Fearless Footprints of an ‘Immune’ India!

I want to be immune.. to the thorns of viruses,

And have a strong defense system,
I will never, ever be happy enough,

If I catch an allergy,
And if I can no longer carelessly play,

In the next door’s garden.

No one survives life, I know,

I can hear the voices in my head,

I can hear the noises of the dead.

My immunity does not grant me immortality,

But, I cannot let my world fade to black from this reality.

Trees suffer my share of suffocation,

The network of germs is intriguing,

Slowly, gripping my health,

Until life becomes an infection,
These outsiders glance at my body in amazement,
At that which cannot be solved,
Puzzling enigmas,
How am I able to ward off,
The weakness, the sickness?
They stand strong every time you look their way.

Yet, away from all the stress,

I have a healthy diet,

I skip the junk and stick to veggies,

The best six doctors anywhere,

My momma says..
And no one can deny it,

Sunshine, water, rest, air, exercise and diet.

My momma gives me Dabur Chyawan Junior,

Black gold, by a brand so reliable,

My daily doctor, tasty and healthy,

The natural immunity booster,

With this gun, I fight the germs and infections,

Thus, maintaining my body’s balance.

My immune system is in place,
A network of body cells guarding me,
And protecting me,

Never letting me down,
Rising me with a ring of strength.

I celebrate life with Dabur,
It builds up my front,
Where I come across as unbreakable,
Standing tall, untouched by the harmful,

Taking the defense when they look my way,
Hiding my weakness and vulnerability,

Not allowing them to see me crack under pressure.

Being immune to the pain,

Giving the germs’ hits a miss!
Telling them,

Why expend your energy trying to break me?
My immune system is still intact,
For my safe-keeping,
Protecting my innocence from the virus attack!

Let us pledge with Dabur and work towards a fearless and immune India!

P.S: This is my entry for the ‘Dabur Chyawanprash, An Immune India’ contest powered by IndiBlogger. For more details, visit www.daburchyawanprash.com

Care To Share, Share To Care!

Sharing is a simple lesson that nature teaches us. It is difficult for us to imbibe, though. Many a times, we pull down others in order till climb up. We clutch our possessions and refuse to share the good things of life.

But, what we don’t realize and miss out is that, sharing brings back multiple benefits. Emotions like, sympathy, empathy and consolation brighten our spirits when you share your thoughts, emotions, memories, experiences and even frustrations on social networking sites. This improves health and prolongs life. It is proven by a study, however stupid it may seem!

 
Imagine where we would have been if our ancestors had decided not to share food, shelter and arrangements of security? Sharing resources saves time. It creates trust and makes us feel secure.

Nowadays, we just make stuff enough for us, without caring to share. Most of us don't even know who stays next door! What good is an idea unless it is uttered? What good is a dream unless executed? Spread the happiness and warmth and do good to people around. Share to show that you care!

Kyon Ho Gaye Hum Itne Bade ~ Happy Children's Day

Ek bachpan ka 
Zamana tha,

Jisme khushiyon ka 
Khazana tha,

Chahat chand ko 
Paane ki thi,

Par dil titli ka 
Deewana tha.

Khabar na thi 
Kuch subah ki,

Na shaam ka 
Thikana tha,

Thak haarke aana school se,

Par khelne bhi jaana tha.

Maa ki kahani thi, 
Pariyon ka fasana tha,
Barish mein kagaz ki naav thi,

Harr mausam suhana tha.

Harr khel mein saathi the, 
Harr rishta nibhana tha,
Gum ki zuban na hoti thi, 
Na zakhmon ka paimana tha.

Rone ki wajah na thi, 
Na hasne ka bahana tha,

Kyon ho gaye hum itne bade,

Isse achha to,
Woh bachpan ka zamana tha!!

Keep Loving Her.. To The Point Of Madness!

My wife got sick. She was constantly nervous because of problems at work, personal life, her failures and problems with children. She has lost 30 pounds and weighed about 90 pounds at 35. She got very skinny, would constantly cry. She was not happy clearly. She had suffered from continuing headaches, heart pain and jammed nerves in her back and ribs. She did not sleep well, falling asleep only in the morning; got tired very quickly during the day.

