House Husbands Or Stay At Home Dads

The stigma is gone! Not only women but men too are choosing kids over career. This is no longer a new terminology but an accepted trend of modern day and age.

Do you have women working at the same level as you ??? I hear Yes… Do you have lady bosses as well?... Again a Yes, many would have.. Most of you guys would agree if we say, many women pose a better competitor to you. World is not the same as it was a century back. This is no new quote if I say “Women are at par with men today”. They have marked their presence very efficiently in this once male chauvinist society and many have been jealous  and shocked of this sudden rise while many others have applauded for this change and have taken a step forward. Let me narrate to you a short story linked to this…..

There was a guy, who was well settled as an investment banker in Hong Kong. Then one day his wife was offered a job and position better than his, as the COO of a well-known bank in India. There were two destinations and one family, the guy without second thoughts gave up his job and came back to India for his family. He willingly encouraged his wife to join, and was happy and content to stay back at home to look after the house and kids in the meanwhile. He without any jealousy or fear of being taunted by the so called society, utilized his time to think of something more creative, and focused towards building his passion of writing. He wrote a book and got it published too. Today after 8 years and many more books to add to his profile, he is still a best seller author of India. The book was Five point someone and he was Chetan Bhagat.

So, there are people who see their wives as an individual too and treat them equal. They know that women too work as hard as them or sometimes even more. The age old traditional theory of sex oriented jobs has no meaning now, men themselves are turning the scenario round the table. They are now comfortable enough in taking charge of the house, staying back and take the hold of daily house chores.

To see the other side, even men have the right to feel free, lie on the couch, order the cook for some snacks and tea, watch their favourite show, be with the kids, manage the chores and lay back, while there wives enter the corporate world and take charge of the finances. This is now being acceptable in the society, and what’s wrong if both sides are enjoying the change ! This kind of maturity and open mindedness is the need of the hour. People now should let go of the orthodox thinking and move towards more of mature act.

And as far as house husbands are concerned, hats off to them for initiating this and being the role models for many others . Let the husbands too have a dramatic life like women, why only women feel the change and take all the applauds of multitasking …**smiles**

Love ya Arranged... live happily ever after !!!!

From Simran running to catch the train for Raj in DDLJ ; or the wedding woos of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Vivaah!!!! We have all grown up seeing love stories or big fat Indian weddings courtesy our Cinema industry. And whatever is the showcase – an arranged one or Love… they both end with a tagline of ‘And they lived happily ever after’. But what really happens after, is a mystery for all!

Since ages this has always been a debatable subject. I love you or I will start loving you…Be it basis the feelings or Commitment, marriage is still a gamble with life, some pass through as winners while others struggle irrespective the kind of union.

Girls in our country grow up reading fairy tales and dreaming of a prince charming but when reality crosses, many of them are left heart broken. Their big expectations out of their partners and the rozy picture shown in movies that they relate with for themselves, turn baseless when the man chosen by their parents turns a little less romantic. He does things for her but her expectations still lay higher so she is not able enjoy those small moments. In our Indian society, kids are grown in a protected shell and are not allowed to talk to strangers but when it comes to marriage, they are suddenly asked to sleep with one. Weird but accepted by many!!!

All our lives, the only thing that most of us are seen to be chasing is that ‘ONE MOMENT’ when you say ‘yes I do’. Contrary to the societal beliefs, I feel it’s all about finding the right person, then be it an arranged or love marriage. Even if the person is chosen by our parents, we should have a good courtship period, to have enough time to build an understanding with him. And for those already dating, one should set aside priorities and see the practical side of the relationship, coz love is always in the air, but sometimes it vanishes later in that air itself, then it comes down to commitment and bonding you share. So no matter how and what set up you followed, every union comes with some rough patches, and one has to just understand that you both are from different world, grown up in different environment and help each other settle together, overlooking the negatives and polishing the positives of your partner.

Even though dating and India are still not good friends and it is something older people frown upon seeing it as a 'secret rendezvous', with changing times, today many of our parents compromise on their beliefs and accept our choices, turning it into an love cum arranged set up of a big fat Indian wedding! So Indian society too is growing up and the concept of marriage has evolved. These days the trend shows that many youngsters date, have relationships and heartbreaks but when it comes to marriage they rely on their parents for that perfect partner. This is, of course, a far cry from how most of our parents met. Now, however, it seems young Indians have the option of really getting to know the person they are hoping to marry.

