Today I saw HOPE….

As a spiritual being, I always try to stay optimistic and hopeful. But there are also times when I become hopeless trying to stay practical in life.

Although, I wonder how kids keep their hopes high all the time. May be, they are unaware of some hard truths of life which make them believe that “Nothing is Impossible”.

And today, I got a very unexpected and uplifting live example of hope in my balcony (a small area dedicated to nature).

Last month, during the festive season, we all went to Delhi to spend our vacations with our loved ones. When we came back after 12 days, we were so downhearted to see one of our beautiful “Jasmine” plant dried out.

I was feeling really bad for it and assuming that it may never flourish again, I decided to get some gardener and plant another sapling in the same pot.

But, my 8 years old son, Shabad kept on watering it regularly with full enthusiasm.

And today, after exactly 25 days, when I was giving sun bath to my younger one, I saw that plant and got so emotional. I saw a small, new, tender, green sapling was coming from that dried plant, and the first thing that came to my mind was

“I think it is HOPE”

It was nothing but the hope of a 8 years old boy that made that dead plant alive.

Thanks a lot Shabad, for teaching me a very important lesson of life that is HOPE!! 

“ME Time” – Time for Yourself

Whenever, I talk to any of my friends, they always complained about time.

“I need some time for myself”, “Oh God, I have become a robot”, “When I am going to get rid of all this”, “When will I start living my life and enjoy it”.

They didn’t have time for themselves. They would ask me about how I manage both the kids and still take out time for my writing and leisure activities.

See, your family, kids and work, all are your top most responsibilities. And, you are definitely doing a great job with all these. But, for one more person, you are responsible and that is no one but YOU!!

Your most deserving “ME Time” not only de-stresses you but also rejuvenates, energizes and recharges you for all the responsibilities you have.

So, I have tried to sum up everything I do to get my “ME Time” in these steps.

1.       Remove Your Guilt: Never feel the guilt of thinking or taking care of yourself. It’s your life and you have the right to live it for your happiness. It’s not some luxury you are asking for…It’s the necessity of every being.

2.       You Deserve It: You need to understand that you completely deserve the “Me Time” from your daily hectic schedule. Hey! Come on, you live for everybody else but you. Taking out some 15 to 30 minutes a day is no big deal.

3.       Decide How To Best Spend It: Only you can answer it. Try to make a list according to the available time and things you love to do. Keep it handy. Whenever you get time, few minutes, some hours or luckily a day, without thinking much start spending time with you and your leisure activity.

It could be reading your favorite author, dancing to your choice of music, pursuing your passion, doing something creative or simply sitting idle.

After all, it’s your time and only you should decide how you want to spend it.

4.       Manage Your Time Best Way: Try to organize things and prepare your to-do list on daily or weekly basis as per your priorities. And, don’t forget to add yourself to it on the top of it.

5.       Talk to Family: Have a word with your spouse, kids and family that you need some time alone and only they can support you in achieving it. Also, share how you want to spend that time. Just share, don’t take suggestions. J

6.       Analyze What Wastes Your Time: It could be anything, social networking sites, messaging, mails, calls, chats or gossips. If you think it’s important, give a limited time slot to all such things. Also, stay away from any negative thought or conversation, they eat up most of the time and energy too.

As my kids are small, I always try to wake up 30 minutes early, enjoy my tea my way and relax, breath and get myself ready for whole day run.

Believe me; whether you are male or female, you all need your exclusive “ME Time”. Not just for yourself but for all the lovely people around you who need your love, care and happiness all the time.

If you like what I have written, do share with me in the comments section below. I am looking forward to your views, comments or anything you want to share.

Dimaag Ka Dahi

Since the time, I have started living in the ‘City of Dreams’ Mumbai, I have came across so many different slangs which are commonly used by Mumbaikars.

These slangs, also referred as Tapori Language, in spite of the not so polite words, are very popular here. It makes Mumbai and Mumbaikars different from the rest.

