The blank space!

I used to question myself sometimes; a lot of times, in fact. And in those times, the answers were usually a blank space. I wondered. Still I continued; never stopped questioning; and the blank space expanded each time. Worst is, I wondered with ‘strong feelings’ about the questions. I gazed; stared; and smiled at ‘em rarely too. Often I prepared myself to be obnoxious towards it but that used to overrule in no time. Prepared myself to be patient and that used to get under-ruled. Now what else? The questions remain and the blank space still remains.

But then I changed my gazing. That perhaps without my knowledge; turned it around. I ignored questions. I started gazing at the blank space instead. Figured the vast space lying there. The happenings, the connection of dots and the effortless knit. I took a deep breath and was in shock many a times. The process stunned me, leaving me contended and easy, calm, serene and filled with love. Moreover, the blank space has given all the answers that I was looking out for. It was there, right there! Duhh!

Signing off for now,

Achu

I didn't …it just did!

There might be two reasons for taking a break from anything. One, when there’s nothing to do and other, when there are lots of things to do, and you’re feeling overwhelmed and fatigued. The latter scenario has been caught up with me from last two months, sort of causing a forcible break from the blogging space in this brand new year. I just didn't know what to write because of so many things crossing my mind and them competing amongst themselves.

I was not sure which topic to bang on until this day, this time. I was contemplating to write on the second chance I got, twists in my journeys, the first real shooting star I saw, diligent garbage worker I observed, my adventurous travel, and a new perspective for a work-life that a start-up company introduced. But everything takes a toll, steps aside when there are deep human emotions involved. It’s easy to pick on this. In fact, it just gets picked, you see.

Coming to my actual topic, it overrides me to even think how some people can live so contentedly and enjoy spreading that warm feeling across. The affection they render every single time is so pure, so intense that it catches on to you even if you meet them once in a while. It’s very seldom that we get to experience the magic of love that’s so real and true, making you feel the emotions cutting through your veins. These people go on creating endless impressions without any effort until one day, when they don’t exist anymore.

My heart goes out with gratitude and respect to a very special lady, an old friend’s mother, who had nothing else but to offer true love. It is such people who flood our hearts with emotions that breaks the ice, like for this blog in this year, it just did!

Signing off for now,

Achu

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

Love…can it be locked up?

Love!!!The topic which I am inspired to write about by default! I love this topic for various reasons. But this time, the revelation of my writing spirits for this fledged when I was travelling to Australia recently. It’s not the beautiful Oz beaches, romantic sceneries, exotic food or the smooth southern wines that inspired me, but an endeavor with the brilliantly constructed, superior, manly Bridge that left me perplexed, and at the same time arrested me into writing this, which is quite ironical for a quixotic person like me.

Spread over several kilometers to the north of Woollongong in Australia, the 'Sea Cliff Bridge' broadcasts as though it’s in competition with the perpetual sea itself. Standing stiff and famous, it compelled my folks and me to enjoy the drive-way almost three times more than we had anticipated. It was then the time to bask into the delight of walking by the bridge, that allowed a marvelous and indeed a tireless sight.

I kept walking on the bridge, going and going, and not because of the clichéd explanations given above, but because of something totally unexpected. I looked down and was surprised to see some messages written at the bottom of the railings of the bridge. “Emma, will you marry me? – Jason” “Henry and Anna, we are forever” In fact, there were plenty of such emotions poured down and majority of them were on the similar lines. Interestingly, these messages were embossed on the key locks, and were kept locked up to the railings of that bridge. Apparently, the keys of these locks were thrown into the sea by respective people, with the belief of contracting themselves into an eternal relationship through this notional act.

