This Way or That Way!

        A few days back I was having a discussion with my best friend. We have a conversation every single day and we never run out of topics. So one such topic was the difference between LET IT GO and LET IT BE. 

LET IT GO - Is something we just let go off without trying to hold it back. 
LET IT BE - Is something we don't post mortem and dwell deep.

Now, it is up to us to choose in life. Different situations arise where different solutions are developed. If we ponder deep, we will know whether to Let it Go or Let it Be. Now when I face situations, I take a step back and decide what needs to be done. I do not believe in hasty decisions.
So Choose Wisely!

Finding Friends!

           It's a notion that we all think - Friendships and close friends are all made in school and college. As we grow older in life, we feel we just cannot make great friends. But it is not always, or should I say at least in my case. I do have my closest friends from years and I can proudly say we have survived the test of times very well. Practically grown together, all of us are extremely close and attached. But that is not what this blog is about. 
A few years back, I went to a gym which was close to my work place. The idea being I could come straight from work and exercise and I would clock in five days a week. So I joined and started coming straight from work. Well, I was the only one who used to go that far to the gym and most of them their were from the same vicinity. But that didn't deter my spirit. Since I used to hit the gym straight from work, I would have my make up on - which primarily consisted of only Kohl and Lipstick - to be precise Pink Lipstick. One evening as I was running on the treadmill, I saw another girl at the gym with the exact lipstick as mine. To say I was immensely pleased is an understatement. We both looked at each other and smiled. I got off my treadmill and walked up to her and started chatting. It was the most amazing connection and we knew right then that we would be friends for life. Not only did I strike a lovely friendship, but found beautiful company as well to gym together. To top it, we had the same trainer who for reason thought we were sisters- could be because of the lipstick. 
It's been almost five years and we share the same amazing friendship. So whoever said friends don't happen later in life are absolutely mistaken. We find and make friends in the most unexpected places, like how I found a great friend in the gym. 

Some Friendships Remain the Same

            This year I have decided that I will make it a point to meet all my friends more often. Social apps are helpful, but nothing like having a face to face meaningful conversation. It reflects a connection that nothing else can bring out. 
So with this ethos, I caught up with two of my dearest friends today. One I hadn't met in over two years and the other in over three years. Time indeed flies. But when we met, those years we hadn't caught up, didn't matter at all. The connection remains the same and the bond has only gotten stronger. It is so easy to pick up from where we had left off, effortlessly. The threads of conversations seamlessly form its own pattern without jumbling.  Unbiased, unperturbed and most definitely unique in its own way, some friendships are formed and meant to last a lifetime. 
I recently happen to come across an apt quote which said, " A strong friendship doesn't need daily conversations or being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends are never apart."

If you have such friends too, then please take some time out for them and have these real conversations.

Ponder in Wonder - One Beautiful Line!

           As You all know I am a bookworm. This year I am already half way with my third book. This book is Relationships & Emotion by Sadhguru, which came as a high recommendation from one of my closest friends who is a sporadic reader. Curiosity got the better out of me and I wanted to see what this book has to offer, especially since it came from someone who doesn't read much. Lest to say, I wasn't disappointed one bit. 

Emotion & Relationship are two books in one. As I was reading Emotion, I came across a point that really got me thinking. The point was about attachment to someone - It said once you are attached , try to get so attached that there is no differentiation from one another! This stirred a very unique emotion within me. If we all dwell deeper, isn't it true that we are attached, but never completely attached and that is the reason why when we try to detach ourselves, we are hurt. With attachment, I-Me-Myself will never arise. 

Since I finished this book at the beginning of the year, I am going to try and I mean try really hard to adhere to this point in any relationship - Be it family, spouse or my closest friends from years. Let's see how this gets me going - Only time will tell. But, definitely I will have a follow up post in my blog few months down the line. Till then all I can do is make a sincere start and stick to it like a resolution.

A New Plan - A New Journey !

