Sorry, Thank you and everything in between

     

  

     I have heard humor is an essential part of the ‘C’ treatment to be able to laugh at all the uncertainties that follow. And I can definitely vouch for the fact that it is true. No wonder the term ‘chemo brain’ really means something as we experience roller coaster of feelings all at once. At one moment you can see me complaining that no one talks to me only to instantly avoid the next call that I receive. All my friends and relatives can relate to this craziness as all of a sudden I turn from a philosopher to a child to a teacher to a simpleton and finally to the crazy human that I always was.

  

     I do not want to encourage or promote the craziness of this so-called ‘chemo’ brain, yet I believe it turns out to be beyond my reach. If I could convince it to focus on the problem alone rather than spread its influence all around, I would definitely be a ‘super-hero’. So, with this thought in mind, I realized what better way to convey my gratitude and apologizes to each one of you than write a long blog post. Hence, the title…. “I am sorry”, “I am thankful” and “I am….” Well, read on to find more….

    This kind of experience suddenly puts one into a hot-spot as there is undivided attention from all quarters. I am guilty of using it as a shield on more occasions than one as I end up blaming it for everything that goes wrong. The pressure to be cordial and society friendly has diminished to invisible proportions as I take this situation as the bait. While I rejoice under the banner that I cannot be blamed for anything, my parents and husband ensure that I come back to the original form. The insistence to be normal is so strong that my father has challenged me to be absolutely sane even during the treatment days. Well, the challenge is accepted but the outcome is yet to be determined.

     The need to apologize stems from the fact that my family (both near and long distance), friends and well-wishers must be thoroughly confused with my approach. Suddenly, I talk so much as if nothing has changed and suddenly I stay quiet for hours on end. But even this silence has a silver lining. How else would my husband and parents master themselves in the game of dumb-charades, while I explain them the contents on the grocery list or just talk about what we did last weekend?

   There is no doubt in the fact that I am an introvert and being an amateur writer I can easily relate to it. But who knew my monster friend would take me to a higher level on the introvert scale (if there was such a thing to measure it!) The reason for such kind of analysis is to explain the silence of my chemo brain. Besides turning me into an introvert, this chemo brain has definitely increased my affection towards the written word. 

  

   My close friends will completely agree to my inclination towards written chats over voice calls. From congratulating my best friend for finding his life partner to discussing troubles about weather, from asking about latest movies to seeking much needed motivation to stay positive, everything happens over the letters on the keypad. Big thanks to my little nephew for his stock of indecipherable childish speeches and poems on video chats and his parents to bear his loud noise, while we do so late at night!

      For these reasons, it was essential to reach out to my people and thank them for everything. I am sure even my doctor will be convinced about my funny behavior when I am more interested in this travel stories than about my health updates. And when I have a partner-in-crime to join me for the adventure, there is no reason to stay quiet. My husband turned philosopher provides balance to this craziness with a desire to keep his wife sane!

     With this, I hope my apology and gratitude are in order to appreciate each one of you in this journey. There is nothing pleasant about this route but there is nothing to cry about. Thank you for being there and sorry for acting unusual though it may seem absolutely normal! I cannot comment on the future path but I can definitely talk about where I stand today, hence do not forget to bear with me as I walk over this path full of surprises.

Thank you for your prayers and positivity….

Thank you for accepting my flaws as part of the chemo parcel…

Thank you for switching the mood from serious talks to funny conversations just the way I need it….

Thank you for your love and smiles…

Is this my ‘wake-up' call?

   

      I cannot claim to be a superwoman and state that the diagnosis did not shake me or I cannot declare that everything was sailing smoothly in a magical way. I had my share of “Why me?” questions or “God is annoyed with me” statements while struggling to make peace with the news. But, I always believe that looking back at the journey does not change the experience in any way so this blog post is not about moving behind but focusing ahead. Rather, it is about focusing on the present moment because that is all I can claim to be mine.

     So with this, as I started a new journey under a different light, I was sure to make the most of it in a positive way. Dark moments are just as natural as light moments. I cannot eliminate them completely from my path, but I can certainly control my actions and reactions over them.

    This brings us to the title. We often take life for granted because it is bestowed upon us as a free gift. Slowly and steadily, as we struggle over its path with a hope to find our destination, we experience the true meaning of life. With this experience I have realized that life is meant to be enjoyed and experienced, one moment at a time.

      We plan too much into the future without having the slightest idea of what lies ahead or we live in the past wondering about what went wrong or cursing our fate in every possible way. I am not sure if I can include you all in the above accusation, but I am definitely guilty to the core. Jumping into the future or sticking to the past was my way of dealing with the current situation in the present, spreading unnecessary fears and worries along my way.

