Master Card

“There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there is Master Card.” The punch line is too good to be forgotten or to be ignored. Often I have pondered over what all are these “some things”.

A soft touch, a spontaneous hug, a smile can be said as some small things that money can never buy. They become all the more worth when coming from a person you love. Some nights before, having come across a similar situation, I was asked if the same satisfaction and happiness can be given to me if I were given a BMW. Surely not! There are certain achievements in life that come from pure love, sheer passion and total disregard to what others think. The people who manage to live by them are the true winners.

The outcome of these achievements could be success in relationships and/or profession. We hear people emphasizing the importance of the personal life and relationships and lecturing about the need to slow down professionally. How many have actually thought that if a person is a go-getter professionally, has an ambition to succeed beyond all odds, then what’s he/she made up of? For the better part of the times this is a consideration given to men and off late to some women. Man being the traditional bread winner, the ambition and stubbornness was and is still acceptable. In the changing times we have some women joining this club. It is a welcome change and what is even nicer is the fact, many of these ambitious or super-ambitious men actually want such women in their life too.

I had started this post with a plan to write about the “some things” and “everything else” that money cannot/can buy. A lot has been said about the finer aspects and emotional support. But having them is just not enough. Rather I would say, because you have them, you now should be in a position to get more from life. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the ordinary bloke on the road? In the mire of comparisons, unsatisfied jobs, and daily routines - we somehow tend to loose the focus on the bigger picture.

Living in the present and looking ahead, just a tad little bit toward the bigger picture can help ease one out of lot of frustrating things. A preachy blog! Well, yes. Thought it was pertinent to the busy, horrid schedules that we lead. And having learnt to tackle it, I do have some right to preach. What say? :)

Topsy - Turvy

Hit and trials, endless discussions and heated arguments seemed the norm of the day for a while now. There was a point when I prayed that time would just be forwarded and I wake up four years older. Can you beat that?? How desperate did I get to be left all alone and by myself.

Have you heard of life going topsy-turvy? Priorities changing dramatically, twenty-four hours seeming too less and days flying past before you can stop to take notice and somehow just not being able to take out time for anyone or anything else. With no further narratives let me end this and get to the crux of the matter.

To sum it up in one word or rather sentence, I have found that person with whom I would like to spend the rest of my life with.

I don’t seem to be scared about it nor flustered. Uncertainty of future (ah! a paradox), don’t seem to bother me and before anyone starts to assume, let me say I have no tinted glasses either. But definitely life seems much better.

Profile

A painting by Mary Cassat

Can't think of a title!

Ahh!! I finally get some time to start this new year on my blog. 2006 seems to have gone past in a whiff. Thought it was just my perception, surprisingly many people have concurred on this. In a way, it feels good.

2007 is here and we are soon to hit mid Jan. I am yearning for a pause: a pause from duties, responsibilities, ambition and relationships. Not that I am vexed, but then life a little slow paced would probably suit me a lot better. May be just take a year off and go around India. Splendid!

But, the flip side of all this is that am enjoying myself tremendously. Just read about the ephemeral and ever changing factor in life conveyed as a simile through Water. Yes, I quite agree to that.

Coming in touch with long lost friends, one always ends up being jittery as to how would this meeting be. The moment you meet the void automatically fills up and there seems to be a continuum of time. The magic of the days gone by rekindles itself and results in the best.

This year, has started on a similar note. Lets see hows the desert safari this year :-))

Urge

The urge to blog comes up at the most inopportune moments. Worst time is when the lights are out and am cozily wrapped up in my blanket. I think am at my scribing best at that time and totally loath the idea of changing status quo. Chances are rare when I have overcome my “Garfieldian” tendencies to open my lappy and start scribbling.
Presumably this situation is similar with many of us. Some I heard, have their brainwaves in the loo (man! What a place!!??!!) . I wonder what all are the other places/times when the bulb glows. (doesn’t that phrase immediately remind one of the scene when Jerry has a brainwave to tackle Tom? It does for me :-) )

So whenever or whatever, I hope the bulbs keep popping for you when required all through the coming year.

Yippie…. 2007 is coming soon.

Confusions & Marriage

At 24, I assumed one generally tends to be in some state of clarity with regard to what’s wanted in life. Contrary to my assumption, I seem have no idea on anything that’s of any consequence. Status quo would have been just fine, but the sudden urgency that folks at home seem to have about my settling down – or in one word Marriage, is quite unsettling for my languid existence.

