Bonjour Au revoir

The bold orange color big star just like the oranges growing in sunny California was near the horizon ready to say goodbye for that day. I was sitting on my hammock and swayed it gently with my dangling hands. My body lay rested and neglected as my back was arched in a funny way and surprisingly the muscles around it did not yell for help. 

I let it be as is and allowed my mind to wander aimlessly with no GPS attached. 

But soon my intellect came into action as I started getting goosebumps on my bare arms. 

'What is it?' I wondered and frowned upon as I tried hard to gulp.

 Unknowingly I had opened the forbidden gates, and there came the gush of tears along with a  burst of laughter. I choked at first then bit my lip to make a conscious effort to shut that door but alas! Memories are not physical bodies that can be shunned away; its aura flowed along while I closed my eyes and let them fill my brain as I took in big inhalations and forcefully exhaled with the thought that even that quality of air shall flow out. 

My conscious mind said a bonjour to those memories while making a note of some 10 things that I've done, and that I had promised myself never to do again.

• Make empty promises: That moment feels so good to take someone to the stars by promising to do this and that. Alas! giving a wretched feeling when not being able to accomplish it. 

• Drink lots of caffeinated drinks and indulge in sweets at the same time: Jeez! the after effects can be torturous to the body. Needless to say those extra pounds difficult to shed. 

• Not be critical of me instead laugh at my mistakes: Making goals is what makes encourages a human to walk on this planet each day. But, if those goals not met, despair and criticism is quick to arise. Instead learn to laugh over it and thank for what is there.  

• Drive a car with the oil light on: Procrastination is one thing that makes me always nod my head and raise my eyebrows when in an inconvenient situation. 'Just another mile! The car can take it'  Never take chances! 

• Argue over politics: I have realized how passionate people are about this topic, they can tear you up emotionally if not physically! 

• Not ask for feedback from any Tom, Dick or Harry: Self-confidence is essential or else the world can tear you up. Ask an expert or someone whom you usually confide in.  

• Never argue over texting: That is not only bad for your fingers but also so much screen time. Communication is always the key! 

• Never procrastinate over expired goods: Milk and Dairy products is always a No-No. The kinds of acrobats this does in your tummy can take days to wear off.

•  Try to please everyone and anyone but myself: Need I say more? 

• Keep at least two credit cards in my wallet: With the recent magnetic strip on the credit card, there are times when a store's machine refuses to recognize it. Jeez! to have a back up is so important since cash is never in my wallet. 

Phew! Now that all those awkward blunders were flowing away far away from my mind. I relaxed took a deep breath and came back to my present. Needless to say, my arched back had started complaining of a twitch which made me jump up from the fabric sling and stretch left and right to extend that muscle. Once I was out and about, the mind got distracted and I was happy to say Au revoir to those memories.

My 2 cents

To err is human but to repeat it again is a swine! 

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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post, with this week’s prompt a listicle of “10 things I’ve done that I can’t/won’t do again.”

Know thy Food

We all know the basics: Food is not just a four-letter word or just another common noun that could be associated with anything. It is a word that satiates humanity when the stomach is rumbling as the hands are shaking and the mind is not able to focus. It is the good material that nourishes our system and our soul (depending on the kind of food we ingest) and allows our inner mechanics to function as we continue to breathe and juggle the many challenges that life throws at us. It helps us to keep our composure and think and act according to the circumstances. 
A slice of pizza could have excessive topping of a vegetable that you always disliked. 
x

Now once the basic hunger is satisfied, the man looks beyond the avenue of what our taste buds desire. 

Joyous or Sad or Gloomy....Junk food is what we all look into although research indicates that sugar is the most harmful substance on this planet, but whenever we have a mood swing we grab a pint of ice-cream or a shake or anything that could help brighten that mood of ours'. 

This is we, humans! 

We crave for something that has trans fat, unhealthy and lots of calories since when emotions run high, the body should go in the dungeon.

Right?

Now, sure we can't change the way humans are designed. We need to celebrate when high. We want to drown our sorrows when low in spirits. We need to let go when stuck up in some moment. 

In short...celebration demands junk food!

Let's face it..We are all food junkies. In our heart of hearts we would love to eat junk food any time of the day, but then there is some percentage of people who are mindful. They are cognizant of the fact that why disturb the body when the mind is agitated. 

However, most of us do not fall into that category and take the lash and whip across ourself not realizing the impact it will give later on. 

Darn the mantra of 'Health is Wealth' 

It's the 'Right now Right this moment that matters!'

Food Concoction is the way to go for all the food junkies who do not have control over their senses. All it needs is a bit of creativity and lots of honesty. 

Making a Concoction is creative. It could also taste good. Our taste buds would like the new so-called burger which is usually consisting of mayo, a slice of cheese, a patty, lettuce, slice of tomato, pickle. We could add a slice of roasted eggplant, a slice of zucchini, or any other vegetable which we hate the sight of. This could either make us start liking the plant that we cannot stand the sight of or just cut back on our excess calories by refusing to eat another burger for a long, long time.

