As time stretches ahead to a new Year, full of promises to keep and miles to go, make the Resolutions for the new year with ‘Kids Free Soul Attitude’ to blast into a new world of Success and Peace. Life is a battle of Ups and Downs: A war of right and wrong, limitations and intimidations, choice of this and that, living in dreams and reality, feelings of acceptance and rejection, getting impressed and depressed, being friendly and carefree, accepting responsibilities and commitments, framing goals and objectives, grabbing opportunities and strengths and a big long trail of what-not! One at a time or setting up for lifetime, one can build Arks of Future with Resolutions that we tend to overlook. Something we need to brush up ourselves but we don’t. We need to get our Resolutions firmed up! Everything is up for grabs and pulls with the crisis creeping in, let’s recognize our potentialities and understand the secret of success. We can build the Arks of Future with our ‘Attitude’ – It makes a Big Difference. Resolve to spread Peace as peace brings joy but than whoever framed the word ‘Peace’ has a long trails of words considering for ‘Action’ to make these Nouns turn into Verbs. Make the Resolutions – Make them Firm and spread peace.



Wishing all Kidsfreesouls Readers 'Happy 2005'. Our hearts go out to all those Tsunami affected Victims. Let the New year Bell chime in Peace and joy!

Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Tsunami brought Waves of Destruction and proved it have power of N Bombs! I am tense with the news popping every day and my heart aches to see the cries of humans! Not long ago, its been Christmas day and here, its Hell on Earth! Today, I saw a man lying dead next to a big dead fish, a mom running towards the sea trying to save her child and so many scary scenes! At Christmas, we say "Keep the Faith - Peace is at every doorstep" But where is Peace? Only we need to keep the Faith!!!

I remember,the story of a man named Job who reflects the image of a pious man, a perfect person who has faith in god, yet God takes his trials when Satan challenges god and tells him to take away his riches and comfort and then see how good he is. Yet, God rules! Job has faith in him and does not flinch! “Behold, he snatches away and who can hinder him, what are you doing?’ (Job 9:12 – Bible) Seems,God even has a hard time keeping chaos. We can only pray and let our prayers 'Heal the Pain'. Today, I won't say 'Keep the Faith' coz its majority Christian community affected on Christmas! How can one keep the faith?

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Merry Christmas

Wishing all "MERRY CHRISTMAS" Peace Be With You, me & us.



Faith is a light that dispels ignorance and darkness around. Faith is the hope that keeps you surfing on the waves on a sea of storms. Faith is love. Faith is grabbing the magical moments in life. Faith is deciding, daring, challenging and striving to reach the goals. Faith in whom we believe is intimacy & commitment to fulfil service towards mankind. Faith is trusting in tomorrow and dreaming God’s dream of a beautiful world with love, peace and joy to humanity. This Christmas, Kids Free souls offers a small prayer for all Kids FS Readers.

Bless the whole wide world, dear God, Upon this Christmas day,

Let hope and faith, love and peace, come to light the way.

Within the golden candle glow, The bells’ sweet silver chime,

The stories and the carols sung, Let all know Christmastime.

The shining radiant evergreen, Each gift and card and prayer,

In glistening snow and twinkling star, Merry Christmas everywhere.

- Keep the Faith!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

The heart is the gateless gate to reality. Move from the head to the heart and if you do so, all problems dissolve. Everything is crystal clear and transparent leaving just the mysteries which turn to unforgettable sweet memories forever, says Osho. Music is speech of angels, a universal language of mankind. In music, one must think with the heart and feel with the brain and so, after every silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music! That’s when you dream and your every dream precedes the goal! Its like dancing away your blues to reach high for stars that lie hidden in your soul and this is when the heart and mind perform in harmony after all!





This Christmas, Feel the music, Dance away the blues, Live to Reality…..Keep the Faith!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

When we hate our enemies, we give them power over us. Power over our sleep, appetites and our happiness. They would dance with joy if they knew how much they were worrying us. Our hate is not hurting them at all but it is turning our own days and nights into hellish turmoil. During such situations, we need to remember Gautam Buddha's words “For hatred does not cease by hatred any time; hatred ceases by love” We see the world getting charged to fall apart, we find Victims of differences whose hearts are filled with hatred and their eyes flaring the fire to engulf and burn the enemy to ashes.

Tolerance is on the back seat with the 21st century Generation and as one notice, from kid to a youth, the art of ‘Let go’ finds no place to existence. The kids who learn to cope with bad times and its this time when values of tolerance is more necessary for them to divert their minds to shrug off the hatred from the heart.

Keep the faith,Be Tolerant, Tame the Temper!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Education for life? Missing....! There is an old Latin tag: “Non schola sed vita discimus” means, We learn not for school but for life." No more is this applicable because neither teacher nor student has even taken it seriously. Education system requires to be reformed. It also have to stress the responsibility of knowledge where ‘knoweldge is power’. Moral education has fallen into disrepute. Knowledge and knowledge people have to take responsibility to safeguard the morality in education. Education fuels economy and shapes society is the factor one should remember.

Three hundred years ago, Descartes said, “I think I am” but now technology changes minds and one can say, “I see therefore I am”. However, I end with the logical thinking “I keep myself aware and informed with technology and new sweeping wave of changes and therefore, “I AM” – Education without experience and exposure is Incomplete, after all!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

World Aids Day - December 1
Stop the Virus. Shine Light on the Global Fight against HIV/AIDS. Add your Light to the Fight. On Dec 1, World Aids Day next, see how you helped light up the world at Times Square, New York.Kidsfreesouls lights the 14185th Light to Fight. You can Light & Support too!



"Live & Let Live"

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Politicians keep on harping over different themes every time there is an event or a festival approaching. Once the CM Narendra Modi, on the occasion of Navratri (Nine days festival in India) urged people to go vegetarian all 365 days but soon forgot about it himself, I guess;-) This reminds that Gandhiji had been Mascot followed by Sadhu Vasvani (25th Non Vegetarian Day) for vegetarianism. He said, "Take food as medicine and not in order to gratify the palate. Eating non veg itself brings out evil thoughts in human minds who become violent and destructive.

Now, as we shift towards the next universal festival 'Thanksgiving Day', (26th Nov) it's amazing to know about the pilgrims and how people started celebrating this day when I read Ann McGovern's Book 'The Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving'. However, kids in west marvel students and smack their lips at many food dishes that were eaten at the first Thanksgiving like wild turkey, geese, ducks, deer, lobsters, clams, oysters and fish along with vegetables and pop corn.

This reminds of a proverb which is rightly said, "What you think, you cook and what you cook, you eat and what you eat, accordingly thoughts flash in your mind". So, Check it Out! Avoid Flesh, Avoid Fish and Avoid all the Non Veg dish! Go Vegetarian. After all, its your Life - Attitude makes a big Difference!

Recipe for Life

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls
- Official Blogger for M.J. Akbar

Hello...November 21 has been marked as 'Hello Day' but How oft we do remember even to say Hi casually to friends or well wishers? It's Power of Voice that influence people. Voice can be used to achieve greater confidence.How to use voice to persuade people to your way of thinking.A voice could seduce or sedate people. Ever noticed how do you SOUND???"HELLO" – When we say this five lettered word, it’s the sound that makes a big difference. Your voice is the inner reflexion of your soul. Every person has gifted with a voice which one can modulate with the speech styles. The voice is the power within you. It has powers that make a person fall in love with you.A voice can make one ready for a battle of words which can calm and seduce, provoke or silence, thrill and charge or can be electrifying. Voice has a special depth of thoughts and can influence your whole life as well as others. When you say ‘Hello’ the sound is like tinkling bell when you say it with softness and deep feeling but if you are harsh with your words, this means you are not towards the right track to road ahead of success. Words spoken with intelligence, words spoken with soft feelings, words spoken with understanding has an impact on the other with the voice powers. If you observe people talking, you can find the characteristics of the person which can master you with ‘mind reading’. Voice can get you hired or fired or promoted too. A voice can make friends or foes. A voice bring love back into your life and a voice can make your work loads lighter when you are on hieghts of your job and the work stress is higher.

(Send Hello Cards)
I have two Book Recommendations which might help readers:

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk



Speak to Influence : How to unlock the Hidden Power of you Voice
by Susan Berkley



Voice is a lovely gift that humans possess and as someone said "Speech is silvern, silence is gold" – Speech is Silvern but Silence speaks a thousand words and those thousand words when are accumulated comes out with an outburst, overflowing thoughts stored in the mind and than there is peace and calmness, isnt this true?

