Wanna feel happy and light?? Simple! Be like a child !!

The other day, I and my sister, just for a change, went in a garden where we used to go with parents when we were kids. There we saw a toy train which is meant for small children (obviously!!). My sister instantly told me, ‘lets sit in that toy train! It would be so much fun!!’ For a moment I thought that she has lost her mental balance.. The next moment, I hesitated, knowing that the uncle living in my building was also standing there with his grandson.. And I was wondering if the grandson and I would be in the same train?? Oh God !!

Then I thought, why am I thinking about all these things ? Do I feel like sitting in the train and be a child again? Or no? The answer was Yes! And we instantly bought two tickets..The ticketing guy was trying hard to control his laughter while issuing a ticket. But it’s ok! Because we were also laughing!!

And then came our turn! We sat in the train with confidence and a young boy was standing at a distance, looking at us, not understanding what we are upto!

As the train started, my sister and I started screaming ‘yeaaaa!!!!!!’ and that was the beginning of our next session of uncontrollable laughter. During all of this, that young boy was looking at me with a sceptic view. From what I could make out of his looks, I think he assumed that I am a mentally challenged girl, and my elder sister has brought me to the garden for a change! But as far as I am enjoying my ride, how does it matter?

As our turn came to an end, we came out of the train, so light! So free! So happy! I don’t remember when was the last time I laughed so whole heartedly!! That’s when I realized that the actual essence of life is in being like a child! Doing what you feel like doing, irrespective of what others might think of you!

That’s the essence! Deep into our hearts, we all want to be kids.. Have fun, be carefree, laugh, jump, dance and just be!! Believe it or not! Admit it at least to yourself!! Because this is a universal fact!! But how often do we let the kid in us to come out and just be?? The answer would be Never..

And why do we do that? Its because of two reasons-

1.    As time passes, our responsibilities increase and in all of this, we lose our essence of life! We get so busy that we forget when we were happy the last time!

2.    Even if some of us realize that we want to be free and light a times, there are so many people around that we cant!

We are so dependent on the perception of the society about us, that we always keep thinking what others will think if I do this or that.

And that is why, almost all of us wear a mask on our face and leave from our homes. To create an impression in front of the society. We are so fake at times that we get confused if this is the real me or no..

Why do we do all of this? For the perception of the society about us!! But does this perception help us when we are in need of a good and happy moment? The answer is clearly known to all of us! Then the question is, why do you care??

Moreover, its not only about being a kid for once. Its also about being yourself, free, happy and just enjoying yourself, making the most out of a simple moment!!

So, the next time you feel like doing something, be it as stupid as buying a whistle and blowing it whole heartedly, irrespective of who is around, please do it!! Because the feel you will get, of being free, being happy, being open hearted, being light!! It could not be compared with anything else in the world!!

So, when are you going to be a kid !!

The Transformation for betterment.. (is it ?? Think again !!)

Each and every day of life is different, filled with a variety of experiences. Sometimes pleasant, sometimes not. We take it all as it comes. At times it really takes a toll over our minds. All that we need during that moment is to forget it all for a moment and be with JUST ourselves. No friends no family. Then it’s just MY time to unwind. That is the time when we try and look into ourselves, talk, introspect and try and find answers to some questions we never asked ourselves. This is the time we give to break free from all the mess going around in our lives.

But the way we do the ‘unwinding’ and ‘relaxing’ activity has changed over the years. Thanks to the technology. But is that for good or for bad? I shall come to that in some time.

I would like to present 2 pictures. Both of unwinding, relaxing and getting a transformation. But the difference between the two is huge due to which the outcome differs drastically.

                                                              

Here’s the age old traditional method of getting relaxed and unwinding self. Trying to know the unknown by way of meditation. This helped a lot in understanding self AND the higher self. It helped in knowing the deeper meaning of life. It helps a lot in overcoming stress, burnout, anger, sadness, hatred, worry, fear and all such negative emotions. The result was a better, healthier and stress free living.

But all this is now substituted by the ‘modern’ technological, so-called ‘cool’ gadgets. But does it serve the purpose ?? 

Not really.

                                                                 

 Today, whenever we feel stressed, nervous, angry, etc. we tend to get our gadgets out and listen to music. Or even when we have some free time, we spend time by listening to music. This is the modern way of getting disconnected from the world. But unlike the traditional way of disconnecting, which is meditation, does this serve the same purpose ? The answer is a clear NO. All it does is, drags our attention away from the concerned topic for a while. But later, as we switch the music off for a while, the negative emotions crowd our mind the very next second. So is the purpose really served ?

I am not against listening to music. But the point here is, we have become so dependent on music that we feel helpless and sad without it. Especially when we are having a bad day. All this would have been fine if music really did the job of meditation. It does have calming and healing properties but could it really be compared with meditation? Something that has promising and permanent solution to our problems? And can we really take the liberty to ignore meditation as the best medium of disconnecting and substitute it with listening to music ?