With regards to sugar complement your scoop of ice-cream with granola or sliced nuts over it. 

A shake could have sliced fruits, or sweetened with agave instead of sugar. 

Next time when a mood swing hits you. Cook or celebrate your favorite junk food in style. Decorate with all the vegetables you hate the sight of and then serve it up in a big fancy platter. Let's be superficial to ourselves cause the society is so for our health's sake, we can afford to be with ourselves as well, and wait up for the reaction we would love to have all this time.

Enjoy!!

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Linking up with: Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular prompt (different formats each week of the month)

A noun called Love

Once upon a time, there was a pea size planet. Sure, there was life on this celestial body since when I looked from Earth with a Celestron CPC 1100 GPS (XLT) 280mm f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain GoTo Telescope I could see two hands, two legs, a head and lots of hair. But, given the state these so-called humans existed, it made me very curious. Thus I continued to zoom through my telescope day and night to observe their peculiar habits. I would call them zombies. They minded their own business as I could not see any activity amongst them except them wandering from one place to another.

After 24 hours I found their life boring since these so-called humans had nothing exciting going on. They were mostly by themselves. They always had a frown on their forehead and a sneer over their lips, and that made me thank the planet Earth that I lived upon!



Thank goodness we knew about love, adoration, and affection. Even though we have a thing called newspaper that comes each morning that gives off 'news' that makes me always bitter as I swear after reading through it, but in spite of that we give out vibes of caring, compassion in the society that we live in as we carry it around wherever we go.

Love is what's making the world go around even though our planet is tilted!
The vibrations in the universe give life to Newton's theory of gravity thus making us steady and grounded.


We all have a universe around us. This world is your immediate family, your friends, your neighbors. It's this adoration. The fondness that makes the heart flutter, and the hand and the feet go an extra mile to do something for the other person. This person could be your immediate family or even your neighbor or a friend. But those vibes are so infectious that it gets caught on immediately.
Sure, love has many forms.  But just the little stretch of the muscles around the lips, the extension of one's hand towards somebody especially when in adversity, a compassionate hug are just mere expressions to show that you care.

Honestly, I would not like anything if love did not exist in me or around me!

Forget the chocolates.
The ice-cream.
All the delicious food the chefs on this planet have invented or put together.
 The lush and green surroundings.
The chirps of the birds.
The wind chimes giving off that melodious music when the wind passes by!
The blue sky that resonates peace and calmness.
The tall trees that sway from left to right as if humming a song.
The music created by human artists that span from rock n roll to jazz to classical and contemporary.
The magnificent feeling of a hug.

What would life be without love? 
We too would be roaming like the people on the pea planet. Thankfully, our world has this noun in abundance so, let's pat our back and enjoy the above ten things since they make our lives so much to be cherished for!

Mantra for today: Love is life! Give and you shall receive! 

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Linking up with FTSF that has a prompt about LOVE!
Join in the fun

A disaster within....

Mother Nature has sure been in the news lately!

Hurricanes, Earthquakes
Some of the  'disasters' that man has labeled when mother nature becomes boorish.

That leads to the destruction of property and losses that man has no choice but to kneel and bow thee!

That's when the man looks upon other brethren either for help or guidance or just a helping hand to be able to stand up and be able to walk that path.



Technically the man would be walking alone on this road trying to figure out a way to find the home amidst this destruction, but scientifically he is not alone. His mind will be transmitting hundreds of neurons and as they network it will either give him ideas to overcome this problem, or it would cripple his walk by conveying thoughts that are sheer negative.

Man's body is an incredible machine. He has chosen to build skyscrapers out of it. The seven wonders. This machine has fostered ideas to grow food on this planet, allowed the man to survive the extreme temperatures when Mother Nature wants the spotlight. The list is just unbelievable that I am sure aliens living on other planets would be going green with envy checking out the resume of our achievements in collective.

Our mind and body have done wonders, and no doubt when Mother Nature strikes; it cripples man, but not for long!

We unite. Clean the wreckage and start fresh.

This mind when combines with the respective body is a full proof of our planet earth's progress. But when the mind does not hold hands with that body it has also shown massacres that can make anybody's heart cry with pain and disgust.

Mind, Body are like a beautiful ensemble. Each must be finely tuned, well nourished and maintained to reach its full potential.

A natural disaster would be when the body and the mind's circuit goes loose. There is no connection between them thus leading to a havoc not only in man's surroundings but also within. Unfortunately, we have many examples around the globe that are horrendous, torturous and painful.

We have one body and one mind that is organic, essential and we are nothing without it.


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Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence.
This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. This week’s sentence is “When it comes to natural disasters…” thought up by the fabulous April of April Noelle. 

Holidays & School

Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
No more pencils
No more books
No more teachers' angry looks!
Happy Holidays!

