Random thoughts!

Kaleidoscope 6 – Meaning in the mundane

A few months back, I came across a meme that said “If the first button of your shirt is wrongly put, all the other buttons are surely wrong”. Such a unique, simplistic way of saying “all actions have consequences” or “one thing leads to another” or my favourite – “life is a decision tree, every decision you make can take you on a different path”!!

The funny part of this meme was that it was attributed to a tailor with an endnote saying “not every quote is by some famous person”!

That made me think. Many of my learnings have come from the unlikeliest of places and unlikeliest of people – and from my quest to find ‘meaning in the mundane‘! And sometimes, they have come from statements that were made with no intent of becoming a ‘life mantra’ – yet they somehow resonated very differently in their figurative connotation from the literal tone they were said in!

Today’s post is dedicated to such powerful statements that hit hard and spurted life-lessons without meaning to!

Lessons from my driving coach

Fun fact – I “learnt” driving four times before I actually learnt to drive! The last time was when I engaged a coach to train me on my own car (instead of the specially re-engineered ones they use at driving schools that have a secondary braking system to override the driver’s controls and give the coach seated on the passenger seat sufficient control over the trajectory of the car).

Driving is something I find therapeutic and many a person has laughed when I’ve made this statement in the past because much of my driving is in peak hour traffic on Mumbai roads. But I find driving peaceful even amid all the traffic and chaos not only because of the alone time it affords me but because holding that steering and navigating through a busy road, in a weird, cathartic sort of way, gives me some semblance of control over my life – like I can surely decide where at least one thing in my life is going and make it go where I want!!

Aside of my love for driving, which unfortunately I discovered later in life than I would have liked, every time I now sit down to drive, I am reminded of some very deep statements that my last driving coach said when he was training me. When he said those lines, he meant them in a totally different context. But their deeper meaning dawned on me like an epiphany in totally unrelated moments long after he’d said them. And to this day, they bring a smile to my face when I think of them.

Today I am going to share some of these unintentional nuggets of wisdom with you and who knows, maybe you’ll find some other hidden meaning in them.

“Left lena hai toh chota kaato, right jaana hai toh lamba kaato” (loosely translates as ‘if you want to go left, turn quick and sharp; if you want to go right, go wide and long”)

लेफ्ट लेना है तो छोटा काटो, राइट जाना है तो लंबा काटो

This one’s my favourite! He obviously meant it quite literally but in a philosophical moment, my brain interpreted it as “the right road is always the longer one”, or it’s corollary – “if it’s easy, it must be wrong”!

Of course, this has more meaning in India (and in UK and other erstwhile British colonies) which follows a right-hand drive so left turns are usually free turns and right turns (being on the outside of the free-lefts) curve out much wider. But also, taking the wrong path may be much harder in countries with stricter and more enforceable law and order……just saying 😛

“Baar baar lane change mat karo. Ek baar change kiya toh thoda aage tak usi lane pe jaake phir change karna” (loosely translates as ‘don’t switch lanes again and again, pick a lane, follow it for a bit before you switch again’!)

बार-बार लेन न बदलें। एक बार बदलाव किया तो थोड़ा आगे तक उसी लेन पे जाके फिर बदलना

This one’s pretty evident! When embarking on a new chapter in life – whether in relationships, work, a new hobby or just about anything, take some time to learn the ropes, give it time to grow on you before giving up on it and switching lanes or opting for a faster lane!!

“Jab bhi koi problem ho gaadi mein, woh hamesha kuch signal deti hai jaise koi light blink hoga ya brake der se lagega….aapko symbols samajh nahi aayenge toh aap chalaate jaoge jab tak ek din aapki gaadi band nahi pad jaati. Toh pehle theory seekho” (rough translation: ‘if your car has any issue, it will always give you a sign – for example a light may flicker or the brakes may be sluggish. If you don’t understand these signs then you’ll keep driving till your car stops working one fine day! Learn the theory of driving first’)

जब भी कोई समस्या हो गाड़ी में, वो हमें कुछ सिग्नल देती है जैसे कोई लाइट ब्लिंक होगा या ब्रेक देर से लगेगा….आपको प्रतीक समझ नहीं आएंगे तो आप गाड़ी चलाते जाओगे जब तक एक दिन आपकी गाड़ी बंद नहीं पड़ जाती। तो पहले गाड़ी चलाने की थ्योरी सीखो

This one’s deep if you think of the car as your body, or deeper still, your soul or your relationships or your talents – “Ignore the signs and you are in for trouble……and there are always signs”!

Get your basics right. Follow your instinct. Observe the signs and remedy them in time! If something needs oiling (like your hobbies and passions, perhaps), get down to it before the edges go completely rough!

Not from the driving coach but a related quote I read earlier this week which pretty much says the same thing in a hard-hitting way is this :

Don’t leave your coffee for too long and then be surprised why it’s cold. I am not talking about coffee.

He was a wise one, my driving coach! And I look back fondly on those 10 driving sessions in which he not only made me a confident driver but also unknowingly imparted multi-dimensional wisdom that I will carry with me forever and pass on whenever I can!

Also if you think about it – isn’t driving such an amazing metaphor for life?

You’re on a road to somewhere.
Sometimes you know the destination and sometimes you don’t.
Sometimes you know the way and sometimes you don’t.
Sometimes you know when you’ll get there and sometimes you don’t even know whether you will.
When you are in the slow lane you want to be in the fast and when you are in the fast one, you want to be in the slow!
Sometimes, you wonder why you are taking the road when others are taking the train or a flight!
Sometimes you look out of the window and compare your car to a swanky one alongside.
Sometimes you complain about the traffic.
And sometimes, you’re just glad you have your own car!
However small, however basic – it gets the job done!

Did any of these resonate with you? Have you come across, read or heard any random line that became a life mantra for you in an unexpected way? Do share in the comments – I would love to hear from you!

Some more bite-sized (or not!!) gyaan

I recently watched a show on Disney Hotstar called ‘Gulmohar’. It was an intense family drama revolving around a family grappling with dark secrets, bruised egos, conflicting emotions and tough decisions. Without getting into the details of the plot, I’ll come straight to the one statement in the show that stuck with me.

It was a conversation between two men about the love of a father for his son, in which one man tells the other –

तुम दे सकते हो, क्योंकि तुम्हे मिला
_{“Tum de sakte ho, kyuki tumhe mila” (rough translation: “you are able to give, because you received”)}

When I first heard this, I immediately disagreed with it! But when I thought some more, I had mixed feelings!

When it comes to love, I have always felt that you can give freely of it even if you didn’t receive any at all or didn’t receive it in the same way that you associate with love. Also, while a person may feel like they’re giving or showing love, the receiver may not always receive it with the same intensity or appreciate the expression in the way it is intended. If you’ve read Gary’s Chapman’s theory on the 5 love languages, I’m sure you will relate to this (I will do a separate post on this at some point)!