Now, that whole phenomenon confounded me for a while but however, I sorted my opinion quickly. Till now, I have learnt that the more you hold on to something, the eager it is to sway away. Anything bound so tight, can’t wait to burst open. In such case, I felt the process of locking up relation shells greater degree of insecurity, and might defeat the purpose of being happy with each other. The divine feeling of Love that comes from intellectual, emotional bonding, and through trust and intimacy, can basically be scooped out from the freedom rendered. Letting free is the eminent power, that makes everything magical quite naturally, keeping the loved one's insanely locked up together:)

So, here’s a toast to unconditonal Love, as we enter into a Brand New Year! Let no one be denied of experiencing this wonderful feeling, at least once in a lifetime!

Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2012 to all.

Lastly, before I end my blogging session for this year, let me leave you with an excerpt from the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, that has something to ponder over.

“He spoke of very simple things- that it is right for a gull to fly, that freedom is the very nature of being, that whatever stands against that freedom must be set aside, be it ritual or superstition or limitation in any form”

Signing off for now,

Achu

Ad by God!

That Monday morning started well. Very well. The advertisement in the newspaper did it. Made me confident and look forward for my day’s meeting. Task was to convince the dean of an international school to sign up with my agency for their upcoming ad campaign. And I, being in the creative team, carried the expectations of positive outcome along with me!

After an hour’s meeting, I waited outside the dean’s cabin with a grin on my face for a promised campus tour. As we went ambling, she explained the newly deployed methodologies in the education system. It was super impressive, as well envious for the fact that I couldn’t be a part of such an impressive system. Her tremendous inputs had already made me chalk out the lines for their campaign. Side by side, I was thinking about their ad in the newspaper that morning. Mediocrity was pure bliss. Their average ad gave me an edge to convince and leverage on the much required positive stroke but, soon something more intense drifted my thoughts during my tour and made me realize that, how I had actually missed to leverage on the Live Ad made through inncocent beings, which surely beats rest all the ads ever made in the world, that I’d like to call- The Ad by God!

Now, let me elaborate the above thought for clarity. When born, as kids, we are all alive. Full of energy. We run, walk and are active all day long. We smile, laugh and cry without hesitation. We sing, and dance. We get things done. We concentrate and are focused. We are straightforward. We are curious and we are hungry. Joyful. We explore. Innocent and honest. Ready to learn new things. We forget and forgive soon. We are Adventurous. Desirable. Truthful. We don’t intend to hurt. We never give up. We take risks. We are fearless. We ask. We don’t discriminate. We believe and we trust. We play. Have freedom. We are natural. We are simple. Content with the smallest of things. We are creative. We enjoy. We celebrate. We get excited. We are naughty. Happy. Connect with God. We live in the moment. And we Love!

But as we grow, ironically, these good things instead of growing with us tend to fade. We become more cautious. We develop less belief and welcome unnecessary troubles. Live with contempt. Tend to get more jealous, narrow minded, egoistic, obsolete, burdened, unreasonable, unhappy and meanwhile artificial. Like Walt Disney once said- “That’s the trouble with the world-too many people grow up.”

As I walked around the school observing kids, was thinking how inspiring their behavior is. It hit me hard with a big realization- the stunning creative of God on persuading us to the ideal way of living by his subtle, brilliant ad, showcasing us the way to happiness through our own initial years of life!

This enduring experience eventually propelled me to sum up this post with the substantial positioning line that I could ever think of for this unanimous ad, that is –Live Like a Child, Always!

Indeed, it’s time to leverage on that mega ad, which has the whole world as its target market and that spot-on manages to successfully run on an Eternal Campaign!

Signing off for now,

Achu

Romance novels….a threat to women?

I didn’t realize that it’s been this long a gap in writing. I mean, in this space. With my busy schedule in an Advertising agency, creative thinking and writing has become round-the-clock affair. But then, some of my thoughts do command to be expressed irrespective of the time crunch, which makes the writing most enjoyable, Here!