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Kidsfreesouls Announces a 'Book Week' every year in November. Dive into the Ocean of Knowledge picking up pearls of Education, Entertainment & Information to share with friends. Books widen the doors of imagination and stimulate the mind. Desire of Knowledge is a natural feeling. Lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. Some read to think, some read to write but majority of them need to talk! Our mind is a wanderer as it create thoughts, thoughts create intentions and intentions create reality! Thoughts rule the world! The mind in its own place and itself can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.

Happy Reading, Keep the faith.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor,

kidsfreesouls

Happy Diwali & Prosperous New Year (12/13th November) to all Readers of kidsfreesouls. It's time for celebrations and as I remember the aggressive arguments of Suhel Seth in his print article in Asian Age and also on 'We the People' NDTV Debate, I feel 'Celebrating Diwali & New Year is like the feel of the Music & Dance during Christmas.' In the name of celebrations, yeah, we sure have a lot of gifts, give and takes, a lot of eats and socialising but isn't this so good feel when we take out time from our busy routines to relax and enjoy?

Anyways, I remember I once got a Softel Icecream Maker Machine from Times of India Advertisement response department for submitting Ice-cream making Recipes and here is a delightful Chocolate Cook Book I use for making chocolates during Diwali.

Wish could pass on some to Suhel Seth as a Gift...with a note 'Happy Diwali & Happy New Year..LoL




I tried The Chocolate Lovers' Cookbook and ever since then, a great Chocoholic. As some ingredients were not available in town, I grabbed this book 'Art of Chocolates: Techniques & Recipes from a friend. The books says in detail:
Start to Finish -
Ingredients and Tools
Melting and Tempering Chocolate
Spectacular Chocolate Confections
Chocolate Magic Tricks
Spectacular Chocolate Gifts
Spectacular Chocolate Cakes and Desserts
Basic Cakes, Fillings, Frostings, and Sauces

Easier to go through step by step with simple Instructions. The magic tricks are great I like most because once you make a chocolate, the appear has to be cool. So here's a mould,chocolate plates, bowls, boxes, cups, leaves, bows, flowers, tree bark various cutouts.Chocolate baskets, decorated boxes and various tricks is sure catchy. Of coz, some ingredients fall short in India, there's always some substitutes to use and I find it much easier to try my hand on one or two recipe but yeah, reading is cool n the taste touches the sweet tooth jes seeing the pics. A good pick.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Why Do Parents Over-indulge?



This book has invaluable resource to nurturing cooperation, good character, and positive life skills in children. You'll learn how to:

-Avoid power struggles with your children
-Maintain schedules, plan meals, and reduce stress through effective time management
-Learn the power of family meetings in tackling discipline and developmental problems
-Help those who care for your children understand the important philosophy of kindness and firmness in setting boundaries

Busy parents shower their love for kids by spending excessive amount decorating kids room with all modern facilities and buying expensive gifts. With both working parents competing with each other in hiking their career graphs, each tries to beat the other in appeasing the neglected child by providing wrong signals. They do not realise that more than the material goods, what the child needs is emotional security, which the parents have no time for. Parents go overboard exhibiting their parental instincts of their own interest and the same child actually resent this over indulgence as over the years. They grow to regard this as interference. What I think is that it is neither indulgence nor interference but involvement that the child needs most. According to Daniel Goleman, childhood is
"a special window of opportunity for shaping children's emotional habits." We must help children recognize and understand their emotions and the emotions of others. For this kids need time, love, attention, a sense of belonging, structure, and for the adults to model humane, honest behavior, Listening and communicating skills.

Pause, think - shower love with gifts but spend value time with kids as no amount of expenses incurred can compensate for parental love, afterall!

-Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

“Avashyameva bhoktavyam krutam karma shubhashubham”




It is said one certainly has to bear the consequent result of the good or bad deeds committed by him or her. The entire universe has satva, rajas and tamas characteristics in it. Satva with its morality, goodness, simplicity, love, forgiveness, compassion, etc; Rajas with a run for material world of wants, riches, luxury, desires, etc and Tamas is elements of darkness, anger, greed, lust, hate, etc. The ultimate goal of Vedic dharma is to reach the Satvik goal but for this, one need to tame the temper. Believe in true worship of a super power and follow faith. When Bad things happen to people, it leaves room for us to be human. Sometimes,I believe there is no reason, things just happen! A bible verse says “ Behold, I have set a path of good and path of evil. The way of life and way of death. Choose Life” And so, if we got to choose Life, we need to realize that the ‘Knowledge of Tree’ in the Garden of Eden itself had choices of good and evil. It’s the path that we choose to Life and spread peace on earth, goodwill among mankind.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Ramzan: Muslims walk with the faith of Mohammed whatever their division be, the sunni or the shites. The principles of truth lies with charity, generosity, love, unity with the Koran preaching’s, the five pillars of Islam - Faith in Allah, Praying, five times a day, Almsgiving, Keeping the Fast and Pilgrimage to Mecca. Mohammed once told his followers when they returned from battle that ‘You have come back from lesser to greater struggle’ On asking to elaborate the statement, he said ‘The greater struggle is the struggle within’.

The Koran Fatiha ...this one's a beautiful prayer....

In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Praise belongs to God, Lord of all Being
the All-merciful, the All-compassionate
the Master of the Day of Doom
Thee only we serve; to Thee alone we pray for succor
Guide us in the straight path
the path of those whom Thou hast blessed,
not of those against whom Thou art wrathful
nor of those who are astray.



Kidsfreesouls wishes all people of Muslim Faith
"Happy Ramzan....

Blossomsmile ilaxi
-Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Indians all over the world celebrate Navratri and Durga Puja this time of the year with nine days of music and dance (Traditional Garba and Raas) I think, Religion is the faith which inspires one to be truthful, to believe in God and do what is right and minimize the sins. Faith in a lifetime makes you disciplined, build the courage, confidence and gives the strength. Religion grew as codes of conduct, as rules to keep society functioning with minimum chaos and this is quite obvious – all religions speak of what to do and what not! Humans makes the classifications of religion, Hinduism, muslim, christainity and all. Do loud aartis amplified by loudspeakers and all kinds of religious rally help anyone follow faith better during Navratri? Navratri festival, a traditional and cultural entertainment but how many know the faith behind it? So, why pretend its about religion? Its also a meeting ground, meeting people, an excuse for a social do and many pretends to be devout, then comes out and gossips! Religion begins at home and shifts to public place of worship. Adam and Eve were not born with religion and so, religion should not be a private or particular but faith, strong as a mountain to understand the responsibilities as a human being – to do what is right and when bad things happen to good people, just realize, they make better persons because experiences in life always gives you the extra boost and so, there is this faith that makes you stand in front of god and pray!



Navratri tale says Shakti, goddess Durga is Shiv’s consort Parvati, daughter of Menaka and the Himalayas. Shakti, the female energy of Shiv, she is mild and fierce too with names like Uma (light), Gauri (brilliant), Kali (chandi), Jagaddhatri as Amba, Bhadrakali and Bhairavi (terrible). When the gods after a long war were defeated by the demons headed by Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, were driven away from heaven, they approached Brahma who took them to Vishnu and Siva. Durga took the task of ridding the world of oppression and in the fierce combat, she killed the powerful demons and then came to face with their kind Mahishasura, who was considered invincible. Mahishasura changed his form from buffalo to a lion. When she chopped him, he turned to human form and when he was struck with her sword, he became an elephant, again to resume his buffalo form. Finally, trapped under her foot as her spear pierced his chest. This Mahishasura represents the animal instinct in man which is sometimes too powerful to control but must be controlled by supreme god. Greed, temptation, gossip, bickerings, self centeredness and any evil disguises are to be overcome otherwise it is the end like Mahishasura. The goddess reflects the noble intentions and kind deeds, determination to end exploitation and stand by the righteousness. This is the faith that is built in the human heart, a message of Navratri, the killing of evil thoughts, Mahishasura. Rama is said to have performed Durga Puja to invoke the blessings of the goddess before he left for Lanka to fight for Ravana. Hence, Dussehra, the winning of ‘Good over Evil’

Hence, religion is a holistic approach. Significance of the deities pointing the need for deriving solutions to problems and as believed, Durga triumphs over evil, Saraswati removes ignorance and Lakshmi brings prosperity. And then, there is this Faith – Spread the love, banish hate, shrug off the black seeds of anger, selfishness and malicious ways and Faith makes you perform the right deeds. Keep the Faith.

