~ Reflections ~

Here's another song that always, relives any stress on my mind It means no worries For the rest of your days It's our problem-free philosophy

Most of us are working to earn a living or make a name or for both. But in this strife to achieve what we set out for, we often forget the people in our lives ...  Practicality needs to prevail, as ends need to be met and bills need to be paid.. but if one really thinks about it, one would realize how this material gain seems to, often, override any other wishes. And the biggest collateral damage is always the family and loved ones. So the next time you sit at your work desk and decide to work an 'extra half an hour', please contemplate not just the future time saved at work but also the time missed with the family and loved ones. Needless to say, time with family is definitely priceless, viz-a-viz time at work !  

We all go through phases... Of loving, and losing,  Of loving what is lost, and then losing what is loved... And then it moves in a loop.... The love and the loss needn't pertain to a homo-sapien, but could be something as simple as a habit... In all this loving and losing and loving all over again, I have come to a single consistent conclusion each time...  Look for the bare necessities, Forget about your worries and your strife And then the bare necessities will come to you :)

When one observes their own life from a distance, it will often make you wonder why we fuss so much. Life is so beautiful, each day, as it progresses... But we have a tendency to nit-pick in each and every situation. The distancing helps in developing a bird's eye view to the entire situation... Don't know if the distancing makes one detached, or helps refresh the connections... Either ways, it definitely provides a new perspective ! Reminds of this Song by Bette Midler From a distance the world looks blue and green, and the snow-capped mountains white. From a distance the ocean meets the stream, and the eagle takes to flight. From a distance, there is harmony, and it echoes through the land. It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace, it's the voice of every man. From a distance we all have enough, and no one is in need. And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease, no hungry mouths to feed. From a distance we are instruments marching in a common band. Play

All of us need guidance.. throughout life.. When we are young, we are more accepting of what people have to say.. As we grow up, we build walls, which are porous in some places, and hard in others... we end up deflecting a lot of the well meant advise from our people... What we don't realize is that we keep learning, if we keep an open mind, at all times and ages, sometimes from the most unsuspecting people and situations... The best teachers are those who show you where to look But don't tell you what to see. ~ Alexandra K. Trenfor

We spend our lives wishing and hoping... looking for the perfect person, the perfect moment.. trying to make everything perfect... Trying to make memories... Little do we realize that The moment just slipped by in trying to 'make' the memory !! Love's arms were wreathed about the neck of Hope, And Hope kiss'd Love, and Love drew in her breath In that close kiss and drank her whisper'd tales. They said that Love would die when Hope was gone. And Love mourn'd long, and sorrow'd after Hope; At last she sought out Memory, and they trod The same old paths where Love had walked with Hope, And Memory fed the soul of Love with tears.  ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson The Lover's Tale (1879)

The mind is screaming... for some peace... Little does it realize that the screaming is what is causing all the chaos :D There are often times when I wish I could keep my buzzing brain on the side,  and enjoy some not-thinking time... As if I need to be short circuited to keep from going zzzzzzz !!! Afterall, the mind is its own master....

It takes a pandemic to realize how many miracles we witness on a daily basis :)

Reflections in water, Shadows on the wall, but can't seem to find anything at all. Maybe it's all an illusion.  It will all be fine. And the thought that I cannot define, is just some fancy emotion  flaring up and making self doubt have its way.

There are moments in our life when too much is happening...  when our mind is buzzing continuously... So much that it becomes difficult to snap out of it... And the people around, are not helping the situation... I often wish I could just bolt out.. Escape all the noise, to just be able to regain sanity & think ! Image credits:  Aykut Aydoğdu

Often, we take so much for granted... That we have a roof over our head... sufficient money to survive through these trying times... the faculties, mental and physical to execute what we want.... And most importantly (and often the most taken for granted), loving family, friends and well wishers who truly care... who are willing to step up when you are forced to step down... who are willing to lookout for you well being at all times, in your highs and their lows as well !!

I never thought creating something will create a new being in me.  This part of me seems to be a new find, even to myself. I guess its the circle of life... being created and then re-created, till the end of life.