But the statement on the show applied not just to love but also to opportunities. Which brings me back to a topic I’ve written about before – Privilege. In this context, it becomes much easier to understand the pangs of helplessness behind the statement because the opportunities that everyone covets are substantially more accessible to only a few.

And yet, our capability or willingness to give (in any context), is in one way or another driven by our frame of reference which is not just what we got but also how it made us feel. What we got as children may also be something we expressly don’t want to give our kids!

As parents, we always strive to give our children a better life than we had – it’s what every parent aspires for. And the more we got as children, the more we are willing to give to ours – whether it’s love, freedom, opportunities or even wealth.

Except if you got none – because besides wealth which is tangible and therefore depends more on capability than willingness, for everything else, willingness is good start!

And in fact, the lack of something only makes you want it more. As one of the more interesting side-theories of Chapman’s theory on ‘love languages’ says – your love language is likely whatever you didn’t get as a child – which is the exact opposite of what the line in the show says! In fact, even with wealth in general, the greatest philanthropists are people who gave because they didn’t get and knew what that felt like!

So yes, perhaps when it comes to generational wealth or access to opportunities, what you got as a child determines what you can give as a parent.

But with anything else and in any other relationship, I don’t believe this holds true – because you can give even without receiving, give much more than you receive and, in some cases, give less (or none) even if you did receive it as a child! How much you can give in a meaningful relationship is defined not just by what you got but by who your life experiences have made you as a person and how far you are willing to go!

What do you think?!

Sabko apna apna milta hai!

This post on ‘Meaning in the Mundane’ would be incomplete without this priceless gem from Dhruv Jalota who, in a moment of clarity on an otherwise tipsy evening, nonchalantly exclaimed –

सबको अपना अपना मिलता है
_{“Sabko apna apna milta hai” (rough translation: ‘Everyone gets their share’ or ‘To each, their own’)}

Ever since these words were uttered, they became the unofficial slogan that we would repeat every time the group met! Because they seemed to fit almost every situation!

You spilled your drink! “Sabko apna apna milta hai!”
You didn’t like the food! “Sabko apna apna milta hai!”
You have something to celebrate? “Sabko apna apna milta hai!”
You got problems? “Sabko apna apna milta hai!”
You wanted a promotion but didn’t get a raise? “Sabko apna apna milta hai!”
You won a lottery? Guess what?! “Sabko apna apna milta hai!”

A line that if uttered everyday can almost be a mantra for gratitude and complete surrender – something on the lines of “अपना टाइम आएगा” (Apna time aayega–rough translation: ‘my time will come’), only older and original!!

What’s something that you randomly heard somewhere and stuck with you? Let me know in the comments!!

Posting after a while (this one’s been in the works for some time now!!) and don’t know when the next one will be but hope you enjoyed this. Until next time…..Tally-ho!!

IWD 2023

Happy International Women’s Day 2023! Somehow, though I’m all in agreement to the belief that you don’t need a day to celebrate one half of the world’s population, I always intrinsically feel good on this day! It may not be a big deal but isn’t the best of life in the little joys?! So why not revel in the spotlight this day puts on us!!

An equally fitting reminder of celebrating YOU everyday is this beautiful poem by Pamela Joyce Randolph that I came across while scrolling through my instagram feed and couldn’t help reproducing here, mostly just so I can read it for a quick lift-me-up whenever I feel like……but also for you!! 🙂 Check out her entire collection here – each poem is better than the previous and if her poems don’t make you feel the power of being a woman, I don’t know what will!!

The IWD theme for this year is #Embraceequity with a deep focus on inclusion and belonging. It not only differentiates between equality and equity but also talks about why equal opportunities are not enough and calls for equitable action instead. While there is a lot of material on the IWD site on this theme, a standout for me is the below graphic which sums it up beautifully.

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EquityEquality

There’s a beautiful video online that explains why equal opportunities are not enough since not all of us have the same privileges. I had pasted a link to the video on this post – you can head over and check it out there! In essence, the video talks about why opportunity cannot be the starting point for creating a level playing field. The opportunities need to be backed by equitable action that make them equally meaningful and accessible to all to result in outcomes that are equal. A nice example on the IWD site is that giving everyone a shoe is equality whereas equity is giving everyone a shoe that fits (so that the comfort derived from the ‘opportunity’ is equally satisfying to all). Frankly, it’s the kind of conversations that Women’s day sparks that makes it more meaningful for me.

I always feel inspired to write on Women’s day. To express admiration and gratitude to the long list of wonderful women in my life (that my mom tops!) who have led by example and allowed me to believe that a woman can indeed ‘have it all’!! I had written this post exactly two years back but when I read it today, I felt the same and couldn’t imagine how I would sum up my thoughts differently (aside of quoting other authors!!).

So I’ll just say to all you lovely women – Seize the day, everyday! But for today, enjoy any extra pampering that comes your way!!

And to the men (since we ARE talking about equity) – thanks for being the yin to our yang!

Kaleidoscope 5 – Comeback post!

I happened to renew my WordPress subscription recently and realised it’s been 18months since I last blogged. After I restarted blogging in 2019, which was after a 5year writer’s block, I promised myself that I won’t let the ‘Archives’ section of my blog miss a year again.

And yet, here I am – scrambling on the last day of December of 2022 – trying to ensure I have atleast one post in the calendar year to legit retain my ‘blogger’ label and secure my spot in the blogosphere as we (nearly) set foot into 2023. So bear with the rambling as my writer brain mechanics are bit rusty!!

What better then, than to resort to the Kaleidoscope format, that I had introduced on my blog during my #30daysblogmarathon in 2020!

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‘Orange’ you excited?

*_{Source: https://www.redbubble.com/i/canvas-print/Orange-You-Glad-I-m-Here-by-iamapeanut/49926176.56DNM}*

Colours pop, flavours tingle;
Experiences beckon, eyes twinkle;
It’s that time of the year again;
When regrets, resolutions, hopes and dreams mingle;
Cast away any worries or blues;
If you’re seeing red or green, don’t let them brew;
Usher in the pinks of health and joy;
‘Violet’ time pass you by?
Make the days count, from sunrise to sundown;
Look beyond black and white, ‘brownie’ points for every workaround!
Chasing rainbows for the elusive pot of gold;
Each new dawn, an opportunity to behold;
Sunshine to make sure, ‘ye-llow-n’ no more;
Silver linings, stars shining through dark nights galore;
‘Orange you excited’ to make this day your own?!

_{Source: https://www.zazzle.co.uk/rain_bao_cute_rainbow_dimsum_bao_pun_poster-228651231462416643}

Always wanted to do a ‘pun’ poem!! It’s a feeble attempt but it’s done now!!!! Hope you enjoyed it 🙂

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22 lessons from 2022

The year 2022 was about focusing on what needed to be done rather than what I wanted to do.