Marriage is a road that you two build and then walk together on it, on the way gifting each other flowers of compatibility and fruits of compromise, cause even though marriages are said to be made in heaven, they have to be nurtured right here on the earth. So all out there planning on your marriage, don’t think about if it should or have to be arranged or love…. If you happen to find that one person who makes your life worth living, then simply go for it! 




** THIS POST IS DONE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE INDIBLOGGER CONTEST ON THE TOPIC "Love Marriage or Arranged Marriage"

Is India really shining !!!!

The traffic, the overcrowded metros and buses, the long commuting hours, pot-holed roads, ever increasing pollution, forever lasting construction of city infrastructure, dealing with corruption while coping with work pressure and moreover the 'Indian' work culture that requires you to spend more than 10 hours in office, then going home to demanding in-laws and dealing with even more demanding new-gen kids . Who said we are living the good life in this tomorrow’s economic super power?

According to a survey, Indians were asked to evaluate the quality of their lives as "thriving", "struggling" or "suffering" and 31% chose suffering compared to the global figure of only 13%. This proves our life quality really needs an upgrade. Are our well-paying job and the existence of corruption at every level, the deciding factors when perceiving our life quality.

How do you feel, when you have to change two trains and then take bus or auto to get to work everyday, that takes approx. 4 hours of your precious time daily, which could have been spent with you kids and family? Yes you may earn well at the end of it, but what is the point of it, if you cannot enjoy a stress free evening with your loved ones?

I wouldn't call this a great life, where you have to constantly struggle to outrun others. Today many of us don’t even remember the last time we took a vacation. No matter where you go from roads to platforms to hospitals or even movie theatres, people are always in rush. Doctors don’t spare more than 5 minutes for you, no matter what your ailment is…. in the daily queues everyone will be equally in hurry…. On top of everything, there's a scam in everything.

It's nice to hear and think of India as a rapidly growing as economic power and will soon out do many other developing countries. But does this thought matches when one walks down any street… the experience is enough to bring you back to reality. The gap between the rich and the poor is so huge and so visible. From a person in high end chauffeur driven cars to the one on bicycle with his wife on the carrier and child on the rod infront… the contrast is massive. And while on one hand, the infamous recession sword hangs over our head, on the other hand, there is a price hike in everything, from veggies to petrol to clothes and land. There is almost nothing that you can call a guilt free purchase.

Not going materialistic, if we just see around us and the environment we live in. Many of us notice a concrete jungle with no trees or fresh air to breath, then if we venture to go on a weekend break to a nearby cleaner and greener destination, we bump into a crowd of people trying to do the same. “Wish I was not living in a developing country”, sometimes this thought surely does come in our bugged mind.

Are we left with any option, for a certain lifestyle or to fulfill our or our kids dreams, we have to work through all these challenges smilingly and hope for the best, believing in what we hear.. that India is developing ! This is just to calm and soothe ourselves every evening after a struggling day, but then again a new day begins with new dares ….

So Is India really shining, What’s your take on this ???

Photography of Life

Passing through an amazing moment, I wish I could capture them to relive them when I feel low. That’s what photographs does sometimes to us, the older the better…  I am not a good photographer, coz that’s a talent that not every body owns, but the one’s who have it, are the ones who can capture moments of not only their lives but others too. How lucky…!!!!!

Birth and Birthdays, Lunches and dinners, marriages and anniversarys, fortunates and less fortunates; animals and beaches, laughter and romance…. Its photographs that becomes a mirror to your life… A picture of you smiling at the camera is a postcard gift from the present you to the future you and it says. “ You were having a good time”.

The first dish you prepared, the first time you met your soulmate, the first child, the first birthday…. It’s a the deepest emotions that come out through the lenses.. Lenses know it all…

Everyday may not be good, but there is surely good in everyday… hunt for that good, be it through the lenses or your thoughts. You will surely find a reason to smile and that’s what means clicking everyday in your life…

Click Click, smile please !!!

**smiles… I have got my moment**

PS: **Blog Inspiration came while watching a photo video by Afghen’s photography**

LIVE LOVE LAUGH : New Year is every one's birthday!!

Since the time we stepped in 2012, I have been thinking of writing something that I really would like to follow this year. Something that can relate to every girl out there. Finally I am done and here is my first post of this new year. New year comes with a fresh air in the atmosphere; a chance for all of us to move on with a fresh mind and a positive attitude. Aptly, a new year is every one's birthday. So girls, it’s time to leave your past behind and believe in the fact that the best is yet to come in your way. Here is a list of 10 things which every girl must consider doing in 2012. Am sure applying any of the below points will only turn your life in a better way.

