Spring Cleaning...

Ever stood in front of your cupboard to see clothes overflowing... ??? Things you wear are okay, that's the normal stuff, things you don't wear, which are just occupying space and irritating you at every glance you take...!!! Till one fine day, when you turn around and say enough is enough... ! Time to spring clean...

You take everything out one by one, look at what you love and put it aside. You know that's not going anywhere... :) Whether its been bought recently or something that is 14 years old but still in mint condition (or not)! Then there are things which you kinda wear, they kinda fit you but since its convenient you keep em around. Or they just fit you like a glove and the thought of not having them around cannot even cross your mind... ! :)

Then you go through the others with the thought in your mind saying, "yea, I can keep em around, not that I use them very much, but just in case". It doesn't look too bad, and doesn't look too good either... Okay okay types... Backups, but they are still YOURS! Then you realise that there are somethings which you liked, but didn't realise how bad they made you look! You were blinded by your own self. Your loved ones had told you at some point or the other to reconsider keeping it, or not to buy it even, but you were just so sure of yourself that you had to have it. Oh well, we all make mistakes... Only when the times comes is when we need to look at it and say... "ya, you, BAD CHOICE!" and bung it in the dustbin.

This process for different people can take either half an hour in a day, or a whole day itself... Depends on the kind of person you are. Thinking about something a few times? Or just making a quick decision or just not wanting to think about it at all, and in turn you end up pushing away the task for a later time. Sometimes pushing it away for a lot later, which turns out to be a tougghie, because it is THAT much harder to sort things out.

This analogy might not be perfect... But recent events in my life have lead me to do that same exercise with some people in my life. I for one, don't think this is the right comparison, but its the first one that came to my life... Spring cleaning can be for your drawers, cupboards, house, car and more so even your own life. We need to take the time of day once in a while to look at ourselves, look at the life we're living, what is helping us in being better people, what is not helping us in being better human beings, who around us is a positive influence and who around us is draining the life out of us for no reason. Who makes you want to be happy, be better, bring out the best in one self and who is giving us grief directly or indirectly, or making us react in ways that are not natural to us, or even just bringing about negative energies.

We are all old enough to know what is best for us, and there are certain things we must go through to be able to learn in life. Our life is a constant learning, there will be things throughout our lives that will constantly teach us and our hunger to learn should never die out. The day you think you know it all, and you've seen it all... trust me, that's the day you're done for. Dooms day to you! :)

So... Just wanted to get this off my mind. Spring cleaning time it is... for me. :) Here's to a cleaner, more peaceful, happier, brighter, calmer and pure life aheaD! :)

... midnight banter...

Try me, test me...
Bring out the best in me...

See me, be me...
Just don't think you know me...

One must not try and push someone away to an extent that it makes it harder for the other person to be able to deal with a situation... be humble, try and do the best for everyone... If there are testing times, be as patient and as nice as you can to the ones around you, to be able to stand through the test that has presented itself. Being cynical towards it and pessimistic towards it only helps you not see those trying times through and end up doing something stupid... Being patient and nice in those times, seeing them through correctly, positively and happily, not only increases your karmic score card, but ensure nothing but the best coming your way... Be humble... that's another very important thing.

The problem is, in today's day and age, there are not many people strong enough to believe in life, hope and faith. Tainted by experiences and negative influences, they have to look at the world from that side, because god forbid they try looking at it from rose tinted glasses for too long! It scares the living day lights out of them. Everyone is quick to put the blame on others, but forget to look at themselves... One needs to address their own needs and wants and beliefs before they think about talking to or helping others with theirs...

I truly do feel blessed to have some sort of foresight... I do see things and life in a different light and like to keep it that way. There is nothing that can break and shake my faith... Its time some people start seeing that... I'm at a point in life, where different people will be seeing different parts of me... Welcome to my world... DARE you to try and shake or break it... :) My faith, hope, love, strength and patience will see me through it all... :)

Wind Beneath My Wings

This is a song by Bette Midler... The lyrics go something like this...

