Learning

Twisted Introductions :)

As college came to an end, a lot many things were coming to me in flashback. the 3 years just flew by !! It seems as if it was yesterday that I landed in Kolkata with Dad to begin a new journey. As if it was just yesterday that I attended my first day at college… LBC i.e. Language & Business Communication ! Wham !! what a class it was. We all were so impressed… One thing is for sure. Rani Ma’m… u rock 🙂

Why am I suddenly remembering my first day of all days ! Because, I stumbled upon our first assignment while rummaging for something else in my shelf (which I obviously didn’t find 😛 )

Here are TWISTED INTRODUCTIONS ; a unique way in which we were made to introduce by Rani Mam on our very first day, very first class. It has some superb questions which surely helped me understand myself better. Give it a shot.. If nothing, it is huge fun 🙂 (Below are My answers )

1) If you were a colour, which colour would you be and why?

A) If I were a color, I would be white. I know many of us will be white but I am sure I will be a completely different shade, there are so many kinds of white. White because it is the color that has every other color in it. Split it through a prism and you will see all the 7 colors that form the rainbow. So am I. And so is everyone of us. We have all the colors of life. Just some refraction needs to be done.
White, for me, is who I am… and it also happens to be my favorite color when I shop (also black 😛 ). white clothes are my weakness 🙂

2) If you were a song, which song would you be and why? 

A) The song would be – ‘Khwaja mere khwaja’ from the movie ‘Jodha Akbar’. One song which I can listen to, any many number of times… fab to the core. Unparalleled beauty of lyrics and music. Ultimate spiritual song I have heard ever. Fab Sufi stuff… Connectedness !! 🙂

3) If you were an animal, which animal would you be and why ?

 A) If I were an animal (most of my friends reading this are laughing I know; coz they must be thinking- “isme if waali kya baat hai.. ye toh hai hee janwar”… Right u are guys 🙂 )… OK, If I were an animal I would be… umm… Tigress. I remember having read ‘Aunt Jennifer’s tigers’ back in school. And those sleek, royal, chivalric creatures always remind me of what one should be in life; at any given moment. That, it is so very important to not lose the ‘who’ part inside u whatever happens. Tigress; also happens to stand for ‘womanhood’ 🙂

4) If you were a piece of fabric, which fabric would you be and why ? 

A) If I were a piece of fabric I would be ‘Muslin‘ (Malmal in Hindi). Having never seen muslin myself, the stories of this great Indian fabric continue to enchant me forever. For the lesser people who do not know what it is, Muslin is an Indian fabric- so sleek and supple that a whole ‘thaan’ could be fitted into a box built on a finger ring. the fabric stands for Indianness, uniqueness.. very fluid and very much traditional. Not only in looks but also in outlook. A blend of style and simplicity.

5) If you were a book, which book would you be and why ?

 A) I could be so many 🙂 . But then, if I had to choose one, it would be ‘Bhagavad Gita’ anyday. It is too vast and beautiful to be incorporated within in one lifetime. Yet, even if 1% of it could be learned, life would be different. I would be the book because ; it is the only book from where I have tried to imbibe a few things in life..things that have changed me for good. And I owe a lot to the one person who made me read it… eternal gratitude ! 🙂

6) If you were a cooked meal, what would you be and why ? 

A) Although, I am not very fond of it (though, things have changed now), ‘Rice‘ is one cooked meal that would define me. One thing that goes well with all kinds of people- the rich who have it as fried rice, basmati, biryani etc and the poor u have it as just boiled rice, or the young who prefer it experimented or the old who prefer to keep it simple… A dish that enriches whatever it falls into. Rice is loved all over; be it mixed with sugar or salt… the one indian delicacy we can’t live without.

7) If you were a cartoon character, what would you be and why ?

 A) The easiest answer of all- ofcourse it would be ‘Jerry‘. Not because he is cute but because he symbolises the easiness and lightness of life for me… Growing with only Tom & Jerry on my cartoon list I learned that- 1) No matter how serious a route life takes, never miss out on the FUN part, 2) If you fight with your loved ones like you are enemies, at the end you do love them in a way that they are the sole reason of your existence & 3) Size is just a number 🙂 All big things come in small packages !!

