Gas ka Gubbara

Passing by a small fair by roadside my eyes fell on something. Something that took me back to yesteryears when happiness was not friends and gadgets but pure joy in small things. It was just a Gas ka Gubbara, which isn't very easy to spot these days. The balloon instantly took me back to the memories of melas that we visited with our parents. Festive holidays that were meant to be lived with family, lots of pakwan and happy food. Gas ka gubbara was a mandatory buy for innumerable years. Something that we both sisters brought back home and competed to make ours last longer. This one being slightly different from the normal gubbara that doesn't soar high above the ground. Whereas our favorite Gas ka Gubbara travelled up and above teaching us that if you keep the heart and feet light, no distance is far away.

Minimalism

I keep hearing this terminology again and again, in various contexts and in multitudes of life. Though the origin of Minimalism dwells in Art and Paintings but it has been adopted in varied spheres of lifestyle. But what doesn’t change is the underlying idea that minimalism brings freedom by reducing distractions and redundancies. Minimalism tends to ward one away from incessant competition and fight consumerism. However, minimalism as a practice is intentional and purposeful. Delving into this topic with people around made me realize that the inference is very subjective and based on a person’s upbringing, conditioning and influence. For some, minimalism is about leading the life with least amount of belongings, for some it is about having a small inner circle to cut out all the energy suckers, for some it is about embracing a lifestyle that enhances the spiritual journey. What clearly stands out to me in most of the cases is that Minimalism as a concept is being adopted in selective walks of one’s life. Taking example of someone senior in corporate world who talks about being minimalist in home and decor, doesn’t shy away from flaunting a brand new expensive car. Another example is of a home maker who wants to go minimalist on furniture but can’t keep away from hoarding cosmetics. Another fellow who travels widely but can’t go minimal while backpacking though his abode is very minimalist. And there are people who live only for food but will give a pass to any other material possession. Giving up on makeup and jewelry is another form of minimalism. Coming of age, we have found our way of picking and choosing from the widespread concepts and everything comes out in a customized fashion.

The Vulnerabilities Within Us

We all are vulnerable. A big part of our vulnerabilities get shaped by parenting, familial bonds, kind of people we are surrounded with and the circumstances that we get to become a part of. Off late body shaming has come up as one of the most powerful tool, used intentionally or unintentionally. While it may seem like a normal innocuous comment to some, what it does to the receiver is extremely disturbing. One loses their self confidence and view themselves negatively. Another aspect of vulnerability is the ideal image with a hairless body, which has led to a common belief that hair in various parts of body are ugly to look at. Dark skin gets rejected during match making and has built a huge following for skin whitening industry. While this has created a perennially flourishing cosmetic industry, we have not given a thought to the vices that are growing in kids mind and making them detest body hair/ dark color even as kids. Out of the vulnerabilities visible to common eye, another one that stands out is beautification of body via jewels or cosmetics. In the race to look stylish and beautiful- we have forgotten to feel good. And feeling good doesn’t necessarily come from being decked up with various adornments but from within when you are happy about who you are and accepting the same. Traditional Indian families are a step ahead in making girls of the house believe that makeup / jewelry is essential to look beautiful and to keep the man smitten. Another aspect is to show off the amassed wealth. And all these have been time and again emphasized by Indian culture and religion too. None of our gods/goddesses are devoid of makeup and jewelry. Our festivities are based on decorating the idols of worship. Hence the fight is against the deeply ingrained system. There are minuscule actions happening hither and thither. While there is lot of propaganda and movements on social media but it is still a long way to go courtesy the beautification and objectification of body image. Glad to see models who are unconventional in their weight, color, have skin/hair issues being brought in the system. Though there might be hidden agenda by the brand to look good but nonetheless, a wave of change ensues. People are starting to lessen down the usage of fairness creams, body wax, color whitening agents and jewelry. Some are making the conscious choice to step out as individuals without any jewelry or makeup. Exposing their vulnerabilities and letting the world know that this is real me, we still have a long way to go and promote a culture that is more accepting and welcoming to the ones that are different.

The Marathon Runners

Running is in and so are the runners..

But what are we running away from?

Running away from those lurking fears, which may not even exist in reality?

Running away from situations, which weaken us, worsen us and bring out the worst in us.

Running away from people, who are capable of hurting us.

Running away in relationships, trying to find solace in some others.

Running away from family, to meet those needs, which give temporary happiness.

Running away from ourselves, in remorse and doing things, which further our guilt.

Running, Running, Running......... Reaching nowhere........

Aren't we Marathon runners, in our own ways?

