Uncovering…. Small Joys!

Those small  moments, that make us smile instantly. You would agree when I say they are the most precious in life. Those little joys that make our life complete. Simple joys that motivate us,  lift us  and reflect in our passion for life.

Mostly in our life we overlook them and run after big joys, which look like dreams and might or might not happen in future… .. like owning that car, a gorgeous well furnished house, an envious holiday in your fav destination....buying that exhorbitantly priced Guccis, Vittons or Fendis...etc. There are endless things we can eye for or dream about, which may give us immense pleasure when they would happen, but do you have time to wait till then, you never know tomorrow. But today and every passing day, there are so many small things that happen with us, and they do leave a smile, not only on our face but in our hearts too.

Like……

 Your mom making your favourite thing to eat when she feels you need to cheer up. Feel blessed, your mom is there for you.

Exploring facebook and you come across an old childhood friend, you had been searching for, since so many years.

A wonderful breezy weather when you walk hand in hand with your loved one and have golgappas, bhelpuri and momos. Or at home with family, bajiyas and few cups of chai.

That cute and hot dress you eyed for, every time you passed that store but couldn't buy because of the guilt price, suddenly slashed to 50%. Instant purchase and the feeling of "God knows what you want"

The moment your boyfriend proposes you in front of the world. 

On your birthday, when your mom dad & bro come down on a surprise trip to wish you, just when you were missing them the most! Precious.

Missed calls and a message from someone who's call you were waiting for since morning

Combing and not finding a single broken strand of hair! ultimate small joy. And ofcourse a good hair day!

In a meeting, when your boss gives you an sudden appreciation. Least expected but a proud moment.

Stuck in some confusion and surprisingly your brother, who always used to fight with you, understands you and says ‘Don’t worry sis, I am there’. Priceless.

Street shopping and snacking. Underrated. Uncomparable to the designer malls window shopping. Street shopping is an instant mood lifter… and street food?? YUMMMM. Moreover when you come back home with numerous of bags and open them to find something that you forgot you even bought! What say girliieess?

A Wake up Sid movie moment. Getting the parcel from home full of your precious books and collectibles or the brithday celebration with do cup chai & bread jam cake ;-p

You know you had chat yesterday, but morning your weighing scale says you lost a few 0.XX kilos :-)

Sharing the dinner plate with your husband while watching a beautiful movie, and he suddenly whispers ‘I love you’. <3 Unconditional.

Chicken Biryani or Momos ( this tops my list at the moment) .. no matter how upset i am, a faint smile comes when I see a plate of momos coming my way that my office colleague (JB or granny - nicknames) has ordered specially for me.

There are endless more to list here. Realising this I feel, human tendency is such an ass sometimes, we go behind stars ignoring the Moon.

Pin down some of your small joys, they will surely make you smile.

Smile now silly... xoxo .

Happiness is their Earning!

Kinzang

Yes, if your guessed it right… I am talking about Bhutan!. The country of mystical charm and gorgeous natural beauty…. But beyond all this are its people and their mindset.

During an office meeting with our Bhutan Counterpart, a young, confident and charming lady – Kinzang Lham, I was bound to feel she was actually blessed to have been born in the country of Bhutan. She told me the basics about the people and their attitude towards living life in a certain way. It was fascinating and contrasting to we Indians.

Here everyday we follow a set routine, buzy balancing our life between work and home and even when at home, most of us either watch tv or think what to have for dinner. Our life is limited somehow in this materialistic world… A struggle to be the best, to achieve more, in other words to have more MONEY!  The reason behind all this is competition and survival of the fittest. Imagine what it would be like without this competition… how free life would be…no tension, pain, pressure… just simple work to sustain yourself & happiness will follow. Sounding unreal noh!…. But this is a reality when it comes to Bhutan. Bhutanese live simply, work simply, greet simply and believe in healthy, tension free and happy life with FAMILY! This attitude lies in every heart residing in Bhutan, so even the government says “Bhutan’s GDP is HAPPINESS of our people”.  

