~ Reflections ~

All of us have small little rituals, that comfortably become a part of our daily lives... And we don't even notice them till they stop... be it a good night kiss, or a meal together.. Actually, I always used to wonder during my childhood why my mother used to try her best that all of us eat dinner together at the dinner table... yes.. dinner table !!! It all sounds like an alien concept, with tight schedules and the television to give us company.. But it all makes sense to me now... through our entire busy day,we are always surrounded by different objects/people... Dinner seems to be the only time when the entire family has the opportunity to sit together.. and talk... discuss the day's events... and other trivial things.... As unimportant and trivial as it may sound, I have come to believe that a family that eats together, stays together !!!

Read this somewhere... It struck a chord somewhere... As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true. Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India. My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat. I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange  rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down. Finally I decided to get married. Told my paren

A lot of us believe that we should apologize for the wrong we've done...True.. But I've observed that a Sorry seems to be an easy shortcut... Uttering the one simple word seems to wash away the wrong-doing... We might not even pay as much attention, when we just utter the sorry...  And obviously now, thou shall be forgiven !!! Source: Toonpool

that thought in my head... it doesn't seem to go.. when i should have said what i'd known... but couldn't seem to find the right moment to do.. now life has given me a moment's grace.. to say what i want to..  so i don't take it to my grave.. my mind is doing a somersault... 'coz i have time enough, just to mention 'em all... and that's what i deserve in the end... something i wanted to say, but was left stuck in my head.. PS: This is another masterpiece by MC Escher

Found these lines online... they've got me thinking... "Just because my eyes don’t show tears, doesn't mean that I don’t get hurt... Just because I come out strong, doesn't mean nothing went wrong... I often choose to pretend to be happy, so that I don’t have to explain to people who will never understand.. Smiling has always been easier than explaining why I am sad…………."

"The ego is a leaky balloon, forever requiring helium of external love to remain inflated, and ever vulnerable to the small pin pricks of neglect." ~ Gurcharan Das, The Difficulty of Being Good We all claim to be sane. Not engrossed in ourselves. Not influenced by flattery. But we all are.  I think most of us realize once the other person is overdoing it.. but till then, it's all music to our ears...

Good food is appetizing... But the best kind of food is which touches all our 5 senses, to make us loose control ;) The intoxicating aroma hits the nose even before our fingers have touched the food that is looking delectable, urging us to quickly bite into it... as we crunch the food down... very few things can arouse similar emotions, all at once :) yes yes... I am a foodie...

Witnessed something on a Delhi road today... and somehow it gave me a high... Though I was neither the subject nor the object... Driving down a crowded road in Okhla, a group of local village 3 kids came along, with school bags... and began asking for a lift.. In today's world of sceptics, I was pleasantly surprised to spot a guy in a Corolla stop by to give these kids a lift to their desired destination...

There is such a wide gap between the demand and supply of basic amenities like medical services... housing... good schools.... that getting into any of them, doesn't seem to be possible.. atleast not on pure merit... So even in places where you thought there was no possible corruption (and by that, i don't necessarily mean money)... it takes, what is called सिफरिश i.e. Recommendation... What is even more amazing is that most of these places state it very blatantly, that you are not welcome, even if you are eligible... When all of us, today's generation, discuss corruption, and talk about wanting a clean society, free of having to bribe anyone, we tend to forget... that discussing such issues from the comfort of our homes/offices is rather convenient... But when recommendation (which is just a more sophisticated form of corruption) is requested for, even for basic admissions... I wonder how we can plug such things from our society... And if a corruption f

Can you hear that sound... Ya.. that one... the one that never seems to stop... Some call it the voice in the head.. I call it the chatterbox.. Because no matter what is happening, it just doesn't go quiet... It just goes on and on and on... But have you ever paid attention to what it says... It sometimes tells you what you don't wish to hear.. the truth !!! Credits for the Photograph: Kosmur http://kosmur.deviantart.com/art/Alter-ego-73280600

Met at the alley Exchanged glances... In silent agreement We knew our chances.. If only I'd had more courage to say What was in my heart that day... Photo by Lyubomir Bukov, taken from  http://www.weirdomatic.com/creative-shadows.html

India seems to have pulled off the Commonwealth Games just in time & quite successfully at that, despite all the criticism about the leaking bathrooms and the broken bridges. But the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that, we lacked not in organization skill. The flaw in the scheme of things is at 2 very basic levels. Firstly, for a developing country like India (ya ya, I know, we hate to hear it... but we definitely are still in the league of developing nations... we have miles to go before we can call ourselves developed !!!), to have  budgeted  INR 16.2 Billion for the event, and to have finally spent an obnoxious INR  115 Billion on sports facilities and related infrastructure. The intention is not to hurt the sentiments of any sports enthusiasts who finally have good tennis courts to play in.. But in a country where simple amenities like hospitals, schools are unavailable/too expensive for over 50% of the population; it is sheer extravagance that the

Life is meant to be a balance.. between  the good and the bad joy and gloom good health and illness hope and disappointment I guess we need one, to remind us that the other exists... So when the going gets tough, remember that things with get better... And if things are going great already, seize the day & make the most of it....