My sentiments are mirrored in all those twenty something Indian girls who are pursued by their parents to get married. The reasons given are “We want to see you happily married and settled” or “It is a great responsibility.” … “You are now twenty-…. It is the right time for you to be married” etc etc… the list is endless. In a way it seems alright. But then it is a question of my entire life and I really would want to take a well-thought out step and most importantly when I think I am ready for it. Within the garbs of freedom come the responsibilities. Quite an irony is what I think. Secondly, they don’t always seem to understand what is this thing called “chemistry” I keep yapping about. Immediately I hear that I should compromise. Agreed! Marriage in itself involves innumerable compromises, but then there is something that I believe in. My sis very neatly framed it, Do not comprise on the guy, compromise with the guy.

If I get married, I would want to be happy on my wedding day. Look forward for spending my life with this guy I totally adore. Be excited about it. But then, I’ll have to watch and see what destiny holds for me. The entire idea of marriage becomes such a big nuisance when you have worried parents and hyper excited relatives whose only aim is to see you married. Everywhere I go, the only thing people ask is when am I getting married. I am sure to tell them as soon as I find a guy, but then for heaven’s sake please allow me to find one. My married and committed friends also seem to have jumped the other side. They are equally vehement about it. Net result of all this is that I feel am thirty plus, very old and past an age where I can secure a ‘Suitable boy’.

All this does make me pretty indifferent…. But then, wish u all a happy and peaceful existence, irrespective of the fact whether you are single, hitched or married.

Rendezvous

Walking down levels and levels of shopping arcades it makes me wonder how much do people buy, whether they need that thing or not. There is a sale of handbags and shoes and I saw a sea of people there. Primarily women and some bored men towing behind. Occasionally some men did seem to be interested. Incidentally, I happened to end up at this sale and did pick up couple of bags. I was silently commenting on how exactly these people here buy stuff unnecessarily and there I go, totally gaga over three bags and end up buying two of them. I realize there would be many who wouldn’t understand this behaviour. Please believe me, neither do I quite fathom this fad. Nor the enthusiasm to shop that seems to subside but then tends to come back within half hour of being in the presence of some interesting articles.

Somehow managed to free myself from such worldly pleasures and spend some quality time – with myself. It is but rare when I get such moments when all I do is simply follow my mind without bothering about whose around and what would people with me want. A little niceties that seem to be dying in today’s times. Simple pleasures bring in maximum happiness. Licking an ice-cream while strolling over to the river side amidst peak traffic hour, is a feeling that I had quite forgotten. The supposed busy schedule and career seem to drown the basics of what I would call the pleasures of life.

A little philosophical, can’t help developing such a bent while sitting quietly at the river front. The awe-inspiring structures seem to quietly mellow down from the tough gray to the soothing lights of the evening. Lights dancing on the silent undulation. One of those rare days one gets to notice that in the equatorial region the natural light of the evening persists for a longer period than one realizes when stuck in office. There was just one thing that seemed a little amiss; I missed the nice hot strong cup of tea.

Muddat ke baat , kuch samay apne aap ke saath, bahut acha laga.

First Love

How often does it happen that one realises the beauty of a situation that they have been through only after, all of it is over and will never return? Am sure many times. The golden era of school days, the last few months in college and many such moments that one either wants to desperately hold on to or later in time cherishes them throughout life.

First love! Ah! For people who have experienced this can relate reliving that unforgettable period. Undeniably, being in love is always an experience worth reckoning, but the first time to have fallen in love is indeed different. It really takes a while before you realise that “I am in love!” . The various doubts plagued with it if you are seriously in one or is it just another bout of infatuation. Probably ranging of a higher order. As it mostly happens for many this realization dawns after a long time and the lucky few who do it in advance revel in it.

Why should this incident or phase be treated so special? Well, irrespective of the person you have fallen in love with (for all one knows he/she might be a complete jerk, that’s beyond point) it is the mere fact that it is for the very first time in your life that you have actually realised what it is to experience love from a partner. To be able to unconditionally love a person, who was a stranger few days/weeks/months back, is definitely a revelation to oneself. “I am capable of so much!” It is these feelings that can help a person evolve into a much better and lovable person.

There are some lucky ones who find their true love in the first person they fall in love with. Superb! As, I believe it is one of the purest forms of love and expression, absolutely guileless. But then, for the many others who aren’t that lucky/unlucky, chill people! You have had a great time, surely and upon choice, can now be a much better person.

Celebrate life!

Undulation

Always wondered what is so fascinating about water and the seas... my musings were answered with an experience absolutely fascinating and beyond words.

Waves softly hurtling the boat that monotony seemed desirable. A sense of absolute peace and happiness one would never want to let go of. A companion so close that one could relate to and feel the connection with the power that created them. The setting sun casting its reflection was a sight to be cherished. All in all an atmosphere that brought in a feeling to share it with some special people and also to remain alone. Never had I experienced such a dilemma and yet was in a position where I could afford both.

