Love someone

Love someone. No, I dont mean it as a resolution...rather as a way of life. There are many reasons to be with people, to make friends, acquaintances. And many reasons not to love someone. Don't think too much about it. Do it. Completely. Utterly. Without holding back. No, I dont promise you that you will be loved back the same way in return. But what I can promise you is that you will never know the joys of loving until you do it. There is something magical in allowing yourself to open up so utterly to someone that sometimes all you see is them. Yes, you risk becoming vulnerable. You may get hurt. But its worth taking the chance.

If you get loved equally in return, its a bonus. But dont love to be loved. That wont allow you to love unabashedly. Have you ever danced in an empty park? Or your own room? When no one is watching? Not in a poetic way...have you truly ever done it? There is such a simple joy in being able to do something only because it gives you pleasure and not for any other reason.

The world becomes harder as you grow up. Your walls go up...as do those of everyone you know. Your importance in people's lives changes...you end up fulfilling expectations most of the times. Dont get bogged down. Dont love everyone...but love someone. It'll make it all worth it. Trust me.

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta
Kahin zameen nahi to kahin aasman nahi milta

Bujha Saka Hain Bhala Kaun Waqt Ke Shole
Ye Aisi Aag Hain Jisme Dhuan Nahin Milta

Tere intezaar mein aesa nahi ki lutf na ho
Intezar karen hum aesa lamha nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Tere jahan mein aesa nahi ki pyar na ho
Jahan umeed ho uski, wahan nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta
Kahin zameen nahi to kahin aasman nahi milta

Jise Bhi Dekhiye Vo Apne Aap Mein Gum Hain
Zubah Mili Hain Magar Humzubah Nahin Milta

Teri duniya mein aesa nahi ki hazaar raste na ho
Jo rasta manzil ko le jaye wo nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Khuli ankhon se sapne dekhne ka jurm na ho
Har baar wo jurm ho to uski saza se panah nahi milti

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta

Ab tanhai mein na chal pane ka khauf na ho
Jab zindagi ko tanhai ka saath mile to kisi aur ka saath nahi milta

Kabhi kisiko mukkamal jahan nahi milta
Kahin zameen nahi to kahin aasman nahi milta

Rahul Gandhi’s Wikileak

An article by an Indian columnist in WSJ on Rahul Gandhi’s comment in the Wikileak conspiracy got me a little riled up. You can read the article here to get the background on this. I have been holding my silence on this controversy for a few reasons. Firstly, I steer clear of religious remarks. They are too close to everyone’s hearts and I do not wish to be misunderstood. Secondly, I am neither a loyalist nor an opponent of Rahul Gandhi. I have more of a wait and watch attitude towards him.

So why did I get agitated with this article? Because of the definition of Hindu terrorism. First of all, in my eyes, there is no Hindu terrorism, Islamic terrorism, Sikh terrorism or the likes. There is just pure terrorism. And these people happen to belong to a particular religion thus we love to extrapolate their opinions to their entire society. Why I oppose this article is that Hindu terrorism is not limited to 2 bomb blasts in Andhra Pradesh 3 years back. The Babri Masjid fiasco and the entire Rath Yatra in my opinion was a form of terrorism. The Godhra riots which were supported by the political party (with a very fanatical Hindu agenda) were a form of terrorism. If the Mumbai bomb blasts were terrorism by the dons, then so was the inhuman backlash that happened in the form of state sponsored mass killing during Mumbai riots.

Terrorism is not dictated by religion. No. As much as you would like to blame a certain religion and say that their very holy book gives them the right to kill people of other religions, I ask you – have you read it? It is written in a certain Arabic script that has no direct translation and can only be deciphered as an indicative translation. Which means that one sentence can be translated by 10 scholars to mean 10 different things. While we’re on the subject, have you read any other holy book? Not a translation…the original? If one wishes, each religion can be distorted to suit the agenda of fanatics. It’s been done to Sikhism by Bindre Wala who is still revered in many countries. It has been done in the form of racism within Christianity by many like the Klu Klux Klan. It has been done to Islam, Hinduism and all religions that you can think of.

Let us not just bash the speaker for saying words that are not populist with the majority of our country’s population. Let us instead give him the benefit of doubt and accept as he said “"terrorism and communalism of all types are a threat to India”. Because they are. In any form. And unless we stop justifying one over the other, we will never be able to annihilate them.

That time of the year - Hope and Resolutions

Very long list of resolutions and a very introspective post last year on New Year's. Not in the mood to do that this year... Travel wasn't so bad...Kerala, Lakshadweep, Fagu, Shimla, Bangalore, Palampur, Mcleodganj, Kesroli, Goa!!! A week in Goa was the best way to end this eventful year!! The sound of waves never fails to calm a turbulent mind.

My reolutions last year...in the hope that I would manage to cross off a few atleast:

1. Get a doggie
2. Launch a business idea
3. Try yoga or art of living
4. Give more time and attention to my family and best friends.
5. Be more social
6. Find a publisher for my book “Quick and Yummy Recipes for the Working Woman”
7. Adopt a lifestyle where I live each hour of my day on my own terms
8. Laugh out loud more often
9. Travel to atleast 3 new destinations in the year
10. Be stronger
 
6 out of 10, not a bad score at the end of the day! This year, though, I find myself wanting in terms of such precise clarity. I have just one resolution this year...."To be happy...and surround myself only with people who make me happy". Often we give so much of ourselves to people, in all kinds of relationships and interactions  that we end up putting ourselves on the backseat. I have realised though, that people who love you will always want to see you smile...and those to whom it doesn't matter, it's really up to you how much you allow them to matter!
 
Happy New Year....wishing you the most beautiful gifts - a warm hug on a cold day and a house that is always alive with laughter! Cheers....