लोग रंग बदलते है  ज़िन्दगी भी रंग बदलती है इन बदलते रंगों मे कही मेरा रंग भी ना बदल जाए Log rang badalte hai Zindagi bhi rang badalti hai Inn badalte rango mae Kahi mera rang bhi naa badal jaae

Despite all the storms we've seen together And all the battles we've fought with ourselves & others Sitting next to you, with your arm around me Makes my world feel like heaven..

Words will only crowd the emotion.... Only his own words can do justice !! No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life.  It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

So are you the kind who likes to start with the dessert... Or do you like ending the meal with one... Only recently did it occur to me that even the way we eat, especially the best part of our meal, is an apt reflection of our attitude... What I am trying to suggest is.. do we start with the best part... or like to save the best for the last.... Tell me if I am wrong.. but isn't that the way we treat most things in life....  getting over with the mundane work at hand, hoping that we'd finally do the best stuff in the end... The only difference is that there is a defined end to a meal.... but the quantum of mundane work for a day is unlimited !!! 

Fear is an important component in life.. The fear of loss... the fear of gain... The fear of being left alone... the fear of being lost in a crowd.. And all it takes is some self-confidence... and your loved ones.... To feel secure again :)

Its almost a heartening sight when you see someone facilitate the movement of an ambulance on the road... Though I've mentioned it in the past , I think most of us need re-iteration, especially when it comes to etiquette on the road... So what kind of drivers are we... One with the mind on the road... or is it just eyes.... What I am trying to ask is.. are we the kind who drive, with just music to enjoy... or do we believe in multi-tasking.... Lord forbid, but that multi-tasking might leave us incapable of doing any other task in the future !!!

We try and make every moment special... By talking, loving, caring... In that every moment is unique.. makes it even more special... So why then, do we seek to make those days (read birthday/anniversary etc) special... I guess we all live life as it comes... so we like to preserve the occasion by making the day memorable... But in our race against time... Aren't we wasting lots of moments that go by, waiting for these special days ?!? PS: My husband has started calling me Sigmund Fraud .. Can't think of a better gift :) I guess that only encourages me to post more of my theories...

Our parents are the single biggest influence in our lives... But if we believe that they the only ones, its untrue... We are all like sponges... observing things around us, and absorbing what we like... The rate of absorption might reduce with age, but I doubt it ever stops... Since our school teachers are the people we observe most, when we are kids... they are the other set of strong influence.... To all those who taught me... knowingly & unknowingly.. Thank you... for doing what you're doing.. the way you are doing it.... Because atleast I've learnt from it....

I've heard some wise man say that a pessimist looks both sides while crossing a one way road... What would you say if not being a pessimist turns into your worst nightmare ?!? Taking a turn on the NH8 without looking out on both sides of the road could be fatal...  What is worse... you begin to feel stupid for not looking both sides before taking the turn (on a 1 way road !?!) The question is not whether what is being done is right... or wrong....  It is more to do with the implications.. if you are adamant about following the rule book.... But again.. if I were to address the larger question... where should one be drawing the line ?

Most of us feel guilty once in a while... if not most of the time... It would be interesting to dwell on the reason we feel guilty... If we look beyond what seems like an innocent emotion... we'll find that its a vicious thought our mind propagates in order to calm our conscience.... The inherent nature of the emotion is a cover-up.. and eyewash... for ourselves...