Usually, when I am cribbing about how out-of-control life is going, I also tend to have a few people in my circle for whom things are going well. So I always thought it was a kind of round-robin and the thought of ‘Apna time aayega’ always kept me going.

2022 however, is one of the few years that most people I spoke with told me was very ‘meh!’ even for them. So I’m cautiously hopeful about 2023 now!

The most profound learnings come from the mundane and even the doldrums – it’s not in the best of times that life gives you its humble twopence. So let’s look at the lemonade that we can whip up from the lemons that 2022 threw at us!

Sometimes it’s good to see things in relative terms than absolute. 2022 may have had its ups-and-downs but compared to the two immediately preceding Covid years, it still had much to cheer about!
No amount of reading or research can prepare you for the actual thing – whether it’s parenting or life! But the funny thing is that most written (or verbally passed on) material focuses on preparing you for the worst. Yet, sometimes, we are most unprepared for how much joy can come our way!
Gratitude is everything – the more we are thankful, the more there is to be thankful for!
The time between planning to do something and actually doing it is immensely telling of how high on your priority list it is! If it’s high enough, you’ll find a way to squeeze it in!
It’s amazing how you sometimes find your idiosyncracies are not unique to you! As a (relatively) new parent, I was surprised to find that many of my fears and preferences were not as unique as I thought they were! Ditto for some general life ideologies I harbored. Maybe it’s thanks to the internet (and the algorithms of social media sites that tell you what you want to hear) but this year, it’s been one of the things that I found a lot of solace in – that I am not alone in the way I think, feel and act!
Often, there is more power in unspoken words than impulsive conversations or actions! Cryptic is better than chaotic! (and yet, here I am filling words on a page!)
Being true to yourself is hard. Especially when there is always an urge to fit in. A good way to test if you’re being true to yourself in doing something is thinking about whether you can keep doing it everyday! If you can’t, you’re probably not doing it for you. And it’s fine, as long as you know!
The things you think you’ll NEVER EVER do in life are the ones life tests you most on. And 7 out of 10 times you end up giving in – I like to call it ‘reverse manifestation’ and actually if you’ve read ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne you’ll remember the book clearly says that the universe ignores the words ‘no’/‘not’ in your thoughts! Long story short – Never say never!
Sometimes, seizing the day is all about ‘getting up and showing up’!
Staying strong when you are breaking from within can sometimes be your greatest undoing. Being vulnerable can sometimes bring you the most amount of strength!
Choices are everything – each day, you’ve got to choose the things that matter to you ‘today’. As my wise husband often reminds me – ‘you can have anything you want, but you can’t have everything you want!’ (originally, a quote by Peter McWilliams). Yes, FOMO is real. Yet, sometimes the fear of missing out can get in the way of time spent doing things that hold more meaning for us. Why not replace the F in FOMO with ‘fun’ instead of ‘fear’. Or better still, call it JOMO – the joy of missing out!
Overthinking things can stress you out more than you can imagine. And yet, sometimes it’s the only way to rationalize and make peace with the things you can’t change.
Even if we are all reaching for the same things, we can follow very different paths. And the truth is that no one knows which one is right or whether there is a single right one. Begrudging someone for taking a different path than you speaks more about you than about them.
Giving in and letting go are different. Giving in is giving a relationship importance. Letting go is a form of self- care. Neither is a sign of weakness.
The voices in your head matter as much as the voices around you. Listen to yourself. Follow your gut.
Be kind, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. And if you fail, apologise and start over. The apology is important.
The best decisions can only be made in hindsight. In the moment, you can only go with what feels right at that point in time. So if you have thought things through and taken what seemed to be the right decision, that’s all you can do. When things don’t go to plan, don’t beat yourself about it. There are things you can’t know or plan for.
Change is inevitable, we all know that. But what we are usually unprepared for is how sudden it can sometimes be.
Manifesting your life is a real thing! You can attract the people and things you want in your life – you just need to want them badly enough!
Respect without love may be possible but love without respect is meaningless.
Shit happens! Get over it! (This has been on a wall poster in my home for over six years. This year, I actually felt something walking past it!)
And finally, no matter how hard something seems, what’s really gotten me through the year is this line – “You’ve got to go through it to come through it’!!

I’m sure if I kept thinking, I could come up with more learnings but these are the 22 that stand out for me from my various experiences through the year!

Let me know (atleast) one thing that you are taking forward from 2022 into 2023.

Or even better – you could tell me which of the above learnings resonated the most with you!!

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Keeping it short

It’s counter-intuitive writing a piece on keeping it short after keying 1400+ words in a single post!!

Not speaking about keeping my posts short (yet!). But one of the things that has worked well for me in the past has been short spurts of things that bring me joy – whether it is sporadic music recordings or blog marathons (first with the 30-day marathon in 2019-20 and then the 5word5 series in 2020-21), occasional bouts of fitness and diets or short-term detox from caffeine/sweets/alcohol, etc.

So, in the coming year I’m going try keeping things going even if I have to keep them short – whether it’s blogging or music or anything else! (Hinting at 5word5 2.0 – let me know those of you who are in by commenting below or on my FB post or if you know me personally, on Whatsapp!!)

Separately, if you don’t already – follow me on my music channel on Youtube and music page on FB in addition to this blog and blog page on FB (yes, I’ve spread myself thin!). Leaving all the relevant links below!

Youtube channel -> Sloka Balasubramanyan Music YouTube channel
Music page on FB -> Sloka Balasubramanyan Music on Facebook
Soundcloud channel -> Sloka Balasubramanyan Music on Soundcloud
Random thoughts Facebook page -> Sloka’s Random thoughts on Facebook

That’s it for now! Looking forward to a rocking 2023!

Wishing you and your loved ones too a happy and prosperous New Year! Keep smiling, stay happy, stay blessed 🙂

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P.S. None of the content on this blog to be reproduced or lifted without permission

5word5 theme 55 – Journey

#latepost – I was going to post this over the weekend but decided to wait it out for some entries that were in the works. Glad I did!! In any case, this being the last theme for Season 1 of 5word5, there’s no guilt of giving the next theme late!!

They say ‘the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step’. My journey with words started with three people.