 

 

 

 

 

8 ) If you were a game, what game would you be and why?

A) This question had my favorite answer 🙂 . Life in itself is a big game. Hence, I would be life itself. One tough game which we all play according to our own rules. Yes, there are rules created by many people. But then, if you notice, you always played along your choices (If not yet noticed,, do retrospect). LOVE IT OR HATE IT, YOU GOT TO PLAY IT. And trust me, you cannot lose. One life !

Life is a gift, life is song... 
Life is right, life is wrong... 
Life is a beauty, life is a midget.. 
Depends on you, take it or leave it...

But most importantly, life is blessing... 
Don't u worry, HE is watching...

Live happy… It’s not that difficult !

Life’s own life- A quick recap of my existence…

… And still miles and miles to cover. (Sleep is a sensitive and touchy topic… I would rather not touch upon it. It will open the pandora’s box for my mom 🙂 )

THE GIFTS THAT LIFE GAVE ME 🙂

Honestly, when I look back, there are so so many reference points, things that I would like to change, things I would rather they never happened… and of course, things that I cherish for life. Yet, as an ‘of late’ realization frenzy, I do have a few ”Learnings from my Journeyings as well 🙂 (Do go through the link… it will help) and ( I will keep it at 5 and not bore you my readers)

1) I M POSSIBLE

Maths is something I absolutely hated. I still do. And I always will. I failed in my maths paper when in a lower level of schooling ( Class 3.. just imagine :P.. thank God it was a half yearly). This is my earliest recollection of what I consider failure. Wait !! After every failure there is success. I worked hard, my mom worked harder after me and we did it !! Though it might sound like an ‘Ekta Kapoor’ telesoap type story, i did get a cent percent in MATHEMATICS in my finals… Yo !! I see the lesson- Nothing is impossible if you work really really hard for it.

Though mathematics still invokes that one word response from me- IMPOSSIBLE (my responses have been very graciously strengthened by the tame menace by the name ‘ENTRANCE EXAMS’ 😛 ).. yet, now I can tackle it. One big failure (it was big for me) and one bigger success later, I am sure that I don’t have to fear it. It’s just that I don’t really like it. There are better things in the world around. Learn to ace the tests here.

2) DO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO- YOU ARE BOUND TO BE GOOD AT IT

Literature !! My all time, any day favourite. I never really made an effort to study it. Came more out of liking and mostly out of reading habit. And, I realise that I am good at it because I like it. I like words and the way they connect to give meaning to our deepest and most unfathomable feelings. And that is the reason why I like writing so much. I write almost everywhere, on pen and paper during flights or trains and on phone drafts otherwise.

Between the clouds 🙂

It is important to keep a record of any good idea you have. You never know which idea changes your life.

3) SIMPLICITY AND HUMBLENESS- KEY TO GOOD LIFE

From being overtly extravagant and demanding to being just the opposite (it disappoints my father sometimes), it has been a journey of self realization. I am really thankful to God that I understood it earlier than most other people; the quality of humbleness and simplicity.All the simple people i know are exceptionally beautiful… I want to be beautiful too… 🙂

Life is not a rocket science. True… I learned a lot of good values in life from my teacher back at school. Through his childhood stories, he made a better adult out of many of us. He taught us the power of sacrifice for only that brings in long term satisfaction. I like a quote from the movie “16 December” v much- Love is that monument which is built on the foundation of silent sacrifices. Look around. Your parents make sacrifices for you all the time. Your siblings make sacrifices for you all the time. If we do something selflessly for someone, that is the highest sacrifice and the best possible love that you can do. Be humble. Be motivated . Be inspired. Do the same to other people.

I can say that it is the TEACHERS in my life who have made me what I am today. Not just school/ college teachers, there have been friends, best friends, stories, situations, instances… all of them.

4) ADDICTION = NO NO… NOT AT ALL

People addiction is a personal matter. But, material addiction is a cardinal sin in my eyes. I cannot tolerate it at all. The cigarette smoke makes me cough like mads, the stench of alcohol makes me shrink my nose. And, people falling over each other after being sloshed makes me want to go push them in the Ganges ( paap dho lo paapiyon !! ).