This was the rhyme I used to sing each year from elementary to the end of middle school when I would be coming back from school in my school bus along with my school friends.
Yup, I do realize I have uttered 'school' many times.
What can I say...I miss my school days!

That was the best time of my life 'cause even the bully would become your friend. Even the shy and reserved person would be seen singing. Even the 'elite' classmate would mingle in. That moment when the bus would embark from our school to the individual routes of each of our homes, we all were bonded as strong as the Hydrogen bond that no one just about no one could fizzle that bond away since it bound our DNA's, and all other possible macromolecules together.

I do remember vividly the bus conductor would Shhh us some times. But none were perturbed. Finally, she would give in but wore a distinct smile on her face.

Such was life!
Simple, Unadulterated, and Contagious!

When my bus stop would arrive. Promises were made to call, visit friends' homes and I would even give a teary hug to my besties.

Two and a half months of unadulterated fun. It consisted of visiting my maternal grandparents home near Delhi. Visiting my cousins and that involved good food, late night movies, ice-cream, gossiping, and not to forget even the fights!

But again life was fun!

Within no time, back to school day would arrive. I and my sibling would groan, sulk as we would start getting prepped for the schedule a week prior to that day such as waking up early, eating and bathing on time while arranging our rooms and respective book shelf.

In the meantime, my parents would give out a sigh of relief. Relief that their kids will have a timetable to watch out for and not be disheveled.

Tables turned!
Now as my teen prepped himself into the routine. I was giving out a long exhale. This exhale was an internal happiness that life will be back to order, discipline and productivity.

When it comes to back to school; I watch my kid groom into a routine; I also get a chance to relive my crazy summer days. I realize I will not go back to experience it, but those memories are still vivid and strong within me that it still gives me the goosebumps. Thus, always allowing my kiddo to be unrealistic, wacky and disorientated to his likings cause memories if made can make anyone so alive when he/she tends to ponder over them.




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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. This week’s sentence is “It’s back to school time, and I feel…”

Got Weight?

As the mercury touches the digits 9 and 0. 

I gulp.

Take a few sips of Nutrisystem cold herbal tea and lay under the cool breeze of the fan while placing a piece of cucumber each over my eyes to avoid those dark circles that usually erupt due to lack of sleep and dehydration, which is normal given the kind of temperature the city is experiencing.

"You gotta move!" Mom commanded to which I was quick to utter, "Nah! I have Nutrisystem to take care of my weight issues."

"Besides, beauty is important!" I clarify.

"What beauty IF things are sagging!" she did not hesitate.

"huh!" I was quick to remove those slices of cucumber off my eyes and stare back at her.

She continued and proclaimed, "Have you checked out your butt lately? How it spreads when you park yourself?" 

Cool or no cool. 

I was quick to get up from the bed and check out my posterior as I cross-examined it from various angles via the reflection of the mirror. 

Seeing the shocked expression on my face, the mom became gentle with her expression.

"Gotta move it a bit! What say?" 

There was a pause, and she continued, "I am heading to the gym. Wanna join?" she inquired.

"Exercise will dehydrate me, and then I will develop dark circles around my eyes" I lamented, "I had signed up with Nutrisystem to take care of my weight." 

 "As I had mentioned earlier, these things don't work." Mom took a long pause, "Think about it. I will be leaving within ten minutes. If you care to join me; meet me in the car." 

She went in to change leaving me in a big dilemma. 

I had never been in this kind of crisis. 

To go, or not to go, that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler for the body to suffer

The calidity and the incalescence of Mother Nature, 

Or to get up and face the fury by sweating profusely 

To shed that extra baggage! 

My mind was going berserk as I was trying to decide what to do. Just then the I heard the car honk. I jumped up quickly to peep outside the window. To my shock, I felt the muscles around me still moving in high density while I was observing my mom back out of the garage. 

"Wait up!" I shouted as I waved my arm towards her to which even the muscles around my limb moved aggressively. 

"Jeez gotta start moving and disown this fat before it becomes a part of me!" 

I gulped in shock and horror as I quickly change into track pants but found it difficult to pull them all over. I cover it with an L- size shirt that I grab from my dad's wardrobe. 

'run towards the car, and while I screech to a halt to pull open the door, I observe the mass around me still fluttering around me. I make an eww sign as I park myself in the car.

"Mom, weight issues always move me." I was quick to admit, "Wish you had given this insight earlier." 

"I tried dear, but your earphones were always in the way." she said in a blunt tone as she drove.

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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. I re-purposed this post from 2013 for this week’s sentence of “what moves me,” brought to you by my fabulous friend Hillary.

Why !!

Feelings

Perception

Dreams

When either of the above gets altered; the chances are that the heart beat starts to beat its' irregular self.
An individual generally feels shattered for those few seconds to some random minutes until consciousness comes to light, and the human begins to get a grip on himself.

We all envision the future with selected dreams. The question is: Do they come true?

Most of the time...nah!