Fall in love OR fall in hate

Get inspired OR be depressed

Ace a test OR flunk a class

Make babies OR make art

Speak the truth OR say Lie

Dance on tables OR sit in a corner

Life is divine chaos. Embrace it

Forgive yourself. Breathe.

And enjoy the ride….

LIVE LOVE LAUGH….

And earth will become a better place to live in.

1.       Be fit & healthy

Its sale time everywhere and while shopping for apparels, we suddenly realize our original size doesn’t fit us anymore, but still we tend to buy that gorgeous dress promising ourselves to fit into it a few months down the line. That's like a no new feeling. Being lean and good looking is something we girls are eternally putting our efforts into year after year. But this This year, let’s take it other way round, be fit and healthy and its automatically going to show in our sizes. Go on a healthy and doable diet. That's where all the difference lies. Turn your intangible dreams about being thin and sexy into something more attainable and practical like knowing what size actually suits you and what you're comfortable in. Not every one looks good in that skinny image that fashion models display. This year, work on a makeover for yourself, something that looks tailor made just for you. After all looking comfortable in your skin is more striking than looking like a diva right off the ramp.

2.       Follow your passion/ hobby

I know, this again is something we tend to think about every January and then it keeps fading through feb, march and april…. Be firm this time. Following a passion doesn’t mean following your friend’s passion. Be it learning a new activity, a new dance style, a new language, a knew skill or travelling to see new places. It can even be something like leaving your monotonous job to do something that you feel happy in or feel being you. Its important to be proud of yourself in what you do than doing something to show off the world. Your content smile and attitude is enough for the world to understand the happiness in your life.

3.       Be yourself

This world is full of people who fake something or the other, be it the attitude, the style, the expressions, the accent, money or skills. But the best people you come across by are the ones who are honest and genuine, who are happy in what they are. No one fills your shoes better than you yourself. No matter what colour of your skin, however the body shape or features, you are beautiful like none other. Our attitude is what makes us beautiful. This year, make a resolution to be YOU. Be the best for yourself and then you can carry your ownself with whatever you achieve this year, proudly and graciously. Believe You're the best, darling!

4.       Value the Art of Giving

How do you feel when a small less privileged girl pleads you to buy a rose from her and compliments you for every actress she recalls of? We generally tend to smile at her sense and keep walking. And we justify our walking away with different reasons. We have to accept and thank God for what we are today and what we have now. We truly are the privileged ones. This year lets not forget and overlook those who are not born with the facilities we had. Lets keep aside a small percentage share of our income to help the ones in need. Trust me, you will really feel your heart enlarging in your body and a smile of content on your face. A feeling uncomparable!

5.       Set Goals

We do set out goals for ourselves, but do we do anything more beyond our normal to achieve them? Are your goals aligned with your life's current flow? Don't take your goals for granted this year! Evaluate yourself to see what skills do you require to attain those goals? Are your goals still practical and doable? Can you see them as something tangible in near future? Ask yourself these basic questions when working on them. Our Goals, objectives and  aims all play a vital role in building our self confidence. Let’s not fly high, lets aim high! See it as a thought process that continuously mirrors all your efforts and see yourself as someone better than last year.

6.       Sort out Priorities

When we define goals, priorities go hand in hand. Don’t get obsessed with achieving your goal if it doesn’t fall somewhere around your priorities. It’s not only about quenching your thirst for inner satisfaction. So, to give justice to your life, once you have some goals set, sort them out according to how and why they add something to your life. This step is a must do for every girl who wants to live a healthy and constructive life. Don’t forget that with passing times, priorities might as well change. Keep revising your priorities frequently and see if they are still aligned with how your life is going on.

7.       Read more and be aware

Here am not talking about reading general knowledge books. It about reading anything that is worth your time and attention. Start from going beyond your supplements in the newspaper (believe me, the main paper now a days carry some really interesting articles as well, guess journalism has grown) Whats more? Make it a point to start reading books, any genre that interests you – from love stories, to chick lits to intense reads to thrillers. Reading never harms, it only adds.