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.

This song was sung by a student in our school at the very first graduation ceremony. I still remember how most of the teachers, if not all were in tears. The fact was, that these teachers had seen all of us grow. From primary school till the time we passed out, we had the same set of teachers... We spent 8 hours a day with them and that was more than the time we spent awake in our homes with our own families.

If you look at it, at some point in our lives or the other, we can definitely dedicate this song to people who are important in our lives. Who help bring out the best in us. Our parents, a sibling, a friend, a loved one, a husband, a boyfriend, a wife, a girlfriend and the list can go on.

The important part is that we recognize these people in our lives and give them the due credit they deserve. They need to be told how important they are in our lives. How they have affected our thinking, how they have made us see the world and our lives differently, how they've pushed us to be better humans and be ourselves, and improve ourselves!

To all the people who matter to me... to the ones I love with all my might, at some point or the other you can come into my life at the right time to teach me something or the other... Some have stayed, some are around... Some have been taken away and some have become distant... Just know that I do love and cherish you all and thank you for being a part of my life... My Journey.

This post is more so important for the recent developments in my life... That have made me think differently about life. Think out of the box. Made me realize and want certain things in life... And made me realize that if some things feel right, they are worth the wait... and everything we want, does come our way when it is meant to! :)

God forbid we don't get it, or something comes in the way... Be patient and have faith to know that if god shuts one door, he'll surely open another one. You just need to be ready and willing to walk through it... But I'm sure, my hope, faith and prayers are strong enough for me and my loved ones! :)

On a totally unrelated note... Another line from another song... "Just call my name... and I'll be there... :)" ... This shall be a post for another day... If that day comes... :)

Living life in a just a little bit... :)

Sometimes, we feel the need to know what tomorrow has in store for us. Only because there is a head vs. heart battle. The logical feeling post that is wanting to know how things will pan out before time and questioning things around. 'Why' is the biggest question... If we had the answer to it, life would be a bit boring if you ask me... We are meant to live life, and enjoy every moment of it. No matter how it pans out.

Enjoy and cherish the good times, and the bad times. Know that we are meant to go through whatever we are going through for a reason.

Have you ever realised how in just a little time, you can feel like you've lived your life. The feeling of having seen it and done it all... :) The feeling of not fearing death even if it comes your way tomorrow. There are some moments in life that bring you this feeling. I used to say that I never have any regrets, and if I go tomorrow I have no complaints... That hasn't changed. Its just that I felt that there would be a lot more for me to live and experience... but if I were to go, it wasn't in my destiny... Now, I feel a little differently, I dream, and I feel like I want to go through that and live my dreams. If its my destiny to live the life I dream for myself then there is nothing that can stop me from doing that. The universe conspires to ensure you get what you want (i don't think it thinks too much about what's right or wrong... that gets left to us, i'm guessing).

Anyway... again another pointless and directionless piece I guess... Just wanted to speak out for feeling blessed, lucky, loved, respected and overjoyed... :) It'll be hard if dreams don't come true... But MY faith and hope make me believe they will. :)

One day... :)

Ever get the 'AARRRGGGGHHHH' feeling?

So, there we go, living our lives, doing our thing, and suddenly, one day it decides to rain confusion! FROM ALL ANGLES!!! What do you do? Try and figure things out, sort it out with a calm mind, strategize and try to sort it out... run outta options yet??? Once you run out of options is when the 'AARRGGGHHHH' feeling sets in...

So close yet so far kinda way...

You have something around all time... and all of a sudden you realise that you're so so used to it... the minute you realise that you are used to it, it starts to be seen in a different light. The minute you start to see it in a different light, it starts to seem even better, the minute that happens, one starts to get used to it... The trouble is, all this is good... till the time reality bites and you realised that this may be what you want, just not what you can have... It may or may not be good for you... but all you know is that you want it...

Its like showing a child a candy and saying, 'you can't have it'!

