Hopelessly Hopeful

How do you tackle people who with their limited vision and knowledge who try to impose their beliefs on you? For them, their views hold true and the person at the other end should accept that. Would they ever realize that whatever they say or do is not the ultimate truth, but their perception about truth? Who would tell them that their views actually have zero value! Everyone has a different perception about truth, and that is absolutely fine. But, what is not fine is when someone tries to impose that perceived truth on you. How does one go about being aggressive? Am I wrong in saying that it is ok to take the blame on your head sometime? I think I am. Because, in saying so I am trying to escape from confronting the person. However, in some cases it is essential not to confront, because the person at the other end is so stuck with his own views and beliefs that he would not listen to any reasoning. Maybe, those are the situations when you humbly say, it has been my mista...

Nobody knows, nobody sees It’s just you and me No fear, no boundaries No expectations, no ego It’s just you and me No concept of space Timeless and illogical It’s just you and me No meaning in the pain, the joy The separation, the union It’s just you and me. Here we stand finally Hand-in-hand Saying ‘we are home’ Just you and me.

X is always the toughest of the alphabets. We are all reminded of just one word – Xylophone! So, I decided to Google to find out some words starting with the letter X.   Interesting, I found a word – Xenodocheionology – which means the lore of hotels and inns, as per Merriam-Webster. Wow! That’s some word. Digging deep (meaning more Googling), found that the word is from Babylon English and is all about love of hotels, love of motels and inns! Now, this is getting amusing with each click. Being a tongue-twister, some have even uploaded YouTube videos on how to pronounce it! People have even started a Reddit thread on it!  Looks like there are too many exclamations in this blog. Makes me wonder, if the word itself should have had an exclamation at its end, just for the effect – Xenodocheionology! What say?

We, the privileged, The ones who have roofs over our heads Food on our plates Clothes in our cupboards  Water in our taps Light in our homes. We, the privileged, The ones who are locked inside our houses Cooking new recipes each day Posting videos of the sky, moon and stars Tagging each other to take on inane challenges Netflixing, chatting, dancing and some more ings. We, the privileged, The one who are counting days To go out once again To visit our favourite hangouts  To enjoy movies at IMAX To post selfies with our gourmet meals. We, the privileged, The ones who barely see The underbelly that lives below our fancy balconies  Eating what they get Wearing what they have Sleeping where they can. We, the privileged. Image source: Engin_Akyurt ( https://pixabay.com/photos/black-chocolate-paint-painting-2773006/ )

Sometimes it is necessary to applaud others and that too publically, especially people who make a difference in others’ lives – the valiant ones. These unsung heroes often don’t even realize how they touch someone’s life, how their daily battle to uphold their principles create a dent somewhere and how they are so important for maintaining a balance in the world. These people are the insane ones, the courageous, the brave ones, those who do not care what the world would say or where they would get their next salary from, they just do what their heart tells them to, they follow their dreams, and they live by their conventions. When the world laughs at them, they still warm them with their smile. They give them hope, they make them look at the future, they are rock solid and their foundations are built on their love for everything good. They are the idealists we all look up to. So many of them touched my life too and I salute each one of them for their sheer grit and cour...

The lockdown is taking a toll on everyone, making us feel depressed and stressed out. We want to get back to our previous life, but we are all stuck at home. While the mood of despair can make us unhappy and sad, the answer could be in trying to remain upbeat even in these gloomy days. How do we do that? Why not create a ‘Happy Mood’ folder and fill it with anything and everything that makes you happy, after all we are living in the world of technology! Open this folder whenever you are sad, unhappy. Kind of cool, right? So, here’s a sneak peek of my 'Happy Mood' folder: Tom and Jerry: A classic, any day! Dexter’s Laboratory: All for Dexter and of course Dee-Dee! Urban dictionary: Shakespeare and Aristotle would have died twice over reading some of these definitions! I am so wild about Wilde: No pun intended here, I really love this guy. Don’t believe me, read him. Although, ironical, this is one of my favourite Wilde quotes: “A man can be happy with any...

Stating the obvious is clichéd. The mystery is in hiding the truth in plain sight! It's much like hiding the tree in the forest. Despite being there, you do not see it. You consider it as a part of the larger ecosystem and ignore its existence.  Truth is like that tree in the forest, only the person who has planted that tree knows the mystery behind it. And, it is for the others to figure out that extraordinary tree among the crowd of lookalikes...Now, that's a real challenge, isn't it?

