I am ME…just ME!!!

It irritates or rather disturbs me when people around want me to be something or someone. They want to dump their thoughts in my brain. They want to teach me the world politics. They want me to be like them. They want me to do right things (Right as per them). But I can’t be someone. I can’t process someone’s views. I am capable enough to have my own. It is simple and clear. I am ME, a different person, a different entity. Nobody is my clone and I am no one’s genetic copy either. I am Me.. Just me.


I think and have a view of my own. It may be wrong or not right for others but it’s my thought. I stand by it because I believe in it. And I have the audacity to accept my faults in public. I know to apologize too (In case you thought I don’t). I have learnt to accept criticism with a pinch of salt. And I know to be firm on what I believe is right. You can’t budge me (In case you thought, you can). I know my goods, bad’s and the ugly’s too. I know what I am good at and very well know where I need refinement.


I am creative, moody, and sentimental to the extent of crying over a movie. I am loving and crazy at times, ok, most of the times. I can talk for hours together without getting tired. I laugh aloud, very loud. I laugh from my heart. I have the ability to laugh over the misery of my life. I can either be right or wrong, I can’t be “Politically Correct”. If I don’t like something, I don’t like it. I am vocal about it. Is it wrong to be honest? Well, I prefer being honest. It is easy. I can’t pretend. I can’t pretend to be pals with people I can’t stand for a minute. I am outspoken. I am a human. It’s human to be with people you like. But I respect every existence. If I don’t like someone or something doesn’t mean it’s bad. It is just that I have a different/better taste.


I can’t lie and can’t stand one. Speak the truth, it is less difficult. And you don’t have to remember tales that you crafted to lie. I dislike liars. I keep away from people who have an inflated ego. I avoid sissy babies. I am away from people who show off. Modesty is attractive. I believe if you have really achieved something, you will be so humbled by the achievement that you will never walk with a weighted ego. If you are really something, you won’t have to ask others to praise you. People will love you and respect you. The world doesn’t need to change; I probably need a change in me. I don’t have issues with others. I never mess with people. I am so busy in my own world that I don’t really care.


I love nature. It is beautiful and giving. I can walk miles while listening to my favorite music. I love rains, it is fun getting drenched. The smell of wet soil is out of the world. I love sea shores. I love making mud houses. I love pottery. I love clay. I love making wonderful things out of it. I love to stand in front of the mirror and look at myself. I adore colors. I have a strong bond with red color. I love wearing junk jewelry. They are adorable.

I am expressive about my feelings. I always write them. I love surprises. I am fond of cooking, that shows I have a hunger for good food. I love gardening. Flowers are amazing to be with. Orchids are wonderful. Dogs are my bestest friends. They are better friends than humans. Music gives me a high. It touches my soul. I am fond of dancing. It is super fun. I love meditating. It helps my anxiety. I love humor. It keeps me going. I am a prankster. Its fun to see smiling faces around. Travelling is great. Discover new places and discover yourself.

I love to do all those little things that make them happy. I have the potential to smother my loved ones with my over loving nature. My friends are adorable. I am always holding my guru’s hands. He guides me. I am very close to my mother. She is my pillar of strength. I have the most wonderful husband. Life has not been rosy but is has been adventurous. And that is the best part of my life. Guess it has been the best teacher so far. I share a strange relationship with God. I love him and he loves me too, but we often fight. Of course, he makes the first move and we patch up. I love to stare at the night sky. It is simply beautiful. I dream with eyes wide open. I guess it is called day dreaming. I think I have conquered the world in my dreams. I treasure relationships and I love to love. Giving is easy. Try it. I am thankful to god for all the wonderful things he has blessed me with.


This is me. I may not be what you think I should be. But why should I be what you want me to be? I am ME. I am happy being what I am. I love myself. I love being happy. It is easier than being miserable. I am ambitious in my own way. I have to do a lot of things in life. I am still trying my way to them.

So, don’t bother and let me be ME.

NOW or NEVER!!

I had to write. I had to pull out my thoughts and pen it down. If I don’t write it today, I better not write it ever. This is what I thought on my way home, after work. As a 26 - year old, I felt ashamed of myself at one point. Did we need a 72 - year old man to start this fight for us? What were we doing till now? A nation where half of its population comprises of people between the ages of 20-35, did nothing but support corruption. We couldn’t defeat the enemy, so we joined them. What a Shame!!