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

October has been named "National Sarcastics Awareness Month" in an attempt to help everyone understand both the positive and the negative effects of sarcasm. Here is my article 'Tame the Temper' - Sarcasm?Criticism?Rejection? To control anger is not an easy task but to melt down is certainly a positive signal to defuse a conflict and avoid the sarcastic remarks and think Positive!



Osho says “Every emotion arising in you is a great opportunity. Master the mind. It is a state of consciousness when the outer world is reflected in . Mind is nothing but the process of thinking, the traffic of thought” Thoughts rule the world and it is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. Bubbled anger sometimes is an ego eccentric hurt within and differences are apt to arise, be it within nations, communities, families or individuals. Each person is born in an environment that influences upbringing as from childhood and from the culture, society or family, the person ‘you’ makes waves to confront the darker shadows and its then being assertive that makes a difference. The world’s disaster, natural or man made may never stop but it’s the more unity of ‘We’ rather than ‘I’ to keep one community worldwide alike and that’s to observe a religion of ‘Humanity’. If differences defuse, black seeds of anger, ego, hurt, hatred ness or the like melts, there remain is a universal dream of ‘spellbound happiness'

Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

October 2 and Indians pay a tribute to the Mahatma on his Birthday. As students, Volunteers, NGOs and many people join the Marathon Races for Clean Gujarat with a cleanliness drive, Sabarmati Ashram comes live with memories of Gandhi Bapu.



Gandhiji was a person who believed in the dignity of man and left us all a legacy of ahimsa, love and tolerance. His life was guided by a search for truth. In the `My Experiments of the Truth', Gandhiji stressed that truth was god and his aim in life was to achieve truthfulness in thought, word and deed. Ahimsa, to him was the highest virtue. By non violence, Gandhi meant not merely the absence of violence but also loving concern for all life. He believed that truth could be known only through tolerance and concern for others and that find a truthful way to solutions required constant testing. He taught that to be non-violent required great courage. He adopted Satyagraha based on principles of courage, non-violence and truth. This method was used to fight for India's independence and to bring about social change. The book has exceptional revelations of Gandhiji's own life, his experiences, his beliefs and the stepping stone of his career. A widely read and an inspiring collection, Gandhiji's Autobiography gives a glimpse into the Indian culture and living on path towards Truth & Non violence. A pick for every one who believes in peace n calm.

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Banned Books Week is celebrated this year from 24th September. Benjamin Franklin said: "Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech."




Freedom of speech is at will but Books are challenged and banned for every possible reason. Books are challenged usually, to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information. And it might surprise many, Harry Potter Books face a challenge Book category for its focus on wizardy and magic! It is understood that between 1990 and 2000, around 6,364 challenges reported to or recorded by the Office for Intellectual Freedom. Based upon the objections of a person or group, when books are challenged for reading, they are banned! However,Banned Books Week makes it possible for 'Free People Read Freely' concept and the Banned Books week emphasize the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one's opinion. Sometimes, silencing the expression of opinion is no good but when the material is unsuitable for age group, offensive language or sexually explicit, Banning is Must! Human Race falls prey easy to the vices and yet, when these challenged books ultimately get banned, this week sure do justice to work that is dumped in cans if the content is good for read!

Enjoy Free Reads, Banned Reads.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Did you know that the first Television Programme started in Delhi on 15th September 1959? Since then, the so called ‘Idiot Box’ has attracted mass media, glued to its charm with various programmes.

Recent research at the National Institute of Mental Health conducted by Peter Jensen concluded, "Extensive exposure to television and video games may promote development of brain systems that scan and shift attention at the expense of those that focus attention." In countless homes and classrooms, we see children with more impulsive behaviors, less willing and able to persevere through challenging mental tasks, hyperactive, reactive, with little or no impulse control. Research confirms that children who watch TV or play video games for more than two hours daily will most likely exhibit one or more of these characteristics. What can we do? Limit viewing hours? Temptation to fill leisure hours with TV viewing be avoided? Don't occupy child's mind with lot of education stuff that leads to boredom? Think! There must be sure fire way to lessen the TV viewing hours! E-mail me your views!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Prayer on Lips brings one closer to God! Recently I was reading a Book of Neale Donald Walsche 'Conversations with God' It is said "Communication is the key to success" but how and when do we communicate with God? Neale Donald Walsch has a way showing his readers how to be communicate with the ultimate super power 'God' and develop a friendly relation, irrelevant of the fact whether you can see him, meet him or not! Neale's dialogue with god fetches him back the answers that he could not visualize and foresee.

I vaguely remember one of my print page reader Munira Budhdev from Nadiad had sent me an email saying that she is a muslim and wish to know the Hindu religion and especially teach her kids some Hindu Prayers.Well, this is one great difference we can make. Its we, who create differences of caste and creed and we ourselves who can bridge in the gaps too!! Afterall, we are all human beings who can understand one language and that is Humanity! Here are some Prayers which might be useful to some:

MORNING PRAYER - Prataha

* Karagre vaste laxmihi karmule saraswati, Karmadhye tu govindaha prabhate kar darshanam.

This means:

On the tips of the fingers resides Goddess Laxmi,

On the wrists resides Goddess Saraswati

In the centre of the palm resides Lord Govinda himself

Every morning one should look at the palm with reverence

Sanskrit words meanings:

kar- palm (complete), agre-at the tips (of all fingers), vaste-resides, Laxmi-goddess, (Prosperity), kar-palm, mule-at the base of, Saraswati-goddess of knowledge, madhye-centre, tu-indeed, govinda-Lord Krishna, controller of senses, prabhate-in the morning, kar-palm, darshanam-see with reverence

PRAYER BEFORE MEALS

Brahmarpanam brahm havibrahyagro brahmana hutam, brahev ten gantavyam brahm karm samadhina.

MEANING:

Brahman, Himself is the oblation (offering, pious donation) Brahmin itself is the clarified butter,etc

constituting the offerings, by Brahman himself is the oblation poured into the fire of Brahman, Brahman verify (in truth) shall be reached by him who always sees Brahman in all actions.

Sanskrit words meanings:

Brahma-Brahman, arpanam-offering, havi-the clarified, brahyagro-the fire of Brahmin, Brahmana-by brahmin, hutam-is offered, avam-only, ten-by him, gantavyam-shall be reached, brahma-by the man who is absorbed, karm-in action which is, samadhina-Brahman

PRAYER AT NIGHT - Asking for Forgiveness

Karcharanakrutam vak-kayajam karmajam va,

shravanayanajam va manasam va paradham.

Vihitamvihitam va sarvametat kshamswa

jay jay karnabdhe shree mahadeva shambho.

MEANING:

O Lord, Kindly forgive my wrong actions done knowingly or unknowingly, either through my organs of action (hands, feet, speech) or through my organs of perception (tears, eyes) or by my mind. Glory unto thee, O Lord, who is the ocean of Kindness.

PRAYER BEFORE STUDIES

Saraswati namastubhyam varde kamrupini, vidhyarambha karishyami siddhirbhavatu me sada.

MEANING:

Oh! Goddess Saraswati, my humble prostrations (in submission/lying face downwards) unto thee,

Thee who are the fulfiller of all wishes. I start my studies with thy worship and always pray for success.

God exists in our everyday life to inspire, encourage and build within the courage to face the bare facts of life.






- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Schools promoting Home-made Lunch Box for kids in Ahmedabad is welcoming as kids meal would no more contain 'junk' and 'canned' eating stuff. Instead a fair meal served with portions of nutritious, fresh vegetables, no junk like cheese or butter and no fried food.

If parents really teach the kid how to eat at the very start, kids may not face malnutrition at a tender age. Neither they would be obese and face complications. The Food & Nutrition Board, Dept. of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India announces National Nutrition Week from 1-7 September 2004.(Govt of India websites) Malnutrition during early childhood has a lifelong implications on the health of an individual. An under-nourished child do not achieve full potential of growth and the deficiencies of Vitamin A, iron, folic acid, iodine, zinc, etc. affect their growth and immunity. The child faces with poor cognitive skills, poor learning ability and lack of concentration leading to school dropouts. Due to malnutrition during childhood, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases are the cause result in later life. Malnutrition to the extent impairs human development, results in low productivity and poor economic growth.

So kids and parents, check out there! Follow the Healthy Eating Tips & Relish the 'Recipe for Life' too!

Keep the Faith!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Kidsfreesouls digs exploring new waves of Blogging - PhotoBlogs & MoBlogs.

