SoulfullyScribbled

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  • Friendship Day in School: We Were All a Little Dramatic, Weren’t We?

    Author: Sivalenka Laxmi Neeraja

    There was a time when Friendship Day wasn’t just another date on the calendar.

    It was an event.

    A full-fledged operation.

    Weeks before the big day, we’d start planning which friendship bands to buy, secretly calculating our “Friendship Day budget” like tiny financial advisors.

    And somehow, we all followed the same unwritten rules.

    Rule #1: Expensive Bands Were Reserved for VIP Friends

    here was always that one friend.

    The “best friend.”

    The one who got the fancy band with glitter, tiny hearts, maybe even one that said Best Friends Forever in bold golden letters.

    Meanwhile…

    Everyone else got the ₹5 friendship band from the next pile.

    No discrimination.

    Just… different investment strategies.

    Rule #2: The Goal Wasn’t Friendship

    It Was Wrist Coverage.

    Let’s be honest.

    Half of us tied bands to people we barely spoke to.

    Why?

    Because walking around school with only three friendship bands was social suicide.

    The real flex was reaching home with both hands completely covered.

    If someone had bands all the way to their elbows…

    Congratulations.

    They had officially won Friendship Day.

    Rule #3: The Silent Cold War

    “I know it’s Friendship Day.”

    “I know she knows.”

    “But I’m not wishing first.”

    Hours passed.

    Both pretending not to care.

    Both secretly checking whether the other person had already tied a band to someone else.

    Childhood ego was truly something else.

    Rule #4: The Emergency Friendship Band

    You suddenly noticed someone walking toward you…

    …holding a friendship band.

    Panic.

    You hadn’t bought one for them.

    So you quickly borrowed one from another friend or dug through your school bag hoping a spare band had magically appeared.

    Survival instincts kicked in.

    Rule #5: The Band Exchange Economy

    “Give me your blue one.”

    “No, I’ll give you this one if you give me the shiny one.”

    For one day every year, friendship bands became an unofficial currency.

    Negotiations were intense.

    Deals were made.

    Trades were successful.

    Nobody questioned it.

    Rule #6: The Teacher Who Ended the Celebration

    Just when everyone was busy tying friendship bands…

    A teacher would walk in.

    “No more friendship bands in class.”

    Instant silence.

    Bands disappeared into pockets faster than homework on inspection day.

    Rule #7: The One Friend Who Forgot

    Every class had one.

    They came empty-handed.

    And spent the whole day saying,

    “I forgot at home.”

    Sure.

    We believed you.

    Looking Back…

    We measured friendship with colourful bands.

    We counted them as trophies.

    We compared wrists during lunch break.

    We got upset over who wished first.

    We believed one glittery band could define an entire friendship.

    It sounds silly now.

    But somehow…

    Those tiny traditions became some of our happiest school memories.

    Maybe Friendship Day was never really about the bands.

    It was about having people who made school feel a little less ordinary.

    And honestly…

    I’d still choose those colourful, slightly chaotic school celebrations over a hundred forwarded “Happy Friendship Day” messages.

    Happy Friendship Day to everyone who’s ever filled our wrists—and our memories—with colour. 💛

  • 5 Lesser-Known Stories of Lord Shiva That Changed the Way I See Life

    Author: Sivalenka Laxmi Neeraja

    1. The Story of Kubera’s Feast

    Everyone knows Kubera as the god of wealth.

    Very few know what happened when his pride took over.

    Kubera once invited Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to an extravagant feast. His real intention wasn’t devotion—it was to show off his immense wealth.

    Shiva immediately understood.

    Instead of attending, he sent little Ganesha.

    The moment Ganesha arrived, he began eating.

    He ate every dish.

    Then every grain of rice.

    Then all the sweets.

    Then every fruit.

    Soon, Kubera’s entire royal kitchen was empty.

    But Ganesha was still hungry.

    He even threatened to eat Kubera himself.

    Terrified, Kubera ran to Shiva.

    Shiva simply handed him a small bowl of plain cooked rice offered with genuine humility.

    Ganesha smiled.

    His hunger disappeared instantly.

    Lesson

    Pride can never satisfy the Divine.

    A simple offering made with love is worth infinitely more than a palace filled with ego.

    2. The Hunter Who Didn’t Know He Was Worshipping Shiva 

    This is one of the most beautiful stories from the Shiva Purana.

    A hunter once climbed a Bilva tree to escape wild animals.

    To stay awake during the night, he kept plucking Bilva leaves and dropping them below.

    Unknown to him…

    There was a Shiva Linga beneath the tree.