No doubt there is a feeling of rejection and denial.
But what marks the intellect of the man is him being able to stand up with either the help of someone or his willpower within in spite of the hurricane trying to sweep him away.
That marks the identity of a man.

Never to give up.

In this life of 40+ years that I have breathed in...there have been moments where my feelings have been shattered, my dreams have been broken, I have felt the change in perception around me thus making me sensitive over various matters.

I felt the most broken when my mom passed away unexpectedly. She was fine one moment and the next minute her heart gave away.  The thought that now both my parents are not around to guide me, listen to me, and hear me out!

No doubt I lay on the ground for quite a few hours and even days brooding over the ritual of death that is inevitable.  But I was fortunate to have people assisting me to get up and walk again.

That is what humanity is about: we fall, we cry, and we rise cause honestly without falling and getting disheartened when things do not go our way; we do not learn to see the other side of the coin. There is diversity around us. Be it the diverse population, the distinct tastes, the assorted thoughts, the mixed bag of emotions over a just one darn topic example: Republican or Democratic. Amongst many!

We die a little every day and by degrees we’re reborn into different men, older men in the same clothes, with the same scars.” 
― Mark Lawrence, King of Thorns

The Fact that with every scar we grow not an inch physically but emotionally. And that growth can take us miles in maturity at whatever life throws at us.
Thus, the next time you lament over your hurt feelings...think again!
It is a blessing in disguise. I admit it is not easy but, thy man can do wonders in this lifetime.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' 
Eleanor Roosevelt

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Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence. 

A Road Trip...

Any trip can be an eye opener cause they always tend to teach us something in the end.

I remember making this road trip in India when I was a teenager. We were taking an excursion towards Jaipur, a city in Rajasthan, India.

We had rented a car and hired a driver. Thus, while he was driving the car, my family was sitting and enjoying the ride and the sights around the town.

It was a hot summer afternoon, and Rajasthan is known for its' high temperatures cause of the desert. However, we had our windows rolled up, and the air conditioner was on, with music in the background.

I was in the back seat near the window, enjoying the music and feeling relaxed with the cool air surrounding me.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise, and my reflexes were sharp enough to turn and hide my face. A person had thrown a stone towards our car, and it hit my window. The shattered glass was all around me. Our driver was quick enough to screech his brakes on time, to avoid a mishap on the road.

He was quick to take an exit to the nearest hospital while I lay still since did not want any of the glass to penetrate further into the skin. That moment, while he was driving, I could feel the warm air blowing through that open window, and felt the changes in temperature and how my body was lying there vulnerable to the circumstance.

No man has control over mishaps. Although, we try hard to make our trips memorable and fun, but when it comes to traveling no journey is perfect.

Thank god, my wounds were not harsh, and I recovered in no time. We toured the city and returned home with memories.

Mantra for today: All journeys end, but they are not confined to a happy note, thus go with the flow.

A Princess from La-La Land

Long time ago there was a princess in a La-La Land. She was pulchritudinous and intelligent. Her Dad, the King of La-La Land, was proud of her and had ordered all the assistants in the palace to just attend to her needs.



 The attendants had to search far and beyond to meet her demands. But at the end of the day, her requests were met by hook or by crook.

This Princess had everything at an arm's length. She was happy. She was content.
But, not for long!

One day she asked her attendants, "Get me peace!"
They looked at each other with curiosity.
One of them got a cellist. He played the cello in such a way that all the onlookers including the princess experienced various emotions such as calmness, sensuousness; their minds got solemn as the strings were pulled gently by the cellist.
Mission accomplished!

But not for long...the princess demanded, "Peace!!"
The attendants scratched their heads.

One of them got a Yoga teacher. He made her perform many yoga stretches such as Eagle Pose, Dancer's Pose, Crescent variation, Handstand hops, Warrior poses. She huffed, and she puffed as she became quite sore thereafter. She slept well for a few days until she asked for peace again!

The attendants got nervous until one of them called for a therapist. He asked questions, and the princess answered them. They were all related to calm her overactive mind. She was prescribed to be 'mindful' This made her even more curious.

"What is mindful?" she asked.

The therapist asked her to ponder over each of her thought and activity during the day for a week while promising to be back after seven days.


She grew restless at first but stuck to what was advised.

She noted down her moods, she jotted down her sorrows, she scribbled her joys, she recorded her pains and her invisible tears. That made her sleep well each night as she would eat and sleep well. As she continued with her prescribed activity, she was laughing more than what she usually did. She found her mind and body synchronize over various things. The princess was sympathetic towards others as she would show interest in their lives. Her attendants saw a new princess as she would compliment them often. That satisfaction would make her blush, and she grew prettier day by day.

Day 7 arrived in no time, and this therapist was amazed to see her glow. He asked for the secret. She did not hesitate to blurt it out, "I feel peace from the thoughts that come and go. Thus, this glow."
(Did this rhyme?)
Let's make that the Mantra for the day!!


Mantra for today: Make Peace from the thoughts that come and go. The glow would be the aftereffect. 