As soon as you land in Bhutan, you’ll feel the change in the air…. the freshness, nature, smiles and colours will sideswipe you thoroughly. An age old charm, modern yet not modernized, just a place to be in. Ok, not getting diverted, I’ll go back to my chat with Kinzang.

Lady is amazed at our work culture here and amazed at how dedicated we are at our work, amazed at how can we work till so late and sometimes even on weekends. ‘We have only one life to live’ those were her words summing the whole thing she wanted to explain to me. I guess she didn’t want to even take tension in explaining all this (;-p... tee hee)....She walked off 30 minutes later, saying today she worked more than what she did in the whole of last month, and she needs a break now. What’s better to rejuvenate than shopping especially when in Delhi. So hope she had a relaxing day, ofcourse not as good as in Bhutan, where every day is a vacation.

With that thought I leave you to think over and ease out a lil bit.

** twinkles twinkles**  !

Dialing Heaven….

Yes, I know sometimes we want to find God’s cell number somehow to talk to him directly … google it.. or search through all your contact files … anyhow! We just want to get through him.

On the train to home, when I got up early in the morning, I was amazed at the view outside, thinking if it is for real? Orange painted skies… Sun trying to curl up, green n yellow fields,  dew drenched leaves… a landscape that made me utter WOW! I just wanted to dial up there ‘n say “ Oh God, you are simply brilliant in all your colour strokes and art… What a creation it is outside! Please let it remain for a while and let me soak it in!” 

Another day, I want to call and simply say “Hi God, you are a wonder… and I keep wondering, how you wonder fully paint everthing with so much perfection. You know I had a lovely day and please wish me many more days like this” Ofcourse, I would know that God would have heard these comments thousands of times, and I would be no new to him. He would already know what my mind is thinking, afterall no one else can know us better than our creator.

Don’t know how this thought popped up in my mind when I was dialing an extension on my office phone. Guess the boredom of tasks in hand, got me creative thinking in mind :D … Guess I didn’t wanted my call to God diverted through various angels in row who take our messages to him, I wanted my almighty to listen my voice directly. I actually wanted to see if the thoughts sprouting in my mind are too much or am I too much for my thoughts, and who else would know that better. He has seen me in my best days and in worst too, in my beauty and in my ugliness , and I don’t have to pretend and put myself any differently.

On a positive note, may be he would get my mom on the line too, and I can hear her again, feel her voice calling my name again in my ears, can talk to her about all my flaws and correct them, can tell her my confusions so I choose the right way, may be ask her what does she want me to wear for my brother’s wedding in future. Don’t know if we will catch up again or not? … With that note, I leave you thinking about your possible conversation with your God.

*** Another truth is God resides in each one of us, he is our real soulmate, feel the connection and you won’t need a cell number to talk to him. 

Tring Tring … HELLO!! ... Is this God!

Happy Opportunity!

Opportunity… thinking about it, these are beautiful God’s presents at one point and hideously packaged terror in another… actually depends, how clear and elongated your luck line is (not that I believe in luck so much, but that’s how we generally take it noh).. but whatever it is, the surprise and thrill behind this O-word, makes the world so eager to have it.  Infact, it does gives me a high sometimes too… LOL :D

Confused about the recent O- knock you heard on your door.. Don’t worry, the only rule it follows is- when its good enough to add a smile on your face and makes you happy, make the most out of it; and when it scares you, just stick through it. Coz when its good, its great.. when its bad.. Congo! Good times aren’t far away, so cheer up!!

And yes, I too believe in those O- word quotes floating on web.. if it’s takes long to knock your door, then don’t sit there waiting for the knock. Get up and get going.. make one happen for you !

Hope you grab the next O-knock you hear, you never know when it might just click in the right direction!!! Remember Opportunity DOES NOT knock, and knock again and say "Sorry I missed you”

I miss those days... do you?