       Three weeks ago I was sitting at my aunt's place fidgeting with my Phone. As I  was scrolling Instagram feeds, I saw one of my favorite actors had posted a few pictures. I stopped to check what her post said. She had posted her pictures with 2019 Planners. I absolutely love stationary and her feeds showed a few very pretty things. As the curiosity bug bite me, I opened one of her feeds and lo behold, she had a contest open. I couldn't miss this chance.
I took a few minutes to respond to the contest question and posted it. I got off my phone after that and went about spending time with my family. 

After a few days, just before Xmas, I saw a message in my Insta chat. I do have a few friends who ping me on Insta chat and I thought it was from one of them. As I opened the chat, I was pleasantly surprised to see the message. Yes, it was a message stating that I had won the contest and was one among 50 whose response had been chosen. To say I was elated was an understatement. To make it more beautiful I had won the same 2019 planner. I did a happy dance and sent my response to the chat. 

I received my beautiful planner and I am posting the picture of the same. Super excited to have received this. A Big Thank You for helping me start 2019 with this pretty gift. 
Indeed Believe in Magic!!

Nostalgia - We'll be Counting Stars!

December - The season of holidays. From Xmas time to ushering the New Year, it is the season to be merry and joyous. Since, I have decided that I will try my best to blog everyday, what better way than a post on nostalgia. 
When I was a kid, we used to have pretty long Xmas holidays. I used to be excited since all the cousins would get together. A few bookworms like me would have the reading list for holidays ready and would wait to chat endlessly about books and a dozen other little exciting things. Perks of being a child. 
Xmas holidays time meant gathering at my granny's place. All of us to camp in there and have a merry time. Out of all the things that I used to enjoy, one distinct memory stands out - Counting Xmas Stars. During Xmas season, houses hung Xmas stars outside. Almost all the houses in my granny's vicinity used to have stars outside their homes. I loved counting these stars. It had become such a ritual that year on year, I used to count all the stars that I used to come across. To make it more fun, my mum used to count them as well. We used to see who has counted maximum number of stars every time. 
Even today, when its Xmas round the corner and I see a star, subconsciously I begin to count. I look at my mum and give her a knowing smile. 
Guess somethings never change in life! December to Remember. 

New Year - New Beginnings

                                                     HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!!

As we bid adieu to the year 2018, we usher in a new year 2019. This year I have for the first time written down my resolutions in my new Archetype Planner and I intend to stick to my resolutions. What better way to start than make my resolutions be seen on the social platform - like a constant reminder, so here are a few of my noteworthy resolutions,

1. Read 4 books every month - A grand total of 48, rounded off to 50 books. I have made a reading wall this year to see if I am on track (Check Preeti Shenoy's blog for more on Reading Wall).

2. Try to blog every single day of the year - Another grand total of 365 blogs to my blog post.

3. To finish my writing - A set of short stories that I have started and not finished. Hopefully 2019 is the year for it. 


Well, these are my TOP 3 Resolutions for 2019 and I intend to stick to it this year. Good luck and best wishes to all!! May all your resolutions come true!

Let It Go!

         I woke up to a cold morning. As I peeped outside my window, I was greeted by the most pleasant sight. The tree right in front of my window, looked festive and colorful. The leaves had turned into shades of red, yellow and orange. The sight was so enthralling that I stood seeing the tree for a long time. I quickly took a picture to out post it on my Instagram account and went about doing the rest of my chores.

After a few days, I went back to see the status of my festive tree. This tree was beginning to shed all its leaves. Such pretty colors, I can't even begin to describe and yet the leaves were being shed. This got me thinking about life. The way the tree changes from season to season, don't we need to change at least as and when it is required. Shed what we don't need in life and grow new ones in life. It could be anything, right from shedding jealously to cribbing. We need to shed the negativity within us and develop positivity. We don't have to cling on to things that we no longer need or use and learn to let go. 

