तू माझी आजी आणि मी तुझी नात
हे तर मला ठाऊक आहे जन्मजात...
पण आजकाल कधीकधी वाटते -
मी तुझी आजी आणि झाली आहेस तूच माझी नात!
बटाटेवड्यांचा जेव्हा तू धरतेस हट्ट -
मी म्हणते, "अग, कालच पोट होते ना थोडे डब्ब?"
तुला लागतो kindle वरचा largest font निर्विवाद
आणि माझी fav आहे पाटी पेन्सिल - तुझ्याशी साधण्यास संवाद...
म्हणूनच आजकाल कधीकधी वाटते -
मी तुझी आजी आणि झाली आहेस तूच माझी नात!
तू वाचतेस Obama आणि Fountainhead
मी तुझ्यासाठी आणते - दैनंदिन उपासना, गाथा आणि दासबोध!
तुला हवी असते मिनीबाकरवडी, चकली व भेळ
मी म्हणते, "आपण खाऊयात पोहे, दूध आणि केळ..."
अशा वेळी वाटते -
मी तुझी आजी आणि झाली आहेस तूच माझी नात!
पण तू अस्वस्थ असताना, तुला काही त्रास होत असताना सुद्धा
जेव्हा तू विचारतेस, "आज इथे झोपशील,
तर सापडेल ना extra पांघरूण-उशी ? "
मला जाणवते तुझ्या मनातील केवढी ती काळजी!!
जेव्हा तुला फुंकून भरवताना घास, तू पटकन म्हणतेस कशी -
"अग गरम आहे, भाजेल तुला- खाली धार एखादी बशी..."
तेव्हा एकदम जाणवते -
तुझ्या एवढी माया,
तुझ्या इतके प्रेम,
तुझ्यात असलेला एवढा जिव्हाळा -
खरच, नाही ग माझ्या पाशी - कशी होईन मग मी तुझी आजी!
आणि मग वाटते बरेच झाले -
आहे मीच तुझी नात आणि तूच माझी आजी!
~Written on 1st Oct 2017 #Original
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Monday, June 19, 2017
...मैत्री ...
Its never been this long since I took a break from blogging - and when I don't create "stuff" - I tend to create "trouble" (more so for the people around me, than myself ;) ) :P - so hope I get back to posting more frequently :)
I have spent the better part of the weekend catching up with and pestering my friends :D
And I know Friendship Day is still a few months away, but I am sure they will hear me out :)
Rattling off...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
एखादी दुखरी - खुपरी जखम दाखवून,
"फुंकर मारशील का जरा?", असे हक्काने विचारावे
आणि हातातील काम टाकून -
त्याने ही अलगद गोंजारवे ...
...अशी फुंकर म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
गमती - जमतीत, हसता - हसता डोळ्यांत पाणी तरळावे,
आणि विनाकारण रडू कोसळावे -
कारण कळून त्याने लगेच - "होते मलाही असे कधीतरी" म्हणत अश्रू पुसवेत
...अशीच गंमत म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
चालता चालता ठेचकाळावे - आणि धडपडायच्या अगोदर -
त्याने लगेच सावरावे
...अशी जागा म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
कॅंटीन मधल्या लोणच्याची फोड चाखावी,
आणि जिभेवर रेंगाळावी त्याच्या डब्यातल्या लोणच्याची चव
...अशी फोड म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
बदलांना सामोरे जाताना - उडावा थरकाप,
पुढचे सगळे धूसर - अंधूक - कसा करावा प्रवास?
पाठीवर देत थाप, त्याने म्हणावे - "चल की - बघतोयस कशाची वाट?"
...अशीच थाप म्हणजे मैत्री...
अशीच फुंकर - अशीच गंमत,
अशीच जागा - अशीच फोड,
अशीच थाप - कायम देणार्या माझ्या सगळ्यांना -
"I miss you, यार"
~Written on 19th June 2017 #Original
I have spent the better part of the weekend catching up with and pestering my friends :D
And I know Friendship Day is still a few months away, but I am sure they will hear me out :)
Rattling off...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
एखादी दुखरी - खुपरी जखम दाखवून,
"फुंकर मारशील का जरा?", असे हक्काने विचारावे
आणि हातातील काम टाकून -
त्याने ही अलगद गोंजारवे ...
...अशी फुंकर म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
गमती - जमतीत, हसता - हसता डोळ्यांत पाणी तरळावे,
आणि विनाकारण रडू कोसळावे -
कारण कळून त्याने लगेच - "होते मलाही असे कधीतरी" म्हणत अश्रू पुसवेत
...अशीच गंमत म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
चालता चालता ठेचकाळावे - आणि धडपडायच्या अगोदर -
त्याने लगेच सावरावे
...अशी जागा म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
कॅंटीन मधल्या लोणच्याची फोड चाखावी,
आणि जिभेवर रेंगाळावी त्याच्या डब्यातल्या लोणच्याची चव
...अशी फोड म्हणजे मैत्री...
कधीतरी - अचनाकच -
बदलांना सामोरे जाताना - उडावा थरकाप,
पुढचे सगळे धूसर - अंधूक - कसा करावा प्रवास?
पाठीवर देत थाप, त्याने म्हणावे - "चल की - बघतोयस कशाची वाट?"
...अशीच थाप म्हणजे मैत्री...
अशीच फुंकर - अशीच गंमत,
अशीच जागा - अशीच फोड,
अशीच थाप - कायम देणार्या माझ्या सगळ्यांना -
"I miss you, यार"
~Written on 19th June 2017 #Original
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
High on life #2
These days fb often asks me what makes me happy :P
Here's an answer - a list compiled quite sometime back with a few new additions :)
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out the reason why!
You jump, you float;
You cry, you gloat;
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be a friend got the surprise gift parcel you sent off
Or you suddenly remembered a long forgotten phone number you tried to recall;
Could've been you sighted the moon from your bedside window just as you doze off
- and appreciated how its position changes with the changing spring and fall
Or you found the perfect butterfly wall decal!
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you catch a scent of someone wearing your fav perfume
Or you found a jeans that fits just perfect;
Could've been the golden light pouring from the street lamps in your room
- and realized you could sit for ages admiring this wonderful effect
Or you painted a little Warli artefact
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
May be you resolved a tricky bug
Here's an answer - a list compiled quite sometime back with a few new additions :)
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out the reason why!
You jump, you float;
You cry, you gloat;
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be a friend got the surprise gift parcel you sent off
Or you suddenly remembered a long forgotten phone number you tried to recall;
Could've been you sighted the moon from your bedside window just as you doze off
- and appreciated how its position changes with the changing spring and fall
Or you found the perfect butterfly wall decal!
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you catch a scent of someone wearing your fav perfume
Or you found a jeans that fits just perfect;
Could've been the golden light pouring from the street lamps in your room
- and realized you could sit for ages admiring this wonderful effect
Or you painted a little Warli artefact
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Or was it that your best friend gave you a hug;
Could've been the ginger tea your Mom brews...
Or the sky decked in sunset hues.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you got to work with a father figure you admire
Or you just saw stacks of fresh flowers piled higher and higher;
Could've been the effect of your recent haircut...
Or the race to book a tatkal ticket.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you found an antique earthen lamp decor
Or the seed you planted just sprouted a pretty blue flower;
Could've been the project deadline you successfully met...
Or the Chips and Orange Minutemaid you always get.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you just finalized a trip with friends
Or finished a Poirot novel with awesome twists and turns;
Could've been the pasta you cooked...
Or the Marathi play ticket your Mom booked.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you suddenly saw lots of fireworks in the night sky
Or just laughed over a PJ till you felt you'll cry;
Could've been that the late night radio played all your fav songs in a loop...
Or someone made you hot Manchow Soup.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you realize these are just ordinary little moments
No rocket science or phenomena strange
Even small reasons suffice;
Trivial things bring happiness...
'Coz you're high on Life!
~Written sometime in 2014, updated on 19th Oct 2016 #Original
Could've been the ginger tea your Mom brews...
