Birth and Death

"There! you see that patch near that big oak tree." I pointed to a place at a distance surrounded by mountains.

"Yes, I see it." came a confirmed response, "But what's so special about it?" he inquired in a puzzled tone.

"Place me there once I am done with the worldly pleasures of life" I added solemnly.

Quickly a hand was placed on my shoulder followed by a warm hug, "Oh! I am sorry. Did not know you were dying."

Taken aback I asked in a quizzed tone, ""Aren't we all since the day we are born?"

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a final resting place. You can take any perspective that appeals to you from the historic to the horrific. Just don’t scare me too greatly. You can also choose to write about those buried before they came to their final rest. An extra challenge is to discover a story or character from a local cemetery. I double-dog dare you to join me with your own cemetery day!Join in the fun at CarrotRanch

Guns and Disease

History

China invented the gunpowder around the 9th century, which was followed by the invention of firearms. These devices were passed on to the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world.

A gun is a weapon that consists of a metal tube from which bullets are discharged out by force, and this force can injure or even kill somebody.

A gun is not a toy, and it can change the life of the victim or his family if and when they are exposed to.

Social Disease?

Public health experts have named gun violence as a “Social Disease”. This disease is like a virus and is spreading its wings fast. No age group or sex is being spared. Many have become victims of mindless owners of this weapon.

This is a serious weapon and strict regulations should be enforced for anybody possessing this gun. Surprisingly, that is not the case. In the coming years, many incidents have sparked where the ownership of the weapon is being questioned.

Civilians in the United States currently own 300 million firearms, which is the highest concentration in the world.

“Guns are not the problem. The species is the problem.”
― Forrest Carr, A Journal of the Crazy Year

"We need to take a harder look at what’s really going on. Stop trying to treat the symptoms and treat the cause of the problem. Maybe we should try a little harder to help these kids before they feel so cornered that they turn into monsters.”
― Aaron B. Powell, Guns

There are hundreds of millions of gun owners in this country, and not one of them will have an accident today. The only misuse of guns comes in environments where there are drugs, alcohol, bad parents, and undisciplined children. Period.
Ted Nugent

Why do people own guns?

A survey was conducted. Some of the weapon owners regarded:

• Gun ownership as being Cool
• Some possess it since; they have a passion for hunting
• Some regard it as a Family Legacy.
• Gun ownership is for Social reasons such as cowboy action shooting or other activities
• Possessing a gun for Self Defense
• Purchasing a gun as an investment, since they never decline in value
• Some owners have an interest in the Mechanics of Firearms
• Few people have a historical interest such as old Kentucky rifle and try to acquire a similar weapon
• Some give significance to their families who served in the military by owning such a weapon that was used during wartime.

How to control the gun ownership?

Gun control should become the responsibility of the Government to monitor since; this disease is spreading like fire. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent it.

The ongoing gun culture was founded on the mass extermination of Native Americans and the slavery of African Americans. Guns were used to slaughter each other down. Since then Guns are embedded in our American culture.

Why should the Government take action?

The United States has an appalling history of racism that has produced some hate groups. These citizens are deluded, paranoid and cannot manage the ownership of such deadly weapon.

There is poverty and inequality present around. Could blame it on Inflation and the economy.

There are about 58 million Americans with significant mental problems and with a rise in the costs of health insurances and a decline in mental hospitals, these people are out there armed and dangerous.

Our Arms industry is profiting over humanity by selling weapons to billions each year. These billions include many who are sick of the mind. Thus, putting our innocent public in danger.

Source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/6c/a1/bd...

As John F. Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Let us unite under that stance and terminate this bug from the face of our nation. The government should join hands with the common man and help fight this disease before it extincts us all.

Now, People there are some steps that we should take for Gun Control.

We should Voice our opinions over:

• Tightening the gun laws--A periodic background check of citizens who possess a gun. They are required to summon in the "Gun Control Room" for a thorough checkup, and that includes mental as well. Their background should also be checked for any instances that went unmarked.
• Restore mental health system for people who need help. Make sure they are in the adequate facilities to get the desired help.
• Have a quota for the sales of legal weapons for each year. That will help the government to keep control and tab on the number sold and will assist them in monitoring them on a six monthly basis.
• Although this has been observed to date...Continue to reduce the public access to guns.

My 2 cents

No doubt this weapon is creating havoc in all our lives. There is an alternative to it, but the question and the challenge is if mankind could revert to it?

Mantra for today: NonViolence is the weapon of the strong

Mahatma Gandhi

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Wordless Wednesday #104

Such an appropriate picture of a human toiling through the day as he juggles through physical and mental pressure of deadlines and goals.

Ideally it would be a classic example of the mind-body connection. But, little do we pause and contemplate at the moment. Instead, create havoc within and upset the mortal being.

Mantra for today: Intelligent men love challenges, but to be aware of being in one; is the actual challenge. 


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aha! Water...

Paula walked in a dainty fashion while skewing her eyes towards her parked car taking gulps that were becoming hard to swallow.