My late maternal grandfather Mr. N S V Eswar who encouraged me to write frequent letters to him (and to my parents in the summer vacations when I was with him and my grandmom!). He always replied and asked questions in his letters so that I would definitely have to respond as well! Over time, I wrote very long, descriptive letters to him about school, my friends, exams, the weather, music and plans for the next vacation when we would be together. To this day, ‘snail mail’ holds a very special place in my heart because it’s where I first learnt to put my thoughts and feelings in writing. This also translated into long (sometimes frustratingly so) emails to family and friends when the internet took over.
My mom Shanta Balasubramanyan, who though never herself harboured much love of reading (largely because she never had the time) always ensured that I am never short of books to read. If I was not studying or singing/learning to sing, I always had my nose buried in a book. Reading made me think and thinking made me write!
My friend Aarti Iyer (Aarti akka, as I fondly call her) who really inspired me to get creative with my writing. Her poems and greeting card messages felt so special and personal. But more importantly, it made me realise that I don’t have to be a famous poet or an author to write – that as an everyday person with a love of words, I had the power to make someone’s day.

Thus began my writing journey. I wrote poems and made cards with personalised messages to everyone thence. I spent my vacations writing poems which then expanded to essays and articles. One particular vacation, I even tried my hand at writing Hindi poetry (let’s leave that for another day!). But it wasn’t until Young Times (my favourite kids magazine growing up in the UAE) published my short story for the first time in 2002, that I dared to believe I was any good.

That was then. I decided to blog when I was 18, with no idea whether I would keep up with it or it would be another one of my passing fads that would phase out. There have been phases of incessant writing – one post a day vs long, extremely long phases of deafening silence on my blog. Doing the blog marathon last year and then embarking on this rather ambitious 5word5 target of 2 posts a week (to begin with), really pushed my limits in terms of thinking and writing discipline! All-in and not counting the hiatuses, I have had a tiny voice in the blogosphere for 15 years now. Far beyond my wildest imagination!

It’s been quite a journey. My mom had suggested the theme for this last post of Season 1 and I felt it summed up 5word5 so well. Because that’s really what this has been – a fun trip with all you amazing co-passengers.

All you lovely writers who contributed to 5word5!!
*Size of your name on the grid is based on number of entries sent through the 55 themes! But my gratitude to all of you is equal 🙂 🙂*

While we are on word-clouds (because I absolutely love them!), let’s also look at the themes that received the most love in the form of your contributions!!

If you missed any of them, head over and read them now.
*(Size varied by number of entries for the theme)*

Tbh, it feels somewhat odd to not have to think of the next theme and plan the next post after the last 30-or-so weeks of doing it. But the break is important, because for me, anything that I do for too long becomes boring! I am sure that’s true for many of you as well! I just wanted to hit the pause button before I got there!

And while I’m on a break from 5word5, maybe some new wacky idea for the blog will hit me!

This has been a great collaborative experience – to have so many of you participate week after week – special mention to Anusha, Shruti, Snacky and Julie, my most consistent contributors! I hope all of you will continue writing and that I keep getting to read your lovely works!!

On that note, the last of Season 1’s 5word5 below!!

Slokabs

My son lugs his toy train across the hall. And I can’t help but ponder – There are two kinds of journeys. The ones that you plan to the last detail. And the ones where you just take off. Life (and motherhood!) is a blend – with all the preparation, every day is still a new adventure!

My musings

Sloka and “5word5” motivated people to tag along in their journey!
I surprised myself by contributing and suddenly along the way realized what is meant by a writer’s block!!
Now as this sojourn wraps up, I will miss reading the awesome variation in the interpretations and thoughts of a single word! Kudos to you, Sloka!

Julie P

A year of solitude, the world watched go by;
But if there was something, I enjoyed was 5word5.
Little clues unravelled a whole new world.
Words and sentences slowly unfurled.
Every week I admired reading others writing flair.
Anusha, Snacky became some familiar names I cared.
Thank you Sloka for this wonderful initiative you shared.

ShaBby

Ever since the pandemic hit in March-2020, there has not been any holiday.
Then a trip by the name 5word5 with 55 stations came along. I decided to get onboard. Though I couldn’t contribute to every station/theme, I visited them all and was amazed and happy to read them. Enjoyed this journey so much!

Anusha Arvind

Started writing after a long time. Thanks to Sloka! It has been an interesting set of themes that really made me think. Sometimes given me perspective during these tough times. So very refreshing and relaxing. Always eagerly awaiting the next theme. Allowing the creative and imaginative juices to flow has been a truly delightful experience.

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

Julie tagged me on Facebook,
Asked me to participate in a word challenge.
I had been in a writing funk for months now,
55 words twice a week was something I could manage.

Sloka’s words made me ruminate,
I had to Spin, Alienate, and Blossom.
These past weeks were wonderful,
This journey has been awesome.

Anusha Arvind

Let your heart sing
Don’t let go of your zing
Be hungry for more
There is plenty in store!

Free from worry
Sing in glory
Create your own story
So what if your dreams are crazy?!

Spin positivity
Immerse in nature’s beauty
Life is a beautiful journey
It’s time to Unlock! You have the keys!

Aditya Arora

Call it a dog race or a rat race, our journey has a start and an end. It’s up to us on how we lead it. We don’t have enough time to bother with the details, some will find pleasure in the grind while others find happiness being still. So it’s better to do YOU!

Dhiraj (blog)

Journeys are taken to reach another place, time or to just get away from impending chaos. You could plan it or go with the flow and it could all go wrong either way. The best journeys are when your mental makeup is to enjoy, regardless of what happens on your way, to your promised land

Ashokwahi.Wordpress.com (blog)

Though there is no entry of any journey in my journal since last year, I have traveled a lot! In 2019 I traveled all over the world. I visited five continents and saw four new countries. But my journey this year has all been within, and it can be called My Journey to Self Realisation.

Snacky

On his daily walk, Vishnu saw a beggar having hiccups and gave him water. Sadly, the beggar died after drinking it and Vishnu was jailed. Viewing the roadside CCTV footage, the cops realized their mistake and released him. Despite the hardships, Vishnu was happy at being released, because life is a journey, not a destination.

Nimesh Balaji Shinde

I just love to dive into pages of a script and discover new worlds. These pages form a bridge between my reality and fantasy. As I shuffle through them, sometimes a character falls off and creeps into my world. I then take him on a journey beyond his imagination and present him to this world!

Vibhuvi (Bhuvi Dhamecha/Vibha Laljani)

Drive
She started at 188lbs and set off on her journey by walking 10,000 steps a day. She set her budget to 1200 calories. Her luggage – dumbbells and kettlebells – was heavy. But it built her core and helped her tone. Wrong turns did occur. Yet, she lunged and kickboxed till she reached her destination 139lbs.

Bala R (blog)

I lost myself a hundred times
I found myself once or twice
I started on this path on my own
But it seems I have to pay the price
Often at crossroads, I tread on the path which is wrong
Only to realize my folly
I’m a changed person today – strong,
Tired, brooding yet jolly.

Anupama Menon

For the millionth time, she looked at the clock and her eyes desperately searched the lane leading up to her house. She could almost hear the sound of the bells ringing cheekily and her son calling out to her as he parked his cycle. It was ten years later. He never did complete that journey.