Growing up has various signs.. from the way our body changes to how our language evolves...  But the more our language evolves, the lesser we seem to use words effectively. Like Pluto (in Dil Dhadakne Do ) comments on this strange paradox, humans have all the tools to communicate all their thoughts  (clearly and effectively) , they choose to (more often than not) mince words and resort to subtle signs.  Sigh ! How much easier life would've been if we'd use the faculties nature has blessed us with !

This year has been exceptional in more ways than one... That the pandemic hit all of us is just the cause which snowballed into many effects (some drastic) for a lot of us.  To say that I am thankful would be an understatement... thankful that I got rest when I needed it (due to the lockdown), thankful that I've been blessed with my bundle of joy despite all odds, thankful for a lot of things... but most importantly thankful that my near and dear are all fine, emotionally, physically and financially. So here's my takeaway from this year... 1. There is often good in all the negativity that surrounds us . While this might sound like management jargon, it's true. On a personal front, lockdown provided the perfect opportunity to work from home and rest when I could, which really helped. But even in a more general sense, the air became cleaner.. City dwellers could suddenly hear chirping birds and spot stars in a clear (read smokeless) sky.  2. Reinventing oneself takes time an

One of the most impactful modes of communication for companies is advertisements. In most companies, lots of thought foes into what they wish to convey to their audience. While ads from the likes of Tata Group (read Tata Tea, Titan and Tanishq) have always been a cut above the rest, there are few other brands/companies which have consistently managed to break through the noise to deliver meaningful messages. Take for instance Ghadi Detergent, a brand from RSPL Ltd (a Kanpur based company) which has used the punchline #SaareMaelDhoDaalo to deliver beautiful messages, be it about forgetting old grudges , our prejudices about certain professions , the different hues of a mothers or respecting the people who enable us to accomplish our daily work i.e. domestic helps. Brooke Bond (an HUL brand), has also managed to deliver socially relevant messages through the brilliant campaigns like  #TasteofTogetherness  which has managed to shatter many myths, including the recent ad pertaining to

I know this subject has been beaten to death everywhere including books... Seize the day, like there is no tomorrow. However, despite these repeated reminders we keep getting from everyone, the point is often lost.. till it hits home.... leaving behind heavy baggage... We often postpone things, thinking we'll find a more opportunities in the future to do the necessary, say the needful... but alas !!

Some of us are wrong all the time, and all of us are wrong sometimes. But that doesn't stop us from stressing over trying to get it all right - to be perfect. Ironically, what we don't realize is that there is no perfect. One can't have it all. Love the advice given by Renuka Shahane  in one of the episodes (S02, E03) of the web-series called What the Folks  by Dice Media . Afterall, no one can have it all !!! Just let the ball drop once in a while.

Have you ever sought validation for your actions and decisions... As a child, the job is done by our parents and siblings, and they seem to be more than happy expressing their opinion. But what happens when one grows up.... Do we still seek validation as adults ? And more importantly, is it a reflection of our self confidence ? Recently, I was told that I still seek validation from some people. While I was initially taken aback by the feedback, I subconsciously knew it was an accurate observation.  Amusing as it sounds, there seem to be a bunch of us who appear confident and self assured, but who often seek validation from their people. Validation when making key decisions reinforces once belief.  But what sets apart the confident from self - doubting person is whether the absence of this hold one back from making the decision/acting in a situation ! 

What happens when we fail once..  Do we just give up or try again...  Do we start building walls and fences around us...   And if we are one of the courageous ones top finally tries again, is it ok to make the criterias more stringent, or would you just stick to your belief and trudge ahead...  Don't think there is any right or wrong in this...  No one should judge...  It should finally be each to their own... 

Most of us have had to circle doctors to cure our illnesses... This, in some cases, leads to visits to a hospital and sometimes even surgery. While it is scary to be inside an operation theatre, I realised that sitting on the outside is equally gruelling. Inside an OT, one atleast has a Doctor by their side, who is bound to look out for the welfare of the patient.... But what about the family, which is often left hyperventilating in the waiting rooms filled with others in similar situations. Those few hours of helplessness in the waiting room often have a life long impact, enough to change ones perspective about life !