I remember burning my little finger due to a cigarette stub when I was a child. That day I thought, “Jab bahar itna jalta hai, toh andar toh aag lag jaati hogi “… Now I have a different theory. These addicts are experimenting on the concept of “SPONTANEOUS SELF COMBUSTION”. Ever heard those ‘mad scientist’ stories. Reminds me of these people..
But, these people will always say… “chal pade hain dekho yaaron dhuen mein udaa ke… Jaane kya hoga raama re… ” Let me tell you- kuch nahi hoga. Except for the fact that you turn up into a pile of ashes earlier than u are supposed to. Ok..no point talking to the hands.

5) BELIEVE IN GOD. HE IS THE BEST OPTION/ THE ONLY OPTION YOU HAVE

I was never a devout. Then, things started turning around. I am still not a devout in the traditional and contextual terms. But, I so believe in God. More than on any other thing. I do believe that HE is HELPING. From which side, I don’t know.. but I am sure He is… And, that is what matters.

If a belief simplifies things, why not ?

If a belief makes you a better person, why not?

If a belief makes you appreciate the real beauty, why not?

If a belief makes you know who you are, why not ?… Go for that belief. Go for that GOD power. Go for that true self, that YOURSELF. 🙂

—————————————————————————–

OK. Enough of lecturing. My 21 years sure had no work- ex but sure had some life-ex and some full of life experiences. Life has given me the best gift- a peek into LIFE’S OWN LIFE.

Life tells me- “I am Beautiful…But I won’t last forever. So, cherish me. “ 🙂

Happy Birthday to me (21st May)…

An Interpretation of Love

Exam time = Blogging + Movies …. Yep !! That pretty much sounds like me 😛

Saw one of my all time favorites yesterday- ‘A Walk to Remember’

And yeah you can guess what’s coming up next, the famous few lines ‘Love is… ‘ Though this is not what I was thinking would be my next post, nevertheless, the lines are beautiful.. And I have my own interpretations…Here-

Love is always patient and kind
It is never jealous
Love is never boastful, nor conceited
It is never rude or selfish..

It does not take offense
It is not resentful
Love takes no pleasure… in other people’s sins
It delights in truth

It is always ready to excuse..
…. to trust
…..to hope
…..and to endure

Whatever comes…..

So true and moving these lines are… And I have a thousand interpretations (exaggeration 🙂 )

But, my favorite one is-

“Love is a wonderful wonderful feeling. Something that was perhaps created to make our lives simpler, happier, more peaceful. A bridge that was supposed to bridge our being and wanting to be something. It was supposed to teach us virtues like patience and kindness, resentlessness and the beauty of selflessness. Love was supposed to show us how delightful it is to be happy in the happiness of the ‘people’ we love ( It never was/ is/ never will be about just that one person… naah !! not possible). Among many other goodness enriched qualities, what makes it most beautiful is that teaches us Life.”

Yet, when we look around, we find that most of our woes arise from/ due to this love. It sounds as if God’s wonderful plan backfired. Love was supposed to ease those furrowed brows in times of woes, not be the reason behind them.

Is not Letting Go another beautiful face of love. Try it… it surely works. Love is beautiful. Experience it with open palms. Closing them tight will hurt no one else but you.

In Retrospect… The last few months

The last few months, to be honest, have been quite eventful. A whirlwind ride… some absolutely wonderful new entries, some major setbacks… failures, successes…. in all, a memorable journey; an album worth watching in flashback…

Summing up those eventful events, in case I wish to get back to them. Which, I know i will 🙂

1) Made few wonderful friends… Friendships I will cherish for more than a lifetime.

2) Screwed the most important exam of my life… In the course, screwed a few other things that I should have cared for, for life… Bah !! Life’s most important exam is LIFE itself. And no body screws it 🙂 even if they want to.

3) Found my long lost love, my writing coming back to me. One of the best things that happened so far. Wrote a few things that will keep inspiring me for days to come. Yes ! Some of my own pieces make me smile… 🙂

4) Learned the importance of caring for a few people more than yourself… learned the importance/ beauty of being meticulous in relationships. Total awesomeness.

