Of Joys And Bliss...

Life, at its very beginning, heralds opportunities for learning.
For us as an individual, to know about how things happen, is a novelty altogether.
Seeing a new life, attempting to explore the infinitive, is what is bliss.
Seeing a toddler learn the ways of life, and the people around him, with tiny fingers and toes, is pure joy.

In today's fast-paced life, all of us, have forgotten to listen to our heart.
The day always begins and ends with an array of numerous schedules, plans and executions.
In that pace of life, with every movement we procure nothing but stress.
Gradually we keep advancing towards a point where life becomes a mess.
It is in the monotonic motion and routine affairs, that we have neglected the beauty of life.

For years I have liked to talk to the plants nestled in my balcony.
I share my life's incidents on a day-to-day basis with them.
We chat for hours, while I water them every evening, like some long-lost friends.
I ask each one of them how each one grew.
How many leaves did each one sprout?
I observe each plant's smile and that brings a smile to my face too.

I love reading. Reading books is my life.
A day sans reading, is wasted - unworthy, unfruitful and sad.
Books are my inspiration. Books relieve me from stress.
Books gift me something or the other, everyday.
In some form or the other - all knowledge and wisdom.
Books have been my best companion since years.
Books will stay for eternity.
For it is these books, which bestow upon an individual, the gift of unmatched wisdom.

Cycling is the next activity which speaks of enjoyment and fun.
After returning from college, it is a routine, for me to take my bicycle.
To go for a long ride.
Talking to oneself, talking to nature.
Talking to the silence hidden within.
A couple of hours spent while cycling, are more magical.
In those moments, I step into an unusual mood, ignorant of all the stress.
Of some low-key events which marked the day.
To acquire a certain freshness, is the prime objective.
Then, the next day starts afresh.

Star-gazing and marveling at the boundless night sky.
An activity which connects me, to a world unknown.
It bestows upon me a unique zeal.
A refreshing momentum is gained.
A new-found energy is procured.
All of it for myself, to add to my treasure of happiness, joy and bliss.

That's how, when the day draws to a close, I recall all the good and take note of all the bad.
That's how I make sure that each page in the diary adds a new leaf to the tree of life.
That's how I express my gratitude to God.
That's how I believe #IAmHappy. :)

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We Are #Together...

Recall the story of  the doves. 

The flock which stood against the hunter. 

The ideology being iterated. 

Unity Is Strength - in unison. 

Similar is the bonding. 

Be it friends or family. 

Staying #together works magic.  

Through times of joy and sorrow. 

It is the prospect of the morrow. 

It brightens the present and the future.  

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There is a certain hope in the word, Together. It lends a certain optimism to its utterance. It is in being together that we are able to defeat the insurmountable face of anxiety, anguish, despair and hopelessness.

Realizing that I have my friends and family, as a constant support by my side is the most overwhelming feeling in the whole world.

Together with my family, I feel that each of our difficulties is reduced to insignificant grains of sand.
The moments which we spend #together, as a family, and as a singular unit, are precious.

Those moments find a place in my scrapbook of events, to remind me unfailingly that we could achieve even the impossible, if we are #together.

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I have also realized that sharing is what makes being together all the more worthwhile. 

As a family, we stand rock strong, with each of us supporting the other, whenever the time comes. 

Share the joys, to multiply and enhance the celebratory mood. 

Share the sorrows, to divide and bear the misery.

Share the ideologies of the future, to add to the planned approach. 

Share the mistakes of the past, to minus them from your attempts as you improve. 

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With a familial support by your side, you'll soon realize that all the celebrations last longer, the misery is much like 'gone with the wind', the plans for the future turn out stronger, and all the mistakes are no where to be seen, as you gradually improve. :) 

The same goes for friends as well. With these two pillars of strength by your side, you're sure to win any obstacle race in life. 

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However, there are times in life when the desolation may weigh heavy enough to seemingly crush your optimism and hope. 

It is at such times that the companionship and wisdom of a loved one works wonders. To know that an experienced elder is there to guide you through tough times is most reassuring. 

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For me, at such times, my family, especially my parents serve as the perfect pillars of support. 

They are the ones to have shown me the right path, with their anecdotes of experience, every single time. 

At other times, my friends offer a varied outlook towards a particular situation with their varied perspectives and opinions towards the same incident. 

For all other such moments, my pet dog serves as the perfect comrade, who reminds me to look at the brighter side of life, for a while. 

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I am thankful to God for all such people, situations and memories in my life, which never fail to provide me with invaluable experiences towards life and its many ways. 