Few days ago, I was browsing through a newspaper article quickly. Spent less time reading it but, more time pondering over it. It was the take on romance novels suspending the rationality from people’s life especially, women. It conveyed about how the pretty fiction can mar the ability to keep a grip on reality, developing unrealistic expectations on love and sex. Explained as to how the colorful picture painted would lead to the perfect dream world but, only an unrealistic one. And women, being more emotional are likely to get most affected- Psychologically.

As much as the above is true, my support is largely to counter the view for my own reasons. I agree that such novels or movies do hamper ones thought process and beliefs, making the transition period very difficult, even to men. Majority of the times, we might get clobbered in search of fictitious characters that we are in love with, developing surreal expectations.

On the contrary, the foundations of our fantasies are the ones that keep us on, lively and moving. When in a relationship, it makes us more behaved and human in pursuit of dreamy relationships, mainly striving to create the required balance. When not in a relationship, it builds confidence, fulfills deep yearnings and creates the purpose, if allowed freely. Over all, it reaffirms the existence of Love, to us. As much as we deny, these elements of our fantasy-land help us to go on, try new, and to face life without compromising that important aspect- Hope!

In any case, adjusting to reality is inevitable but, cruising through the fantasy world is Crucial!

Signing off for now,

Achu

Notional that I was…

When I first planned to go abroad, my mind sought after the western countries. Even today, more or less, it is the same set up. Somehow the other countries seem less construing when want to make an occasional trip. The eastern countries capture less concern and especially, when it comes to our neighboring countries, it is the lowest. Maybe, I have a notion that those are more or less similar to our country. This notion was killed when my brother-in-law made a trip to China recently. He returned with marvelous stories that swept me off my feet!

My general knowledge about China was limited to Olympics, population, their food habits, language barrier and of course, Jackie Chan! But little did I know that there was so much more to it. ‘Progressive’ is the word that can be related to China in terms of being at least 20 years ahead of some known Asian countries. Moving rapidly towards being a developed country, it is evident to see them operating with a vision in conjunction with systematic planning. Their infrastructure with multi-layered flyovers, fifty-plus storied hotels, tallest buildings, gigantic malls, and broad roads decorated with super luxurious cars are keeping them at par or may be beyond the standards of raving westerners today.

Being the most populous country in the world, I wonder how they are able to manage such rapid growth and this successfully! They too have famines, social and political issues to handle, crashing economies, and crimes to address. But, amidst all these, what is it that makes them unstoppable? Well, I guess, it all boils down to their attitude. People out there are humble, dedicated and designed to excel. They contribute to quality and progress of their work as long as treated fairly. In any case, their compliance system allows them to be treated fairly for the quality produced. Overall, they have an immense, genuine social responsibility that they are personally accounted for, and so much that, they least bother to have cops around with a jurisdiction system, seeming the simplest thing in the world.

Another interesting factor is, apart from being quality conscious in their work, Chinese are the most health conscious people too. Their dietary habit constitutes naturally a healthy food keeping them extremely fit and energetic. Anyway, if you intend to shop for clothes in China, make sure to keep a tab on your fitness else on your baggage, either of them is a must!

Well, going forward, China is going to take the lead and will be the most sought after country in the world. Today everything is made in China, going forward too indeed…everything WILL be made in China!

Ufff what an outburst of notion, really!!

Signing off for now,

Achu

Connecting the Dots…

Connecting the Dots - is a fun game and I am sure you are familiar with it. It’s the age old game in supplements about joining the dots serially to get to the wholesome picture. Best part about this game is that it’s neither serious, nor difficult, but just ‘fun’ to get to the figure intended. Children might get special thrill doing this and these days, it’s on par with digi world. You can play it on touch screens which could be played by tiny tots who are yet to be familiarized with the counting system. But interestingly, beyond this, there is someone else above- an Immortal Power, who is playing this game with our lives - very cleverly, fancying more complicated designs, twists and without getting to the slightest possible clue of the picture before in hand. Needless to say, someone up there must be having great fun!

