Ant-ique Growth

I have been fascinated by ants since childhood. I don’t know if we had more worthwhile things to do back in those days when we were a 3-4 yrs old, but we spent quality time following the trail of ants in houses/ walls/ terraces, dint we?. How beautifully they kissed and greeted each other while they moved in opposite directions along a line. Not an ant was missed in this greeting process.

After many years of ignoring these tiny living beings, yesterday to my surprise i saw a black ant scurrying over my arms, as if in some major hurry to achieve something!

Abruptly, my mind concocted a metaphor.

How different are we humans from those tiny creatures? Their entire life is about working, eating sleeping, reproducing. But that’s exactly what we as humans do too. Isn’t it?! As for ‘Working’, of whatever I know, a large part involves collection and storage of food. Here I am talking about the ants, not some trip to the grocery store.

But we, of course are smarter and ‘evolved’ as they say, aren’t we? We work too, but for MONEY?!! We obviously fail to see that even this is to buy food, clothing and a place to see- if we consider basic requirements. So basically, we just take a longer route, while we slog at work, get paid at the end of the month and then go buy food with it. The ants just go out and get food directly (quite often from our kitchen compartments too)!

What else can money buy?
Clothes? Ants don’t need them.
Travel? They don’t need tickets and passports.
Discotheques? They can dance whenever they want, they don’t need pretentious time and place for it.
Just list anything else that comes to your mind and see what the ants do instead

Just one innocent tiny God’s creature can so wondrously put the whole pride of being ‘more evolved’ as species to pretense.

I say, Wake Up!
See that just mere physical structure difference or money doesn’t set us apart!

We still are a worker ant, slogging away to eternity. One needs to Excel in life by growing as a person, by growing as a good human and not just by mere promotions!

This ability to be able to meditate is only given us, isn’t it! One wouldn’t see an ant sitting cross legged with palms on thighs breathing deeply. The entire life of humans has been about: waking up- go to school/college/ work- come back home- eat- watch tv/talk/etc.- sleep. On weekends- go for movies/ hangout with friends. And then of course, the occasional vacations. 25/30 years of your life have passed by and it only feels like yesterday right?  Well, another 30 will pass in the same way. And all people will remember you as some CEO of some company. If that’s just the case in reality, Sad it is! Let’s hope that doesn't happen.

Let’s live, lets experience something that we have never ever before in life.
Let’s get some exposure of the different flavors that life has to offer. I can promise one thing with the experience that I have. The satisfaction that one would get when one child hugs you will be unmatched to the ‘happiness’ you’ll get with your promotions. Go to an orphanage; adopt a child’s education- for as long as one can. Go to an old age home, take up some medical bills. Enroll for those teaching programs. OR SIMPLY ANYTHING SIMPLE!

The time to explore these little things is NOW. One will always have a choice. There is a choice to transcend into infinity and evolve yourself beyond a state of being human or, just scurry along crazily, for just tiny pieces of sugar!

As i walk down the ramp for NIFT... ;D

As I’d put on those high heels
M loving thinking about the confident sound
That it'd make on the ramp
When I'd walked down!

As I'd put on my gloss
M loving thinking about the countless touch ups
Before those final shots that'd probably
Drive me nuts!

As I’d put on those evening gowns and dresses
M loving thinking about those numerous ways
I'd so elegantly pose in
During these exciting days!

And as I see those lights & flash
It takes me back to drop in the middle
And act like a magnifier
To look through myself at myself!

That unruffled fire i see within
Through that magnifier!

:-)

When shes asking for chocolates and flowers
I jus long for that one look
When shes asking for gifts and surprises,
I jus long for that one assuring touch

When shes asking for those big bold diamonds
I jus long for that one warm hug
When those cheeks touch in affection & admiration
I long for you, to jus stand by me

When he lifts her up to get a giggle
I long for your friendly hand round my neck
When they kiss in love
I long for you to jus hold my hand

When you are going to them
All I want is a plain text smiley from you
When you can’t be here
All I want from you is to remember me

When later if we can’t be, I will be so blue
But all I would do is pray for a happy you
With a very little space for me

I want to be a bit more to you than somebody who sits and composes a poetry!

Share a smile with a street kid today! :)

A few ways i'd like to share that could bring those bright flashing smiles on the cute faces of street kids, without giving them money:

1. Volunteer
There isn’t any way to avoid a child’s eyes looking up at you, an amputee holding out an empty cup. So what if you are not a part of some Organization, it surely does not mean you can’t reach out!!!

A direct method I find is to head over to a local temple or a slum and ask them if they need any help or know schools where you can take part.
One can also search for nearest community organization over the internet & become a part of it, though not always full time.

