My wistful fantasies…

Guess I was just out of college...perhaps in my early corporate days when I jotted down my fantasies listed in this blog. I remember travelling in the bus, spontaneously scribbling on the paper, my defective handwriting giving me the hardest time possible…but on the contrary, thoughts flowing so easily, naturally and unstoppably.

   

Having lost my poems collection, now after a few years, a friend of mine recently found this and shared it back with me. Reading this does put a smile on to my face, making me realize how much I love to hold on to the same fantasies……………still….:)

My Wistful Fantasies:

Wish I could walk on the surface of pond water;

Forming ringlets with my damp feet:

Wish I could catch hold of a rainbow:

Swinging n swaying to the glory in the sky:

Wish I could reach a paradise;

Aiming to get an angelic face:

Wish I could reach the top of a misty mountain;

Dancing to the music of nature:

Wish I could go places across boundaries;

Witness every amusing gift of god:

Wish I could spend a night in the beach;

Bathing in the sunset notes of water:

Wish I could sleep on the bed of green paddy field;

Tossing with the pleasure of scenic beauty:

Wish I could get hold of everlasting love;

To kiss in the middle of a crowd:

Wish I could acquire the power of granting;

To bestow all requirements of my dearest ones:

Wish I could have live talk with a creator;

And talk about the ‘irony of beautiful life’:

Signing off for now,

Achu

A rare city...

It’s been a fresh start today, this sunday morning, all to myself and so peaceful. I do have such awesome feeling when I travel; visit places that give me enchanted experience, making me feel the beauty and that beauty so unspecific. As I am having this soothing mind-set, I thought of jotting down my experience about one such place, which gave me the best time couple of months ago… a place that makes you either to love it or hate, sparing from hell of a confusion.

Having waited for couple of years to get there, I was excited to death when my good old friend and I finally made it. I couldn’t wait to witness the overwhelming mixed culture, a deliberate fusion at one stop which was my main curiosity. But that was out-beaten in no time by the other aspects of the city beautifully architected in blocks, nestled with calming aura, peaceful beach, with a thin-line separating east from the western culture.   

I being the person who loves to explore by walking, felt like that place was a boon. There was inspiring art, detailed sculptures, tireless pathways, beautiful beach-side; in addition to the shacks with their authentic French cuisine, good inexpensive wines, spicy Indian chaats, refreshing ayurvedic massages, and moreover a sheer home for leather-goods shopping.

The city simply felt like a strong-character driven, offering to varied interests. Few of my friends and I share the same feeling that, one either gets totally conditioned to this place or turns otherwise, which indeed is the rarity. And I just can’t stop thinking about anything that makes me feel like going back to it. Pondicherry, Puducherry or Pondy as its popularly known, is surely one among them!

Signing off for now,

Achu

Even the Cactus can be beautiful!

It felt Amazing to see how amidst the bluish, darkish, fluctuating clouds; turned-on luscious mountains; solacing hovering birds; that were sensitizing each moment of laughter, fun, frolic, calming moments, depth of feelings; and thus sun raising, afloat drives, romantic roads, wet markets, gullible nature, wild flowers, haunting boars, tempting sights, local savouries, endless hilly lights a la made up stars, personified lady lying down on rocks, misty breath, and smoky cuddle, cosy feet, pondering thoughts, soaking dreams,  smile within, natural happiness, full of freedom and warmth of life; 
- sinking into me the Realization that I had taken just one picture on my phone…

Cactus…of all, giving me the awesome feeling, the rattling fact that it can beat up to any other phenomenal beauty, a swell with which, I can’t stop feeling the dulcet notes in my veins poked with the thorns of mesmerizing 'Subtle Music' of the Creator.. SIGH!!!!

Signing off for now,

Achu

Falling in Love!

Love – an emotion so plain and true which can sweep anybody off their feet. The feeling of finding undivided attention, affection, feeling of security, safe and being unpretentious is pure bliss. A feeling that someone just accepts you the way you are. The whispering of sweet nothings, holding hands, sharing meaningless stories, the feeling of belongingness, of walking in the air, having the power to conquer the world, the extreme feeling of freedom even when locked up in his arms is as beautiful as being one with nature. That real feeling of intimacy, warmth, bonding, of being fearless, of your heart being touched, and being able to totally open up and trust someone is profound. The feeling of this emotion is so splendid that the world without one’s sweetheart seems completely empty. 

Love has the meaning - and the meaning is feeling - and the feeling is experience, which one needs to go through once, for a day, at least for a moment. It’s a feeling just worth longing for, waiting for, even if it’s for a life time!

As much as one can hope for the above to happen, I wonder sometimes, how it takes years together to understand that all the above is right there within, hiding within us. It begins from inside, inviting the other person to patch the missing pieces, of emotional feelings – Wholeheartedly!

