Look up

There is lot of goodness in this world that we tend to ignore amidst all the negativities that exist. Wake up in the morning, start reading the newspaper, and there you are! Most of the times, trapped in the possible circle of negative emotions.

One negative thought create the ripples and head starts spinning in the whirlpool of emotions as panic, stress and chaos tries to add a little more to the already mishandled situation. One after another thoughts rush in, you try to escape, the more you run, the more they chase.

Sleep seems distant, peace too far away.

But then, in that moment,

Take it easy, surrender, sit back and relax!

Situation can’t be changed but there is always an option to handle it with care, with positivity, with faith that everything is fine.

Finding positivity in the worst situations always helps to lessen the impact of the situation, no matter how worse it is. With that thread of positivity, hold on to hope, and make a way forward. There is nothing to fear.

I remember, my mother said once, “Whenever I get some problem, I thank god for not making it worse.”

I realized, children always learn from their parents. They observe their parents and their methods of dealing with situations, and that leaves an impact on their lives. The way they grow, the way they look at things.

I believe that every problem has a solution. We never get any problem that we can’t handle. Every situation can be handled in the light of love and care. It’s good to stay grateful, for it makes us stronger and gives us the ability to deal with it.

A few days back I read an article written by my daughter on optimism. After reading her thoughts online in her school journal, I was already on cloud nine.

In the evening she went for her lawn tennis class where she fell down while taking a shot and was badly hurt.

“I’m sorry! It happened because of my shot.” Her friend with whom she was playing a match said to her.

“No problem, it was a great shot! Why are you sorry? I couldn’t take it properly and slipped on this cemented ground.” She said with a sporting spirit.

“Please go back home and get some medication!” Her coach and other friends suggested after looking at her broken tooth and bleeding gums.

When she came back home, she had tears in her eyes. She was in pain but tried to control herself and told the whole story as we applied turmeric on her wounds before taking her to the doctor.

“She’s a brave girl! Thank God, nothing much happened. The way she fell down, it could have gotten worse.” Her dad had said.

We rushed to the doctor where she was given some medication.

“She’ll be fine in a few days.” Doctor had said.

"Some work has to be done on her tooth once she recovers."

Next day, while looking in the mirror she winked and asked her dad, “So, what are the plans? Is it going to be gold or a silver tooth?”
We, as parents, couldn't help, but smile.

She told me, “Don’t worry, I’m your daughter and I am strong!”

This time her inner strength was tested.

Though she can’t talk properly, can’t have her meals, and she can’t smile for now, but lighter environment, her will power and optimism is helping her to heal.

Look up to life that awaits you.

 

This post is written for housing.com #Look Up

Teddy Travelogues

“When we were kids, we used to visit our grandparents where we used to meet all our cousins and relatives. As kids, we looked forward to the vacations. We used to have fun time together.” Seema was memorizing her childhood days.

“Vacations are a luxury these days. It had been long since we spent some time together. Let’s take out some time before the vacations get over! These are the days we can spend some time with our family together.”Nikhil had said with conviction to Seema, to which she agreed.

Kids were excited and a break from the boring routine was needed desperately. They had finished their holiday homework and their vacation was getting over.

They made the reservations, packed their bags and set on their journey.

We all need some time to be ourselves, to forget our worries, to live in the present, to strengthen our bonds, to understand each other and sometimes just to be one with nature, to appreciate and be grateful for whatever we have.  Nikhil and Seema were busy listening to the kids as they noticed the minute details and enjoyed the roads.

Travelling together on the road, penetrating the dark clouds, they went further and reached their destination where the Sun greeted them shyly.

“Wow! What a beautiful place!” Little Teesha exclaimed as she came out of her car with her favourite doll that she used to carry everywhere she went. “Bhaiya, look at that cloud, it looks like a fairy!“ She pointed towards a floating cloud while looking at her elder brother Dhruv.

Their smiles made their hearts happy.

“Come on, let us go inside!” Nikhil said to the kids who were already running fast towards the door.

“Hey, go slow!” Seema shouted while catching up.

Both the kids looked excited as Nikhil and Seema checked in the hotel room.

“Making sand castles, running on the shore, collecting shells and pebbles, enjoying on the white sands, catching butterflies, basking in the sun, hiking and admiring the breathtaking beauty of cascading water from the mountains in the rainy season, or simply going out in the market and shopping, no vacation seems to be complete when we leave our kids at home.”