Well, to get more clarity on my say here, do try and introspect your life backwards. Observing some of the important happening or critical incident starts to look so tailor made as though it was intended to connect the dot sooner or later. For instance, a dreadful happening or a situation might irritate for the moment, tire us up totally and our efforts might go in vain producing zilch results. But, going forward, it will certainly have a lead to some influence, some impressions, some learning’s, some carry-forwards, some worthy mistakes, some improvements, some convincing results, some encounters, or just some connections, either- Deep or Remote!

Once you realize that the game is all about arriving at the final picture and the divine creator is on play with some purpose, it’s more comforting to deal any kind of situations which seeds in the effective thought of – Everything Happens for the Best. And this way, it’s conducive to wait for the moment, wait for the unanswered prayers to be cleared, or just wait for the Dots to be Connected….and enjoy being part of that fun game!

Signing off for now,

Achu

Extramarital affairs…a breach of moral law?

Single  Married  Divorced  Widowed  Extra marital

Well…the last box is under construction!

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You must have guessed from the above exemplar that I am trying to talk about something that’s relatively common and… something that’s getting to be an open, tolerated behavior amongst people off-late. In fact, the happenings am seeing through my minds eye in my surrounding inspired me to consider this topic after facing two weeks of dilemma fighting my own inhibitions. But, I pursued it as I have a say on this.

I remember my cousin telling me that extramarital affairs are becoming everyone’s cup of tea whereas, one of my friends demurely justified that it’s a common affair amongst doctors in particular. Another friend banged upon intellectual inspiration missing in marriages and, yet another friend strongly declared saying that marriage is an accident. In fact, the Yahoo! blog flashed information on how couples are talking about their extramartial affairs to each other to keep their marriage going. Hmmm…now the last one seems like a suspiring change in perspective of the term-Marriage!

Marriage- somehow is perceived as complicated, and an overrated institution by many. Although it has plenty of advantages, one of them is, it makes us ‘evolve’ in reality; it teaches and teaches and teaches…and teaches what we are to us and only when one is ready to learn. It’s certainly not for selfish, scared and uncommitted people. It is hard work and hard work of giving in from both the stakeholders. And if one slips repeatedly in this continuous process, the other one is sure to slip off!

Extramarital is the attraction that swings by when one is tied up. One tends to get carried away as it overcomes the main flaw of most of the marriages which is – the lack of simplicity and the space. It could be a savior to people who are botched up with bad marriages or bad spouses of lending repeated chances but failed. But, at the same time, it could be a devastating factor leading the perfect families to deviated marriages which becomes quite unjustified unless... for an exception of finding true love through an extramarital spree.

In my say, I strongly feel that making outright choice is a must to live through the relationship ordeal without hurting or harming anyone. A conscious choice and standing steadfast by that choice will help in experiencing that long term commitment, love and loyalty which has its own beautiful indescribable pleasure when happens naturally. And who can strike a difference between moral or immoral better than each one of us? In any case, it’s up to each individual to live the life that really counts to them and the moments that reels through the sanity and their firm beliefs.

To conclude, I would like to leave it with a saying that I heard from one of my uncles…

“Nothing is worth it….If you satisfy yourself by hurting others-AND- if you hurt yourself by satisfying others…"

Signing off for now,

Achu

Mind Twisters!

It’s ought to be ‘different’ when something has to capture the mind. Well it has to be…and that difference or the uniqueness drags the mind invariably towards it, may it be in any case. And recently, something of that sort I basked into took me for a complete joyride. It lent me the thoughts that made me think, absorb, demanding reasonable time for understanding it. Such lucid experience came through when I read the Contemporary Poetry written by a renowned writer Mani Rao from her book called - Salt. Some bits that I am tempted to share in this space is the courtesy from the same book and selected excerpts that I particularly enjoyed reading.

The writer’s profound thoughts can make you pause at times; can tickle your mind; some gives a sweaty work out to the mind; And that’s mainly because, these particular thoughts are inclined to our basic daily breaks which we kind of ignore to comprehend. And, when such fundamental matters are put across in such noetic and poetic manner, it tends to become an intellectual substance.