      It is only after life gives you a major reason when you choose to think, contemplate, analyze and draw sense out of something that was never thought about. Hence, instead of looking at it as a diseased condition or life-threatening situation, I choose to look at it as my very own personalized ‘wake-up’ alarm. A wake-up call that has woken my up to live life the way it is meant to be. I am certainly sure it has forced me to value every single moment of my life journey.  It does not mean that I have mastered the art of living, but it definitely means there is positive transformation one way or the other.

The ‘C’ card:

      Few months into the treatment pushed me towards playing the ‘C’ card as my perfect sympathetic move. From demanding outside food whenever and wherever to being lazy at home about any task, from justifying my mismanagement to being selfish about everything, I was comfortably satisfied in the ‘C’ zone. Just when I felt it was absolutely ‘right’ to do so, my four primary care-givers pulled me out at the right time – two who gave me birth, one who ‘acts’ as if she gave me birth and one who has promised to celebrate that birth year after year.

  The ‘amazing’ parents: I do not know how they do it but according to them, every situation is manageable. They refused to look at me with pity or let me cry in vain. In my father’s words “Agreed you have 6 bad days in a month, but what about the remaining 24 normal ones?” or in my mother’s words “Who said you are any different now?” Such words soak away any traces of sympathy and leave me astonished at their positivity and strength.

The ‘dashing’ sister: A girl who started ‘mothering’ me (if that is a word!) when she was only ‘3’, her words “You are strong, you have become more strong” makes me wonder where did she find this strength in me?

The ‘know-it-all’ husband: Two statements from my husband have proved that my condition has truly made him a ‘philosopher’! For me it was a wake-up call, but for him it was nothing less than a ‘career changing’ opportunity as I joke around about his capability to be a ‘doctor’ or a ‘philosopher’, just in case he is bored of being an ‘engineer’.

At numerous occasions when he wipes my tears rather agitated and irritated, his quote “If you do not fight for what you want, do not cry for what you lose” or “Consider your health condition as a ‘bowl’, whether you beg around with it or whether you choose to add some ingredients into it and feed yourself, the choice is yours.”

   Besides this, my numerous relatives and friends have prompted me to look at the positive side. Each one of them have refused to treat me any different, making me believe that nothing has changed. I am sorry I will not be able to write about each one of you individually or else the exceptional long length of my post will drive you away.

So, thank you dear ‘wake-up’ call, I am finally awake now. 

  

    

The ‘therapy’ express

   

    After I promised to follow up the lymphoma post with some of my experiences, I felt it was the right time to do so. But a short cautionary warning before I start. This post is not to make you cry, emotional, sensitive or alienated. Besides, since I have decided to look at the brighter side of everything, rest assured there are no sad or gloomy details- only happy, funny, silly and fun-filled encounters. After all, this entire episode is nothing less than a soap opera of experiences.

     There are mix of happy and sad days, where you can see the actress and villain in me. If you don’t believe- simply ask my husband and parents at home or sister, in-laws and friends from a long distance who know exactly what to expect. One look at the calendar and my engineer turned half-doctor husband can tell you precisely what’s going on! While I would love to defeat him at this guessing game, unfortunately he emerges victorious, every single time.

    Firstly, never in my life have I heard the words ‘strong’ and ‘will-power’ so many times before, as today my collection is filled with these expressions. Secondly, to break the invisible ice between us, I would love to communicate with each one of you, just the way I did before. Nothing has changed that could lead to awkwardness or confusion between us. I am still the same and so is my condition to communicate. As I have decided to live in the present, the uncertainty of my health cannot change the picture at all. Speak to me the way you were doing before. No amount of ‘C’ or ‘L’ can take this silly self-proclaimed ‘writer’ from you ;)

   Thirdly, I would also like to apologize if I am not the same cheerful self every single day. As much as I would enjoy communication from your end, I understand I should also be vocal at the same time. But, sometimes silence pushes me into a silence zone that is incorrect in every way. So, grab the opportunity to poke me and do not hesitate to start the ringer mode on my phone!

   Unknowingly, I end up crossing the thin line between sympathy and reality. Instead of working hard or walking towards my goals, I sometimes cover myself under the shield of sympathy which is totally incorrect. Thanks to my chemo brain, I have enrolled myself into an imaginary ‘C’ club that searches for reasons to be pitied and claims that no one gets me. If it wasn’t for shouting and kicks from my parents, I would enjoy this sympathy for a long time and avoid being ‘normal’.

