A conversation with Life...

I’m all grown up, I declared to Life

She smiled, and I thought I heard her chuckle.

I am, I told her. Believe it or not.

With head held high, I continued my path.

She walked with me, holding my hand.

Here we are, she said approaching a fork.

What road will you choose, my grown up child?

Which one will you take to be your guide?

I looked at each road, and back at Life.

She reassured, I’ll be with you no matter what you choose.

I agonized as I compared the two.

One looked bumpy, the other rocky.

One looked steep, the other sloping.

You’re all grown up, she reminded me.

You can decide, and it will be alright.

I chose one, and we walked together hands held tight.

My eyes were fixed on the other path

I couldn’t stop thinking, had I chosen the right one?

And then it happened, I stumbled, and fell flat on my face.

With my face bruised and black, I felt like a disgrace.

Why didn’t you hold my hand, I asked angrily?

How could you not prevent my fall?

You are grown up, she said. Think about the reason behind your fall.

I dusted myself, and continued tall.

The other road seemed so breezy.

Maybe if I had chosen it, it would have been easy.

I cursed myself for making the wrong choice.

You were wrong , kept echoing my voice.

I passed huge obstacles in my way.

I fell, got hurt, but was determined not to stray.

And yet I simply couldn’t help but steal

A glance at the path that I didn’t take..

What if, What if, the words echoed

Could it have been a piece of cake?

Pray tell me! I begged to Life, for my sake.

She smiled that smile which bugged me by now

And we continued walking in tow

As time went by I grew stronger, and confident

The road seemed gentler, and I felt different.

In the distance, I could see my destination..

She squeezed my hand and gave me a nudge.

Exhausted and proud I took the final step.

And as I looked back at the path with a sense of pride

Life unveiled to me where the other path led…

The one that I didn’t choose…

The one that had filled me with so much regret..

Now I understood why she had chuckled

When I had declared that I was all grown up..

No time to stand and wait she said..

And led to me another fork..

What road will you choose, my grown up child?

Which one will you take to be your guide?

 

 

 

With love to Ma and Baba

For Ma, Baba.....
For every one who is a Mom and Dad..


You took me in each time and gave me shelter from the rain,
You shielded me as much as you could from all life's pain

No matter how far I was or how old I grew
I knew I could always come running to you

You never asked me how long I would stay
And when I decided to go you let me fly away

You smiled as I flew away despite my fears
I wonder where did you hide your tears

I know one day, you might shed your super power cape
I somehow want to that reality escape

I wonder if I have the strength to be the kind of parent you are
You just inspire me to keep raising the bar

Life gave me to you one day...
That day when you took me in for the first time
How difficult it must have been for you to give me back to life....

And although I fly away today, I take a bit of you with me..
I try to be the person you always wanted me to be..

I"ll be back soon, I tell you..
And not to seek shelter from the rain
It will be my turn to shield you from all the pain..
You say , I pray that day doesn't come..when you take over my job .
I smile and cry all at once, and count my blessings too

For You took me in each time...
And yet so easily you give me back to life..

You're my kind of friend!!!

In the spirit of friendship day, here's a poem which I wrote way way back..when I was a teen!

What would we do without our kind of friends???

You’re my kind of friend!!

I think about you when I’m happy

I think about you when I’m blue

And I think about our friendship

Which has been oh so true!

 

Whenever I think the world will end,

You stop me from going round the bend.

You are always there for me.

In you a beautiful person I always see.

You listen to me patiently pour out all my woes.

You’re my kind of friend.

How often do I tell you so?

 

I know I can depend on you,

And tell you all my feelings true.

I know I can count on you

To cheer me up when I’m blue.

You make me a better person who’s strong and beautiful

I’ll always be there for you, when times are not so cool.

 

There’s nothing about me

That you don’t really know.

You’re my kind of friend

How often do I tell you so?

You’re my kind of friend

I want you to know.

Contributions invited for Chicken Soup for the Indian Entrepreneur’s soul ..

We have grown up reading and being inspired by the true stories read in the Chicken soup for the soul. Here's a chance to contribute..

As a two -time contributor to the series, it has been fulfilling to contribute stories ,

and have been encouraged with the feedback I have got from it.

Raksha Bharadia is compiling stories, and the guidelines and her contact details are below..

So all entrepreneurs with a writing bug, read on, and contribute...

A Chicken Soup for the Soul story is an inspirational, true story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They are personal and often filled with emotion and drama. They are filled with vivid images created by using the five senses. In some stories, the readers feel that they are actually in the scene with the people

 

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul stories are written in the first person and have a beginning, middle and an ending that often closes with a punch, creating emotion rather than simply talking about it. Chicken Soup for the Soul stories have heart, but also something extra…an element that makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful, more passionate and better about life in general. A story that causes tears, laughter, goosebumps or any combination of these.

 

The most powerful stories are about people extending themselves, or performing an act of love, service or courage for another person.

Guidelines

1. Tell an exciting, sad or funny story about something that has happened to you or someone you know. Make sure that you introduce the character(s). Please know that your story should be written in the first person.

2. Tell your story in a way that will make the reader cry, laugh or get goose bumps (the good kind!) Don’t leave anything out — how did you feel?