Or the sky decked in sunset hues.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you got to work with a father figure you admire
Or you just saw stacks of fresh flowers piled higher and higher;
Could've been the effect of your recent haircut...
Or the race to book a tatkal ticket.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you found an antique earthen lamp decor
Or the seed you planted just sprouted a pretty blue flower;
Could've been the project deadline you successfully met...
Or the Chips and Orange Minutemaid you always get.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you just finalized a trip with friends
Or finished a Poirot novel with awesome twists and turns;
Could've been the pasta you cooked...
Or the Marathi play ticket your Mom booked.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you suddenly saw lots of fireworks in the night sky
Or just laughed over a PJ till you felt you'll cry;
Could've been that the late night radio played all your fav songs in a loop...
Or someone made you hot Manchow Soup.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
No rocket science or phenomena strange
Even small reasons suffice;
Trivial things bring happiness...
'Coz you're high on Life!
~Written sometime in 2014, updated on 19th Oct 2016 #Original
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Banyan and the Shoot
Once upon a time, there grew a Shoot, under a Banyan tree
It sprouted - and 'coz it was loved, protected and nurtured for -
The Shoot grew tall and carefree...
Growing up, in the Banyan's company -
the Shoot learnt happiness - to smile, laugh and be merry
To face the storms, the fires; and even when its leaves got plucked without a reason;
It learnt there's magic in all of life's seasons...
Then there came a time, there grew another Plant, under the Banyan tree
It was also loved, protected and nurtured for
And started growing tall and carefree...
The Shoot resented, grew agitated and threw tantrums,
For it had to share - the love, the protection and the care -
Of the Banyan it so adored, admired and considered its very own claim
The Shoot grew angry with jealousy, feared it would be ignored and may have to lie bare...
The Banyan said nothing, stood tall - peaceful, calm and serene
It continued to spread its branches far and wide - making a green canopy...
The Shoot looked around and about - across the green terrain
It saw a multitude of Shoots, Plants, Blades and Flowers -
Resting, growing, caring - all nurtured by the Banyan's hospitality...
Eventually there came a time, when the shoot said to itself -
The Banyan is not mine to lay sole claim to
It has had and will always have, a life - beyond me too...
I guess I should be grateful and happy -
someone I love is capable of being a canopy
A Banyan - everyone looks up to...
~Written on 22nd September 2016 #Original
It sprouted - and 'coz it was loved, protected and nurtured for -
The Shoot grew tall and carefree...
Growing up, in the Banyan's company -
the Shoot learnt happiness - to smile, laugh and be merry
To face the storms, the fires; and even when its leaves got plucked without a reason;
It learnt there's magic in all of life's seasons...
Then there came a time, there grew another Plant, under the Banyan tree
It was also loved, protected and nurtured for
And started growing tall and carefree...
The Shoot resented, grew agitated and threw tantrums,
For it had to share - the love, the protection and the care -
Of the Banyan it so adored, admired and considered its very own claim
The Shoot grew angry with jealousy, feared it would be ignored and may have to lie bare...
The Banyan said nothing, stood tall - peaceful, calm and serene
It continued to spread its branches far and wide - making a green canopy...
The Shoot looked around and about - across the green terrain
It saw a multitude of Shoots, Plants, Blades and Flowers -
Resting, growing, caring - all nurtured by the Banyan's hospitality...
Eventually there came a time, when the shoot said to itself -
The Banyan is not mine to lay sole claim to
It has had and will always have, a life - beyond me too...
I guess I should be grateful and happy -
someone I love is capable of being a canopy
A Banyan - everyone looks up to...
~Written on 22nd September 2016 #Original
Monday, April 18, 2016
आजोबा...
आजोबा - आमचे नाना आजोबा
उंच, ताठ, सदपातळ बांधा,
पांढरे शुभ्र केस - अन् पांढरे शुभ्र च धोतर.
Extremely disciplined.
आई म्हणते - "भाजी कितीही आवडती असो -
रोजची त्यांची ठरलेली - अर्धीच खायचे भाकर..."
काका म्हणतो - "आमच्या लहानपणी खूप होते ते रागीट...
पत्त्यांचा डाव दिसतच - टाकून द्यायचे बम्बा च्या आगीत!"
मला मात्र आठवत नाहीत कधीच ते चिडलेले...
मला आठवतात - शांत आबा - मला फिरायला घेऊन जाणारे...
शाळेतला result घ्यायला जाता जाता - हात मी पटकन दिला सोडून...
अन् येणार्या बाइक सोबत accident बसला होऊन...
तेव्हा सुद्धा आठवते - केला नाही त्यांनी त्रागा -
शांतपणे जवळ घेऊन म्हणाले, " खूप लागले आहे का बाळा? "
माझे आजोबा - आमचे आण्णा
त्यांच्या साठी अन् त्यांच्या बद्द्ल लिहावे तितके थोडेच...
मला ते फारसे आठवत नाहीत - पण त्यांच्या गोष्टी ऐकून वाटते -
खरच असणारच ते इथे - आमच्या सगळ्यांसोबत!
प्रत्येक decision - as if - guide करत...
आणि ते असतील बघत - म्हणूनच जाणवते एक अनामिक बळ...
एक अनामिक ओढ - दिलखुलास जगायची - खूप खूप शिकायची!
आजोबा - उगार चे आजोबा
हसत खेळत - जोक्स सांगत - chess च्या moves शिकवणारे...
दर सुट्टीत - ह्या वेळी हरवणार का मला - असा challenge देणारे!
रोज लाइब्ररीत जाऊन पुत्सक बदलून आणणारे -
अन् मला - कोणते नवीन पुस्तक वाचलेस - सांग बघू -
अस excitedly विचारणारे!
आजोबा - अनू चे आजोबा.
बॅडमिंटन चा आमचा डाव चालू असताना -
असायचे ते बाजूला फेर्या मारीत - अंगाणातल्या बेंच वर पेपर वाचत...
संध्याकाळ होताच - "लवकर आत या पोरांनो, नाहीतर डास येतील..." अशी हळूच हाक मारत.
पण आम्ही काही जायचो नाही लवकर - तेथेच असायचो खेळत दारात ...
मग काय - डास यायचेच invariably त्यांचा घरात...
आजोबांना asthma, आजी स्वयंपाक घरात -
मग आलेल्या डसांशी आम्ही करायचो दोन हात - त्यांच्या वर मारायचो आम्ही 'Flit' मन मुराद!
खुर्चीवर, कॉट वर, पन्ख्या च्या पात्या वर - दारात अन् खिडकीत -
"We made sure every mosquito was hit!"
आजोबा - अदिती चे आजोबा
बुधवार दुपार चे आजी चे दासबोध मंडळ
सगळ्या आज्यांचे चाले मनोभावे भजन - वाचन...
आम्ही मुले मात्र करत असू अजोबान्शी संभाषण...
आजोबांचे श्रवण यंत्र कसे चालते याचे वाटे - त्या वेळी भलतेच attraction!
खूप खूप गप्पा, खूप खूप गोष्टी - यात मस्त पैकी रमायचो -
आणि पुढया वेळी पुन्हा येऊ म्हणत - दर बुधवारी घरी परत निघायचो...
आजोबा - लट्टू आजोबा.
सुरांची अजिबतच ओळख नसलेल्या मला - पेटी वाजवायला शिकवणारे...
S/W Engg शिकते म्हणल्यावर - त्यांच्या संस्थेचे 'project' करून बघा सुचवणारे...
Second year च्या आम्हा मुलांवर केवढा तो विश्वास दाखवणारे!
"भातुकलीच्या खेळा मधले" गाणे शिकवणारे - आज सुद्धा भेटले की -
Conveyance Deed & Society bylaws हे माहिती हवेच असा आग्रह धरणारे...
दर वेळी भेटले की नवीन काही positive शिकवणारे!
ह्या सगळ्यांचीच आज कुणास ठाऊक का -
खूप खूप आठवण आली ...