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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. This week’s sentence is “I find peace from…” or close enough.

Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence. If you’d like to stay ahead of future sentences and participate, join our Facebook group.  Link up your sentence prompts below!

Attunement within

Relax is a verb that is generally put into action when life gets very stressed out since I start to complain of aches and pain as the muscles get tensed.

That happens when I am either getting churned or stirring someone else's life.

What to do...Life is about give and take.


I take some.
I give a little.
I moan after that, and then rinse and repeat after I relax or unwind.

Such is Life!

“Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our hearts break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive.” 
― Moïra Fowley-Doyle, The Accident Season

“Empires collapse, 
Civilizations disappear, 
Health deteriorates 
And bodies turn to ash, 
But life will always go on” 
― Mouloud Benzadi


When I need to relax and unwind I usually try to find peace within.

No thoughts are allowed in.

 I stare myself into space via staring at a bush in my yard with the hopes that no bird or fly comes into the vision or else poof goes my mind as thoughts start flowing.

Thus, staring into this blank space I feel the numbness in my thoughts, my throat becomes dry as I usually forget to gulp. My eyelids become heavy since I am not blinking and thus, making them droopy. As a result, I gradually shut my eyes, and soon I am zzzing.


This snooze is just for a couple of minutes since the head sags, and my neck would give it away waking me up with a jerk.

I can bet on a $20 bill that those couple of minutes that I snoozed off were the best! I wake up fresh and no doubt I massage my neck thereafter cause of the jerk, but that gives me a boost to kick and get kicked.

When no thoughts are processed it is deep sleep. Mind when calmed attunes with all the neurons thus allowing the muscles to relax. The individual wakes up fresh!

Mantra for today: Time to unwind is essential since peace is within us all. 

Disclaimer: Meditation Guru's do not vouch for the above. This is my way to unwind! 

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Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence. 

Got Time?

Long, long time ago when life was simpler, and there was not much distraction except for the radio. An individual used to perform just mere counted chores and be satisfied with his day and would call it a night.
Children would be happy to wake up since they had slept well and would be glad to go to school to unite with their friends along with studies and would be satisfied to come home, spend time with their parents and have dinner together without any interference of any kind of correspondence with the outer world except for the radio, which would hum their favorite songs in the background.

It was the world where priorities were the passion. Fun was unadulterated. Laughter was authentic. Family time was genuine. Relationships were respected since people had the time to appreciate things around!


Turn of the century...man realized his potential.

He is amazed how he can juggle five things on each of his finger of his hand. He calls it liberation and is impressed with the progress humankind makes towards the end of the day. Seeing that kind of evolution united humanity and they have joined forces to continue this marathon.

Amidst this run, infants are neglected, while moms and dads venture out in the society that has got smitten by the 'multi-tasking' bug to get more comforts for their home, which is actually a home just for the namesake since the family is out for most of the hours.

Children in school first agitated against the changes but have adapted quickly since they have got lots of comfort in the name of food, technology to correspond and enjoy. Time is getting precious since all have the same complaint, "No Time!" and excuses are made left right and center.

Passion is hidden somewhere since all want to lead and no one wants to follow thus, lots of hard work put in along with stress and urgency for everything.

Alas! The human body cannot take the beat for long, and health is degrading thus, allowing medical professionals to pump in chemicals to keep us going. Wonder for how long these chemicals can maintain the man churning for more!

"If I could only change the above so that time would not just be a number but of value as a person could continue to pursue the real essence of mankind by getting the basic answers of life such as, "Who am I?" "What is my goal in this life?"

Sigh!

Mantra for today: We are the society, care to tame it? 

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Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence.

Cloud Nine

I have been a writer for the last five years now so; it would be very realistic if sleep does not dim my brain and mind I will tend to play with words...right?

Wrong!

When I can't sleep, I am dreaming with open eyes (pun intended)

At first, I think of all the bad stuff that has happened to me till date. My arthritis and stiff joints, my stepping down from corporate life, etc. Needless to say, that keeps my eyes wide open, my mouth tends to become dry, and it leads to tossing and turning.

Now that is no fun! I tell my mind, as I am quite mindful (most of the times!)

Then I switch gears.

I dream of fame, fortune and that, in turn, brings me lots of skipped heartbeats thus, making adrenaline high. No doubt that makes my zzz's disappear but honestly being on cloud nine serves as a lullaby for me, and eventually, I snooze off with a gentle smile on my face.



No doubt when I wake up the next day I snicker over it, but then there is delight somewhere within me that makes me want to cling to hope and have a beautiful day.

A great day in spite of a rainy storm that has hit my town and citizens are advised to stay safe and indoors. In spite of overhearing what my bitchy friends/relatives had to say about me. The teen son who sneered at my limited knowledge of 'today's generation.'

I am immune to all! Since my mind is still full of those happy thoughts and it makes me continue to march like a warrior till the sun sets in my part of the world.