“Yes, I remember, last time we had to leave them at home but they were in our thoughts! At every shop, we were trying to look out for something or the other that our kids wanted.”

Nikhil and Seema were busy talking as the phone bell rang.

“Sir, I wanted to ask you if you want to register your kids for the activities in the activity area. You can check out the details in our booklet. ” The receptionist had called up.

The kids seemed to be interested and got busy with the activities that enhanced their creativity. They had planned to spend evening in the play room together. Nikhil and Seema got back to their talks while sipping their cup of tea.

~~payal~~

 This post is a part of an initiative by Teddy Travelogues and indiblogger.

Rise above fear!

When the mind is weak, it gets involved in all the negative emotions. Fear of unknown that was lying at every step, took me deeper and deeper into the dark realms of negativity. With every thought that made me anxious, fear started to haunt me every now and then. Umpteen times, I tried to avoid it, ignore it, but ignorance is not bliss always. The word fear is both a noun and a verb: the structure itself and the act of making it.

We become aware of our fears when we are ready to let go. There I was, ready to let go of my fear of the dark. It was time to face the fears.

It was a long weekend and we planned a trip to a nearby hill station.

We stopped at a restaurant. Beside the menu on the wall, there was an arrow and a sign board that caught our attention. A small sign board read: entry ticket- ten rupees per person.

“It will take ten minutes. It’s a natural cave so there is very little light, but you must go inside and see for once.” said the lady sitting behind the counter while looking at us.

“Sounds interesting!” exclaimed my daughter. “Let’s go inside!” She was holding her dad’s hand.

“What is there inside this cave?” I asked out of curiosity.

“A small idol of the lord .Shall I give you the ticket? You must visit this place. It will take only ten minutes.” She insisted.

“It’s too dark inside, it seems.” I was almost frozen with fear.

“Do you fear the dark?” she asked.

“Yes, I do!” I sighed.

My husband and daughter were already waiting for me to say yes.

I heard a comforting voice of my husband.

“We are there with you. Hold my hand and come.” He said.

I was almost talking to myself.

All of a sudden, I remembered, my friend had said a few days back, “Whenever you find yourself in dark, remember you are the light.” She had also asked me to keep chanting a mantra.

I said yes and we bought the tickets.

“Remember, it’s one way, and there is a small patch towards the end where there is no light. You’ll have to come out of dark through this opening.” That lady pointed out to the other end of the tunnel.

Anxiously, I took the first step, and almost lost my balance on uneven stairs of stone and mud, that was slippery because of natural presence of water inside that cave.

When we are stuck in the middle of the path, it’s better to move forward and explore the possibilities. Many other emotions crop up with fear. It was difficult for me to breathe. I kept moving forward, struggling to make it through.

 “Here’s the idol. We have come halfway!” Both of them seemed to be happy.

There I was standing in front of the idol of Lord Shiva and all the fears vanished. Though it was dark but I could feel that energy. It had filled the space and conquered all my fears in that moment.

We stopped there for some time, prayed a little, and came out of the dark through a small opening. It was an opportunity for growth and understanding that I would have missed!

~~payal~~

 

make a difference

 Joe and his friends went out on a road trip to their hometown after a long time. A small city where they grew up playing on the hills, running on the shores, watching the sunset as the waves touched their feet.

 “It’s not the same!” One of Joe’s friend shouted while throwing the empty can of the drink, outside the moving car.

Few minutes later, Joe parked his car near the roadside restaurant, near the waterfall on the way , when another friend, after looking at the surroundings, started to complain, ”How unhygienic!”

 Joe then politely asked,” Who’s responsible? A few minutes back we had been throwing empty cans on the road!”

Yet another discussion flared up but this time it was a sense of realization.
They had tea and snacks and started again on their journey towards their destination that once was their home and now it’s one of the most sought out tourist destination.

 As soon as they entered the state, they were shocked. Through the crowded street, amidst the honking vehicles, they made their way home.

There was something unpleasant about that place now.

Discussions of the old memories of the beaches and the sunsets while enjoying the drive had all become a forgotten memory as soon as their neighbour Mr. Murthy told them “It had become difficult for us to walk on the same streets, on which the flowers bloomed, now the drains overflow.

 Stinking smell of garbage fills the air and it has become difficult for us to breathe. We can’t fight with these breeding mosquitoes and flies.  It’s difficult to walk or even sit in the open.

We have given several applications to the municipal board, and the officers come and visit us, assure us that they’ll clear all the garbage, but no one actually listens. ”

“Who’s responsible?” Joe and his friends asked him and there was a moment of silence.

