HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED....

• That it is impossible to be angry when you are whispering or lying down?
• When people say they are being realistic, they are more often than not, deluding themselves and being negative?
• There is a deep tendency in human nature to become precisely like that which you habitually imagine yourself to be?
• That you can alter your life if you alter you attitude of mind?
• It is difficult to stay sad if you continue to listen to uplifting and feel good music?
• That music actually heals?
• That pouring your heart out to someone you trust, makes you feel much better than brooding and holding on to the anger or hurt?
• That it is never worth it to get worked up or mad about anything. And that it isn’t worth it to spend $1000 worth of emotion on a five-cent irritation?

ALL'S WELL AGAIN !!

SOMEONE ISN'T FEELING CHIRPY...

Look you really don't have to read this. I am at my crankiest best today. No actually I've been worse. But right now, it a serious touch and go situation.

I know you're reading (180 visits since the revamping) so please be gracious enough to talk to me about it too. On second thoughts, don't bother! Cranky people must be left alone. Whatever!

Alright tell me this. You are very nice to people. You appreciate their kindness. You extend a finger and they grab your hand. Expectations go sky high. The world is expected out of you. It's the next logical step.But somewhere deep down you've a feeling that you won't be able to deliver. Despite your best efforts. Some things are just not meant to be. Dreams crash, hopes dash. People get hurt. Any insight anyone? Any explainations to remedy the situation?

Someone up there needs to offer greater clarity. And lesser complications. Why isn't there a clear cut "Dear child, I am sending you there to do this, and this is what you must do step by step and then come rushing back to Daddy"?

Is there a place you can hide in when you want to escape from the world? Where no one bothers you and no one is bothered about you?

Alright this doesn't sound like me. I have to stop till my tiny brain begins to function correctly.

A SONG IN YOUR HEAD..

Have you ever woken up in the morning to a song playing in your head? On and on and on? In a loop? And it isn't what you listen to every day. It's very different. Maybe a very old song with great lyrics. Maybe a long forgotten tune. A haunting melody, a jingle with a whole lot of catchy repetitions.

The poor little thing gets stuck there and you end up humming it all day. Singing it repeately to people who really don't care to listen to it and would rather have you shut up! Inviting curious stares and sympathies too at times. So is my case as I woke up to a song which was composed before I was even born. For those who care to know what it is, it is "Na jaane kyon from the movie Chotee see baat" (Translates to "I wonder why" from the movie "A trivial and small conversation") ( Can anyone do a better job of translation?)

Now what I didn't know about it is that it has a medical term!! They prefer to call the stuck in the head songs "earworms". No. The term for some reason does not sound as pleasant as the song. Why? Reminds me of centipedes and earthworms! You might not even know all the words but the little that you remember you keep singing.

The only way to "scratch" brain itch is to repeat the song over and over in your mind. Unfortunately, like with mosquito bites, the more you scratch the more you itch, and so on until you're stuck in an unending song cycle (courtesy www.howstuffworks.com)

Now why that song, and nothing else? The medical fraternity must be researching on this in some part of the world. So as soon as the results are out and they get to me, I shall let you know. Sounds good? Till then patience my friend! Talking of research, one research does suggest that the susceptible group comprises women, musicians and people who are neurotic, tired or stressed. Ehem. Now don't try putting me into a category just yet. I am still figuring out where I belong!

They have even come up with a list on how to get the song which is stuck, out of your head! (Aren't there better things to research on??!! I am dead sure there are!! I do realize how grim the out of work situation is.Only now!! Stillness can be sarcastic. Oh yeah! *wicked grin*)

I've had days when I've sung the chorus of a song, over and over all day for several days at a stretch. My room mates suspected that I was drunk and patiently waited for me to get sober ( Inside information: I wasn't drunk!! And was asked to shut up when the acoustic torture went beyond the permissible limit and For all those who are researching on how to get it unstuck, this works!

Till it comes unstuck "Na jaane kyon" (I don't know why!!)

FOOTPRINTS OF THE ONE ABOVE..

Image courtesy: www.allposters.com

Strange are the ways of the Almighty and unfathomable are His plans.

One moment He puts you through tests you feel you'd never be able to pass.

The next moment he makes life feel too good to be true and effortless.

When you begin to depair at all the apparent losses is when He makes you realize that what was lost wasn't worth treasuring anyways.

One moment He takes away everything that you thought you had

The next He surprises you by giving you yet another reason to live. A reason you didn't know until now existed.

It's not that He is oblivious to your pain and suffering, and when He sees that you can't take it anymore is when through Divine Intervention He sends His angels to ease your suffering. A balm to soothe all of your wounds.

