~ Reflections ~

A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other unused. Only one child played on the unused track, the rest on the operational track. The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the unused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the unused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way? Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................ Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the unused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a

All of us believe that we are strong.. strong enough to withstand the pain that comes our way... to fight any situation and better still, face the music... Strong enough not to be supported by anyone , strong enough to be alone yet be steady , strong... What we don't accept, is that a little help from someone won't hurt... venting our anger on someone won't make us any weaker... leaning on someone just to catch our breath won't make us dependent on them... Quote for the Blog "It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hidethem, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more manhood to abide by thought-out principles rather than blind reflex. Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind." ~ Alax Karras

Two men,both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the cit

I 'm unable to decide which is worse - the guilt after doing something,but it turning out wrong... or the guilt of not doing anything at all...

I ve begun to wonder whether mind is more important or the body..don't seem to be able to come to a conclusion.... Mind is the think and feel tank and the body is the executor..So is one of them alrght without the other.. Doesn't it get frustrating if you have the mind to think but you are unable to do.. you can feel but you can't express.. you like , but you can't appreciate... When your mind is asking for activity but your body can't execute it.. And then people say that mind is all that matters...

लहरों से डरकर नौका पार नहीं होती, कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती। नन्हीं चीटीं जब दाना लेकर चलती है, चढ़ती दीवारों पर सौ बार फ़िसलती है, मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है, चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना ना अखरता है, आखिर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती, कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती। डुबकियां सिन्धु में गोताखोर लगाता है, जा जा कर खाली हाथ लौट आता है, मिलते नहीं सहज ही मोती गहरे पानी में, बढ़ता दुगना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में, मुट्ठी उसकी खाली हर बार नहीं होती, कोशिश करने वालों कि कभी हार नहीं होती। असफ़लता एक चुनौती है,इसे स्वीकार करो, क्या कमी रह गयी, देखो और सुधार करो, जब तक ना सफ़ल हो, नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम, संघर्ष का मैदान छोड़कर मत भागो तुम, कुछ किए बिना ही जय-जयकार नहीं होती, कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती। - हरिवंशराय बच्चन

From the day we are born , its drilled into us that one shouldn't cry... A simple expression of emotions and feeling is denied by calling the child a cry baby. More so with a guy. A guy willing to express his feelings is called feminine. With adults scolding us , asking us not to behave like a spoilt child, crying all the time , it seems to have become a part of our system that it is not good to cry. I m not here to advocate people weeping all the time... but sometimes crying is just the best way to vent it out of our system. It needn't be necessarily done in public , but there is no harm in crying one's heart out.But somehow , most people are shy to admit it. Its as if you are brave because you didn't cry. I feel it takes guts to freely express oneself, without bothering about what others think. Quote : Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water. ~Antoine Rivarol

It was another of those regular pedantic conversations i was having with my mother when she said somthing during the chat that struck a chord... She said , and i quote , "If you think a weakness can be overcome, then an effort should be made to overcome it. But if you know that you have a certain weakness of which you can't do anything , don't waste energy in trying to make it better , but try and hone your other skills that you are much better at." Quote : Obstacles is what one sees when he takes his eyes off his goals.

kissi ke intezaar mae hum baithe hai pur samay to kut he nahi raha... aur ye ghatta hai ke mujhe uksa ke chal di !

I learnt a very interesting concept recently.. We all face situations in life when people have a tendency to tick us off... some do it intentionally and some unintentionally.. but in either case , the reflection of what they've said/done is reflected in our moods.. we generally tend to become reactive after such incidents, spoiling our mood ( and even our day sometimes )... The challenge lies in not letting such people/situations affect us.. Going by the concept , it says that anytime someone tries to do such things (read : Tries to Turn you OFF) , one must make a conscious effort and Turn ourselves On again (pun totally unintended ;)). And what is even more important to remember is that though someone has made the effort to turn us Off , only if we try on our own can we get switched back On. An easy and effective way i have discovered for achieving the above is simply by trying to think if the person is worth spoiling your mood.. it works most of the times... Quote : It takes but

