Let's Roll...

Hey Fellas,

Happy New Year :) Let's start this year with some positiveness. Let's help ourselves to be lesser discontent. Here is something for self-love and self-discovery. 

As this year springs brace yourselves for another ride around the Sun, which will nothing be short of a roller-coaster, in my opinion. Why not it be? Life never assures a smooth and dull journey it has its way of trading with each one of us.

Mark Twain once quoted, "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."

 Do you perceive how tiny you are in this cosmos? Try stargazing, I repeat. I have done it, and I have changed my way of looking at everything around me. I have worked on this part of my consciousness to understand how less miserable one can be to thyself. Gratefulness has helped me rewire my subconscious mind. 

I vaguely remember reading somewhere, "People may say and do many things, they will do what they know best, but will I allow myself to be tangled up in that, or will I go where I want to go?" I was never able to perceive this version of me earlier, but then here I am.If you could also perceive this, this will only help with your mental health.

The most significant aspect of life is to be kind and others will automatically get those positive vibes from you. Everyone deserves respect from a naughty 4-year-old to an angry teenager to a middle-aged person to an old sober/grumpy person.

Don't be a bad-spirited person. How hard is it to be a little gentle in this world? Try and you won't regret it. The simplest life hack for me and anyone is not to be perfect all the while. Besides, you live only in the moment called "Now" everything else is either imaginary or bygone. 

My aunt once told me about self-love. Memories of that conversation are still vivid. I am going to bestow that golden piece here:
 "Do you know what is the lesson learned the hardest way? Learn to draw boundaries. At some point, you need to draw a line saying who is inside and who is not. You can't keep everyone happy and it is not your job to keep everyone happy. However, you can always be nicer to people. Your job is to keep yourself happy first, learn to love yourself first before you love someone. Learn to give the best to yourself before you try to give the best to someone. "

This may conflict with the idea of being nice/kind to everyone but primarily be nice to yourself first. There is a proverb that goes something like this - You can't give what you don't have. So if you can't love yourself, you can't love others. 

Start your day with appreciation and fresh spirits. Let the universe take charge of everything else. You don't need to be perfect to be good, remember that. The only reassurance you need is of your own.

Last but not least "It's fine, it is going to be alright", this is the most persisting illusion called reality. Practice gratitude and feel grateful.

Happy Year Ahead :)

Love,
V

Gratitude!!

Hey Fellas,

This space seems all new all of a sudden. Distance from this space suddenly makes my fingers shiver. Very much mine yet all new. 

No posts in 2019 make my life very much half-done. Well, never too late for a gratitude post. 

This year has been another roller coaster ride. It makes me think about how little I am in this whole wide cosmos to carry all stress on my tiny brain. I must tell you, stargazing has helped me in more ways than one. 

First of all thanks to you finger countable cute monsters of mine. A new job on the first day of the year, an accident - first one(taught the value of 2 months), new place, new acquaintances, new way of looking at the world, a new country, long-distance friendships, new home, new people of my own, new pets, aunt to new girls called Angel and Bubble, shopping of lifetime,  new and disciplined life, a new me and a new him in nuptial bonding. Just the right amount of everything that makes this year my perfect cup of tea. So much to be grateful for everyone/thing new and old. 

Zillion Thanks to the Universe, Daddy, the whole Family, Friends and, Everyone for this year. Forever indebted. 

Someone to #Followmeto :)

Love,
V

Things To Do This Father's Day

Sometimes it is now or never. There is no next time or second chance. You got to live your life in the present. Maybe the life is not about becoming something or someone. Today try unbecoming what you are presently and go back to your earlier self. Today try to be that someone who you are meant to be for that someone in the first place.  

NO matter how hard the life is, be obliged for you have a loving family, a shelter, 3 meals a day and handful of friends. You are already a lot fortunate than the plethora of people around the globe.  Now that I have already made you think that "Life is Good", it's time you go and do something for your Daddy. 


    1. If you remember when the entire world said No, Daddy was the only person to say YES and vice versa. Because he knows what is best for you. Pick up that fancy phone (iPhone or any fancy android), use the basic functionality of it. CALL HIM UP. And people already living with family go and check out what the old hero is up to and give him a hug.