He makes you make plans, only to reveal some of His own

Reassuring you every time, that you are not alone in your trials and tribulations and that He'd never let go of you. Reinstating the belief that He watches over you every minute of every day and will never let any harm befall you.

At times you feel that your prayers go unanswered

But in time He makes you realize that He intended to give you something which was better than what you were praying for. And all that He was asking of you all this while was a little more patience.

Just when you started to feel that no one could ever love you again

Is when He sends someone who loves you unconditionally. Making you want to become a better person every day. Would He make all of this vanish into thin air one day? That He won't tell you now. But He wants you to know that if it is for your good, He will make sure you get it. But if He doesn't give it to you, He wants you to pick up the lesson and move on.

Because He wants you to know that there are no random occurrences. Everything has been planned to the minutest detail.

And how do you know that it's all His doing?

Well..if you look deep enough, you'd find his footsteps all over the place.

OF FAITH AND CELEBRATIONS

India is one nation that can boast of unity in diversity. Where people transcend religious differences to be there for each other. When people join hands and express solidarity when calamity strikes. And celebrate every small victory together. It's said that you can take an Indian out of India, but never India out of an Indian. I am sure it is true for every other nation, all across the globe and every place anyone has ever grown up in. No place is perfect, but you grow up to love those imperfections and revel in the love and affection of the people and feel gratitude for everything that that place has given you. I feel proud to be a citizen of a nation which celebrates Christmas with as much fervor as Diwali (A festival of lights that marks the victory of good over evil). I agree that there have been clashes and major unrest in the past, but I'd like to believe that the younger generation doesn't look at the faith or caste or creed of a person before making friends. I don't for starters. I am as excited about the Ganesh Utsav that starts tomorrow as I would be for any other festival across the country.

Tomorrow it's said is the birthday of Lord Ganesha (the elephant God in the picture above). He is revered as One who removes all obstacles. The first deity who is sought blessings from before anything auspicious is started. It will be a 10 day long festival with elaborately adorned tableau set up all over the state.This year the celebration will be toned down because of the flu. But flu or no flu, the state will celebrate. People will get together and pray. Such is the faith. Faith that no harm can befall them since the one who removes all Obstacles is here.

There might be a story behind every ritual and festival but if faith is what everything boils down to, then expression of faith it's going to be. When the mind so wills it, the body has to comply.

Different faiths, different ways of praying, but every religion world wide talks of the same thing. When you believe you will get, you most definitely will. Christianity talks of it in the same way that Hinduism does. Just the way Buddhism, Jainism, Jewism and Islam do. Reinstates my belief in how similar we are, despite being different.

JUST THINKING..

Not everything is perfect with this world of ours, but life still goes on. Life always finds a way. Things don't come to a stand still no matter what happens. The greater the challenge, the harder we strive to rise above it, and we do! We always do.

If we can't get something out of the way, we always find a way around it, over it, under it, but we move ahead. Always. The indomitable human spirit ensures that, that happens.

Nature intended everything to be peaceful and that is where everything wants to return to by default. There is no conflict in nature, and everything balances the other. Why do humans choose conflict and hatred then? Why are their notions of what's good for themselves and others so colored? Why are they so out of touch with reality? What causes someone harm can never give anyone any happiness. Even if it is for the greater good, there is always someone who is saddened by it.

If only we wouldn't tamper with nature so much for our supposed benefits.

Life always forgives us for the sins we commit. Why do we find it so difficult to do the same? I read somewhere once that when we cut ourselves, life forgives us and sets into action the healing forces which stop the bleeding and cure us. Then why do we find it so difficult to let go and actually forgive someone who hurt us?

Are our problems really that big? Or are we blowing them out of proportion? So much so that it has started to affect us negatively. Affect our health negatively?

When peace is something that comes from within, why do we seek it without? Why do we let the little things bother us so much so that we get ourselves into a trap of negative thinking from which there is no escape?

Why has it become so difficult for some of us to truly understand others and show compassion? Wouldn't we want to be understood and loved? Why is it so difficult for us to be the same?

Words once said cannot be taken back, and the harm that they can do is sometime more than a weapon can. When we expect to be treated well, why can't we treat the others the same way?

But even if there is some unrest now, life will ensure that everything goes back to it's peaceful state sooner or later. The path of least resistance and mutual coexistance. Simply because there is a method to the madness. There always was, there always will be.