Photo blogging takes a bit more effort and bandwidth than traditional text blogs.Hence, Photoblogging is easier with websites like footpages, Ofoto Buzznet and many more! It's a sure fire way to share the journey of life with friends, well wishers and photo blog the events that shape the life. If one have a camera phone, you don't even have to be near your computer to send in photos. A free-roaming, mobile blog like this is often called a "moblog."

I always felt too tired uploading the images on the website and with a lot of content, the Bandwidth problems screwing up the brain cells. And here is a relief to Blog free with Photo Blogging and sharing the best pics I have at my very own First Photo Blog. Sure, when I have a Blog note that goes with interesting pic, you can find here too. (Ugh, gotta download Picasa to upload the pics here!

Enjoy!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Kidsfreesouls Music - The Faith Keyboard playing is a yester memory now but down the memory lane, music do vibrate the soul, fresh and alive. Recently I watched the Australian singers and 1,2,3,4 Hi-5 goes the Live Band of Kellie, Nathan, Tim, Kathleen and Charlie with their Theme song:

Five in the air, Let's do it together,
Five to the side,who cares about the weather?
Five on the floor, The party's on at your place,
Five to the front, There's a smile on my face!

Children songs caters to wide range of younger kids focusing on their cognitive skills and learning flares. Singing brings in refreshing ideas for kids as they action sing the songs emphasising on different areas of 'intelligence' and bringing in awareness to the kid's world with:

*Language fun of stories, rhymes and games songs,
*Logical thinking and mathematical puzzles of shapes, mazes, patterns,
*Music fun with beat,rythm and melody,
*Body moves such as jumping, hopping n the like,
*Exploring emotional areas through stories to enhance sociol skills etc.

It's merrier days again for adults who love kiddie music fun. I remember 'Time to be Happy' and 'Wear a great Big smile upon your Face' and many great numbers we sang as a Carmelite. Jamaican Farewell had been my fav and so was 'Papa, he loves Mama'. Many more from Sound of Music and My Fair Lady like 'Do,re,me and Lots of Chocolates'. Music is 'Ultimate' for kids and for All. It's Double the Fun, jumping n jive' with the happy ole days and make the kids merrier floating them free to grow up - free from the stress n burden of education for a change, free from the big bad world as they sing and dance with this Pick - At Home, in school or having fun Partying.





-Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

India Independence Day:15th August

1947 – “Long years ago we made tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge….At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom” said Jawaharlal Nehru.

Today, India is a “Can-do” Nation, Democracy intact, jubiliation in Real.India, the land of Free proudly stand Independent and today as we commemorate the nation on its Anniversary of Independence, Kids Free Souls salutes all those immortal souls for the gallant undying contribution for the cause of freedom.

Celebrate….the dawn of another triumph year of Independence. Jai Hind.

India Independence Day - Flag Hoisting India

Listen to the National Anthem

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Stan Lee created the cartoon character Spiderman 40 years ago over protests from his superiors at Marvel Comics. As far as I know, Now 79, Lee no longer works on the Spiderman comics. By inventing a nerdy Peter Parker and giving him a secret life as angst-ridden super hero, Lee brought new sophisticational and emotional depth to what had been considered a child's genre.In Spiderman 2, the movie has a heart and technical artistry alongwith the subtle allusions to the 9/11 devastation, the imaginative set designs, the astounding computer generated stunts and crackerjack tempo that keeps one engrossed. Spiderman 2 is thrill to watch on a big screen keeping high on adrenaline as well as emotions as the web slinger makes sure that justice must triump over vindictiveness.

Enjoy!



- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, kidsfreesouls.com

Belated Friendship Day to all Kids n well wishers of kidsfreesouls

Friendship is the intensity of the love that leaves behind trails of sweet memories to cherish the core of life giving a whole new meaning to it. The enigma of friendship strengthens with the bonds of relationships so unique which is unselfish, intimate, pure and beautiful. Learning to appreciate, speak out on issues, Listening, confide and sharing secrets, meeting of wavelengths and such deeper corners are focused for a caring friendly relationship with the people you love most.

A small prayer:

God Make me worthy…
It is joy in life to find at every turning of the road,The strong arm of a comrade kind,To help me with my onward load,And since I have no gold to give, 'Tis love alone must make amends,My only Prayer is while I live"God Make me worthy of my Friends"

I believe that its God’s might to direct us,God’s power to protect us,God’s wisdom for learning,God's eye for discerning,God's ear for hearing God’s love for Caring.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

Most of the parents adopt the system of 'Teaching skills' rathar than go through 'Teaching Life Essetial Skills'. Psychologists caution against casting children in specific roles: the quiet one, athletic one, smart one, clumsy one and even a negative type can provide harmful self image that a child may carry throughout his life. It is upto the parent to be an 'emotion coach' and teach the kids to cope up with situations of strengths and weaknesses and build up productive relationships.

In the Book 'Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles', Kurcinka offers unique approaches to solving the daily, and often draining, power struggles between the parent and the child. She views these conflicts as rich opportunities to teach the child essential life skills, like how to deal with strong emotions and problem solve. With her successful strategies, you'll be able to identify the trigger situations that set off these struggles and get to the root of the emotions and needs of you and your child.

A great read, should say!




- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls.com

"Achievement starts when you know that your present place in life does not determine how far you will go.It's purpose is to only remind you where you got Started"

I read this quote in a book "Attitude is Everything for Success" by Keith Harell. It's Attitude that Makes a Big Difference. It is the attitude towards failures or successes which determines the future. A human mind is like a parachute - works best when open, hence being an optimist makes one feel a lighter situation at all times. A positive flow with right attitude towards work and play, time management, excellence, persistence and boosting the potentialities and seek for the creative pursuits. A pessimist always sees the darker side of things.It's Attitude that determines Altitude, afterall.

Attitude is Everything for Success - Say it, Believe it,Recieve it.




Everyone desires success and is capable of it - It's Attitude that counts!

-Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Michael Schumacher steered his car on the Silverstone racetrack during the British Grand Prix on Sunday in Silverstone. He won the race ahead of McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen and his Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello. It only lasted for the final 15 laps, but at least it was something. It is said, Schumacher's winning time was 1 hour, 24 minutes, 42.700 seconds. His average speed was 218.403 kmph.

Now this is something! Car Racing is however, a costly affair in real life but I guess for kids, it's a thrill to watch on television or play compu games. Car games are screaming speedy funs for those who love to race on compu tracks. The Need 4 Speed series, Carmageddon series, Motocross Madness, Indy car racing. SuperKarts, many more car games,are the many games that zoom you off to different tracks all around the world. Need 4 Speed is the highest top ranking selection in the racing game arena. It has options of most stunning cars to drive on most exotic locations with a facility for downloading more cars and tracks! The latest version 4 is available yet Need 4 Speed III – Hot Pursuit is the best racing game with a 3 D plunge. One can satisfy speed thrills but unlike other games, this has Hot Pursuit – a cop trailing behind to catch hold of you in the last two laps of the track. There is a choice of cars like Chevrolet Corvette, Aston Martin DB7, Jaguar XK8, Mercedes XL 600, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes CLK-GTR and lots more! The 3D effects has great visuals and the game can be played without 3 D card with 32 MB Ram. To save trouble for resolution changing, 3D card is worth installing as many games are now of this kind. Graphics are superb with weather effects of snow & rain backed by terrific up-tempo beat music to keep the mood.

The Carmaggedon series if for the mature players with more cars, more bad guys, violent too. The Carmaggedon 2 – Carpocalypse is stomach churning with 40 cars to choose from and the very latest. There is a mission mode to complete rough tracks and forget about killing and crashing for some time. The Carma 2 sticks to its gory roots, killing, and breaking glass and wood splinters and freedom to move around, even fly a plane and slaughter mobile and hit and waste trains. It has 3D card effects with hard rock music at the backdrop requiring powerful system.

Sure, Car games are just fun - Be it real Car Racing or playing on compu. Enjoy!

Select Games for kids Article

Play Games on my site.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, kidsfreesouls.com

"It is nick of time to infuse moral values in kids and check their EQ, IQ & adopt to SQ. Researchers puzzle that some of the IQ scores do fairly poor and waste their potential by thinking, behaving and communicating in a way that hinder their progress. It is more evident that present times demand more IQ, EQ and the coming third wave generation would definitely have to sort for the third ‘Q’ – SQ (Spiritual Quotient) Blend the three together and a ‘Genius’ is Born!" - (Nurture the Genius in your Kids Article)

Well, I think, if we refer to the teachings of Bhagwad Gita, the sacred Hindu Book, we ought to refer to 'KQ' - The Karma Quotient; a force that involves the recorded history and patterns of life that we've brought with us into this life and tells us where we go from here. KQ - the Food for Soul, gives the strength to deal with life and remove obstacles and exactly this, today's kids need to be more focused on their 'Karma' i.e. doings and free from anger, nervousness, inferiority complex, hyperactivity and more! Karmic healing is effective with various life experience and so if 'IQ, EQ, SQ AND KQ are checked. we are changing our own world and our kids life - A better feel - a better Life!