5) It was pure chance and randomness that led to me understanding what I want to do in life. And thank God I understood… it makes a huge part of me hassle free, clears loads of things.

6) Learned that good things do happen; sometimes just out of the blue. Did well(better than expected I mean) in XAT. Unexpected. Got a call from XIMB. Even more unexpected… The story continues though… Wait for the upcoming points 🙂

 7) XIMB diaries- Slogged like anything to try and convert. But. Did. Not. 🙁 …And, that is when I realised two very important truths about my life- There is a bigger plan for me and there is a 24×7 awesome friend for me :)… Dost, I promise lifetime servitude 🙂

8 ) Started working for the first time 🙂 And I am absolutely loving the experience. Though, I do realise that I am not meant for it… Realizations galore !! 🙂

9) One of my best achievements, my Facebook Vocabulary group got deleted. Screw FB damn. It had 4000 members which we had religiously and laboriously accumulated over a period of one year. Bah !!.. Does this stop us ? NO… The Vocab Dhaba is very much there… and going strong 🙂

10) The latest one- took a decision. Not many liked it. But, thank God for giving me the strength to stick to it. I will make sure that it happens the way I have thought about it… Just be with me through thick and thin.

In short… in the last few months, I came to know who I really AM…

Just one suggestion- Finding yourself. It is the most exciting treasure hunt you can ever indulge into… much better than indulging yourself into the lesser intricacies of life.

Betiyaan toh sirf Ek Ehsaas hai :)

The best lines you will ever read on ‘Daughters’. The hardest you will struggle to bite back the tears & fight back that constricted feeling in your throat. That. Poetry. By Shailesh Lodha (Taarak Mehta fame).

Kya likhun ?…
Ki woh pariyon ka roop hoti hai…
Ya kadakti thand mein suhaani dhoop hoti hai…

Wo hoti hai udaasi ke har marz ki dawa ki tarah…
Ya os mein sheetal hawa ki tarah…
Woh chidiyon ki chehchahahat hai,
Ya ke nishchal khilkilahat hai…

Woh aangan mein faila ujaala hai..
Ya mere gusse pe laga taala hai…
Woh pahad ki choti pe suraj ki kiran hai…
Ya zindagi sahi jeene ka aacharan hai…

Hai woh takat jo chote se ghar ko mahal bana de…
Hai woh kaafiya jo kisi gazal ko mukkamal kar de…
Kya likhun ??…
Woh akshar jo na ho toh varn maala adhoori hai…
Woh, jo sabse zaada zaroori hai…

Ye nahi kahoonga ki woh har waqt saath saath hoti hai,
Betiyaan toh sirf ek ehsaas hoti hain 🙂

Uski aankhein, naa mujhse gudiya maangti hai na khilone,

kab aaoge, bass ek chota sa sawaal suno naa…
Apni majboori ko chupate huye deta hoon main jawaab
Taareekh batao, time batao… apni ungliyon pe karne lagti hai woh hisaab
Aur jab main nahi de pata sahi sahi jawaab…
Apne aansuon ko chupane ke liye
Chehre pe rakh leti hai kitaab

Woh mujhse australia mein chuttiyaan, mercedes to drive,
5 star mein dinner ya mehenge Ipods nahi mangti…
Na woh dher se paise piggy bank mein udhelna chahti hai
Woh bas kuch der mere saath khelna chahti hai…

Aur main kehta hoon yehi…
ki beta bahut kaam hai.. nahi karunga toh kaise chalega…
Majboori bhare duniya daari ke jawaab dene lagta hoon…

Aur woh jhuta hi sahi,
Mujhe ehsaas dilati hai..
Ki jaise sab kuch samajh gayi ho..
Lekin aankhein band kar ke roti hai…
Jaise sapne mein khelte hue mere saath soti hai..

Zindagi na jaane kyun itni ulajh jaati hai…
Aur hum samajhte hain, betiyaan sab samajh jaati hain.. 🙂

And, here is the video as recited my the poet himself !