Heart vs Head... the battle begins... all in all, normally the heart wins... But there are certain cases where the head just doesn't give up... Its a never ending battle... that only happens cause in most cases the head is right and doesn't give up the fight... When the head wins... that sinking feeling sets in... and then you get the 'AARRRGGGHHH' feeling REALLYYY bad... Its the time when nothing, just nothing can make you feel better... Its the time when all you wanna do is scream out in frustration cause nothing makes sense...

I know this post has no head and no tail... I just needed to pen it down... Do the right thing, live your life well, be good, wish others well and nothing less... let the 'AARRGGGHHH' phases come and go... Because you're one of the lucky few who can feel it...

Last but not the least....
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Grandparents, the newest most dangerous video game in town!

In the first quarter of this year, I have been fortunate or whatever enough to have 2 drives from point A to point B with two of my grandfathers. In February this year, I had gone to Chandigarh for a friends wedding and was all set to catch a taxi and head to my family house in sector 16. I was called and told that I need to wait at the station and that I would be getting picked up by my grandfather.

Not thinking twice about anything, since I know my dada (grandfather) drives around everywhere, I met him outside, we headed to the car, loaded it and off we were. As we drove out of the parking, I realised that my heart was making its way to my throat way too often for the 2 minutes from the parking to the main road. He has been driving on the road of Chandigarh for definitely over some 60 years so at some level, I reckon, he's driving on auto pilot! Like his mind can be tantric travelling in Timbuktu for all we know! Imagine this, my grandad, parked high up on the seat, peering over the steering wheel, both hands at 11 'o' clock and 1 'o'clock, cutting through traffic as though he is in a race, and driving between 60 - 80 without using a break. Every time we turn somewhere I can imagine him in my head going, 'wheeeeeee', 'weehheeeeee'! Missing scooter guys, rickshaw guys and cutting anything possible... Just about waiting at red lights and not looking while turning or shifting lanes or anything... That 15 minute car ride back seemed to be one of the longest drives back for me! :)

And then there is the other extreme... My mother and I recently visited family in Mumbai. We had an afternoon flight on a week day so we had my mother's aunt (nani) and uncle (nana) pick us up. Another set of grandparents. Nani was waiting for us outside while nana had gone to go and get the car. Now we called him and told him to stay in the parking and that we would come to him. In a little while we realised that nana had forgotten where he parked the car! So I left my mom and nani on the road while I went to search for my nana... He is about 6'2" so that kind of helps me spot him in the huge parking. Then I take the parking ticket and off we go looking for the car. I found the car alright, now we had to drive out to where mom and nani were. From the exit till where they were standing was less that 2 minutes in the car and I KNEW that this was going to be an interesting car ride back.

The first extreme was my dada, driving like a carefree child on a video game :) My nana on the other hand was driving like a fresh new driver who was so nervous that changing gears was a problem. :) The jerks and the car stalling was so funny, because it happened ever so often. My mother and I looked at each other and shared a chuckle. She knew my views on grandparents driving and knew exactly what I was thinking. My nana is growing old and has trouble remembering things, bless him, so it was an automatic reaction to want to drive to his own house... which is the opposite direction of his son's house, which is where we were going! :) Finally on course after realising, we end up going back towards Colaba, which took us 2.5 hours since there was a cricket match on. bumper to bumper traffic and a very jerky and stalling kinda car ride back... We arrived and were happy to be out of a moving vehicle! :)

Anyway, not to be mean or anything, I love them all, its just that I couldn't help but look at the funny side of it... the header I've given this post always reminds me of these drives and I ALWAYS chuckle! :) What cute grandparents I have... :) They need to let us start taking care of them! :)

... Bring it on?... yaahhh, BRING IT ON!!!

So... here's the thing... finally, one feels like life is settling in. You stop, take a step back, look around and find yourself smiling! Things are looking good, you are happy, you are clear on what you want from yourself and what you want from life...