Milan Singh Solanki (blog)

Fear and thrill had caught her by foot
Standing on the edge
Guessing the depth
Gauging the height
What would paralyze her,
the weightlessness or the sudden burst of water?
Jumping to ‘find out’ made sense
The instructor said “Go”
She took a leap of faith
of 30 ft into the volumes of Great Ganges!

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And it’s a wrap! Thanks once again to all the contributors – we have a little community of our own now and I look forward to read more of your writings beyond 5word5 – on your blogs, insta pages, FB pages or even your mails/texts to me!!!!!! Don’t let the writing bug get away this time!

I hope to be back with Season 2 of 5word5 soon….until then, Adios, Amigos and Tally-ho!!

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

5word5 theme 54 – Opinion

We all have them, don’t we?! Sometimes we say them out loud, sometimes better sense prevails and we keep them to ourselves.

The thing about opinions is that everyone doesn’t necessarily have the same ones – even if it’s about the same things. Because our opinions are fitted to our personal frames of reference – which in most cases, for things that don’t affect us directly, never give the entire picture.

It’s like the story of the elephant and six blind men – one at the trunk, one on its side, one hanging on the tail, one clutching its leg, one holding onto its tusk and another feeling its ear – each one had a completely different idea of what the elephant may look like. The one at the trunk said the elephant is like a cobra, the one at the leg disagreed and said it might look like a tree trunk, the one on the tail equated it to a rope while the one at the tusk thought it might be a spear, the one on the side thought it must be like a giant wall and the guy at ear, argued that it’s definitely like a hand-fan.

Neither has any clue what the other guys are basing their theory on and each one believes they have the complete picture, when in reality, none of them do! Might be a good thing to remember when we open our mouth to give our opinion to someone! But more importantly, do keep this parable in mind when listening to others give you theirs.

In the current world where social media and opinion polls rule, don’t let the opinion of a thousand other people come in the way of forming your own.

Of course, as a financial consultant in my parallel life, I do tend to give out my professional opinion to people a fair bit. But then again, I am paid for it……

Anyway, moving on to the 5word5 of the day!!

Slokabs

Ambar loved to talk. He had an opinion on everything and gave it to everyone – solicited or unsolicited. What’s worse, he took offence if they disagreed. He may have made a great politician but unfortunately, he was a reporter! He had the power to sway a nation, if only he used it well! He didn’t.

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

As “Dilliwali Girlfriend” played on the radio,
She thought back to the songs from the 90’s.
Some of the lyrics were brow-raising and disgusting,
Sexist, colorist, and filled with sleaze.

The feminist in her was contradicted.
The catchy numbers, dances, and costumes were attractive,
Her opinions had changed now,
But the nostalgia held her captive.

Anusha Arvind

She saw her standing there all along. Simple, poise and level headed. Grounded by her beliefs yet unopinionated and free.
She was self empowered and strong, still stayed as cool as the winter breeze. She rediscovered herself every day. For a moment she froze. To her surprise, it was her own reflection! Neglect or reflect!

Milan Singh Solanki (blog)

P – “You are always finding flaws in me.”
G – “You are so bossy.”
P – “I think you are just too self-involved.”
G – “You are so not ‘warm'”
The ‘thoughts’ and ’emotions’ were at war;
exchange of anger and disappointment in play.
The ‘love’ was trying to bind together
what ‘opinions’ were eager to tear apart.

Snacky

Ananya’s parents found a guy through a matrimony app and thought he is the perfect match for her. Nobody asked Ananya’s opinion. Ananya was silent until the guy’s parents demanded 50 lakhs cash. She shouted loudly at the dining table. She cried in her father’s hand and asked whether she was a burden for them.

Julie P

There were once three stooges,
Left, Right and Centre.
When the Left cried about Liberal values,
They were pulled right back by traditional morals.
The Centre called for moderation,
gently nothing on either sides.
You never saw all the three of them together,
But boy! They created a racket when they flew in opposite directions!

Slokabs

Avril had been mis-diagnosed by her earlier doctor. Thank God she took a second opinion.
“Forget it, atleast you’re fine now”, her parents said.
“Take a legal opinion and sue him”, her friends advised.
“Or better, put it on social media”, they said.
Everyone had an opinion, but she was just glad to be alive!

Slokabs

“It’s 4:55,” said Ray politely to the woman beside him who wanted to know the time.
“No, it’s 5:05”, his friend John said.
“You’ve set your watch ten minutes ahead, you egghead!” Ray teased.
“Haven’t,” John replied obstinately.
Everyday truths – Everybody’s watch shows a different time, yet each one believes his watch is right!!!

(inspired by a quote I read!)

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“Season 1” of 5word5 is closing soon – with Theme 55. LAST THEME IS UP ON THE BLOG NOW! If you haven’t already (or if you had and slipped off!), jump (back) on the bandwagon to be part of my story!!

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

5word5 theme 53 – Hint

“There are always signs, you just need to see them.”

“The universe doesn’t always give you answers. It simple gives you signs.”

These are some quotes (attributed to various people) that I’ve lived by. We don’t always get what we ask for or think we want. But what we do get, are hints to what we really need. From the universe – from nature, from people in our life, from rank strangers even sometimes!

Our intuition is also nothing but a hint – sometimes to what we believe but mostly to what is right for us, for reasons that may not always be explainable. That’s why they say, “follow your gut”!

Sometimes, even the saddest or toughest moments hint at silver linings or a shining light at the end of the tunnel. The ongoing pandemic is a classic example of this, don’t you think? If you really think about it, it’s given us so many poignant and rather direct hints about what our needs and priorities are (or should be!).

Dont ignore the signs. Take the hint! Follow your gut. The trail of gold dust will lead you to your rainbow and that elusive pot of gold (whatever that gold may signify for you!!).

After another of my rather philosophical rundowns, let’s jump in to the 5word5 of the day!!

A quote by one of my favourite poets and the only one to have made 2 appearances in the ‘My favourite poems mini series’ on this blog last year (Two roads diverged in a wood and Miles to go before I sleep).

Slokabs

A birthday ritual he’d enjoyed since he was six was the treasure hunt for his gift! On his 20th, he woke up, excited to find the clues. There was a note on his closet mirror – “You are our treasure. So this year, for your birthday, WE are taking YOUR hints. Now, ‘come out’ to us!”

Milan Singh Solanki (blog)

She collected them,
wherever she could
She relied on them
Like a great friend would
Gave her the courage
to pick the ‘unusual’
The choice at first looked bizarre
They would make it look ‘contextual’
They spoke to her deepest self
more truthfully than anything
She believes in signs and hints
and consequences they bring!