I have a specific complaint with Indians (pardon my targeting citizens of just the subcontinent... but here is where I've witnessed it !) Whether it is a bhajan/kirtan session.. a puja to celebrate a festival.... or a call for that day's namaaz ... or a sermon being given by a famous priest.. we have learnt to use microphones to the most....  It's as if we want to tell everyone around us what we are upto...  I always thought connecting with god, or atleast attempting to, was a very personal intimate thing... which is why it amazes me when all of us attempt to advertise these dialogues with god... I understand, that in today's world, everything needs publicity... from a tiny chewing gum to a man's ego... But I am always left wondering if the communication would have been more effective the other way... Afterall, how will you get peace of mind, when you are disturbing the peace in other people's lives..... PS: I am sorry if I hurt anyone's sentimen

All of us love our parents... But I doubt, if even once in our lifetime, we tell them how much we love them... ya ya.. I get it... that some things are understood, and need not be said... but once they start getting old... these are the things that keep them going... to know that they are loved... that we'll take care of them... Afterall, life comes a full circle.. from their holding our hand to walk... to us holding theirs....

Our mind is a funny thing.. Lapping everything up... But then, all it takes it the tide..  to change....   and  we start revealing some... concealing some... and then... sometimes things just show up.. on the shore... Photograph Source: Google Images

I guess all of us have noticed the recent advertising Google is doing for itself... Needless to say it's trying to reinvent itself (again) through Plus... It just goes to show that the best of us need to showcase our abilities once in a while... Gone are the days when people try and take the time out to "notice" different new things... Now, one needs to showcase the different side, even if that means you take the most common way to tell the world !!

All of us have sides..  Is it the good.. the better.. and the best... or  Is it the good.. the bad.. and the ugly... PS: If you haven't already guessed.. this is one of the many masterpieces created by MC Escher . If this has intrigued you enough, you'll find more of his stuff here .

As far as I could remember, one would always wish to do things the right way... the underlying assumption was always that the way is being sought for doing the right things :) I guess doing things wrong doesn't need directions (unless you are seeking directions while circling the roads of delhi ;) But as things progress from the mono-colour world of black n white to the land of grey's.... discussions about "the right way for the wrong thing" shouldn't have come as a surprise... I mean... haven't we always known that there is only 1 unique right thing - right way combination... imagine the confusion in picking the "right" way to do the "wrong" thing... So if I had to choose simply, isn't it easier to pick the right thing - right way option... easy on the brain you know !!!

What happens if you are crossing the road and a bike suddenly rams into you.... Besides the fact that you'll probably be unconscious (or maybe you wish you are), what is the first thing that will come to your mind... Thank god I am alive !! But what happens if you've just witnessed someone getting rammed! Whats your first impulse ? Wonder what the sign means ?

There is a fine line between praise and flattery... What sounds like music to our ears needn't always be true... But what if the words are well meant, and you think its flattery... What is worse... believing flattery.... or hurting someone you love... Where do we draw the line.... Or do pessimists always assume the worst !!!

History (from Greek ἱστορία - historia): "inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation" If we dwell deeper in the word, it brings out the past - the good, the bad, the ugly... and so, is a strong tool to develop opinions.... Needless to say, most poeple are "taught" history as children.... I remember pouring through books of history in school to scrape through my history test. However, almost 20 years later (goodness, its been very long !!), I realize that history should not be taught... poeple should be allowed to explore it for themselves, and the society should just provide the tools... to explore freely, whichever aspect we wish to... Though my liking for history stems from school, it is more due to my teacher, who acted like a narrator of the events that have gone by, rather than someone trying to preach a moral outcome.... school only touches the tip of the iceberg... History is unbound, and growing every moment... even as I write this blog...

Decisions are part of all our lives... Some are taken by others on our behalf... and for some, we manage to summon the courage to take the leap ourself... But each and every decision taken has a bearing on our circle of influence.... So when we take the plunge (I mean when we try and decide for ourselves), do these people figure in our consideration set at all.. And having said that, didn't we always dream of being independent people, where our mind and thought was free from any other constraints... 

What do you find easiest to concentrate on.... some would say god... some would say themselves... but somehow, whenever I make an attempt to concentrate on something is precisely the moment when my mind begins to wander.... Maybe our subconscious loves playing the Devil's Advocate...  trying to challenge us to not let us do what we have set out to do :) Isn't that the case always... for everything.... I wonder how people concentrate on anything ;)

In our busy lives nowadays, we seem to spend most of our time in office, and the remaining time on the roads (driving, i mean)... Its interesting to observe how people react to different situations on the road... I've come to believe that it has a direct correlation with our actual behaviour (or maybe our closet behaviour)... For instance, what would be your instantaneous reaction when you see an ambulance, with a blowing siren coming behind you... don't bother clearing the passage for it - a  dumb ass who doesn't bother about rules, not even when it's a matter of life and death for someone else clear the way, and the immediately follow it - an opportunist who has found a  way to beat the traffic clear the passage, wait for it to pass by, and then proceed with wherever you were driving to - normal bahaviour (or so I thought) of a cool headed individual clear the passage, and remained on the sidelines - laid back individual, who is not bothered about pace Disclaimer

People like us, i mean those living in metros, have a tendency to seek calm and peace... we search for an environment that would soothe us... But most of us (or maybe all of us) tend to miss such gifts of nature right in our backyard... The early morning sunrise (though m sure all of us stake claim to having watched sunrise at a hill station :)) the twitter of birds (not celebrities!!) after sunrise the early morning dew, and the smell of grass wet because of it the smell of wet mud after the first rainfall in summer where are we when all this is happening..... neatly tucked in bed ?? or working in those concrete jungles?? Is it worth it????