But as they say, it is never too late to mend. I am glad, the time has come. It is Now or NEVER. India, mend it now or live with it, forever. A man is fighting for us, so that you, I and our generations to come can enjoy a corruption-free, healthy Democracy. If we can come together to celebrate the joy of World Cup and look forward to an exciting IPL, we can definitely join hands to bring justice to us.

This fight against corruption is for you, for me and for every Indian. All of us at some point in time have been victimized. We have bribed, cribbed, raved and cried. Then, we gave up. We thought one man can’t change the system alone. But then, if one man wants to change it, can’t we walk with him? Why should we let go of people (thankfully, I term them as people) ,who swallow down our hard earned money (the taxes that we pay), and do not even burp after it? If the government can question me on my tax liability, why can’t I as a citizen of India, question the government back? These dacoits are looting us and are easily getting away with it

I urge my fellow citizens to wake up. “Abhi nahin to Kabhi nahin”. Let us not give up. Support Anna Saheb in this fight for a corruption-free India. All of us can do our bit and support this cause. If we can roar together to lift the World Cup, lets roar again, only this time to lift our Democracy up. When billions of Indians will call together, the deafest of the deaf will hear it, loud and clear.

If a man thrice of our age can do it, why can’t you and I?

Anna Saheb, I am with you!!

Jai Hind!!

Random Thought - Marriage!!

Marriages are made in heaven and these love birds are brought together on earth. Some people also define marriage as an institution of life (of course because it teaches you lots about life). Many call it a bond between 2 souls. Well definitions could be many and marriage could mean different to different people. But whatever one says, almost every human being on this phase of earth has to go through this period of the makeover from “Being Single” to “Being Hooked, Booked and in some cases Cooked”.



The concept of marriage entices me a lot. I believe it has something to do with the joy and pomp, the colors or plain and simple the feeling of falling in love. Be it a “Love Marriage” or an “Arranged Marriage”, love forms the foundation of any marriage. Be it before or after, love gradually transforms the two different people in the relationship in to one. They may call it two bodies and one soul. Lovely and mesmerizing. But the thing that attracts me the most is the entire process of meeting that one person you want to spend your life with and then go through a series of events to finally fall in your spouse’s arm. For an Indian wedding, the wait is too long (I guess it is my experience talking).

After the wedding, the real journey begins. You walk hand in hand with someone who was once a complete stranger to you. Suddenly this stranger becomes the most important part of your life (No wonder marriages are made in heaven). Now you have to share your life with him/her. It is not easy at all. But what makes it fun is the fact that you have so much to discover about each other. Every day becomes a learning day. You are introduced to unknown adjectives such as endurance, tolerance, acceptance and selflessness. These were never ever a part of your dictionary. But along with these you also befriend care, love, companionship and a faith that whenever you fall there will always be a hand to lift you up.


I was once chatting with a friend about the concept of marriage and the after effects and she said, “I am happy to have disagreements with my husband. That only shows we give each other the liberty to express our views openly and we love each other enough to accept them. Obviously we don’t marry our clones, do we?” I believe she was right. It is this disagreement that opens forums for exchange of thoughts and ideas and help both the partners evolve as better human beings. Personally, it has taught me many things.


For many cases, people believe that they have married “Perfect Human” who for all reasons unknown will act and do things exactly the way they thought or dreamt of. When things don’t shape up the way they want, they start judging their marriage. However, they fail to understand that they themselves are not “Perfect Creatures”. What any marriage needs is the time to evolve and what every spouse needs is the assurance that the better half is with him/ her forever (in any adversity).


There is nothing called as a successful marriage/ an unsuccessful marriage. It is simple, the former is abundant in unconditional love and understanding, and the latter lacks it. My grandfather and grandmother ( Nanaji and Naniji) have spent more than 7 decades together and for all that I have seen over the past 26 years, I have seen only love. And the fact that they have grown together from a simple couple to proud parents and then grandparents, itself displays the endurance they must have portrayed with each other to have a life that many of us can only boast of.

I really don’t know much about this institution, I am not a veteran. But after having spent 2 years, I have learnt and grown as a person. And with the love that my better half has given me, I am all set to spend another 200 years with him.The best part about marriage is sharing yourself with someone you love.Such is this bond and such is Love.

