Memories Made

I thought we'd made up for lost time
But our day together was so sublime

It had me rethink about why it was so fine
It was because to every moment did ourselves we resign

And recreated magic that hasn't seen us in a while
The magic our companionship weaved and styled

Supplemented by interesting episodes from our lives
Expressing what by ourselves, each of us strives

An interesting and beautiful day did we well spend
It wasn't about the lost time that we had to mend

For new memories have we forged in time
That forever are burned in hearts, yours and mine...

Look forward will I to meeting you another day
To hear what you so passionately have to say

Till then do I pray that truly blessed you be
In all that you create, speak, do and see..

My Little Neighbour

A little girl young and spirited
Carries with her the gifts of strength and cheer
One, from the old times, she must have inherited
To so state her bold thoughts loud and clear.

Infectious with her energy she is
Her clear eyes, no place for fear.
Very outright, is this young little miss,
To all those willing or unwilling to hear.

Curiosity has her on her toes all the while
As she absorbs everything she sees
Which she portrays as sharp wit and guile
With utter confidence and ease.

Positive I am, having enjoyed her ardor,
Her tenacity, her fervor, her glow,
That my little neighbor,
To a beautiful strong woman shall she grow.

Worthy

This picture is for you.

Just take it as a sign.
Of how your life is.

The sun is setting.
It is casting shadows long and deep.
With each passing minute, darkness grows.
As does your fear and anxiety.
Doubt plagues your mind as you look around.
All you see is darkness and the light fading away.
You cannot beat the demons of your mind,
Who want to come out and play.

Even the safest corners of your mind fall prey
To the hopelessness waiting to take root.

Little do you know then
That the sun sets only to rise the next day
The sun sets so that the Earth slumbers
That it sets so that we can prove ourselves

That we can stay strong
Despite every negative sign around.
That we believe strongly within:
The sun WILL rise again.

We are to prove ourselves worthy enough
To see the sun rise again.


Picture Credits
Photograph by: G.S.R.S.C
Concept: T.N.N

Woes of Subordination

Sure, it can be quite enriching to be guided by a mentor or a boss and to be told HOW to do things. There are few things that can parallel the experience, of course, if the boss is of a commendable nature and has the elusive quality of swallowing his/her ego to deal with you. I have worked only in a handful of companies and under some quite privileged bosses. Why, you ask, am I not the one honoured here, but the boss? Well, because he/she’s fortunate enough to be a guide of ‘How-not-to-be’ and no one gives credit to the giver there; if they taught me how to be, I could sing their praises and glories, but it is not so. 
Fortunately for me, I lived my childhood under a very bossy sister, through whom, I learnt how to stand strong, to fight back and never give in. She, however, has this amazing quality of being stern yet considerate of the subject’s feelings. Fight back, I did; hurt the opponent, no. I have been taught as much by my family as the circumstances of my life hitherto, to be strong and yet gentle, to be generous and allowing yet be able to put my foot down when it doesn’t feel right. I have been taught patience, honour and respect, three things I expect to a bare minimum of anyone who crosses my path. Call me intolerable, but that is the way I’m wired and that’s how life makes sense to me.
Subordination, I feel is a very precarious position to be in. One can either be open to the advantages AND shortcomings that come with it or be very grouchy and sour about being treated low. A modicum of respect for a person’s intellect and an enthusiasm for their way of doing things would be well appreciated, since if I’m being treated less than what I am, I will expend majority of my efforts to reach a standing where I am of any considerable value. Then when will I endeavour to grow, to reach my capacity and beyond? The least one expects for one’s work is at least a nod of acknowledgement, even if not a thorough and detailed description of our endeavour. Not doing so, would be an insult to our trials and the lack of acknowledgement would be rubbing salt into the wound. 
This I write in desperation, in a fit of anger that is unbecoming of me. I have but few expectations of people and like everyone else who expect, it has been my undoing. If I’m being tested for patience, it is a very unethical way to do so. I don’t mind being assessed for my dedication and passion toward what I commit myself to. Today, I have learnt that many people do not care for their inferiors in the way one expects. I just have to stow away my temper and look about for an astute and witty way of dealing with this overwhelming situation. I have a long way to go and yet more to learn. As they say, to the victors go the spoils. I have emerged from this situation, having learnt something that has enriched my character and broadened my view of people if by a minute degree.

Cared

Dear xxx,

It is not uncommon to feel left out or uncared for. Especially when you don't have your usual strength or when the people you usually interact with are in their own worlds.

