What I learned when I lost…

Getting straight to the point…

Recently I lost my laptop data. ALL of it. It included my daily writing work, photos, videos, songs, movies and what not. For the last 1 year my laptop has become everything for me. I had a really bad habit of treasuring memories in the form of writeups backed with photos and videos.

I used to write on my laptop. Whatever is on my mind it’s on my laptop. There would be about 4 word files that are WIP at any particular time.

Photos and videos of my 17 months daughter. I had treasured 1000s (yes!!) of her photos and videos since the day she was born. Me and my husband’s photos of last 30 years. Photos of our four years of married life. I was crazy about photos and collecting them. I lost all of these.

A rare and unique collection of over 8000+ songs, which I was so proud of. Name a song and I had it. All gone.

Movies collection of both Hollywood and. Bollywood. All gone.

So all ranting is done. This is about what’s all gone, what’s all lost. Now let me tell you what I found.

Initially, I was so agitated that it even drew a few droplets out of my eyes. I was depressed as if I have lost everything. (Yes I did)

Then I peeped within. I observed my inner feelings. Oh !! what attachment, what adhesion I had with all such stuff. I saw and observed and realized. Gradually, all the negative feelings of depression, irritation, anger, helplessness, pain, agony, pangs of conscience, agitation all began to disperse and eventually disappeared.

1. How we get attached to things and people, and when they go away from our life it hurts. And it hurts a lot. 30 years of both the parents and 2 years of the kid. All gone. No memories will be there for this time period. Oh really?? Not physically, but only in our minds. These are only photos that are gone. Even living people go and we have to accept it. (Being blunt, but it is the bitter truth) I am another step closer to detachment. And life gave me a chance to get rid of my “extras”.

2. Doubt and fear are imaginary and they feed on our imagination. The more you imagine the more they will grow. And these two never live in present. Both doubt and fear arise when we either think of past or the future. “What will I say to my kid when she asks for her childhood photos??” “Oh how good the photos and everything were?? ” Stop thinking about past or the future. Live in present and avoid doubt and fear.

3. Whatever happens, happens for the good. So what’s good in this?? See the positive in every situation. I no longer have to worry about these things when I die. My Burden is decreased. It unburdened me by the pressure of regularly taking and collecting all my data at one place (yes, I used to do that). Now, I have one job less to do.

4. It is ok to not be perfect. I was a perfectionist (in certain ways) and I want things in a proper systematic way. Be it the gadgets, data, home decor, or any darn thing. I let go of that ‘perfectionist’ feeling. I am ok with the things and situations as they are.

5. If it is written, it is bound to happen. Sometime or later. It is fixed and nothing can change it. So better to not become an obstacle and keep the flow smooth. Accept not expect and go with the flow.

P.S. – It took me 2.5 hours and ‘a flash second ‘ to accept the loss and make peace with the situation.

Mysterious Blogger Award

It’s been a few weeks Nupur has nominated me for the Mysterious Blogger Award! I was travelling and been caught up with other things so was unable to continue the chain in time. First of all, Thank you so much Nupur for this award. This is the first award for my blog. I am very happy and honoured to receive this award from you.

This award is the brainchild of Okoto Oke Enigma – a teenage blogger who felt that there are several amazing undiscovered blogs out there that are a mystery to the world. That’s why she called it the ‘The Mystery Blogger Award’. It is also named after the creator since ‘Enigma’ means ‘Mystery’. She came up with the idea for this award, to promote unknown blogs. It’s a great idea!

She says…

“It’s an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion.”

Let’s spread some blog love people!!

Here are the rules-

1. Put the award logo/image on your blog
2. Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
3. Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
4. List the rules.
5. Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
6. Share a link to your best post(s)
7. You have to nominate 10 – 20 people
8. Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify)
9. Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog

So here are 3 things about myself-

1. I am an introvert. If I am going to meet or call someone I first think ” What would I say??” You can say I Fear talking to new people.
2. I have a good sense of photography.
3. My thoughts have a better connection with the pen in hand than my tongue. I can’t express well by saying but writing helps.