So, go ahead and grab the scoop of your mind’s essence with these twisters that gave me a good time reading which, I am hoping to give it you too.

And btw, I have left my favorite one to the end. Read on…

- Memory is a circle. The same things lead to the same things

- Things are things I can see

-You don’t need me to show you the visible Say the speakable

- The surest thing about counting or a clock, You know what comes next

- The mirror could be a chameleon

- The face takes the credit for the mysteries of light

- Stranger...Stranger than what?

- A dead person collects a 2 minute silence- a tax-

- If family was an adverb what verb would it describe?

- Give friendly strangers the liberties you give strange friends

-Silence is not the absence of sound, It’s the space of sound, The field of sound- S U R R O U N D

- Home is where the heart is and the heart is full of habit

- Hum the school songs that failed to teach you to love your country

- Friends are afraid to ask for things that we easily give strangers

- Why are we the only ones to walk on two legs, a begging position, if you ask a dog?

- There is love and there is love pickle

- Itch Itch Itch...Switch

- My physics teacher- “what is space”? I said “where there is no matter”. No, he Said, “Space is where there is matter”.

AND THIS ONE IS MY PERSONAL FAV:

-Why does everyone wear the same clothes?

Camouflage

Signing off for now,

Achu

Strangers…are they really?

It was close to six months since I had traveled. So, I decided to take off to some place and the first choice that hits my mind in such cases is the South Canara/Dakshina Kannada region. I simply love that part of Karnataka. And this time, I found a better reason to go there and spend last ten days in solitude yet having an opportunity to meet new people. Eventually, my stay out there gave me a plenty of good times, new sweetest encounters which has made it a very memorable one to me. And to top it all, on the last day, it gave me such a rare new experience that- I loved the most, enjoyed the most and thus, prompted me to share it in this space.

On the last day, my program was slightly packed. I had to drop a friend, visit couple of places around Mangalore and catch my train at 10 in the night from Kukke to Bangalore. As happy as I was to travel there, I couldn’t believe of not being able to watch India-Pakistan Semi finals match which was on the same day. It was the match which had made the headlines, which the whole country was looking forward to and which was more important than winning the World Cup-11. And,I,being a passionate Indian cricket follower, felt terribly irked for that co-incidence.

In any case, having subscribed to score updates on Airtel, started my travel in the car sent by an uncle. The driver was a Tulu speaking Muslim and we dint exchange much talk after my friend left except for his Mecca Madina travel. But it dint remain the same once the match started. We discussed cricket with every update that we received, fretted when the network went out of reach and were disappointed when our predictions went haywire with the Indian batting score. Overall he was an excellent company who was supporting India wholeheartedly.

By the time the second innings had started, I was in Kukke with my two other friends. After the temple visit, we found Mysore Café which had the TV facing the road. As we had an hour, we stood there and enjoyed watching the match with a bunch of people who were apparently reactive to every single delivery. For the first time in my life, I had the experience of watching cricket standing on roads mingling with the crowd and believe me… it was nothing less than a stadium feel!

It was then a time for me to make a move to Railway station which was 16 kms away while my friends stayed back in Kukke. I reached the station on time and found no TV around. And my phone had a very little energy left which I hoped to save for my future use. There was a middle aged man standing in near distance to me waiting for the train and was getting the score updates on his cell. Within no time, many people gathered around him. When the updates were awaited, they discussed the history of cricket; they analyzed and were indeed excellent commentators. If one was philosophical and optimistic, the other one was worried about the power play, someone else constantly hoped for a wicket whilst old man was talking about how selfish Sunil Gavaskar had been. Everyone was into Cricket and indulged in giving a free consultation to Dhoni non-stop. Anybody passing by with a cell phone was talking about the score. When I bent down to place my luggage, I could hear someone sitting on the steps saying “167 is it...ok”! Overall, I loved eaves dropping. Being a passive listener, I got my update and much more insight without using my cell even for once in the station.