Experts say:

“It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.”
Dale Carnegie

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Thich Nhat Hanh


 I can vouch for it.

 If the mind is in bliss, nothing in the world can prick a hole in that balloon that is filled with real happiness.

The hope that someday my books will have the tag as,"BestSeller" makes me euphoric and makes me strive upon my writing while continuing to correct my flaws so that one beautiful day when the sun will continue to shine. The energy that I will have inside and around me will not be due to the extra shot of oxygen let out by photosynthesis of the plants but will be the success that I tasted until I open the news to find the new government repealing the Obamacare!
(oh! well, that will be another mind game!) 


Mantra for today: My thoughts, they can either take me to the dungeon or make me float on cloud nine...My Choice!

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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. This week’s sentence is “When I can’t sleep, I…”
Link up here, at Finding Ninee.

Tra-La-La-La, La-La-La!

This is the tune that has been ringing in our household ever since we passed the Thanksgiving weekend. No doubt the local radio station has also uplifted our moods since Carols play 24*7. Even though they are repetitive but somehow the music is what continues to make me tap my foot as I type this post.


"This holiday season, I hope we all can make a difference in our thoughts, which could bring out positive actions thus leading to beneficial consequences that people can embrace with a smile without wrinkling that forehead or moving their head in sheer disgust."

Reminds me of a famous song by John Lennon!

Holidays are the time when the man can pause, ponder, reflect and correct his actions.

Fortunately, we all get to celebrate holidays each year. But, with each passing year, the resolutions are made, dumped, and forgotten!

The world is getting an intolerant place to live.

We all are partially to be blamed for all that we are facing today.

To stand up, object, raise our voice and/or to choose a path of sanity.

All this requires an individual to be audacious and bold. It sure is not an easy journey especially if we take the plunge.

The dive to erase the ugliness around our society. To jump and hold out a hand in distress. To sweep out the hatred by just a smile and a hug. To dunk and help open the trunk of lies, secrets and help change for the better.

The journey is tough, but the destination will be a pleasant one! Not just for us, but for generations to come.

Tolerance and Mankind go hand in hand.

Are we ready to be the first to take the plunge!

Time to mend our ways and be responsible for the sake of humanity all over the world!

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This week’s sentence is “This holiday season, I…”
Link up, please.

Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence. If you’d like to stay ahead of future sentences and participate, join our Facebook group. 

Death, Heritage and Generations to come....

October has been a month of many emotions. It started off with a shock that was followed by a rewind of all those years with my dad's sister, then coming to terms with it, and being able to say my goodbye to her.

It was also a month of anniversaries where my dad and granddad passed away.

Besides the sorrow, the disturbance and the tears, it was also the month of Diwali, which is a festival of lights as each individual tries to light up the diya/lamp in places where there is darkness, gloom, ignorance, and obscurity.


No doubt there were mixed feelings at first when this festival arrived. Since early weeks made me see death and now this celebration...very confused!

But then I pondered over the meaning of this festival...it's the lighting of the lamps not only in and around the house but also within to remove darkness, gloom, ignorance, and obscurity. This light actually makes man ponder within and help change their perspective especially since negativity always looms stronger than positive thoughts.

Since when it comes to death, we are no doubt somber by the loss of a loved one, but honestly science has proven that ever since a baby is born he/she is decaying each day! Thus, death is a natural process. No doubt as humans we get attached to that person and want her/him around us, but the law of nature is that we are mortal so got to chin up.  I think we should be happy for that individual especially if she/he has done all her duties on this planet.

Duties?
Huh?

According to the famous rhyme by James Orchard Halliwell and published in 1842 with the lyrics:

Solomon Grundy,

Born on a Monday,

Christened on Tuesday,

Married on Wednesday,

Took ill on Thursday,

Grew worse on Friday,

Died on Saturday,

Buried on Sunday,

That was the end,

Of Solomon Grundy.

That would be a waste of life! Where nothing was accomplished.

But a person who was a conscientious being, and brought up her children in a healthy environment, and made sure they made life too of themselves. That would be a person who would be remembered, appreciated since her legacy will be carried forward via incidents or stories that involved her to generations to come!

As we usher the month of November towards Thanksgiving week which will make me fill up with gratitude towards my ancestors and my elders who gave me love, affection and guided me in times of distress and adversity.

 I shall honor this post to my dad's sister (my aunt) who was a kind soul and always had the self-respect within to keep rowing her boat no matter what! In spite of the pain that those nasty overgrown cells within her body were causing her, she did not give up on herself, and that's what is commendable! I pray her soul rests in peace.

Mantra for today: “The songs of our ancestors are also the songs of our children.” 
― Philip Carr-Gomm

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Festival time!

As we enter the month of September, we not only usher the Fall season, but also the many festivals that line up making me very excited at the thought of mingling, dressing, eating, laughing, and anything and everything that is fun.

What I love about Fall is the welcoming of Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving that brings along a lot of anticipation, excitement, glee, and joy for the upcoming months until Santa brings in gifts!