   Since you all are in this journey with me, I would love to share that my doctor appreciated my form of expression using ‘words’. After reading my first post, he encouraged me to channel my energy in this way, as it would benefit him with a happy patient too. So, you all will have to bear with my posts!

    While summing up, I would like to share the happy and funny experiences of my journey so far.

1.       I am sure our internet service provider is the happiest right now, as I have been streaming movies, television series, Netflix and You-tube in a loop. Having said that, I will love to have some suggestions from your end too because I was literally tempted to watch ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ at one point of time! I hope now you realize the seriousness to help me with some valuable suggestions.

2.       I am happy to make use of every present moment with a happy heart. I did not know sitting on lawn, going for long drives or taking a shower were such happy affairs before. I never appreciated the sight of trees, sunset, sunrise or long empty roads the way I do it today.

3.       Sorry dear husband, but I must confess my extra marital love affair with food! On my happy days, all I can do is dream, think, talk, read, make or eat. Relishing and savoring every bite is so fun-filled. I am sure my closed ones will be raising their eyebrows with shock as I was never a foodie before.

4.       While I always loved comedy movies, serials and books, this phase has brought me closer to it. Comedy can fill my cells with laughter, offering one less trouble to worry about.

5.       Husband turned doctor- this is another interesting development in my life as my better half is busy with internet gained facts to make me healthy and hearty with valuable knowledge from all over the world. I am sure his parents will be glad to know that their fees of an engineer made him a doctor too! Besides, it provides entertainment to my real doctor as he patiently listens to his ideas of alternative therapy.

These are some experiences that are funny, mindless and silly to make this rocky journey a bit smooth. There are many more to add in the future as I savor every moment with a happy heart. Till then, do not forget to live in the present, smile a little more, laugh at your troubles and enjoy whatever you have today. If nothing else, at least this trouble can make me a preacher J

   P.S: For a self-confessed introvert, written words are the only way to thank you all.

  Big hug, love and kisses to:

1.       Parents: For being there to wipe my tears and treating me as normal as possible.

2.       Sister, nephew, and brother-in-law: For being strong support though miles away from me. But bro-in-law chef: where is my delicious food? And dear nephew: you better practice the word ‘moushi’ 20 times a day. Sister: I am not thanking you for anything ;)

3.       Husband: For each and everything from Day 1, I simply can’t write it!

4.       Relatives and friends: For all your support, well-wishes and prayers.

     

Do you have your remote control?

 "Yes, of course, how else will we change the channels on television?” I am sure this will be your first reflex response over such an unusual question. But, trust my blog posts to be different as I am hinting at something else. It is not your television remote that listens to your commands and flips channels as per your desire (only if you are lucky enough to be the TV in-charge at home!) This remote control in question handles your emotions, feelings, responses and experiences. It takes charge of how you feel and respond over opinions. It determines your response to criticism.

  Human nature is known for its inclination towards opinions. Each one of us have some say over everything that goes around us. There is no harm in expressing our thoughts over things, but it is harmful to react in an inappropriate way. Just because your well-wishers refuse to appreciate your talent or your social circle criticizes your work with difficult words, it does not mean you drown in it forever and refuse to take control. The remote control to react to their opinions lies in our hands. Instead of drawing offense and mistrusting ourselves over bad fate, it is essential to act over it. You may disagree with their opinions, but there is no need to hold it close to yourself, while spoiling your next attempt.

   How people feel about you is not under your control. Whether they praise you with false words to misguide or taunt with hurtful words to demotivate, none of it will matter if you know how to react. It is their opinion that has nothing to do with you. It does not mean I am talking about building a wall around your ears. It is always essential to listen to people and their advice. But, how you choose to inculcate it in your life is totally your call. 

     Often, we are soaked in sorrow when people lace their words with anger, negativity, judgments or misunderstandings. At such times, it is important to realize that we are the receiver of their words. How we deal with their judgments is completely our decision as far as we know its impact. If we can analyze their motive, it is possible to transform their opinions into valuable pieces for our own good. Instead of crying over their mistreatment, we can use their judgement as improvement pointers for our benefit.

  Just as we use a remote control to mute, change, switch off or switch on as per our desire, we can tune our responses in the same way. We should be able to chalk our inner circle of influence. Switch on when our closed ones offer their valuable advice and switch off when people trouble us with their unhealthy motives. Not every piece of information directed towards us is going to benefit. Hence, we should know when to use them for our good.