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When You Are Told To #StartANewLife...

This is the story of a girl, who was on the threshold of turning a teen. She was in the eighth grade when they were told to fill in their choices.

It is strange how life presents you with choices, at one or the other point. She had been presented with many choices too. So much so that she had lost count of the alternatives she had been offered so far!

This time, however, it was a crucial one. A choice which would stay with her for the next four years of her schooling. A choice which would shape her career. A choice which would pave way for better paths to travel on. A choice which would shape her destiny.

It was the test of time which she had to face. It was the test of her skills and abilities, her field of interest. It was the dreaded choice.

She had to choose her 'Stream' to pursue thereafter. It was the choice which would mold the way people saw her. It was crucial because she was to choose whether she would go for Humanities, Commerce or Science.

She merrily opted for Science as she had an aptitude for it. Or so she believed.
She was faring very well in the subjects of her choice.

All was well. Or so she believed.

The day was not far.
The day when all hell broke loose.

It was one of her batch mates at the coaching center.
He had dared to attack her with acid.

The reason?
She was the topper of her batch and was being targeted for scoring well enough to garner the praise of her teachers, friends and well-wishers.

The day when she was attacked was the day when she was a week away from appearing for her Board Examination.

However, she and her family didn't lose courage. All of them were hopeful that she would be able to battle this physical, mental and emotional discomfort, and would not let that traumatic accident affect her.

She went ahead to #StartANewLife by boldly filing an FIR against that batch mate of hers, against all threats.
Devoid of any hesitation, any anguish.
Full of courage and confidence.

The police officers took care of the rest.
The way this accident changed her life, though, was yet to be revealed.

In spite of knowing that she had been disfigured, she ignored the fact that people's outlook towards her had been transformed completely.

All she knew was that her Examinations were knocking on the door, and she had to face them and endure through them with complete focus, confidence, and concentration.

That was the time when her family's support formed her pillars of strength.
That was the time  when she emerged victorious.

Not only was she declared her School's topper, but also she regained the optimism and vigor to lead life on her own, which she had lost previously, owing to the accident.

She was also successfully treated abroad, after her examinations, which further changed her life for the good.

Her achievements inspired thousands like her, when she was offered a bravery award by the Indian Government.


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Of The Optimistic Outlook...

She has filled my life with wonders. Right from the day I stepped into her life, she is not only my Mother, but also my best friend. She has been my mentor, my guide, my coach and my trainer for life. Each of the lessons taught by her are brimming of practicality. For every new avenue that we are to cross, she prefers that I cross it on my own, even if it is the first time so that whatever possible mistake can be made, is made indeed. This way she nullifies the prospect of any mistake from my end for the same task when I face it the next time. Also, gradually I have learned that this activity zeroes in on a psychological fear from your mind and heart. You must gather the courage and the confidence to take up new avenues, head to head.

I remember my first day at playschool. Before dropping me at the school, she made sure that she requested my teacher to take care, during lunchtime that I don’t skip mine. She knew that it would be difficult for me to have my lunch without her by my side, but she was able to make me understand well how important it was to have your meals in time. She correlated it nicely with a car which can’t run without petrol. The human body also needs nourished food to work, think and play. She told me how important it was to play, balancing it with academia and with the extracurricular activities.  It is with her guidance that I have been able to excel not only in academics, but also in sports, debates, quizzes, and other myriad competitions. Gradually, during my early education days, she used to narrate exemplarily, Indian mythological stories to fill me with inspiration and motivation. She also used to tell me about the great history of our country and our ancient heritage.

She ensured that I visit and garner knowledge about all the important historical places across the nation. For accomplishing this task, we decided to go for a vacation every six months right since my childhood, and every time we would visit a new location so that I was able to learn more about that location and its culture. We all know how diverse Indian culture is, and that is why it becomes more important to learn about each and every state of my country.  She has put in her best efforts to provide best opportunities to me. Under her excellent guidance, I have been able to become a multifaceted girl. I am sure, what she has done for me no one else would have been able to do.

She has been the biggest contributor to my momentum, knowledge, learning and wisdom. I dedicate to her, each of my achievements as she is the biggest, the strongest and the sturdiest building block in my life. She is my ray of hope and optimism for life and beyond.

The most recent moment of seeing the glass as half full, was when I had to appear for my entrance examination after my Board Examination. It was the time when I needed her guidance the most, and she was there to accompany me through all the ups and downs, to ultimately excel in what I had set out to pursue! :)

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This post has been written as a part of Indi Happy Hours' #LookUp in association with Housing and IndiBlogger.