One day a child goes to his mother and asks her, "Mother, who is that old man sitting on that mountain?" The mother answers, "Dont call him and old man. He is Lord Buddha, who knows answer to every question in this universe." "Really, he knows answers to all questions?" asks the child. "Yes my dear", replies the mother. The child goes to the mountain where Buddha is meditating, catches a butterfly from the garden, and cupping the butterfly gently in his hands, approaches the buddha. Keeping his hand behind his back, he asks Buddha, "Is the thing in my hand alive or dead?" The child thinks that if Buddha answers that the thing is alive, he will crush the butterfly in his hand and show the dead butterfly proving Buddha wrong. And if Buddha answers that the thing is dead, he will open his hands gently and let the butterfly fly away, proving Buddha wrong again. Thus Buddha would not know the answer to all questions. "Is the thing in my

What is beauty.. is it what is visible , or is it something deeper than just skin.. or should i say face value.. in which case, how much should one understand and take as face value.. But then if what is important is what lies deep inside , then what is love at first sight... is it a reality.. isnt love at first sight simply a direct reaction to someone's external appearance? Quote for the entry :) “No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Have you ever wondered why we deny what we should actually accept..what we know is true... I wonder what it is in us , that stops us from accepting the truth...which is actually evident..

I feel am all alone , even though i am one amongst the crowd.... or am i just hallucinating ! Quote : If you want something done well, do it yourself. This is why most people laugh at their own jokes. ~ Bob Edwards

We’ve been friends for quite sometime now... I had seen this coming for a long time. He finally took me out for dinner…. Even the ambience was perfect…gentle breeze , starry night … dinner (without electricity) hence in candle light .. “We’ve been friends for ages.. so I want to tell you something” I could barely hear what he was saying… my heart was pounding.. say it quick, I can’t bear this any longer , I was saying in my head. “I love her, I really do.. your best friend…..” Quote Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have "

We all have a view about things.. but it is so important to hear what others have to say.. People can sometimes add a whole new dimension to things/situations... and it is not just important to listen to others, but also try and understand their perspective... its amazing how sometimes , it can help solve problems that we consider deadlocks .. Quote “Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.”

I like this forward a lot.. a friend's impact in one's life is something that can't be expressed in words... So here's going out to all my friends... Thanks for always being there for me ! One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd. "I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with myfriends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and trippinghim so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around

We all have aspirations and dreams about our First Salary... how we intend to spend it or save it ;-).. But what would you say if someone didnt have any emotions attached to their first salary... so would you call me abnormal?!? Quote for the Day "All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost. The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by frost." ~ J. R. R. Tolkien ( Lord of the Rings )

A hill station is supposed to be a serene place which brings peace to your mind.. So am i crazy if i say i experienced something totally opposite... all the while, different absurd thoughts kept coming to my mind , and by the end of it , i was more annoyed and depressed with life than i would have been otherwise... I wonder how sages manages to meditate atop such hills ! Quote People have one thing in common. They are all different.

I don't know if i ll ever reach this level in my job.. but satisfaction i feel is one of the key things while working... Found this forward very relevant ... besides i can't seem to think of anything else to write.. SELF APPRAISAL A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulledit over to the telephone.He climbed onto the carton so that he could reachthe buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits. The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation: The boy asked,"Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn? The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn. "Lady, I will cut your lawn for halfthe price of the person who cuts your lawn now." replied boy. The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was presently cutting her lawn.The little boy found more perseverance andoffered, "Lady, I'll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the pret

Maybe i should have actually said this to you when you were around to hear me... Sir , Even though you never believed in the conventional style of teaching, you've taught me more than most.... Your attitude towards life , the way you handled people... these are things from which i've learnt a lot. But most importantly , your belief that an exam is not to show others your capability , but just for your own satisfaction... Hoping that wherever you are , you take pride in what you see.... Quote for the blog “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

Have you ever felt hurt when your dearest ones seem to talk more openly in front of others rather than when with you... or is it plain jealousy that "the one" is comfortable enough with someone else too !?! Quote of the blog All of us donot have equal talent but All of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents. ~John F Kennedy

Arjun Singh seems to have finally caught the media's attention..though for all the wrong reasons. A single statement of his regarding reservation has suddenly shown the country, that anyone can stand up against injustice... students being no exception. Students all across the country are voicing their opinions , loud and clear. We claim that our society is a democracy , where the Right to Equality is a fundamental right. But isnt any kind of reservation a direct contradiction to this right ! The existing reservation itself is not appropriately alloted, then why is the government interested in increasing the percentage is a mystery to me. Besides the reservation should in proportion to the percentage of the entire population of the section. Isn't it better solution if the students who qualify for a course are provided with financial support.... instead of reserving the seats and reducing the quality of students. For all those who strongly feel about it , please sign this petitio

