Being Nice!

It starts with a little small talk. They try to match your interests, even your excitement; making polite conversations that show their friendly intentions. And as soon as you get to know them more with time, you realize it was all just a bunch of lies. The person you grew fond of never existed. They just take a few days to open up. That protective shield for their true-self is now shattered! And talk of imbalance - They have 100 people like you they call friends, you have maybe 10 odd friends you never would call people! But what-the-heck, how do you complain? Hah! Afterall, they were just BEING NICE :-)

Need I say.. ADIOS!

Release Me!

So flawless in your flight, you were
as free as the Nature's first would be,


I stood there fascinated (her enigma),
As nothing could what you taught me.


No quests, no reality, no liberation;
Or wisdom that comes with age,


As I breathed in: that freedom hath no owner,
And wilderness no cage.

ठहरे से इन लम्हों में भी हिम्मत अपनी पुरजोर है,

गौर करो, दूर कहीं वो बहती इक नदी का शोर है..

क्यूँ रुक जाऊं मैं यूँ ही इन वादियों  की  हस्ती देख कर
जब फिरता हूँ मैं अपनी मंजिल की मस्ती देख कर!

हौसला मेरा नहीं ये शायद, इक चिराग की रौशनी में जलता हूँ
आइना सा बन कर मेरे दिल में जो रोशन है, मुस्कुराता झूमता चलता हूँ;

कभी कभी अपना रस्ता भूल जाता हूँ मैं, दूर निकल जाता हूँ मैं,

वो कशिश है या ऐतबार, बंद आँखों से भी रस्ते पर लौट आता हूँ मैं

याद नहीं ज़मीन पर उतरे थे, या पहले कदम लडखडाये, तब से थामे कोई डोर है
अरे सुनो, दूर कहीं वो उसी नदी का शोर है!

ज़मीं को चीरती, अपने में मसरूफ, मस्ती से सराबोर है,
दूर नहीं है, अब वो यहीं है, ये इसी नदी का शोर है.. 

Like LAZARUS..!!

25th May, 2005. UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul. A crowd of 70,000 who were about to witness the biggest heroics of the footballing history.
By half-time Liverpool were 3-0 down..

A huge sea of RED seated among the audience, around 40,000 in number, started to sing, "You'll Never Walk Alone"! That was FAITH. Those were the fans who BELIEVED!

54' A six minute magic spell,  and Reds were back level with three goals scored in that time.. 3 - 3!!

Final Result: Liverpool won the game on penalties...

Liverpool were crowned the CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!

Moral: Whatever be.. never never never NEVER GIVE UP!

"Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown,
Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart.."

What A Wonderful World!

Another day another story!
Sometimes stories are so vague and subtle that a description makes little sense. Though, that does not make them less important in life. They make up what's called LIFE! More importantly, I need this one right now!


I go out for a walk on an evening cool and wet, rains having washed the streets a couple of hours ago; small streams of water trickling down the slope. Trees are greener, with the green that could treat a gloomy face! Young boys on motorbikes vrooming past, splashing the muddy water upon the passers-by; in their own excitement. Just like old men walk by the side, some with their canes, eyes searching for dry land to step on. There's a glow on every face, a shine in their eyes. Grocers have a chat with their customers, sharing a laugh. Street lamps are already glowing although its still time to dark. Kids, perhaps living the best part of their lives, make the highest noise - running around, teasing friends and playing games. They don't miss a thing. Often the energy with all that innocence inspires me, and others likewise. 


What makes me love everything I see, what makes it so freaking special? Rain, the wonderful sky or people? Or is it something in me? I know it. For this one time, I sure am happy. I feel content. I am smiling.


A SMILE can change the colors around, a smile can wipe off all anger, a smile can make you fall in love with this world!




 At this place we go to for breakfast, for Vada-pav and elaichi-tea, there's a kid among the waiters who serves us. This 8 year old Nepali kid never stops smiling. NEVER! And he plays with everyone. You might ask for a Butter-toast, and he'll dance his way down to the kitchen, smiling, fetch your order, shoot* you with his fingers and tell you, "Jaldi khaalo bhaiya, fir bolo aur kya laaoon?" And mind you, you can't say no to him; you don't want to! ;-)
His innocence and peppiness induces a smile on my face, like most others out there! Everyone who visits that place loves him!!


He makes me think. Once I told a friend,  "this is how I wish life was!" The friend, is quite opposite to my thinking; not my opposite exactly; but quite contrary to the direction where I'd place my ideal (- makes no difference to me, its a matter of  choice!) He had other thoughts, and was quite surprised at my choice(of life). A waiter serving tea, can't get no education at will, working for his share of bread at such a tender age? List pointers and you'll find a million. I myself can!


But there is this theory all will agree with. Happiness. I could be someone be sitting in an air-conditioned room, sipping mango-pulp reading my favorite book.. or the new face in the TIME magazine's cover.. or an Olympic gold medalist.. or this.. a 8 year old boy working in a tea-stall. If I can be happy at all times, manage a smile on my face with no effort, be it out of innocence or wisdom, I'll have a perfect life. 


Diwali 2010, I decided to spend with village kids as a volunteer with a less-known NGO, who are whole heartedly driven to educate (a part of) the rural India. These people are happy people. The vibes around them are positive. And the children love them. Not the best of organizational skills, but their motivating force sure was a smile.. happiness. Working with those people and the children was quite an experience in my life!


A happy mind is strangely a busy mind - busy enough to give hate, jealousy and vanity a skip. Each one finds his/her own wisdom, and owns his/her own innocence. Give no reasons to smile and no reason to love this world!

I see trees of green, red roses too,

I see them bloom, for me and you;

and I think to myself,

What a wonderful world!

Something that inspired this thought, click on the lines above for the video - you know the man: Louis Armstrong. I bet you can't help but SMILE! :)