The blaring sun had scorched her body, and she had underestimated the weather by not carrying enough water with her. The walk that started off with enthusiasm was now a juggle between the mind and body that kept throwing weird messages across. 

Not a single soul in sight.

Suddenly she heard loud thuds. She pulled away.  Sprinters raced past her. Just then she felt a tap on her shoulder and a bottle of water was in sight. 

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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that reveals or explores a moment of serendipity. How did it come about? What did it lead to? You can express a character’s view of the moment or on serendipity in general. Use the element of surprise or show how it is unexpected or accidentally good.

Review of The Second Coming by Shubha menon

ALL ABOUT THE BOOK  NAME OF THE BOOK : The Second Coming AUTHOR :Shubha Menon PUBLISHER : Harper Collins India WHAT REVIEWERS SAY - The author spins an engaging coming of age story of a romance-starved middle aged woman with commendable comic flair. Some of the scenes - particularly the ones where Mini and her school mates meet up for a booze-drenched reunion to discuss matters of the heart and the state of their pathetic marital lives - are hilarious. As are the office shenanigans. - Adite Banerjie, Author  WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT? A wedding planner who believes in fairytale weddings, Mini yearns for romance in her own marriage. The magic of the initial years has vanished, leaving behind a hunger that she assuages with chocolate. Mini would love to change her situation, but she is over the hill, overweight and under confident. The chances of having a hot affair with a happening man are dim, if not non-existent. An erstwhile royal scion decides to wed a Bollywood starlet and Mini is sent to Mumbai to plan the celebrations. The manager of the Mumbai office is young Rustom, the answer to Mini’s secret dreams. Goaded by impending menopause, Mini decides it’s now or never. She simply has to take a second stab at romance. Rustom is a ladies man. He is also married, and a skirt chaser. Mini decides to shape up and get into the kind of skirts Rustom would want to chase. Working together closely, Rustom and Mini fall into each others’ arms. Meanwhile, her husband gets wind of the affair and tries to reclaim her. Now Mini must choose between heady romance and steady matrimony. But soon, Mini discovers that her romantic idol has feet of clay. In a dramatic end, the trusty husband stages a timely rescue. And Mini learns that a rock solid husband is worth many a dream lover. My Review The Second Coming is an adventurous tale where a forty plus woman named Mini comes to peace with herself and her current situation. Thus, embracing, and treasuring what she has after she has seen, lived, experienced that grass is also not green on the other side of the fence that she had been fantasizing about. This book had a jaunty way of describing the day to day life of Mini, who was actually going nuts in finding her dream lover who would make her heart tick at each of his moves. In spite of her pain in searching for one, I as a reader was chuckling at her thanks to the author's way of presentation. Mini as a character was woven as a happy go lucky girl who was working as a wedding planner but still would itch to travel alone or could not put her finances together. Thus, relying on her better half for the latter. Marriage over the years had lost its passion, and Mini wanted that badly especially since menopause would hit her soon. That urge made her reflect on her personal self while pondering over the weight gain and the craving to be sexy via a wardrobe change. A chance for a new life, some adventure and hope for a romance soon came true when she got an opportunity to move to a new city with regards to a project by her company. Some funny incidents caught my eye as a reader, and those were downright hilarious. The author did an excellent job to keep the reader hooked upon Mini even though at times her goal was getting repetitive and dull. While working on her project for her company, she found passionate love but then started the comparison of personalities, character, and reputation. No doubt, Love won in the end! The Second Coming is a journey that Mini unfolded to come to her senses that her long time mate is her real confidante in thick and thin. This is a beautiful chick flick that is surrounded with amusement thus, making it a light and a recommended read. BUY @ ABOUT THE AUTHOR This is her first book. She is currently working as a Senior Creative Director with Ogilvy Delhi. A practising Buddhist, she dreams of living in the hills where she can read, write and grow climbing roses. She lives in Delhi with her husband, daughter and two Dachshunds.  STALK HER @

All in the name of hunger!

A rattled and guilty Samira was sitting under a bridge while nibbling at the crust with eyes wandering 360 degrees. 

He was chewing ruthlessly to swallow the crushed contents in his mouth. Hunger made him steal a loaf from a bakery. Now he feared the consequences, but with no pennies to spare he did not think twice over again.


While dusting off the crumbs from his bare chest, and adjusting his hair, "Life is not fair, but I have to own up" he mumbled as he walked towards the pastry shop to own up his crime and face the ramifications. 


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In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a thief or a theft. Consider motives and repercussions. Is the act a matter of perception? Is it a daring maneuver or a desperate bid for survival? Think about different instances of stealing.
Join in the fun at CarrotRanch.http://carrotranch.com/2015/10/07/october-7-flash-fiction-challenge/

Wordless Wednesday #103

The man is hungry for success, happiness and peace of mind.

Thus, when he sees the light at a distance, which is a Sunset. It seems like a halo thus raising his hope for the time to come!

Aha! The power of HOPE!


Mantra for today: “Hope is the thing with feathers 
That perches in the soul 
And sings the tune without the words 
And never stops at all.” 
― Emily Dickinson

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