This is a forward i received.. thought it was worth sharing... TEN POINTS TO LIVING A GOOD LIFE 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. ( Keep this In mind if you are one of those grouches;) 3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle."An idle mind is the devil's workshop."And the devil's name is Alzheimer's! 4. Enjoy the simple things 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and Lots of time with HIM/HER. 6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourself. LIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your

I was watching Shall We Dance (feat Richard Gere and JLo) the other day..some of the dialogues are really nice.But the best is the one i am posting. I've heard lots of people talk about the commitment called marriage.. but these lines seem to make sense... "Why does one marry? ..... Because we need a witness to our lives. There are a billion people on this planet, what does any one life really mean. But in marriage, you are promising to care about everything - the good things , the bad things , the terrible things , the mundane things - all of it , all the time , everyday. You're saying , your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go unwitnessed because I will be your witness"

Have you ever felt a rush in life.. as if everything around you was moving too fast. And you suddenly realise that the problem is not with the world...but with you , becuase you remained stationary! "Life is like an onion: You peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep." ~ Carl Sandburg

I walk down the street. There is a hole. I don't see it. I fall in. It isn't my fault. It takes a very long time to get out. I walk down the same street. There is still a deep hole. I pretend not to see it. I fall in. I pretend it's still not my fault. It takes a long time to get out. I walk down the same street. There is still the same deep hole. I see it. I fall in anyway. It's a habit. I get out quicker this time. I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole. I see it. I walk around it. I don't fall in. I walk down a different street. ~Portia Nelson

It takes a revolution to change things. By revolution , i dont mean bloodshed. By revolution, i mean change in thinking , changes in our attitude ... not just towards things that seem very important, but even banal issues. We seem to have a view on everything big , or atleast we claim that we do ( even if it is directly dependent on what the newsapaper feeds you with).. but for other issues which probably affect us more on a day-to-day basis , we don't even react. Whether it is the illegal construction around our house ,the garbage piling up across the street... or someone misbehaving in the bus... we prefer to turn a blind eye towards such things. What we need to do is not just sit and comment but really put in thought. THINK. And then , even more important , REACT. The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted. ~ Samuel Smiles

The Road Not Taken ~ Robert Frost TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

The air is like a butterfly With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky And sings. ~ Joyce Kilmer (Joy) With such beautiful weather outside, i couldn't find words more apt to describe my mood. Its been raining since afternoon.. the slight rain, a little more than drizzle.. the patter on the roof.. the intoxicating smell of the "happy" earth.. the wet, green leaves , looking fresh as if they're dancing with joy.. Getting wet in the rain .. feeling the wetness on your skin.. and finally feeling numb because of the cold - numb to everything else around you except the only thing you can feel... the rain .

"Good decisions come from experience , and experience comes from bad decisions ! " We face decisions every moment - some critical, some small and some trivial. But however big or small the decision ,some amount of thought does go in, simply because the decision is ours . And no one likes to be blamed for an incorrect decision. But then, is not taking the decision yourself an easier way out. Or is it a way of passing on the responsibility to someone else... I ve seen lots of people who not only hesitate in deciding , but sometimes just wait for someone else to make it , and then simply follow suit. Every decision left to you should be considered as an opportunity - an opportunity to take responsibilty , to prove your ability , an opportunity to have your way , an opportunity to learn , an opportunity to gain experience !

Everything in our life has a purpose.. The purpose of the seed is to help germinate,and then help in bearing fruit. Even though the seed is finally thrown out while ebing eaten. So what matters is our purpose in life..how does it matter what becomes of us ultimately.. Or does it ?!?

What is the significance of Mother's Day...or Father's Day or Valentine's Day. I am not questioning the importance of these people in our lives… but do we require a day to express our love/gratitude towards them. The concept was okay, but the way these days have now been publicised, i feel they've all lost their meaning and initial purpose.Most of these days were celebrated so that unexpressed feelings could be expressed. But now, by the looks of it, it seems that these "days" seems to have lost their glory. In nowadays world, not wishing your parent on Parents day is a gross mistake...not having a valentine is a sin! I might sound cynical…and probably I am…but I feel these days have been hyped too much , leading to absolute loss of meaning and purpose !