Let me share few of these Bombaiya Language Slangs with you:

1. Kya Thakela Maal Chipka Diya - You gave a bad quality stuff
2. Vatakle Idharse - Move out of here
3. Buskya Yaar – Come on dear
4. Alibaug Ka Samajha Hai Kya? - You think i am a fool?
5. Kharcha Pani Du Kya? - Do you want me to beat you up?
6. Cutting Chai - Half cup of tea
7. Tapri – A road side shop, like some tea shop
8. Avli – A guy who has no work. In north India, we use ‘Vella’
9. Off Ho Gaya – When someone has passed away
10. Kantaal Gaya- Got bored

And, my personal favorite is “Dimag Ka Dahi”, which literally means “Making Curd of Brains” and used when you get mad at someone/something. In Delhi, It was like “Dimag Kharab Mat Kar”… But, I like the Mumbai Version.

So, next time, someone makes you miserable, try Mumbai Style of Slangs. It’ll be fun. But, At your own risk only.

For now with due respect, I just want to say that:

“Ab yahaan se vatakne se pehle, neeche ek rapchik comment chipkane kaa kya,

warna du kya kharcha pani”

Oooopppsss Sorry!!

Four Mantras for Perfect Happiness

Finally, I am through with all my household chores, sitting in balcony, sipping my favorite coffee. It’s a beautiful sunny day and view from here makes it even more relaxing.

I just had a telephonic conversation with one of my old friend. She was telling me about how bored her life has become. And it has also started affecting her relation with her husband and kids. She always stays busy in work which she hates the most. :-o

Talking to her made me think of something which can make a dull n boring life, lively and happening.

Right now, I can think of four mantras of life which I also follow and feel bright & fun filled every day. 

So here go these mantras:

1.       One Best Friend for Life: Best Friends are not just for childhood, you need them forever. Try to find a pal with whom you can share whatever you feel like, someone who is ready to listen to you and love the way you are…no formalities, no hesitations.

He/she could be anyone, your spouse, your kids, your mom, your childhood friend or someone close to you. I am blessed to have such BFF, so are you !!

2.       Do what you love: Take out some time from your busy schedule for yourself. After all, it’s your life and it’s passing every day. There must be some untold wishes, unfulfilled desires or hidden dreams in your heart. Think about it and start giving your time to it.

It could be anything, from dance to music, from painting to photography, any sport to just gym..

3.       Love what you do: The third mantra is to love your work. Enjoy it. Try new things every day. Do things differently. Celebrate small successes. Take small breaks in between. Believe in yourself.

4.    Be a Helping Hand:  This is the last but the most important mantra for a blessed life. Nothing can make you more contented than the feeling of helping someone. Try to help everyone in need, especially under-privileged people. Having dinner in a fancy restaurant can never give you that happiness, that feeding a hungry poor man can give. Try it once, it will fill your heart with love, care and bliss.

  

Try these four mantras in your life and I am sure that things are going to change for you. And remember one thing:

“The Purpose of our life is to be HAPPY.”

P.S. : What's your idea for a Perfect Happiness? Please share with us in the comments section below. Also, feel free to share your valuable feedback or anything you want to say.

Before It’s too late…

Soul; a beautiful, innocent, gentle, pure eternal being on this earth. Something which is directly connected to God and no lesser than a part of God.

But, when we start living our lives our own way, we put so much burden on it – sometimes knowingly & sometimes unknowingly. And, we feel so casual about it. That burden makes our life and aura hell (dark).

You must be thinking what that burden is of? It is the burden of ‘Guilt’ for all the mistakes we make and it is the burden of all the 'Revenge' we want to take from others. Not just revenge, all the things we think someone should not have done to us.

We and our soul bear this burden for whole of our lives and for sure, after that as well. The soul gets rotten with all the burden piling together day by day for years.

So, one thing which is important and essential to have a burden free peaceful life is

“Forgive Yourself, Then Forgive Others - Before It’s too late”

Yes, I am saying it bluntly, Before it’s too late. Forgiveness is the only thing you can do to lower the burden your soul is bearing.

I would like to end it up with a beautiful quote by 'Lewis Smedes' :

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and 

discover that the prisoner was you.”

P.S. - Feel free to leave your valuable feedback and your experiences.