I don’t go blank at seeing you – My Blank Page

“Walk through the pages of a book and

you’ll find char­ac­ters, like old friends

in the cor­ri­dors of time— Gulzar in his book “Half a rupee”

What is it about blank page which entices me? It’s plain and clean slate. Or it’s state of nothing. As a writer, blank page plays a big role in my life. Every time I open my laptop and click on MS-word to pen down my thoughts and ideas, there comes a plain and blank page in front of me. A white blanket starts to attract me. Every artist must be feeling the same when he looks at the blank canvas which is standing ready to get drenched with the beautiful colours that the artist would be pasting on it. I want to reveal a secret of it too. When I look at this blank page, I keep on wondering a minute or two. Then the ideas run down from my heads to my fingers and quickly my blank page begins to have its shadow. That is known as words. Many of my stories were built in the same manner. No extra efforts but just concentrating on a blank page. Blank page is incomplete without any words on it. They both definitely complement each other in a big way. Blank pages can be connected to life too. When we start living our life, we have many things to worry about, laugh about, and spread joy around. Same way, the blank page is read to absorb the matters you pour on it. It can be productive information, colourful graphics and pictures, a love letter to someone, or a certificate certifying success and achievement or a divorce and death document. It has all the things which can be well signified in relation to life.  Every blank page has its own story. As we meet our new friends in our daily walks of life. In the same way, we find different characters and thoughts written intensely in those blank pages. 

Curtains

What are Curtains? There are many things I would like to share about them. It is a closure to any drama or play.  It is way of shutting your house from the eyes of the external world. It has the colourful patterns which suit your house‘s colour scheme. It is a mere substitute of window panes. A soft cotton or linen, lying low which has so many definitions and meaning attached to it which never ceases to amazes me. People are just like curtains. When they feel good about themselves and want to be showy or flamboyant, they open up themselves to others. At the same time when they are caught up in midst of trouble, bankruptcy, breakups, or any emotional upheaval, they tend to shut themselves in their cocoon. Their minds have become curtains.

Curtains find a way to the heart. When I shut my windows using curtains, there seems no light passing through it. The entire room becomes dark. Just like that, if I shut myself from experiencing happiness that universe has unfolded towards me, I choose to live in the dark. Opening the curtains that is our heart gives us a chance to live our life and enjoy it with full zeal. Closing it would just suffocate you.

When we wake up in the morning, we tend to pull the curtains aside so that we would get to see our sun-god. Sun has a nature to shine upon us giving a light to many matters. In a way, Curtains help us to reach to that podium. Let’s open our heart curtains and not live in fear or apprehensions. This will pave us a way to reach greater heights in life and attain higher goals. Stopping us from achieving is just like shutting our heart curtains. Our minds will get blocked; our hearts will not welcome any new talent. In short, there would be no infusion of new air or wisdom. Thus, making us like a static pole.

We have found a comfort zone living behind the curtains and not trying anything new. We want to join new hobby classes, learn new instrument, new language, dance our heart out, try new recipes from cook book. We don’t try anything of this thinking that what if outside world will get to know, what if I would not be able to dance properly, what if people would criticize me for not doing it properly. These What-Ifs are a huge curtains standing in front of us and not letting us live in our own style.  The stereo typical way of living pattern has drawn a never ending curtain before us that we are scared to try any new bunch of things.

Curtains are a sense of privacy. A freedom to live the way we want to live. It protects us from the societal eyes. The beautiful curtains should be drawn and pulled aside frequently to experience the light of day and night. Similarly, We should shut and open our heart curtains in order to grow and prosper.

"Curtains are like soft walls

When we draw them, no light crawls

It opens like a new heart

Waiting to get some attention

It is covered like the way

Others do when they are in dearth of love

Like the panes, it does not break

But when it is torn, we surely get an ache

Smooth and silk, – like fabric it is

Tends to dance with the tunes of the breeze

Some are neutral, some are colourful 

Suiting house’s decor, making one joyful

Carefully woven cloth, they have florals and are attractive

Sometimes used to cover any devious motive

For me,

Sense of Privacy, it is

Gives a freedom, whatever colour or design it is!!"