  We often invest more energy in defending our choices, justifying our beliefs or proving our worth. But we fail to realize that as long as we do things for our own happiness, there is no need to please every life form on earth. No matter how good you work or what great acts you do, someone somewhere will always have a better way of doing it. This does not turn you into a failure or the other option into success, it simply means each one is entitled to their own opinion. Being in a defense mode unknowingly turns into a habit that refuses to leave our side. It diverts our efforts from productive work. If all your life you will defend, judge, analyze and respond to criticism, when are you going to act?

    This post was inspired by two sources. One is by the way people reacted over Snapchat CEO’s opinion based on nothing but his own two cents about our country. The credit of the second source goes to my husband for showing me an inspirational video over the said topic. It closely relates to me in various ways as I was always influenced by opinions. Without weighing their significance in my life, I would jump at the first opportunity to defend and prove my choices, only to realize that things may not be designed as per my way. But, the remote control to our reactions is definitely sitting on our couch, waiting to be surfed over and over again.

So, next time you are irritated, angry, hurt or disappointed, recognize the source of your negativity and change the channel immediately.

This remote works over several channels such as:

-          criticism

-          incorrect judgments

-          misunderstandings

-          accusations

-          incorrect allegations

-          false judgments

-          revenges

-          hurtful taunts

Make sure you use this remote control well to bring positivity and happiness into your lives. Do not lose this important control after all it features the channels of your dear life!

      

Are you flexible enough?

   

     In the wake of new trend of gyms and physical fitness, you may assume this post will talk about your fitness regime. Or it will be about little kids and adults who dance flexibly on various reality shows. Or it will be about various sports and flexible activities that ensure you stay strong and active all lifelong. 

   

    Do not worry, there is enough awareness and buzz about physical fitness around you; there is no need that my blogs should venture into that space. I shall save you from additional doses of age-old information on fitness or modern styles to achieve it. Then what do I mean when I question about flexibility? If I am not targeting physical flexibility, what am I hinting at?

    Well, the idea behind this blog is to ponder about flexibility of our mind. Again the question arises, what does it mean? As bizarre as it sounds, can your mind be flexible? Think about it for a short while and answer it yourself, before you listen to my long chain of thoughts. (after all, you have no other option!) 

      On a serious note, when I first thought about it, my idea moved towards the concept of ‘adaptability’. We all have heard about ‘adaptation’ in our primary school lessons which talk about changes and adjustments made by living things to survive in a given environment in a successful way. While that form of adaption was inclined towards biological features and activities for survival, I wanted to explore adaptability of mind.

   Since childhood, we all are programmed to live in a certain way. As we ascend the ladder of life, we learn various aspects in a step wise manner. Parents and teachers play an instrumental role as they help us in building a strong foundation for the future. They teach us about acceptable form of behavior and introduce us to the world of good manners. Slowly and steadily, as we grow along the way, we become matured enough to put these theoretical lessons into practical assignments. We deal with wide range of people and react accordingly to survive within a competitive platform. 

    Though we have a strong system of thoughts and values in place, we must be able to display flexibility to move ahead with the latest trend. Holding our traditional values is essential, but marching ahead with modern thoughts is equally important too. It does not mean, we compromise our beliefs, but it also does not mean we stay away from an opportunity under the disguise of our ‘age-old’ customs.

  There is a thin line behind compromising our values and accepting modern trends

     Understanding this can lead to prosperity. With changing times, it is necessary to change certain aspects of our lifestyle, but definitely not at the cost of hurting our values and sentiments. Being flexible is opening doors to new progressive ideas without pushing away the good old ones. Flexibility is an open minded approach towards positive changes. 

     It is knowing what is good, what is bad and what is avoidable under the manner of ‘being modern’. Just because you want to fit into the society and be flexible, you cannot do so at the cost of making major life alterations.

     Experiments and experiences reflect the concept of adaptability in our routine life. There is no harm in trying out a new cuisine or wearing a new outfit that you may never have thought before. Grandparents who try out burgers and noodles look cutest as they participate in new trends for the love of grand-kids. Or parents who try out modern outfits after being forced by their kids look amazing with shying smiles. Elders with smartphones and social media apps appear cute in a tech savvy way as they want to be one with the wide global world. These examples are picked up from my own set of people as my family is flexible enough to try out various things.

    Breaking stereotypical attitude is extremely essential to ensure progress and development. Just because certain things were followed by our ancestors does not mean they were foolproof in every way. How else would you explain the progress made by women in today’s world or justify the trend of global progress? If we were confined to our houses to follow the age-old practices or if we refused to change our traditional food habits; would it be possible to achieve happiness in today’s setup? Flexibility with changing times ensures the joy of living in the present.