2. Devote A Moment
The simplest, sweetest & the most valuable thing you can give to a child is time. Rather than brushing them off, spend some time & show interest asking them their names, what they like to do, where do they study etc.
Generosity doesn’t have to mean giving away things. Sharing a bit of yourself, opening a window into your own world, is a good place to begin with.

3. Eat Together
If you’ve made a connection with a particular child, enjoy a small ice cream at a local eatery.
However, remain cautious when extending the invitation, as one may end up meaning that you’re taking the entire community out for a treat :D

4. Play With Pictures
Another great tool is a cam. Kids love to ham it up and in my experience, they will often burst into excited shrieks and start making funny faces, flashing “peace signs” or doing group photo ops. If you can, show them the results, and guaranteed you’ll have a ton of kids squealing with excitement and eager to do another round of wacky poses.

5. Create a Painting
No worries if you are not artistic type, get involved in some kind of spontaneous “arts”. Gather the kids, get a few postcards and funky coloring pens.

Leave a part of yourself behind by doing a group drawing session on a postcard. Any form of nature/cartoon drawing and thus providing a greater picture beyond the slums. Plus it will also let their creative juices flowing.

6. Take interest in Local Slang
Sometimes its fun for both the parties when you show interest & let the kids teach you some of the local lingo. In turn you’ll gain a few friends and make them feel like they’ve done something special.

I believe handing out a few coins is not an appropriate act since that often goes to their master/parents who spend it on alcohol or illegal substance. Rather find some alternatives like wrapped packets of biscuits, or books or any other learning paraphernalia. Remember "you may not be able to help everyone, but everyone can surely help someone" :)

Playfulness!!!

This is one of those concepts all you guys are familiar with but find it bit hard to define. Many a times your close mates tend to tell you to stop acting kiddish, and behave like grown ups. To them I’d say “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, BUT we actually grow old because we stop playing!!”

It is sometimes misinterpreted that playfulness is a sign that a person hasn't grown up. But actually being playful is in no manner co-related with a difficulty in being serious!

There’s this famous biblical quote we learnt in school, which says, “Now that I am a man, I have put away childish things.” The incitement to be grown up about life and take things seriously is pretty well understood, but boy, do we really heed it?? Well I’d guess “NO” You think society has a real down on playfulness. On that I’d again say, “OFCOURSE NOT”

According to me, its something that is really exciting, intoxicating and it nurtures the part of us that still feels like a kid!!

Many psychologist & researches have also claimed that being playful is a great EMOTIONAL RESOURSE. I’d read this somewhere (though I don’t remember the exact sources) that states “A couple that plays together, stays together!”

And according to me, some of the best playful moments happen spontaneously. For instance acting coyly or affectionately teasing “your-that-someone” can be considered as a “romantic kind of playfulness”.

It is something that is very essential component in building healthy relationships – your connections with family, friends, your co-workers, your lover everybody.

More importantly, it is to be in the moment that makes the “play” possible. The more often you laugh, the more you enjoy with your fellow mates, the more playful you are with them, the more it keeps them by your side. Such acts are somewhat contagious. By that I mean, the moment others hear the laughter primes, their respective brains send signals for a bright smile and there arises a willingness to join in on the fun.

It’s never too late to develop and embrace your playful side. As a baby you were always playful. So why let that so-called concern of “how you’d look” or “how you’d sound” to others limit your playfulness??!

Just loosen up a little bit, identify things you already enjoy, and incorporate playful activities in it. Embrace your playful nature with other people! :D

Niks B'dayy! :))

Birthdays are those beautiful days in one’s life, where one wishes to have the biggest maddest celebrations, or the biggest presents. They are those days where one feels immensely loved and very special, the ones that are best spent with the people whom you love a lot or who love you to the core!

So here I am today to describe a bit for my very special sweetheart who, logistically speaking is not over here right NOW!!

Nik and me, we may not always be together but we are connected by heart. My “langotia” yaar she is. We don’t need many words to understand each other. We’ve perfectly formed out our own language of smiles, and winks, and frowns and whistles, of sniffs and huffs and sighs. We been together & separated and bumped into each other again. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, our tough moments, and our tests of friendship rather.

At first she might seem a girl, who doesn’t give a damn, sometimes kinda throwing attitude to guys around, a perfect combo of mock & wit, someone who sometimes may seem to be detached. But it’s when you perfectly know her you realize how much girly, soft-hearted and emotional a person can be. It’s like “It’s not that what you see is what it is always”.