Nature has a way of showing how its dances are so similar to the vicissitudes of our lives. The rhythmic movement of the sea, windswept seemed like a spread of muslin stretching to the ends of the earth. The time had stopped and it was a moment to live in. Undulation that was just there for me, in life and for eternity.

Life

Came upon this write up in a newspaper. How simple and how true, I really loved this.


What’s so romantic about growing old with someone?
When does old begin?
With the first sachet of hair dye?
Or when you start cutting down the sugar?
For that matter when does young end?
You know, it won’t ever.
Not when your eyes meet across a crowded room,
And the magic remains the same as the moment you met.

Celebrate life!

Closet

Coming back home after a while, I had to arrange my clothes back into my closet. Living out of a suitcase is something I detest. I enjoy simple luxuries and this is one such. For the first time I realised how very intimate is one's closet. There are clothes one would never want to leave because they are sooo comfy or have proven to be lucky. And also some for which I have always said... Yes! I will reduce and fit into them. Never happened though :-( . Still I am not the sorts to loose hope ;-) . On the other hand there are clothes that I absolutely hate and keep them for some reason I cannot fathom.
Among the ones that remain my favorite there are some which have great sentimental value. Its because someone gave it or suggested or thought that it looks fabulous on me.
Offlate picking up clothes for all and deciding what would suit them... I realised that the clothes reflect so much of the individual's personality. And yesterday while deciding combis for Dad, I proved it yet again that I can make a double knot tie. Was mightily pleased with myself for having done it after a gap of eight years.
I have always worn them as per my mood and convenience. Its only when one loves to wear someting that one carry with that required panache.

" I "

I wonder at the marvel caused by the letter I.
It is highly positive and also negative. It can bring in that magical flavour in a relationship and it can also destroy a beautiful one.
Perusing through a review on Maslow’s theory, I could not help but notice at how relevant the quality of self-actualization is and how I have been implementing parts of it and sometimes tried to express similar feelings but in a different manner.
I believe that by reading an article or a book, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, the ideas expressed in there are purely what the author felt or wanted to write.
It is indeed a pleasure reading something that thoroughly interests you and eventually vivifies, but then having your thoughts being reflected by somebody is quite different from the fact of actually getting influenced by it all. There should be a certain amount of individuality in one’s thought. Being pliant to new ideas is not a weakness but blindly following them either because of ignorance or sado-masochistic tendencies is surely incorrect.
The environment plays an incredible role on the psyche of an individual and more so in the tender formative years. Formative years of mind, when an individual is trying to find his/her identity or when one is trying to make a space for themselves where they believe they should be the most. But unfortunately, this does not happen most of the time. Either the opportunity to achieve is curbed or the zest is lacking and foremost reason being the deviations coming across at such times.

The entire being revolves as per the mind and it is the thought which influences the existence. The most logical output of this display is an individual's attitude.

Attitude towards problems
Have the patience to endure the things that cannot be changed, the courage to change the things that can be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the ones from the others.

Love

My thoughts were so well reflected by this small story I came across that I had to make this entry into my blog.

I once had a friend who grew to be very close to me. Once when we were sitting at the edge of a swimming pool, she filled the palm of her hand with some water and held it before me, and said this: "You see this water carefully contained on my hand? It symbolizes Love." This was how I saw it: "As long as you keep your hand caringly open and allow it to remain there, it will always be there. However, if you attempt to close your fingers round it and try to posses it, it will spill through the first cracks it finds. This is the greatest mistake that people do when they meet love...they try to posses it, they demand, they expect... and just like the water spilling out of your hand, love will retrieve from you. For love is meant to be free, you cannot change its nature. If there are people you love, allow them to be free beings. Give and don't expect. Advise, but don't order. Ask, but never demand. It might sound simple, but! it is a lesson that may take a lifetime to truly practice. It is the secret to true love. To truly practice it, you must sincerely feel no expectations from those who you love, and yet an unconditional caring." Passing thought... Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but by the moments that take our breath away ........
-- Swami Vivekananda

There are also another kind of people who believe that someone else can never understand their requirement of space. They want a number of things, but at the end of everything you have certain fringes attached.
There are no free meals in this world.
It might sound slightly materialistic in the present context, but the fact remains that an element of possessiveness is always there....the right of "advising, but not ordering", the right of "Asking, and not demanding"....if even these things are never given importance then is there still a point in continuing the devotion towards that person...
Over the last One year I have realised myself, in various new facets,with many new feelings which I thought I might be incapable of expressing or possessing.
It was a good experience.
Space is soooo important and so is Love....
So am signing off with the song " Janeman Janeman..Tere do Nayan..."
Its an amazing song expressing the beauty and love....