I am the kind of person who can get extremely interactive with people and at times I give off the aura of a recluse. What I'm trying to say is that with people like me, there are times when you are surrounded and pampered and engaged and at other times, people are around but not involved in your life. I wouldn't encourage the chain of thought that says, "It's okay to be alone without the usual people around. It's okay not to rely." I discourage this because if you're feeling it, you NEED the company. We usually don't figure this out in our lives (hence, building our circle in such a way that you will have someone to rely on till we die - in most cases, a spouse or a partner) and I happened to stumble on it during my travels. I wish you fond it in your own peace , but I'll tell you anyway: it is not easy to be with yourself. And you wanna know why? It's because we don't know how beautiful, strong or characteristic we are. And I tell you this for sure, when you once understand your true beauty, you'll be enchanted by it. You will enjoy exploring your depths every moment you are left without the company of others. You push your limits on the outside, yet you do not explore within. I hope you do. Then you will find that solitude can be truly amazing. When you crave for company no more, you shall not even notice that you are by yourself. I'm not saying here that we let go of our circles or relations. I'm saying that we learn to enjoy being by ourselves too. The company we miss most or need is that of ourselves. You may think I'm rambling, and it's quite alright. Because I had to tell you this. What you do with it is your pot of gold.

Happy Exploration!

May Peace Dwell in Your Heart.

P.S. I hope you become "I, me and myself" in those moments of solitude. Not in a selfish way of course, but in a self-exploratory, soul-searching, I-am-beautiful kind of way.

A Psalm for Life

"Let us, then, be up and doing

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labour and wait."

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

It's over a hundred years old, but it is a very beautiful psalm. And very deep if you think about it. It is true that it is not enough to dream. Sarah Ann Breathnach, author of a comfort book, says, "We must do something about bringing our dreams into the world EVERY DAY, if we only have fifteen minutes out of every twenty-four hours to concentrate on our calling. Is there a phone call you can make? A letter you can send? One page that you can write? A mailing list you can get yourself on? Five pages of a book you can read? An organization in your dream field that you can volunteer your way into? You'll be amazed at the power of fifteen focused minutes!" How about that!

And then she says, "We have to surrender expectations, delivery details and the world's reception to Spirit. Become open to Divine fine-tuning and finishing touches. Birthing a dream is a collaborative effort." And I'm like, wow! Birthing a dream is a collaborative effort. I'm rolling those words in my mind. Never have I come across it being put in such a delicately beautiful way! Birthing a dream. We're so busy dreaming that even after its gestation period, we don't bother letting it out. Now this is going to change my life with all the little 15 minutes I can spare!

Unique

I was right. When people told me that I was unique, I used to tell them, "So is everyone", and I believed it truly, despite repeated protests from the very generous appraiser. Well, I never felt overwhelmed by any one person particularly. I have seen everyone around me and have been fascinated by each and everyone. I remember that in school, instead of sticking to closely-knit groups, as was the norm, I would interact with any and every one, even people of other classes. My group would sometimes eye me with narrow-eyes, but I kept talking to everyone. Make no mistake, I loved people of the group very much. I just couldn't see any point in being in a tight circle of people.

Of late, I have been spending time with one of my colleagues. I have become privy to the minute intricacies of his character in the time we have had to spend together. I am seeing new sides of him every other day and then it hit me: Everyone IS unique. Everyone has beautiful sides to them. Everyone has something that can overwhelm you and it is time, that brings out these points for you to appreciate. For some, these amazing qualities lay bare on the surface to be felt by anyone they meet. For others, the ones who don't really shine for anyone and everyone, their spark lies beneath a layer of sobriety and self-restraint. Why the layer, you ask: it may be because they're shy, wary of the environment, creating an impression (or warding off a negative one) or avoiding being judged. Whatever the reason, once you see the spark, you realize how amazing the other person can be.

My point here is that everybody has that spark in them if you bother to take time and notice it. Give yourself a chance to observe and flow. You'll be amazed at how much magic people have in them.


Light up the world around you! Everyone has the spark.

Monsoon bustle

1st July, 2015

The monsoon creatures are out.

Wriggling and snuggling on raw earth
Taking refuge under the clouds of the sky
As if blanketed by them,
Shielded from the scorch of the sun

The lush green leaves of trees and plants
Sway to the cool breeze
Happily expanding their foliage
After an especially scorching summer

The wind is mild and intermittent
Easing down to a gentle breeze
The scent and the anticipation of rain
Preceding its draft

The earth is moist
From the rains of the past
Supporting a universe of creatures
And sprouts of tender and juvenile flora

The dragonflies and butterflies flit about
From tiny surprising plants
Budding out of crevices on the pavement
And living on trees - well matured

Fresh blossoms scatter the path
As do leaves, fresh and tender
Plucked, no doubt, by the mischievous rain
The wind, no doubt, an accomplice

All sorts of our annelid brethren are out
Wrestling each other, trying to get in
Foraging for food in the bounty of the monsoon
Or otherwise looking for a safe haven.