It seldom sinks in us, that to experience priceless trust, security and happiness, one has to first feel all of them within. The ultimate truth is that we can open up doors for such invaluable feelings only when we trust ourselves, feel secure and happy, feel good, valued and worthy of being loved and in fact when we - Fall in Love with Oneself! 

For all its worth, falling in love with oneself creates an adorable relationship with oneself that lasts long, a feeling of completeness, by making us able to experience and embrace the sweetness of love around us. Falling in love with oneself is a blissful process, and a feeling that one has to acquire and stay on, which makes everything so beautiful and indeed graceful.

For a change, what’s within us is worth to die for!

Signing off for now,

Achu

If no pain, no fun in gain!

I can’t stop grinning while typing this blog post! I am thinking about how Life plays around with us giving the ‘same damn’ realizations over and over again, but with a twist. Gosh!! What a feeling I have gone through today…Ultimate! It was a feeling of complacency, struggle, stubbornness and finally an accomplishment. To top it all, the reward was so short but then felt - plenty! 

The task was not easy today. It gave me nightmares thinking about the cycling distance with my friends that included 8 kms uphill with a total of 42 kms. I had not touched a bicycle after school and the mere thought of a gear bicycle freaked me out completely! All in all, it felt like an absolute testimony for my mind.  

Friends picked me up early in the morning, reached the location, chose my cycle, learnt the technicalities and got ready for the adventure. We started cycling on the flat road – what could be called the complacent phase. Initially, I was having intermittent reminders about how I used talk to my bicycle back in school. Ah, I love those real pals of mine. Anyway, after warming up with the first 13km- stretch on foothills of Nandi hills, we got set for the dreaded 8 kms uphill, the hairpin curves, and the nerve-wrenching steep roads. 

Next, the struggle began and was progressing. As we neared to the 3 hrs of cycling to our destination, the test got tougher and tougher reminding me of Robin Sharma’s words- “ 99% of people give up when they are one step closer to the success” , which made me - not to give up! I pursued and achieved like all my friends! It gave me an immense sense of accomplishment as people who make it to the top were the only ones allowed to ride back downhill by the organizing team, which was the reward and an experience by itself. And I wanted to experience it, badly!

The tiredness instantly faded. I was extremely excited to ride back downhill. We started within no time and the feeling was truly flabbergasting! It was so much the worth cycling for 3 hrs just to experience that 10 mins of flowing down. The flying experience, the sumptuous breeze, the pleasure of achievement and the fun of the entire trail felt inexplicable. I didn’t want it to end, the feeling of exult, of being on cloud nine seemed gushing through my veins.

Once again, through this event, I realized how valuable the reward is when you go through enough efforts to fetch it. It needs no explanations, no sharing, and no justifications when you experience it as a deserved return. Any gain that comes in shortcuts, is a short of real fun which anyways is the whole point of - Celebration!

Signing off for now,

Achu

The new traffic-beating system!

I was driving the other day, and I instantly knew that a 15 minute journey is going to take me not less than 45 minutes or so. I could see a long stretch of traffic stuck and inching ahead at snail’s pace. Playing the same fusion music was getting on to my nerves, and couldn’t find my choice on FM radio. The worst point being that none of the people that I wanted to talk were available on phone and I was extremely bored for having to chase the pile of traffic all alone.

I started looking at people around me. Watching them prompted me to recollect one of the incidents my sister had narrated some time ago. According to her story, a middle-aged person was once caught in the similar situation and was yelling at a guy on a bicycle, who was standing on the median for no fault of his, and people around, including the victim burst out laughing understanding the middle-aged person’s frustration on the piling traffic. Thinking about that incident cracked me up a bit and I felt lighter, which indeed prompted me to turn my plight around and make it more fun instead of dreading the unavoidable. And that happened by yet another tactic of bearing the traffic which I have accomplished many a times.

As I was once a big fan of Road Rash, a racing video game, I sometimes tend to perceive driving as playing a video game. I set my targets to chase some car in the front, which could be blue, sometimes the maroon or sometimes the posh ones which ever caught my interest. I set my target and strive to achieve each time we get on the go. It is adventurous, interesting, gives mission on the road, involves strategies and kills boredom. When you have no other go, it is fun to beat the heat of the traffic this way.

Do try this out next time when you are bored or tired of driving long distances. If you are a gamer, you will love it! But, be safe… It doesn’t give you those three chances before the game’s over ;)

Signing off for now,

Achu

Shittt…not done!

About two weeks ago, I was standing in front of a small building contemplating for quite some time about entering the place or not. The dilemma arose as I had a choice to enter into a much bigger building that was just 200 meters away. I was drawn to the farther one, which by the way was a shopping mall and would have been more instrumental in making my recent Goa trip more exciting. But then, I decided to enter in to the smaller building – The Bank.