This is what I sum it up to,

1. Let go
2. Shed it
3. Regrow
4. Develop
5. Stand tall

Look around you, there is so much to learn from everything!

Audacity to Dream

                                                                                                Breathing Dreams like Air!

                                                                                                                                  -F. Scott Fitzgerald

         One cold winter night, a heavily pregnant woman walks into a hospital, all by herself. For a few seconds, the staffs in the hospital are muddled, but are astute enough to shake off the bewilderment and rush up to her. With a smile on her lips and resolute in her eyes, she is ready to be assisted. After all the hardships she has faced, the moment of utmost glee is right round the corner. With the help of the amicable staff, she waddles a little more before she is flat on her back on the bed. She shuts off her eyes, just for a few seconds, the last few seconds before her dream comes true; the dream that she had dreamt for so long.

After a few eventful hours, the mother finally holds her child in her arms – her beautiful daughter has been born. She holds her new born daughter and cradles her bundle of joy. Silently, she sheds a few priceless drops of tears, but all in incessant faith – the relentless conviction of a woman and mother.

Yes, she had the audacity to dream and a dream which came true in the form of her daughter.

                         A drop of tear,

                                      But with no fear,

                         A life to stream,

                                        And the Audacity to Dream!

     

              Every time the little girl stood in front of her father, he chose to walk away. Each time it was the same – never a smile, never a pat on her back or even an acknowledgment. This pretty girl could never fathom the sequence of her life’s pattern. But one musing always mystified her – How did her father be different towards her brother all the time? On every occasion she spotted them, they seemed to share a really wonderful bond, then why was she not part of this bond. Every time, her pondering led her to the same cessation – A Big Hollowness.  

But this girl was unrelenting. She tried various ways to get her father’s attention, hence, she worked very hard; either academics or extracurricular, she was the topper. In spite, not once, did her father amend his ways towards his daughter.

It was time for her to fly out of home, to build her life outside in a new world, hopefully. She stood for a few minutes in her room; shed a few drops of priceless tears, but all in incessant faith – the relentless conviction of a woman and her diligent degree.

Yes, she had the audacity to dream and a dream which came true in the form of her Education.

                         A drop of tear,

                                      But with no fear,

                         A life to stream,

                                        And the Audacity to Dream!

                   

         All through the day, she worked efficiently. Like a clock work mouse, she came in first and went out last. In rhythm she worked all day. Never a scatter brain, she knew her work at the back of her mind. Always helpful, she strived hard to carve a niche for herself at work. Anyone could say she indeed was a resplendent resource.

If only, her supervisor shred the same standpoint, her life would be free of creases. But, there is always a diverse notion and unfortunately it was from him – her boss. Yes, someone whom she couldn’t choose. It didn’t dither her from striving to work hard and she had to work twice more than the rest of her team mates, even to be seen and heard.  Yet, every time an opportunity arose in front of her, she was bound to leave her mark.

Her boss never appreciated anything she did. But that was no road block. She had long ago learned to pave her own path towards life. As the days passed, she worked even harder. The only goal soaring in front of her sight all the time and in time that goal and dream had to be realised. In a few days, she would be the boss and she knew the day would arrive soon; she shed a few drops of priceless tears, but all in incessant faith – the relentless conviction of a woman and a lady boss.

Yes, she had the audacity to dream and a dream which came true in the form of her being her own boss.

                         A drop of tear,

                                      But with no fear,

                         A life to stream,

                                        And the Audacity to Dream!

         

  Why isn’t a woman’s life complete without being married or bearing child/children? She may have scaled heights professionally, but if she hasn’t scaled her personal life being married or bearing children, then she isn’t triumphant. She finally met a guy, whom she thought she could spend the rest of her life with. Till the day they tied the knot, she was sure he was the one. But things didn’t remain the same soon after. It was a struggle each day, for she had to prove her worth not only at work, but also at home. One more problem with him, but yes, she had to face it.