Anusha Arvind

Years of hard work and dedication
Attend to duties with determination
To give you the best care
No matter what you wear

They hold on to their patients
With a lot of patience
Service of highest magnitude
All they hint for is a pinch of gratitude

We humbly bow down and salute you in every town!

Snacky

Ananya and Ravi got more subscribers for their trailer breakdown video. They normally do celebrity success stories and debate on a few reality shows. But this review surprisingly had more views. In that video, they just gave hints about each frame from the trailer. Since the video got trending, they planned to do more reviews

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

Her favourite player had won today. She had been jumping with joy the entire evening. As she retired to her room, she noticed her pillow and blanket and felt the sudden urge to curl under it. All the excitement of the evening had suddenly vanished. She felt empty. A hint of sadness had hit her.

Slokabs

Nancy had crashed. The perpetual fatigue, the endless toxic conversations that went on inside her head, constant aches and pains, lack of appetite and rapid weightloss – her body had given her so many hints. But this time, she decided to take them and promptly picked up the phone to make an appointment with her therapist.

Slokabs

“The quick Brown fox Jumps over The lazy Dog!”
The amateur hackers looked at each other. “Who sets up an obvious hint like that?!”, they thought. They didn’t have much time. He would log in anytime now. They had to copy the bank information before a duplicate login got registered.
They entered “TqBfJoTlD!”
“Password accepted”!

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“Season 1 of 5word5 is closing soon – with Theme 55. LAST THEME OF SEASON 1 OF 5WORD5 COMING UP NEXT WEEK!!! If you haven’t already (or if you had and slipped off!), jump (back) on the bandwagon to be part of my story!!

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

5word5 theme 52 – Sacred

Sacred is usually seen in the context of religion. Sacred texts, rituals, songs (hymns), chants and places like Varanasi, Golden temple, Jerusalem, Mecca/Medina, Angkor Wat, Mahabodhi temple, various other temples and monasteries believed to be the birthplaces and legacies of various religions of the world. In general, sacred refers to something that’s considered holy and unquestionably pure that has stood the test of time and gets passed on from generation to generation in the form of tradition or culture.

But not all “sacred” practices or habits are necessarily linked to religion. We all have some practices and beliefs that are sacred to us, whether based on religion or otherwise, that we hold on to because they mean something to us. To that extent, sacred is not an imposition, it’s a choice and a very personal emotion, something that you do for yourself and not because someone asked you to. Whether it’s meditation or art, gymming or swimming, your choice of food (vegetarianism/veganism, keto/paleo), reading or writing – basically something that you don’t compromise on.

Then of course there are sacred relationships – between lovers, married couples (after all they are joined in ‘holy matrimony), friends, siblings, parents and children – each of these relationships have their own tenets but what is common to them is they are all built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect. That’s why certain friendships/relationships stand the test of time (and by that, I’m not referring to ones that are forcibly or obligatorily maintained but ones that are truly special for the people involved).

I recently came across the term “sacred geometry” and though I’ve known about it all my life, I never knew that’s what it was called. It’s the science (or art, whatever you want to call it!) of drawing intricate patterns and geometric shapes that signify and are believed to generate positive energy (you can read more about this here and here). In South India, they are called kolams and in various other parts of India, rangoli. But I had no idea they had such a strong presence and history in other religions. Mandalas, similar symbols in Hinduism and Buddhism, are also a form of sacred geometry. I would like to recommend two immensely talented women here whose work I closely follow on Instagram. The first is Puriya, a dear college friend – you can check out her stunning mandalas on her page Puriya.Onkar.Art. The second is one Mrs. Hema Kannan whose profile I stumbled upon totally by accident but I’m so glad for it because her kolams are a treat for sore eyes (though I can’t imagine making them myself!) – you can check out her page thelotusshakti.

That’s all from me. Over to the 5word5 now!!

Slokabs

She was not a religious person but she had read volumes about spirituality. Cooking for her family brought her ultimate joy; the kitchen was her sacred place. The rituals of chopping, sauteing, pureeing and mixing were therepeutic to her – the humming of the oven like a background chant and pressure cooker whistles like temple bells!

Anusha Arvind

Fear or Faith
Rituals or Righteousness
Discrimination or Devotion
Scared or Sacred
Do we fathom the meaning?

It’s necessary to know the differences and not blindly read scriptures. Why are we confused?! There’s much to revive. Just like flowers bend to the breeze; let’s be with ease.

Unity is strength. Open your arms to the Universe!

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

I inherited a couple of gems from school,
Added some in my undergrad,
My first job gave me lifelong companions,
This circle of friends made me really glad.
My stay in the US added a few more allies,
Gurgaon’s friends were first-rated,
I’m the luckiest girl in the world,
My friendships are truly sacred.

Milan Singh Solanki (blog)

Endless trips to the
Gurudwaras and temples,
She passionately sought answers
Explanations and examples,
The ‘blind faith’ could not impress her
‘Curiosity’ would always press her
Fighting for what seemed a perpetual hunt
Tagged and rejected,
Faced all the brunt
Then she found it one day
“It’s within”, she could rejoice that
Loud and upfront

Snacky

Jaanvi was confused about her father’s request to meet Jishnu. She wondered if he would approve of her choice! She often meditated whenever she needed clarity. She had set up a sacred space in her home for this – a compact air-conditioned room with some aromatic plants, crystals and perfumed candles. Perfect for her yogic escape!

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“Season 1” of 5word5 is closing soon – with Theme 55. So just 3 more themes to go after this one! If you haven’t already (or if you had and slipped off!), jump (back) on the bandwagon to be part of my story!!

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

5word5 theme 51 – Poison

Sometimes it’s a thing and sometimes it’s a feeling. It’s usually something we can easily live without, may even be better off without and yet just can’t seem to shake off. Whether it’s whiskey, coffee, resentment or rage, one thing is sure – we all have our poison!

When we were kids, we used to play a game called Medicine Poison (a variant of a game popularly known as Ice and water) where the Denner would try to ‘freeze’ the runners by hitting them with a shriek of Poison while their fellow runners can release them with a touch of Medicine. The Denner won if he managed to poison all the runners before any of them can be ‘revived’. The real life equivalent of that game is, I think, Weekday-Weekend….. where you are constantly battling everyday blues to somehow make it to the weekend unscathed!

Speaking of getting through the day, this native American parable is my go-to on days when I feel my brain is in overdrive feeding me with negative thoughts. I’m reproducing the story here but you should totally check out the detailed write-up on this page.

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
The story of two wolves

Leaving you with this thought provoking story today, before we check out the 5word5 on this theme!

Slokabs

Rita’s tongue was swollen, she’d developed hives all over her arms and couldn’t speak. Her friend quickly found her Epipen and luckily, Rita was saved.
“I mentioned nut allergy”, she hollered afterwards. The restaurant clarified there was “just a drop” of peanut oil in the garnish. “Even one speck is poison for me”, Rita said.