    All night long, the leaves fell upon the Linga.

    Because he stayed awake fasting and unknowingly offered Bilva leaves on Maha Shivaratri, Shiva accepted his devotion.

    The hunter attained liberation.

    Lesson

    Sometimes sincerity matters more than ritual.

    God sees the heart before the action.

    3. Shiva Tests Parvati in Disguise

    While Parvati was performing severe penance to marry Shiva, Shiva appeared before her disguised as an old sage.

    He mocked Shiva.

    “He lives in cremation grounds.”

    “He wears snakes.”

    “He covers himself in ash.”

    “Why would any princess marry such a strange man?”

    Parvati became angry.

    She defended Shiva with complete faith.

    Only then did Shiva reveal his true form.

    Lesson

    True devotion remains steady even when tested.

    4. Ravana Tried to Lift Mount Kailash

    This story is famous but often incompletely told.

    Ravana became so proud of his strength that he attempted to lift Mount Kailash itself.

    Shiva didn’t fight.

    He merely pressed his toe.

    The entire mountain became impossibly heavy.

    Ravana’s hand was trapped beneath it for years.

    Instead of cursing Shiva…

    Ravana sang thousands of hymns in praise of him.

    Those hymns later became the Shiva Tandava Stotram.

    Lesson

    Sometimes our greatest spiritual growth begins after our greatest humiliation

    5. The Spider, Snake, and Elephant

    Three devotees worshipped the same Shiva Linga.

    • The spider built a web to protect it from dust.
    • The snake decorated it with precious gems.
    • The elephant washed it daily with river water.

    Each thought the others were ruining the worship.

    Eventually, all three died during their conflict.

    Shiva appeared and granted liberation to all three because each worshipped with genuine devotion.

    Lesson

    When devotion is genuine, even different offerings are accepted with grace

  • Exploring Spirituality Through Books, Stories, and Experiences

    The Magic of Literature in Spiritual Growth

    Books have a unique ability to guide us on our spiritual journey. As a tarot reader and astrologer, I often find insights within the pages of books that resonate with my experiences and the stories of my clients. From guides on astrology to novels that inspire profound self-reflection, literature plays an essential role in our exploration of spirituality.

    Client Stories: Real-Life Lessons

    Every client I encounter brings their unique narrative and challenges, enriching my practice. One such story involved a client drawn to tarot to find clarity in their corporate life. Through our sessions, they discovered their inner strength and a path towards merging their spiritual beliefs with their professional aspirations, showing how interconnected our lives can be.

    Traveling Through Cultures and Spirituality

    Traveling offers us the chance to explore different cultures and spiritual beliefs. My journeys have taken me to sacred sites around the world, where the energy of gods and goddesses can be felt in the air. Each experience provides new insights and fresh perspectives on the divine, inspiring me to share these stories and lessons with others seeking their spiritual paths.

    Whether through reading about spirituality, sharing client experiences, or recounting my travels, weaving these elements into my practice enriches my understanding and connection to the universe. Join me as we delve into the fascinating interplay of travel, food, and spirituality that shapes our lives.

  • Exploring the Mystical Realms: Stories from a Tarot Reader and Astrologer

    Introduction to Spiritual Journeys

    In the realm of spirituality, we often encounter stories that transcend time and space. As a tarot reader and astrologer, my path has intertwined with numerous powerful narratives—both from my clients and my own experiences. This blog post aims to share some of these captivating tales.

    Client Stories: Insights from the Cards

    Many clients come to me seeking clarity and guidance through tarot readings. One particular story stands out—a woman grappling with an uncertain career path. After a detailed session, we uncovered cards that symbolized new beginnings and courage. Following our reading, she took the leap into entrepreneurship, and now she shares her success story as a testament to the tarot’s wisdom.

    Embracing Astrology in Daily Life

    Astrology is another lens through which I explore spirituality. Understanding planetary transits allows us to align with cosmic energies. For instance, during a recent retrograde, I advised clients to remain patient and reflect. Surprisingly, many experienced personal growth through challenges, highlighting how astrological insights can powerfully impact our lives.

    The Intersection of Travel and Spirituality

    Traveling also enriches my spiritual journey. During a visit to an ancient temple, I felt deeply connected to the energy of the gods and goddesses. This experience reinforced the idea that spirituality is not merely theoretical—it is felt and experienced through our environments. Conclusively, blending travel with spirituality opens doors to new dimensions of understanding.

    Join me on this mystical journey as I share more tales about food, corporate experiences, and the divine. Each story reveals another layer of the intricate tapestry of life and spirituality.