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Monday, December 28, 2009

3 Idiots unearthed

On a lazy Xmas afternoon there couldn't have been a more sensible decision than watching the most awaited bolly flick of the year with 4 stars. Though not an Aamir fan I know that his movies make sense, they have a soul and understated style and screenplay that instantly strikes a chord and makes you love the movie.
As we rushed to the theatre and settled with a tub of popcorn and chai ready to watch a movie in the theatres after ages, have to admit I loved it, 3 hours of exclusive me time... Woo hoo!

Ok getting back, so the movie started and the audience in the theatre getting into giggles already and those faint giggles grew to loud continuous laughter. The humour was excellent with great timing and the message so simple but strong. As the movie progressed it took me through various roles of my lives as a child, teenager in college, as a girlfriend, as a friend as a wife and finally a mother. It was like a deja vous to see each role so beautifully essayed just flash in front of my eyes and making me relive those moments and help me grow in those roles.

I wouldn’t share the movie details with you as you definitely have to watch it, but will definitely say don’t leave behind the learning’s that you get from it. That simple message of application & practical education is what we need to implement and not be a victim of peer pressure. For all those parents & teachers let our kids be they will learn at their own pace and follow their heart. Push them to achieve what they want to and not what you want to. Its ok, to fall learn, and change the path you set out on. Parents, be the guiding light in your child’s life. Let them explore and learn and don’t teach them everything. The experience when they learn on their own is far more enriching and will prepare them for all the times when you will not be around.
And nothing can be more convincing than 3 idiots giving you such an important and simple message that its ok to be happy than successful and do what you always want to and not what others want you to be. Stop pushing your children to be what you always wanted to be.


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Friday, December 25, 2009

The NEW of the OLD

As I was changing radio stations on my new ipod player on my way to work, I stumbled on a station that was luckily playing a few old songs and I was happy and elated to finally hear those favorites all over again. I saw myself humming along those songs in no time and going to work on a Monday morning didn’t seem so boring after all. While I enjoyed those songs everything seem to suddenly look so beautiful, the Bombay weather seemed a little chilly finally, people around look happier, I felt happier and therefore more confident. Like a few good old memories had just changed my complete perspective. It suddenly dawned on me that this always happens to me when ever I stumble upon things I leave behind. Lets start from those old clothes that were your favourite and always made you look good, when you clean your cupboard they always bring a smile on your face cause they make you feel good, ah! I was so thin once upon a time. Those school pictures, the ones where the class was suppose to take pictures together standing in height order and people would fight who would sit next to the class teacher. That old car which was really so embarrassing but so much of sentimental value for your dad, you just couldn’t understand why he couldn’t part with it and get you a new one!

Those old saris which your mom wore for her wedding and our all coming back into fashion, you gleam with happiness and your mom is so happy thinking you like her choice and she was fashionable when she was young. The old jewelry which your mom leaves behind trust me don’t think you will find those antique pieces ever. Those old friends whom you bump into at the school reunion or on facebook, that expression of seeing those school mates as wives, mothers and mother in laws is priceless! Those old days which you spent in the school canteen, those days when you were punished outside the class, the madness of staying awake and studying, or the photocopying of notes just before the exam, fighting for the bathroom in the hostel, stealing ‘ghar ka khana’ from some hostel mate, having no pocket money by the 15th of the month and taking ‘udhar’(loan) all seem to go by bringing a smile on your face. Those moments never come back but they are saved in the best moments of your life in the archives of your memory.
We get so engrossed with all that is present and new that we forget all that was important back then and what we are actually made of. New relationships, new friends, new house, new work place that the old seems to suddenly catch dust and the new shines brighter than before just like mastercard reunion ad, one of my favourites along with the famous song "purani jeans aur gitar....'
Clean the dust and visit those old letters, those dried flowers which you saved between your old books, those jeans which you once fitted into, those friends who were the foundation of your growing up years. Don’t lose touch with who you were and trust me you will find the ‘New in the OLD’ and will be happier than ever before.

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Friday, December 11, 2009

It’s blue all the way

As an expectant mother I was enjoying every moment of my pregnancy waiting for an angel to brighten my beautiful life further. My husband and I prayed for a little princess to come into our lives and fill our lives with colour, fun and happiness.

But in this beautiful journey of parenthood we soon realized that even in this current age, a lot of people, be it the villages, cities or the western world still wish for a boy.