To judge

People say something, we hear something else. People mean something, we comprehend something else. Always reading between the lines. Always looking for the hidden meaning. Always looking for the ulterior motive. We hear things that people didn't say, and don't hear stuff that was loud and clear. It it the circumstances that have moulded us to be wary of people's intentions or something else?

Children trust everyone who is good to them. As an adult can you afford to be like them? Can you afford to trust and be let down. Deceived? Cheated? Once bitten twice shy. No two people are alike, no two circumstances the same. How do you differentiate between the fake and the genuine? Time did you say? Maybe.

Generalization, profiling, judging become a way of our lives. Lessons we make note of, so that it doesn't happen again. But how fair is it to people at the receiving end? Can all people be bad because one like them was? Is no one trust worthy because one betrayed? Of course we "know" that prejudice isn't good but somehow we don't apply that sense in our day to day dealings and encounters. Why is there fear at the back of the mind ? Why the "What ifs" always?

We've conditioned ourselves to believe that people cannot be good without a reason. Why! Why can't they? Exceptions exist, but why are they so few and far in between. The so called "exceptions to the rule".

So many questions, such few answers. The quest continues and the day goes by.

What we want

A tee-shirt quote I read long ago went "If you think money can't buy happiness, you don't know where to shop". (Now before you start thinking, this isn't about how useless money is. I know exactly how to blow up every single rupee I earn and not regret it :D) But there is something I've realized. Having limitless wads of currency makes no sense if you've no one to spend it on, or spend it with (Totally my take on this. Call me insane or what you will). Most of our efforts are directed towards making more and more. Either to give our loved one's a better life or to live comfortably with the best that life has to offer. No harm that I can foresee in doing that. But if there isn't that someone who can love you unconditionally, accept you at your worst, still not give up on you and care for you without expecting anything in return, it just doesn't seem to be worth it! To be loved and cared for is simply priceless. And that definitely doesn't take a lot of money. Infact it has very little to do with it. A text message asking you if you've eaten. A phone call because you are being missed. A shy smile when someone teases you with your beloved. A tiny gesture to show that your company is cherished at all times. Genuine appreciation that gets you on top of cloud 9. How much do all of these cost? (Alright, where IS this going!!!Ahem)

A world where everyone wants to live and let live. A world where people genuinely care for your well being. A world where people actually laugh and cry with you. A world where people live together. Sounds way too idealistic doesn't it? But if you look and wish hard enough, people like these aren't difficult to find. Why are people so good? What do they want? Money? Always? I guess not. At times giving gives unprecedented happiness. A feeling that no amount of money can ever match. At times you do things because someones happiness gives you a lot of peace. Where does money come in? ( Alright don't throw rotten tomatoes at me yet. I know money is very important, but at this moment in time I'd like to believe that you can live without money, but you can't live without love. Love of your parents, friends, well wishers, anyone and everyone)

Stillness Speaks' homework for the day: Try doing someone a small favor and don't tell them about it. Do anything that makes their lives easier, but don't broadcast your deed. Tell me how you feel when you see the happiness on their faces when they find out.

Image courtesy: http://shaunpeck.com/Images

A post with no substance

So if you've something important to do, this can conveniently be skipped. I read through what I had posted below this, and on second reading it didn't make much sense to me, so here I am doing damage control. It made me think I've lost it as far as writing is concerned (Correction: I don't just think, I am sure I've lost it).As always I've nothing to blog about so you will have to read about what's happening to me and my part of the world.

It still rains when the weather gods deem it fit and when I've to scurry a little distance and am too lazy to bring out my umbrella.

Every second household in my city has someone coughing, sneezing or down with fever. It could be the seasonal flu or it's fatal version. And everyone wants to know what. So we have hundreds of people wanting to get themselves tested in the few hospitals that are authorized to screen and test. Panic is as contagious as the actual flu. Everyone at my workplace is generously passing on the sore throat and common cold virus to everyone else gratis. So poor me suffers yet another assault on the already assaulted throat of mine. Alright people, enough of sickness. I don't want you to believe I am sick and dying (Though do check back to see if I am still alive if I haven't blogged in more than two weeks (See what a smart way of getting people to comment. Alright that was dumb. Ehem. Agreed))

I'm supposed to be doing some work related homework, but the prolonged absence from blogger prevents me from doing so. There is so much I missed out on. And I find myself commenting on posts which were written ages ago. Blame me all you want for my intermittent appearances in this space. I'm blaming myself too. I am working on getting better at time management. Hopefully some day I shall actually learn what multi-tasking means.

Insightful and idealistic thoughts don't hit me any more maybe because I'm really content with my life right now and have nothing more to wish and ask for( Further reasons why my posts these days lack substance of any kind whatsoever!). The going is good and God willing will get even better!