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Sports psychologists Jim E. Loehr describes desired attitude as ‘managing mental energy’ when concentrating on the winning edge in playing a game. Either the attitude stands aggressive or a kind of automatic and relaxed concentration, which allows peak performance. A euphoric state of mind calls for a meditation, be it dynamic, transcendental, work, music medication or whatever. Heart is just a pumping station but one got to think with the brains. It leads to paths of meditative calm, the way of heart with either adopting to spiritual path, path of awareness or path of love. The goal is same but it cajole and bewitch the meditator from the preoccupation with the deification of the mind to pull the rug under and seek for a transcendental meditative state. Sports or a game play of choice, closest to music meditation is a choice for a supportive mental, physical and spiritual stability and anyways, to be adopted and encouraged for better lifestyles.

Stay fit, be meditative, build the sportsmanship spirits

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

As Fans of Bill Clinton read his Autobiography 'My Life' - Here comes a delightful review of an Autobiography of the Life of an Indian Prime Minister. 'Manmohanomics: Journey to South Block, Life of an Indian Prime Minister' By Vivek Garg and Ravish Mishra. The book is published by Manas Publication priced at Rs.495/-(256 pages).

The authors sketch Manmohan Singh's Life from his humble beginning in the Gah Village (Now in Pakistan) to becoming the Prime Minister of the largest democracy. Despite his stupendous achievements, this self effacing man keeps a low profile. Little is known about him beyond his public persona. This book is an attempt to bring the fore, among others, ' the hitherto unknown facets' of Singh's Life. The success story that Dr. Singh's Life is, stands testimony to the merit and relevance of the very concept of India, all the values that this great civilisation stands for' writes the authors in their preface. The book shows recent photographs and incorporates the views of the foreign press on Dr. Singh's becoming PM. (Courtesy:The Asian Age,p.age)

For further feedback, Search the Book on the net on Yahoo or Google or just log to Amazon Search at Kidsfreesouls Amazon.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

"Statutory Warning" - Cigarette Smoking is injurious to Health!

How oft, we read this line on pack of Cigarette, Hoardings, signboards, etc? World Health Organization estimates that about half the children in the world, about 700 million are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes. Initiatives to curb the health hazards by anti smoking and tobacco chewing campaigns are welcoming but the burning question in India remains, Who will bell the Cat? How could one educate masses who have adopted vices? It's in minds and people really need to be aware of not only their Health but other's health too. In foreign countries, Advertisers spend billions of dollars each year trying to get children to smoke.Talking to your kids honestly, clearly, and convincingly about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine addiction is an essential part of good parenting. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each day more than 3,000 kids become regular smokers and that about one third of these children will eventually die a "smoker's death" from cancer, heart disease, or lung disease. The most important way you can prepare to deal with smoking is by establishing good communication. The more you talk with your child, the better chance you have of staying close when things get tough.




The Book of Byron Preiss 'How to Raise Non-Smoking Kids' is a very good guide. Also by Neil Izenberg, MD, pediatrician is widely read guide. By all means - Stop the kids from Adopting vices like Smoking, Drinking, illicit drugs, etc.

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls,
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Wheww!! A great gift from Blogger - The new Feature is Outstanding and cool! Yeah, that's the reason I love exploring and writing blogs on Blogger.com and also add on my own website blog pages.

Well, Life is on a fast track lane and here I shoot a dash of whizz on value education, a Book Review on How to Say it to your Kids by Paul Coleman, my latest blog note:


Value Education has been the buzz of the system with the New Gen' kids. In a busy world, today's Parents face a tough time upbringing the kids with value education. Adults play a major role in promoting physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual well being of a child. In 'How to Say it to Your Kids', Dr. Paul Coleman present six fundamental formula on how to interact with kids with smart talk on basic topics concerning kids issues. With the ever rising cases of divorce, drug abuse, sexual harrassments, etc. Paul provides practical tips on how to tackle debated discussions with kids and provide value education. His main focus is centered on six topics i.e. Teach, empathize, Negotiate, Do's n Don'ts, Encourage and Report. Kids sort for various practices and throw tantrums at times, lying, adopting manipulative behavioural patterns, hooking to wrong activities n distracting from the innocence of childhood life. Situations arise when parents fail to understand the kids and unable to cope up providing answers to their curiousity driven question. Paul's book is handy at these times and provides a very useful resource and parental feedback. Parents and teachers need such 'Expert' advice and counselling to upbring kids as sound being. A good pick for every parent, teachers too!

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;

Then the whining school-boy, with his satchel And shining morning face, creeping like snail Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad, Made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard, Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.

And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin'd, With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances; And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side, His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble,pipes And whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history, Is second childishness and mere oblivion; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every thing.

What a beautiful Poem! And I remember my Best friend Annapurna's son 'Makrand Shukla' , young film Star 'Ronnie', who played son of Jackie shroff and Dimple Kapadia in 'Kash' movie - He dramatised this Poem so well that we always had a 'Once More' at every function. Later, It so happened he almost became a Shakespeare Poem 'Hero' and all kids wanted to immitate him.

Well, this April 23 we recall Shakespeare Literature as we observe World Book Day. Shakespeare occupies a position unique in world literature. His works include 37 plays, including comedy, Tragedy and Historical alongwith Poems, sonnets. Shakespeare is astonishingly clever with words and images, so that his mental energy, when applied to intelligible human situations, finds full and memorable expression, convincing and imaginatively stimulating and to read his stuff is a rich experience for a life time. It has ever been great to read 'Romeo & Juliet', Hamlet, Midsummer Night's dream, Tempest, As you Like It, Merchant of Venice, King Lear and all the stuff that we taught in Literature Lessons at School. Gone are the days and no such Literature now is ever known to kids in India - Leave English, not even then rich Gujarati Literature exist in their routine or Exclusive Reads! Will the British Library in Ahmedabad, in addition to showing a week long videos of Shakespeare, also adopt a week long exposure of Gujarati Literature?

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

Music is the speech of the Angels...Isn't this oh so true! Any kind of Music, its immense pleasure and sure I can say this because when I saw Enrique Iglesias Live, I was thrilled to watch the Enrique's MTV Live show! Yeah, he's in Bombay and Banglore in India with his amazing performance on 11th & 13th April. George Michael is being featured as Artist of the Month on Channel V I guess, with his new release 'Patience' and his best single from the album 'amazing' shooting the charts. GM's got the voice and style and is a cool real singer but Enrique, one can say is the entertainer, the heart throb of girls and yep, he's got a tempting voice that you can't resist listening. His latest Album 'Seven' has Delightful compositions with 'influential originality' - it's Enrique Iglesias with another beautiful collection 'Seven'. Sure to get 'Addicted'. I say 'Influential Originality' becoz though some numbers reminds influential touch, Enrique is his cool Original and a great seductive voice.




'Patience' - George Michael




Enjoy!

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Each person is born in an environment that influences upbringing as from childhood and from the culture, society or family, the person ‘you’ makes waves to confront the darker shadows and its then being assertive that makes a difference. The world’s disaster, natural or man made may never stop but it’s the more unity of ‘We’ rather than ‘I’ to keep one community worldwide alike and that’s to observe a religion of ‘Humanity’. If differences defuse, black seeds of anger, ego, hurt, hatred ness or the like melts and remains is a universal dream of ‘spellbound happiness’ It is nick of time to infuse moral values in kids and check their EQ, IQ & adopt to SQ. Researchers puzzle that some of the IQ scores do fairly poor and waste their potential by thinking, behaving and communicating in a way that hinder their progress. It is more evident that present times demand more IQ, EQ and the coming third wave generation would definitely have to sort for the third ‘Q’ – SQ (Spiritual Quotient) Blend the three together and a ‘Genius’ is Born!

So, check those ‘Qs’ Live up to potentials, Keep breathing Alive, Quite Naturally!