3. The story should start with action; it should include a problem, issue or situation. It should include dialogue and the characters should express their feelings through the conflict or situation. It should end in a result, such as a lesson learned, a positive change or pay-off.

4. Above all, let it come from your HEART! Your story is important!

 

What a Chicken Soup for the Soul story IS NOT:

1. A sermon, an essay or eulogy.

2. An "as told to" story written in the third person.

3. A term paper, thesis, letter or journal entry.

4. About politics or controversial issues.

5. A biography or testimonial.

 

Story Specifications

1. Stories and poems must be non-fiction and should be no longer than 1,200 words.

 

2. No anonymous, author unknown or "as told to" submissions, please.

 

3. Please submit only stories or poems that have not been previously published.

 

 

Details…

Please mail rakshabharadia@gmail.com

 

 

Last dates for accepting submissions: 15^th March 2013

A rhyme for my valentine........

To my Valentine….

We met when we shared a car…

Our friendship deepened as we hit the bar

I was the driver, and you the navigator…

Although sometimes I dropped you mid-road and said, “See you later”

Over Chinese dinners, and midnight coffees,

We discussed about distributors, primaries and secondaries

And then for what seemed like an eternity we lost each other..

But, Cupid stepped in, and we were together..

When did love blossom , I still wonder

Was it when friendship was making us stronger?

Today four little hands and feet fill the space between us

There’s no time for just “US” I always say  and make a fuss!

And  just then you steal a kiss, a loving glance, a smile

And when I break down, you carry me the extra mile..

Just when I give up on your romantic side,

You sweep me off my feet and become mine..

So, cheers to us, My Valentine..

I know you are mine through rain or sunshine…

 

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's day!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiny Teachers

I first wrote this piece when Advay was two years old. Somehow, i wasnt able to find the right words to finish it, and was never happy with the ending. And yesterday, it all came together. I realised that Arjun made the ending happy and complete..

Read on..


A whirlwind romance, followed by a quick engagement and marriage and we began our lives together. Life continued in the fast lane, and soon after, I was pregnant. We were thrilled beyond belief.

Were we ready for a child? How would we manage? We never thought about those things.

As we waited for his arrival, we thought of the numerous things we would teach him. 

Our life turned around 360 degrees after Advay was born.  We got home on time, saved up money to buy a new house and spent more time with each other.  Our business designations took a backseat, as we tried to live up to our new designations.

We learnt to treasure little moments; his first smile,  signs that his fever was going away, and his first words.

We learnt that we could do far more than we were capable of. He brought out the best in us.

We learnt that there was life beyond work, and found out who we really were.

We learnt what life was all about, when our tiny teacher showed up.

After 6 fun years of learning, another tiny teacher, Arjun arrived. Our lessons with him started right after his birth. A minor complication sent him to the ICU directly.

We tapped into inner reservoirs of strength, when he slept alone on his first night in this world.

We learnt patience and trust as we waited eagerly for him to be with us.

As he grows a little every day, he is teaching us a lot more.

He is teaching us to smile, for no reason in the whole world.

As we see him try again to roll over, we are learning never to give up.

As he cries loudly, and suddenly starts to smile after seeing his favourite toy, we are learning that we too can smile more often.

As both our tiny teachers play with each other, we are learning that our true joy comes from giving, nurturing and building a life.

So, to our tiny teachers, and our beloved sons; You wont be tiny for long, but you will always be our teachers, and the lessons learnt will stay deep in our hearts forever.

 

Childhood Memories revisited...

Some memories from childhood stick with us.
We don't know how or why ? Certain images , fragrances , people , instances are not a blur but make themselves felt.

This is my attempt to put them down lest I lose them with the new memories I am making..

 

The shadowed outline of my Nana's head as he waited for me at Pune railway station. I was travelling alone  from Mumbai with my friend and her mom, and was overjoyed to see him at the railway station.
 

The touch of my mom's tummy which I would squeeze and sleep. I would ask her a hundred times as to why I liked it so much. Her answer was always the same," because you came from my tummy"

 

 

The tall tiffin containing loads of my favorite samosas which my dadi would bring for my birthday... I vowed to devour them all but could never succeed.

 

 

The memory of receiving my first watch.- a Swatch. What a feeling!

The fragrance of my Singapore returned Dad's suitcase. It smelt of a land visited far away filled with goodies.

The mole on my Nana's head which he would make us press hard followed by the story of how a crow gave it to him. Each time we heard it, the story felt new.

The ring of our very first telephone at home, and the ensuing fight between me and my brother to pick it up.

The pet names that my dada had for all us grandchildren. It made me feel special!

Sitting with my nani and learning classical singing. She was such a great singer and I was in awe of her.

The sound of my name being called on stage for the very first time for an award. I felt like I had arrived in life.

My nana asking me about my performance in exams. And even when I hadn't done well, him beaming and congratulating me as though I had come first.

 

My legs shaking as I rattled of my speech in a school elocution competition. It was a rush of fear and adrenalin. And I was hooked on to public speaking.

As I finish writing this post, I have so many more that are coming to mind. I find myself smiling. All the tiredness of a day spent looking after two kids has gone away. For these few moments, I was a child again.

What favourite childhood memory comes to your mind as you read this?  What memory will make you smile, and forget your mundane tiring day?

Leave back your replies in the comments section...