Bumblebees and hornets busy themselves
Gathering nectar, from the monsoon flourish
Brightening the atmosphere with their flight

Wild mushrooms grow
Beneath the shade of a fallen tree
As do moss and fern
On anything moist, stone or abandon.

Little birds chirp and fly
Playful and merry;
Enjoying the variety in their meal
That this season has to offer

A Woman Strong

"A strong woman stands firm, even when the world is against her. She still loves fiercely, laughs hard and isn't afraid to be silly once in a while."

Hm. Define a strong woman. I believe every woman is born with inherent strength. In fact, every human is born with wisdom. It's embedded deep in our bones. It takes circumstances  for such strength to surface to see that wisdom used to some effect.
Yes, if encouraged properly women can be strong, firm and witty, a combination seen in the women of the old. Today's women are strong in an oddly different way. We see most of that strength invested in fighting discrimination and bias and unfortunately expend our energy in trying to prove our mettle. Very few are those women who are setting the trend, who are beyond being judged and belittled and for the good of all, that number is on the rise. This world, which had surreptitiously tilted in men's favor, is now being set back to balance by certain outspoken women who like to call themselves as feminists. While I'm not an active feminist, I definitely do not appreciate being looked down upon based on my gender. There is much I can tolerate, but not being assumed to be what the imaginations of such non-realists conjure up. Yes, I call them non-realists, for lack of a better word, because they do not look at things/people the way they really are, but give in to their preconceptions that would usually be fuelled by bias and second-hand observations.
Now I say, when people, men or women, detach themselves of such societal images however attractive they be, and put themselves in their own shoes, for a change, use their own beautiful cognition, rely on their own observations and deductions and act sorely on their own gut instinct,  it will be a mark of their "true" strength. For what is a  (wo)man, if not his/her thoughts and instincts and what is strength that is not open to the world.

Little Enchanted Places

29th August, 2015

http://brightside.me/article/25-little-places-which-are-just-too-wonderful-to-be-real-5855/

I tried to rank them according to where I'd like to visit first. All 25 of them are amazing. Or at least amazingly photographed. I mean one can take photogenic pictures of even the worst places and present them as something other-worldly. Why am I dampening the mood!?
Tucked in some obscure area of each city will lie enchanted places like these waiting for us. They wait for us to get out of the couch, of our homes, into our exploring boots and out there. We need not go to Laos or Austria to get a taste of a seemingly fantastical world. We just need to look around us. We need to start looking at what we see.

Confidence

26th August, 2015

Now that's a bold statement to say. In this world where acceptance is everything, we find it hard to let go of what society thinks of us, despite what we say on our social networks. Let's face it, we DO care what others think of us not just as a social-life-indicator, but as a self-esteem-booster as well. It truly takes a lot of trials for us to realize that it's quite alright not to be accepted the way we are. It takes a highly mature mind to stay strong on who we are and stop projecting ourselves as objects of others' interests. I was so lost in that tangle that I would rarely speak out of fear of failure or ridicule. When engaged in a conversation, I would reply after so much thought that it wouldn't be surprising if I seemed slow in the mind. Oh, and group conversations were like don't-even-ask. I would steer clear of groups as much as possible because at that time, it only seemed logical to me that, if I said something wrong in front of one person, I would be laughed at, but if I slipped up in a group, well, it would be a thousand times more embarrassing, what with so many people to make fun of me.
Not only does that show how weak my self-esteem was, not able to speak for myself, but it also shows how low I thought of other people, not respecting them enough to be myself. And there in lies the key to this whole issue. It's all about how much you respect yourself and others to be yourself, for the world deserves nothing less than your true self, however quirky, stupid, weird or crazy you are. If you are yourself, your passion will shine through your words, it will light up your face, it will bring a sort of sparkle in your eye and when that happens, you will be guided by that energy within you to say and do the "right" things (things that you are totally confident about). Others will probably be too mesmerized by your awesome aura to even remember to criticize you (if that is what they truly intend to do). And the best part, even if they do openly criticize or express their opinion to you, you will not fight for it. Yes, you may enjoy a good conversation at that point.. But you are at peace within, knowing you have done well. Knowing that you are all you can be. And that knowledge shall be your confidence.