Our relationship was on the verge of a break up. Her beauty was fading away and she had bags under her eyes. She stopped taking care of herself. She refused to go for shoots and rejected roles. I lost hope and thought that we’ll get divorced soon. But then I decided to act.

After all, I’ve got the most beautiful woman on the earth. She is the ideal of more than half of the men and women on earth, and I was the one allowed to fall asleep next to her and to hug her shoulders. I began to pepper her with flowers, kisses and compliments. I surprised her and pleased her every minute. I gave her lots of gifts and lived just for her. I spoke in public only about her. I incorporated all themes in her direction. I praised her in front of her friends. You won’t believe, but she has blossomed. She became even better than before. She gained weight, was no longer nervous and she loved me even more than ever. I had no clue that she CAN love that much.

And then I realized one thing: ‘A woman is a reflection of her man. If you love her to the point of madness, she will become it.’

                                                                                                                                     ---Brad Pitt

Puhleeze! Being 'Protective' and Being 'Possessive' are different!

So many men feel they own their women. They tell them what to wear, who to be friends with, spy on them and check their phones.

And strangely a few women even feel flattered by such attention! It provokes me to think, is this love?

Men! There is a big, big difference in between being ‘possessive’ and being ‘protective’. 

Possessiveness stems from distrust and insecurities. And, believe me, it is not desirable at all. Possessiveness signifies that you distrust her. To be possessive is to tether someone, to refuse them freedom because of jealousy or an irrational belief that they are "yours". Possessive is when you want to control her finances and figure her daily movements. Reasons can be many, one of them being insecurity - a fear that your woman will be seduced by another man, or attracted to another man that she sizes up as a "better catch". But, know that it takes a long while to build trust and confidence in a relationship.

On the other hand, ‘protective’ behavior is a sign of caring. It is when a man respects his woman's personal freedom and checks for transport if she is being late to keep her away from harm and degradation and care for her safety. Being protective is allowing the one you love to find themselves within their strengths and abilities, and to nurture them. Protective is when a man loves his woman to look her best and to wear what she feels most expressive in. Protective is when you make sure there is money in your woman's wallet to get through the day. Protective is when you love her.

As the physically stronger of the two, it's instinctual for a man to be protective. As for possessive-only some men are that way. The two should be mutually exclusive!  

So men, keep your male ego aside. Be ‘protective’ of her and for heaven’s sake, trust her!

With that said, there are many, many possessive females too. Jealousy runs as deep with women as it does with men. From having the audacity to open their eyes in the general vicinity of another woman or speaking to another woman or even speaking of another woman or, or, or… Women do get mad at their mates for all this!

Girls, trust him too! It is not necessary to keep your spying antennas on, all the time!

It is sad that many people feel these two things are the same, when in reality protectiveness is based on love and respect, and possessiveness is ultimately a show of LACK of love or respect.

Liebster Blog Award Nomination

I logged on to my IndiBlogger account today to find an IndiMail from Nikhil. (http://aficionadolog.blogspot.in/) He has nominated me for the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you Nikhil! It is highly appreciated. How thoughtful of you!

Blogging has always been a nice experience for me. To share what you ponder, raise your concern over what bothers you and get appreciation in return.  By god’s grace, it has been only few months, and I’m being supported and appreciated by my readers beyond my expectation. Some look up to my posts and wait for them. Such people motivate me to write. I feel happy, honored & privileged to have been nominated. I am excited to choose my nominees for the same.  

I also take this opportunity to thank the Indiblogger community for their support :) I am grateful to my friends and fellow bloggers for your visits, kind comments and Indivotes. I feel super encouraged.

SO, WHAT IS A LIEBSTER AWARD?

 Liebster is a German word that means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. It is said that the Liebster Blog Award started in Germany (probably) and is used to highlight new/recent/lesser known blogs or let say blogs with less than 200 followers.

 Since I am new to the blogging world, I was not aware of the rules in detail. Thank you Nikhil for describing them so clearly.