आणि आजोबांची काठी घेऊन - हळूच एक चक्कर मारली -
आठवणींच्या गावी...
~Written on 17th April 2016 #Original
उंच, ताठ, सदपातळ बांधा,
पांढरे शुभ्र केस - अन् पांढरे शुभ्र च धोतर.
Extremely disciplined.
आई म्हणते - "भाजी कितीही आवडती असो -
रोजची त्यांची ठरलेली - अर्धीच खायचे भाकर..."
काका म्हणतो - "आमच्या लहानपणी खूप होते ते रागीट...
पत्त्यांचा डाव दिसतच - टाकून द्यायचे बम्बा च्या आगीत!"
मला मात्र आठवत नाहीत कधीच ते चिडलेले...
मला आठवतात - शांत आबा - मला फिरायला घेऊन जाणारे...
शाळेतला result घ्यायला जाता जाता - हात मी पटकन दिला सोडून...
अन् येणार्या बाइक सोबत accident बसला होऊन...
तेव्हा सुद्धा आठवते - केला नाही त्यांनी त्रागा -
शांतपणे जवळ घेऊन म्हणाले, " खूप लागले आहे का बाळा? "
माझे आजोबा - आमचे आण्णा
त्यांच्या साठी अन् त्यांच्या बद्द्ल लिहावे तितके थोडेच...
मला ते फारसे आठवत नाहीत - पण त्यांच्या गोष्टी ऐकून वाटते -
खरच असणारच ते इथे - आमच्या सगळ्यांसोबत!
प्रत्येक decision - as if - guide करत...
आणि ते असतील बघत - म्हणूनच जाणवते एक अनामिक बळ...
एक अनामिक ओढ - दिलखुलास जगायची - खूप खूप शिकायची!
आजोबा - उगार चे आजोबा
हसत खेळत - जोक्स सांगत - chess च्या moves शिकवणारे...
दर सुट्टीत - ह्या वेळी हरवणार का मला - असा challenge देणारे!
रोज लाइब्ररीत जाऊन पुत्सक बदलून आणणारे -
अन् मला - कोणते नवीन पुस्तक वाचलेस - सांग बघू -
अस excitedly विचारणारे!
बॅडमिंटन चा आमचा डाव चालू असताना -
असायचे ते बाजूला फेर्या मारीत - अंगाणातल्या बेंच वर पेपर वाचत...
संध्याकाळ होताच - "लवकर आत या पोरांनो, नाहीतर डास येतील..." अशी हळूच हाक मारत.
पण आम्ही काही जायचो नाही लवकर - तेथेच असायचो खेळत दारात ...
मग काय - डास यायचेच invariably त्यांचा घरात...
आजोबांना asthma, आजी स्वयंपाक घरात -
मग आलेल्या डसांशी आम्ही करायचो दोन हात - त्यांच्या वर मारायचो आम्ही 'Flit' मन मुराद!
खुर्चीवर, कॉट वर, पन्ख्या च्या पात्या वर - दारात अन् खिडकीत -
"We made sure every mosquito was hit!"
आजोबा - अदिती चे आजोबा
बुधवार दुपार चे आजी चे दासबोध मंडळ
सगळ्या आज्यांचे चाले मनोभावे भजन - वाचन...
आम्ही मुले मात्र करत असू अजोबान्शी संभाषण...
आजोबांचे श्रवण यंत्र कसे चालते याचे वाटे - त्या वेळी भलतेच attraction!
खूप खूप गप्पा, खूप खूप गोष्टी - यात मस्त पैकी रमायचो -
आणि पुढया वेळी पुन्हा येऊ म्हणत - दर बुधवारी घरी परत निघायचो...
आजोबा - लट्टू आजोबा.
सुरांची अजिबतच ओळख नसलेल्या मला - पेटी वाजवायला शिकवणारे...
S/W Engg शिकते म्हणल्यावर - त्यांच्या संस्थेचे 'project' करून बघा सुचवणारे...
Second year च्या आम्हा मुलांवर केवढा तो विश्वास दाखवणारे!
"भातुकलीच्या खेळा मधले" गाणे शिकवणारे - आज सुद्धा भेटले की -
Conveyance Deed & Society bylaws हे माहिती हवेच असा आग्रह धरणारे...
दर वेळी भेटले की नवीन काही positive शिकवणारे!
ह्या सगळ्यांचीच आज कुणास ठाऊक का -
खूप खूप आठवण आली ...
आणि आजोबांची काठी घेऊन - हळूच एक चक्कर मारली -
आठवणींच्या गावी...
~Written on 17th April 2016 #Original
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Of Dreams, Wishes and Curses
Yesterday one of my favourite people told me, "Be careful what you wish for - it might just come true...it is a Chinese curse."
That conversation started me off to write this post...
Well, my birthday (a milestone one this year) is still quite far away (and thank Goodness for that! :P ). But often, when people wish me a happy birthday, they also add a wish that "May all your dreams come true..."
A pretty harmless thing for someone to say, but, it really really gets me thinking when someone wishes me that.
How awful it would be if all my dreams came true!
Well, not necessarily because I would not have any "ambition" left in life (actually, that too, but I would have no complaints with a zero ambition, lazy life I believe ;) )
But it scares me because it means I would have to dream "carefully".
I can't give a free reign to my mind, I can't let it wander into uncharted territories, I will have to think twice before letting it off to unknown places, for fear that it may take me somewhere unwanted - and since the dream will be coming true - I would land myself in some place I never wanted to be in.
I will lose the freedom of dreaming!
Also, most people forget that dreams often involve nightmares. And if some one (or even myself) wants "all my dreams to come true", I should run away as fast as and as far away as I can! Scary, scary, scary like hell!
Which is why I am careful not to wish people "May all your dreams come true", or even "May you get all that you desire". And I never even pray that for myself...
These are scary wishes to make (for others as well as for ourselves!). Wish people (and yourself!) happiness, wish them success, wish them peace, wish them joy, wish them sincerely and wish them well - but for heaven's sake, please don't wish for their dreams to come true...
Which gets me to the something my mentor mentioned yesterday and got me googling for "Chinese Curses"
Turns out that there are three Chinese curses (Click for the source )
1. May you live in interesting times.
2. May you be recognized by people in high places.
3. May you get what you wish for.
And like the author in the link rightly mentions, a fourth one - "May all your dreams come true..."
Don't worry, dear friend, I will never wish that for you.
I will send good old simple, heartfelt good wishes your way for the new year!
Happy 2016! :)
That conversation started me off to write this post...
Well, my birthday (a milestone one this year) is still quite far away (and thank Goodness for that! :P ). But often, when people wish me a happy birthday, they also add a wish that "May all your dreams come true..."
A pretty harmless thing for someone to say, but, it really really gets me thinking when someone wishes me that.
How awful it would be if all my dreams came true!
Well, not necessarily because I would not have any "ambition" left in life (actually, that too, but I would have no complaints with a zero ambition, lazy life I believe ;) )
But it scares me because it means I would have to dream "carefully".
I can't give a free reign to my mind, I can't let it wander into uncharted territories, I will have to think twice before letting it off to unknown places, for fear that it may take me somewhere unwanted - and since the dream will be coming true - I would land myself in some place I never wanted to be in.
I will lose the freedom of dreaming!
Also, most people forget that dreams often involve nightmares. And if some one (or even myself) wants "all my dreams to come true", I should run away as fast as and as far away as I can! Scary, scary, scary like hell!
Which is why I am careful not to wish people "May all your dreams come true", or even "May you get all that you desire". And I never even pray that for myself...
These are scary wishes to make (for others as well as for ourselves!). Wish people (and yourself!) happiness, wish them success, wish them peace, wish them joy, wish them sincerely and wish them well - but for heaven's sake, please don't wish for their dreams to come true...
Which gets me to the something my mentor mentioned yesterday and got me googling for "Chinese Curses"
Turns out that there are three Chinese curses (Click for the source )
1. May you live in interesting times.
2. May you be recognized by people in high places.
3. May you get what you wish for.
And like the author in the link rightly mentions, a fourth one - "May all your dreams come true..."