In the evening they planned to go the beach. The parking area was full of litter and trash. It was impossible for them to even step out. Somehow stumbling they came out of their car and headed towards the beach where they used to make sand castles, run on the shores at the sunsets and enjoyed their childhood but were surprised to find that the shores were strewn with plastics and all sort of garbage. There were some dustbins found here and there. Still people were littering around.

Right from the beginning we are taught to keep our surroundings clean, maintain proper hygiene but learning and practicing are two different things. Just like Joe and his friends, almost all of us are well aware of such incidents. Step out of your house and see the unhygienic conditions. Definitely, this is not what we want to project to our guests. Instead of complaining, let’s understand our responsibility and make a difference!




This post is a part of an initiative by indiblogger and http://www.abmontubolega.com/ .
Don’t be a silent spectator. Raise your voice and make a difference. Kyuki Bin Bole Ab Nahi Chalega #AbMontuBolega. Connect with them on facebook and twitter.

a healthy child makes a happy home

With her chirping tones she used to spread smiles. Sometimes trying to help Shanta bai with her tiny hands, holding the broom, and sometimes all soaked in water trying to wash clothes. Sometimes throwing the utensils on the tin shade of the shop on the ground floor and enjoying the music, sometimes laughing and talking to Sagar uncle in her own voice. Sometimes asking for water and then spilling it all around, sometimes climbing the staircase when no one was around. Sometimes posing for the camera, sometimes quietly eating mud. Sometimes creating all the fuss while eating and sometimes opening up the drawer and crushing biscuits. No one understood what she said. She was just 2 years old then.

How these kids grow up, so soon.

The home was full of comforting laughter. Like the sunshine in the garden of life, with spring in her feet, she spreads happiness in the home. We smile, we laugh, we learn.

The warmth spreads as she move around in the house. Sometimes trying to help her grandmother as she climbs up the stairs and sometimes sharing stories with her grandfather. Sometimes helping in the kitchen and sometimes taking care of the guests. Sometimes watching daily soaps and telling what they lack and sometimes sharing her dreams. Talking and laughing, teasing and playing, these kids become our friends.

The world seems happier!

Annual day rehearsals were going on in the school. Ria was participating in the dance and drama about which she used to share the little details with her grandparents. One day, when she came back from school, she looked dull. She looked tired and complained of bad throat and went to sleep. Every corner of the house was silent that day. She didn’t have her dinner. Next morning, the alarm was ringing in Ria’s room but she didn’t wake up. Richa and Rahul got worried. Weather was changing and she catches cold easily. Richa placed her hand on Ria’s forehead. It was burning! She had high fever. While Rahul was busy calling doctor, Richa kept cold water strips on her forehead. Her grandmother got busy in the kitchen boiling some leaves as home remedy for fever and her grandfather kept on asking about Ria. The home had fallen sick with her. It was missing her laughter. Everytime since childhood, whenever she fell sick, it affected the whole environment. Richa and Rahul were sitting with her and remembered all those years when they grew up with her as parents. They didn’t feel like doing anything. All the important works were left pending.

Doctor had come by now and gave her some medicines. She was fine within a week.The sunshine had returned!
~~payal~~

This post is part of an initiative by indiblogger and dabur.

https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/.

Bring back the touch

“Ridhima, can I get a cup of tea?” Rishi asked Ridhima while reading newspaper.

With sips of tea Rishi used to read the newspaper or was busy on the phone while Ridhima kept on trying to talk to him about their life, their kids, their past,their present, their future but Rishi always seemed engrossed in the details of what’s happening in the outer world and all of a sudden he used to ask her,”what were you saying?” Ridhima used to get irritated and say “Nothing!”

Today, nothing was different, but for her, it was their 20th anniversary.

After Rishi left for his office, Ridhima kept on thinking for a long time and then got up from her rocking chair to pick up a book from the book shelf. As she turned the pages of the book, she found a card that Rishi had given to her when they met for the first time after they got engaged.

“ I love you, now and forever.”  holding her hand he had handed over that greeting card to her. Love was visible in his eyes. That touch was still fresh in her memory. She was lost in thoughts, smiling when all of a sudden she came back in the moment.

She checked her phone. There were eight missed calls.

“ Rishi!” She called him up.

“ Where were you? I got worried? I sent you a message too!”

“I kept my phone on silent.”

“Let’s have lunch together.”

She had tears in her eyes.