I wish each of you a wonderful week ahead full of good health and happiness.

A flower blooms again

It was always taken special care of. Protected from the vagaries of weather and anyone who could harm the blossom wasn't allowed to come near. The bud blossomed into fragrant ,fresh and a beautiful flower. To say it was the most beautiful wouldn't be right, because there were others in the garden who were equally good if not better. But there was something about this flowering plant that the others lacked. It was special in it's own unique ways. It imparted a fragrance that was hard to miss and one that wouldn't fade away easily.

Then came along a gardener who promised to take good care of the plant. The unsuspecting plant offered no resistance. It responded well to all the care rewarding the gardener with a plant full of beautiful blossoms. How was it to know that one day when the gardener would find another exotic flowering plant, he would crush the life out of it and leave it in a state of neglect. The plant tried to come alive once again, but something within it had died. Would it ever come alive and blossom again was difficult to tell. Near impossible.

The same power who had put the plant in such a vulnerable situation would also send a healing force one day. This much faith was a constant in the now dying plant. And if you have faith, prayers are answered. Along came a little angel who saw the plant in a state of apathy and shed a silent tear. The Angel resolved to undo the damage that had been done. The plant though didn't think it was possible. Day and night the angel took excellent care of it and lingered around even when the plant hurt it with it's thorns. Very slowly the plant learnt to trust the angel and started to respond to the unconditional care. It resolved to be resilient no matter what it now faced. It regained the confidence that it had once lost. And then one day, it bloomed again.

Wishing you a splendid Friendship's day

One day out of 365 to celebrate a family you get to choose. Enough? Not quite, but because someone chose to earmark it, celebrate it I did (Do I need a reason to celebrate? Hell no!! Give me salary and I will give you 101 ways of burning it. Friendship's day was a coincidence!)

If this day gives me a reason to catch up with friends I haven't seen in a year, I would say a day like this is definitely worth it! It's ironical that being in the same city we don't run into each other as much as we would want to. Saying that everyone has gone their own way, what with matrimony, post graduation, jobs et all, is such a flimsy excuse , I agree ( and yes you have my permission to throw rotten tomatoes at me) But sadly that is the way it is. I am more clued into what's happening in your lives (yes you my regular reader (Oh I can be so vain, and it feels SO good, thank you!)) than what's happening to someone in the same city. At times it saddens me no end to see us drifting away like this and a day like this is a desperate measure to catch up and stay together.

This day last year my friend wasn't married. The same day this year she is! It amazes me no end that something so huge awaits each of us, and at this moment in time we don't even know it! It might bring a turn around and it might take us to directions we never imagined we'd turn to. And here we sit and think that we've got our lives majorly figured out. Someone who isn't part of your existence today might run into you tomorrow and would make you go "Heck where were you all these years!". Friends, colleagues, someone special. Anyone. Someone up there has weaved such an interesting tapestry of events for each of us. All that we need is patience in abundance and humility to accept what life randomly throws at us.

There is a reason why they say that every relationship needs constant working upon. Left to themselves people can easily drift away. You could be spending all of your waking moments with them today and the same time next year, you might have no clue where they are and what they are doing. It takes some effort to keep reconnecting, and trust you me it's worth it! There was a reason why you clicked initially and became friends. That reason and many more need to be rediscovered every day every year. It's not always that you can afford to part with the precious. Simply because they don't make people like them anymore!

I cannot thank my stars enough to be blessed with friends who have come to mean the world to me after my family. Today they left no stone unturned to make it truly special for me. Revisiting the places which were our usual hangouts during our college days brought back so many fond memories. Eateries which have almost become our places of pilgrimage weren't left out of the itinerary either. The same pizza dripping with molten cheese tasted so much better and the same cup of Mocha tasted so divine with my best friend around.

But this leaves out an essential part of my friends circle. And that includes you. Each of you who read me are equally special to me. I know for a fact that I would have given up writing had it not been for you who care to read what's happening to me. Had it not been for your encouragement, support and appreciation, this place would have ceased to exist.

I don't know how each of you got here (I would really want to know if you have the time), but like I keep saying, I am mighty glad you found me. Distance might separate us, but I feel like I've known many of you since so long! We might be different as far as our modus operandi is concerned, but somewhere our thought process was identical which is why we continue to stay connected. Today you are here, tomorrow you might not be, and someone else might be, but I truly appreciate your presence at the moment and would like to

for being there for me and with me at every step in my life. I wish each of you limitless happiness and success :-)