8.       Soul searching

Today I see everone around so so super buzy with the grinding life that constitutes of work, work and more work. This year, let’s set aside some time exclusively for us. Just when we realise everything is going a little too fast, see that as a signal from your mind that tells you, you're getting short of a leisurely "Me" time. Do some soul searching and indulge in something you have fun in. Go out with your girl pals, do some pampering to yourself, cook or simply tuck in bed with a book in hand. Have we forgotten how good that feels?

9.       Know about a female role model’s life story

Lets go beyond simply copying somebody’s quotes in messages or mails. There are so many wonderful inspiring women out there who made our lives as easy as it is today. We have taken many things for granted that we considered unimaginable like the fact of ‘Women being equal to men!’ There was a time ages back when women themselves laughed at this thought. Today, women have surely come a long way. Pick up a personality that appeals to you and read her life story. A read-through a fun and interesting biography is also a treasure trove of life lessons.

10.   Be the author of your own story

Imagine at the end of this wondrous life, when you’ll look back to summarize your life and see what you have achieved or lost, choices you made, decisions you followed, they will show you the person you have grown into. Lets not be regretfull stage later. Have a plan for yourself because if you let yourself be a part of someone else’s story, chances are they might not have any plan for you. So make sure no one else but you are the author of your story. Roll  the joystick of your with your fingers, so whatever happens you know it was your choice and that should comfort you. No matter if the decisions require you to be bold, step up and be brave and realize it’s not yet the end.

                                                                    

So make your 2012  awesome by doing something that is simply incredible in your sense, do crazy stuff and don't forget to have fun. Happy 2012!

I have an angel watching over me and I call her MOMMY!

Once upon a time she was a bubbly, cheerfull and a darling sister of 04 sisters & brothers, who was independent, earning through a respectable profession of a teacher, loved handiwork, chatting and playing with family, dressing up, painting, and playing pranks. And then she got married to a handsome and adorable guy and became a wife at 20. Then one day she had ME and became a mother at 21. A few years later, she eventually had my cute younger brother and added to the list of roles she previously was. She didn’t realize the magical shift and that she had also became a cook, a dresser, a wiper of our dirty faces, a cleaner of our soiled diapers, a nurse when we were ill, an agent to retrieve our thrown socks, stationary and uniforms, a finder of our lost shoes, a doer of our homework we left complete before retiring to bed and an insomniac. She was a referee in our stupid wars, a slayer of culprits in our nightmares, the angel face in all those fairytales that she’d narrated to us every night. She was the expert creative chef, who had to come up with 1011 tiffin savories which could not be repeated very often, a duty-bound guard to keep a check on our whereabouts, a tutor for all our subjects and an adorable rewarder when we passed with flying colors. She was a soother of nervous school jitters, a coach to prepare us for our tests and exams, a strict  character when we scored poor marks.  A sacrificer who bought cheaper dress for herself so that we can get the things we had laid our hands on, who used to hold the umbrellas to protect us from the sun or the rains and sometimes even carry one of us who would get tired walking.

With each passing day, her talents grew: she became a baker of delicious cakes, a hygienic competitor to the streetside chaat-wala, an ice-cream vendor who distributed milkmaid flavoured kulfis not only to us but to all our neighborhood playmates absolutely free-of-cost. An absolute enviable dress maker for all mummies around, who used to make delectable treat for eyes in form of sweaters and sewed prize-winning costumes for our fancy-dress competitions, compose the best essays and poetry which would score us maximum marks in the whole class, came up with the best ideas for our science exhibition projects and painter of beautiful designs for my drawing classes. She was my guide, strength  and motivator for all those numerous art-competitions that I participated in as a child and won many, courtesy her ideas .

Her body, which was once her own to do with it as she pleased, now belonged to us—she ate for ‘us’ when she was carrying us in her womb, feeded us when her milk was the only source of food or life for us as infants, her shoulders were used by us to cry upon, her arms to hug us whenever we needed her warmth or security, her lap for us to sit and cuddle upon, her hands which were used by us to eat many a times when we were too tired to use ours. Her lips became the kissers and soothers for all our unstoppable tears and many unreasonable boo-hoos.

She could give many styles to my hair, which I still wonder how, seeing my then curls in photographs. A great coordinator with my dad in the mornings, to turn the clock 10 mins ahead and wake us up, to dress us, feed us and get both of us ready for school in 30 minutes flat. And moreover she could smile for us even when she didn’t actually feel like. Her feet were used to walk the house with us in her arms at any hour of the night, if we had a difficult time sleeping. And as we were growing up, she even grew eyes in the back of her head and her hearing became supersonic, so we should not fall into any traps.

