group 'C' balloon race, and some how I managed to save my balloon from bursting, as well as  begged the second prize. The prize I won was a mirror, worth five Ngultrum :). Since then, I have taken part in such co-curricular activities many times. As I reached my higher standards, some how instead of improving my stamina in the filed of games and sports, my interest declined abruptly, and I became an idle person in games and sports. May be I was more focused on studies, as race for academic excellence has reduced the importance of a basic ingredient of the human life in present days.

The last time I took part in games and sports was in the year 2007. The longest event in which I participated was the School Marathon Race, covering more than 15 Km, in which I secured the 9th position, just begging a certificate of consolation, being enlisted into top twenty from the hundreds who participated in it. During the Annual Sports Day that year, just for the sake of participation, I took part in few track events ( 800m and 1500m because I am not not blessed with 'cheetah's phase' of running ), for obvious, I have not won even the third place. I was pessimist that there are lots more who are far better than me in the crowd to beg the gold medals, so I simply ignored various events held during the school day. That could be one reason why I couldn't produce much certificate of merit for winning the games and sports.




  Just few days ago, we finished our Annual Games and Sports Meet, 2010. ( 21st and 22nd Dec. ). The games and sports committee has already announced that the events will be open to all and we were asked to get ourselves geared and recharged to win as much medals as we can. Initially I didn't thought of taking part in those events because, simultaneously our mid sem exams were happening, and exams are more important, for its result grades the ability of student.The days became hectic. For the past two months, I have taken the studies lightly and now as the mids approach, which accounts for 25% of the entire hundred, I was to prepare foot notes, search for information's, rush to the libraries to get the right book issued, and so on.., Still then I spared my time for the games and sports. The indoor games were played mostly at night. Playing carom until eleven o'clock to only beg the runners up position, and hitting the tennis ball hard but getting defeated from the stronger team in finals, the days were full of fun.

  On the first day of the Meet, the first tract event conducted was the 800m race, the longest race of the meet. I was not sure whether I can win the gold or not but I was expected at least the bronze medal. Sometimes its good we expect things before hand as it built up the confidence level in us, as stated by Michael Jordan, the great basketball player,"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them". When I appeared on the tract, fellow students were amused, as they never saw me running and taking part in such activities but I have made clear that I can do with long distances. We were around eight students and after completion of the race, I found myself leading the race, thus begging the first ever gold medal of the day. It was a red-letter day for me. Following it were other tract events and field events, one following another. Then I was in great zeal and enthusiasm. I wanted to win more  and more medals, so I gave my try in almost all events. As the events finished one after another, I could gather more medals, and when the events finally concluded on the 2nd day of the meet, I have won three golds, ( Javelin throw, Discuss throw, 800m,) two silvers ( 400m and relay race ), and yet two more bronze ( 200m and high jump, though I could cross a mere 135cm bar ).

 

  Those wins were mere coincidence. I was not prepared well for it as I was having my mid semester exams simultaneously. The will to win is important but the will to prepare is vital as stated by some body, and had I prepared for it before hand,  I could have won the best athlete award, which I lost to one of my seniors with me lagging behind with one gold. Any way I was contended with what I won. Indeed taking part in games and sports have lots of advantages to us. We not only get to work along with others, understand the opponents better, but also get the spirit of doing team works, which are vital in our everyday life. Just for an instance, if one for the four participants in the relay race fails to perform his part well, this would hamper the merit which other three have gained, so such skills can always be applied in other fields in our life. To win is important but losing doesn't mean we are the worst performer. As we loss we get to try again and again so in long run, we develop strength to win. I would have been more dull without having the insight of winning and losing had I not grasped the opportunity with interest. So finally I discovered the "ideal me" deep within with more potential and energy to explore. You are never a loser until you quit trying.

  All work and no play make Jack a dull boy, and sound mind develops from sound body, which we can maintain by taking part in games and sports.

God’s Gift in Disguise

Life is never a bed of roses, there are ups, and there are downs towards our path towards accomplishments. In times when nothing go according to our plan and everything goes wrong, we simply blame our fate terming it ill-fated and curse God, but spiritually God is always there to guide us and lead us towards the right path. Indeed our presence on mother earth in human form itself is the Gods greatest gift; our presence with all sense organs, our presence without crippled bodily form, our existence with mental ability and quantitative aptitude to reasoning, we being born in a place where we get ample opportunities for learning et al. After all God is not a cosmic bell-boy for whom we can press a button to get things, as stated by someone so we should not be expecting everything from god in its finest form. as a saying goes, "God help those who helps themselves" we should strive hard to achieve our needs.

With this I want to share the following images which was tagged to me by one of my sisters;

"If wishes are horse, then beggars would ride"

“Our virtues are most frequently but vices in disguise.”

“Hope is a desire with an expectation of accomplishment.”

