~ Reflections ~

What would you do when you randomly decide to bunk office... not because of an urge to rest or complete some pending work... but simply to do what YOU feel like... In our races against time, to complete the chores at hand, be it home or office, we often sideline these random wishes... after all they seem to random and trivial to pay heed to... And even if we do succumb, we end up feeling guilty to have 'wasted' those precious hours on some of our whims instead completing the work at hand. But once in a while, it is important to let go off this obsession about 'constructive' utilization of time, and not measure everything under the parameter of productivity of work. We need to understand that such breaks of routine are required to keep the mind working and happy. So the next time you have an urge to watch a movie alone, or taste something haven't tasted in ages right in the middle of the day, don't try to push the urge in the background and succumb to

While I can't claim to be a connoisseur of paintings and art in general, I can safely say good art has always piqued my interest. Since schooling was in an era devoid of what we now call Internet, a lot of it was what had been described in the books one read. The only other way to get the experience was to visit museums and be enthralled by this totally different take on the world around, often not in a very direct or real way, but could lead one into realms of imagination which was normally difficult to find. Having said that, I safely steer clear from conversation of Cubism - Renaissance etc simply because I've never 'studied' these subjects.  Growing up in Delhi provided the advantage of being able to frequent places like The National Gallery for Modern Art , National Museum and Mandi House area, exposing me to an amazing collection (often underrated), becoming a regular go-to place during college. The likes of Raja Ravi Varma , S H Raza , Biren De have alway

So what do you look for in your partner - Someone who can keep the house together ?  Someone who manages to keep all your relationships - family and friends (as water is often purer than blood) ? While it might not be an either or  kind of choice, the dexterity with which one is achieved often impacts the efficiency in the other aspect. The decision might also depend on how complimentary the skill is with one self, as merely supplementary skills might not suffice. Can't we find someone who is good at both - appears tough. It's like trying to seek the perfect partner, a search which might not have any result :D But then again, what IS more important to you ? Can there even be a preference ? 12-Nov-19

Often, I have wondered if being in the company of friends-who-are-family and family-like-friends is overrated. But increasingly, I am beginning to get convinced that 'the pleasure' of being alone is overrated. For the last fortnight, I was looking forward to a weekend alone, trying to get up-to-date with myself. I had convinced myself that I would have fun and enjoy. But life had a different plan. I ended up spending the entire weekend, not being alone, and totally enjoyed the process.  The endless discussions about the useful and the useless events in life, might not have added to my knowledge, but left me with this warm feeling that it is never enough. While having your own space is important, I don't think anything comes close to being able to share, without any inhibitions or worry about opinions. So a big thanks to my Guardian Angel, who chose to spend time with me and give me company all through the weekend  !

After all the fuss around Women's Day, Men's Day seems to be the flavour of the season. While there seem to be different aspects both these phenomenon's seem to be talking about... but the crux of all the communication around them talks about one thing. Avoid Stereotyping ! Yes, be it man or wo-man, these is no single box that can be assigned to men - only or women - only. Each have their own characteristics, some unique, some similar... The strength of the person is not in whether they are driven by estrogen or testosterone.. it is the unique 'combination' of their characteristics that makes them strong.

We expect something great... We gush towards the outcome... All roads seem to head in the right direction... Then suddenly, Life seems to slam the brakes.. And we realize that a moment is all it takes... For all the hopes to come crumbling down.. To loose what we thought we had found.. It only makes one realize that we are a mere pawn... Dancing to the tunes from dusk to dawn... And then again, we begin to find hope.. And again we think, we hold the rope !

Boredom is a funny thing. Or maybe our mind is. When we are overworked, we look forward to a phase of no work... and as soon as we hit such a patch, we crave for work. Wonder if there is anything called a Balanced work-life.

All of us chose our battles to fight. It could be about participation, breaking free, self assertion or just stating your mind. And more often than not, it all starts with small steps. Stating facts, setting examples and then sighting them, to make it seem normal, till it becomes the new normal. Gilette's ad on breaking stereotypes is one such example.

All of us are doing multiple things at a time... Various responsibilities... a list of pending chores...  A long list of confused thoughts and a longer list of woes.. As we walk through life, we get used to juggling everything... precariously keeping balance.... living it to the edge....and focusing our energies on keeping it together... So what happens if we just drop a ball... does all hell break lose...  Most of us aren't conditioned to handle this momentary chaos !

If one were to dwell on what defines a human... one would initially fumble on the usual suspects... But I don't think it matters whether the person is big or small, working or jobless, productive or unproductive, an addict or a saint...  What ultimately matters is how one treats the other person... both loved ones and strangers...