Week long Hug

Dear Readers, This is a post in connection to my Hug therapy for one week. Guess what, it really worked so well that each day brought a lot of surprises and reasons to smile and recall. Each day had its own melody that embraced me.

I: “Hey you know what.  I have thought about doing a therapy”, said with enthusiasm in my voice.

He: “Oh, What is it? “, asked with eagerness while he was tying his shoe lace.

I: “This is called Hug therapy. I am going to give virtual hugs to my friends and loved ones. The moment they see my hug, it will give a chance to smile in midst of their busy lives. It will bring a smile to their face”, replied with twinkle in my eyes.

He:  “Wow, so why not start with me?” said carrying his office bag. He was about to leave for work. Hearing that, I hugged him at that very instant and wished him goodbye. He smiled and waved his hand. I thought how a hug does wonders and brings happiness to one’s lives. I smiled and lifted my cell to start my first day of hug therapy.

A Hug: To embrace or cling together closely. This is a definition of Hug as per thefreedictionary.com

But it has more to it than we know. Hugs are supreme way to express affection towards someone. It shows that you are affectionate about a person and that you are ready to support them in a special way. Hugging has various types. Not every Hug would indicate that you are close to someone. A Hug when done casually without any physical intimacy could mean that the person is not close to you. It may be the first time you guys met or it’s a business Hug wherein employees are superiors give to each other. 

A Hug when done tightly, squeezing the other person could indicate that the person performing the action is very domineering and exhibits the autocratic nature. When the arms touch the other person’s neck or waist or back with a soft embrace would mean a love Hug or affectionate Hug. It would indicate that both the parties are extremely comfortable and are emotional towards each other. It could also symbolise the reunion of two parties after certain period of absence. Both of them could clap each other on their backs if they ought to or else if one wants to prolong the hug could do without claps. Leaning would augment the intimacy that Hug carries.

A Hug when done perfectly could reach longer heights and determine one’s love towards another. It is a way to communicate without words and extending a care to the other person.

I would like to discuss how  my therapy proceeded.

1.      Giving Hug: This was my first hug to my dear ones.  “Giving” is as you know a noble activity. Our conventional wisdom says that “More you give, Less you have” but truth is More you give, More you will have. – from the book, The ultimate gift. When you give someone with all your heart, you will get the blessings from that very person. The sense of satisfaction which you get speaks volumes. The smile which you have brought in their faces will give you happiness making the moment worthwhile.

2.      Fun Hug: What is your meaning for Fun? What all attributes you add to the word Fun? What comes to your mind when you hear this word? One would want to have Fun by doing lot of fun giving activities. Dancing, listening to music, chitchatting, writing, reading, singing and much livelier activities. So this Hug asks one to have fun and give fun or entertain some one that day.

3.      I am there for you Hug:  “I will be there for you, when the rain starts to pour, I will be there for you, like I have been there before, I will be there for you, cause you are there for me too”. I hope these beautiful lines from the title track of Friends show would come to one’s mind when I talk about this Hug. T would term this Hug as my special Hug in all my Hugs. The reason is because it shows that no matter what I am there for my friends. If they are facing tough times or having a low phase, I am right next to them to help them and support them. Not only in happy times you can call me but also if any harder times you have to confront.

4.      Let’s Dance Hug: Dance is meditation. Dance is just not moving your hips and body to the rhythmic tune of music but giving a sense of stability and control to your heart and soul. Dance is when your heart connect to the soul and reach to the path of divine. So Let’s let our hair down and start shaking our body.

5.      Secured Hug: This Hug shows how secured I feel when am with you. I am comfortable to your warmth that you pour on me. Same way, I want to Hug you to make you believe in me and be secured with me.