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzgpFgJ78Gc]

The Life, the Soul and a Mirror…

Weird as it sounds, the title and the words that follow, must be easy to comprehend… I guess 🙂

There is always so much conflict between what we are, what we have, and what we eventually want to be… isn’t it?

Life- is the part that we have with us. The most beautiful part… The one that has been gifted to us for cherishing and living. There is no running away from it… And it is truly said “there is no use complaining about how you don’t like the shape your life has taken; it’s only as beautiful as you want it to be…”

Soul- is the part that we want to be :)…. our deepest and most desperate desires are hidden behind the veil of our body, in the mesmerizing soul… It is everything that we have ever desired, our true self… our soul is our most beloved part. The part that we most childishly and stubbornly want to be with us forever…

Mirror- shows the reflection of what/ who we are. You look into the mirror and always the real ‘YOU’ looks back, boring into those eyes and spilling out each and every truth about you; sweet, bitter, glorious, beautiful, dark, effulgent etc etc…a myriad of adjectives :).. It is where we see our ego and our alter ego.. our best self. As if, the mirror is our best critique; a piece of glass that never lies and makes the body a ‘see through’ cover for the eyes and heart to introspect !!

I know all this sounds so recondite :P… It appeared so to me; when the idea first came up… OK; I have an analogy that might make it easier :-

The life, the soul and a mirror are the 3 women that come to a man’s life 🙂 . ‘Life’ is the  woman that stays forever; as the life partner. ‘Soul’ is the woman he falls madly in love with and wants to BE WITH. ‘Mirror’ is the woman who understands him the best; like a good friend. … And luckiest is the man who looks into the mirror and finds the reflection of his soul as life stands by 🙂 And happiest is the man who looks into the mirror and sees himself exactly as he is. Reminds me of ‘The Mirror of Erised’ 🙂

Any mirror would do. But there is only one soul and only one life 🙂

And, would not it be so beautiful if your life was exactly what your soul was and what your mirror showed you? 🙂 It is not easy; yet important that we strike a balance between- what we have, what we want and who we are… !

Food For Soul…

Souls, are like fingerprints… Different for all; Different amongst all. Yet, one thing that binds- is happiness… of any kind.

Food for soul is anything that makes u happy, happier and happiest. And anyone who wishes to be energetic, successful, motivated; needs a well fed soul…

My food for soul-

1) Lessons from Gita

2) My second best hobby 🙂

3) My writing… My first best hobby. I write when I’m happy, when I,m sad… when I,m alone, when I’m among people, on flights, in trains, buses… whenever an idea flashes through.

4) Nature and it’s beauty and the unparalleled motivation it brings me.

5) The profoundness of genuine motivation – It uplifts the mood like anything; a collection of quotes, sayings, words that simplify and beautify your life; the power of sheer motivation 🙂

6) A good read that is any day worth the effort. From where I learn, the finer intricacies of life, the nuances and the snippets of life… something that simplifies this journey called life…

7) A few words that bring smile on a face :-

a) Thank you- works wonders when u appreciate people; because they smile. 
 Makes my heart grow fonder :)

b) You are beautiful- not the face but the soul. A 1000 watt smile; makes my 
 day. Everyone has an iota of beauty that becomes tenfold with an iota of
 appreciation.

c) I am sorry - u never loose if u say sorry to your loved ones even if u 
 weren't the wrong one. Relationships become more profound.

d) It's OK - Ever heard of the phrase, 'to err is human; to forgive divine.'
 u might not become divine, but the feeling is no less when u forgive
 people around; for whatever reasons. Lighter and exonerating.

e) I love you - Not just to that one person, but to all whom you love. Life 
 is too short to hate and even shorter to miss out on love. Tell your 
 loved ones that you love them... with all your heart. A rainbow smile 
 that takes away all clouds of sadness.

Life is all about the simplicities; be it a sand castle or splashing waves… my food for soul. what’s yours? :)… A sand castle on Vagator beach ( Goa ) that signifies beauty and tangibility of life.

The little things you do for me…

Though I am an airtel user and I have no intentions of giving in to the MNP scheme, I just love Vodafone’s TV commercial:

“The little things you do for me…

And nobody else makes me feel good…

Little things you do for me…

Making me smile n no one else could…!