    This concept of adaptability is all about understanding what is essential and beneficial for us in a balanced manner along the contemporary period. Extreme rigidity is detrimental to progress, while extreme flexibility may show signs of instability. If we understand these ideas for our own good, we can sow those seeds for children of tomorrow. 

 Though I have come to the end of this post, I am tempted to share the root idea behind this article. While listening to an enthusiastic grandfather on a television show, I was amazed as he spoke about his first foreign trip and various preparations done by his family. It made me realize the value of flexibility as we all must try out something new.

  Think about your own experiences and share your comments here. It is fun to be a sport sometimes. Break free and be flexible, after all life is all about experiments and experiences! Capture yourself with something trendy and preserve these memories for your kids and grand-kids down the line.

P.S: Try this concept of flexibility at your own risk. I am not responsible if your family members refuse to identify you in your new trendy ‘avatar’ or demand exotic fast food every single day!! 

The battle is real….so is the struggle

    No, this isn’t a battle of genders in light of growing feminism. It is not a battle between relations, lifestyle, present, future, innovation or principles. It is my own battle against a tiny little monster who chose to enter into our lives in a rather unexpected way. It is said when everything goes smoothly, we may start taking life for granted. One big blow and you realize there is more to life than sailing on safe waters. 

   

    When everything seems to be going as per plan, life has something unusual to offer. And that is exactly what seems to be on my cards, when those unwanted words hit my ears. For a science graduate into words and knowledge, confirmed diagnosis from the doctor was all I needed to initiate my battle. A battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a battle with cells of my own body who chose to misbehave, this post is my way to express everything settled deep within.

      Two months into the treatment and still a long way to go, my idea of penning such a blog was to express what I felt so far. The idea is not to garner any form of sympathy or hope for miracles to work, the idea was to speak my heart out through a form that has been my best friend all this while. Even amidst all the uncertainties and chaos in our routine lives, one thing remained the same always and that had to be my love for words. This entire phase of close to six months so far has been nothing less than an undesirable dream, yet it has taught me so many things about life.

   I have never been more close to the thought ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’, as I started approaching positivity and happiness with open arms. I realized there is more to life than postponing the joy of present. As I savor every single moment with a true heart, I understand the need to live one day at a time. Supportive family, amazing doctor, caring staff and team of wonderful friends is all I can ask for as every single member has been instrumental in keeping me happy and happening. 

   Experiences like these make you strong and urge you to find the spark from deep within. I shall not complain over my destiny or cry over my story. There is no one to validate my end of experiences and change the output on the basis of my previous deeds. All I have is one life to make it all right. It has made me look into precious aspects such as present happiness as that seems to be permanent. Every single day is a new story in itself as I encounter diverse moments. It unfolds as a bag full of surprises and returns back to its usual clock for a next day in succession.

   Today, as I look at the journey so far or ponder about the path ahead, I have urged myself to focus on the good aspects and one such good aspect that has steamed from it is ‘stay away from future.’ For a mind that always pouched at the first opportunity to run away from the present and dream about the future, this habit has made me value the current moment that I live in. It has made me focus on what I should do today rather than plan about tomorrow that is uncertain and hidden in its own way.

    I do not want this experience to change any relations with my set of people or alienate them in any way. I only wish to pump more energy, love, emotions and warmth in every experience that I encounter along the way. Medicines will do their wonders, while thoughts and prayers will do theirs. It has opened my eyes to the true meaning of life. While I am sure this experience will not transform me into a flawless individual, it will definitely change my perspective towards it in a huge way.

     While I continue this battle with a long struggle that follows, there is so much more to explore, experience, enjoy and encounter. Positive and healthy thoughts are all I need to continue the battle. A battle to emerge victorious over the dark clouds of that dreaded ‘C’.

P.S: Though I conclude this post, there is so much more I wanted to write about but words seem to fall short. I shall definitely follow up this post with more experiences along the way. Till then live in the present and spread love, smiles and laughter!

They came, they saw, they conquered…

 …..and left us with loads of memories for many more years to come.  Wondering who are ‘they’? What am I referring to as I appreciate their presence? Well, this ‘they’ stands for my family who visited us in the US of A. As my sister, brother-in-law and little nephew made their debut appearance in our home away from home, every single moment was precious to the core. While their version of story will describe the experiences and adventures in a foreign land, my version shall talk about the happiness of spending time with them. Suddenly as me and husband switched roles from being NRIs to local folks for their guided tours, this stay blessed us with varied experiences and interesting memories.