When you are single , living alone can be challenging. As you move out of your house, and once your friends have gone to their houses and you finally settle down in your lonely abode, the first thing you notice is silence – of course, discounting the annoying buzzing of the fan or the blaring horns of the passing vehicles. Suddenly, your brain is greeted with no voices to process, and your heart starts beating in anticipation of what would happen next, because you literary need to create that next step. The drama is thrown out of the window and in your solitude you find yourself thinking and questioning. As you are deep in thought, all of a sudden you are tickled by two large antennae. You look down and see a huge flying cockroach. As you are about to shout, your brain processes your reaction and tells you, “Maam, there is no point shouting about it, no one is coming to rescue you. So, stop being a damsel in distress and do something about it.” After that rude shock, you col...

"I am glad that I had such past bad relationship experiences, they taught me what exactly a relationship should not be, and what I deserve instead." Someone shared this interesting insight today and it made so much sense.  As clichéd as it may sound, unless we know the darkness, it is tough to appreciate light. Toxic relationships are no exceptions as well. Problem is, you would not know that you are in a toxic relationship unless you come out of it!  However, when you do, it is another form of liberation all together.  Here are top 5 awesome feelings you immediately sense when toxic people leave. 1.  Liberated, finally:  Couldn't help using this analogy, because trust me, nothing is better than this, and most women would attest to it as well. The liberation that you feel when toxic people leave is like the freedom women feel at the end of the day when they can finally take-off their bras! Yes, that feeling. The fastening around your chest is ...

Let me ask some questions today, some uncomfortable questions that we bury deep within us as we don't want to face them. And no, I am not providing any answers. 1. What will you do if you lose someone - to death - whom you loved the most in your life? 2. Will you become bitter or accept it and move on with your life, realizing death is really not the end? 3. Will that impact your other relationships in the future? 4. How will you cope up with that immense lose that created so much darkness in your life that only with the return of that particular sunshine could you see a path ahead? 5. How long would you mourn for that person? 6. Would you hate God for what He did to you? 7. Will it make the situation all the more difficult if that person had sacrificed his/her life for you? 8. Would that make you look at love with contempt? 9. Or would you embark on a journey to find that lost love? 10. What will you do if you find that person again?

Even among the multitude Even in the din of crowd Even in ruthless material fancies Even among visions shady and clouded I found my place I found my peace I found my heart being rightly set Tied by the threads of bright light To my very own extension To my very own soul!

Once in a blue moon I feel like jumping off a cliff But wait Only to skydive. Once in a blue moon I feel like killing someone But wait Only with love. Once in a blue moon I feel like starving myself But wait Only before a feast. Once in a blue moon I feel like fighting with a wrestler But wait Only in a video game. Once in a blue moon I feel like teasing you But wait Only with my PJs

There are certain people in this wide weird world who think that they are always right. They never make a mistake. They are those 'godlike' characters who can even put 'God' to shame with their 'perfect' ideologies. And, of course, we have all met such people in our lives. They are the narcissists – defined by the dictionary as “people with an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves.” They are the classic 'me only'. For them, it is my way or highway. Interestingly, even when you are appalled by their blatant narcissist behavior, you often find yourself mum at their actions. They are so damn sure about themselves that they render others speechless just with a stare. Of course, the 'aura' that they carry, even the Queen of Sheba may start feeling inferior in front of them. They are the know-it-alls, and never listen. For them, they know the best and others are mere fillers and duds. Question is, how do you handle suc...

Feeling a bit nostalgic today, remembering those childhood days of fun, days without technology. As a kid, I used to go to my dad’s native village every year, a village that did not have concrete roads or electricity. However, it had beautiful fields, a stream, muddy roads and a big enough house for me to be lost for hours in my thoughts. I had a favorite place, the window in my room, half of which overlooked the terrace and half the courtyard down. I could easily navigate between the real and the fantasy world at ease, reading and just getting into that other world for hours, without anyone disturbing me. As we did not have telephone at home, in fact, the only telephone that the village had was in the post office, so dad used to write at least 2-3 letters to my grandfather informing him about our arrival. Sending so many letters ensured that we would be picked up from the bus stop on time. So after getting down at Bardhaman, we used to take a bus till the outskirts of the v...