Here go the rules:  

1.       Each nominee must thank and link back the person who nominated them.

2.      Answer the 10 questions given to you by the nominator.

3.      Nominate 10 other bloggers for this award who have less than 200 followers.

4.      Create 10 questions for your nominees to answer.

5.      Let the nominees know that they have been nominated by going to their blog and notifying them. It's completely optional to accept the award. If you want you accept it, answer the questions and nominate others.

The question/answer phase is one of the most exciting parts about these awards.

************************

Here are my answers to Nikhil’s questions:

>In a dilemmic situation, would you listen to your heart or your brain & why?

Actually it depends on the demand of the situation. In matters of heart, I’ll listen to my heart because most decisions related to the heart matters fail when you decide them using your ‘smart’ brain. Your head tells you the facts, wrongs and rights of the matter in question, your heart quite simply loves or hates. I use the brain only when it is needed for me to be highly calculative and conscious. Otherwise, the heart does it all! Sometimes, you may even need to use both. :P

>Choose between an “Unlimited internet connection for a month” & “1 month of your favorite food delicacy”?

I would go with the former :P In today’s world, internet hai, toh sab kuch hai :P I think, it is unsaid of how our lives stop when we have a slow internet connection or no internet at all. Just the imagination of the thought, gets your mind rolling towards the tasks that would remain unaccomplished if you have no internet connection. And about the food, I can order food online, using the ‘unlimited’ internet connection I would have :P

> 5 rare random facts that most people don’t know about you?

a. Morbid jealousy – my vice.

b. I am a powerful silent observer.

c. Outspoken.

d. Extremely loyal.

e. Shy, mysterious :P

> Fictional character (from a book/movie/tv show) that you think closely resembles you.

Asin’s character, Kalpana (Jadu ki Chhadi) from Ghajini :P

>Congratulations , you have been just given the opportunity to travel back in time. Which year or occasion & why?

Starting my blog! ;)

>Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi, for the simple reason that it tastes better than Coke :P

>First thing you would do if you win the lottery (amount can be the maximum you can think of right now) :D

A long exhale and then scream ‘woooohhhooooo’ :P

>One thing that annoys you the most?

Lies.

> Something that you would love to do but are too afraid to?

Fall in love.

> A superpower or a lot of money….and justify your choice?

Tricky question.  A super power of making a lot of money. What say?! :P

*************************

The huge task now:  My nominees: (in no particular order)

*a round of applause please :P*

1. Rafaa Dalvi - http://rafaadalvi.blogspot.in/

 2. R. Vyas - http://www.renuvyas.com/

3. Heena Dhedhi - http://icynosure.blogspot.in/

4. Karan Sampat- http://karan-sampat.blogspot.in/

5. Renu Sethi- http://day-to-daystories.blogspot.in/

6. Namrota- http://namrota.blogspot.in/

7. Vaisakhi- http://thewordpool.blogspot.in/

8. Bhavya Kaushik- http://bhavyakaushik.com/

9. Visala- http://ravisopenion.blogspot.com/

10. Richa Singh- http://subzeroricha.blogspot.in/

To the people I have nominated above:

First things first: Congratulations!

The reason behind me nominating you is, I enjoy reading your blog and you deserve a lot more subscribers. Keep writing.

My questions for my nominees:

> One word for yourself?

> Your Eureka moment?

> Definition of an ideal partner according to you?

> Items on your bucket list?

> What is the thing you do at the end of your day just before going to bed?

> Anything that you would want to change about yourself?

> Do you agree with popular belief that a man is ruled by his head and a woman by her heart?

> Beauty, brains, wealth… rank these in order of importance to you? why?

> Which color / animal / bird reflects your personality?

> What according to you is the problem most of the youths face today?

Now it’s your turn.  Thanks again!

Let’s pass it on. Keep Blogging!

Not As Perfect As They Show In The Movies!

Movies make you filmy.

‘My love life will never be satisfactory until someone runs through an airport to stop me from getting on a flight,’ I always thought, ‘Just like they show in the movies.’