The Taste of Humility

In a small village lived a magnificent cook, Neya. She was naturally gifted with the art of cooking. She was so wonderful that she became well-known far and wide for her country food. People from distant places visited her small eatery. Travelers who passed from the village would feast in there. With her growing recognition, she decided to expand her eatery in to a well facilitated “restaurant”. She grew by leaps and bounds and after a short time became popular all over the country. Her restaurant was always filled with people and all praising her delicious meal. Her popularity brought fame for her village too. Her chefs were indebted to her for sharing her expertise with them. She witnessed success at its best.

Once her mother decided to visit her new restaurant and see her daughter’s growing success. Neya was very happy about her mother’s visit. She prepared the dinner herself and presented it to her mom. Her mother tasted the food and smiled. She said” Your decline phase has begun”. She finished the food and left. Neya felt very sad and her chefs were shocked. However, many of them thought that Neya’s old mother has lost her sanity. No sane mother will curse her daughter’s fortune. 

Time passed by and gradually her mother’s words came true. Neya's fame went to dirt and traveler’s stopped coming. People criticized the food and complained about the lost taste. Neya could not find a way out and decided to visit her mother.Neya’s mother was expecting this. As soon as Neya saw her mother,she hugged her and broke into tears. Neya’s mother comforted her. In her mother’s arms Neya felt better and braver. But a question kept bothering her. Neya decided to ask her mother and get rid of it.

At dinner the same night,Neya asked her mother how she knew about her (Neya’s) ill fate. Neya’s mother replied with simplicity,” Your food tasted good but it was not like before. You had over done your spices to make it taste better than before. The simplicity from the food was lost. Your food tasted of pride and ego. Your ego taught you that you can cook anything and it will turn tasty. Your pride taught you to not accept mistakes. That’s how I knew your turn down has begun. But now that you have fallen with your pride shattered, success shall come to you again. The flavor of humility will spice up the food again”.

Khushi feelz: It's True, Pride goeth before a fall

The why’s and how’s!!

The Road Lies Ahead!!

 His Guru was meditating. One of the disciples told him to wait, but Madhav was very impatient. He kept on looking at his watch. He knew soon it will be time for the evening prayers (aarti) in the ashram. The temple bell rang and the prayers began. He waited for the prayers to get over so that he can meet his beloved guru. His impatient wait was noticed by his Guru. Madhav’s face was narrating a story and his guru took no time to understand that something was wrong with Madhav. After the prayer was completed he took Madhav to his room so that both of them can talk peacefully.

  Guruji, Madhav began, “I am tired of my life. I have given up and wish to die. I see no light ahead of me. My business partner cheated on me, my own brother threw me and my family out of the house, my kids are hungry and I have no money to feed them. I feel cheated from everyone. I have no one to help me. I am unable to see the road ahead, there lies darkness. I have lost control over my life. I see myself falling at every step. I have lost faith in God. You are my last hope, please guide me. I need help”. Madhav broke in to tears. His guru looked at him and said” the road to our ashram is damaged badly and needs repairing. I am planning to fix it tomorrow morning. Will you help me? Madhav was stunned at this. He wanted guidance from his Guru and his Guru was talking about the road repair. But Madhav respected his guru so he agreed to help him.

 The next morning he met his guru to fix the road. Madhav, his guru said, “we need to start the work. First of all, you will have to place the mud on the road to make it even. But remember while doing this you can’t look in front, you have to look behind. You have to mend the entire road while looking behind.” Madhav was astonished and said with a trembling voice, “guruji that is not possible. How can I repair the road if I look behind?” Guruji simply smiled and said” Do as I say”. Madhav’s love for his guru was beyond everything. He decided to honor his orders.

The work began and as per his guru’s directions Madhav looked at the back while he reconstructed the road. After every two steps, he would fall down and hurt himself. Every fall resulted in reduced tolerance and increased pain. Finally Madhav decided to give up.” Guruji, he cried out in pain, I can’t do this anymore. We have to fix a damaged road. It is not possible to do this while I look behind. The road is uneven with stones on it. If I have to renovate it, I have to look ahead”. His guru came to him and said, “Yes my son, there lies your answer. This is exactly what you have been doing. You say you can’t see the road ahead. It is because you have been looking behind, at your past, which hurts you. And every time you fall it hurts all the more. And then you give up and blame God for your own folly. How can you see the opportunities that lie in the future if you keep looking at your failures of the past? Until and unless, you look forward you will never be able to fix the damage in the path of your life. God has the best in store for you, but have to leave your past behind. Look ahead, the road to your future lies ahead.”