Her parents had named her ‘Parveen’ which meant a star. Then as she became a mother and had many aliases—at various times—Mm, Ma, Ma-ma, Mom, Mommy, Mummy, Mum… and many more, she turned to be the star of our lives. Her free time which might have once been occupied to do things of her interest, was now used to tidy the disorderly muddle of our toys, books, clothes, used plates, a bed and carpet of clutter, chaos and a dwelling of disarray.

Her mind which might have once flourished with egocentric thoughts of pampering herself,  were few a times filled with irrational questions: “What if they choke on their food or pop in a coin or something?” “What if they fall out of the bed while I’m in the kitchen?” “How safe would they be to get back home after dark from their friends’ birthday party?” “What if they get in a wrong friend circle?” “Did I say anything to hurt my sweethearts?” “Am I a good mother?” “How will I know if I’m doing anything wrong in bringing them up?” etc… some of these insecurities were visible on her face and some she shared with papa which we overheard!

For both of us, my Mumma has been and always will be our ideal icon… she is not amongst us anymore but I would say “I have an angel watching over me and I call her MOMMY”… This vacuum in our lives can’t be filled ever! Love you Mama and Miss you tons!

Dad... All my heart is for you !

One day an 11 year old girl asked her daddy,
"What are you going to get me for my 15th birthday?"
The father replied, "There is much time left."
When the girl was 14 she fainted and was rushed to the hospital.
The doctor came out and told her dad she had a bad heart& she is probably gonna die
When she was lying in the hosptial bed she said

"Daddy,. have they told you im going to die ?"
The father replied no you will live as he left weeping.
She said "How can you be sure."
He turned around from the door and said "I know."
She turns 15 when she is recovering and comes home to find a letter on her bed. It says ;
"My Dearest Daughter, if you are reading this it means all went well as I told you. One day you asked me what I was giving you for your 15th birthday, 

I didn't know then but now my preasent to you is a MY HEART."

Her father donated his heart♥

I love my papa, like no other. For me he is the best father in this world.. n believe me I have not seen anyone better in his role. I feel the best thing Allah has done to me was give me such great parents, who have stood beside me in every situation and have looked at me with a smiling face even when I was wrong. That smile has given me the courage to correct myself, to stand tall and be who I am today. After living a quarter of my life, the love for my dad is even more intense. Today he is my strength and my power to face this world. I can't see myself without the tag of being his daughter. I salute this sweet relation of Dad & Daughter...!!!

Feeling Blue ... My heart says can't be true!!!

Friends, I know i have not been regular these days with my posts... just the mood!!! sometimes it  invites me to pen down something or anything and other time it just wants to wander around.
But today when i  reached office, and as usual started my morning surfing, the first thing that caught my eye was a line... 'there are many in this world not as happy as you' ... My heart n mind started gushing with thoughts and here I am... with a thought to tickle your mind with this weekend !!!

Sometimes in life u feel so blue,
but someone somewhere is not happy as you..

somewhere far at the border when a soldier sleeps,
missing his loved ones he silently weeps..

somewhere a mother painfully sighs coz,
her new born baby did not open her eyes..

somewhere a poor dad silently cries,
when he sees his son begging for a bowl of rice..

somewhere in an orphanage a little girll is sad,
when she misses her mom and dad..

so at time a reasons to smile you may not have any,
say to yourself that you are happier than many..

cause...

Life is Beautiful
and
its not always blue and,
someone somewhere is not as happy as You!... :)

I Believe...

Sometimes our life gets crazy and sometimes it feels like nothing you can do will prevent it from getting worse. I maintain that nothing can ever harm you when you stand by what you believe in. It's up to you to choose being the person you are or go down with the flow. Surround yourself with good people and you will start seeing the goodness in life even when apparently there is none. Today, when so much is expected of me, so much so that I can lose myself any moment, I fairly believe that I will come out. Because it's only me who can choose to be the person I am!

I believe in being myself. You don’t need to be anyone else but you, you are an original and no one can fill your shoes better than you. Don’t be someone you’re not just because they want you to be someone different. Never underestimate yourself! The problems you have in life are given to you because it is only you who can tackle them. In you, lies a wonder. Obstacles are just a small part of God’s bigger plan for your life to make you the gem you are destined to be one day. Smile, the best is yet to come!