Time & Patience

26th August, 2015

"Things take time. Just be patient." 

That is soo true! I mean, how many times have we turned off the faucet just before the bucket is full? How many times have we not waited for the water to fully boil for tea? I have done this a lot. Or, at least I used to. Then I learnt the value of patience. I had taken it upon myself to try out a complicated recipe. It required the patience of a monk. I usually don't give things the time they need. Only later, after a few burnt or badly-tasting dishes, did I realize that everything takes it's time. Not every food requires the same time for preparation. No two people take the same time to get over a situation. I had a moment of clarity and then I found myself being really patient with people, with cooking and more significantly with driving. My life changed profoundly. And I have become visibly calmer, my thoughts take better shape since I afford them more time now and the way I deal with people is more open and free. I feel less restrained and am free to feel!
Such changes coming about only by giving things time is amazing. I have enjoyed this journey of being patient. And will continue to do so, only wondering what beautiful qualities will creep into my character!

Writing & Reading

26th August, 2015
I remember having learned from reading when I was as young as 10. My first books being one of the many Children Books written by Enid Blyton. It was an experience with enormous consequences. It opened my mind to exploring the world through books, it showed me the power of my imagination and its magical land I got transported to, from which I would reluctantly return.. These were quite life-changing revelations for a 10-year-old.
I remember even more vividly my first writing experience. We would write essays for school, sure! But I had my own journal when I was 12. It showed me how to organize thought and helped me work out kinks and tangles in my ideas I wouldn't be able to work out in my mind. When I read my journals the other day, I was transported to that world I lived in at that time, the world that I had described, albeit in broken English and with a lot of grammatical errors. The clarity of expression shocked me. I had never read my writings in all these years. Now when I did, it again opened a whole new vista in me. My writing got better over the years, as did the expressions I used. I enjoyed writing, for it gave me clarity of thought like nothing else. It helped me in those moments when even talking to a friend didn't help. I do write occasionally now. I compose. I write stories. I enjoy it even today, in a different way, but nothing beats the desperate scribbles of my first journals. They are precious to me despite their flaws for it shows how I fought my battles and how I evolved as much from writing as from the books that shaped my imagination.

P.S. Thank you, Sreedhar maam for giving me this idea. I'm learning ever more from writing now. Not only am I learning by reading the posts but am also learning by writing my thoughts down about it! It's almost like you quoted this quote to me the other day. Haha.

Cheers!

Of Work & Travel

26th August, 2015

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/5663300?ir=India

Yes, I love to travel. Feeling the wind in my hair as I am whisked away across distances by a bus or a chugging train comes as naturally to me as feeling rock beneath my feet as I trek.
I can relate to most of what Jinna Yang, author of this article, says about living your life out in some obscure cubicle of one of the many "big" companies around. A 9-to-5 sucks. Unless, of course, you are the perfect embodiment of the job (aka, the job is right for you and you enjoy it). Well, I'm going through a phase in my life where I'm exploring my options in my career. I'd live to make a career out of something I love. Until then I'm jumping jobs, trying to pinpoint all things I'm good at and could make my life working on.
Quitting job? Well, I've been there, done that. I don't want to give up yet. I kNow there's something out there that's just for me and I'ma endeavour to find iut what it is even if it means slogging meaninglessly for months in an idiotic job. Well, I guess in the end, when you see light at the end of the tunnel, you'll realize that not all of that slogging was meaningless.
I love to travel, but I'm not yet ready to give up having a job for travel. Plus money IS a factor for me. I don't have any money that I can actually consider "investing" in travel, for it is an investment! And I drew up a blank when I asked myself if I could earn anyother way while travelling. All in good time. I believe that I will travel quite a lot in my life and I put my faith in the fact that by the time I do, I shall have gained the wisdom to get by.

Until then,
Happy Vacations!

Cheers!

P.S. Thank you, Jinna Yang, for this lovely article! Thanks for believing in all those who have the "travel-streak" in them. Hope you post more about your travels. Happy Travelling, fellow-traveller!

New place, new feelings

My eyes jerk open
I'm in Mysore.

Deep draughts of air
I breathe in.

The cool air wraps me up
Like a familiar and welcome blanket.

So different are the trees and the birds
And the people and the energy,

That I feel transformation
Growing within and around me.

My energy changes colour and intensity
Feelings are born afresh, revived, anew.

Excitement and anticipation rise,
As new ideas conceive themselves in my mind

And wait in the threshold of my mind
To be moulded into action

And everything in me
Want to be out there

In the real world...