Don't worry, dear friend, I will never wish that for you.
I will send good old simple, heartfelt good wishes your way for the new year!
Happy 2016! :)
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Of Anchors and Horizons...
Who do you like the most, the Sea asked the Ship :
the Anchor or the Horizon?
The Ship thought awhile, and smiling said,
But ofcourse the Anchor.
For it gives me the Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
The Horizon will always tempt...
With dreams of distant lands and unchartered realms.
And whilst in pursuit of the Horizon,
There will be times when I need to seek shelter -
shelter from storms and shelter from the unknown.
And then I will always need an Anchor;
For it gives me the strength of familiarity -
and Acceptance and Guarantanee.
The Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
The Horizon will always beckon...
- and I - true to my calling, will always seek it out.
and steadily, slowly keep moving in the direction of my dream.
But without the Anchor;
I would not have the courage to conquer.
For because of it, I can stop awhile - I can renew, I can rest.
For it always gives me what I need the most;
The Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
And although it seems counter intuitive,
For an Anchor to be a symbol of freedom,
Strength indeed is oft times derived,
From the most familiar and oft 'taken-for-granted'.
In their own special way, Anchors do make lives enchanted.
And hence I was not suprised;
For when the Sea asked the Ship :
Who do you like the most,
the Anchor or the Horizon?
And the Ship smiling said,
But ofcourse the Anchor.
For it gives me the Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
~Written on 29th Dec 2015. #Original
the Anchor or the Horizon?
The Ship thought awhile, and smiling said,
But ofcourse the Anchor.
For it gives me the Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
The Horizon will always tempt...
With dreams of distant lands and unchartered realms.
And whilst in pursuit of the Horizon,
There will be times when I need to seek shelter -
shelter from storms and shelter from the unknown.
And then I will always need an Anchor;
For it gives me the strength of familiarity -
and Acceptance and Guarantanee.
The Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
The Horizon will always beckon...
- and I - true to my calling, will always seek it out.
and steadily, slowly keep moving in the direction of my dream.
But without the Anchor;
I would not have the courage to conquer.
For because of it, I can stop awhile - I can renew, I can rest.
For it always gives me what I need the most;
The Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
And although it seems counter intuitive,
For an Anchor to be a symbol of freedom,
Strength indeed is oft times derived,
From the most familiar and oft 'taken-for-granted'.
In their own special way, Anchors do make lives enchanted.
And hence I was not suprised;
For when the Sea asked the Ship :
Who do you like the most,
the Anchor or the Horizon?
And the Ship smiling said,
But ofcourse the Anchor.
For it gives me the Freedom to be free;
The Freedom to be me.
~Written on 29th Dec 2015. #Original
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Thou shalt not judge...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge the traveller sitting right next to you
for no real fault of his,
Just because his belongings seem slightly askew...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge that friend who's now far far away
Yeah, the one who wasn't embarrassed to join you in singing songs out of pitch
Just because you weren't the first to know she's in love and getting hitched...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge a super woman colleague who's a real good Samaritan
For a cause greater than the two of you.
Just because she pinged in the middle of a Christie marathon...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge your little bro who you simply cannot do without
For something you've probably done many times too!
Just because he chose to celebrate his bday with a night out...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge your well meaning senior who's job it is to drive your project
For something that's just a part of who he is;
Just because his solution was something your logic asked to reject...
At times like these, know it isn't wise to set up a fight
When there's not much that crib chats and ice creams cannot set right :-)
And, thou shalt not judge is what you should often repeat...
Especially when it's tough to practice what you preach...
~Written on 28th Oct 2015 #Original
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge the traveller sitting right next to you
for no real fault of his,
Just because his belongings seem slightly askew...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge that friend who's now far far away
Yeah, the one who wasn't embarrassed to join you in singing songs out of pitch
Just because you weren't the first to know she's in love and getting hitched...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge a super woman colleague who's a real good Samaritan
For a cause greater than the two of you.
Just because she pinged in the middle of a Christie marathon...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge your little bro who you simply cannot do without
For something you've probably done many times too!
Just because he chose to celebrate his bday with a night out...
Thou shalt not judge
is what you often repeat
But sometimes, just sometimes
Its tough to practice what you preach
And so you judge your well meaning senior who's job it is to drive your project
For something that's just a part of who he is;
Just because his solution was something your logic asked to reject...
At times like these, know it isn't wise to set up a fight
When there's not much that crib chats and ice creams cannot set right :-)
And, thou shalt not judge is what you should often repeat...
Especially when it's tough to practice what you preach...
~Written on 28th Oct 2015 #Original
Friday, July 17, 2015
Random Thought #12
Learn to trust.
Have faith in the 'good'.
Let your default setting for any person be to "trust", unless that person proves otherwise.
~Life Lesson on a Friday afternoon by CG.
Danke girl, you rock!
PS: A series of original random thoughts that are concise...or may be I am just too lazy to follow up with longer text...
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
I remember...
I remember her when I get up, look at my hands and say the "karagre vasate" prayer and the teaching of being grateful for yet another new day - yet another beginning - that she taught us as kids.
I remember the times she taught us - lots of things - simple things about good habits, discipline, to more complex stuff (Well, stuff that seems complex now, in hindsight) - stuff that we never thought would be so important in life...
I remember those - and appreciate how the little things ingrained over the years have made me who I am today - and I am proud and grateful that I have the privilege of being her grand-daughter.
I remember how she used to scold me for being forgetful and absent minded with school books and stationery. The way she disciplined me when I forgot to keep my bag and books at proper places.
I remember the afternoons spent sleeping next to her - she in her warm, soft cotton saree - well oiled pleated hair, and the soft touch of her hands as she ran them over our foreheads...
I remember her soft yet strong voice as she wove stories for us - stories of heroism - stories of Ramayan, Mahabharat, Krishna - stories of Aesop's fables and Hitopdeshi - sometimes stories from her and grandfather's lives - sometimes completely original stories too - extra-ordinary tales of extremely ordinary people. Stories that sometimes still resonate - that I can still recreate from memory when some DejaVu feeling strikes...
The times spent with her have the power to transport me back to childhood - instantly - and create a warm, soft, very very protective bubble around me - a world I can go back to, whenever the real world becomes a bit too much to handle.
I remember how she taught us to appreciate every day "poli + bhaji" for snacks after school and how "poha/upma" @snack time were "special" occasion dishes - and I can't but appreciate that wisdom - especially now - when eating out/eating special food has become so common in my life, that every day "poli+bhaji / varan+bhaat" seems like a treat...:-|
I remember the times she used to cook my favorite "Golyachi Aamti" - the elaborate way in which she used to make the dough balls and fry them (and I used to hover around the kitchen and wait eagerly to sample them) - and then make the dal to put the balls in.
I remember the spicy comforting aroma that enveloped the kitchen when she added tadka making the "every day" dal that much more special.
I remember the extremely hot, finger-burning "varan+bhaat" and the super cold dahi she used to mix together - hastily - lest I get late for school.
I remember her urge to make us drink buttermilk - every single day.
I remember the evening ramraksha stotram she used to sing in tune as she went about her daily chores - the tune, her voice, still resonate with me - it is my goto strategy even today, whenever I need "peace".
I remember the long iron scissors with which she used to ask us to cut her nails - how she never trusted a nail cutter - and I remember my apprehension and fear of hurting her as she insisted I always cut a little bit more deeper...
I remember how soft her hands are - just like wisps of cotton - and how she says that's because her आई used to put oil on them.
I remember her smell - warm, comforting - with a mixture of Parachute + Hamam + some kitchen masala.
I remember how her eyes light up whenever she talks about her parents - her childhood home - times spent with अण्णा (my grandfather), and the times मावशी, मामा and आई were growing up.