Festivals also make me ponder over the many quotes:


Don't just Celebrate Festivals, Celebrate Life!

Festivals are a way to bring you closer to your family!

The greatness of a culture can be found in its' festivals


Celebrating festivals has its' own advantages:

* It helps us keep connected to our roots, culture, our origin and as we celebrate it, we help preserve it.
*It helps people to come together and forget their chaos of life while hoping for a good year.
*It also marks the significant events important to the human race.
*It tells you about mythologies and elevates your faith, giving you lessons from inside those mythologies. You celebrate the good will and teachings you get from them.


Ever noticed that when it's time for the arrival of a festival, the whole aura changes, the whole community gets directed towards a faith, a surrounding full of real hopes, happiness, joy, celebrations is created. It naturally uplifts your bad mood and fills you with positive energy. It gives you an opportunity to forget all the not so good events of past and initiate fresh & new beginnings. You can also utilize this opportunity in all other positive aspects you can think of because your faith is high.

A human is a member of a mysterious species, we don't know about our origin, but with a little faith, we have the power to change the tides and modify this world and create something exceptional.

On a minus note

However, Families mingle, but with caution since; they dread that things could get ugly and egos could clash, which could put a strain on their relationship.

It is said that families have thicker blood to sustain any brunt thus, making their relationship compelling as compared to the friends.

My concern

If families are made of thick blood, then why do we use caution when meeting up with them?

*Maybe this thick blood has high expectations from individuals within the family?
*Maybe that thick blood refrains us to argue and confront each other.

I wish family members ought to be flexible with each other and not let ego's come in their way when there is an argument.

I also think peace is directly related to the celebration of festivals. If we have the tolerance for each other, chances are we will appreciate their presence while accepting their flaws. Thus allowing us to bring in adaptability and buoyancy in our relationships. This will help bring in peace within and beyond.

Mantra for today: Peace is the side product of tolerance and fortitude.



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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. This week’s sentence is “What I love (or hate) about Fall…”

Finish the Sentence Friday is a link-up where writers and bloggers come together to share their themselves with a particular sentence. If you’d like to stay ahead of future sentences and participate, join our Facebook group.  Link up your sentence prompts below! Please no "link dumping." If you include a link, comment on other posts.

An infant to a teen.....

"See you at 7 pm tonight" I shouted to my better half who was heading out the door for work. He paused, thought and then curiously inquired, "What's at 7 pm and where?"

I inhaled deeply and uttered irritatingly, "the orientation" then in a melodious tone added, "Hons, be on time!"



A quick nod and he drove away.

As the day progressed. I could not concentrate. This teen who 13 years ago was brought in a car seat from the hospital as an infant. And in about four years time will be off to college!

When I think about the years that passed by they were no doubt like licking the honey off the spoon. The kid was obedient, had a smile and listened. Still, I was not satisfied. I was hungry for more. I must have lectured him in soft and loud voice for gazillion things while allowing him to make a selection when we would order at a restaurant or choose his own color shoes or outfit just so that he could think of what he actually likes or desires. I was his shadow at every step of the way. Guided him between right and wrong while teaching him the basics of life such as tying his shoelaces, riding a bike and blow the dust off the scrape that he would meet while learning any new skill.


 I am proud of whatever he is today!

As I cling to those fond memories of his hugs, kisses, and playful mannerisms with me I also dread the coming years. The coming years will be a challenge where I have to be mindful of my opinions, lectures over several topics that interest him. I have to give him space while allowing his wings to flap off and on. I also have to learn to choose my battles since being a teen he will want to get a taste of everything, but I don't want him to get hurt during that process.

Aha! Life of a parent is a test of patience at this junction.

However, in the back of my mind, I am rest assured that the foundation aka his wings is robust and sturdy thus avoiding him to sway or come in the drift of the wrong storm.

As I sip my ginger tea while typing this. I bank upon hope that anchors my soul as I continue to tread upon this Life as is.

Mantra for today: One Life, many decisions!

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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. Our sentence this week was “When it comes to the years…”

Namaste!

In our Hindu culture, when it comes to receiving blessings we believe in folding our hands or touching the elders' feet. It is known to impart the necessary benediction for one's progress and welfare.

As a teen, I would always jeer at this tradition cause that was the age when raging hormones were being produced in plenty. It gave rise to my confidence thanks to the ego that lay beneath it. Life was an adventure in every nook. It was fearless, conquerable although that would raise the eyebrows of my parents who maybe knew where this would end thus, would either stay quiet or say an extra prayer for me.


Meeting Indian elders' was not a mere Hello but either folding hands and doing a namaste or touching their feet. The latter I did not believe in, so opted for the former. I do admit there were times I would just mumble the word beneath my breath and barge into their homes.


Anyways, fast forward.