Each day, it was the same story of her life. How could this be happening, just because she didn’t wear the pants in the relation? It was hard to comprehend. Weren’t they meant to be equal partners, or was it just her faux imagination. But neither was giving up an option in her life. She knew things had to change and she would start with the change; a change where she expected helps in the kitchen always, but forgot to see outside the kitchen. For, in her mind, it was her husband’s terrain; she shed a few drops of priceless tears, but all in incessant faith – the relentless conviction of a woman and an equal partner. 

Yes, she had the audacity to dream and a dream which came true in the form of being the equal partner in her marriage.

                         A drop of tear,

                                      But with no fear,

                         A life to stream,

                                        And the Audacity to Dream!

         Life goes around in a circle. You get, you give and yet a few learn to break free. When she looked back at her life, a retrospect inspection, she had a million questions that cropped up like little plants. Right from the beginning - till date, she had a lot to ask. But where was she going to get rejoinders? Well, some from outside, but most from within. A single seed of thought to change oneself is the beginning of a new plant. A plant, that grows beautifully into a lovely tree.

One warm summer night, heavily pregnant woman walks into a hospital, with her husband right next to her. With a smile on her lips and resolute in her eyes, she gets herself wheeled in. Her husband holds her hand tight and looks like he is ready to faint. All along, she tells her husband she and the baby are going to be just fine. Every single time, she lingered somewhere between her imagination and reality and that gave her hope always.

After a few eventful hours, the mother finally holds her child in her arms – her beautiful daughter is born. She holds her new born daughter and cradles her bundle of joy. The father is overcome with joy. He holds the baby very carefully and gently, lifts her up and kisses on top of her head. Silently, she, the mother sheds a few priceless drops of tears, but all in incessant faith – the relentless conviction of a woman and mother.

Yes, she has the audacity to dream and a dream which came true in the form of her life.

                         A drop of tear,

                                      But with no fear,

                         A life to stream,

                                        And the Audacity to Dream!

              A hope of tear,

                     Silent hands in here,

                            A life to glean,

                              And yes, the audacity to continue to dream!

The end is just the new beginning.

                                                                                        

                                                                                              Follow your Dreams, they know the Way!

-          Kobi Yamada

Somewhere

Somewhere In The Past:

            As the clock strikes six, the newspaper strikes the door. Each morning, standing half way across the street, precariously tilted on his bicycle, with a folded roll in one hand, is our newspaper delivery boy. So much for his aim, paper lands everywhere other than being inside a gate of its designated house. His aim in vain, his double delivery in pain. After a few more failed attempts, miraculously the paper strikes the door at the designated hour of the clock – Six. The paper strikes, he continues to bike. Next house, new aim!

            A few minutes later, our doorbell goes. This time it is our milkman. With a smile on his face and a packet in hand, he rings the bell. The door opens and his smile widens as he hands the packet and pockets the money. Off he goes to the next house. Packet to Pocket!

          A few more minutes go by and this time it is our unmistakable vegetable vendor woman. A calling so loud, sunshine or cloud, each day she comes like a clockwork mouse. With fresh produce and a stale breathe; her fervor to sell the vegetables is undaunted. Anew zeal, an old deal!

And this is how my day used to start…..

Somewhere In the Present:

            A loud alarm sound in the otherwise quiet house is the only noise I wake up to. I switch it off and there is an unbearable silence again. But my constant companion – My Mind never disappoints; it comes up with various ways to shun this uncomfortable tranquility. A new plan, a new day!

      A few minutes later, I descend the stairs to enter my kitchen. Neither does the newspaper strike nor does the milkman ring the bell here. So, I start to juggle my utensils around to get rid of the torturous silence. Those few minutes of pots and pans talking to each other is like a feeling of me standing there eavesdropping? My morning dose of gossip!

    A few more minutes, I exit the kitchen and the same silence at bay comes and envelops me into a big cold hug. Well, now what does my mind cook up? One day at a time!

And this is how my day starts….