6.      Smile Hug: Smile is the prettiest curve on one’s body. I hope everybody would agree to this point. When you smile, you give signal to your loved one that you are agreeing to their point. You are happy with them and with their work, So smile and make the world happy as it increased your face value.

7.      Let’s celebrate Hug: Chocolates, Disney land, Movies, Games. These are means to celebrate out world and life. More than this, you need to have a internal stimulates to enjoy and celebrate your life. These are just external factors which gives you satisfaction for temporary period. What is important is having known the fact that no matter if you have materialistic aspects or not, you still have to celebrate your life and keep on moving like a bird. So enjoy our little achievements. When you have attempted some new recipe, so hug yourself and smile for your new progress. Look back what you were and Look now what you are. Calculate the difference. I am sure you hade lot of moments to smile and celebrate.

This was my Hug therapy for a week which gave me lot of wonderful memories, the memories which will hold me tightly and the memories which will linger forever.

Thank you to all my pretty friends who helped me in this journey and sending replies to my Hugs. Treat this as my personal gratitude to your message. 

Gardening - A Magical Experience

“Show me the garden, I shall tell you what you are” – Alfred Austin

At the very instant, you may think the statement to be eccentric but if you notice deeply you will know the intricate meaning.  You may pass a comment saying how one can know about one’s nature by looking at one’s garden. It may sound way too remote from reality. I would like to give you some insights of your nature in relation to mother- nature.

The above statement of Alfred Austin shows how Austin deeply regarded the garden. It shows his immense love for the plants and the fragrance spreading colourful flowers. He has studied the nature of plants and depicted us the theory behind it through his words.

 Gardening is not only harvesting a crop, reaping a field, sowing seeds, tending plants, watering those which will turn out to be beautiful flowers but also putting our hands in dirt while the mercury boils, scattering the seeds with our hands in the soil, putting essential fertilizers for the crops, pouring fresh water and leave it to face the sun for photosynthesis. To nurture a garden entails involvement of heart and soul. Only physical effort will not turn our garden into beautiful place. What is more mandatory for the plants to grow is the mental investment.  

Austin has stated that kind of thoughtful meaning towards the garden. The ‘what’ in his statement would mean a larger spectrum. When you walk inside someone’s garden, you could see how the garden seems to you. Whether it signifies messy, dishevelled, unorganized or a work of art? This would help you understand their habits and personality or style pattern.

When I come to my garden, it gives me tremendous peace. The way my plants shake their head softly dancing to the rhythmic tunes of wind is remarkable. As soon as I get up in the morning, it has become a morning ritual to water them. I feel any mother would attend her child after waking up keeping aside her own chores. They are special to me in each and every way. I want to be there in their growing journey. I and my spouse would see to it that it gets pure nourishment. We would even stand there and see if news buds have sprouted and if there is rise of new leaves. It gives us great ethereal pleasure. Lot goes in the creation of lovable and adorable garden which in return will provide you with glory and magical essence.

Going a distance ............. From you or from life.

Is it necessary to follow detachment? Can one maintain a safe distance with one you love?

That day, my neighbour came to my place. Twice in a week, we follow a ritual to drink tea over a nice conversation. We were discussing lot of social issues, festival scenarios, and family issues. 

Hailing from Kerala and brought up with seven siblings, one could not be totally isolated from each other’s life. This is what everyone could gather but she asked me to maintain a safe distance from everyone including my spouse. She told me that we should not be totally dependent on anyone. Our love should be limited and should not exceed a particular line. After talking with her for an hour, we both went back to our work.

Next day

The time came when my plants invited to their heaven or was it my heaven. I love being with them. Let me save this for my next blogpost. When I was watering them, I gave a thought on my neighbour’s words. Though I listened to her with great pleasure, I sincerely don’t agree to what she said the previous day. Does love should be conditional? Do I have to restrict myself in pouring love to my loved ones? I don’t think so. We human beings can talk about detachment but can we really follow? I can say that a person could make a bread for her/his spouse or make a coffee for her/his spouse but should not drink coffee from same cup or have the same loaf of bread.