I remember her strength - strength of character - strength amidst all hardships life hurled - strength to not become bitter - strength to keep helping people - strength to not conform to society's views of things - of strength to bring everyone together - strength she gave us, just by being there - a rock solid support.
I remember all this - and a lot more - and pray that she gets well soon.
I love you very very much Ajji :)
You are my rock :)
PS: I had always wanted to write down the thoughts inside my head - ever since Ajji started keeping unwell - but could never bring myself to do it.
The other day, some writing workshop @office gave us this writing prompt - "I remember..." and I decided to finally pen down all those memories floating around in my head.
I remember the times she taught us - lots of things - simple things about good habits, discipline, to more complex stuff (Well, stuff that seems complex now, in hindsight) - stuff that we never thought would be so important in life...
I remember those - and appreciate how the little things ingrained over the years have made me who I am today - and I am proud and grateful that I have the privilege of being her grand-daughter.
I remember how she used to scold me for being forgetful and absent minded with school books and stationery. The way she disciplined me when I forgot to keep my bag and books at proper places.
I remember the afternoons spent sleeping next to her - she in her warm, soft cotton saree - well oiled pleated hair, and the soft touch of her hands as she ran them over our foreheads...
I remember her soft yet strong voice as she wove stories for us - stories of heroism - stories of Ramayan, Mahabharat, Krishna - stories of Aesop's fables and Hitopdeshi - sometimes stories from her and grandfather's lives - sometimes completely original stories too - extra-ordinary tales of extremely ordinary people. Stories that sometimes still resonate - that I can still recreate from memory when some DejaVu feeling strikes...
The times spent with her have the power to transport me back to childhood - instantly - and create a warm, soft, very very protective bubble around me - a world I can go back to, whenever the real world becomes a bit too much to handle.
I remember how she taught us to appreciate every day "poli + bhaji" for snacks after school and how "poha/upma" @snack time were "special" occasion dishes - and I can't but appreciate that wisdom - especially now - when eating out/eating special food has become so common in my life, that every day "poli+bhaji / varan+bhaat" seems like a treat...:-|
I remember the times she used to cook my favorite "Golyachi Aamti" - the elaborate way in which she used to make the dough balls and fry them (and I used to hover around the kitchen and wait eagerly to sample them) - and then make the dal to put the balls in.
I remember the spicy comforting aroma that enveloped the kitchen when she added tadka making the "every day" dal that much more special.
I remember the extremely hot, finger-burning "varan+bhaat" and the super cold dahi she used to mix together - hastily - lest I get late for school.
I remember her urge to make us drink buttermilk - every single day.
 |
| Ajji and I :) |
I remember the long iron scissors with which she used to ask us to cut her nails - how she never trusted a nail cutter - and I remember my apprehension and fear of hurting her as she insisted I always cut a little bit more deeper...
I remember how soft her hands are - just like wisps of cotton - and how she says that's because her आई used to put oil on them.
I remember her smell - warm, comforting - with a mixture of Parachute + Hamam + some kitchen masala.
I remember how her eyes light up whenever she talks about her parents - her childhood home - times spent with अण्णा (my grandfather), and the times मावशी, मामा and आई were growing up.
I remember her strength - strength of character - strength amidst all hardships life hurled - strength to not become bitter - strength to keep helping people - strength to not conform to society's views of things - of strength to bring everyone together - strength she gave us, just by being there - a rock solid support.
I remember all this - and a lot more - and pray that she gets well soon.
I love you very very much Ajji :)
You are my rock :)
PS: I had always wanted to write down the thoughts inside my head - ever since Ajji started keeping unwell - but could never bring myself to do it.
The other day, some writing workshop @office gave us this writing prompt - "I remember..." and I decided to finally pen down all those memories floating around in my head.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Stupidus Maximus
Remember the essay we used to have in school, the one titled - "The day when everything goes wrong", well... 4th July 2015 was my very own (latest!) version of it - albeit a funny one :-|
There has been tons of "stupidus maximus" stuff I am responsible for, but this time, the urge to rant gets the better of me - and I've pestered enough family and friends already - so I figure its time to turn to my best-est friend who never ever judges - and always has the patience to hear me out.
1. You book a bus ticket for Manya and Aai - usually you do two separate transactions - for each of their tickets - because their plans are always dynamic and subject to change multiple times. But this time, you decide to be extra smart - you see there is just a single row of side-by-side seats left - and if you book your Aai's ticket first, the seat will be marked as a Ladies's seat and you won't be able to book for your brother (You remember this as a hard learnt lesson :P).
Well, you could have worked out the problem still and done two separate transactions. But then along with extra smart, you also decide to be extra lazy.
And you book their tickets via a single transaction - meaning a single PNR.
Their plans change (as expected!) - and now Aai is travelling alone.
She says matter of factly, "Yeah, just go ahead and cancel his ticket. No Big deal."
And you roll your eyes (thank goodness for voice only calls :P)
"Fine, I'll do the cancellations", you mumble.
What surprise - it seems goibibo cannot do partial cancellations.
Hah! You give the poor hapless guy @goibibo support desk a piece of your mind. (And feel guilty like hell later) :-| You also call up Neeta travels - the girl on phone tells you the same thing.
Cancel both tickets and book a single one anew - she says.
Well, yeah.
Actually, no - too many goof-ups happening all around lately - and you can't afford to risk Aai ending up without a reservation :-|
Fine. Cost of laziness and ignorance about the stupid partial cancellation rules = 500/-
#Rant1
2. You ping GM on a Friday evening and ask if she wants to watch Inside Out. GM has already seen the movie. GM is a super cool dudette. She says she doesn't mind watching it again.
You are excited! Book tickets for two. Amanora. 7.50 PM. Inside Out (3D). All good. Booked.
The date says Saturday, 4th July.
Ouch.
You rebook for Friday.
You flood your friends' inboxes and whatsapp chats telling them what a wonderful movie it is, and they should totally buy out your tickets.
and Wait.
And Sigh.
And wait some more.
And mail some more folks. Crack some PJs about how "10 ka 20" is your new part time job.
And sigh.
And wait some more.
Cost of extra stupidity + waiting + all the sighing = 460/-
#Rant2
3. You see an awesome auto charge paytm feature. You've had an account since 3 years; and you use it so very often.
This time you try to login, you see a double login secure feature at play. You are sent a OTP via SMS (to your old, now invalid Bangalore number)
And you smile. and try not to scream out loud.
This is just not your day babes.
#Rant3
4. You see a bag of veggies near the fridge as you enter the flat on Friday night.
M asks if you have ordered them - you say no - M and you assume A must have ordered. Go to sleep. Saturday morning your cook says "Didi, itne saare mushroom kyu leke aye?"
You shrug, and say A ne laye hai. And your cook being the super-enthu experimentalist - hurries off to make Mushroom Masala. Well, you're not really fond of Mushrooms - but fine - you adopt your "no fuss" food policy and have your lunch.
A walks in, and says she's allergic to Mushrooms.
M and you look at each other.
A teeny tiny voice at the back of your head says something is wrong... :P
You ask the voice in your head to shut up.
A orders Paneer.
Ding Dong - the veggie delivery guy at the door says - "Didi, wo kal wala sabzi ka bag return karna - wo aapke flat ka nahi tha - galati se deliver ho gaya, upar wale flat ne maanga hai unka samaan..."
You and M burst into peals of laughter, and end up paying for the Mushrooms.
Cost of not communicating b/w roomies = 1 kadhai bharke Mushroom Masala + 2 unopened bags of Mushroom no one is keen on eating :P
(Not to mention wreaking havoc to someone somewhere's plans to actually cook those Mushrooms!) ;-)
#Rant4
PS: Well, some things make up for all the stupid things that the world hurls at you.
(You blame the world, although most of the Stupidus Maximus is your very own creation :P)
You are officially a Mavshi now. Your sister has just given you the best-est gift ever!!!
Yayyy!!! You are soooo gonna spoil this little bundle of joy :D
Hugs and Kisses dearest darling nephew!