     From converting our ‘some-what’ bachelor pad to a child-proof apartment, from hunting for a child car seat to watching videos to fix it well, from planning trips to managing time, as we geared for their arrival, we realized that the preparation was much longer than their actual stay.

     With a cute toddler of 22 months and loads of luggage, as my sister and brother-in-law crossed the Pacific Ocean in a long air voyage, their efforts, patience and courage definitely deserve recognition. Writing a blog to their name will be my little way to thank them for such an exciting experience as it gave us the happy opportunity to be ‘the hosts’. While it will be unacceptable to call ourselves as the best hosts, I hope my sister will get into action soon to praise us well! As I look at their stay as one long enjoyable dream, I feel it lasted only for a few hours.

     Memories of their preparation are more loud and clear as we exchanged messages about what to bring, what to plan and what to expect. Soon as their arrival day approached and the fun started, it was time to bid them good-bye! This short stay of few weeks was exciting to show them our side of life in a foreign land. Every single moment was loaded with facts, information and data as there was so much to share. Presenting the happy, sad, memorable, not-so memorable and difficult shades of life in a different country seemed to flow as a movie, as we kept them occupied all the while.

Confession:  This post may tend to get too personalized, but I promise to stay away from such a temptation!

The cutie pie: Coming to the little toddler who was the hero of the entire event, I believe his glory will demand a separate post! While we always wondered about what must be going on in his mind, our curiosity was directed towards does he realize that he is almost 8000 miles on the other end of the globe? His excitement of watching airplanes from land was totally evident, but does he realize he too sat in one such plane, up above the ground?

    While he is too small to understand any of these things, we enjoyed every single bit with him. From enjoying free rides on his stroller to see the world around to sitting in a special seat inside the car, from exploring the toy section in every mall to enjoying home cooked and outside meals whenever and wherever he wished, the little guest was undoubtedly the king of the trip. His enthusiasm, support, smiles and interest added life to the entire experience as he joined his parents in the adventure. His unique language, broken words, mischievous acts and cute demands shall stay alive in our house as he added life to our apartment walls and floor.

The elder hero: No wonder my nephew is a cutie pie as he grabs his looks from a handsome father (and yes, a beautiful mother!) An enthusiastic member who showed interest in every single adventure that we planned, my brother-in-law brought energy to the trip. Be it trying out novel cuisines or making delicious food for us, he was the culinary star of the tour. Our appetite and taste buds will definitely miss him a lot as he introduced us to some amazing new dishes. After leaving my sister and brother-in-law inside Walmart for some peaceful shopping, the outcome was delicious dinner for several days in a row!

The gorgeous queen: I cannot dare to finish this post without talking about my sister who was the gorgeous care-giver of the entire experience. From planning meals for the little kid to organizing travel bags for our short trips, from making home-made meals as we demanded to taking care of every member, my sister was the backbone of such an interesting experience. The credit for successful accomplishment of a long journey with a little fellow in hand goes to my sister as she planned every bit to detail. With enthusiastic eyes and excited mind as she explored all the places and experiences with us, it was amazing to feel the energy.

   As these memorable days came to an end quickly, we truly enjoyed it to the last bit. While it was impossible to prolong the happiness, we are only left behind with valuable memories to cherish for a lifetime. It is during such times when you realize – wealth, ambition, career or assets will never be able to replace the joy of spending valuable moments with loved ones!

  Till we create more such memories, I wish each one of you also create several memorable moments to last a lifetime!

P.S: Dear Sister and Bro-in-law, you should be grateful that I did not reveal any deep secrets about your excessive shopping! Well, you are welcome!

Freedom of choice

 

    ‘Freedom’ – a word that garnered great significance during the Independence era. Be it our own home country or other countries fighting for their share of independence, freedom meant everything for people back then. After gaining freedom, when citizens of the country were finally able to breathe free air, lot of changes came into effect thereafter. We all enjoy these fruits of freedom against the villains of history, but are we truly ‘free’ in every way? When we think about freedom, what is the most important form that each one of us deserves? Even though we call ourselves independent, are we really free in every domain of our life?

   The form of freedom that I am hinting at is ‘freedom of choice’. Are we free enough to choose a life for ourselves? Are we able to make our own decisions, without being weighed down by society pressures and judgments? Are we free to stand by our words and obey it till the end? I hope you all must be answering these questions in the assertive tone. Such affirmative answers will really make me happy, as the real essence of this blog stems from the fact that freedom of choice is certainly the greatest gift we can ever enjoy. More than facilities, services, assets or wealth if there is one single thing that can make us truly happy, it is the right to make our own choices.