Julie P

She had arranged for a baby sitter, blow-dried her hair and even bought a new outfit! It had been years since she had done something like this.
6.00 pm, the phone buzzed.
Standing in front of a mirror, with a mock laugh, she asked, “What’s your poison?”
The date cancelled. She poured herself a Rose.

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

The grounds that I was bullied on,
The corridors that I hated.
The teachers that made life a living hell,
My childhood that was mutilated.

As I drive by the campus a decade later,
Those memories are still present.
I forgave and removed this poison from my head though,
I have nothing left to resent.

Anusha Arvind

There was a sudden thunder
Her mind did wonder
Why this unbearable anger
What made her surrender?

To blame love or hate
Nothing left to debate
She was in deep grief
Caged in by her false beliefs

She woke up feeling abysmal
Realised all the poison was internal
Change was essential
Lesson that became eternal

Snacky

Since Diya had to work on her thesis last year, she couldn’t spend proper time with her family. Diya now took her family for a fine-dining experience in a cosy restaurant for her successful thesis submission.
Diya and Riya ordered food items under the must-try category. Both prayed that they shouldn’t get food poisoned tomorrow!!

Slokabs

Jolly, a lawyer witnessed a customer having a severe allergic reaction at the curb-side restaurant.
He decided to send out two emails.
One to the victim, inciting her to press charges.
And the other, an anonymous poison pen to the FDA.
Now he just had to wait till the case found its way to him!!

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“Season 1” of 5word5 is closing soon – with Theme 55. So just 4 more themes to go after this one! If you haven’t already (or if you had and slipped off!), jump (back) on the bandwagon to be part of my story!!

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

5word5 theme 50 – Story

When I started this series, I had no idea how long I would carry it on and I am so happy it has lasted 28 weeks and 50 posts – my longest ever continuous blogging streak in 15years of discontinuous blogging history . Huge thanks to all of you regular readers and writers for making this happen for me 🙂 You have become an integral part of my story!

So YAY – it’s the Golden Jubilee post of this series! That calls for some champagne popping and shimmery lighting with these stars flying out of your screen. Because I celebrate even my smallest victories. (So pardon the loooong intro and my overzealousness in the 5word5 section of this post!)

I would credit my love for stories in all forms – storytelling, story-listening and story-reading – to my maternal grandmom (nani), eldest maternal uncle (mama) and youngest maternal aunt (maasi) who lit up my childhood summer vacations with their bottomless arsenal of fables, folklore, mythological tales and even some creatively made-up stories. To add to that, my parents always encouraged me to talk to them about my day, observe people and things around me, string them together and find connection and meaning in the mundane. So I was letting my imagination run amok and cooking up stories in my head since very early in life! I see and interpret stories all around me and am always eager to know the “other” side to any story!

To be honest (and at the cost of sounding totally wacko), I also kind of related to Meghna in the Bollywood film Jaane tu ya jaane na who had devised a game called “What’s this?” as an escapist ploy to her rather sad reality. Basically, she looked at everyday objects like a cement mixer or a wheelbarrow and saw them differently. So the cement mixer becomes a giant that has swallowed a little boy, and the wheelbarrow becomes a rocket launcher. No, I don’t relate to her need to escape reality, nor do I completely endorse her version of the game (or see her vision of those objects), but I have to say, I like the concept of the game – which is to see regular things differently. Quite like looking at clouds in the sky and trying to see if their shapes remind me of something. Years later, a similar principle was applied to a ‘Creativity and Problem-solving’ training I attended at work where a similar exercise (i.e. see this picture and list down all the things it reminds you of) was used to introduce the concepts of six thinking hats and unconscious bias (not getting into those here for obvious reasons…..maybe in a future post!)

I have frequently imagined that my entire life is just a chapter or a page in a magnum opus novel and that all the importance I give myself is probably meaningless in the larger scheme of things. (Reading this post by Tim Urban on his addictive blog Wait But Why only put things more into perspective than ever.) I really have no idea whether, how and how significantly my chapter affects the rest of the novel. Your story, my story, our story……all fit into the cosmic puzzle somewhere undoubtedly, but where and how, we will never really know. But then again, my story is the only one I know inside out. So it’s all I can do to live it in the best way I can!

Then there’s the question of whether our stories are pre-written or do we write our own destiny! If you’ve been a long-time follower of my blog, you’d know from my earlier posts that while I do believe in destiny, I feel life is after all a decision tree and at some point, we have to believe that we fully control our actions – maybe not our thoughts or feelings but definitely our actions! So our stories are only an outline or a framework that we see ourselves in and are constantly evolving every day of our life.

If you think about it and really look around, stories are all around us. No one is living a completely mundane, decrepit life and we all have some story to tell! The best thing about stories is that they always bring gifts – the gift of joy, laughter, empathy or insight……and it is scientifically proven that what you learn in story form, you retain better!

Anyway, this post has become way, way heavier and longer than I’d intended so let me not go rambling any more and let’s get down to business with the 5word5 of the day!!

Slokabs

“An autobiography of a book
Everyone writes their stories in me, but where do I go to write mine? What if I don’t like their handwriting? Or worse, their thoughts?! After all, the keepers of secrets can have secrets of their own too!”
Neelu smiled, marvelling at the thought process of her 15-year old self!!

Milan Singh Solanki (blog)

Sitting on “charpai”, on the terrace of their ancestral home,
all cousins would first absorb the mesmerising effect of
being in total darkness with no street lights around,
a phenomenon witnessable in village alone.
Gazing at the stars, they would talk about
ghosts of the paddy fields,
sticking closer to each other
with every sentence!

Slokabs

Birbal, Tenali Raman, Chacha Chaudhary
Shikari Shambhu, Kalia, Suppandi
Mowgli, Swami, Charlie, Harry
Matilda, Belle, Fiona or Hermione
Aesop’s fables, Grimm’s fairy tales
Tinkle or Amar Chitra Katha, never far away
From each one, learnings galore,
Afternoons spent, lost in another world
A childhood rich with treasures like these,
They’re not mere stories, they’re memories!

Julie P

It was 9.30pm already, Rohan was not home yet. Amma had given up calling him.
She went to the balcony to double check if she could spot him on the road below. The trains passing next to her building made a familiar metallic sound, awakening her from her daily narrative. Rohan’s picture stared at her.

Slokabs

Krishna mesmerised those around him with his stories. But those who were listening to his stories had no clue that stories of his leela had spread far and wide. Who knew that Gokul’s beloved cowherd would become the mastermind of the greatest Hindu epic and impart the greatest story of all to his beloved Arjun!