There is a core you, a you that you can't live without. The core you that you should never give up on. Your entire existence is based on that belief system that you have. And, that's something you should never compromise on. Life  takes you through myriad lanes, some are narrow, some broad, and some super highways. You cross these lanes at different juncture of your life, sometimes stumbling, sometimes at a new high. This journey is never the same, at each turn you learn something new, you find something unique. But what happens when all of a sudden you decide to sit on a milestone, not to rest, but to let life happen to you? What do you see? What do you find? Do you get to see something new every day? My guess, No. You see the same old mundane life passing you by, you fall into a pattern, which in the beginning seem comforting, but gets claustrophobic slowly. You try to compromise, you comfort yourself by saying, give it time, it will get better. But does it?...

Do you believe in Karma ? Do you often wonder how you are punished for your not-so-good intentions in a moment’s notice? How your good deeds are always rewarded? Now, what if we take this concept a bit further and apply it to the theory of past lives. Often, we go through terrible problems and issues in our lives without any idea about why we are going through those things. We have always done good for others, yet we go through pain, why so? Would then the past life theory become applicable. Maybe, for the sake of hypothesis, you had committed some sin or misdeeds in your past life, and that is why you are undergoing issues in this life to balance your karma. So, the big question is what is Karma? Is it a kind of balance sheet for our souls or a spanking rod that keeps us in check? It is actually a learning platform. Karma is not there for punishing you, but to let you know your mistakes and gives you a chance to rectify them or learn from them. However, some Karmas ar...

Jealousy is ingrained in human nature. You can’t fight it. When it hits you, it hits you hard. Even the ones with the ‘purest’ interest in their hearts are not immune to this universal feeling of ‘inability to come to terms with one’s own inefficiencies’! Ouch! That hurt, let’s just call it plain old jealousy then. And, even if you nod your head vigorously that you have never felt that way, ask your little ‘saintly’ heart what was your first feeling when you saw your best friend in that killer dress? Don’t mask it under the pretext that you so wanted that dress, and that you would have totally rocked it. Admit it, you know what you were… Despite all that sophistication, education and walking tall, we still have this underlying pettiness. However, the beauty is not in running away from it. But in acknowledging it, processing it and reacting accordingly. After all, we may not be able to control what we feel, but we can definitely control our reactions. So, be jealou...

Ever wondered why the Gen X or the 35 plus generation is so different from the millennial? What makes us that weird lot, who gets on everyone’s nerves by badgering them with questions? How we accept change so swiftly, trying out newer technologies, brands, food; travelling to places unknown and always sporting a heady attitude towards taking risks? What makes us distinct, crazy and often the outlaw? The answer lies in our growing years, the 80s and the 90s. How should I put it, we have seen the best of both worlds. We have enjoyed the lull before the storm, as well as the spin at breakneck speed through the spiral of technological innovations. We waited for trunk calls from our cousins living overseas at our neighbor’s house and also made free calls through viber. We have seen our black-and-white TV sets locked in a cabinet and also bought a high-definition LED TV complete with a console. We were the first bitten by the video game bug thinking Mario is a cool guy and also adop...

hope is no illusion she is a flame twin of love a light that conquers all miseries.

Image credit:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/gofootloose/8339610120 Kuldhara, a deserted village near Jaisalmer was abandoned within a night some 200 years ago. Here’s what the story says about the reason for such sudden abandonment:  https://www.thebetterindia.com/48562/abandoned-cursed-200-year-old-village-kuldhara-rajasthan/ As one drives out to the city of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan to enjoy the sunset at Sam dunes, Thar dessert, one may find tucked at the sideways, some 18 kilometers away from the city, a desserted village, Kuldhara, the Ghost Village  of Jaisalmer.   The eriee air, whirrling dessert sand and the ancient ruins are testiment to the bizarre incident of 1825, when all the residents of Kuldhara, along with those of 83 nearby villages abandoned their houses within a night. The settlement was once said to be inhabitated by prosperous Paliwal Brahmins. According to legends, the Diwan of Jaisalmer, Salim Singh, wanted to marry the daughter of...