The last three overs were remaining and the match had tensed us up with Pakistani player Misbah knocking some big hits. Some one had informed us that the train is delayed by half an hour but to our surprise, it came on time. Ironically, all of us were disappointed as the network would go off on the move in no time. We parted our ways and I got into an a/c coach where all were fast asleep. I had no other choice but to use remaining cell’s charge to call my Sis to get a ball-to-ball update for the last two overs and she did an excellent job for me. She passionately explained every bit including the celebs present in the stadium. I had a great time and we celebrated India’s victory!

In all this, I realized that, though I was not in front of the TV all the time, though was not with my dad who is an excellent company to watch cricket, I had thoroughly enjoyed watching the match virtually. It literally came across like watching the live match. To begin with, it was the driver and then on the roads and then in the Railway station. What a delightful experience it was to watch such a sensational match with all the strangers around or…when it comes to cricket in India, are they really strangers….? I really wonder:)

Signing off for now,

Achu

Unconventional is bit too ‘Un-conventional’

When I was on the way to my sister’s place who lives slightly away from the city, I happened to see a compound wall of an empty site in a deserted area that was filled with shrubs and hardly maintained. And on the same wall it was written - “If it’s worth a dream, it’s not worth a compromise”. I was taken aback reading that for a moment. The bold text and large font size covered the vast area of that wall, and, was quite visible even to the passerby on the move. Was thinking who could have had such an urge to paint statement like that in a lonely place as such. Of course, it’s possible that it could have been situation driven but, it took me by surprise as it surely was an 'unconventional' experience to me. And that’s what unconventional experience does to everyone, it 'surprises' them!

Recently, I happened to go through a book called ‘I like my Job’ written by Sarah Herman and targeted for all those who have worked in an office environment. The unique element of this book is that, the way the Author has captured and presented information in a graphical representation having few standard caricatures. It has humorous graphics and hilarious messages that can keep the reader on toes to finish reading the book in a single sitting. Had this been written in a conventional form, I think it wouldn’t have been this effective. The story line is so well tailor made and real, that, the efforts behind creating this book would have been a difficult task. That’s what it is... being unconventional is ‘not easy’!

I was at the Art gallery in Lavelle road few days ago to recommend an Artist cousin of mine. The gallery had some amazing works on display. As there were loads of them piled up, my eyes gazed through part of one painting which was hidden behind the other bigger one. As I peaked into it, it had a picture of very religious purohit holding a mask of a Joker in his hands near his face and tilting his head sideward having an extremely naughty smile. As an immediate effect, it brought a smile to my face. The painting looked so non-offensive. How could it? Anyway, it can be interpreted in any manner and might become acceptable to some and unacceptable to many. And that’s the way it is. Unconventional has to fight its ‘acceptance’ at times!

Having watched plenty of movies in different languages, till date, I haven’t come across the kind of role the Mexican beauty, Salma Hayek had played in a movie called ‘Frida’. In my view, it was the toughest role one could have ever played. The emotions, the longings and the tolerance, the pain were so nicely portrayed by her in that kind of unconventional localized role that, I couldn't imagine her efforts to understand and bring out such an intrinsic and moving character onto the motion picture. She looks to be so indulged in that versatile character that inturn, makes the one watching it get completely involved. And anyway unconventional demands for ‘Indulgence’!

Anytime, in any era, people get excited to read something new, watch something new or experience something new or just do something new. ‘New’ is always exciting. And now a days it’s happening so much be it in any field as, ‘variety’ is the new ingredient of the fast paced world. As Andy Warhol says, “In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes”! Even if it is to be famous or not, creating something unconventional will make you ‘die’ in the process to live and experience that one moment. And anyway…unconventional is bit too ‘un-conventional’!

Signing off for now,

Achu