My moon talk on the ‘Full Moon’ Day

Since a few days I have been trying to get back to a routine. Evening walk is a part of it and since I usually get late, I noticed the moon in its grandeur. It was so beautiful that I changed my regular path – because I wanted to have a look, then one more and another. Trust me it was probably the most beautiful thing I had seen in a while (thanks to the lockdown and the pandemic protocols), it was mesmerizing. 

A little secret is, I often talk to the moon. Considering it knows me inside out, I only talk to the moon in prayers (code language). Last month I did so while walking with 'Thandi Hava', that’s the latest name I have given to Karman (my nephew), and we both prayed together. His little company and long chats, the super unexpected logics and detailing inspires me. 

Why I find moon so relatable?

• The patience. 
• The silent shine that lights up the dark. 
• The peace, with which it travels through the phases. Unlike humans it never complains, what I mean is – that the sun still scorches us sometime , may be it gets worked up too. 
• The fact, that a moon is still a moon in all its phases. Whatever we may call it, it keeps going and lives on faith.
• The moon understands its phases and never lets the judgements affect it. Just like us humans, it dips into the dark, it brightens, it does gets faded and it tolerates the rains but it stays.
• The simplicity, the full moon stare is spiritual, romantic and full in itself. It reminds you of your powers, it always walks with you. It teaches us to never get threatened.
• The best thing, it is always there, checks on us every day and it never disappears. 
• The moon walks along protecting us even on the roads that we need to take alone. Just me, moon and God. 

Habitual over thinker that I am, surfed through Moon signs and the impact…..don't worry I am not the blind follower kind (in such cases I reaffirm to stay positive) but I did explored (deep inside I feel they are God’s signal to me) and this is what I got, Your full-moon affirmation: I love, accept, and integrate who I was and who I am now becoming.

 

See I told you, they are God’s messages to me. He told me to focus, he is not pained about me becoming me, he wants me to ride on, work hard and live it up. 

Papa ji - Our Rockstar

Papa ji – that is how we call our grandfather fondly. And now when I am pretty grown up to understand the world ways, I am thankful we dint call him Dada Ji. He was no way less than a father to me or my family.

I lost him on April 23^rd and I feel life will not be the same. Like I know Lord Shiva is by my side, I feel my grandpa will be my side too but the realization that he won’t be around anymore – is nagging, it irks me and brings tears. I was and still known as – his favorite grandchild. But you know what – it doesn’t matters, for I always maintained that I am God’s favorite child – whether he showers blessings or he tests my patience. I know he is around and for some reason he took away Papa ji – that too suddenly. He was doing Ok – health wise and otherwise. He lived like a rockstar and now he is a 'star' up above in the sky.

I and my family are finding it difficult to cope – because he was very much a family man. We celebrated his last B’Day in October - all together. We feel blessed about the day – we gave him a happy b’day though we dint knew it was going to be the last with him around.

May be I am writing so much, because I saw death so closely for the first time, by this day I had not thought about it or about losing a closed one in a fraction of seconds.  At the funeral – I overheard people saying that he went like a blessed soul – because he dint feel any pain or problem and he dint of course let anyone know that he is going away. It was a normal routine day – he went for the walk, played with my niece and everything just so normal. And I get a call in the evening – with the news that he is gone.

There is absolutely no denying the fact that he was the most attached family member to everyone, a caring husband, a friendly father, concerned father-in-law, fantastic uncle and a doting grand dad I ever came across. And he had this forever ‘ZEST’ for life and to ‘LEARN’.

Life ‘goes’ on – I have learnt this in the last week but the memories come to me every day in each moment.  Whether it was my fee installments for the 2 years of my MBA or the engagement day, he was with me. He used to keep the record and remind dad about my course fee installments or it was my first step to enter the new life or new family – he took me arm to arm.

He was extra-proud of me.  On my first flight – he called to ask me, how was my first flight? I remember I used to call him on each important day of my life- an exam, an interview or a speaking event. I have had the best of conversations with him – On spirituality and books.

Whatever he would read or relate or feel lonely at times – he used to call up & share. Funny it might sound, but he used to call me to complaint about my grand ma and even his grand children. He was always a Best Friend and now will be my BFF till the end of life.

Another best thing about him is, he used to maintain a Family tree record. I am sure not everyone has read it – but he used to update it. He had his own Facebook well maintained even before I was born. He used to update all life events – my dad’s wedding to my wedding and even the details like High School, Senior Secondary and our Graduations are well tuned into it. Latest being the birth of my niece & nephews.