    2. Start believing in yourself, you young person. Because you know, your Daddy believed in you and he never agrees to it. Go and see the man and sit as an adult (even if it is for the first time, it's just fine) and talk to him about life. 

    
    3. The Angry young man never sits for a talk? Always busy with newspapers or news channels? Drag him for a while for a quick cup of coffee. It is possible. Try it, my friend.  This man has a lot of secrets in life. You sure as hell deserve to inherit these secrets. Don't you?

    4. Having kids didn’t make him a father but raising them made one. He is not as expressive as your mummy, however, that doesn't mean he feels nothing.  Say thanks often, make him feel loved even when he doesn't express it, yet he deserves it. Hold his hand and show him the world, exactly what he did years ago.

    5. This gentleman has sacrificed a lot for everything that you are today. Go for a brief flashback to your childhood, strikes? He didn't teach life to you, he showed life to you.  Buy him a nice pair glasses maybe?  Or a holiday doesn't hurt much? 

    6. Since we are grown up already that's a sign of aging, this should also let you think that the parents are aging at the same pace as you are.  Does everyone talk about healthy lifestyle, healthy food and what not? Do you really think of what is happening back at home? Take him for a general complete body checkup soon. Give him that confidence that he is still the Tiger of the house and you are the cub and not vice versa. 

    7. "Behind every successful person is a woman" ever heard this? You sure do have. I don't know whatever made the person who quoted this not to think of a man behind the successful person.  The upraised, unsung and unnoticed hero behind one's success is also the Father. He is the most valuable asset.  Today make some time and discuss life with this  Unsung Hero.

    8. Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be very rough for he raised you. All that you remember is only being scolded by Daddy? Good for you. At least you are a comparatively better person than what you could have otherwise been. You owe him a lot. A Thank you and a pair of his favorite clothes won't harm your pocket much. 

    9. Every Dad is a hero to his kids. Every child openly or secretly loves their Dad. Oh, wait! Sending him "Happy Father's Day, Love you Dad" message? Did he reply a "Thank You" or is he struggling to reply back? You tech-savvy children, spend some time in teaching them the technology as simple as WhatsApp message, a video call, taking pictures etc. See the changed man in a week's time.  

    Don't forget to speak to him in person. If possible just go and see him soon. This man I tell you never expresses but surely deserves all the happiness at this once again tender age.  

    10. Father's Day is just like Mother's Day, only you don't spend as much. That's fine. The old hero doesn't demand much. All your father needs today is you my friend, just You. As they age gracefully, they don't need anything much. All they need are your calls, your good mornings, your happy talks, lunch/dinner together times, you make them proud every single day as a child and most importantly your TIME. 

So here is your Father's Day pick. At least pick 01/10 and make your super hero feel loved. 

Picture Credits: Google Images

Love,
Nutty Wordsmith!

Gone but not forgotten!

Years ago this day, she was happily attending her Uncle’s wedding. As a school going girl, she was over excited about the wedding. She was wearing a pretty lehenga choli which her Daddy dearest bought and there she was running all around the convention hall.
Only after a while had she realized that her mother and brother weren’t in the reception hall. They weren’t to be seen anywhere. Every guest that arrived, repeatedly questioned her where was her little family. She had no clue. Shortly after the wedding ceremony, she went on asking every other relative of hers if they had seen her mother, to no avail.
She strolled home which was a few kilometers away. Shockingly, there were none at home but her Grandfather. He then informed her, they were at the hospital. She certainly had no idea about what had happened. She inquired about the Hospital, which was again a few km from her home.
She walked to the hospital she was told about. As soon as she entered she saw many of her relatives in the hospital. There she saw, her mother grieving inconsolably. She saw her uncles talking to her mother. She looks here and there, she saw her brother in another corner. Running here and there with some hospital slips.
As an 11 year old, she barely had any clue about anything happening there. She walks closer and closer.  She saw two of her aunts standing close to a private room, around which the hospital staff is running about. She tried to enter the room and nobody let her to. She now became more and more anxious. Her heart beats are at a varying rate now. When she finally entered the room pushing everyone aside, there she saw her father in tremendous pain and agony. She could only see the cries in and around the room. He was crying in pain. He wasn’t able to move. The doctors around were giving him the injections. Nothing seems to be serving anymore. He wanted to pass the urine but he couldn't. He cries in pain. She was allowed to stand barely for 2–3 minutes in that room. He was immediately rushed to an Emergency. She was sent away.

