Why You Should Love Yourself

I recently spent the weekend at a silent meditation retreat with my fiancé. It's so rare we get extended periods alone to unpack and sort through our thoughts these days.

At first it felt a little strange, and it was really hard to resist the urge to share my thoughts and experiences with my fiancé, make a joke, or ask other attendees questions about their lives.But by the end of the retreat, I felt so calm, peaceful and most importantly, in touch with my own soul.

This extended period of self-reflection led to a huge and life-changing aha! moment for me.Want to hear it? I realized the incredible importance of loving yourself unconditionally. Not just when you are your perfect shining self.When your cooking totally rocks, you're having one of those awesome hair days, you say the right things, you smash out your work and personal projects, you light up the room and bluebirds follow you everywhere.

You have to love yourself on the bad days too.

When you stuff up. Say the wrong things. Your curls won't stay in. You're exhausted. Anxious. Your fears keep you awake at night. You temporarily succumb to procrastination, FOMO and too much take-out.

You are equally lovable at all times. You are an inherently worthy spiritual being having a human experience.You totally win at life simply by being here. In every moment you are fulfilling your destiny and purpose on earth - to be you, a unique and once-in-an-infinity collection of magic and energy.

Why is unconditional self-love so important?

Unconditional self-love gives you the strength and courage to try new things and to go after your dreams, because you have insurance - you know that no matter what the outcome, you love yourself deeply.

It's like a safety net; a minimum height below which you will never fall.

Knowing that you have your own back, knowing that your self-worth is not dependent on your success, drives you to try more because you've got nothing to lose - which in turn, leads to greater success.It's a lot like the saying: success does not bring happiness; happiness brings success. I have learnt that success doesn't bring self-love; self-love brings success.

Getting healthy and in shape, nabbing a boyfriend or landing a dream career role doesn't make you love yourself (at least not on a permanent basis, as what happens when they fall through or come to an end?)

An innate sense of unconditional self-love and acceptance is the foundation from which healthy living, love and career success all come in an effortless, safe and beautiful way.

So the next time you want something in your life in order to feel good about yourself, give a little chuckle at the folly of your reverse thinking, and decide to feel good about yourself NOW.

Then the things you desire will inevitably be drawn into your life.

Why Should I Donate Blood?

Q: Why should I donate blood?

A: Safe blood saves lives and improves health. Blood transfusion is needed for:

·         women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and haemorrhage before, during or after childbirth;

·         children with severe anaemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition;

·         people with severe trauma following accidents; and

·         many surgical and cancer patients.

It is also needed for regular transfusions for people with conditions such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease and is used to make products such as clotting factors for people with haemophilia.

There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use. Regular blood donations by a sufficient number of healthy people is needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.

Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma — which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.

You don’t need a special reason to give blood.
You just need your own reason.

·         Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend.

·         Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day.

·         Some believe it is the right thing we do.

Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply.  And  you’ll feel good knowing you've helped change a life.

Every three seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion! 20 percent of recipients are children – many are cancer patients! One pint of bloodfrom one donor can save up to three lives!

This Is What Hindus Believe About Friday.

God:

Friday or Shukravar is dedicated to Shakti, the Mother Goddess, and Santoshi Mata, an incarnation of Shakti. Goddesses Durga and Kali are worshipped with utmost devotion and devotees flock to the Shakti temples on this day. Devotees listen to Durga Aarti, Kali Aarti and Santoshi Mata Aarti on this day.

Ritual:

Shukravar fasting begins at sunrise and ends with sunset and devotees wear white dress and partakes in the evening meal that consists of white-colored food like 'kheer' or 'payasam' a dessert made og milk and rice.

Great importance is attached to the 'Solah Shukravar Vrats' or the 16 Friday fasts for Santoshi Mata, where a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. It is mandatory on the devotee to avoid any sour food items during this sixteen-week long Friday fasting and offer the goddess 'chana' (Bengal gram) and 'gur' (jaggery or solid molasses). Goddess Santoshi Mata grants devotees any wish or desire if she is amply satisfied with the purity of their devotion. Lord Shukra provides happiness and material wealth and the period of Shukra in the devotees' astrological chart is considered to be most productive and lucky.

Folklore:

According to one story, a devotee dishonors Lord Shukra, and later when he faces several untoward incidents, he realizes his mistake, and then begins rigorous fasting to propitiate the god. He is finally amply rewarded.

Color & Gem:

White, Indigo, orange, violet, purple and burgundy colors are preferred on Friday. Diamond is the preferred gem.

Celestial Body:

Venus or Shukra rules Friday