With success, you get to see the real faces of your friends and family . Yes, you read it right, with success and not with failure.  "A friend in need, is a friend indeed" - That proverb has become clichéd. Everyone knows that, but few really explore the fact that success has such similar traps as well.  As you become successful, all of a sudden, you would have friends and acquaintances - who at one point in time were ashamed of - calling you, introducing you as their best friends, as if they have always known you like the back of their hands. Then you have long lost relatives who never even cared to give a damn call to enquire if you were alive, remember you one fine day to ask you for favours unashamedly.  Frankly, their behavior amuse me. They are conditioned to behave exactly how the societal norms dectate them to.  Somehow, this quote from Zahir makes sense - “Our true friends are those who are with us when the good things happen. T...

We have often heard about the phrase – majboori ka faydaa uthana – in Hindi, meaning people taking advantage of the situation you are in. These people are like leaches, they squeeze your blood out till the last drop, while making you do voluntarily. They understand that you are in need, and they exploit it to the brim. What should you do in such a situation? Best thing is, not to get yourself into one, because fighting such people would soak your entire energy up and you would be left with being self-disgusted and low self-esteem. Keeping a hand’s distance from such people is the best advice. And, here’s how to identify an exploiter : Excessive sweet talker: They are a dangerous kind. The ones who are forever talking in a sugar-coated manner. They unnecessarily get ‘friendly’ with you or praise you. If you fall into their trap, they will soon start ‘exploiting’ your emotions with menacing speed. Sorry face-cut: This one is forever making a sorry-face. I don’t have...

There are some insanely crazy people in this world who seem to be stuck in the stone-age, craving for adrenaline-thrusting adventures and risks. They are the ones who will be the first one to volunteer to jump off from a cliff in a glider or say yes to a risky business proposition. Yet, these are the ones who become rich and famous, just because they have the insanity worm called an appetite to take risks - something that they inherited from cave-people and never really surpassed them. In today's world, they are known as the daredevils . It is fascinating to know this select class of people. Their brains are not wired like us - normal mortals. It is always vibrating with ideas - fantastical ideas - that no one might have thought of before. They are the ones who are constantly pushing the envelope, to test the limits of human capability. They keep looking at impossible targets as the one that is achievable, and once they hit the bullseye, they reset the board for fresh...

Labeling someone as per their ' character ', that's the favorite topic of most people. It gives them a different level of kick to judge others and pass their opinion based on their own narrow mind-frame. They do not consider any other variables other than their own biases. They have certain labels, boxes and categories, and every person is typecasted as per their definition of 'character', especially women.  Here are some samples.  Characterless:  This is a gender specific characterisation - used for defining a woman with evidently 'loose' moral. If she drinks, smokes, parties, comes back home late and has friends who are boys who frequent her home, she is definitely characterless. She, unlike a man, cannot have an independent life and the freedom to live on her own terms. She is the epitome of 'loose woman'. The Other Woman:  Strangely, no one says the other man. It is always that evil other woman who is the home-breaker, who somehow...

It's only been a couple of years ago that I heard this millenial abbreviation - BS - when Emma González, a survivor of 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida gave a speech against gun violence, slamming the inaction of the politicians and stated, "We call B.S." It became a war-cry and went viral throughout the states amonst the youngsters fighting for gun-control laws. It was such an empowering speech, where the teen could call upon the politicians through the media and state what it was - complete bullshit. She used the millenial lingo BS, which she knew would not be beeped or edited, and yet, would reach her intended audience, the youth of the country. Sometimes, we need such trickery to let the world know what it means to stand against the stupidity, greed or evil intentions of a select few. In our current situation, I feel like emulating Emma, and scream from the terrace of our locked-down house - "We call BS". The intended...

I am a writer, editor and strategist. I have been writing since I was 10 years old. I have written numerous poems, short stories, articles, blogs, white papers, research papers etc. etc. etc. However, in one aspect, I have been failing myself constantly, that is, being a published author . I dream to hold a book with my name printed on it as the author, and despite having varied ideas, somehow, I fail to execute them. I constantly keep pushing this one major bucketlist item to the bottom of the list. I keep questioning myself, why do I do it? I don't have dearth of ideas. I have been writing for years, I certainly know how to write and edit. Then, why do I just do not start writing and finish a book? The answer could be in the following questions: 1. Am I afraid of being judged by what I will write? 2. Am I scared that I will fail miserably as an author? 3. Am I focused on other priorities in my life / career that I cannot give sufficient time to write a book? 4. Am ...