I filled my deposit slip and noticed not many people around the cashier, so I deposited the cash directly. Then I walked down the road, to my car, after a hiatus of two hours- Window Shopping! In the mean time, noticed that there was no sms update on my phone about the deposit I had made, whilst I was informed that it was going to be an instant upgrade and would have the information reach me in no time. I normally get immediate intimations the moment I ‘withdraw’ cash from the bank. Not that I was worried, but as a woman, I would have appreciated the certainty for all my sacrifices.;)

A day passed by without a message. Then it got me thinking, not about the message, but about life’s ways! In congruence to the above example, it made me realize, that how every time you receive something from life, it tends to get highlighted immediately, and how that every time you give in something to life, it gets acknowledged so late. It usually demands more time, more giving in, to have that slightest deserving aid and the comeback might be so late that it wouldn’t even matter anymore, or sometimes… it doesn’t even come back. Shittt….not done!:)

PS: And BTW, though I have resolved the mystery of my banking transaction by logging on to the net, the message… is still awaited ;)

Signing off for now,

Achu

Commitment is a powerful thing!

Recently, I read on how it takes about 21 days to get accustomed to any new habit and after which, how it goes about fitting in as your second skin. But then, the real challenge is the start, and getting through those initial tribulation. It isn’t that easy, unless a strong commitment pitches in, especially an unbending commitment if it is for a healthy change. Anyways, that reading had a deviated impact on me and has overwhelmed me to share an important part of my life, about two angels, who have shown me through their living, not just about the power of commitment, but insights on wisdom, values and much more! Here I present to you an ounce of their reflection for you…

I fought for her finger ring for two consecutive years. Finally, when I got it, it fit me - tight and intact, making me feel so secure of her being with me. A gentle lady who was an epitome of grace, which had her face shining with simplicity, innocence, affection and selflessness. Her genuine smile could thaw any one bitter, and pierce through any one sweeter. Every time I think of her, I feel like bowing with respect, for she is like a Goddess to me. She knew nothing but to pass on that vibe, that everyone would get smitten by - her unconditional Love. Her life was committed to her good deeds towards her husband and rest of her loved ones, and even to strangers. There was no budging in doing her services wholeheartedly all the time. There was no excuse to take a break. It was the same all through, the same timings and the same discipline with increasing care and love every day. Inspite of being delicate, the inner strength she possessed was humongous as much as the immense common sense. She was a singer by heart, the charming, sweet, endearing, kind, and an eternal soul, the thought of whom can still fill up my eyes.

He was strict, intelligent, and extremely knowledgeable with high self esteem. Something that he maintained forever is the discipline in timings. After all, an Army man. He never missed waking up at five in the morning and maintaining the disciplined schedule. He possessed such an intense will power that denied him to pop in a single pill throughout his life even with the chronic heart ailment and nagging knee problem. A lexicon by nature, he kept reading voraciously and was updated about current affairs all the time. He lived independently, so much that I remember him returning two rupees that he owed me once. He nurtured his precious wisdom and faced many adventures in life. He was well aware, informed and extremely organized, fulfilled his responsibilities so well and never did he transcend any of his troubles to others. He was the ideal example for a great leader. Apart from these, he had an attitude of extreme care that he showed through his anger. He always considered others comfort and respected all. Being a strict, well mannered, and a rigid soul, ironically instilled love in everyone’s heart, he is someone whom I can never ever discard from my life and who makes me proud of my association with him- every single minute.

Yes, I started by talking about 21 days of commitment, but these noble people I have described here have led a meaningful life for about nine decades with such a powerful commitment to simple, but yet a great revering life, which tempted me to include them here as they fit the best for this topic. How strong and determined were they to imbibe that innate and pervasive quality of Love, Generosity, and Self-respect and mainly to –Commitment! I can’t say much, as my heart pours out with speechless emotions when my thoughts catches on their memories.

To my Grandparents, whom I love, respect and miss the most.

Signing off for now,

Achu

The Breeze...

I remember torturing my high school friends and fewer work friends with my poems. Though it’s not in my interest to pen down verses, some blaze of emotions are bound to explode through this mode. Now, after couple of years of gap, I got pulled in again, into the same tangle. Well, now, I don’t have my high school friends, but here I am sharing it with you even when I know it’s going to be yet another torture for all:) Enjoy!

The Breeze…

On a dark timid night, just when I thought I was being punished;

Consenting to surpass the hurdle, with a mind of toleration;

Straining to uphold, decking up with the happenings, bit dim;

Something missing, something haunted me for a while;

I could not be lifted, could not be cajoled, and could not be shoved;

But with deep perspiration, which is like a realization, went with a flow;

Like a drop in the river, drop from the rain, swift and cool;

Suddenly jabbed with a strange complacent, a passing cloud, The Breeze;

That made me breathe, with a moist wind caressing my hair, force closing my eyes;

Making me feel my own smile, drifting rugged thoughts, senses;

Waking up the dead emotions, so hard, like a dead from life, refreshed;

Awakening the profound respect, for nature’s subtle existence;

The dance, the song, the moments, the acquaintance, with no end;

That gentle breeze, on that dark timid night, became part of life.

Signing off for now,

Achu