She checked the message. It said, “In the busyness of life, we forget to live. We forget all those moments that made us smile. No, we actually don’t forget those moments, it’s just that we forget to remember them. Life passes by. And then one day, when we clean our closets, we find many memories sealed in the treasured chests. Can we relive those memories, today? Happy anniversary!”

There, while holding her hand in the restaurant, he said.

 “ I love you, now and forever.”  

Today, he was talking and she was listening.

~~payal~~

 This post is a part of an initiative by http://www.pblskin.com/ and indiblogger  #BringBackTheTouch.
Watch it!

 

Threat to dignity

Mugdha was posted as a medical health examiner in that small village on the outskirts of her city. That day she had a little more work so she thought of staying back in the Govt. quarter. Unable to  sleep that night, she sat near the window of her room and kept watching outside and thinking of all those people who came to her with severe infections and chronic ailments due to poor hygiene specially the women, who sometimes shared their personal talks with her. Much was the result of open defecation that was not only affecting their health but was also a threat to their dignity.

“Why don’t you get a toilet constructed?” That day she had asked a woman who came with a severe insect bite and pain.

“We don’t earn so well that we can construct a separate toilet. We have one in common for all families in our area but that is as good as nothing. These men don’t think it’s a necessity. How do we tell them, it feels as if, as if, everyone is watching us and you know, it’s not safe for us to go out in the night.” It seemed as if she was upset with the whole scenario and desperately wanted a change.

She was still thinking about that woman. Painful tone of her voice had made it difficult for Mugdha to sleep.

She didn’t realise it was 5 ’0’ clock already.

She freshened up and went out for a walk. All of a sudden she heard a sound near the bush on the roadside.

“Who’s there?” she asked.

“Didi, it’s me, Meeta.” A little girl of around 10 years of age came out of the bush.

“What are you doing here? At this point of time? Alone? Aren’t you scared?”

“Didi,I ask my parents to construct a toilet but they say they don’t have money. I get scared but do I have an option?”

While walking she thought of her niece who told her about Manju. That conversation came alive in her thoughts.

She remembered how Manju’s story had disturbed her when her niece had said, “ You know, Manju was telling me that she is scared of dark. Leopards come in the night and take away the children who go out in the dark. Manju’s neighbour had gone out and the leopard took her away. Next day she was found dead in the field.”

“What are you talking? Who is Manju?” She asked her niece out of curiosity.

“Manju is the daughter of the maid in our school. She’s our friend and lives in the village. She sometimes come with her mother to help her and attends the evening classes in our school.”

“O.k. but why do they go out in the night?”

“She says we are lucky, we have toilet in our home. They don’t have toilets.”

~~payal~~

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

This post is a part of an initiative by indiblogger and http://www.domex.in/.

You can bring about the change in the lives of millions of kids, thereby showing your support for the Domex Initiative. All you need to do is “click” on the “Contribute Tab” on www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation, thereby helping kids like Babli live a dignified life.
#ToiletForBabli

Fragrance cherished

 It was raining heavily. We were driving on the narrow roads  of Mahabaleshwar amidst the forest. It was a tryst with nature.We wanted to touch the clouds, walk in the rain and sing a rain song. Travelling together on the road, penetrating the dark clouds, we went further and reached our destination.
                                                                                            We indulged in the scenic beauty and there the fruity fragrance of Strawberries blended with the scent of showy Magnolia as we had our coffee.The fragrance followed us a long way.
 Memories cherished!
~~payal~~
This post is written in response to an initiative by indiblogger and godrejaer

A patch of land

                                                2010 image, Goa

 

At times, roads become the muse. In the evening, on narrow road by the river side, intoxicating fragrance from the spice garden followed me on a patch of land guarded by the hills.

Amazing cool breeze was blowing, weather was pleasant that day and then, it started to drizzle. Oh! that fragrance in the air, on the curved roads near the spice plantation on the foothills of western ghats mixed with the scent of red wet soil.

Healing fragrance of lemon grass, cardamom and all- spice tree* makes us forget the noise of crickets. As it blended with the scent of soil, soothing and relaxing retreat rejuvenated the soul. It stayed somewhere in my senses.

Wish I could visit that patch of land again!
~~payal~~

This post is a part of an initiative by indiblogger and http://godrejaer.com

* The leaves of all spice tree looks  like bay leaf and the fruits are like peppercorns.

What's cooking?

Today,
I'll tell you,
How I cooked,
A tricolour dream.