Love you to the Moon (and back!) ~PuMa :)
There has been tons of "stupidus maximus" stuff I am responsible for, but this time, the urge to rant gets the better of me - and I've pestered enough family and friends already - so I figure its time to turn to my best-est friend who never ever judges - and always has the patience to hear me out.
1. You book a bus ticket for Manya and Aai - usually you do two separate transactions - for each of their tickets - because their plans are always dynamic and subject to change multiple times. But this time, you decide to be extra smart - you see there is just a single row of side-by-side seats left - and if you book your Aai's ticket first, the seat will be marked as a Ladies's seat and you won't be able to book for your brother (You remember this as a hard learnt lesson :P).
Well, you could have worked out the problem still and done two separate transactions. But then along with extra smart, you also decide to be extra lazy.
And you book their tickets via a single transaction - meaning a single PNR.
Their plans change (as expected!) - and now Aai is travelling alone.
She says matter of factly, "Yeah, just go ahead and cancel his ticket. No Big deal."
And you roll your eyes (thank goodness for voice only calls :P)
"Fine, I'll do the cancellations", you mumble.
What surprise - it seems goibibo cannot do partial cancellations.
Hah! You give the poor hapless guy @goibibo support desk a piece of your mind. (And feel guilty like hell later) :-| You also call up Neeta travels - the girl on phone tells you the same thing.
Cancel both tickets and book a single one anew - she says.
Well, yeah.
Actually, no - too many goof-ups happening all around lately - and you can't afford to risk Aai ending up without a reservation :-|
Fine. Cost of laziness and ignorance about the stupid partial cancellation rules = 500/-
#Rant1
2. You ping GM on a Friday evening and ask if she wants to watch Inside Out. GM has already seen the movie. GM is a super cool dudette. She says she doesn't mind watching it again.
You are excited! Book tickets for two. Amanora. 7.50 PM. Inside Out (3D). All good. Booked.
The date says Saturday, 4th July.
Ouch.
You rebook for Friday.
You flood your friends' inboxes and whatsapp chats telling them what a wonderful movie it is, and they should totally buy out your tickets.
and Wait.
And Sigh.
And wait some more.
And mail some more folks. Crack some PJs about how "10 ka 20" is your new part time job.
And sigh.
And wait some more.
Cost of extra stupidity + waiting + all the sighing = 460/-
#Rant2
3. You see an awesome auto charge paytm feature. You've had an account since 3 years; and you use it so very often.
This time you try to login, you see a double login secure feature at play. You are sent a OTP via SMS (to your old, now invalid Bangalore number)
And you smile. and try not to scream out loud.
This is just not your day babes.
#Rant3
4. You see a bag of veggies near the fridge as you enter the flat on Friday night.
M asks if you have ordered them - you say no - M and you assume A must have ordered. Go to sleep. Saturday morning your cook says "Didi, itne saare mushroom kyu leke aye?"
You shrug, and say A ne laye hai. And your cook being the super-enthu experimentalist - hurries off to make Mushroom Masala. Well, you're not really fond of Mushrooms - but fine - you adopt your "no fuss" food policy and have your lunch.
A walks in, and says she's allergic to Mushrooms.
M and you look at each other.
A teeny tiny voice at the back of your head says something is wrong... :P
You ask the voice in your head to shut up.
A orders Paneer.
Ding Dong - the veggie delivery guy at the door says - "Didi, wo kal wala sabzi ka bag return karna - wo aapke flat ka nahi tha - galati se deliver ho gaya, upar wale flat ne maanga hai unka samaan..."
You and M burst into peals of laughter, and end up paying for the Mushrooms.
Cost of not communicating b/w roomies = 1 kadhai bharke Mushroom Masala + 2 unopened bags of Mushroom no one is keen on eating :P
(Not to mention wreaking havoc to someone somewhere's plans to actually cook those Mushrooms!) ;-)
#Rant4
PS: Well, some things make up for all the stupid things that the world hurls at you.
(You blame the world, although most of the Stupidus Maximus is your very own creation :P)
You are officially a Mavshi now. Your sister has just given you the best-est gift ever!!!
Yayyy!!! You are soooo gonna spoil this little bundle of joy :D
Hugs and Kisses dearest darling nephew!
Love you to the Moon (and back!) ~PuMa :)
Monday, June 8, 2015
Of lines, plots and curves
Sometimes I wonder how life (as we know and remember it) is nothing but a set of "points in time"...
...as if all the decisions we take, every single day, can be plotted, and ultimately (might) fit a (standard?) curve...
Of course everyone's curve will be different/may be even unique.
Although I'd rather people's life curves will be more or less similar ultimately, once you account for everyone's share of ups and downs...
but the point is, will we be able to map out a standard curve out of our life experiences?
Perhaps this is what they mean when they say, "The days are long, but the years are short...?"
The X axis for sure is time. The Y axis can be anything you value : happiness, satisfaction, success, health, wealth, relationships - whatever you fancy to plot.
Will this then, necessarily fit some standard curve?
If yes, can we then extrapolate our life/happiness/success/health based on past mapped points?
And can we then change the future points and the curve if we think we are sloping beyond a 'threshold'?
I wonder...
...as if all the decisions we take, every single day, can be plotted, and ultimately (might) fit a (standard?) curve...
Of course everyone's curve will be different/may be even unique.
Although I'd rather people's life curves will be more or less similar ultimately, once you account for everyone's share of ups and downs...
but the point is, will we be able to map out a standard curve out of our life experiences?
Perhaps this is what they mean when they say, "The days are long, but the years are short...?"
The X axis for sure is time. The Y axis can be anything you value : happiness, satisfaction, success, health, wealth, relationships - whatever you fancy to plot.
Will this then, necessarily fit some standard curve?
If yes, can we then extrapolate our life/happiness/success/health based on past mapped points?
And can we then change the future points and the curve if we think we are sloping beyond a 'threshold'?
I wonder...
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Flights of fancy
Sometimes my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
Higher and higher above everyday chaos...
Until all known things look distant
& troubles so tiny -
they disappear in an instant...
Sometimes my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
Faster and faster as the winds blow...
Until I see the land of my dreams -
A land of new beginnings and un-charted realms...
Sometimes my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
Deeper and deeper into the hazy clouds...
Until the lands merge into skies
& all that I had ever dreamt of - stands realized...
Flights of fancy :
They make you daydream like there's no tomorrow;
Compel you to create a world -
of your favourite-most people and things...
In excruciating detail - every single person, every emotion
every thing - amplified, almost real.
A world, almost like a bubble.
Your very own 'unburstable' version of reality -
that lives solely in your head...
Well, like all flights, this one must end too;
& when my mind comes back from its flight of fancy -
I find myself just a tad bit disappointed by reality...
Dull, humdrum and everyday.
But I always agree to travel, every single time;
When my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
For they give the vision of distant lands seen...
& the belief that I can perhaps still create
that, which 'could have been'...
~written on 7th June 2015 #Original
Higher and higher above everyday chaos...
Until all known things look distant
& troubles so tiny -
they disappear in an instant...
Sometimes my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
Faster and faster as the winds blow...
Until I see the land of my dreams -
A land of new beginnings and un-charted realms...
Sometimes my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
Deeper and deeper into the hazy clouds...
Until the lands merge into skies
& all that I had ever dreamt of - stands realized...
Flights of fancy :
They make you daydream like there's no tomorrow;
Compel you to create a world -
of your favourite-most people and things...
In excruciating detail - every single person, every emotion
every thing - amplified, almost real.
A world, almost like a bubble.
Your very own 'unburstable' version of reality -
that lives solely in your head...
Well, like all flights, this one must end too;
& when my mind comes back from its flight of fancy -
I find myself just a tad bit disappointed by reality...
Dull, humdrum and everyday.
But I always agree to travel, every single time;
When my mind takes me on flights of fancy -
For they give the vision of distant lands seen...
& the belief that I can perhaps still create
that, which 'could have been'...
~written on 7th June 2015 #Original
Monday, June 1, 2015
Freedom
What does freedom mean to you ?