This girl has been my strong pillar of support. She has taught me so many things in life. She made me realize that everyone in this world is not like we think and everything happening around may not always seem good, but it’s we who need to adjust to the different situations/circumstances/people in the best possible way. She’s this sweet girl who’ll hold my hand while crossing the road, who’s seated pillion behind a pathetic rider like me, who’s done all the crazy things for me, who criticizes me for being such a slow coach when it comes to eating, who yells at me when I do silly stewpid stuffs. Seeing her pissed off makes me lose my temper, seeing her cry brings tears in my eyes! (but it’s the vice versa in her case..lol) We both crack like madds. We talk about every crazy smallest thing in life.

We’ve don’t countless “paagalpanti” stuffs, have checked out every new shopping mall in a’bad, seen the shittiest of movies in cinema halls (Shaapit topping the list..I remember you tumbling down then after the flick..lol), dressed together to seek attention, discussed a hell on romance & dates & getting all cozy kinda stuffs. We would workout together. Workout days..damn those were the best spent days – the GOLDEN DAYS, I say. We jogged and talked, danced and talked, stretched our body parts on beena mam’s counts and talked. Talking always was so much fun, we never ran out of topic, had discussed on life, clothes, GUYS, careers, jokes, happiness, marriage, movies, gossips, family, EVERYTHING!! Simply everything!

She’s today treading on her path of phenomenal success, has almost found her love after really long, and i couldn’t be happier for her than ever.

Nik sweets, I miss you..i miss you today when I want to talk about random things and you aint here. You’ve made such a huge impact in my life. Thanks for always being there by my side though my thick & thins. Thanks for understanding me in the best way. Thanks for goading me for every little thing. Thanks for pushing me, for telling me to march forward in life with my head held high. Thanks for being the BEST-EST-EST-EST person in my life!!

On your birthday, I just have to say, I am now and will always be there through every fight, every sorrow, every happiness, every heartbreak, and every struggle. And that promise of both of us getting married in the same family still remains.

Have a supa funn birthday!
Love ya tonnz,

Bhakti

Sunshine! :)

I am the little sunshine,
And he is my prism wall..
I break into my colors,
Upon him as i fall..
:)

LIKES!! :D

Getting up in the morning, and looking at myself in the mirror, even though I’ve cried the entire night. Smiling..simply smiling in a manner that makes my eyes look tinier than before but a glow still visible.

To try placing feet in the lil tiles at my home, in my office, on the terrace or at any damn place. It reminds me of some game I played in my childhood.

Playing with dogs, no matter whomsoever it actually belongs to. Talking to them and loving them see when they tilt their heads with their most adorable eyes widened, as if confused or kinda stupefied on how much humans speak!

Crying in romantic flicks..or crying when feeling low, or crying after a fight or an argument with a loved one on phone..sometimes crying for no reason. And then checking out myself how my face resembles with that of some de-glamorized heroine. Crying lets my grief come out and helps me come back to normal.

Drama..Sometimes its fun being a “Drama Queen” when surrounded by people whom you love. They are ones after all who are supposed to actually jhelofy all the so-called “nakhras & nautanki”, and yet love you to the core.

Long drives at late evenings on a tough rugged manly bike. Enjoying the cool breeze and the thrill of speed.

Reading stuffs related to astrology. I believe I am truly Arien!

Getting up in the midnight, checking my cell phone and realizing I still have hours to sleep.

Connecting with God, even if it just for few milliseconds. Its great when to feel HIS hand above you. It helps me to become calm.

Havmor Choco-chip ice cream cone..and these days in winter. I believe to have one when the craving just goes beyond control.

Romance. Dreaming of romance. Seeing romance on screen. Reading romance in books. The very thought of a lover’s hand round the neck, those cheeks touch in admiration, a warm hug , one assuring touch makes me feel good.

That look you give to your best friend and try to control a laugh on seeing something funny.

Discussing ghost stories with my mum, and making her forcefully sit in front of the idiot box to hear about such spooky incidents. God she gets freaked out to the core.

Myself, i love myself for being naughty, over-smart, lazy, foolish, attention seeking, stupid, jealous, confident, impulsive, bit selfish at times, just the way I AM!!

Perfect Together :)

The zig zags in you
Would fit into the zig zags of mine,
And that is how an imperfect you
And an imperfect me
Would be perfect when Combined

I'd be really glad if you wouldn't be perfect
Since am glad that neither am I
Perfect Together..
That'd be the reason Why!! :)

Live Joyously, Love Selflessly :)

Life is short. Let’s learn to enjoy it. Each experience, each event, each encounter is to be savored and treasured. In hindsight, each of these would be useful to our development and evolution. If the attitude is right, one can truly enjoy life and make us experience heaven on earth. For what is heaven but an endlessly period of joy and bliss?