This is a rumor, an urban myth, a fiction, a fantasy, a black and white screen cliché, whatever you name it, that makes love looks like the mad, romantic dash through airports for that last chance at a flailing kiss. Well, it is just a myth.

He’s never run through an airport for me.

He’s held my hands, my shaking legs and my head as I’ve bared down and groaned a baby into being. He has run for ice creams and doctors and had had night shifts of changing baby diapers and laid himself low to help me hold on through the hard rock and roll and push and pull of labor pain. And I’ve never drowned holding onto his hand.

I went unwell once, I threw up so hard, that I couldn’t stand the coming morning. He moved over and gave me the bed. He let me warm my ice cold feet between his legs and the covers at the night. He went out for snake and ladder, mind numbing games to keep our daughter occupied. I looked in the mirror then and there was nothing romantic looking back at me, but around those dark circles, the parched white cheeks, there was a deep sense of romance about ‘being loved beyond how I looked’.

No. He’s never run through an airport for me.

He’s gone out for milk at 10 p.m, he’s held our daughter through bouts of sickness and yet told me there is nothing about Myra that disgusts him. He’s carried her on his shoulders when I was too tired or too sad or too done to keep doing the everyday in’s and out’s that make up a life. He’s unloaded a hundred loads of laundry and put the dishes away.

He runs on snatched sleep. He is patient, kind, protective and trustworthy. Always perseveres to give us the best.  And Myra and me, come running to him. We spill out the details of our day into the hands of the man who loves us unconditionally. He lays down his life for us, happily and it looks like so many ordinary moments stitched together into the testimony of a good man who comes home to his family every night after a demanding job. And it's rare, but he likes to bring home random little gifts for me and delights in watching me open them.

It undoes me every time to look around and find him there, always around me, to dispel the darkness and share the happiness. He’s run a thousand times around the sun with me and we hold hands at night between the covers even when we’re wretched and fighting. We’re always fighting our way back to each other.

He’s never run through an airport for me.

He is the ordinary unremarkable love that walks slowly every day alongside me. He tells me multiple times in a day that he loves me. He makes me laugh, even when I’m super mad at him. He holds me when I cry. He gives me forehead kisses. He listens to me hysterically mull over the dumbest things. He gives me foot rubs every night. He puts me before anything else and thinks I’m amazing.

This ordinary love that wakes up with bad breath and crease marks on its cheeks. And this is our life – to live life’s each small, unbearably tedious moment– together, sometimes even the mounting pressure. We are a great team together. He is mine. And I’m his. He is my best friend.

He treats me like queen, which is far better than I deserve. ‘Dutiful wife’ is a hard term to swallow unless there is a ‘dutiful husband’ term that is used right alongside with it. He is that dutiful husband that in turn makes me a dutiful wife.

He has never run through an airport for me.

This is the love with the lights on and eyes wide open. ‘Realistic’ love. This is the brave love, the scared love, simply ordinary, not as perfect as they show in the movies.

Despite it, we love each other incredibly. As I see the platinum engagement band wrapped around my finger, I realize how far we have come, from the day we got married to this day, our love for each other not minimizing a bit. This band best signifies our marriage, something so durable that stands the testimony of time. It still dazzles! Each day we have spent together has been our ‘Platinum Day of Love’.

He pretty much does everything, so I don't need him running through airports for me.

This is my story. Ordinary.  It is still better than any Notebook, any Romeo and Juliet, any Titanic, even better than any Twilight or Princess Bride. Marriage is hard. It is something that has to be worked for. But the reward of spending each day with your soul mate is absolutely best. We have so much fun together, we learn together. We trip over old jokes and misunderstandings, to catch our runaway tongues and tempers. He has been a dutiful father and a faithful husband. He is a shadow of me. He is my 'soulmate'.

P.S:

1. This is my entry for the Platinum Day of Love Contest powered by Indiblogger. Details:

http://www.preciousplatinum.in/en/about-platinum/platinum-day-of-love

2. Also, this post is for IndiSpire: Soulmate not necessarily is life mate. What do you feel? Express your take... #soulmate