What is success - is it earning a name and status or is it being financially well off. Is success about being rich , or is it about being recognized when you are walking on the streets ! If it is all about the money , then are the Laloo's and the Quattrocchi's of the world successful.... Besides,is there any way of measuring success. A man who doesn't have the money would consider it a success if he's able to feed himself daily. A handicapped person might consider it a success to accomplish "simple" tasks. We basically associate success with accomplishment of tasks we find tough. So each of us has a different view of what/who a success is to them depending on their weaknesses. "Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need." ~ Emily Dickinson

I suddenly felt this urge to express my feeling on the subject after I saw a movie (read Rang De Basanti )… I quite agree with what the director has to say… Its not about criticising the system, but trying to correct the system, by becoming a part of it. If we don’t want to be a part of it , we have no right to criticise it. If we don’t have the courage to stand up to the injustice we face, we have no right to crib about it. And I use WE here because this is not just about me or you ...but all of us… all of us who have a problem identifying with our country, our political system.. Its easier to stand outside and simply comment,but it requires courage to try and do something about it. I don't suggest what the actors in the movie did..thats an impractical solution. But if we stand up for our rights , for what we think is correct..that itself should be a sufficient beginning. We need to stop looking for the easier way out of every situation, and instead think of the correct way. Even

We all keep our homes clean.. but we don’t think twice before littering the streets. We behave our best when we are in foreign land , but as soon as we touch home , we get back to "normal". Travelling by the Metro is amazing , not just in terms of the technology used etc but also because you actually come to realise how clean the people of Delhi can be, how well behaved and law abiding they become when they have to. But its like witnessing a metamorphosis, when the same person who didn’t even drop a piece of paper walks out of the station and spits at the exit. What I am unable to grasp each time is that when we have it in us, to keep our environment and surroundings clean, what compels us to dirty places we visit. Why don’t we promise ourselves... for our sake, that we will not litter around. The change we need to make is not in people around us but ourselves.. by thinking of OUR country as HOME.

This is a forward i got.. though i should share it Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round? Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight? Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down. Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. Do you run through each day On the fly? When you ask "How are you? "Do you hear the reply? When the day is done Do you lie in your bed With the next hundred chores Running through your head? You'd better slow down Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow? And in your haste, Not see! his sorrow? Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die Cause you never had time To call and say "Hi"? You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. When you run so fast to get somewhere, You miss half the fun of gettingthere. When you worry and h

We all work. In different capacities, in different roles. Each of us have different motives for doing what we do .. some might do it for sheer pleasure , some for money and some for power. But whatever the reason , if the job at hand it performed to the satisfaction of everyone , if you utilise all your skills , and perform the task with fullest efficiency .. In such a case , what is more important ... that the work is done ..or does the motive still hold importance ???

Another year is just about to pass us by. Time is not static, it keeps moving. So it is only wise to keep moving with it... I mean not try to overtake it (it isn't possible, unless you believe in time travel ;-)), but move at a steady pace and not stagnate. So when I indulge myself in introspection, I must be careful not to begin living in the moments of the past. I must simply carry forward the lessons I've learnt and treasure the good moments. After all Yesterday might have been good, But tomorrow might be better.What makes the difference is our attitude towards life!

Is marriage the only thing of importance in life.. In every decision i am making... i am constantly reminded by people around me , in more ways than one, that marriage is the only ultimate goal i should keep in mind..

I believe in god , though not in the conventional way people do... I agree there is someone more superior than all of us.. or shall i say some supernatural power ... but that doesn't make me believe in an idol.... So whether it is my succcess or my failure i attribute it all to myself... as a consequence of what i've done.. I'm now saying i don't believe in destiny , but then i also believe that i create my own destiny... Then how is a prayer , or submission to an idol responsible for how i have performed ?? Is that because i lack the humility ...as someone told me today...

In a moment of joy... in a moment of gloom...the first person we look for,is not famiy, but a friend...a frind who'd understand. Someone who'd understand your happiness...and be happy with you. Who'd appreciate your success ,and not feel jealous.. Who'd support you , at the time of crisis , without hoping for anything in return... Then why ... do i feel jealous of my friend... am i not a true friend .. or am i just being immature..

I've finally created a blog... after procrastinating for so long.. so its only right if i start with hope.. HOPE ~ Emily Dickinson Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me.