Certain phases in life start changing and everything is a new experience all over again. Sometimes you know how to handle things, from the experience we call 'life', and sometimes because of the newness of the situations, you're a little lost. So, you think of right and wrong, use your head and heart... ask the ones you trust for their views and go right ahead with what you think is right.

One might feel scared a little to start with, but you need to scream out loud and say, "BRING IT ON!" See each day as it comes... enjoy each day as it comes and cherish each though and feeling that you feel!

I'm living it as I write and am in the 'BRING IT ON' mode already! :)

Going with the flow...

We've all heard the whole story on going with the flow... Sometimes we want to just jump the gun and get a heads up or a clue at an earlier stage...
The sooner we get/understand that its not needed... the better for us.

People need to slow down from their busy lives and see the world around and live a little... The people around them, the lives they are living, the stress levels going hay-wire! As long as you know your bigger picture, and are kind of working towards it, then have faith and know that everything else will fall into place...

Hope and faith is what keeps us going... the minute we put a negative spin on our thinking, live becomes just that much harder. The minute we stop questioning why, life becomes that much simpler. Its the hardest thing to do, but look at it this way... When good things happen to us, and we live through good times... we dont question why its happening... so why do the same when you're going through tough times? :)

Anyhow... point being, one needs to go with the flow and not against it... the rest will follow.

Felt this today after sharing a little of what's on my mind with someone so wanted to share... Dont over think things and life... Enjoy it! :) Go with the flow!

The way I see, the world around me! :)

There once was a girl,
Who lived in her own world,
Where people were happy and true,
And nothing was done or said to make anyone blue.

Good times or bad,
Everyone was together,
STonger and bolder than ever,
To take on whatever came their way.

The happiness was true,
Spreading and sticking to all, like glue,
She brought about the change she wanted to see,
And was just plain happy, the way to be.

Knowing that there is nothing but the best,
Instore for her and the rest,
She goes on about living in her bubble,
Making sure there is a lot of good trouble. :)

The ones she loves, know through and through,
There is nothing, for them that she will not do,
The ones she is learning of new, what is in store for them,
They have not a clue.
The ones who have been out of touch,
Need not worry so much, her love is there forever more...
So kinda like glue, she is stuck to you.

Inner Smile

It is a different feeling altogether when you are at peace with yourself... Your surroundings... Your thoughts...
At the end of the day, when you know that you're walking down the right path and making the right choices, at that moment in life, there is nothing that can stop you from feeling good and smiling.

Ever noticed anyone walking by you with a smile on their face? Not as much as we'd like right? I remember times when I'm walking, lost in my thoughts with a big smile on my face. Slowly you realise that people are looking at you, smiling back and probably thinking, 'what a nut'! :) But the thing is... a smile in infectious. Wouldn't the world be a better place if we had more smiling faces?

In times like now, the world is soo engrossed in making money to get by, living by a certain standard of life, living up to social obligations, trying to make ends meet etc etc, I seem to think that everyone is slowly forgetting the smaller things in life. Spending time with people that matter, doing small things to make your loved ones smile, helping a total stranger maybe to get their good wishes, giving out warm hugs to those you love, and making sure your loved ones KNOW that you love them... Not by things you do... but by telling them or showering them with hugs and kisses... These are a few of the things we as families, friends are forgetting... The world is a happier place with just a tight hug... Why do we tend to forget that?

I was one who always made sure to say 'I love you' or express how I've missed someone and constantly shower them with hugs cause that was me... Some where in the recent past I got caught up in the rat race exactly the way most of us are... I'm back to being at peace and have had a lot of time to think of how I went off course in certain parts of my life and now how I have to bring myself back to being the same old bubbly me! :)

Let us not forget that its the smallest of things, like a hug, or a kinda word at the right time, that can change the world for some people... :)

So this post is from me to all of you... My humble attempt to spread my infectious smile ;) My inner smiling self too!!! I am going to make sure to hug everyone, tell them how I missed them (if I missed them :)) and make sure they know that I love them! Back to simpler less complex ways of life... :)

From me to you... With all my heart!