    We often take this gift for granted. The freedom to choose our education, career, lifestyle, profession, hobbies, life partner and behavior turns into an unappreciated factor as we fail to realize its true worth. Writing a blog about its significance is my way to thank each and every individual and experience that enable me to enjoy this freedom of choice. Be it parents who have always let me take my own decisions or my husband who supports me in my choices; be it school that made me confident to stand for myself or my higher education that prepared me for being independent; freedom of choice has been the strongest highlight of my journey.

   When we talk about freedom of choice, it is the ability to experiment, explore, improve and progress. It is breaking away from the stereo-typical age-old attitude that causes more harm than good. It is about expanding the horizon and being fearless. It is about following what your heart says and working for your passion. Freedom of choice is enjoying every single thing that you do. How else can you explain the accolades earned by people in every walk of life? Instead of crying over destiny or relying over society judgments, when people follow their instincts and work hard for their choices, they are able to reach exceptional levels of success. While we congratulate and applaud such achievers for their progress, we should remember the role of freedom.

     Freedom of choice instills maturity and responsibility. It makes one strong and sound to take care of their own efforts. But just as nothing is free in life, freedom of choice also demands its own price. This price is totally affordable as it talks about sensibility and maturity. We should respect people and policies, while exercising our freedom of choice. It should not harm or hurt others as we go around declaring our ‘right’ over everything. Besides, freedom of choice is not a guaranteed lottery to success. Though we can take our decisions or choose from variety of options, we should also seek advice and help, when needed. Enjoying this freedom in a responsible way is all it takes to have a happy and fulfilled life.  

      What are some of the significant choices that we make in our life?

-          Education stream

-          Career

-          Lifestyle

-          Work profile

-          Food

-          Marriage

-          Fitness

-          Hobbies

-          Travel

-          Recreation

-          Clothing style

-          Assets

-          House decor

Every single content on this list influences our existence closely, making it essential to choose the best and enjoy the rest!

    What are your ideas on freedom of choice? Have you experienced this free will always or have your encountered restrictions based on gender, religion, caste, culture, lifestyle or nationality?

Respect this freedom of choice and make the most of its privilege. If any of our little efforts can be instrumental in creating a truly free world, it will be definitely worth it. Let us hope that the black lines of restrictions are erased from wherever they exist to offer freedom of choice to every single individual on this planet.  

At times, all you need are words…

“Is her inclination towards words predictable, considering her role as a writer?”

“Is she saying so because she deals with words all the time?”

 “Is this title powered by her love for words?”

   I am sure many such questions must be arising in your mind after reading the title of this blog. After working with words for several days now, this inclination is usual and obvious. It is said words have more power than any other aspects in life. Words deliver their message in the most straightforward manner, proving useful and significant at the same time. Words have a direct impact between communicators, conveying its meaning in a flawless manner.

   Words can cast their spell in a universal style and have a unique effect as per circumstances. Every situation has its own appropriate set of words that deliver their worth effectively.

  But, what is the purpose of diving into such a topic? As we all know the necessity of words, what will set this post apart? The primary source of inspiration for this post are the motivational and inspirational quotes that we come across regularly. When we read such powerful stock of words, they instill positivity and hope into our system that can last for a long time. Their primary purpose is to encourage us for difficulties or realities of life. Each of these quotes or messages are situational that can apply to specific circumstances or experiences in the journey of life, yet they mean a lot in the process. And the joy of stumbling upon correct quotes at the most appropriate timing leave a sense of satisfaction that cannot be explained.

   Besides the daily stock of inspiration through messages, words play an important role along heart-to-heart conversations. Be it feelings of love and affection or confession of honest thoughts, words expressing consolation or thoughts about encouragement, words are always essential along the way. Materials and assets cannot replace the purity of words. Words hold a deeper meaning that connect to the point with essence of truth and honesty. During times of despair or defeat, all we need are few encouraging words to get back on track. We may not be able to appreciate their meaning at that very instant, but their impact can definitely cast a lasting spell.

    Along some difficult situations in life, when we look around for hope and support, we realize the true meaning of words delivered by our loved ones. As we seek encouragement and affection, the power of words by our inner circle of influence makes all the difference. Their words have the energy to pull us out from sorrow and bring us back on track. Hence words are all we need, when other sources of inspiration fail to make any significant impact.