Madhav fell at his guru’s feet. He felt choked and had no words. His guru had indeed shown him the way and the future appeared clear to him. He decided to conceal his past and fix his damaged road, not by peeping into his past but by looking ahead. This was after all, the road to his bright future.

 

The Secret Santa!!

She was decorating her Christmas tree. The smile on her innocent face was worth watching. She picked up every little festoon with care and wrapped the tree with love. She was excited about Christmas. It was not only Christmas but her 8^th birthday too. The excitement was about the secret that her granny promised to reveal. It was some secret about Santa. Last Christmas her granny promised that she would reveal the secret on her 8^th birthday. She was just about to finish when her little sister Clara called out to her, “Nancy come soon, Granny is here”. Nancy left the tree half bedecked and rushed to her sister. Grand Ma is here, yay!!yay!!yay!!yay!! she sang on her marathon towards the door. Nancy loved her granny. The 2 reasons why she loved Christmas were her beloved Santa Claus and her darling Granny, Mary.

  Grand Ma hugged Nancy and Clara and tears rolled down her cheeks. She was meeting her lovely grandchildren after a year. Both kids held their granny by her hand and welcomed her in. The excitement of the secret was evident in her bright sparkling eyes. “I remember my promise”, Granny smiled and told Nancy. Nancy was waiting for this day. The wait was long, very long but she knew it was worth. “Kids, granny has travelled a long way and needs rest. Let her take a nap” said Amy, Nancy’s mother. The kids left the room and got back in to the tree and its decoration. But Nancy was lost in the thought of the secret, that granny will reveal before the midnight mass.

   The tree was up and ready and Clara was excited to hang her stocking to it. She wanted a toy train for Christmas and she knew Santa will drop it in there. She hung the stocking to the tree and looked at Nancy, “what do you want for Christmas?” Clara interrogated.”I will tell you once I get it”, replied Nancy showing no interest in Clara or her little stocking. She kept on scribbling something on a piece of paper. “Nancy, are you there? Granny called out to her. Nancy rushed towards the voice. “Yes Granny, I am here. The Christmas tree is also ready and so am I for the secret”, Nancy replied hurriedly.

   Granny took Nancy to the porch and both of them sat on a small wooden plank nearby. Nancy, granny began. Today I will answer your question that you asked over the dinner during last Christmas. You wanted to know, who is Santa Claus? Where does he come from? Where does he go? Why he never meets us? Right? Nancy replied yes with a nod. She believed her Granny knew the secret about her beloved Santa Claus. Granny continued,” You are a Santa Claus”. Me???? Nancy exclaimed.” Yes my child, you are Santa and so am I. Even your mother is a Santa and so is your father”. Grand ma stopped for a while, she knew Nancy’s tiny little brain will take some time to process this newly fed information. Is Clara a Santa too Granny? Nancy curiously asked. Yes she is, answered Granny.

 Nancy stood on the plank and looked up. She couldn’t believe she was “the Santa Claus” and there were not one but many in her home too. Granny, she began, “I don’t have a long beard and neither can I fly. Where is my sledge? I have no gifts to give. And believe me both mom and dad cannot be Santa Claus too, they stay with me all night when Santa Claus comes and drops the presents in the Christmas tree”.

  Granny held little Nancy in her arms and said” oh my innocent little Santa, I will explain how. Do you know what the most important duty of a Santa Claus is? Nancy was confused and nodded a NO. It was getting complicated for her. I will tell you, said Granny and she began” Santa Claus brings gifts for all of us. He brings joy and smiles to our faces. He fulfills our wishes but he never waits for us to thank him. He comes, gives the present and leaves. This teaches us 3 most important things in life. One, always be the reason for everyone’s happiness, two, try and help people in their need and three don’t expect people to thank you for anything that you do for them. Be humble and share joy with everyone. If you do this, you will be a Santa Claus and will be loved by all”. Does that mean, we should not thank Santa Claus for the gifts? No my child, you should not forget to thank your Santa Claus. When you thank him, you actually thank God for the gift and this way you can express your love for your secret Santa and the Almighty God too.