That’s why i like to sit next to you….,

and Hear your mad stories, i know they’re not true..

and i like that we share a secret or two ……Together….!

Little things you do for me…”

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNqRe50sMu8&feature=related]

 

So simple and so beautiful. It is so peaceful and serene, a feeling, to have made someone smile with a small gesture of yours.

Spreading smiles and making someone happy is the most selfish thing one can do…be selfish and spread happiness around. It comes back to you in the disguise of your own smile…in the economics of life, it is called TRICKLE DOWN HAPPINESS 🙂

“In seeking happiness for others, you find it for yourself.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Between love and life…

Till a few days ago, I just admired these lines by Tennyson,

“I hold it true, whatever befalls, I feel it when I sorrow most…

It is better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all.”

I know some of my friends reading this would want to check if I am running a temperature or not. Trust me, I am as fit as a fiddle. It’s just that, some things have made me realise the better side of these wonderfully youthful, beautiful and ‘life-ful’ lines.

Having always believed in the philosophy; “Always rise in love, never fall…” I refuse to accept that an emotion as serene as love (be it any kind of love- dreams, parents, friends, passions…lastly a boyfriend/ girlfriend…yes they are last on my list) can hold us down. At the end of the day, it is what we choose for ourselves. Loosing is never anything new. We loose all the time…

“Ek saans kho kar hi ek nayi saans milti hai naa…

us saans ke kho jaane mein hi bhalayi hai…

wo saans jaate jaate ek pal zindagi de jaati hai…”

It’s just what we make of that loss. Do we take a lesson? Or do we loose ourselves to the labyrinth of the timeless time?  And even when we manage ourselves out of that maze, do we make a sincere effort at not going back to those tangles…however enticing or promising they might sound? After all; everything that looks sentimental and cute is not love. Life teaches us something each moment. But only when we choose it above everything else. Don’t find life in love…find love in life. It could be anything; a dream, an idea, an ambition, a passion…

Love happens only when you are moving ahead…if you are going back, it’s a trap you have created for yourself. There can never be a choice between love and life…it is always life that encompasses everything. Choose life above everything else…love will happen somewhere on the way… 🙂

Thank you lord :)

Extremely happy today I am :). Reasons:

1) The most awesomest news of the year… got a call from XIMB. yippeee 😀

2) Made a few people proud with this small little achievement that will shape my life. I will convert it for you.

More than mine, it is an achievement for those who felt proud that I did it…who really wanted me to get through. I owe it to your prayers and wishes that were there 24×7 like a fort warding off the negativity and lethargy of dreams. I am reminded of these lines. But before, a big thank you to the person who gave me these lines which have, kind of, become the lines of my life

“lehron se darr kar nauka paar nahi hoti,

himmat karne waalon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti,

nanhi cheeti jab daana lekar chadhti hai,

chadhti deewaron par sau baar fisalti hai,

mann ka vishwaas rago mein sahas bharta hai,

gir kar chadhna, chadh kar girna…haan akharta hai,

aakhir uski mehnat bekaar nahi hoti,

koshish karne waalon ki haar nahi hoti…


doobkiyaan sindhu mein gotakhor lagatey hain,

ja ja kar khali haath laut aate hain,

milte naa sahaj hi moti paani mein,

behta duguna utsah isi hairani mein,

mutthi uski khaali har baar nahi hoti,

himmat karne waalon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti.

 

asafalta ek chunauti hai, sweekar karo…

kya kami reh gayi, dekho aur sudhaar karo,

jab tak naa ho safal, neend chain ki tyaago tum…

sangharshon ka maidan, chod mat bhaago tum

kuch kiye bina hi jay jay kar nahi hoti

himmat karne waalon ki kabhi haar nahi hoti…”

More than anything, I have learned the power of not giving up- on my happiness, on my efforts, on my smile, on my life… I will make sure this happiness stays…this pride and the smiles that I accidentally brought on to a few faces, stays. For all the trust and love… thank God for the wonderful people and the wonderful moments u have given me…nothing else I ask of u :)…just these thank yous I have.