Sharing below the things is learnt from him:

1. Be Cool. Eat well, sleep on time, and worship God and just chill.

2. Live Life and Appreciate beauty.

3. Age is just a number, it doesn’t suggest – one should stop learning.

4. Love children. Do Good for the orphans. Service to mankind - the needy, the orphan or the underprivileged  is better then religious service. 

5. Respect Women. (I do not remember a single incident of him telling us to not do something because of being a girl) 

6. Care for your partner and the family.

7. Keep Working and maintain good health.

8. Eat what you like. It is ok to experiment with food.

9. Celebrate life and the little events of it.

10. Read – it helps.
11. Forgive easily. That only makes you better.
12. Keep Faith in God. Just do your job.
13. Stand your heads up - it is you who know what you are. 
14. Follow trends, keep yourself updated with the world.

Not that you are gone but you are more with us now for we all know that you are a family man and you just cannot be away from us. And I know you will always be around. 

Love you Papa ji. 

Do Not Struggle Emotions.Be a Survivor.

I believe many of us struggle a lot to keep our faith intact. To keep ourselves from becoming weak, feel lonely or broken. I display strength and do not want to show my emotions even in the most hair rising situations. I believe I have worked hard to be where I am and that has made me tough from outside, I do not want to give away so easily for I still have faith, for I am ready to work harder for few more years’ at least.

We at times do not feel a rush for we want to give life & faith another chance, but we struggle to fight it out. Sometimes we feel difficulty, to express it, to convey it and to make others realize how we feel inside.

At times we feel like this, and at times we find everyone around so preoccupied. Who the hell in this world is around to lend an ear and listen and say that they really ‘do care’? There are times when we will find an answer – ‘No One’.

Do not panic. Do not Struggle. Vent out and gain power from within.

Find friends, share, talk within or shift the focus. Many a times, the problem you are facing will not be understood, people would not accept the fact or show escapism. And it should not worry you, it should not cause pain in your nerves. Lord Shiva says, “If the other person is not ready to fight for himself, and you feel the need to fight for them, Go Fight, for what you do is your Karma and stop thinking about them or why they didn't do it”.

I came across a quote, “If they don’t fight for you, they are not right for you.” Agreed, take the quote in positive spirits. For it doesn't mean they are wrong, it only suggests you need to fight for yourself, keep your focus and follow the right direction. That is the beauty of Karma.

I see lot of intolerance around, people want to find flaws and act at that moment. Decisive acts. Don’t struggle to take a decision. Give the circumstance sometime, let the situation be tolerant enough to sit, accept, understand and opinionated. Anger is an enemy of right decisions. This doesn't mean you become an option for right times, it only means gain strength, think rational and then decide about the situations that cropped because of anger, despair. Do Not Struggle to take Instant Decisions.

Talk to friends, for they are God sends. I am sure most of them will be busy or will not care to revert. They are acquaintances. Find friends not those who are there for a reason or season but those few lifetime friends – who genuinely care.

Do Not Struggle with the fear of big mouths. What has happened or happening was the will of God, learn from your mistakes and move on. Accept the fact and live life. We are not here to exist and spend life. We are blessed with a life to make most of it.

Do not Struggle to make it Big. Just keep focus, keep passion, keep faith and Live it. Be a Survivor and not a Victim.

There is No Evil.

Two days back I finished the part I of Shiva Trilogy and by the end I got a lesson. There is no evil, this is what the savior is told by a saint when he is in going through the anxious phase of self-guilt, when he is reaching God to answer him whether he has done right or wrong. Whether he has brought an end to the evil or he did a wrong decision.

This is when he is told by a God send, that there is no evil. It is just that people are different in the world over. Rules of one could be the restrictions for other. One could prefer vibrant as happiness and other could feel sober as peace. One could mean no laws second could mean laws for all.

If we think of these things in our regular life, we can find so many answers. Imagine the differences our society has created in the everyday life – the difference in opinions, the choices to be made, all these rights are snatched on the pretext on religion, viewpoints, cast, creed, social status etc.

We are succumbing to the unnecessary reasoning like what dress to wear where, make-up or no-make-up, why eating non-vegan is a crime, why alcoholics are bad people, who people should marry, why a neighbor’s luxury should be envied until we have them too. How money makes someone inferior/superior, how people are getting in a mad-rush to achieve not what gives them happiness but what takes them a level up from others.

People even do not have their own dreams. I feel they never got to dream for they were brought up with the imposed rules, rules which give more sense of achievement then the sense of belonging. Sadly, there are certain customs & values in our Indian system which make people, bound them and force them to restrict their own happiness. But that’s not fair for each one should be taught & brought up with the only one message – ‘there is no evil’, what you did during a certain situation doesn't brand you as good or bad. It is what best could be done at that particular moment.