I'd say, freedom isn't always about splendid sunshine, vast clear expanses of blue sky and a never-ending horizon...
...sometimes, freedom also means turning away from the sun, and choosing the drab, dark, dank 'everyday stuff' - the freedom to do what you want - irrespective of the way the worlds defines freedom... allowing yourself (and others) to have views that don't fit the standard society norms - and not be apologetic about it :)
Just a Monday morning self-realization that hits when a pigeon repeatedly refuses to venture back to its home in the balcony, and you wonder why it chooses to stay, when it could so easily fly away. #everydayLifeLessons :)
...and makes for the 100th post too! Yayyy B-)
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Random Thought #0
This is something I have lately been realizing.
People, places, things - become special because you believe they are special - because you think they are special.
Ordinary events, ordinary people, ordinary places - get important because you think they matter... :)
A simple thought really, but worth remembering! :)
This makes me smile whenever I reflect upon it - like my very own secret life philosophy revealed...
PS: When I told J regd this, she also mentioned a corollary - that the ordinary people/places/events end up actually live up to 'extraordinary'/'special' since you believe they are!
Makes sense? Think about it... :)
PPS: A series of original random thoughts that are concise...or may be I am just too lazy to follow up with longer text...
People, places, things - become special because you believe they are special - because you think they are special.
Ordinary events, ordinary people, ordinary places - get important because you think they matter... :)
A simple thought really, but worth remembering! :)
This makes me smile whenever I reflect upon it - like my very own secret life philosophy revealed...
PS: When I told J regd this, she also mentioned a corollary - that the ordinary people/places/events end up actually live up to 'extraordinary'/'special' since you believe they are!
Makes sense? Think about it... :)
PPS: A series of original random thoughts that are concise...or may be I am just too lazy to follow up with longer text...
Monday, February 23, 2015
Of Dust that refuses to settle - and Floods
I walked to office today, and there was this huge huge dust storm all around.
I really don't know where so much dust came from...as if someone had put me straight into a scene from Interstellar - the one before the discovery of the new planet - dust everywhere and people trying to flee it - trying to escape the dust storm.
Yes, this was just like it.
Yes, I will call it a dust storm.
Dust - EVERYWHERE.
Dust - that refuses to settle. Dust - that clouds your vision. Dust - on your face even if you wrap your thickest scarf as tight as you can. Dust - that you can taste as you run a tongue across dry lips. Dust - you can breathe and smell. Dust - in your hair. Dust - under your feet. Dust that refuses to settle - all around you.
And I thought however wrong/right the Interstellar folks may have been in their imagination of colonizing a new planet - surely their idea of the "End of the Earth" was spot on.
Dust - that signifies a dying Earth. Dust that refuses to settle down. No matter how hard you try to keep it off, always finding a way to cloud over people and stuff.
Dust - that covers even the last slivers of hope. Dust - that threatens Life. Dust - its teeny weeny particles showing their might - uncontrollable - haunting every thought; washing over everything like waves.
Dust - that never settles.
As I made my way through the dust clouds, I thought that if there ever is an "End of the Earth", this definitely will be one of the characteristics...dust - that refuses to settle.
~~
As soon as I unlock the door and step in, a loud gushing noise screams for my attention. I hurriedly go into the kitchen - only to land in ankle deep water - the kitchen tap is running wildly and (open since God knows when - buckets of good clean water - literally gone down the drain) I sigh...
It takes me quite a while to mop and drain away the excess water.
...And as I scrub and slosh at the water over and over again - the irony hits me - I feel as if I am washing away the dust - as if this was a way to literally "dust off" the dust - the dust that refuses to settle - perhaps it is powerless in front of gushing splashes of water.
~~
I do hope if there ever is a "dying Earth" and dust storms, may there also be slashing rains and splashes of cool blue water to counter it - washing the dust away.
And may the water win, over the dust that refuses to settle.
Amen.
I really don't know where so much dust came from...as if someone had put me straight into a scene from Interstellar - the one before the discovery of the new planet - dust everywhere and people trying to flee it - trying to escape the dust storm.
Yes, this was just like it.
Yes, I will call it a dust storm.
Dust - EVERYWHERE.
Dust - that refuses to settle. Dust - that clouds your vision. Dust - on your face even if you wrap your thickest scarf as tight as you can. Dust - that you can taste as you run a tongue across dry lips. Dust - you can breathe and smell. Dust - in your hair. Dust - under your feet. Dust that refuses to settle - all around you.
And I thought however wrong/right the Interstellar folks may have been in their imagination of colonizing a new planet - surely their idea of the "End of the Earth" was spot on.
Dust - that signifies a dying Earth. Dust that refuses to settle down. No matter how hard you try to keep it off, always finding a way to cloud over people and stuff.
Dust - that covers even the last slivers of hope. Dust - that threatens Life. Dust - its teeny weeny particles showing their might - uncontrollable - haunting every thought; washing over everything like waves.
Dust - that never settles.
As I made my way through the dust clouds, I thought that if there ever is an "End of the Earth", this definitely will be one of the characteristics...dust - that refuses to settle.
~~
As soon as I unlock the door and step in, a loud gushing noise screams for my attention. I hurriedly go into the kitchen - only to land in ankle deep water - the kitchen tap is running wildly and (open since God knows when - buckets of good clean water - literally gone down the drain) I sigh...
It takes me quite a while to mop and drain away the excess water.
...And as I scrub and slosh at the water over and over again - the irony hits me - I feel as if I am washing away the dust - as if this was a way to literally "dust off" the dust - the dust that refuses to settle - perhaps it is powerless in front of gushing splashes of water.
~~
I do hope if there ever is a "dying Earth" and dust storms, may there also be slashing rains and splashes of cool blue water to counter it - washing the dust away.
And may the water win, over the dust that refuses to settle.
Amen.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Wordless Wednesday : The sun sets on 2014
 |
| "Perhaps, the best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time..." ~Dean Acheson Clicked at the Gateway of India, Mumbai, 31 Dec 2014 |
PS: Although I've called it a "Wordless Wednesday" post, I couldn't help captioning it (and writing this PS as well :) )
Happy 2015 folks!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
All I ask... : A prayer
The other day I had a "re-org" attack and was looking at old pics to organize.
As usual, I got lost in looking at the pics and recollecting the "good ol' days" (Well, not that the present days are any bad, but saying "good ol' days" has its own charm :P)
Anyways, I digress.
I found a pic of a poster I had put up on my hostel wall.
The pic is a tad bit blurry (yeah, yeah I didn't have the fancy smancy 10MP cam then :P) Good old Nokia. *sigh*
So here's the marathi version (as I had read it somewhere) :
The original Bengali version is here [Courtesy : SG]
विपत्ति मधे तू माझे रक्षण कर
ही माझी प्रार्थना नाही.
विपत्ति मधे मी भयभीत होऊ नये
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
दु:खतापाने व्यथित झालेल्या माझ्या मना चे
तू सान्त्वन करावेस
अशी माझी अपेक्षा नाही.
दु:खावर जय मिळवता यावा,
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
माझ्या मदतीला कोणी आले नाही,
तर माझे बाळ मोडून पडू नये,
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
माझे रक्षण तू करावेस, मला तारावेस,
ही माझी प्रार्थना नाही.
तरुन जाण्याचे सामर्थ्य माझ्यात असावे,
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
माझे ओझे हलके करून तू माझे सान्त्वन केले नाहीस
तरी माझी तक्रार नाही
ते ओझे वाहायची शक्ति माझ्यात असावी
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
सुखाच्या दिवसांत नतमस्तक होऊन
मी तुझा चेहेरा ओळखून काढीन.
दु:खाच्या रात्री, सारे जग जेव्हा माझी फसवणूक करेल,
तेव्हा तुझ्या विषयी माझ्या मनात शंका निर्माण होऊ नये
एवढीच च माझी इच्छा...