Answers to Nupur’s questions-

1. What’s your passion and why??
   Number one, Writing. Because it helps me heal and grow. Number two driving car, which I am yet to master, because i am mad about driving cars, and I just love travelling.
2. What do you like best about writing?
   It helps me express myself, even at times when I can’t say anything to others or to myself. Writing helps me understand my own self in a better and clearer way.
3. What’s been your biggest life change and why?
   Well, cannot label any incident as life changing till yet.
4. What’s your favourite quote?
   “सब दिमाग का खेल है” it’s my own quote.
5. Do you indulge in phubbing? Why or why not?
   Well first I have to search for its meaning.. ;P well I am totally against this. I do not indulge in phubbing. Why not?? don’t you think you should be with the person both physically and mentally. Yes, but if you really want to ignore the person and the situation, that is a different scenario then.

   Here are the bloggers I nominate for “The Mystery Blogger Award” –

   Deepa Karthik

   Anamika Agnihotri

   Esha M Dutta

   Anagha Yatin

   Aesha Shah

   Varad

   Shalini Baisiwala

   Deepa Gandhi

   Amit Prakash

   Geethica Mehra

   Papri Ganguly

   Princy Khurana

   Yogita Rane

   Rohan Kachalia

   Sunita Rajwade

   Shilpa Garg

   Arjun Gupta

   Anshu Bhojnagarwala

   Many of you, rather all, on the list are not a mystery anymore and the blogosphere knows you very well. But this is for your love and passion towards writing, which inspires the world. Keep writing, keep inspiring.

   My questions for you all –

   1. What is your definition of peace and Nirvana??
   2. If you could achieve one big goal this year, what would it be?
   3. What is that thing which keeps haunting you??
   4. If you get a chance to undo one past action of yours, what that would be. Why or Why not??
   5. You are dying. What’s on your mind??

   Looking forward to your answers, fellow bloggers so do drop a line on this blog post to let me know when your post is ready.

eBook Review – Because by Namratha Varadharajan

Book at a glance

Book Name – Because Someone Had to Say it!
Author – Namratha Varadharajan
Genre – Poetry
Number Of Pages- 90

One line review – GO READ IT !! You won’t regret. Thank me later.

If you want to read a real good poetry collection this one is for you. Each poem is unique in itself. Number one it is associated with a cause, secondly you will get to know about the different forms of the poetry. You will find poems on major social issues like environment and women empowerment in this book. Kudos to you Namratha. Writing in a particular form and on a specific cause, is not at all an easy task.

This collection of poems is a shout out to those who had immense strength when life dealt them an unfair hand, for those making this world a kinder and greener place to live in and for those not even whispering for themselves. BECAUSE Someone had to say it.

From conservation of forest to saving trees to Olive Ridley (a rare sea turtle). You will get to know about Channapatna toys, Pizza grannies, Goonj and many more social works and encouragements. You will find poems against few social taboos such as body shaming, rape culture, child marriage, periods, and what not.

You will get a feeling of proud, pity, fear, courage, responsibility all at the same time when you read this book. And for the extra topping on the cake, you will learn about many forms of poetry. Acrostic, free verse, Tanka, Haiku are commonly used forms. In this you will see the FIB, Shadorma, Magic 9, Naani to name a few.

Setting Sun
thousand scattered clouds
ablaze in sun’s wave goodnight,
beautiful indeed:
how in the blink of an eye
this moment shall pass me by.

All the poems in the book are amazing in their form and the cause they are written for. The above one is my favorite. Few lines i would like to highlight here –

I tap
and a butterfly flies away
We tap
and symphonic thunderclap

I did not wish to have a girl
bring her into this deviled world.
Humanity died yesterday-
How can I talk of hope today?

They think they taunt me
by calling me “Mitti”.
But, I am proud
to be like this earth.

Do you need me to save you?
Do you need me to love you?
Well, maybe if you are worthy
I shall rescue you too.

About the Author “Namratha Varadharajan”

Namratha Varadharajan is a wife of one and mom of two adorable boys by day and poet by night. She has meandered her way to find her passion lies in writing, more specifically in writing verse. You can read more of her work at http://namysaysso.com.

Grab your copy and take a dip in the great poetry. Download here

P.S – Namratha, I followed your instructions and really enjoyed reading the last poem the way you mentioned.    Thanks.

InstaGita by Nupur Maskara – eBook Review

 

 

Book at a glance

Book Name – InstaGita
Author – Nupur Maskara
Genre – Poetry
Number Of Pages- 74

The Bhagavad Gita is a unique text. Short but power packed. The Bhagavad Gita is part philosophy, part self-help, part poetry. Translations can be enigmatic and commentaries can suck the life out of its verses. This book summarizes the Gita and presents Arjuna’s reaction to Krishna’s words, as Everyman, in poetry. Arjuna gets little air time in the Gita. As Everyman, he voices our dilemmas on being human and trying to follow the path of the Gita.