   Words have the unique power to heal and hurt. If shower of words are followed by feelings of anger and hatred, they can spoil the entire show in matter of minutes. Just as words can offer joy and encouragement, they can easily break a show by pouncing at the incorrect moment. Hence timing is the most important factor, when it comes to the show of words. Once words are delivered, it is impossible to take them back.

   With this, let us look at the therapeutic effect of words.

1.       Encouragement: When the goal is right in front of us, yet demands the most important final and difficult step. Words of encouragement accomplish the task of giving one last push, enabling fulfillment and success.

2.       Inspiration: When the going seems tough and impossible, one inspirational note can certainly work wonders. It can prompt one to look beyond the difficulties and hunt for a solution to keep moving.

3.       Communication: When new ties and bonds are formed, words enable effective communication and healthy relationships. As exchange of words lead to mutual exchange of thoughts, it eventually turns into a strong bond.

4.       Consolation: During stressful times, words act as powerful supporters that can relieve the stress to a certain extent. Though it is impossible to erase the pain solely by the weight-age of words, they are essential to offer that much needed support.

   As pieces of communication, words are truly magical in every way. Languages vary, words vary but the underlying purpose of delivering their true purpose shall always remain the same.

Spread the magic of words, use them righteously, enjoy their presence and pass on the message. After all words reach where our possessions fail to!

Sunny days

     I am sure you all must be wondering about this unusual topic for a blog. A post on sunny days? A post about the sun that rises every day, shines over us and sets back for a dark evening? What is so exciting about sunny days that deserves a post to its name? To answer all these questions, let me take you on a trip through my experiences. If I was still a resident of my home city Mumbai back in India, such a blog post would never appear in my thoughts. But after relocating to a cold country with uncertain weather conditions every single day, sunny days are really significant and valuable. While scorching heat is a typical feature all year around in my home city, I never realized I shall miss it so much after this change in location.

    With no fixed seasonal pattern, we end up with random mix of days. While some days are nice and sunny with bright smile from the sun, the cloudy and boring ones are the least desired. It is only after this major relocation, when I realized the value of sun. Sunny days undoubtedly have a great impact over our moods, behavior, nature and outlook, bringing positivity and cheer to the routine. They pump energy into our system, prompting us to take charge and make a difference. Bright light from the sun illuminates our spirits, encouraging us to look at the happier side of life. Sunny days appear as blessing, urging us to explore our limits and attempt novel changes.

     This happy thought over sunny days is shared by majority of the population as sun is truly a universal source of energy. Ideal for outings and trips, sunny days enhance the enthusiasm among people across all age groups. While I was programmed for monotonous climatic conditions in my home city, I was amazed at the power of weather that changes almost every single day at this new location. Though rainy season back in the home city did translate into several dark days in a row, their uncertainty was not as prominent as it is here today. 

    Checking daily weather conditions and celebrating sunny weekends are almost part of our routine now. Sunny days and weekends transform into special festival days, when people move out of their homes for the dosage of vitamin D. Shining sun opens up the calendar with scope for outdoor activities and fun-filled tasks.

       It is only after you reside in extremely cold conditions, when you realize the true value of sunny days. While I was ignorant about the role of weather before, my views have been transformed completely. Little did I know that sunny days can bring a drastic change in experiences and thoughts, making it extremely precious in our lives? Though we all love sunny days with its unlimited stock of energy, dull rainy days are equally essential too. After all they are source of water, bringing freshness all around.

    Sometimes sunny conditions are more than just climatic features. They are emotions and feelings that bring out joy from deep within. To appreciate this thought better, you should live under belt of snow for 3-4 months or experience uncertainty of rainfall for almost 2-3 months. Only those who experience sunny days as a welcoming break from uncertain weather can relate to the happiness of seeing a clear blue sky with bright sunshine.

   To conclude this thought, let me summarize the essence of these happy sunny days with a joyous energetic flavor:

1.       Sunny days bring enthusiasm and energetic spirit to continue with the further course of action.

2.       Sunny days represent hope and joy that everything will fall into place, with a motivational essence to keep going.

3.       Shining sun stands for unlimited source of progress and development, as it paves way for new thoughts and newer feelings.

4.       They open up opportunities for outdoor fun, besides boost the body for fitness and vigor.

5.       It can take away dullness and sorrow from mind. They cast their influence over thoughts and feelings.

6.       Sunny days are all it takes to continue with any half done work or incomplete assignments.

7.       They stand for the thought that every day is different and we must seize the opportunity as and when it comes.

So, enjoy the sunny days and make hay while the sun shines. Welcome that much needed sunshine into your lives and make the most of its presence. After all happy sunny days shall fill your lives with hope for a better tomorrow!