~रवींद्रनाथ टागोर
And since I am bitten by the translation bug these days, I had to attempt a translation Simply could _not_ leave it alone. ;)
Here goes my attempt at translation :
I would never pray for you
to protect me from perils;
That I never be frightened by perils
is all I ask...
I would never expect you to console
my soul that's fraught with pain;
That I can conquer the sorrowful sea,
is all I ask...
Even though none comes forth to help;
Let my strength not fail me
is all I ask...
When the world fools me
and I face betrayal;
Let my mind be strong, and let it not waver
is all I ask...
I would never pray for you
to shield me from dangers;
That I may have the capacity to stay afloat
is all I ask...
I would never complain even if you
do not reduce my burden;
That I be strong enough to carry that burden
is all I ask...
In happier times, I will bow down to you
and recognize your face;
In dark times, when the world betrays me
Let my mind never doubt you,
is all I ask...
~Rabindranath Tagore
As usual, I got lost in looking at the pics and recollecting the "good ol' days" (Well, not that the present days are any bad, but saying "good ol' days" has its own charm :P)
Anyways, I digress.
I found a pic of a poster I had put up on my hostel wall.
The pic is a tad bit blurry (yeah, yeah I didn't have the fancy smancy 10MP cam then :P) Good old Nokia. *sigh*
So here's the marathi version (as I had read it somewhere) :
The original Bengali version is here [Courtesy : SG]
विपत्ति मधे तू माझे रक्षण कर
ही माझी प्रार्थना नाही.
विपत्ति मधे मी भयभीत होऊ नये
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
दु:खतापाने व्यथित झालेल्या माझ्या मना चे
तू सान्त्वन करावेस
अशी माझी अपेक्षा नाही.
दु:खावर जय मिळवता यावा,
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
माझ्या मदतीला कोणी आले नाही,
तर माझे बाळ मोडून पडू नये,
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
माझे रक्षण तू करावेस, मला तारावेस,
ही माझी प्रार्थना नाही.
तरुन जाण्याचे सामर्थ्य माझ्यात असावे,
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
माझे ओझे हलके करून तू माझे सान्त्वन केले नाहीस
तरी माझी तक्रार नाही
ते ओझे वाहायची शक्ति माझ्यात असावी
एवढीच माझी इच्छा...
सुखाच्या दिवसांत नतमस्तक होऊन
मी तुझा चेहेरा ओळखून काढीन.
दु:खाच्या रात्री, सारे जग जेव्हा माझी फसवणूक करेल,
तेव्हा तुझ्या विषयी माझ्या मनात शंका निर्माण होऊ नये
एवढीच च माझी इच्छा...
~रवींद्रनाथ टागोर
And since I am bitten by the translation bug these days, I had to attempt a translation Simply could _not_ leave it alone. ;)
Here goes my attempt at translation :
I would never pray for you
to protect me from perils;
That I never be frightened by perils
is all I ask...
I would never expect you to console
my soul that's fraught with pain;
That I can conquer the sorrowful sea,
is all I ask...
Even though none comes forth to help;
Let my strength not fail me
is all I ask...
When the world fools me
and I face betrayal;
Let my mind be strong, and let it not waver
is all I ask...
I would never pray for you
to shield me from dangers;
That I may have the capacity to stay afloat
is all I ask...
I would never complain even if you
do not reduce my burden;
That I be strong enough to carry that burden
is all I ask...
In happier times, I will bow down to you
and recognize your face;
In dark times, when the world betrays me
Let my mind never doubt you,
is all I ask...
~Rabindranath Tagore
[Translated on 11th Nov 2014]
Friday, October 31, 2014
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out the reason why!
You jump, you float;
You cry, you gloat;
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out the reason why!
May be you resolved a tricky bug
Or was it that your best friend gave you a hug;
Could've been the ginger tea your Mom brews...
Or the sky decked in sunset hues.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you got to work with a father figure you admire
Or you just saw stacks of fresh flowers piled higher and higher;
Could've been the effect of your recent haircut...
Or the race to book a tatkal ticket.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you found an antique earthen lamp decor
Or the seed you planted just sprouted a pretty blue flower;
Could've been the project deadline you successfully met...
Or the Chips and Orange Minutemaid you always get.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you just finalized a trip with friends
Or finished a Poirot novel with awesome twists and turns;
Could've been the pasta you cooked...
Or the Marathi play ticket your Mom booked.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
Sometimes life gives you a high
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you suddenly saw lots of fireworks in the night sky
Or just laughed over a PJ till you felt you'll cry;
Could've been that the late night radio played all your fav songs in a loop...
Or someone made you hot Manchow Soup.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you realize these are just ordinary little moments
No rocket science or phenomena strange
Even small reasons suffice;
Trivial things bring happiness...
'Coz you're high on Life!
And you can't figure out the reason why!
You jump, you float;
You cry, you gloat;
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out the reason why!
May be you resolved a tricky bug
Or was it that your best friend gave you a hug;
Could've been the ginger tea your Mom brews...
Or the sky decked in sunset hues.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you got to work with a father figure you admire
Or you just saw stacks of fresh flowers piled higher and higher;
Could've been the effect of your recent haircut...
Or the race to book a tatkal ticket.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you found an antique earthen lamp decor
Or the seed you planted just sprouted a pretty blue flower;
Could've been the project deadline you successfully met...
Or the Chips and Orange Minutemaid you always get.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you just finalized a trip with friends
Or finished a Poirot novel with awesome twists and turns;
Could've been the pasta you cooked...
Or the Marathi play ticket your Mom booked.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
And you can't figure out a reason why!
May be you suddenly saw lots of fireworks in the night sky
Or just laughed over a PJ till you felt you'll cry;
Could've been that the late night radio played all your fav songs in a loop...
Or someone made you hot Manchow Soup.
And you can't help but say I'm high;
High on Life!
No rocket science or phenomena strange
Even small reasons suffice;
Trivial things bring happiness...
'Coz you're high on Life!
~Written on 31st October, 2014 #Original
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Mask(s)
Came across a pic clicked sometime back, made me think of masks...
Masks we wear
Masks we think we've worn
Masks people make us wear
Masks people think we're wearing
Happy ones, sad ones
Funny ones too
Masks totally unlike us
Sometimes transparent too!
Masks we make people wear
Masks we think people are wearing...
Ordinary Masks, Colourful Masks
Godly Masks, Super hero Masks
and masks of Demons too!
Masks with protruding ears and pointy chins
Bulging eyes and frowns grim
Ruddy red noses and rolling tongues.
Sometimes golden, sometimes glittery...
Masks we're glad to pull off
Masks we're afraid people will see through...
Masks we forget to put on
Masks so ingrained,
We forget we had donned!
Sometimes just one
Oft times one over the other
Masks like mirages
Real, yet a figment of someone's imagination
True, with a tinge of falsehood
Almost there, never within reach
Never black. Never white.
Always. Grey.
Masks...
~Written on 8th October, 2014 #Original
PS: This makes for the 95th published post! 5 short of the magic number. Yayyy :D
Masks we wear
Masks we think we've worn
Masks people make us wear
Masks people think we're wearing
Happy ones, sad ones
Funny ones too
Masks totally unlike us
Sometimes transparent too!
Masks we make people wear
Masks we think people are wearing...
 |
| Clicked near Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir, Sept 2012 |
Godly Masks, Super hero Masks
and masks of Demons too!
Masks with protruding ears and pointy chins
Bulging eyes and frowns grim
Ruddy red noses and rolling tongues.
Sometimes golden, sometimes glittery...
Masks we're glad to pull off
Masks we're afraid people will see through...
Masks we forget to put on
Masks so ingrained,
We forget we had donned!
Sometimes just one
Oft times one over the other
Masks like mirages
Real, yet a figment of someone's imagination
True, with a tinge of falsehood
Almost there, never within reach
Never black. Never white.
Always. Grey.
Masks...
~Written on 8th October, 2014 #Original
PS: This makes for the 95th published post! 5 short of the magic number. Yayyy :D
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