Now it is for us to think and decide that the next time when we have some free time or even if we are a bad mood, do we listen to music and get temporary relaxation, or meditate for a while and get answers to problem and a permanent healing.

Peace.

We all love Ganpati Bappa, but do we really love and care for his creation ?? I don’t think so !!

So, my dear lord Ganpati’s visit has come to an end. The divine feel of his presence during the festival cannot be expressed in words !!

So all the young boys start collecting the contribution, arrange for the pandal, order a moorti, hire a music system ( I will definitely come back to that in some time). They all work with their heart and soul in it and finally the day arrives when Bappa is actually here !!

Kids, yong and old, all come and bow in front of Bappa and ask for some or the other thing. Bhajan sandhya is presented by women and games are arranged for children by the mandal. Then comes the day of visarjan. Again, lavish expenses are made just for the visarjan. The dholwallas are called from various places and people go dancing for the visarjan. And that’s how the festive season comes to an end.

But the real question is, HAS BAPPA ASKED FOR ALL THIS ?? Does he really want us to do all of this or would he be happy only by knowing how much we love him !! Even more by knowing that we are doing something good to his creation ?

Let me tell you that I am not against celebrating this festival. This is one festival which is so close to my heart and that’s why I am giving thoughts to improving our approach towards it. Let me tell you how..

The pandals always keep the music so high that it could easily affect an old woman who is at her place, trying to get some sleep or a young boy whose trying to study because he has an important exam ! Knowing the ‘implementation’ part of the rules and regulations of Indian system, it would be better if one avoids lodging a complaint.. But are we really so insensitive towards our surroundings that we conveniently ignore our neighbors and play the music loud.. Is Bappa really happy with it ?

Another concern is the Ganesh idol. No doubt many sentiments are attached to the moorti, but can we not be sensitive towards our environment and go for eco friendly moortis ? Is that really difficult, knowing that the moorti would be as beautiful as its POP counterpart ? So where is the problem ? Its in the way we are conditioned to do something and it is really necessary to uncondition and adopt new values, ideas and systems for the betterment of the planet and mother nature.

Visarjan plays a very important role in creating a havoc ! The roads are jammed and its difficult to step out of the house !

Moreover, is Bappa really happy if we play songs like ‘Sheela ki jawaani’ DJ version for his visarjan ?? Where has the conventional style of visarjan gone where men and women sing songs, dance, play the dhol AT LOW VOLUMES and go for visarjan ? Is this song so important that it need to be played during visarjan ? I thank god that there are no such fools in my locality who do such immature stuff. But in some parts of Mumbai, they do exist..

And the most important point, how nice it would be if out of the contribution the mandals get, if they keep a part of it aside and contribute it towards some noble cause.  Old age home, child education, be it anything ! Trust me Bappa will be the happier than how much he would be on getting a modak ! If this is implemented by even a few, it would affect positively the lives of many people around us… 

Yes there will be issues with collecting the contribution as people will be reluctant, not sure if money will really go for a noble cause. But we can at least start from somewhere right ?? If a member of any mandal is reading this, I really hope you guys implement this next year onwards.

These points need to be seriously thought upon. Do love Ganpai Bappa, but as Christ and Krishna say, we need to love people around us and that is when God will be really happy…

God bless J

I don’t have time for you mom…(oh really ?? )

So, what’s up in life at the moment ?? Umm... Lots of things. Attending lectures, projects, presentations, upcoming functions and events, studies, reading newspapers and textbooks, etc. Is that all? NO !! There is facebook, linkedin, and other modes of social networking tools and meeting friends as well. So, one would not actually realize where the entire day gets spent. In all of this, there is very less time to spare and breathe, where on earth should I find time for you and talk to you (or even pretend to listen to you and keep the thoughts of my mind on at the same time) ??

Well, let me be blunt with you at this moment of truth. Because the fact is that we DO NOT HAVE time for our family. At times, we CHOOSE NOT TO GIVE TIME to the same people who love us the most. Why is this super busy life taking a toll over our personal space and forcing us to change and make compromise with our relationships? In extreme cases, people tend to get used to this lifestyle and they unfortunately fail to realize that is the price they are paying; knowingly or unknowingly.

Imagine one day you wake up and your mom says “Son I don’t have time to cook for you or take care of you in any way”. Or some fine day your dad approaches you and says “I am too busy earning for myself. Sorry, I can’t share any of it with you so you better make provisions for yourself”. We cannot think of these days because believe it or not, they are out support system. And no matter how independent we become in life, they still will be the same for us. They will shower the same love upon us and perform their responsibilities loyally irrespective of our attitude towards them. Then why can’t we do the same? Be with them and bring a smile on their face so that they forget the entire day’s tension and work load!

Is 20 minutes of time in the entire day too much that they are asking from us? Have the other things become so important for us that we don’t have time for them at all? If we ask ourselves after reading this, the answer surely will be NO. But we really need to look into ourselves and ask this question. The answer might not be the same in that case. And in most of the case, we don’t even realize that our beloved are being ignored by us. Well that is the real tragedy.