Nurture the Genius in your Child

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Value Education has been the buzz of the system with the New Gen' kids. In a busy world, today's Parents face a tough time upbringing the kids with value education. Adults play a major role in promoting physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual well being of a child. With the ever rising cases of divorce, drug abuse, sexual harrassments, etc. It about time to focus on how to Teach, empathize, Negotiate, Do's n Don'ts, Encourage and Report. Kids sort for various practices and throw tantrums at times, lying, adopting manipulative behavioural patterns, hooking to wrong activities n distracting from the innocence of childhood life. Situations arise when parents fail to understand the kids and unable to cope up providing answers to their curiousity driven question. For a quickie reference, Paul's book is handy at these times and provides a very useful resource and parental feedback. Parents and teachers need such 'Expert' advice and counselling to upbring kids as sound being.




Speech is silvern....Enjoy the Reads!

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Movies like Sound of Music painted a glowing picture of a big family with warmth, sharing and fun and ready to support playmates. They reflect the belief that large families encourage resourcefulness, independence and responsibility while discouraging selfishness and feeling sorry for oneself.

Not anymore! Some think that a big family can be a buffer against what they see as the rootless ness and isolation of modern life. Whatever, the brunt of raising a family falls mainly on the woman, despite efforts at equalizing the burden. The real problem begins when there is sibling rivalry. Sibling rivalry is a competition for the affection and attention of their parents. Two best known Bible stories deal with bitter feuds between brothers – The Cain and Abel and the rivalry of Joseph and his brothers.Psychologists authors of ‘Siblings without Rivalry’ suggest that instead of thinking of equality in everything from parental attention to music lessons, parents should be sensitive to each child’s individual needs. Usually, when the younger child is born, the older is bewildered one as at the corner of his mind, he is scared of his own security and unwilling to share the parental love. Early influences play lasting roles.

Getting frustrated with Siblings problems is no solution – god has fashioned a way of loving and nurturing the tender hearts with warmth and love which is the real ‘roots of love’ – all about loving relationships!

Read Counselling Pages @ Kidsfreesouls



I recommend this read. Psychologists authors of ‘Siblings without Rivalry’ suggest that instead of thinking of equality in everything from parental attention to music lessons, parents should be sensitive to each child’s individual needs

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

If dreams had wings, we could fly and soar high in the skies. We really did have day dreams as a child as we read the stories like Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and more n more! These stories make your dreams sound true. It had fascinated us as we read the Classic Adventures of Arabian Nights with stories like Alladdin, Ali Baba and forty Thieves, Sinbad the Sailor ....Wow, it really had been so much Fun. Gone are the days of fun reads as today's kids have no time to stand and stare. They are so much into school texts, computers, television, video games and fun galore! Reading is almost on the back seat. Ask a child to sit in the cosy corner of the room and read, bounce back a reply 'It would be great if I can play a game on my computer or watch a cartoon show' - Now, sure this is the next Gen, Techno Kids, Hi-Fi on road to super highway of Information & Entertainment. Relax, its usually we follow herd mentality but than whoever steps aside, is an 'Exceptional' Whizz too! Enjoy the Reads, encourage Reading, Pursue Creativity.

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Today I hung the Ferrari Poster in my room and getting ready to watch the Formula 1 Racing on Saturday. This excites me also to let you know of 'Brum' the kiddy car on Pogo channel. Hey, its just like the Herbie - running after the villain who has stolen the crown and makes you laugh kiddishly with its tricks. Well, I think, the suave James Bond also geared for perfection as per his image in the books of Ian Fleming with usually a plot revolving around a mission with characters like a special woman, a villain, an exotic location and a car!!! The cars in James Bond movies are ‘special featured’ and they can speak, listen and swing in action too! Hey! Car freaks, there's a new song of Evanescence 'Bring me to Life...Wake me up Inside' in the latest Mitsubishi Lancer Advertisement...Woww....what a Car! Watch it cool there - switch on to HBO!

Play games on my site - www.kidsfreesouls.com/games.htm

-Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

My in-depth study on the psychology of childrens' minds reveal the facts that their attitudes are solely dependent on their circumstances and their upbringing levels at home & school. It's one thing sure any kid require is 'Love, patience & Self Esteem.' Communication is proven skill. Talking n Listening to kids simply doesn't mean communication but Understanding with luv and patience is the key to successful parenting. It is a marathon task coping with parental frustrations and negative attitudes of kids. The child would not develop warm relationship due to damaged sense of self. The higher children's self esteem, the more secure, decisive, friendly, trusting, cheerful, optimistic and purposeful they are. Child's willingful cooperation, setting limits, alternate punishments are all the points to be focused so that parenting becomes more a joy to bring up kids. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish is my recommendation for reading and as we see the world on brimming new technologies, the techno hi fi kids too need a lot of understanding.

- Blossomsmile ilaxi
Editor, Kidsfreesouls

"The woods are lovely dark and deep,
And I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep"
- Robert Frost

The Romantic poets of the 1800s believed people could live in harmony with nature. Robert Frost, the poet whose poetry enriched the culture of the US and the philosophy of the world had a different note to say. He thought, the purpose of people and nature are never the same and so nature's meanings can never be known. Probing for nature's secrets is futile. Humanity's best chance for serenity does not come from understanding the natural environment but comes from working usefully and productively amid the external forces of nature.

Work is worship I guess but the conern is when people become workoholics, many feel the blues and this is when one needs to apply 'brakes' - One needs apply the art of 'Let Go'. Let go create spaces, simply doing nothing, sitting silently or just freaking out. Stop doing, stop being creative. By 'Let go' workoholics would not turn towards lazy attitude but on the contrary, be more relaxed, the more powerful explosions and work will start having quality of creativity. Loving the work is art itself but knowing potentialities and plunging into creativity is Happiness.

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

A poster in my room reads "Attitude is everything in life" with four glasses filled with drink – Half filled (Pessimist), half empty and half filled brimming from top (Optimist), full empty floating on top (spiritualist) and finally, full glass empty (Realist) Now, one can say, vision is the art of seeing things invisible and so, when we think deeper, it gives us a sense what it means to possess a ‘Positive’ or ‘Negative’ Attitude in life. The circle of life is the path which treads through the thick and thin and it’s the Attitude – It makes a big difference! Happiness and success are thought to be inter connected but really speaking, our vision to change Attitude so as to attain peace of mind or that flows by being pessimist, optimist, spitualist or just being realistic! Isn't this true?

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

It’s the need of the hour for Multiple use forest management as we mark 21st March as World Forestry Day. Forests can provide water for communities, food and shelter for wildlife; and recreation areas for campers, hikers and picnickers and business for many. As a growing concern for Environment, we see a lot of weight put on campaigns like Save Trees, Save Water, Save Wild Life, Save Environment – In fact, on a concern ‘How many of Rainforests are protected?’ at Environment Talk @ Kidsfreesouls.com, it is understood that Scientists and policymakers at the Switzerland-based World Conservation Union (IUCN) estimate that there are 44,000 “protected areas” worldwide, covering over 13 million square kilometers, an area equivalent to the landmass of India and China combined. These areas, which include rainforests but which can also be agricultural lands, national parks, reserves, forested land, marine sanctuaries and more, cover about 10 percent of the Earth’s surface. To Save Environment is a worldwide concern and as the ozone hole enlarges, it is estimated that sea levels would be rising high by 2020, nevertheless, changing the parts of the world.

More information on Rainforests can be derived at Worldwatch Institute, www.worldwatch.org; or Rainforest Alliance, www.rainforest-alliance.org . If you want to ask any Question, send to me at Environment Talk on my website. Editor Doug Moss is sure to answer your queries.

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

I have the series of Books of DK Essential Managers and find Tim Handle's Books too informative. Manage Your Time (For Instant Managers) By Tim is one of the book which is sure a handy pick for newbie Management Buffs. How often we hear guys shrugging off casually: 'ugh, time is short, we're busy' I think, we all have 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week, yielding 168 hours per week. Take away the sleep hours and hours engaged in fetching results we desire! Hence, its wise to work 'smarter' than work 'harder' and this requires efficient 'Time Management' Walt Whitman, the poet, said it best, "The most powerful time is when we are alone, thinking about what we are to do." Daily Planning helps us to focus on what is really crucial and important in our day to come and permits us to identify time to use wasted hours more productively. This has been my experience but when I read this book of Tim, it sure is more to Accomplish 'Managing Time' with his neat tips under various categories like :

1. Understanding Time - Changing Attitude
2. Analyzing use of time - Keeping Time logs,
3. Assessing ability - A quick Quiz
4. Planning for success - Analyzing goals, work, prioritizing
5. Using Time Planners
6. Getting Organized
7. Phone Calls - Managing calls
8. Reading & writing - Dos n Dont's
9. Technology skills
10.Meetings & Travel tips

This and more, the Book is thorough self training and changing Attitude. I have all time in the world to read, write, web design, promote, market, handle admin work, attend meetings, run kids class, meet friends, go partying,listen n play music, cook and what not - all coz of Time planning and planning time with 7 days a week. This book has cool tips of dos n don'ts, analyzing quiz, charts and very good presentation and once you shrugg off the wry look to wring for an extra half hour, think of the wonders a human brain can do - a cool book for every student, business guy, tech buffs and especially those bubbly MBAs who seem to lack time! A great Pick - Get Self Trained, Get More Accomplished with your Time.