Each life is important and has its own impact. Even if we don't dwell deeper in realms like life and death and it's importance and consequences in each life, I feel we must think about each life in two contexts.  One, how will your loved ones deal with your death..  and second, how will you deal with the death of your loved one. Both these questions are equally important in realizing how independent or inter-dependent (as the case may be) are our minds and thoughts... It is difficult to say which is better or worse, whether their co-existence is the ideal kind of a relationship. This is not to say that we should move on in life dispassionately, so live in silos... after all the fewer beings you interact with, the easier it will be for anyone to get on... But living in silos to me is such a waste of a life... after all coexistence and interdependence is the beauty in this life.... Wondering if there is a right balance at all !!

As the calendar approaches the second fortnight of December, the mind but wanders.. It starts evaluating the year about to end.. and begins to contemplate on the good, the not - so - good, the bad and the ugly....  A rationale mind tries to derive some meaning and learning from all the revision of the past events, hoping that what has been experienced will only be bettered in times to come... A paranoid mind will wonder how quickly time went by, wondering what came out of the year that seems to be flying by... Either ways, both categories subsequently start wondering what their New Year resolutions should be... ideally something that hasn't been thought of in the past years.. both more often than not, these resolutions just fizzle out after a week or so in January itself... The more focused resolutions last a month or so... So this year, I've resolved not to get carried away with any specific New Year resolution just for the heck of it... I'll adopt the resolution

A lot of people seem to confuse being alone with being lonely.  I beg to differ..... I have often been lonely in a crowd too ! Photo Credits: https://www.jackdogwelch.com/?p=13856

I wonder what an election is meant to prove... Is it proof of someone's popularity or is it just a measure of the money dispensed or power politics... If they are trying to be the public leader, I often wonder why they need all the bungling...  I can understand the slogans and trying to get people to believe what one is doing.. but the attempt to earn through corrupt means, inorder to finally bribe someone to get their votes beats me... It is actually a vicious circle.. the attempt to get votes through money... and earning money beyond their means from the public....  It is not about who blinks first, but who makes the first move.. who makes the first move of not taking the money... politicians from the public or public from the politicians.... Someone needs to make a move to break the entire cycle... Votes for Money & Money for Votes !

How does one differentiate between something that is being said just for the heck of it or as a formality, as against something that is heartfelt. I often deliberate and waiver too long in making this decision, wondering whether something should be taken on face value, and does it involve in dwelling deeper... sometimes resulting in the moment just passing by. I guess this is an important skill that needs to be acquired.. or maybe that's what one gains with wisdom and experience.

Are you an aggressive person ?!? So what happens when you suddenly start behaving like a submissive person... Do you appear to be a stranger to yourself  (pun intended)...  Or do you just enjoy the indecisive follow the leader kind of approach. More importantly.. is it sustainable ?

When your mind goes blank But your feet won't stop Churning words in your head which won't tumble out Angry thoughts lead on to frustrated actions The hurt in your head just suddenly hurls out Instantaneously frustration  becomes guilt The words lashed out were not meant to hit Yet no words will add up now As the demon in your head has taken a new form.

One verdict.. and your world turns upside down.. Suddenly, your plans seem to be a far away thought..  all focus shifts to the immediate obstacle.. But for someone who always believed and going with the flow... with a kind of preconceived notion that whatever happens, happens for the best... I am beginning to wonder if this attitude lacks the aggression and ferocity needed to face challenges..... Maybe one rethinks everything once in a while.. Call it catharsis... call it review & renewal... Source: https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoonview.asp?catref=rhan543

What would you do if someone asked you to appraise yourself.... will you do what the word is trying to say i.e. ap'praise' yourself (considering your next years salary, and in some cases the job, is dependent on it !) or will you take a step back and actually do what it takes. It is very easy to say that what we write is genuinely what we believe has been our contribution... but more often than not (unless we are delusional), we know the truth about where we stand... This is not just true about our professional lives but also our personal lives... So how do we do an honest one, atleast in our personal spaces... because it doesn't seem easy to take a step back and look at the situation and how one is faring.... Mirror mirror on the wall... who is the fairest of us all !

Words are a very powerful tool, but how the words are used makes them even more powerful...  Poetry and Prose are the perfect example.. the shorter the better.... So when I recently read these lines in Colson Whitehead 's Underground Railroad , they struck a chord... ... a visitation of a magnificent presence, a seeker awaiting a message. A conservation between an acorn, a sapling, and a powerful oak.... Poems are too close to prayer, rousing regrettable passions. Waiting for God to rescue you when it was up to you. Poetry and prayer put ideas in people's heads that got them killed, distracting them from the ruthless mechanism of the world.... Though there is a wide body of work by many poets, including famous Bards and Barons, but this Lady is one of the best. Fame is a fickle food Upon a shifting plate Whose table once a Guest but not The second time is set Whose crumbs the crows inspect And with ironic caw Flap past it to the Farmer’s corn