It’s very simple. The only solution is being alert and doing self behavior analysis. Understanding when they need us and being with them. Not ignoring them because you are busy uploading some pictures or videos. Also, knowing what is happening in the lives of our family members. And knowing not only what they say, but more importantly, knowing what they don’t say. There is a very deep meaning to that statement. And hearing the unsaid is the key to a successful relationship.

Time is the essence. It really is. So let’s make a point giving adequate time to people who love us unconditionally. Social networking, projects, music, everything can wait for a while. And it would also be with us for a lifetime. But if this time to spend with family, especially parents, flies by, it would never come again in life. So better we realize this before it’s too late.

So my dear friends, tomorrow morning, grab a cup of tea or coffee and sit next to your mom, dad and greet them a great morning and simply ask them wassup! And see the difference in their smile. I know it works. And I can feel the happiness one would derive out of it. A positive atmosphere would get created in a family. You too feel the same. Just try doing it once. God bless J

Take it light baby...

The other day I woke up and the first couple of things that came to my mind are which train I am suppose to catch today, which projects are pending, etc. Then suddenly I looked at the sky and I felt whats the hurry? Why is my brain so occupied with all this planning and scheduling that I did not even notice the beauty of nature when I got up in the morning? That is when I told myself 'ok stop. Spend a few moments looking at the beautiful morning and the beautiful nature around. Everything else to be done later'. So that is how my day began.

After that I made it a point to spend time observing things around. The trees, birds, rains, sky....and it gave me a lot of peace and happiness to just look at the birds chirping, the trees swaying because of the wind and the rains. It feels so good to see some people enjoying the rains while having their morning cup of coffee...while others are looking for shelter because they don't have an umbrella and they don't want to spoil their ironed clothes before reaching the office..

Then while travelling in train, I was looking at the fresh and beautiful smile that people carried while starting their day.. Radio played beautiful music..Listening to music and enjoying the view of beautiful green trees while travelling is a bliss !! The essence lies in just observing things without having any thoughts about anything in your mind.

These activities are very trivial to perform..That is why we do not pay attention to all these things like looking at birds and trees and enjoying the rains.. After all, who has that much of time right? But it is out of experience that I suggest everyone to adopt this observation technique once in a while. Only because there are many beautiful things that nature has to provide us. And when we admire it, the kind of peace and pleasure that we derive out of it is immeasurable. Trust me it will take away all your tensions and problems and all of a sudden life will seem so beautiful to all of you. And then you will be recharged to start with the day and face good and bad situations, come what may..

But so as to experience it, you need to try it... So will you ?? Tomorrow morning maybe ?? Remember, the essence lies in golden four words 'don't think, just observe'.

My friends :)

So, to begin with the 'Blogging' thing, I thought that what could be better that dedicating the first on to my friends... Because throughout my life they have acted as very strong and important pillars. Don't know with whom should I begin.. Lets try though..

Komal- MISS ETERNAL ETIQUETTE is the first thing that comes to my mind (she knows why..hehe.. ) A very very close friend with whom I have shared many of my happy moments as well as the sad ones.. She has always stood by my side for everything... She just loves me the way I am and I can completely be myself in front of her (please read childish, like a cartoon, stupid, silly, etc. etc..) A friend that one can find rarely.. I am lucky to find her.. :)
Komal you know it all.. So words do not mean anything anymore... Loads of Love :)

Sri- 'YOU REMIND ME OF MY ELDER SISTER'  is what I have always told her... A very sweet, calm, matured, pleasant person is my friend Sri... I will always cherish the moments when I have sung S.P's songs for all of you and times when you would sing and I would give the background music :P
You are a very very beautiful soul and I wish you all the happiness in the world :)

Smiles- her name says it all... the one who always makes me smile... the one who helped me get much more into Art of living and realize the spiritual side of myself in a better way....the one who has a solution to all my problems... the one who would scold me when I do something wrong.. the one who would give me a shoulder to cry... the one who understands me really really well... the one who would laugh on my silly jokes and say 'bakwaas !!!!' ...smiles I need not say anything more about you coz you know what exactly I would want to tell you right now... Love you babes... And keep smiling :)

Curls- Babes you simply rock !!!! MISS SOPHISTICATED as I call her ;) A very very smart, pleasant, girl (also the one who takes a lot of tension :P  ). She always takes care of me and I know that shes there for me always for anything and everything... thanks for everything babes... love you a lot lot lot...

Vandu- Miss hottie what do I say about you ? You are someone who is a very very good listener...you would hear to everyone's perspectives and even understand it very well...I bet you will simply rock in your career... A very confident, vibrant, loving, understanding girl is my friend Vandu... She gives me the strenght to keep going when I feel low... A very sweet friend who gets yummy food for lunch !! I have never told this to you but your smile has always made me smile... keep that smile always on your face... Loads of love to you.. God bless you with alllllll the happiness babes :)

God bless all you beautiful people for being a part of my life and making it much more meaningful and beautiful...
I love you all a lot :)