Its appraisal time... so would enjoy appraisal of the blog too... So bring it on... The good, the bad, the ugly.... What should be changed, what should be retained.... Or should I just stop blogging and head to the Himalayas and make peace :)

Interesting mail I received recently.... A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck. Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled body and shriveled wings. It

Wrinkled faces... young at heart... Youth rising.... antiquated thought.... Identity of age.... tautness of skin ?!? Beauty of age.... the spirit of the mind Lets just hope that as our body gathers the dust of age... our mind sheds all the age... after all there has to be a balance !!!

Most of us believe in signs... Signs people give.. Signs life decides to show us... So what does it mean, when in a single day, I almost ran over someone... almost fell from a staircase.... and then got jacked at work... I guess it means that I should treasure what I have, and not take it for a ride.... Or is it that I'm living life on the edge and could fall any moment.....

I give you light..  I show the way.. I support you..  I melt away... Giving... is selfless.... Getting.. is unconditional... And it is equally important to appreciate both.... Afterall, you never know when you are on the other side...

Man evolves physically... but I've come to believe that we are slowly devolving (if such a word exists) emotionally & psycologically... Our previous generations had blind faith... in their elders/forefathers or who ever they chose to believe.... M not saying blind faith is good... atleast they had the strength to stand by their belief... What are all of us doing now??? In the name of experimentation, we dabble in different things, without understanding the reason/basis of it... j ust for the sake of experimentation, we are not only letting go what we have, but are getting into some new unknown.... Call me old fashioned, if thats what this is.. but I've always learnt to question... I'm not averse to change or experimentation.. but not without a basis.... Remember the science experiments we used to do in school.. Aim... Apparatus... Theory.. Method....  That's the way to follow here also...

Its human tendency.. to look around... compare... admire what others have... crib about what we don't... I guess that's why, when Onida had launched the campaign "Neighbour's Envy, Owner's Pride" , it was such a huge success. But there is another catch... is the pride subject to the fact that what you have is someone's envy !?! PS: Another thought... I wonder why it is symbolized by the Devil ;)

All of us have another side... a Jekyll & a Hyde... a black swan & a white... What matters is not that there is a split.. but what we let prevail... Afterall, it is all in our control... or is it that we try and control too much....

The anger within.... The calm outside... The anger brought out... The calm within... Afterall, there has to be a balance Credits for Photograph: Joshi Daniel - The Monster Within (from http://joshidaniel.com/2010/07/06/103/ )

iss sanaate mae sab sunai deta hai jo hum chehre se chupa lete hai iss kadar sab saaf nazar aata hai ke raunshni ka asar he na rahe

It seems to be easiest to make decisions/judgements based on faith for a 3rd person... slightly easy to make for oneself... but when it comes to a loved one... somehow the faith in the bigger power reduces...  Suddenly taking that leap of faith is not all that easy... 

we all like to put in the best for the ones we love... and as we strive towards the "best", we loose track if the person really wants all this... I guess each of us just try to satisfy our own wishlist...  the loved ones are just an alibi :)

What is easier... to make the choice.. to take the choice... or wait for time to show you the way... Or maybe all this just seems easy...  there is essentially no "choice" involved...

All of us love talking about the ideal... the epitome.... all of us have those images.. or should I say, Illusions... I wonder why we fail to see that the best in the world need not necessarily be the best for us....

Silences... the most versatile moments if I might say so... The happy ones.. the sad ones... The playful ones.. the ruthless ones... The meaningful ones... Some with none at all.... The ones that say it all... the ones that don't say a thing... Some meant to fill the spaces... Some meant to create them... As much as we claim to know a person..  I often wonder if it is ever possible to understand the silences that pass a conversation..... Hmmm.....

the speed of time..  the lethargy of the moment.. the clock ticking by...  yet the moment not letting go...