For more reviews on this Essential Manager series, you sure have to visit my Amazon freak place. All you do is click to 'Blossomsmile ilaxi' on side bars or on my website.

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Last two days, I couldn't log but tuned late nights playing with my Remote and switching to channels on Television. All the news channels almost had some sort of 'Crime' - creating sensational hype of news. One day it was Bombing the Baghdad Hotel and the next day, a rape case of an Australian lady and all the sort of power, swindling, corruption, political pulling legs - crimes galore!

Have you ever thought that kids are the silent observers and respond faster to the environmental influence surrounding them? Drugs, Kidnapping, Stealing, Beating, bullying, sexual abusing, violence are the many things that threaten crime calling for alarm signals. Early influences play lasting roles in lives of kids. There has been a new light on bad habits that shape their character. Cigarette addicts, drug addicts, alcohol addicts, chewing tobacco or being spendthrift - Any kind of vices adopted are almost influenced from their nearest surrounding. Children watch out and are sensitively alert to the happenings that take place. There is a constant interplay of mental faculties with the hearing, seeing, speaking and thinking capabilities that nurture their growth. This is a tricky time to protect kids from Crime. Necessarily, protecting from crime – from being kidnapped, raped, humiliated, bullied, rejected, being addict to drug, alcohol or vices and on other fronts, protecting them from being Criminal minds. Some movies that show Gang wars,Bank Robbery or like, it’s the alert signal for a parental to be ready for a feedback to the young mind who may sense out the message in a negative influence. An Italian Criminologist, Cesare Lombrose theorized that most criminals arise mainly from environmental conditions such as urban pressures, poverty and a poor home life. Kids, especially Teenagers who are negativistic, destructive, aggressive and delinquent have strong influence on others trapped under their unhealthy murkiness attitude.

Come Elections in India and its time to Stop the Crime – It’s in our hands. The Mob frenzy in Gujarat has directly or indirectly made many kids the victims of Crime – Stop them being Criminals too! Let there be no more Community flare nor a mob fury. It's time to teach the kids to live out. Teach yourself to survive too. Build the basics and build them strong to protect kids from Crime – to stop them from being criminals. It's the need of the hour to Build the Pillars of Characters.

Protect kids from crime : www.kidsfreesouls.com/crimenkids.htm


- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

A few days ago, I visited N.R.School (GLS) to judge kids for 'Proficiency Award' for the Year. The Principal Ms. Rita Baker had the students gathered in a Hall where after a brief Introduction, we set off to take the Proficiency test. The first was a picture round and the second a Prop round and finally, some general IQ questionnaire. When asked to a child 'If you were told to earn some money in a day, how would you do?' Prompt came the reply by Raj Sanjay Shah of 7th std, "I will open a Sandwich shop" and Aishwarya, 4th std. said "I will teach the weak students and be a tutor". Well, Confidence is the Key to success and it's the right attitude that makes a big difference in Life. In the Prop round, it had been 'Imagining' ...and this reminded me of Peace song by John Lennon and I guess, if there were no 3 p's (Priest, Politician & Press) in the world, there would be peace around! Here goes the song for you all :

Imagine by John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No Hell below us
Above us only sky.

Imagine all the people
Living for today ...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too

Imagine all the people
Living life in peace ...

You, you may say I am a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world ...

You, you may say I am a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.

Sing along, spread peace & Keep the Faith!

Attitude :http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/attitude.htm

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

It is said 'A Consumer is the King' - 15th March marked as a world consumer day, it's time to be a 'Smart Shopper' and not led by misleading advertisements that we often come across.Today, women are a prime target for many products and services as women influence greatly purchase decisions and so do the kids focused in 'buying roles'. Women acts as initiators, influencers, decision makers, purchasers and findings reveal that working women plays a major role with purchases as it is attributed to their financial autonomy and need for such goods to reduce workload and maintain status quo. As a result, the choice of store is choosing 'comfortable shopping'. However, men too go in for brand shopping and more. It is the Consumer Awareness which is prime concern for Human Rights.Time be alert not to get cheated, find out what ISI Quality mark means and if you go for shopping, make sure to ask for a receipt. The Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is geared up for Consumer Protection on World Consumer Rights Day, 15th March 2004. Take the opportunity to get consumer literate and find out whether the products you use are genuine, properly weighed, what you pay is worth - Even don't hesitate to bargain on M.R.P. (Market retail price). The Gujarat Government Hon.Minister Mr. Kaushik Patel for Revenue with Additional charge for Food & Civil Rights & consumer Affairs and Consumer Cell, is all geared for Consumer Awareness Programme which will be open for public with practical examples. Indeed an Initiative Step! Afterall, 'Swadeshi' is labelled with 'imported' and the mix blends do need a 'Consumer Watch' sometimes!

-Editor, kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Albert Einstein - The Genius was born this earth on March 14, 1879 in Germany. One of the fathers of the Nuclear Age, he wrote a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 2nd august 1939 that it might be possible to build an atomic bomb. Einstein had urged Roosevelt to provide governmental help for the study of the release of nuclear energy. Einstein also warned the President that Nazi Germany might already be trying to build an atomic bomb. His letter helped set the United States on the long, difficult and costly path that finally led to the production of an atomic bomb in 1945.

A day came when dropping of the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima became a History and a bitter Memory! This reminds me of a read of a book 'Germs'. Maybe if any of you passing by my blog find it interesting read, here goes my Review @ Amazon :Germs

In this groundbreaking work of investigative journalism, Judith Miller, Stephen Engelberg, and William Broad of The New York Times uncover the truth about biological weapons and show why bio-warfare and bio-terrorism are fast becoming our worst national nightmare.

Among the startling revelations in Germs:

How the CIA secretly built and tested a model of a Soviet-designed germ bomb, alarming some officials who felt the work pushed to the limits of what is permitted by the global treaty banning germ arms.

How the Pentagon embarked on a secret effort to make a superbug.

Details about the Soviet Union's massive hidden program to produce biological weapons, including new charges that germs were tested on humans.

How Moscow's scientists made an untraceable germ that instructs the body to destroy itself.

The Pentagon's chaotic efforts to improvise defenses against Iraq's biological weapons during the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

How a religious cult in Oregon in the 1980s sickened hundreds of Americans in a bio-terrorism attack that the government played down to avoid panic and copycat strikes.

Plans by the U.S. military in the 1960s to attack Cuba with germ weapons.

Frightening and unforgettable narrative of cutting-edge, Germs could be the worst nightmare, a weapon of 21st century!! Aren't we experiencing with Iran, Iraq and rest of the world somewhere or the other?

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Gone 12th March and it's been 18 years completion of Sambhaav Newspapers with 'Kids-Freesouls' as its 6 years supplement input. It has strived to inspire its readers with its Leadership qualities, motivating and promoting creativity with clear communication and offering the best Information, Education, Entertainment and lots more. It’s the Human relations that counts for a ‘Team Work’ as Kidsfreesouls focus more on ‘We’ rathar than ‘I’ and the secrets of a longstanding successive years as they roll by are based on the developed ‘Strengths’ – the inner power of managing to achieve Excellence with a dash of determination and confidence to reach the goals.

Napoleon described a journalist as "a grumbler, a censor, a giver of advice... a tutor of nations," and added that four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. True, and more true in these days of moral corrosion in public life. Against this background, a journalist acquires great significance; he can make or break, destroy and mould. A writer can expose, review, inform, entertain, teach, preach or just about perform his role in writing media with clarity, power and impact. News, comments and entertainment are the axis on which the media world revolves. While newspapers and magazines by and large cater to the serious minded who are seeking in-depth reports and analyses or information or a bit of entertainment and education here or there, television and radio is for the fun loving. Nevertheless, the power of the electronic media to capture and bring live what is happening around the world into your drawing room, is simply matchless. If the electronic media is the first with news, the print media is the best with news – giving a wealth of insight, detail and perspective. The print media is unbeatable with range of coverage, local as well as global with additional inputs on entertainment, education, political, science, sports etc. Thousands of events happen everyday, which can neither be found in print media or can be viewed on television or surfed on net. Television viewing and Net surfing demands a lot of time, money and energy but for a mass community, print media is a sure fire way towards keeping oneself informed, aware, entertained, educated!