 Though I say this, I am not a person who draws a line in each and everything. If I am in love with someone, I give entire myself to that person come what may. I invest my emotions, feelings and time for that person. Life should be happening. This could happen only when someone is ready to fall in love, ready to enjoy each and every moment with that person. Obviously, I cannot be the same person when someone rubs my shoulder in wrong manner. Can one measure the safe distance? How much? Can the distance vary from person to person? It would really take time to take in those words of my neighbour. Forget about understanding those. May be I would when I reach her age. Till then Let me be myself giving my soul and heart to one I love and to the passion I follow.

As Going a distance from YOU means I am distancing myself from LIFE.

Diwali celebrations - A revolution

I have always attached Diwali festival with lots of crackers, Diyas and auspicious pooja and mouth watering sweets. It is a perfect atmosphere for the loved ones, family and   friends to catch up and light the crackers or immerse themselves in lively chatter or sumptuous sweets.

But today all of a sudden I wonder what has happened to the charm that Diwali came up with. Gone are the days that I used to wake up by the noise of laxmi bombs or heavy crackers. I waited for the clock to tick 12 so that I will hear some noise. But my wait was futile. It was pitch dark in my society. The lights that they put up on the main assembly hall for the festival was also switched off. I went to sleep after wishing my parents and husband.

 Next comes the Phones. Long back, I used to count number of calls that brightened our morning on the Diwali day. It used to be a marathon as if people were standing in the line to wish us for the auspicious day. Now people have migrated to virtual wishes. Now I have to sit and count the number of messages that I received in Whatapp and other such social networking / chat applications. Phew!! Is it so interesting? I wonder.

 There were definitely people ushering into my house to wish but their eyes were glued to the phones. They were typing the ‘thank you’ or ‘wish you the same’ messages to their friends and loved ones rather talking to the person opposite them. What happened to those days? Wish I could just rewind or go to no technology mode.

Definitely we are addicted to the virtual world and are unaware of its consequences. Days would come when we would see the pictures of sweets and families on the networking apps on the Diwali day and feel satisfied. Neither I would be surprised nor would I complain.         

Voice of my Coffee Mug...............In her own words.

I gave you comfort

When you were lonely

I quenched your thirst

When you were thirsty

Be it books, be it friends

Or be it conversations

To you, I was the central attraction

Dreamy days passed, sleepless nights faced

I was there with you in each and every low phase

You used to hold me like your own baby

At times, I came first in comparison to your hubby

Conspiracy you planned, secrets you whispered

I listened to it and never did I share

You wrote poems and prose

I stood by your side, the evening when the sun had set and the morning when the sun rose

Always have kept you on your feet

My taste matched yours and you have always danced with me for every single beat

The scent of me you inhaled

That gave you enough spirit whenever you tried and fail

Sometimes black, sometimes bitter, sometimes sugary or sometimes with more milk

Every time you poured, I kept silent and never did I sulk

Jokes that you cracked with your pals,

I often gave a smirk and a hearty laugh

When the rain gods showed mercy,

You took me in your arms and wrote endlessly

Your verses got better and better with every sip and lick

 Today suddenly where your emotions towards me hid?

 Now that she arrived, you have abandoned me

 May be my colour has faded or maybe I have grown old

 But I am still ‘Me’ and will give you great company

 Because of me, your ideas get sold

 I solemnly listen to my equal jump in joy

I did not come to your life as a toy

Listen to my emotions, wipe my tears

Embrace me and Treat me like your peer

Love and warmth, from you I procured

I always have felt secured

Today I wait patiently enough

For you to lift me and say to me that I will always love you that our relation is solid and tough

Today I wait patiently enough

Today I wait patiently enough.........