Source

As an 11-year-old, once again she was clueless and crying. She was sent home with a relative of hers. When she reached home, the newlyweds were brought into the house. she went and locked herself in a room. She did not get out of the room until that night and surprisingly none even noticed it. At night, she walked out of the room only hearing her mother cry out loud. Her Father passed away that night suffering from Hepatitis B, until that day of which they were unaware of. 

Source

And that marked the worst 2 minutes at the hospital and the worst day in her life. Something she could never forget and something that would stay in her heart until the end of her time. Healing has its own way and it takes its own time. For every girl, her father is her first hero and for her, he lived up to every bit as a hero, a guiding light, a teacher, a superman and an amazing Daddy. He gave her the wings to fly and the vision to dream endlessly. The memories of endless love and the warmth make her all cold today. She is strong but tired. She wants a warm hug and a pat on the back. She wished if he could come back. She snuggles into her blanket and yet she is frozen. 

Source

She turns to the other side of the pillow as this side is already cold hiding her secrets. She slips into the sleep only to meet him again in the world outside this, the world of her dreams. 

Source

For he was the most beautiful thing she preserved in her heart and was her hardest Goodbye! Gone but not forgotten! 

Source

Love,
Vj (Nutty Wordsmith)

A Letter To Younger Self!

Disclaimer: It is either likely or highly unlikely that any sentiments expressed in this letter in any way coincide with those of any other person in any way associated with me. I was often asked what would I suggest to my younger self, if given a chance. Here I've an article on what I would say.

Dear Mini-me,

You must have heard from everyone many times that "Do not grow up, it's a trap". Today after turning out to be a 20 something, I'm going to tell you what it is like to be a grown up.  I have time traveled 15 years back to tell you how much I love you and how we have synchronically made this life for me.

First thing first, don't ever be frightened of anything. The little school going girl that you are, you are a marvelous kid. All the naughtiness that has vanished due to the circumstances in the past year, I say you should continue to be the same naughty kid. When I look back to the time I have traveled, I feel it is boring to be a decent kid.

All the tough subjects in school syllabus aren't a big deal, you will still make it to the top. It's OK if the other person is scoring 0.5 or 1 mark more than you, in the end, it does not even matter. Do not get upset over missing a rank, go out and play games, get bruises and make more friends. Go play whatever makes you happy, you need not play with a doll/Barbie at all because you don't like it. It's OK to have short hair and not have braids when you go to school.

Have as many crushes as you want, I allow you to. I still do, why not you? I know, there are Hitlers' encompassing, you need not always tell them how many crushes have you had and how you perceive it. Act crazy and weird at times, you are not straight out of a classic story, and you can be weird too. Someday a Teacher will tell you "A lotus is still a lotus even in the mud", respect her for she is going to give you the best life lessons.

I know, you have had the unfortunate times at such tender age but that is only going to make you strong. Remember, every lesson from life is unpleasant but these lessons will not destroy or kill you.  Make more mistakes and learn the hard lessons by yourself. Trust me, you will not realize it at this time but you will learn a hell lot of things in the years to come.  When I see you through the glass, I see a shy and quiet girl who is bright and intelligent. Be proud of yourself and use it to your favor.

Give, But don't allow yourself to be used. Love, but don't allow your heart to be abused. Trust, but don't be naïve. Listen, but don't lose your own voice.  And my dear mini-me, stop brother-zoning every guy you meet; today I see I'm surrounded by the maximum number of annoying brothers. Possibly only person to have so many brothers around and they'll get you mad every time in the crowd even though they stand by you when needed.

All the ways that make you different are the ones that make you stand out. It's OK to be different. Dream big because that is what you are supposed to at this age. You will eventually achieve everything that you truly desire and deserve. If you feel, life isn't fair to you right now, this too shall pass. Most of the things that are taught to you by the school and society are not the facts, it's OK you will anyways figure out what is good for you.