I believe in love! You will have your perfect fairy tale one day. You are given the wrong ones first just so you understand the value of the one who’s worth it all! I’m in love with babies and everything cute. I love it when it rains you can be a child all over again. I love the way God paints a new morning every day. Oh I love how you give me a reason to everything just by that lovely smile of yours. I love the way my life is right now. I don’t care how crazy or messy it is right now, I love the fact that we both are here, together, in love, and all you need to do is smile and make me fall in love all over again!

I believe in dreams. Dreams are one thing they can't take away from me! I will catch on my studies again, be a writer someday, grow old ! I dream about being happy and having a happy family and when I have all that, you'll see me shine like no other! It's just a matter of time because I'm a survivor.

I believe that you get setbacks in life because it is God's way of bringing out the best in you. You meet bad people in life so that you can learn a thing or two from them. They teach you be on your guards and to be in a present state of mind always. So be thankful for the good times and the bad, the good people who showered you with love and the bad people who taught you how to protect yourself.

I believe in innocence. It's your greatest asset and you're beautiful just the way you are. Know the beauty within you, respect it and then own it. Trust me, there's no one like you! :)

What do you believe in?

Winter Knocks !!!!

Winter knocks and I’am lovin it! Snuggly evenings and chilly winds, cuddly sweaters and any excuse to get closer! Who can say no to so much cool stuff but in India’s winter’s are anyway so short that you blink and you’ll miss it. But with all it’s numerous goodies, it also brings some unwanted and unavoidable gifts like dry skin and hair, and horror of horrors–chapped lips! But no worries, since we have those lip balms and glosses… though I like wearing them irrespective of the season. J

Winters are sometimes synonymous to cozy evenings, hot soups, warm fashion, festivities all around (since most of the festivals fall during winters). Moreover is so much fun shopping in bright sun at a local market while having some delicious hot street food. But it also brings a thought of the end of another year and with that in mind, the last 15 years of my life just flashbacked infront of my eyes and I can’t help being amazed at how my life has changed in all these years. It’s a feeling of bitter-sweet emotions…So much yet so less has changed. From a fresher stepping out of school to a responsible adult (sometimes still figuring out the various responsibilities life had laid for me), I’ve definitely come a long way **twinkles**

That leaves me wondering – did my life shape up the way I had dreamt? Well, the answer to that is partly yes, partly no. Do I have any regrets? Nah! I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs and won’t deny the fact that the things which didn’t turn out my way left me in the dumps at times. But it moves on noh! Isn’t that what life is all about. If life was so damn predictable, it would have been as easy as sketching a route on Google maps! To me, life is all about the choices u make…some turn good, some bad. And for the bad one’s if they ain’t fulfilling, they are good learning instruments at least **smiles**

Isn’t life too short to cry over the mess… after all it’s all about making the most of each moment. Live life as there’s no tomorrow. Let your hair down. Dance till you drop dead. Sing your favourite song at the top of your voice. Smile a little harder and yes, cry a little less. Hold hands with your partner. Say sorry for the mistakes. Forgive others. Take out time to watch the sunset. Go for long drives. Have golgappas and momos. In our busy lives, how often do we acknowledge the joy in such subtle yet so meaningful ways. Mouve Moments leaves you with that food for your thoughts and time for me too to soak up all its marvels. **Perky Twinkling**

Hammer the right way!

This is the story of the giant ship engine that failed and stopped working. The ship’s owners tried one expert after another, but none of them could figure but how to fix the engine.

Then they brought in an old man who had been fixing ships since he was a youngster. He carried a large bag of tools with him, and when he arrived, he immediately went to work. He inspected the engine very carefully, from top to bottom.

Two of the ship’s owners were there, watching this man, hoping he would know what to do. After looking things over, the old man searched into his bag and pulled out a small hammer. He gently tapped something. & instantly, the engine lurched into life & got started.

He carefully put his hammer away. The engine was fixed! A week later, the owners received a bill from the old man for £10,000.

“What?!” the owners exclaimed. “He hardly did anything!”

So they wrote the old man a note saying “Please send us an itemised bill.”

The man sent a bill that read:

Tapping with a hammer …..£2.00

Knowing where to hammer..£9,998.00

Total £10,000

The core essence of the above Story is what I want to convey: 

Making an effort, itself is important, but knowing where to make an effort in your life ‘Makes all the difference’. We often see people striving, working and making effort tirelessly, sometimes even for years after years, only for them, to later on realize that they were all misplaced and how they wish they had spent the time and effort on something more fruitful. Its important to feel your mind and heart and put your efforts in the right direction.