It’s the days and the memories in those days that make up our lives… but why is it that when we hear the word memories, the first thing that flashes in our minds is our childhood? I’ll tell you the reason for this today.

The millions of tiny memories of those times have helped me grow to what I am today. No matter, where I go and what I do, every question of my life and all my thoughts shape up according to what these memories have made up of me. Those small happenings at the school or at home builded up my experiences. I am thankful and grateful to Allah for giving me a loving and fun filled childhood days. Whenever any memory of that time creeps in my mind, it instantly makes me smile :) They are a treasure that no body can steal and which will never fail to make me smile.

Those were really the beautiful days… do you remember how as a child, you were fond of little things? How you used to fight over a pen or a pencil with your sibling… yet no greedy desires and no high amibitions! Simple dreams meant life to you, like a red school bag or a pink bicycle. Your future was clear as water, you knew what you wanted to be…. A doctor, engineer, teacher, pilot …no hassles and no strings! Pleasure was in small things that we tend to overlook now…

Remember the days,  when chocolates were the most precious gifts, when your biggest concern was where to hide during a hide n seek game. When all your problems  could be solved  by playing “akkad bakkad bambe bo” and “eeny miny mino mo.” When only skinned knees brought tears; when your parents were the coolest people in this world. When goodbye meant only until tomorrow; when your clothes and shoes didn’t used to match; the only race issues were who ran faster; when love went on forever  without a broken heart; when you used to think about how cool it would be to become a kid. Now  you are that big kid  and you look back  on what used to be , thinking to yourself…”I miss those days!”

It’s sad that, materialistic things have taken place of the simple sweet pleasures…. It’s sad when I see around people so buzy in life that they overlook the happiness around. Sad you forgot how to enjoy the wind on a scooter/bike coz that will spoil your hairs, sad you forgot the happiness rains used to bring along with woh kagaz ki kashti, you  forgot the hand shadow art when electricity goes off. Do you remember what fun it was to play a hide n seek game or have a pillow fight with your brother/sister. Why? Why did you stop writing your names on the hazed glass in the winters? Why did you stop doing all this?

Yet again, relook at yourself, infact look inside yourself. Hunt for your childhood innocence and notice what it has taught you. We were simpler beings then, dedicating to those memories try adding smile to the next kid you see begging on the road, or carry back a chocolate or a book for your  brother/ sister thanking them for making your childhood days so memorable... or simple stroll down the road with them and have a samosa or chaat remembering the old times or simply watch Mr. India again with them. Trust me you wont mind being a child again even for a moment **smiles :-> **

The girl at the window

You know, just glaring out of the window today, I saw many people passing by the street and noticed the emotions on every face. The most happy were the young school going ones or the really old ones and our happy tail wingling office dog Suzy… Wondering what’s goingon in the minds of all those people, I sat down and simply searched Indians in Google. Again various emotions to confuse me with the stories behind. Why does it happen that we forget what we have and always keep running after what we don’t. If  you realize the importance of your assets and people now, you might overlook many sad emotions and see the better life you are living. Here surfing through net I came across some short and sweet stories, which I would like to share with my readers. Happy living !

LOVE:

Story 1: One night a guy and a girl were driving home from the movies. The boy sensed there was something wrong because of the painful silence they shared between them that night. The girl then asked the boy to pull over because she wanted to talk. She told him that her feelings had changed & that it was time to move on.

A silent tear slid down his cheek as he slowly reached into his pocket & passed her a folded note.

At that moment, a drunk driver was speeding down that very same street. He swerved right into the drivers seat, killing the boy. Miraculously, the girl survived. Remembering the note, she pulled it out & read it. "Without your love, I would die."

Story 2: It was a busy morning, about 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80’s, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.The doctor took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him.
The doctor saw him looking at his watch and decided, since he was not busy with another patient, he would evaluate his wound.On exam, it was well healed, so the doctor talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, doctor asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

Doctor inquired as to her health. He told that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s disease. As they talked, doctor asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

Doctor was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?”