People say you think too much, and it will continue even when you sail through the adulthood. Love yourself, because that is who you are going to spend the rest of your life with. I feel that everything happens for a reason, even though I fail to realize it at that point in time. In the adulthood, you cannot make more mistakes, as that is how life is supposed to be. Evaluate things before acting on them, let alone people think you are old school.

 Whenever you feel you are tired; drained physically and emotionally just remember you have to keep moving. You see, today mom is very proud of who I have become after fighting all the odds. I know things happen late in my life, but I have got the best ones. So you too make an attempt to trust in whatever is meant to be, it will happen.

If you think your life is not as perfect as that of your friend's, then it is only a matter of time. Be happy with all the little things that you have, while there are people with nothing and they do still smile.  Everything will come to you at the perfect time. Do what is right for you, for there is none walking in your shoes. No matter what happens and how hard it seems to be, you will be better tomorrow.

If any evil aunt asks you to learn cooking, just say you are still in school and you will learn it someday. Today, I can totally manage it all. Anyone if ever treat you in unfair ways, voice it out and stand for yourself. Stand for mom, make her feel safe around you. Be nice to everyone who is nice to you. Life is too short to live with regrets and disappointments. Do not waste time thinking of wrong things or people, 5 years from now it will not even matter.  The nicest ones that you have met and are going to meet will stay with you forever or at least they are here at this point. Feel blessed for what you have.

If all that you did today was to hold yourself, I am proud of you mini-me. Just be real, it’s not at all complicated.

Last, but not the least - When you are wrong, admit it; when you are right, be quiet!

Love, 
The grown-up you!

Why being an Aunt is the best job ever?

Kids are amazing little things. They are honest, fun, cool, strange and endlessly surprising. All in all, they rule your world, no matter what. A few years ago, while I was a fresher in an IT company and was newly deployed into my first project, I often ran home just right on time. Because I was a new Aunt back then. I had just started living in Bengaluru with my Cousin and family.

Someday at Office:

Manager: Hey you need to stay back late and finish this work. You might as well be expected to work on Saturday.

Me: What? Why and How can I?

Manager: I'm Sorry. What was that?(Clueless )

Me: No I can't stay back late, I stay far away, My Bhabhi must be waiting, I get scared going in late night Cab, blah blah blah

Manager: (Clueless again)

Me: I need to go early, 'coz my niece sleeps by 08:30. I need to be there.

Manager: Oh! Isn't the mother with her? (Sympathetic)

Me: She is there, but I need to play with the baby. (Sigh! - I said that; Oh Damn! - Why I said that?)

Manager: Finish this before you go (Angry)

Some Aunt somewhere said -- "Aunthood: it is powerful; it redefines your identity. It really is a state of calling - a calling that is completely out of your control." When I first became an Aunt, I was so ecstatic. It was an out of the world feeling. But-but-but, Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said. They make you feel so proud and also embarrass you in the crowd.

The purity of the affection that you receive is unlike any other form. All in all, you get to live your childhood once again. You can make a good impact on the so-called mini-me you see in them.

1. Some random kid calling you as Aunty is the worst thing ever, at least until you are already an Aunt

2. The first time you see your niece or nephew is the best feeling ever. But the first time you see them you are a blubbering fool. What’s this crying business? Eyes. Stop. Now. You’re embarrassing me.

3. Aunts be the coolest chicks ever right?  Giving the kid everything hiding from mom?

4. Any room is a panic room if you've lost a baby in it.

5. The priorities change. You run home so quickly for you are up to something. Being an Aunty has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever encountered.

6. You become super protective over the child, which isn't even your own and it isn't even been long yet.  You are jealous of people whoever wants to hold the baby.

7. You can spoil the kid to the greatest. You can do all the crazy kid stuff without looking like a creep.

8. You learn the art of buying baby clothes, giving a bath and changing the diaper. You get a taste of having a baby, but you get to sleep at night, unlike the new parent.