"Gods great power is in gentle breeze, not in storm"

“Virtue is its own reward. There's a pleasure in doing good which sufficiently pays itself.”

"In God is our trust"

“This day and your life ... are God's gift to you , so give thanks and be joyful always!”

Going through the images I was really intrigued by the beauty of story contained in it. Then I thought that whatever happens to us, it is happening for a good cause.  Many a times we fail in appreciating what we get  thinking that it is not worthy but if it is judged critically, what ever we get and what ever we achieve is what we deserve. God never punishes us but make us realize our short comings thus, leading towards the path of perfection. We have to develop a habit of positive thinking so that when misfortunes befall upon us, we would rise from tomb and head towards the heavenly abode the next day or the other. Never blame a day in your life for good days give u happiness to be cherished forever and bad days gives experience, so always enjoy two days a day. Everything is GODS BLESSING in DISGUISE...

Note: The captions with the images are all quotations.

Peace in Darkness.

A nautical dusk

Crimson horizon

Cumlus clouds at Bay

As dusk approaches, the light diminishes, the brightness of day disappears and finally comes the darkness. Exhausted by the labourous day, its time to take a rest, refresh our minds, and then set new goals for the next day.

With the cessation of howling and whistling as the night comes, I could comfortably sit on my study table and recapitulate the lessons that I have learnt during the day, take out my pen and scribble what ever comes into my mind on a sheet of paper, only to discover latter that I have written a POEM. I learn by the mistakes I have committed during the day, promise myself not to repeat the same in the future.

Finally when its time to go to bed, I utter few words to almighty, to free all sentient beings from the ocean of suffering. Beneath the warmth of blankets then I close my eye, wishing that I could open it again in the morning the next day when dawn cracks, finally entering into the dream of bountifulness, which I will have to fulfill in reality.

Simply nights are the most peaceful part of the day for me.

The Twinkling stars of the night.

My poem on Night posted on WAB. HERE.

Photo courtesy: google.

Season of Emptiness.

photo source: google images

The leaves are all shed,

And the stem stagheaded,

The roots dehydrated and sunken,

And the barks scaly and fissured,

The mighty tree lives no life.

The ground unthawed,

And the arid soils contain no moisture.

Breathless microbes so dead,

And decays no litter.

The sun in the azure sky,

Though bright produce no warmth.

And the crescent moon,

Though bright is frosty.

Freeze nights see no light,

With clear dawn still at bay.

And the gloomy day lost lights soon,

With the setting of unseasoned sun.

The breeze so chilly,

The ground dusty and grim.

The water icy cold,

It is a season of emptiness.

December, the Month of Exams;

   It is again a beginning of a new month of the year. This time it is the last month of the year and yet it’s one of the most important months of the year too. Not for starting something new but to finish up the yearlong progress successfully. Farmers in central Bhutan would be reaping their toils from fields, the businessmen would be analyzing their net gain of the annum, banks would be computing their net profit of the fiscal year, government would be putting an end to their yearly plan and measuring their achievements, and schools would be putting an end to their academic year. But coinciding this day, it’s time for many students who are sitting for the board exams to prove their worth.

   I too sat for four such board exams conducted by the Bhutan Board of Examination and it all happened in the month of December. All Bhutan Class VI Examinations in 2001, Lower Secondary School Certificate Examination for class VIII in 2003, Bhutan Certificate for Secondary Education Examination in 2005, and finally Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate for class XII in 2007. So December becomes one of the most important months for the students appearing the board exams.

   For the class six students, it is just a beginning. It nurture the ability establish a base for writing big exams in their future, though it tests the yearlong learning of the student to promote them to the new grade. Class eight examinations would further foster the confidence of young students in facing questions which are set by unknown teachers. Having required to face the board exams, I use to pull my socks up before hand so that I can face the challenge in ease. Same would be the case with those who are doing today.

   Bhutan Certificate for Secondary Education Examination plays a vital role in the life of student. Having faced two board exams already, this exam is not about nurturing confidence of students in facing the exams. But it decides the subject of the students, which he/she will study. Required to get certain minimum percentage to get oneself qualified for continuing the studies in government schools, failing of which they will have to either stop their studies or find other alternatives. Studying in the private school would cost no less than Nu. 50,000, so it would be a great burden for fair weathered families.

   Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate is the final exam in the life of school goers. I call it the turning point of the life as our performance in this exam decides our life. No matter how well we performed in our lower grades, no matter how much we scored in the mid-tern and trail exams, the only thing which matter in the life of student is their performance in the BHSEC. Doing excellently in this exam would open the doors of opportunities. Annually more than 100 scholarship slots are offered by government and few more by the private sectors. Besides the colleges under Royal University of Bhutan would welcome warmly if we have a good result. Therefore the exam really matters in starting the threshold of our future.

   Unfortunately December is month of winter, which simply means cold. Students are to face the dual challenge; the challenge for exams and the challenge for the severe cold.