He smiled as he patted his hand and said,

“She doesn’t know me, but “I still know who she is.”

The doctor had to hold back tears as he left, he had goose bumps on his arm, and thought,

“That is the kind of love I want in my life.”

Moral: True love is neither physical, nor romantic.

True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

ATTITUDE:

Story 1: An old man lived alone in a village. He wanted to spade his potato garden, but it was very hard work. His only son, who would have helped him, was in prison.

The old man wrote a letter to his son and mentioned his situation:
Dear Son,
I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my potato garden this year. I hate to miss doing the garden, because your mother always loved planting time. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. If you were here, all my troubles would be over. I know you would dig the plot for me, if you weren’t in prison.
Love,
Dad

Shortly, the old man received this telegram: ‘For Heaven’s sake, Dad, don’t dig up the garden!! That’s where I buried the GUNS!!’ At 4 a.m. the next morning, a dozen FBI agents and local police officers showed up and dug up the entire garden without finding any guns.

Confused, the old man wrote another note to his son telling him what happened, and asked him what to do next.

His son’s reply was: ‘Go ahead and plant your potatoes, Dad.. It’s the best I could do for you from here.’

Moral: NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THE WORLD, IF YOU HAVE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING DEEP FROM YOUR HEART YOU CAN DO IT. IT IS THE THOUGHT THAT MATTERS.. NOT WHERE YOU ARE OR WHERE THE PERSON IS….

RELATIONSHIP:

A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her.

The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed. The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.

That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn’t sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.

Moral of the story: If you don’t give your hundred percent in a relationship, you’ll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent.

This is applicable for any relationship like love, employer-employee relationship etc., Give your hundred percent to everything you do and sleep peacefully.

Unconditional emotions:

A man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper.

Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.”

The man was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found out the box was empty.

He yelled at her, stating, “Don’t you know, when you give someone a present, there is supposed to be something inside? The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and cried, “Oh, Daddy, it’s not empty at all. I blew kisses into the box. They’re all for you, Daddy.”

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.

Only a short time later, an accident took the life of the child. It is also told that her father kept that gold box by his bed for many years and, whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

Moral: In a very real sense, each one of us, as humans beings, have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses… from our children, family members, friends, and God. There is simply no other possession, anyone could hold, more precious than this.

Hurts & Benefits:

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

“TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.”

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one, who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After the friend recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

“TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?”

The other friend replied: “When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Moral: LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND, AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE

The Not-so-Perfect Days!

Absolutely…. Nobody is so perfect… am too not so perfect, neither does everyone has a perfect life. Yes I too have heard this before, that life has its ups and downs. And these so called ‘Downs’ (which has different definition for everyone and they occur quite too often) are the ones that sometimes get to your nerves but all we can do is be patient and let it pass. I know you would think, its better said than done, like any other philosophy of life.

When we are going through a bad time and nothing seems to work, infact it just gets worse, till the time we get up and prove sanity to ourselves (which, to be honest, is the worst part!). You bang your head, bite-off all your nails or blow a trumpet to scare n shoo away the problems but all they do is just keep piling up like colorful scoops of ice cream one to top of each other giving you taste of different irresistible flavours…... you bet, its not as yumm as it is sounding!

Perfectness has its relevance when it comes to problems, since they are Not-So-Perfect. And since every problems brings with it some pain which is inevitable but the suffering attached, is surely optional. I can say it all depends on us, if we are taking it as a challenge of life and defeat it or we submerge into it and get bullied. Infact this could be the time when you will realize what you truly capable of. Practically speaking from my bag of experiences, there is surely some truth in the fact that  sun needs to set for it to rise again the next day. And it’s only, when you know what darkness is, that you will appreciate the significance of light.

Nope, I don’t want to turn this into some kind of a motivational post….. I just wanted to point out that if you are having a bad day, just remember that it’s not going to stay forever. Simple! Don’t get pushed by it but get led by your dreams.