9. Kids are so honest. You are not funny Aunty!

10. Kids be the best and call you by the cutest of names.When you hear from the new mommy, that baby called you as Aunt(Maasi, Aasi, Aanthi, Pinthu)

11. Because Mumma keeps dressing up baby, you get to see the every new picture while you are in the middle of a meeting and you can't help but keep smiling.

12. Being an Aunt is no easy Job - Baby showers, Naming Ceremony, and Birthday Parties become Compulsions

13. Any expecting mother you bump into, you can speak the fluent maternity language. The other day a friend told me about weekend Scan- I ended up asking if it was her first-trimester Scan. She was pleasantly surprised.

14. You know all the rhymes in youtube now. Cartoon Network and Pogo becomes your favorite channel too. You know what is happening with Chota Bhim, Chutki, Motu, Patlu, Nobita, Doraemon etc.

15. Because there is a baby at home, automatically the home becomes accident prone zone.

16. The neighbor's kid is a nuisance no matter what.

17. Saying No and Asking the kid to behave in the public is such a difficult task.

18. When the time flies. It's just not that kid is growing up quickly it also means we are getting older.

19. Your sister/friend repeatedly asks - "So when will you get married? Even the kid is asking when is Maasi getting married". Oh yeah! tell the kid she is asking you to join the school soon.

20. Kids are the funniest people on Earth. You can pass on your wisdom to them and feel proud about it.

21. The experience of being an aunt prepares you to be a mom of your own mini-me someday.

Love,

V

 

15 Crazy Year End Confessions !

My brother once said, Year 2016 is the Monday of all Years.  I silently wondered if he meant to say it is like that Monday Blue which almost everyone goes through or if it is that same Monday which passes by pretty quickly. Anyways who even likes to talk about Mondays? At least I don't. This year almost ended, the sun is going to go out in about 4 billion years(probably), and right now I'm sitting and acting like everything is fine.

This crazy year I tell you was one roller coaster ride. That doesn't mean the previous ones weren't. So many ups and downs, so many let go(s), so many let it be(s), so many new things, so many surprises and so on. Isn't it great to live in the 21st century? Where deleting history has become more important than making it. Well, I would like to have some history stored and not delete everything. It is time and again we now need to bid farewell to this great or not so great year(to anyone else). Let's say Bye!

However, now that the year is about to end in about 24 hours, I would like to make some honest confessions.

    1. Dear 2016, all that time I saved by typing u, r, k etc instead of You, Are and OK -- Those seconds did not add up as an additional top-up in my year and I'm very upset about it.

    2. I finally realized that -- We are all time travelers moving at the speed of exactly 60 minutes per hour.

    3. I need to hire an investigator who would probably at the end of next year find out what I did this year long.

    4. Every time I asked someone when and where, to be honest, I was not supposed to ask when because I, however, reached an average 30 minutes late each time.

    5. I honestly tell you, If I had a husband at least by this year - I would have drafted his New Year's Resolutions by this time. He would run away anyways.

    6. I spent another complete year at an IT Company which is part of your(2016's) lifespan -- I never stopped cribbing about it like never.

    7. Every time the horoscope said "Dress nicely, Be prepared for a coincidental meeting with that new interesting person" -- You guys writing fancy lines in the name of horoscope you will not die a peaceful death, Karma will haunt you someday. 

    8. Everything New is welcome and every let go is now a History.

    9. I was often told I was indecisive, but now I'm not too sure.

    10. And everyone who ever told me Money Speaks -- I just want to let you know Mine only said Good Bye.

    11. I always thought I will retire after 5 years in IT, I'm such a loser I'm still stuck onto it at the end of 6th year.

    12. The much hyped Demonetization barely made any difference to me, But I was taken by surprise when the not so popular moms across the nation declared their unaccounted income. .

    13. I once thought, what an interesting thing internet is and how blessed I am to have a high-speed internet. But that has only cut down my sleep and increased dark circles. You go away 2016 and I will only become a better person next year(hopefully).

    14. Amazon, Myntra, and Jabong only got richer day by day with my regular peanut sized contributions.

    15. How I ended up to be a maid, cook and owner of the house and how sure I'm to continue to be the same time and again. Except for now there is no raising a kid!

Happy Year End!!

Regards,

V