There are times when I feel that the situation is painful and I want to get it over with. It is bitter and sour and not pleasant. At such times I just try to remember that most medicines are bitter and despite that, they are good for us. One should learn to look at the good things in life.

When we thus live life joyously, we start loving everything and everyone around us. We feel that we are in a generous mood and are willing to share the joy with others around us. This is a selfless gesture wherein we have no expectations but to see the same joy in others. This is what I call ‘loving selflessly’

So, if you live joyously and love selflessly, you are already in a state of Nirvana and are in a mood to give and forgive. That mood qualifies you for reaching the supreme. And you are one with God!!

The most wonderful 4 years of my LIFE!!

Where should I start from??

I’d share my entire experience of college life by putting it in very simple yet elegant words. N m sure, by the time you reach the last paragraph, you’ll feel that you too in a manner identify urself somewhere!!

I remember how I used to gulp down my breakfast, take a quick shower, put on one of my favorite outfits & accessories, leave for college, all freshened up and speeding across the road..At parking I used to give myself a final look in the rear-view mirror!! ;)

I used to rush for my class, and entered 5 minutes after the lecture began..sope had no other option but to select a last seat in the center row!!

In the morning, students just keep gazing at the professor but with their minds at the door, waiting for that ‘someone special’ or down in the canteen. But then there were a handful of first-bench-students, who paid sincere attention in each n every lecture!! The fantastic four—me, sne, ank & zeba enjoyed joking and gossiping from behind our notebooks, playing some games in the most boring lectures during which half the class is already snoring!! And by the end of the lecture, everybody (even the first benchers) gets restless & keep glancing their watches, dropping their bags & pouches and slamming books. But the professor mercilessly continues!!!

The bell rings and everybody’s out of the class, taking a short break, meeting friends, exchanging secret smiles, discussing movies & stuff..

Who can forget the numerous pranks played? The first time we started having a secret admiration for that ‘someone’, comments of friends, mischievous smiles, fun of partying, etc..?? These are truly unforgettable times..And such moments make emotions flow at any time in life!!

Group Day, Sari Day and gatherings are the most awaited days in the college where every gurl ‘Dresses to Kill’ and have a gala time! Hey, how can I forget the Friendship Day, where we don’t miss a chance to express our feelings!

Then come Submissions..

Submissions are a time when you see all yer classmates, occupying those benches & busy completing their files to get good internal grades. Talking of our teachers..poor souls..They scream their lungs out to fill something in our upper chambers and help us to fill those white-answer sheets with blue lines in around June & November!!

But we just keep commenting on the way they look, dress or talk!!

All we hav to say is, “Paagal, kya padhaa raha hai??” ;D

I’ll Never forget my college years, which have been the most wonderful years of my life!! Have found friends & some really good people in my life.. All the twists have helped me mature. Would cherish them forever!!

Hope you enjoyed reading and enjoy ur college life to the fullest, coz these are the days which would never come again!! At the same time don’t forget that its not ur own but ur parents money that you spend! We owe a lot to them..So make sure that you stand up somewhere close to their expectations!! You'll be able to shape up ur future on the basis of how you spend time in college!!

Mother-An Angel on Earth!

As we celebrated Mothers Day just few weeks ago I’d wish to share my thoughts on the eternal love & affection which she pours on her child.

The title mother is often given to the biological female parent. Is dat sufficient to describe her?? Nope, never..

A Mother is someone who spends most of her time and energy to nurture her child from the time the child is born, throughout the periods of childhood, teenage and adulthood. After facing many hardships in nurturing the child, she only wishes to see her child mature into adult who is endowed with propriety, righteousness and virtuous conduct. When a child has to undergo some sufferings, the kind mother will pray throughout the day, wishing that she is the one who suffers! No words are enough to describe her unbounded love & concern!!

The proverbial "first word" of an infant often sounds like “ma”. Ma, Mum or mamma may not only be used for a biological female parent..Rather any woman who fulfills the same social role, raises a child with the ultimate compassion & sympathy would be described as ma. The ultimate example according to me is the former beauty queen, Sushmita Sen!!

Consider any species, and you will find these traits in common..Infact I’d read some other day that a Tigress is one of the most perfect mothers to inhabit this planet.

A healthy connection between a mother and a child form a secure base, from which the child may later venture forth into the world.

Sope a child should never forget to LOVE HER MORE THAN EVER, WHEN SHE’S AROUND!!

Please remember, “the best & the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched..but are felt in the heart!!”

At last, jus a few lines which I’d like to dedicate for my mum,

“Your arms were always open when I needed a hug
Your heart understood when I needed a friend
Your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson
Your strength & love has guided me and gave me wings to fly”

Love you the most!!