A green pastureland
of spinach, green chillies and coriander
was boiling with heat of spices
at the sight of onions.
Tomatoes jumped in with a
little salt.
They were put together in a cell
and were churned till they became one.
They mixed up well.

The first layer of dream
was placed in a glass room.

Butter was melting and
flour tried to mingle.
White was peace as
It bathed in the softness of milk.
A pinch of salt was added
with the healing quality
of peppercorns.
Macaroni and potatoes
were boiling with rage.
They were taken away,
where they cooled down under a shower.
And then they lived in peace
with a cheesy smile.

That made the second layer of my dream.

The healing hand of peace was placed on the
 fresh wounds of green pasture
in the glass room.

And then it was time to cover it up with red;
cooked love of ketchup and cheese.

I opened the door and placed this dream
in quiet of the room. I allowed it to turn
round and round till it came out
well cooked.

This sumptuous delicacy
served as a perfect meal for two.
~~payal~~

Part of an initiative by indiblogger and www.myborosil.com
 

split remedy

2014 image, Gurgaon

 

 

“I never enjoy a movie in which the lead character dies in the end. It always make me sad. I wish, I had a magic wand that would bring them back to life. Ends should always be smooth. Happy endings as they say. Beautiful ends lead to new smooth beginnings.”

Flora said in a depressed tone after watching the movie.

“Hey wait!" James interrupted,"It sounds more like a TRESemme ad that I saw in a commercial break! The shampoo is like that magic wand that would bring dull hair back to life. No split ends you see. ” All of a sudden he chuckled, running his fingers through Flora’s hair.

“Seriously!You remember all the ads!” Flora said with a smile.

“....It works! Keep smiling.” James said while holding her hand.

A new feeling

A new love

A new dream

A new hope

Heals the rough ends

With gentle touch of

Affection.

I feel your care,

As you gently  

Caress my tresses

As if you whispered

“I am there. Trust me.”

~~payal~~

This post is a part of indiblogger: Tresemme.

Recharged naturally

Smoothening the rough edges

In moments of distress

A ray of hope
Give us strength

And nourish us

With positivity.

Change is wonderful.

A new woman in me

Revisits hope with a smile.
Shining naturally,
Full of confidence,
Recharged naturally.
~~payal~~

 

                                                     2014 image,Gurgaon



Though looks can be deceptive but who doesn’t like long and healthy hair, cascading over the shoulders like a flowing river?

Alas,it’s been a dream for me for sometime now. Change of climate, water, dust, pollution and side effects of some medicines all showed up in the rough texture of my hair.

Few days back,I received soothing green coloured bottles of Sunsilk natural recharge shampoo and conditioner lying on a satin sheet in a wooden basket delicately wrapped with satin ribbon.

It’s a natural product that claims to make hair look two times thicker and upto five times stronger. I found nothing wrong in giving it a try.

What tempted me most were the ingredients. It’s paraben* free!

*“Parabens can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers. Researchers have found parabens in breast tumors and believe there is a relationship between parabens and tumors.”

What else one wants from these products. One less worry indeed! This product is co-created by Jamal Hamadi, expert in natural ingredients.

Shimmering pearl white shampoo and conditioner made my hair soft and manageable but nothing is permanent. The mild fragrance lingers on for sometime after the wash. Overall, it worked well for me. I like it.

This post is a part of indiblogger  sunsilk natural recharge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The little "WE"

Down the memory lane,
I see,
The little "WE"
trying to dress up
like grown ups
and imitate them
as they were.

Childhood wrapped
in mom's sarees
and lipstick smudged
all over the face.

Ready to face
an imaginary audience,
The little "WE" stood
with innocent smiles.

On the stage,
stumbling in our dresses,
performing artists
in the summer vacations.

Mostly imitating our teachers,
in absence of blackboard
we wrote on the walls
while teaching
the imaginary students.

We used to be ,as we were
enjoying every moment.
No thoughts of acceptance
or rejection.
It was just about
flowing with the flow.

Storms were related
to the falling of tamarind.
We used to wait
with our bags
beneath the huge tamarind tree
to pick up red ripe tamarind
for chutney.

Parents got annoyed at times
"Don't get angry,
Make them understand
with love."
said our grandfather.
It became the motto for life.

Now it's time
to let our kids live
their childhood, 
letting them learn
and making them
understand
with love,
as they create
some memories,
that they would cherish.
FOREVER.
~~payal~~
P.S. Remembering my sister and the good old days at my parents place.