As the name suggests InstaGita is really a quick peek into the Bhagvad Gita at large. The author has converted each chapter of Bhagvad Gita into poetry form that too from Arjun’s perspective. This is what I liked the most. Normally Bhagvad Gita is in the form of “shoulds and musts” as narrated by Shri Krishna. But it is very important to know the practical side that is from Arjun’s side. That is “how” can we implement it. This book summarizes the Gita and presents Arjuna’s reaction to Krishna’s words, as Everyman, in poetry. Great job done, Nupur.

Apart from the great design and the cover the overall book is a treat to your eyes, The way each page is designed according to the chapters it is worth appreciation.

Some excerpts from the book –

Chapter 1

It’s a fight on the battlefield and within the self, as
Arjuna tries to muster the resolve to war against
family. A difficult choice indeed.

Chapter 3

I try to turn a
Blind eye
Deaf ear
Numb nose
Bland taste
Unfeel

Chapter 7

You’re within me and not
For if you are in me
Why is it so tough
To do the right thing?

Chapter 9

Your needs are so simple, K
Why then do we feast?
Make ourselves sick
Repent then repeat?

Chapter 15

The tree of life’s upside down
It draws strength from my guna
I must cut off its water
Close my mind’s eye
To temptation
Hack again and again
Until this tree falls
In the sky.

I can keep on adding all the chapters, Such is the temptation after reading this book. You MUST read it yourself and feel the depth. GO Grab your copy of InstaGita here

About the Author “Nupur Maskara”

Nupur Maskara is short and likes writing short stuff that packs a punch. Expectedly, she began her career in advertising and is now in  content writing. Her friends have branded her frequent blonde moments as Nupurisms. Read more of her work at nutatut.com.

 

Seven-Year Itch

It’s been
Four years
But 3 months.
“Just four years??”
She wonders.
With happy tears.
She’s happy.
With husband handsome.
And princess awesome.

Life is good.
Always not.
With arguments.
Small fights.
Ego and doubt.
That’s the
Life’s cloud.

It’s also been
Seven years.
She was broken.
She moved on
From that one,
Gone wrong .

If she hadn’t.
It could have
Turned out
To be a
Seven year
Of itch.
Definitely.
But then
She treated
It already.

Seven-Year
Itch that
Hurts..
But never
Occurred.

Nothing much
Changed, but
Everything
Is different.
So where is..
The itch ??
The hitch ??
These days.
Those days.

“These are the
Better ones
In any ways.”

Her heart
Silently
Whispered.

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This post is written for BAR-A-THON Edition 3 from July 2nd, 2018 to July 15th, 2018 with Blog-A-Rhythm

Linking to Day 7 prompt – Seven-Year Itch

Six Minutes of Fame

He came out
Of the courtroom.
Calm but Broken.
Relation was killed.
The hearing lasted,
Just six minutes.
But are enough.
Enough for him,
to end his love,
and start anew.

He closed his eyes.
Saw all the
Past memories.
Good and bad.
His love.
Her hate.
He was selfless.
She was selfish.

He was afraid
Of The crowd.
Now, he fear
Talking to the
New people.

He dreams.
Of name.
And fame.
But in
this game,
There is
No friend.

He wants to be
An extrovert.
He tries to break
The cacoon.

He writes and
Writes..
And one day.
He Woke up
And Smiled.

Hundreds of emails,
Fan emails,
Royalty emails.
Why not ??
His another book
Bestseller yet again.
Across…
The Continent.

Now, He smiles
And is at peace.

 

---

 

This post is written for BAR-A-THON Edition 3 from July 2nd, 2018 to July 15th, 2018 with Blog-A-Rhythm

Linking to Day 6 prompt – Six Minutes of Fame

High Five, Dear Life !!

What is life??
Some say,
It is a fight.
Some say,
It is a choice.
Between what is,
Wrong and Right.
Some say,
It is meant
To fly.
High.

I say…
It is to live,
Whatever way.
Your own way.
Life will give
Good and Bad,
Ups and Downs
Misery and Joy,
It is up to You,
What you do.
This is just
Nature’s way
To say…
“Give Me Five”