Snacky

Yahoo Messenger not only dealt with varied kinds of relationships and happenings like friendships, love, arguments, etc., it also gave me an attractive nickname.
My Cyberspace friends introduced me to an interactive forum, where I had to register with a unique username and it’s “Bakoda”, which gradually transformed into “Snacky”.
And that’s my naming story!

Slokabs

“Story time, ma”, 5-year old Akhil said.
Maya knew which story he wanted. It was the same one every night. The one she’d conjured when he was three; about Sweetopia, a country with cake mountains, ice-cream snow, chocolate fountains and biscuit roads. Tonight, Akhil asked if Sweetopia had dentists! Her little one was growing up!!

Anusha Arvind

What’s in a story
A mystery or a thriller
Romance or comedy
Anything worth sharing
Is worth reading
Sense of humor and benevolence
Values or life lessons
Some characters leave strong impressions
Be it Enid Blyton or Sidney Sheldon
A companion in childhood
Leaves behind memories
Some close to the heart
Some leave a mark

Slokabs

As a kindergarten teacher, Sumi told a lot of stories. There were story-telling sessions everyday and she prepared well to give her children as much learning from her stories as possible. But her favourite time of the year was when kids got back from vacation. Because for once, they had more enchanting stories to share!

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

There once was a storyteller.
Every night, he told us a new story.
I hardly remember those today,
but I remember wanting to finish dinner quickly.

We snuggled into bed every night,
Waiting for a freshly minted tale that could have been a bestseller.
My cousins and I were lucky,
My grandpa was a storyteller.

Slokabs

The old war veteran hired an apprentice to write his biography. The young chap arrived, enthusiastic and ready to take notes. “So, tell me your life story, Sir”, he said. The ex-Major took off his shirt, bared his war wounds and said candidly, “My life story is but, a chronology of bullet wounds my friend!”

Anusha Arvind

A crispy biscuit at the base
Melting cream cheese
A dash of strawberries in its place
Some butter to grease

The aroma from the oven
Baked to perfection
Nothing but temptation
A wonderful culinary creation

A slice on the plate
Taste that lingers on the palate
A joy to make
The story of the cheesecake!

Slokabs

Bharti witnessed the media’s darling socialite being shot dead by a public figure at the pub. She couldn’t believe her luck in landing this huge story purely by chance. She excitedly texted her boss and immediately got a call. “Drop the story. Forget you were ever there. Or you and I will both be dead!”

Aditya Arora

Every individual’s story is different, and each story can be made into a movie.
The casting and setup are different. And some moments are relatable, while other instances don’t make sense at all.
But, if only it was possible to wake up in someone else’s story, maybe we would have been a more tolerant society.

Slokabs

Mohit wrote screenplay for movies for his living. But his heart was still beating for his first love. He missed the stage – the thrill of hearing the applause each time, the instant improvisations, the tiny ways in which every performance was different. In his plays, he was not just a storyteller, he was a magician!

Shruti Pimplikar (blog)

A story of a chocolate pastry,
The one I bought from Monginis as a child.
It cost a mere 25 rupees,
Every single time I bought it, I smiled.

It was chocolate-y, gooey, and delicious,
It made my heart warm and happy,
It had powers from the great beyond,
It could make your day un-crappy.

Slokabs

“There are always two sides to a story”, the village head said. “I cannot decide without hearing the boy’s side.”
Amar was amazed that Mukhiya-ji was so just even when his daughter was the victim. “He knows that she was promiscuous and is now feigning innocence”, he thought to himself.
Amar was killed that night.

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“Season 1” of 5word5 is closing soon – with Theme 55. So just 5 more themes to go after this one! If you haven’t already (or if you had and slipped off!), jump (back) on the bandwagon to be part of my story!!

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

5word5 theme 49 – Charm

Charm – a surreal quality that you can never quite put your finger on. Something that strangely draws you towards itself – a person, a book, a picture, a scenery. It’s usually something that oozes a positive energy of some kind – a charming person is rarely a mood-spoiler, a charming book is rarely depressing, a charming picture is rarely inspired from something unhappy and a charming scenery is rarely man-made lending itself a mystical vibe!

Speaking of mystical, ever seen how a snake-charmer hypnotizes his subject? Seems like charm can cut both ways! Don’t let someone’s charm sway you so much!!

Do you believe in lucky charms? I had a shirt that I would wear to every one of my CA exams. Luckily by the time I did my CA, the exams were held on alternate days which gave me ample time to wash and dry my “lucky” shirt! When I was in school, the trend of having charms everywhere – from school-bags to pencil boxes to keychains to cars and of course as jewellery- really caught on. A trend that is still very prevalent and one I’ve also been guilty of following!

A person or a thing can be your lucky charm. I know people who carried a little teddy or a photo of someone they love everywhere as a good luck charm. It’s been known to work – largely because it serves as a reminder of what or who you’re doing something for or how far you’ve come!

Last year, I did a really fun DIY project to make shrink charms out of takeout box lids. If DIY is your thing, this is a pretty quick and interesting project – do check it out! They also make great personalized gifts! Check out the video here!

Coming to the 5word5 of the day, what I’ve written is not what I’d originally planned for this theme but it seems fitting for this lovable being who was indeed a lucky charm in our lives and who we are deeply pained to have lost yesterday!

Slokabs

A sparkle in her eye,
A spring in her step,
She charmed her way,
Into all of our hearts;
With nothing but love,
And happiness to give,
Playful and fun,
A lick for everyone!
Sparkle! You’re missed,
You’ve left a deep void,
We’ll hold you in our heart,
Till we meet on the other side!

Nimesh Balaji Shinde

She kept quiet a lot,
because she was different from the lot…
Her eyes talked to me,
in ways that only I could see…
She giggles like a child,
has a side that’s also wild…
With a clean heart,
She’s my poetry and art…
Simple, innocent and calm,
my love has an old world’s charm…

Anusha Arvind

The day is warm
Crimson hibiscus and lilac lilies bloom
Butterflies visit off and on
Animals feeling content on the farm

The birds come sit on the branch
A hello they sing as a song
Bees come and kiss the nectar
Alongside the churning sound of the tractor

The countryside is calm
That’s its charm

Julie P

Ditch the heels, you don’t want to fall for someone at first sight.
You see, Prince Charming is not what he seems to be! Don’t fall for his flattery and niceties. Wear trainers and run as fast you can. He can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing!
Why didn’t they teach you this in fairytales?

Snacky

Ravi’s phone rang and it was none other than Ananya. She asked Ravi to share the Google map location of his house since it is going to be her first visit. Ananya was very much excited to meet Ravi’s parents. The moment Ananya was there, she felt Ravi’s house was full of charm and character.

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Golden Jubilee post up next! Who would’ve thought?!! Yay 🙂 🙂

P.S. If you’re new to my blog and wondering what 5word5 are, head over to this link to read all about it. And wait for Season 2!!

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