I remember my Godh bharai ceremony (baby shower) when all my relatives and friends came over to wish me and the baby lots of health & happiness. They all secretly told me “I wish you a boy” and I wondered why? Just wish me a healthy baby that’s all I ask of you.

Through all my sonograms my husband and I were inquisitive for sure to know whether it is a boy or a girl but always scared to ask the doctor. Actually it wasn’t so much of being scared but actually killing the suspense at the time of delivery.

The speculation while you are pregnant, the baby shower games, the Chinese calendar its all fun and let it be that way. The suspense will actually keep you going till the last month. It’s fun to know what everybody is betting on!

To be honest until the 32nd week I really was biased and wanted a girl but after that week I just wanted a normal healthy baby! The sex just didn’t make any difference to me any more. I was nervous…

I still remember the delivery table and the final push when I was exhausted and with a shaking voice I asked my doctor is it a girl? And he said yes and I screamed with joy! And couldn’t stop telling myself WOW! it’s a girl, it’s a girl as I held my nervous first time father, husbands hand.
I truly thought at that moment that ya, maybe god does give you what you ask for!

Soon after I delivered a lot many people came by and consoled me don’t worry you can try again and it may be the next time around it would be a boy or would subtly put it good now with a boy the next time it will be a complete family.

As days went by and I strolled in the garden with my daughter in the pram, a neighbour came by and told me to try having my next baby after prescribed medication from a gynaec who can guarantee a son. Didn’t know you have guarantees for this as well! I just fail to understand if natures chosen something for you let it give you that don’t go against it.

I just heard all of it and wondered wow, we may want to believe that the world has changed but its not! And trust me it’s not an India phenomenon only. The western world also is partial to blue and the East, cannot comment on it at all cause the lives that the women are made to lead there, even I would wish anybody a boy. Cannot have any more women subjected to slavery any more.
So the world over, It’s blue all the way…

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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

My Best Friend

While the evenings get darker early in the so called winter(Bombay only gets fewer hours of light but where's the winter:() and as I sit back in the cab to get home unable to read, I realized how important is the 'phone' in our lives.

While I was busy catching with friends, work, parents, emails and obviously face book, all the moments that my phone had rescued me and given me company just quickly flew by my eyes. Either a boring party that I was attending alone where I finished meeting most people or was in between meeting 2 people or when you are early for a meeting.
At the parlour its the best time actually, or while traveling. The phone seems to come handy all the time. Its become less of a tool of communication and more of a companion. Its something that most people can't leave their homes without. You know all those celeb columns of what's in your bag or cant leave home without, the phone always makes it there!

Your best friend knows your calendar your notes your most intimate conversations. Almost a confidant. You also kind of love her and her appearance is of utmost importance to you. That's why you get the most fancy and expensive one then dress her up with a case or a few tassels.

It's also a cause for fights between a lot of couples today as the girl chats away and the guy possibly cant stop messing with it. Or those late nights when you suddenly wake up and cant put yourself back to sleep and unconsciously start checking your emails or start playing brick breaker or tetris.

Think about it when you forget something at home your lunch, a book, a file or your phone you get most restless when...




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Thursday, November 5, 2009

Young and Restless

It was a lazy Saturday evening with friends and some freshly brewed coffee. It was after a long time that all of us decided to do nothing and to just catch up on life. As the evening progressed and our conversations moved from the regular humour and banter to sharing dreams and ambitions I realized how the quest to rise and rise fast is the only thing on the minds of the youth today.

I will admit that I am a part of this clan. Our need to accomplish and accomplish at a younger age is taking over a lot of 'me' time or 'family' time. As we discussed our goals and lives 5 years down the line, there were comments like "boss jaldi paisa kamana hai, par kaise?"(I want to make some quick money but how?) "I don't mind doing anything dude but its gotta be quick". Our parents had the time we don't ya, where's the time? Our parents went for their first foreign holiday at 50; we want to do it at 20 and our kids at 2. That's the pace and we all need to keep up.

As the discussion moved on we came to discussing babies and how it’s so expensive to raise them and so time consuming and restricting to careers, personal accomplishment, relationships, travel that it’s best to restrict it to one. My mind drifted away to the conversation I had a few weeks ago with my mom and remembered her words, “you’ll think so much about yourselves vs. us who thought about our kids all the time.” She is often amazed at how every activity in our lives is so planned and calculated including having kids. She often tells me “don’t think so much, har baccha ya insaan apna naseeb leke aata hai.”(Each child/person will come with his fate, so don’t think so much). Sub consciously I thought my god it would be such a riot if my mom was part of this discussion.