My Man

Let the title not confuse any one of us, yes... ME TOO.

He is the Tridev, he is Life, He is Shiv, my Super hero. The experience has never been first hand but in and around his dwellings, there is just something- which gives me that great pull. The dark dungeons with the scent of earth and the potpourri smell of water mixed with milk, flowers still enchants. There is an overwhelming and intimidating power, which i feel lurking around at all his residences and clearly reflecting the power of the Man who is known for his capability to destroy. Wherever i go, the instant connection has always led me to those unexplored territories, where his Power exists. For me he is the Macho God, self reliant, away from the worldly possessions and fidel in many ways. You drive me Crazyyy...

Tell Tales....My version

Acquaintance:

Once again their eyes met

but

they saw only strangers this time...

Language:

Communication was her strength .

The weakness in his eyes bereaved her of the love for languages.

Superman:

Superman was his hero since childhood

He too wanted to be one...

Waking up to his father made him detest one.

It's Scary

Not my own compilation but really like them because of the true sense that they depict.....

She knows what's amazing about you. She knows what's not.

She knows your hands go damp in the lift.

That sometimes you aren't listening, when you swear you are.

You think it's scary to have someone know you like that.

But you know there's something scarier.

Not having someone who knows you like that!

The First!

Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility subscribes to the fact that every additive usage reduces the value of something or lets put it the other way- the first time is the best! When i write today after a long time, i am extremely elated at bringing in 2 different activities in my life, which i did for the first time. Both very different and not a masala to my tea- yet i am happy that i made an attempt to explore and a heartfelt vow to keep it alive.

I am referring to joining a special interest group for Running- Something which has always been an elusive dream to improve my well being. It was really good testing my own beliefs and challenging my body and seeing that it is ready to support my challenge.

Creativity is something which i am not bent in for, still a small office workshop helped me explore the art of Quilling and it has come to me at such right time as a worthy gift for someone real close. And the result not exactly amazing but worthwhile to begin with.....

The Unsaid Support

God never leaves us in lurch. While all our prayers might not be answered at the time we are desirous of but then there is a right time for everything and specifically when you need it the most. Incidences throughout my life clearly indicate that no one fights the odds on his/her own- there is always a suitable person with you- to make it easier. It strengthens the thought that - God is somewhere around, watching us and helping us come out of the issue with learning and support.

Value Add

After very long time, i met a person- who spoke just like me - infact much more focussed than me. I am glad that he voluntarily chose to expend the expensive half an hour of his time- chatting up and catching up with me and sharing his ideology of life. He, who considers life to be very small hence even one moment expended- should add value to you as a person. And its not what other’s consider as a value add but what you feel to be important for you. Thanks for introducing me to the concept of “Business of 21^st Century”..

The Other's Love

How many of us keeping doing things which we want to do? Almost everyone of us...

Have we ever tried to do things – which other’s like and not want us to do- rarely few....

I have personally tried doing things, which others enjoy and believe me- its a visual treat seeing your director enjoy as if the activity was being done by him/her. The gratification that you see in other’s eyes- when they see another person emulating them, copying their gimmicks and enjoying things- which pleases them- is in itself a great air to be around with.

   Plus you as a receiver- get to know lots about the person, explore new facets of life and   also in the meanwhile get exposed to something- which might later on become your       favourite.

Choices

How do you feel when you bump into a person, who has shared some UNimportant space in your life, earlier? The person knows and remembers each and every detail about you and takes the first step to converse with you, years later. And you sit there, as a silent spectator- amazed to believe that YOU don’t even recollect the person’s details and he/she is giving you details about your own life and whereabouts. Is it that you never could make out that you had few more well-wishers or you chose to ignore few people whom you thought as insignificant, in comparison to the others around you- at that point of time.

And then you are left to your own self- reflecting and thinking that-  Is anyone from your CHOSEN one’s category- still around in the same manner? Time to revisit....

Indianism and its current state

I am very disappointed to see Indian’s acknowledgement of their own country. 

Condoning our own culture, tradition, values, festivals and free adoption of ideas of the world- is the common scenario. While the world is enthralled with Indianism and willing to adopt the nuances, we ourselves are shunning the same. What best than understanding the same from a foreigner- who travelled all around the world and chose to leave her own country because the Indian image did not wipe out from her memories. While the foreigner’s actual exposure to the cultural diaspora is limited, but the opinion about the family, the values- presents India in a different stead. 

Are marriages and festivals the only events – which depict Indian culture? What about the small deeds, the warmth in people, the spirit of Indianism? Are we being true to ourselves by letting us being portrayed only from one side? Time to think and transform...