Yeah, I have to say now that Technology is changing and with this change, anyone can now Syndicate their news, websites, blogs - Viola, all you got to do is get that xml.rss feeds. You can syndicate your news or get news feeds on your site. Just log to www.kidsfreesouls.com and click the 'Add to My Yahoo' button and You can now add my blog to your Yahoo and as you log enter 'My Yahoo', set the news feeds as per your choice and taste. It's cool to read the stuff while you work online! A much better feel to view your fav song or find your Best read on Bookshelf.

Happy Reading....Keep the Faith!

- Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

Coming 14th March, it reminds us of the great Composer Johann Strauss, largely self-taught as a musician, he developed the waltz in the form and style we associate with the family. He wrote 251 opus numbered works (out of a total of over 300), among them 153 waltzes, the most famous of which is Sounds of the Rhine Loreley (1843). As such, and somewhat surprisingly, he was the only member of the family to write more waltzes than any other type of dance, but his most famous work is surely the Radetsky March. However, Johann II became more famous as he formed his own orchestra. The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain interests cover the whole spectrum of Viennese and related light classical music and operetta in all forms to suit all ages and tastes. 1999 marked the 150th death anniversary of Johann Strauss Sr. To commemorate this, in Vienna's grand Heldenplatz, almost 8,000 people gathered for a gala concert. This Wiener Philharmoniker performance was conducted by Zubin Meta, an Indian who makes us proud.

Well, Music is the Speech of Angels! A universal language of mankind. In music, one must think with the heart and feel with the brain and so, after every silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music! That’s when you dream and your every dream precedes the goal! There was a day when I wanted to learn Piano and Sister Octavia told me 'Child, you can learn and it's easy. But somehow I couldn't fulfil my dream. Years rolled by and I got a synthesizer for my son..Viola, I became a Keyboard Player, quick and easy self learning and even taught kids and performed shows! Now, You have the power to live each day exactly the way you want to live it. Think about that - the resources to create the life you desire lie within your mind.Don’t you think it’s time for you to take control and begin fulfilling your own dreams? You’re probably saying, "Yes! Of course I want to live my dream life, Blossomsmile, But I don’t know where to begin." All you got to do is, Jump to action, get motivated and be determined. You succeed!

Visit my Music page http://www.kidsfreesouls.com/artist.htm or log to kids songs. For Johann Strauss, surf the web with your favourite search 'Yahoo' or 'Google' or any or just log to http://www.johann-strauss.org.uk - The Johann Strauss Society of Great Britain and visit my classical music reviews at Amazon.

Keep the faith.

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

To mark the International Womens' Day, various programmes were held in my town calling in Woman Achievers. I happened to meet Ms. Tarla Dalal 'Kitchen Queen' of Delicious Recipes at a Seminar organised by Gujarat Chamber of Commerce, Ladies wing. The other woman achievers who graced the function were Justice Sugnyaben Bhatt, Ms.Esther David (Journalist writer) and Ms.Smriti (Tulsi) Malhotra (TV Star).
Tarla Dalal is a sophisticated Indian woman who has reached to fame with her various Recipe Books and TV shows to her credit. On asking her the secret of her success "Recipe for Life", she humorously quipped "Laughter is the best recipe and keep laughing whatever happens in your life". Now, isn't this so very true? Rathar difficult but one can try coz smiles takes you to miles. Afterall, life isn't a bed of roses nor midsummer night's dream. We've to create our own destiny and maybe "Kidsfreesouls Recipe for Life" may help you out sometimes - Enjoy & Relish the taste.

Visit www.tarladalal.com / www.kidsfreesouls.com/recipelife.htm

Keep the Faith!

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women's conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point for coordinated efforts to demand women's rights and participation in the political and economic process. Increasingly, International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women's rights.

However, women at large, are exploited, molested, mistaken and taken for a ride many a times. Women are infiltrating what was once the exclusive domain of men. On work fronts, more women are active as ever. Women’s liberation & rights are sorted over but the question remains burning with abuses, dowry, extra-marital affairs, etc. She is yet scoffed, scorned, misunderstood, exposed , exploited, molested, tormented...

Finally, it’s a man’s world and all is said and done - A woman is puppet on a chain and pondering over rightly justifies that "A man’s world is woman and without her, there would be a wide gap making him forlorn and lost.

Mark Twain once said in a tribute to his wife:

" Wherever she was, there was Eden "

- Editor, kidsfreesouls,
Blossomsmile ilaxi

WOMAN - THE QUEEN OF THE CASTLE
Wherever she is, there is Eden!

The Most prized & precious woman in your Life - Is she your Mom? Is she your Wife? Your Sweetheart? Maybe Girlfriend? A cousin? A sis or aunt? Or your Inspirational role model? Or a net surfer in disguise? Whoever she is, she is the ocean of Love, take a dip in that ocean and you will realize the immense strength a woman possess!

Happy World Women's Day to all women

- Editor, kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi

March had been the first month on the early Roman calendar and was called Martius. Later, the ancient Romans made January the beginning of the year and March became the third month with 31 days and its name honors Mars, The Roman God of War. In India, Holi is round the corner and on the full moon day of the month of Phalgun when the Ashoka trees and Mango trees are in bloom, when the foliage buds of leaf almond are long and slender against the blue and when the scarlet plumes of the Palash stand out on its naked branches - Here comes Holi and its Colors of Love, colors of Life. It's time to paint the town red and spread the message of love - colors fill live with beauty and leave lasting impressions on minds. Your liking for different colors reveal your moods and personality. You can check your Sun Sign Character or Number reveleations too. Check this out and Paint the town Red with Kidsfreesoul ideas.

Happy Holi - Enjoy...Keep the Faith!

-Editor, kidsfreesouls
Blossomsmile ilaxi)

A student life is a lifelong process educating and experiencing the ways surging ahead towards the road to path of success. A learner in school cannot ignore information super highway track as he is in risk being less effective at his pace in future times ahead the advance technological century. Kids need to realize the use of Computers and so do the teachers. It is a challenging task for a teacher to educate the kids as they themselves need to keep pace with the Changing times. Information, Education and Entertainment themes on the computers can actually be a tool to be Aware, educate, inspire, motivate and encourage the teacher as well as the pupil, together striving to climb the ladders to reach the successive goals. The ‘Operation Knowledge’ schemes can boost the Teacher-student power with the ‘Teach the Teacher-Kids’ Programs making Computers and Internet a compulsory medium and forming ‘SMART’ Schools teaching skills and value based education side by side Schools can direct to social learning & attitudes in the use of machines. Nevertheless a status symbol, info tech learning proves a challenging force with endless learning themes yet be specifically aware that computers do prove a poor second in primary educational levels where the base is to be built strong with the reading, writing and understanding skills.Creativity too demands attention as in music. painting or crafts, directed teaching, learning and exploring is quite obvious rather than turn to the machines.

Time for every parent and Teacher 'To Learn & Teach with the Times' - Time for Kids to cultivate 'Reading Habits' first and than Computing follows, Quite Naturally!

Osho once said ‘ Man has the capacity, the intelligence, the freedom to explore and if you have explored the nature properly than you have come home. Nature is your Home.’ Nature affects every dimension of our lives but than whoever build the Heavens must be looking down upon the Earth and must be thinking ‘Gosh! What a mess I have made!’ – this reviving the memories of Noah to feel the ‘Ups and downs’ are just another part of Life, anyway!

Gujarat was struck with horrifying Earthquake terror on India's Republic Day and the fury of nature yet continues in many parts of the world today with the Global warming & ozone hole. It's been years rolling but the memories of the earthquake on this R Day are still haunting!

The Earthquake conjure images of appalling destruction, horrifying death and people made homeless in thousands. Humans cannot abate the fury of the nature as it swirls around to engulf them with its claws. When god made Eden, he created Man but then after, he has to perform endless jobs to balance life on earth. The fate of many victims lies in his hands. Kids Free souls sympathize for the victims caught in the disaster and pray heavenly peace for the departed souls.

-Editor, Kidsfreesouls
(Editor's Note copyright: Blossomsmile ilaxi)