Start telling yourself right from this moment, “I will fear No Evil”.

Keep Faith. 

Refresh Yourself for New Beginnings!!

REFRESH YOURSELF for 2012

The year gone by - was tough & testing! Yes, but now at this beginning - I am happy, content and once again dreaming. 

Wow! what a start. 

I am glad that I am writing all positives in my mind. Right now while I write - I am thinking of words like Share, Magic, Learn, Sunshine, Green, Young, Peace, Music, Charge, Faith, Innovation, Progress, Transform, Life. These are the words - I kept on my New Year's mailer. These are the words I plan to keep in my mind this year. 

But with all my wishes to all of you for a Great Year ahead....I also want to share the lovely 

Inspiring Words,

You are the result of yourself. 

                                              - Pablo Neruda

Don’t blame anyone, never complain of anyone or anything

Because basically you have made of your life what you wanted.

Accept the difficulties of edifying yourself

And the worth of starting to correct your character.

The triumph of the true man arises from the ashes of his mistakes.

Never complain of your loneliness or your luck.

Face it with courage and accept it.

Somehow, they are the result of your acts and

It shows that you’ll always win.

Don’t feel frustrated of your own failures, neither unload them to someone else.

Accept yourself now or you’ll go on justifying yourself like a child.

Remember that any time is good to start

And that no time is so good to give up.

Don’t forget that the cause of your present is your past,

As the cause of your future will be your present.

Learn from the brave, from the strong,

From who doesn’t accept situations

From who will live in spite of everything.

Think less of your problems and more of your work.

Learn to arise from your pain,

And to be greater than the greatest of your obstacles.

Look at the mirror of yourself and you’ll be free and strong

And you’ll stop being a puppet of circumstances.

For you yourself are your destiny.

Wake up and stare at the sun in the mornings and breathe the sun of dawn.

You’re part of the strength of your life now,

Rise up, fight, walk, be sure and you’ll win in life.

Don’t ever think of ‘fate’

For fate is the excuse of failures.

Happy New Year :)

One more try! One more time!

Ahh…one more time it happen that life got obsessed about causing troubles for me. How sad I felt? How sad I felt – that it realized one more time - I will survive. One more time it realized - that I will survive. One more time – it happened.

This time I was quiet, calm and surprised. I am surprised and once again shouted in exile – why me? Why me – one more time. Yes, it shakes me, shocked me and waked me in the middle of the night one more time.  One more time – it happened.

I noticed the curves which arrived just like that. I noticed the hurdles which arose just as I was about to take the leap. I noticed the hurdles – one more time. One more time – it happened.

She knocked at the moment of joy, shocked me with the unleashed try, soaked me and choked me with the unknown airs and unknown flights. I am glad and thankful – I gave it another plight one more time. One more time – it happened.

I lost it – yes the hope. I hoped it- one more time. Yes, I hoped for the hope against hope. I got the hope one more time. One more time – it happened.

She left me – yes the inspiration. I chased it for one more time. Yes, I got it one more time and I inspired Life. One more time – it happened.

Dreams are the ones– which keep you alive. One more time – I realized. One more time I dream to fly. Sharing this – I don’t feel shy.  Dreams are dreams – keep them alive, live them up and they will keep you alive.

To fight the unknown and the recurring unwanted sights – looks for signs, the signs of reigns. Look for people – who are good signs, who talk positive and keep a balanced mind. Stay aloof from the feelings of spoof. Give up on those who hit on hopes, give up on the feelings of wrongs. But when it comes to your dreams and hope – Never, Never, Never Give up!

Think positive one more time. One more time – you smile.

IMAGINE IT WERE 'YOU'

In my next life, I want to live backwards......An SMS from my friend......IMAGINE......

You start out dead and get that out of the way...

Then you wake up in old people's home, feeling better everyday.

You get kicked out for being too healthy, go collect your pension and then when you start work, you get a gold watch, and a party on your first day.

You work for 40 years untill you are young enough to enjoy retirement.

You party, drink alcohol, and generally promiscuous, then...

You are ready for high school. You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play.

You have no responsibilities, you become a baby untill you are BORN.

And then you spend your last NINE months floating in a luxurious spa like conditions with central heating and room service on tap, larger quarters everyday and then VOILA!!!! You finish off as an orgasm!!!

YOU REST YOUR CASE!

- Woody Allen :-)

Keep Smiling :-)