SPIRITUALITY, ART, NITHYANANDA

We all have that immense longing for miracles and fairy tales.  We invented a story of Santa and in the spirit of Santa create all sorts of good deeds.  Then later we hear from our teenagers: You lied about Santa for many years and how do I know that you did not lie about other stuff.  We have Valenite's day – from preschool they bring cards and get cards from everybody -- no exceptions.  Then they get to Middle School where they expect to get the cards but ............they are big now so no Valentines for everyone from everyone.  It is a couples day now so we get a lot of frustrated teenagers who are longing to belong and be loved and they have one day when officially they are not either loved or accepted.I thought about Vedic Tradition again and I  believe it is the  best idea.  You expect miracles from God only, you get them sometimes from God and no other fake holidays or figures.

Sparta Middle School club uses tech to explore new concepts Posted: Feb 03, 2012 1:40 AM EST Updated: Feb 03, 2012 1:55 AM EST   Photo by Daniel Freel/New Jersey Herald Sparta Middle School students, from left, Alice Sungurov, seventh grade; Olivia Ledingahm, eighth grade; Rebecca Cristillo, eighth grade; and Brooke Alvarez, eighth grade, gather around a computer to watch a video. Top News Headlines Community says goodbye to long-time Pope John coach Fair dispute continues despite judge's order for arbitration Komen drops plans to cut Planned Parenthood grants NJ lawmakers approve Port Authority bills High Point Soccer Club offers $250 reward for damage to fields Groundhogs disagree on chances for an early spring By JESSICA MASULLI REYES jmasulli@njherald.com SPARTA -- In this technology-saturated world of iPods and iPhones, students at Sparta Middle School are joining an iClub where the "i" stands for intell...

Late at night.   Fight with my daughter that started because she  hanged around the kitchen without doing much.  "I am tired, Mom. Can I skip chorus tomorrow?  Maybe sleep in.  I am tired....", - she screams.   I am a bit upset already.  She was rude the day before and I took away iphone and ipod and whatever "i"s I could think of.  Now, instead of thinking about finishing math, she is upset with not having her "i" things and keeps talking about them and math and science are still untouched. For two hours she was describing how difficult the situation was and acting it out for me to make sure I got it.. Finally I got really mad and said: "Enough  No homework for you.  You are not allowed to do your homework, Immediately to bed".  And I meant it! I meant every word! Pause.   She screams even louder than before: "Nooooooooooo.  I have to finish the work!  How can you do that?!  You really do not c...

I started an iClub yesterday at our local middle school. The idea for the club came during LEP program with Swamiji in 2010. The i in the iClub stands for intelligence.  My plan is to address all different types of intelligence and look at the  things that kids have to face in the modern school.  I also decided to use modern technology and make movies on the concepts, art pieces, etc.  I am using lesson plans and support of the team of educators from Nithyananda mission. Anyway, yesterday at our first meeting we were getting to know each other and kids were talking about things they want to do or things they want to understand better.  We spoke a bit about public speaking and how  they feel about it.   Almost everyone said they are uncomfortable with  it. With a little bit of investigation I discovered ...they are indeed afraid of public speaking in front of the people... whom they know . yes, you read it correct...

My daughter keeps struggling in school.  No, not with grades.  With friends.  With lack of friends I should say. Her friend with whom she was really close is now close with another girl and they exclude her, Other girls are not that attractive to my daughter. She says they are "inappropriate" or "not interesting". My daughter has two other close friends but they are in different schools. Is she thinking about them?  Nope.  Every day she tells me another sad story about "rolling her eyes" and every day I am saying  "try just to go to school because it is a place to get your education, nothing else" and "try not to expect anything".  It is hard, I feel it. I do not know how to  make it easier.   I wish I could do something.  I know that  focusing on the lack of friendship or love will bring more of that.  Do we all have to go through the same thing or it is possible to learn from others?     She is such a good...

I took a picture of that tree today, January 24, 2012 not December 24th. I was ready to take it out of our house,   It is a bit late but in Russia we celebrate New Year almost until the middle of January so it is customary for us to keep trees much longer but still not that long. Anyway, I took some close ups so it is clear that the branches look as if this tree has just arrived and is waiting to be decorated. This tree was brought home on December 6, 2011.  I did the spiritual healing and welcomed the tree to the house.  I think the tree liked it.  What do you think? Why did I need the tree to be well for a long time?  Well, I am Russian.  One time is never ever enough for us.  We first celebrate Christmas on the 25th because everyone celebrates it here on that day.  Then we celebrate New Year along with most of the planet.  Then we celebrate Orthodox Christamas that is January 7th.  and then..we celebrate something th...

My daughter was not happy today in the morning.  She woke up but not at 5:45 as planned, only at 7:10 am.  I told her not to judge herself too much since it was a new thing.  She said: "You do not understand Mom.  I noticed that when I wake up ahead of time I am fully awake when I go to school.  I am not tired and not sleepy.  When I have to rush only 4% of my brain and body in general is awake so I feel sleepy even in chorus!" I said: "No worries dear, I am sure you will figure it out.  Let me know if I can help." She said: "No Mom.  I just have to put a different alarm clock and stop saying to myself that I need another minute when I hear it." Is it a  blessing or what?