"Dhoop Ke Ujaale Si, Puns Ki Pyaale Si, Khushiyan Mile Humko.. Zyada Manga Hai Kahaan, Sarhadein Na Ho Jahaan, Duniya Mile Humko.. Par Khudha Kheir Kar, Uske Armaan Mein Kyun Bewaja Ho Koi Kurbaan.. Gujha Muskuratha Hai Kyun Waqth Se Pehle Kyun Chodd Chala Tera Ye Jahaan... Ek Lau Is Tharah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula Ek Lau Zindagi Ki Maula.."

Moving on is simple, it's what you leave behind that makes it so difficult. Photograph: Ahmed Shajee Aijazi & Hamza Azeem - "Escaping Birth"

I was high (in the air.. what did you think ;)) when it all came to me.... Clouds are like dreams... we see them give shape of our thoughts.. And when dreams collide...  it rains !! Eureka!! which then either go down the drain (literally !!) or do something more constructive...

udaan bharne ki koshish sabhi karte hai kuch pankho ke saaath, aur kuch apne hauslo se par udne mae mazaa tabhi aata hai jab lage na darr, neechae aane se

Everytime I'm falling down all alone,  I fall to pieces...

So what are the different sources of energy that come to your mind...  Petrol , Gas , Nuclear Fission , Fusion , Photoelectric.... Here's a new source.. Words..  They can propel your thought.. Move you to action...  Make you realize your potential.. and if the push (read words) is strong enough, then ensure action :) They can hold your thoughts and build your potential... break the dam of patience and result in a flood...

Every thought, every emotion , every action has its own lifecycle... From the initial kisk.. to the euphoria & the heat to accomplish.. to the joy of fulfilment... to the satisfaction that the needful has been done... to the emptiness that nothing is left to do..  till we find something new again to kick start the whole process again :)

Borrowed from Pravs.. couldn't find anything more apt

I like keeping it simple... or atleast that' s what I've tried so far... Then why do I suddenly feel like I'm complicating it for myself...  Maybe because life became to mundane, and its time for some change...

"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." ~ Ayn Rand

"... the quality of men who are selected by these modern democratic methods of adult franchise gradually deteriorates because of lack of thinking and the noise of propaganda... He [the voter] reacts to sound and to the din, he reacts to repetition and he produces either a dictator or a dumb politician who is insensitive..." This is what Nehru had to say about the Indian Democratic System when the Indian system was being created....and to think the description is even more apt today, where we have politicians & citizens who lack the passion that existed in those days.. Jinhe Naaz hai Hind par wo Kahaa hai.. Kahaa hai kahaa hai kahaa hai  !!!

We are all like Sponges... soaking up what we see / hear and assimilate around us... but every sponge has its capacity to absorb.. So till we dry up or throw out some of the stuff we've got inside... we'll stop soaking it up... " Habit is a second nature which prevents us from knowing the first, of which it has neither the cruelties nor the enchantments.  " ~ Marcel Proust

Thought... rumination... Beauty... reflection... Feelings... emotion... Dreams.. ambition..

2 girls... nonchalantly chewing gum... casually dressed in jeans and t-shirt... could have been anyone... who's to tell the difference... the fact that it was the middle of the night (don't we all haunt the streets of Delhi at odd hours)..  or that they were with a pimp.. made me feel insecure... sad....

Here's my solution to Communal Riots & Religious strife... The government should give incentives for...  Intercaste / Inter-religion Marriage !!!! It will then become all in the family :D

Living in the fast paced lives that we do.. we have very few things in our live that we do outside of the circle of work...  So when we go out to watch movies, most of us go for sheer enjoyment... so the farther the movie from reality, the greater the chances of the crowd enjoying it.. Don't get me wrong, there are still few connoisseurs of good serious cinema which is closer to reality.. but the breed is fast depleting... N why not...  Blame it on our lifestyles !!!

I've been reading a collection of essay's by Arundhati Roy.. Some of the stuff she has to say makes a lot of sense.. here's a sample... "The nuclear bomb is the most anti-democratic, anti-national, anti-human, outright evil thing that man has ever made. If you are religious, then remember that this bomb is Man's challenge to God. It's worded quite simply: We have the power to destroy everything that You have created. If you're not (religious), then look at it this way. This world of ours is four thousand, six hundred million years old. It could end in an afternoon." For anyone who wants to atttempt reading them, here is one of them, titled "The End of Imagination", which featured both in Frontline &  Outlook .

The more I see my grandparents and parents, more I feel that it is important to live in the present, for the present. But the more we live just for the present, more complicated our future seems to be getting.