We then moved onto social skills and how it’s so important to network to climb that ladder fast. All the boys defended themselves saying that's why they keep doing their boys night out. (We believe them). I agree that today your social skills and ability to network that can get you going and going great places. The result is obviously evident with the amount of time we spend on these social networking sites.

It was almost dawn as we discussed our lives, we all agreed with some and disagreed with some. I listened to all my friends intently, soul searching and trying to identify traits that drive all of us today keeping us so young and restless

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Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Other Side

This one is for all those who think that the grass may be greener on the other side, who want to know what could be in store for them.
Yes its difficult to take decisions sometimes, actually at most times and especially the ones that are not warranted by most of your loved ones. We often get caught up between doing what's essential from a practical point of view and what you always wanted to do.

A close friend of mine decided to quit her well paying job in an MNC company to set up her own house and wait until she found her calling. Most friends did not agree with her decision as they could not do it and wondered why would someone want to leave her job in these recessionary times. Today with just one month through her sabbatical she has discovered so many facets about herself that were unknown to her. She took classes at the Culinary Institute of America, went exercising everyday, took dance classes, spent time with her siblings and is sure that the entrepreneur in her is ready to take on the world.

Another friend of mine who just moved home after marriage to another country wrote this great article for the Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125480175834966795.html which again reaffirms my faith that any decision in life is not worth regretting.

More often than not we weigh our decisions with the impact it will have on the lives of those we love, but be selfish sometimes. The other side could be good for the both of you. Don't fear failure because you were at least courageous enough to try. There are so many people who at 60 realise that this is not what they ever wanted to do.

Answer your calling, take the decision that is only yours, don't seek affirmation always. Leave that cushiony job that does not excite you every minute of every day. Even if your calling is to do nothing but be the best homemaker or the best mother to your child, go ahead and do it. Your loved ones will be happy only if you are happy.

The other side may not be green always but at least you were one of the few ones who crossed over.

PS: To the loved ones: Le them at least try!!!

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Friday, July 24, 2009

GIFE

Wondering what is GIFE. It’s an element of our lives now and impossible to survive without. We turn to it for the smallest issue to the largest ones. It shares with us the experiences of others and the true meaning of all things tangible or otherwise.
GIFE is Google Life.
GIFE was a word that I coined when I realized the importance of Google in our lives. I realized how for all problems, Google is the easiest and simplest solution and obviously its FREE.
It’s a free consultation that you get to all concerns in life. It can be organizing your life with Google calendar, sync, alerts, reminder, it could be your child’s history project, family issues, property issues, restaurants, movies, entertainment, travel, work related to any industry.
I can’t think of one person who does not use Google or is not dependant on Google. The beauty of the whole dam company is that they understand their user so well that they have created a whole basket of Google products which simplifies life as much as it gets.
Google Chrome, picassa, blogspot, orkut, reader, talk, alerts, books, calendar, sync, news, images, maps, documents, you tube. The list is endless. They practically address every need that we possibly have.
I wonder sometimes that how would life be without Google? It’s literally for the people by the people and of the people. Language no bar, caste no bar, country no bar, operating system no bar, competition no bar at all.
I am amazed at the speed and innovation with which this organization works. If we just adopt their principles in real life what would it be like?
1. Simplicity
2. Futuristic
3. People important to you should be the epicenter of your life. Incase of Google it’s the end user
4. Adaptability
5. Change & innovation
6. Value relationships. If you value this then you will have the person you have for life
7. Service: There is no substitute to this one. Invest in your relationships
8. Great product: If you get this right you need not look any further.

We would have probably stagnated without the search results. So many questions would stay unanswered, isn’t it? How would it be without GIFE…Google the answer to our life

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Weekends

Running through my personal job list this morning just realized that this weekend again will be really busy.

Yeah, the job list is really critical; our personal and professional lives just centres around this one piece of paper with many scribbles that determines our productivity at the end of the day.