  Nancy tried hard to understand this and articulated all that her little mind could identify with, “Granny that means Mom and dad are my Secret Santa? Because they always make me happy, bring me gifts, they fulfill my wishes and sometimes even though I forget to thank them, they still love me”. “You are right my child”, agreed Granny. “Parents are our best Santa Claus, they bring us up and even though we forget to thank them, they never stop loving us. Similarly, we also have to inculcate the qualities of Santa Claus and become like him. God has made one Secret Santa for everyone, because he loves us. You could also be someone’s Secret Santa, this Christmas”. Before Granny could complete, the little kid questioned, how? Granny wanted Nancy to bring her piggy bank. Nancy obediently brought it and informed Granny that she has been saving money for a toy, which she is going to buy for Christmas this year.

    Granny thought for a while and said, Nancy what if you don’t buy the toy for Christmas?” “I want to buy it; I have been saving for it” cried little Nancy. Granny knew it was difficult to persuade the kid. She thought for a while and asked Nancy who was her best friend at school. Marc, replied Nancy with a sad voice. “And why do you like him?” Granny asked with an intention to know more. I like him because he plays with me and is very kind to me. He helps me complete my homework and also teaches me how to ride a bicycle. But you know Granny he wears very old shoes, they are a little torn. Children at school laugh at him. Mom says his family is poor. His father lost his job and his mother cannot buy him shoes”. Nancy explained and granny listened with all the patience. When Nancy finished, granny asked Nancy, “Do you really like him?” Yes nodded Nancy. Granny put across another question; “Do you feel bad when children laugh at him?” Nancy nodded yes again. Granny brought the 3rd question; “do you want to be his Santa Claus?” Nancy jumped and said, yes Granny.

  The little kid understood what her Granny was trying to say. But Granny she said in a soft tone” I don’t have enough money to buy him shoes. Shoes are costly. Will you lend me money to become a Santa Claus? Granny felt proud of her thoughtful grand-daughter and nodded in agreement. “Let’s go and buy the shoes for Marc”. She said “But who will take it to Marc? I don’t want Marc to thank me, I am his secret Santa. I want him to be happy but I don’t want to him to know this”. Granny smiled and looked at Nancy; she knew her little grand daughter was a noble soul. This must be the reason that she shared her birthday with God’s only son, Jesus. “Don’t worry child, your secret Santa will do it for you”. Granny tried explaining the little angel.

  Nancy and granny bought a lovely pair of shoes for Marc. Nancy felt happy that she had become a secret Santa to her best friend. It was time for mid-night mass and the family got ready to go to church. After the mass was over granny met the priest at church and handed over the present to him. She narrated the entire story to him and said, “This is a gift from Marc’s secret Santa, for Marc. I request you to give it to Marc. Please do not tell him anything about Nancy”. The priest was surprised and said, “Blessed is your granddaughter and blessed is your family to have her. I will give it to Marc and believe me Nancy is god’s beloved child.“ Granny smiled at this and left.

  The celebrations for Christmas began and the place was filled with colors of joy, laughter and warmth. The next morning Nancy woke up and found a gift next to her with a note which read, Your Santa is proud of you and I hope you will continue to be the secret Santa for all those in need, always. I have delivered your gift to Marc. God bless you my child. Merry Christmas and a very happy birthday Nancy!! Her little eyes sparkled with joy and she opened the gift. To her surprise she found the same toy that she wanted to buy for Christmas.” Grand Ma, look what my Santa gave me”. Grand Ma was baking the cake and she knew what Nancy was talking about. After all she was her darling Granddaughter’s Secret Santa. “Granny, I got the toy. My Santa knew and brought it for me. Thank you Santa Claus and I love you”. She jumped with joy. Nancy ran around the house with her toy and so did little Clara, her Santa bought a toy train for her.

  The same evening Nancy was celebrating her 8^th birthday and all her friends joined in her in the merriment. Her dear friend Marc was also a part of the fun. He wished Nancy a very happy birthday and said with a grin on his face, “You know Nancy, last night my Santa gifted me new shoes” and he pointed towards his shoes. Nancy looked at her granny who stood behind her and both of them smiled. 

Merry Christmas!!