Time flew, and I realized the importance of good wishes. Maybe the failure to reach my goals made me want to crave for it. Maybe I had reached my potential and needed a push from there after. Maybe the desire to touch the sky and be limitless wanted me to secretly have that super-pill that was actually very easy if I could only discard my ego and be ready to either touch the feet of elders or do a mere namaste with my hands locked.

Patience is more than a virtue since I realized being humble is another quality that can make you walk that extra mile. Anyways, I went ahead and embraced both. I admit I have not touched the sky or reached where I want to in this lifetime, but the happiness, the satisfaction, the contentment I receive when I receive a nod and hand over my head or shoulder. The energy is just mind blowing. It rejuvenates me and fills me up with positivity to go ahead with my day.


Attaching the Science behind the Namaste and the Touching of feet.




Mantra for today: It takes a lot of courage to push that ego aside. 


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This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. The sentence is “When it comes to blessings…” and it’s an extra-special week because we’re linking up with the Blessings Month with Tuesday Ten and #1000Speaks for Compassion. Write about “When it comes to blessings…” or Ten Ways I can bless people… or Ten Ways I am Blessed…

From Acting to Mindfulness

"R can you please exhibit the right emotions here!" pleaded my drama teacher in elementary school as she would curl up her papers to control her desperation while I would giggle over a scene that needed composure and a serious face.

My acting was so bad that my confused look in the play would give the impression that I have a cold, and my nervous act would make people laugh since they would think I was silly.

By Golly! Ruining the whole essence of the play.

I have to admit I am the worst actor ever. 

Although I was quite fascinated by the Hollywood and Bollywood world that surrounds me, thus each year until I became a teen, I would enter the drama club and would always be given a sideline because of my acting skills. I honestly did not care for just being on the stage with all those props excited me thus, even if I had to say one word in the play, I would be exhilarated over having a part in it.


Past teen, I actually realized the importance of roles, and thus my interest faded in acting since my emotions, and my words would never be in synch especially when the time would demand.

No doubt I was very disturbed and heartbroken with my decision since I had this adoration to be an actor some day. I would be looking into the mirror and taking self-acting classes but, to no luck.

However, amidst the many hours I spent with me-myself-I in front of the mirror, I realized how thoughts would come to me when I would try to enact a particular emotion. Incidents that would actually make me happy ponder, angry, worried, anxious. All those episodes would rush in, with the utter of the word that had accumulated in some corner of my gray cells. No wonder when I would sit down to study the thick books of my academia; they would refuse to absorb since the brain cells would give off that signal indicating storage near to full. (Pun Intended!)

It made me ponder over how much baggage I was already holding, and I was just in my 20's. I had the ambition to attain many degrees in life, and if I hung on to those reflections, I would have to let go of this goal of my life just as I let go of my acting dream.

Forgive and Forget became my mantra and now all those incidents are history which no doubt took years, but I am glad that my failure to be an actor made me stand where I am today!

Mantra for today: Failure IS the stepping stone to success as long as we are aware of what caused the failure!



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This is pure fiction!
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This summer.....

When we ushered 2016, I was as usual overwhelmed and could not imagine any seasons yet until the month of May arrived and school's signaled for a brief shutdown so that their teachers could get some rejuvenating time while we keep our kids at home and 'bond' with them.


Summer has arrived, I shouted in glee and anticipation.
Glee cause as the teachers said, 'time for bonding with your children' and anticipation since have to think of ideas to do that!

Ideas to keep a teen happy, content, active.
Thoughts anyone?

I was going berserk over it. So anxious was I that did not think twice of any germs lurching around me, and behold! The bug bit me, and I was bed-ridden for a few days.
To my utter surprise, my teen behaved and helped me through it. He served me mac n cheese, PB n J  sandwiches with lots of herbal tea at my beck n call.

When I recovered, we visited his grandparents aka my parents' thousands of miles away. It's always riveting to listen to his thoughts about the lifestyle of India and the people in it. Thought provoking too since it brings a different dimension especially since I was brought up with those latter ideals.

Came back home, and as I was browsing through various links to register him for some classes that will keep him occupied and entertained enough to keep him away from video games and tech gadgets, I was amazed by his selections.

My son is growing up, and I admire his choices.

I admit there were instances I lost my cool over issues that were just not reasonable, but then that's what a mom is about...
"Immense love that is unconditional but then her temper is another matter entirely!"


However, I am learning to give him space while choosing which battles to fight.

Baby-steps!!

While he was away getting acquainted with new sports and new faces;  I collaborated with a friend who is an art instructor and we got busy with an ArtWrite Camp. Amazing how creativity knows no bounds when art and writing combine. Kids registered churned out bright ideas, and we would all leave on a pleasant note while promising to unite week after week to continue to build on those ideas.

This summer is turning out quite a surprise for me especially since I had no expectations. I was prepared to sweat hard to make it work for my family and myself, but surprisingly it's turning out breathable and yet enjoyable!

Mantra for today: Expectations always lead to disappointment.


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Join in the fun at FTSF. Prompt is : This summer