Earlier it was only a Sunday but now it’s progressed to a Sat & Sun. There is so much of catching up to do over the weekend that it’s become a working day for all your personal chores. That’s why more often than not a lot of people have their status on Facebook on Fri as “TGIF”

Paying the bills, figuring out finances, entertainment, exercise, family time, it’s all packed in those 2 days. We pacify ourselves by believing that things even though they may be priority all could be fitted in those 2 days and its fine.

When I head to work every day I feel sad leaving my 1 year old daughter at home but all I do is just reason with myself thinking its Wednesday just 3 more days to go and the weekend I will be with her. Teaching her, trying new food, playing with her, taking her to the garden, or for a swim is all planned for the weekend. Not like she doesn't need it over the weekday but its leisure of time that ensures I push it for the weekend.

Even if it is having an important conversation with my husband that might take a wee bit longer is scheduled for the weekend. Meeting parents who always yearn to see their daughter and grand daughter is also scheduled over the weekend. Groceries, cooking, cleaning, repairs, the list is endless… all over the weekend. More often than not we just push so many things for the weekend forgetting that may be important for the person, or for that relatonship. The dearth of time I guess has made us so self centered.

The way we dress, what we do, our personalities, food, everything is at two extremes. The weekend means its about junk food, eating out, drinking, late nights and relaxed dressing.

We've literally split our lives into two with weekdays and weekends. Over the week we push ourselves to just accomplish so much that we exhaust all of our selves and try to regain and recouperate over the weekend. But life doesn't compartmentalize itself like that. It is the same every day and there is so much to love, enjoy, work learn and grow over the week as much over the weekend. Think about it, haven’t you already started planning your weekend again?


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Now

As i drive by Marine Drive in Mumbai and enjoy people wet themselves in the lashing waves and heavy rain I cherish the small joys of life which we often miss out in our race to life.
"Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go round? Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground? You better slow down, don't dance so fast. Time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask after your loved ones, do you hear their reply? When the day is done, do you lie unhappy in your bed with the next day's chores running through your head?
Ever told your most precious person we'll meet tomorrow and in your haste not seen his or her sorrow? Ever lost touch, let a great friendship die because you didn't have the words or the time or the forgiveness to call and say `hi'?

When you run so fast to get somewhere You miss half the fun of getting there. Life is then an unopened gift... thrown away. Life is no race, do take it slower Hear the music before your song is over" And the boy you have been reading for years desperately wants to add:

Try and really live your Life Sad, mad, unglad never mind; it's yours at least! So enough of strife what joy is enlisted against your name you can't even imagine the same. Heartfelt believes your deepest dream, it upholds your deepest hope if you believe me today, you will see for yourself someday that what you want is nothing compared to what you are destined to have in someway.

Dont let go off people for all things material. That job will not last tommorow but your family will stand by you when its gone.
live those little dreams dont wait for tommorow.
Make life happen today

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Voice

I wish I could do this, wish I could take a break, don’t want to work anymore, want a holiday, want to study further, cant stay with in laws any more, want to travel for a year. These are wishes that a lot of people I know often say to me and I wonder why they can’t just do it. As Indians we are so “in time” for everything. There exists a right age for school, college, education, marriage, babies, family. We are so conditioned and actually scared to break away from the done that we instead let go off these wishes I say Indian because I feel Indians are far more suppressive with their desires than people in the western countries. And it’s in our roots, reflection of our society given the fact that we live among so many people that we are always worried about how they feel and what they think.
I can hardly think of any Indians who have decided to quit their cushiony job and taken a break to actually accomplish their wishes or secret careers.
Very few actually set out of their satisfying family lives or flourishing careers to complete their education. A friend of mine called me from Australia this morning saying she was fed up of her job and decided that she would instead travel to India for a year. I actually think it needs courage to take such a step. Not knowing the future and be ready to embrace life just the way it approaches you.
Dreams wishes, hidden desires, secret careers how often we actually voice all these. Few times or may be none. Why do we often chain ourselves in relationships and commitments that we stop living for ourselves? Or is it these relationships & commitments that actually keep the Indian family system running.
May be its worthwhile doing the wrong and not knowing what’s the future got in store. Maybe we should learn to flow like a little stream that does not know her path but is happy. It’s not always good to be perfect just let your self go. What you deserve you will get so it’s ok to take a chance and explore the unexplored.
Live those dreams so you have no regrets, surrender to life and VOICE all that you’ve suppressed

Thursday, February 19, 2009

When we were small!!!

