EVERYONE HAS A REASON TO PRAY

Naivedya Sampoorna Lakshmi Pooja Kit LITTLE TEMPTATIONS : "Whats that mamma?" I tried to stand on my tiny toe-tips in an effort to reach the shining packet that lay on top of the fridge, tempting me. My sister too, equally tiny in size, failed in her attempts to grab it so far. "Thats the coconut cookies God has decided to give every day to you both," my mother answered, smiling at us. She gave us two each, and surprisingly the packet had only 4 pieces. "Really mamma?" Both me and my sister were delighted as well as curious. Wow! God giving us cookies was indeed incredible news. "Yes, God came in my dreams last night and said that he was very happy with you both and promised to keep cookies for you every night from now on, if you two behave properly everyday - never fight and pray to him for forgiveness," my mother replied. As two little brats, we indeed raised a storm everyday making it impossible for our mother to control us. But on hearing God's condition for the cookies, we instantly made a pact never to fight anymore. Even if we had squabbles, we'd instantly pray for forgiveness, so that God didn't stop giving us cookies. And God certainly didn't disappoint. Every morning as soon as we woke up, we'd rush to the fridge in the kitchen to see if there was any cookies on top. And yes, there'd always be 4 pieces, two for both of us. So as tiny tots, 'cookies' were the prime reason we prayed - its another matter those cookies were cleverly kept by our mother in an effort to control us ( which we learnt much later ). In any case, as they say mothers are next to God ain't it? LIFE'S LESSON : Before my maths exams in school, I'd always freak out and break into a cold sweat, as soon as I saw my question papers. My score was good in all other subjects except maths, which never made any sense to me and I'd be praying 24x7 to God to help me pass somehow. Getting big red zeros made matters worse, and I'd frown/sulk why God wasn't listening to me. Until one day, I heard something within me say - to work it out myself. It was voice of God perhaps, that spoke through my conscience and told me that - 'He helps only those who helps themselves.' So, only if I made the effort myself, he'd help me. Thus, the hard work started. Instead of only praying, I tried to spend time memorizing the complex math solutions - and in the end, I did pass! With good marks too. That day I prayed and prayed to God, only to thank him. Because, I had got the most important answer of life - we have to work hard to achieve something. REALIZATION : Tragedy had struck my friend's family, when her little nephew died of Leukemia. He was only two years old. It is perhaps the most saddest news one can bear to hear. It happened all too sudden, before one could even pray to God to cure him. All we could do was ask God why? Why the ruthlessness! Why take away a life so young, one who had barely seen this world. He was merely 2 years old, certainly he didn't deserve to die. There are enough scoundrels in this world who perhaps deserved death hundreds times more, than the tiny one. The questions never stopped. Until we were forced to realize on our own that - this life does not belong to us. Its merely a gift from God. He can take away anyone, anytime he wishes. We have no control over it. Maybe, he didn't want a good soul to be in such a messed up world, and thus took him away so soon. That brings us to why we have made this world how it is. There's no dearth of greed, crimes, hatred, jealousy, spite, anger, rape, murders -- ( all negative elements ). But why? Whats the point of all these negativity, when in the end we all have to go. We come to this world with nothing in our hands, and we go with nothing too. Why can't we co-exist peacefully and enjoy the temporary life that we've all got. Remember - In the end, no one gets away from this world alive!! Not the rich, nor the poor! Indeed we are the lucky chosen ones who are given the wonderful opportunity to breathe in this world - see, touch, hear, smell, feel - all of God's creations. We are given the gift of Free-Will too - to do things, imagine, explore, understand, create and more! So, why not pray God to thank him for all that he has given us, enjoy and spread positivity around, make our time on this earth meaningful, healing and peaceful! - Amen

Sampoorna Lakshmi Pooja pack is perfect for the upcoming Diwali celebrations, festivities and the time to bring home Goddess Lakshmi and perform the traditional Lakshmi pooja. The pack has idols of Ganesh and Lakshmi, 30 pooja essentials and a booklet & audio cd which conveniently guides you through the pooja steps. The booklet and cd have the pooja instructions, shlokas and Shri Lakshmi Ashtottarashata Naamaavali for reciting during the pooja. Sampoorna Lakshmi Pooja pack makes a perfect gift for Diwali - the festival of lights. Bring home the Goddess of Wealth with Sampoorna Lakshmi Pooja – a kit of convenience that has all that you need for a Lakshmi pooja, in one box. This post is part of 'Everyone has a reason to Pray' Contest by Cycle Pure Agarbathies in association with WomensWeb | ( Images : Google & PurePrayer )

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