So it starts here

So many times I have wondered, what was it that made me write? I never saw myself as a writer, yet like my father, I too had this little nagging bit inside me that said I should write and that I would be good at it.

It started with poetry many years ago. When I read those poems now, I can’t help but cringe. They sound so lame and childish. But then I try and remind myself, I was 13! The poems evolved as I grew older and some of the last few still make me feel very good.

At some stage blogs stepped in and thanks to being pushed by dad and a friend, I experimented with this new medium. To my surprise people started reading my blog and actually enjoyed what I wrote. Then came the days of DSS, the best bunch of writers I ever came across. I was too scared to share my stuff with them, they were all so good. But the anonymity helped. They didn’t know who I was and I didn’t know them. No danger of failure there.

Wouldn’t you know it, they liked my stuff and the appreciation I got from them was my aphrodisiac. I kept writing; it was wonderful.  But like all good things, this also came to an end. I don’t know how it happened, but it did. And once I stopped, I just couldn’t write again.

What changed? Where did the motivation go? What was the motivation to start with?

Was I writing for myself or playing to the audience? Initially I thought it must be the latter and now that the forum to share my writing was gone, there was no point. But then why did I feel so bad, why did I miss it so much?

I realised that while sharing my thoughts was great fun, I wasn’t doing it for anyone but myself.  Every old post of mine brings back those days to me. I remember so much more about those times; what I was doing, the things I felt, what life was like for me. It was my way of chronicling my life.

Suddenly I feel so much easier about writing again.  It doesn’t matter if it makes sense or not. It doesn’t matter if it’s been said before or not. It doesn’t matter if it makes a point or not.  It doesn’t matter if anyone enjoys it or not.

 All that matters is that I do it!

It might take me a while to get a good writing style back, but I’m ok if its not perfect. I am sure I will evolve again and I am sure I will have my readers again.

So it starts here, with this post.

Cheers all!

Some Photoshop Trials

 

The original picture

After PhotoShop

Happy Birthday Son!

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My Baby

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A Good (Winter) Morning

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Saturday Bath Time

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The greatest addiction of all times!

It’s called a ‘lifestyle’! Yes the biggest and most dangerous addiction possible is your lifestyle. Now this may not be the case for everyone out there, God knows I have seen loads of people who make this addiction work for them. But for most people it is very dangerous.

What does a lifestyle mean? How would you define it? Is it the food you eat or the physical regime you follow or the people you hang out with or the stuff that you do? It’s all of that and more.

A lifestyle is physical, it’s emotional, it’s mental, it’s spiritual and it’s economical. It is what defines you! You are your lifestyle!

Most people will tell you that they would like to make some changes to their current lives. So why can’t they do it? Because; as human beings we are prone to habits. We make the smallest thing a habit and then an addiction till it’s so much a part of us that breaking out of it is sometimes not even visible; leave alone possible.

When I think of all the people I know or interact with, I realize that there are precious few who are happy and content, the rest of them are sadly missing something in their lives.

Life is too short to waste on misery and discontent. If things are not the way you like, try and change them, if they can’t change, either accept them with grace or move on! How can we waste our time doing otherwise?

It’s about redefining who you are, what you want from life and where you want to go with it. Knowing what you don’t want is as important. How else would you avoid the sublime and the ridiculous?

I think everyone can benefit from a lifestyle change; some more than others. Accepting this fact is the beginning. Just sit back and think about the larger picture. Dream, fantasize, and put yourself in an imaginary world. A world where there are no holds barred. It’s a good place to go every now and then.

Usually when you do this, you will find that you see yourself in a very different set of circumstances as compared to your real life. You will look different, speak different and do different.

Snap back to reality and maybe this little fantasy trip has given you some insight into where you want to take your lifestyle. Is it really impossible to get there? I don’t think so. All it takes is small changes and a few goals at a time.

Does this mean you have to change who you are? Absolutely not! In fact it means go find your true self. The ultimate form of detox.

Try it, it’s working for me, maybe it will work for you!

Memories, music and magic!

Shraddha Hattangady Mehta and Ekta Hattangady; 2 sisters who I love, made magic come alive last night. Here’s how:

They lost their mother a few years ago when they were still too young to have to face such a harsh reality. What was worse is that their mom had a disease that took her slowly and painfully in front of their innocent eyes; forever changing them. But they are such strong and beautiful girls that they made it through with grace that would make their mother proud.

Ekta Hattangady announcing 'The Caregivers' Foundation

Ekta; the younger of the two found her calling from this experience and has started “The Caregiver’s Foundation” (http://careforcarers.wordpress.com/).  She aims to create a support system to help caregivers of the ill. Having recently being in a similar position myself (and that is a blog for another day); I am completely in awe of her concept.

Of course someone who is ill requires help and support and understanding. But so do those who look after them. They need a place to vent, they need a place to cry and laugh. They need understanding and patience too. More than anything else, they need a lot of love.

Shraddha Hattangady Mehta singing a tribute to her mother

Shraddha; who is one of the best singers I have ever heard; all but stopped singing after losing her mother. I am so glad that once her daughter was born, Shraddha rediscovered the joy of music. The world was a poorer place without her voice.

As a memorial and tribute to her mother; Shraddha organized a classical vocal recital by her Guru; Smt. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande. It was an evening of pure enchantment.

To our pleasure the evening started with a performance by Shraddha herself. I have never heard her sing anywhere but in the privacy of our houses and I was delighted. Oh she is so good!

Following this was a mesmerizing performance by Smt. Deshpande. Her voice is outstanding. Her melody captivates and her own pleasure takes you in to a world of magic. I am not really a fan of vocal classical music, but after last night I am a changed person. How blessed we are to get the chance to experience such a beautiful evening.

The music brought back to life the people we have lost. It brought back memories of happy times shared and blessings left behind.

This event was a wonderful way to start the journey that will be “The Caregiver’s Foundation” and an even better way to honour Zarana Aunty’s life and memory.

Thank you Shraddha and Ekta for sharing your memories, your magic and your music with us!

Sleepy Saturday!

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No way I was going to let a year go by...

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