This is truly inspired by my 3 month old daughter who amazes me with her little acts not every day but every moment.

Here is my lesson learnt…

When we were small everything we did was so cute… our smile so sweet, our tears so precious.

We didn’t care for what clothes we wore. Were they in fashion, were they brand new, what brand were they? Did I wear matching shoes with it? Were my hair shampooed everyday? Those little hands and small feet that cycled in the air, those innocent eyes that said a thousand words. Those cries and coos told everyone what you needed, what comforted you. One sound and the whole house would come running to see you. Wow! Blissful ain’t it.

You lived on milk alone with no other tastes. No Chinese, no thai, no pizza no pasta.
People waited for you too add some more fat. Truly fat looks so sweet only on babies. You never went to the gym to burn those calories, while you played in the garden and fell from the cycle all the chocolates and cheese got burnt.

When we were so small we couldn’t care less what people thought of us, whether they were friends or foes. Anybody who cooed back at us, we heartily cooed back with an innocent smile.
We didn’t know what ego was. There was no forgiveness as there was no disappointment.
There was only love as that was the only emotion we felt.
We didn’t know what religion was until we were taught.

There was no comparison, no envy as we were only content. The most expensive toys didn’t mean anything to us as we loved smiling just looking at the moving ceiling fan. We didn’t understand words to which we hold on so strongly over now. We just knew that somebody is talking to us and it sounded very sweet.

We trusted everybody who held us in their hands, we knew they would look after us really well. We trusted that our parents would give us the best food, values and education. We knew that the milk mom gave us was perfect, the fruits we ate were sweet; the water we bathed with was the right temperature.

We knew that whenever we fall there is mom to pick us up, look after us. Actually failure was never a fear. We fell so often but only to rise and play again.

Do you see the transition as we grow older, materialistic things precede love, you have less friends and more foes. I comes before us. Ego precedes all emotions.
Religion precedes humanity. Envy and competition comes before hard work.
Words have deeper meaning now and we try to dig and interpret those words in many different ways.
Trust seems to have disappeared completely. Once we grow up we don’t trust our parents, friends, spouses, colleagues. We just presume they will do us more harm than good.

Failure just wears us down, we cry over it and often take months and years to regain that strength to rise again. We blame people over our failure instead of starting the attempt to rise again.

I think, no actually believe that god made each one of us perfect but we just lost the goodness he gave us in the journey of life.

Lets try and be children again cause we were the best and the happiest “when we were small”

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Dates to Days

Personal experiences are not always enough to observe… Look around and the world has enough to offer for you to learn everyday. Often we get so consumed by our own problems, life, relationships that we walk in bright daylight with our vision blindfolded.
We become oblivion to life.

More often than not we always have special occasions in our life that earmark our life. A few significant dates that turn our lives around, make them beautiful, exciting or even ugly.

This date may bring you fame, fortune, love, loneliness, togetherness, whatever it maybe, but it will add a new dimension to your life. It could be your first date, your 1st anniversary, 1st birthday celebration with your husband, 1st few years after marriage, your baby’s 1st birthday, 1st promotion, 1st car, 1st day at work…

We celebrate all the firsts with so much excitement and love that the experience is overwhelming.
As we move on in life the past ceases to exist and a few more dates become of significance. Some would say that’s natural progression of life where newer events become significant and some would say those dates which changed your life will always be memorable and need to be cherished.

Let not the newer priorities take precedence over those important dates, they shaped your life. Let the celebrations continue through life for those are dates that bought you closer to your loved ones.

Don’t take those dates for granted there will always be circumstances that will force you to let go of those moments. But don’t succumb to circumstances, don’t let situations precede relationships. They will always provide resistance but it’s the strength of the relationship that needs to battle the resistance.

If you let go of it once, it will be gone for life. The turning points in your life will cease to exist. Soon you will realize that you have no special moments and no special people. All that you gave to those firsts is too far away. In fact after years of togetherness the chocolates that you send taste sweeter, the red roses seem even fresher, those stuff toys seem even more cozy, that candle light dinner and that walk on the beach by the moonlight even more romantic. Your child’s every birthday will mark a year of growing and learning,for the both of you. Your siblings’ occasions will only reassure him of your care and support.

Don’t let those ‘DATES BECOME DAYS’ ….

Start now, celebrate every day that you have with your loved ones and especially those DATES that gave you happiness forever…


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