Living on a prayer

I used to pray , on bended knee

Only when I felt , something wrong happened to me

Make this right , fix this please 

Give me this , let my life be a breeze!

When my prayers went unanswered 

I felt let down

How could you , God , I trusted you

Do my tears and hard work mean nothing to you?

I used to pray , in difficult times

I would visit temples and bribe him with a dime 

And when he answered some of my prayers

I would feel alright ..

And yet , every now and then

An emptiness within would remain

I'm not doing something right , I felt

Just praying for my personal gain

When I was happy , I would pray

Dear God, let this happiness last ..

Let not the good times roll away fast..

And when they did , I felt betrayed 

Why didn't God keep my problems at bay ?

Until one day , I realised 

I had been doing it all wrong

Praying for this and praying for that

Surely , prayer wasn't meant for that.

I prayed for a friend one day

The next day , I prayed for humanity

I prayed that the trees would stay green

And I was filled with so much serenity

I prayed for him to give me the strength 

To solve my problems and live life with faith 

I prayed for him to give me the wisdom

To share my life with others who didn't have enough 

I prayed , to simply say Thank you !

For even in adversity , I learnt a lot

I prayed and learnt the power of surrender

I let go the need of wanting this and that..

And felt my fear melting away so fast..

I used to live with fear ,

And out of that fear , would come each prayer ..

Now I live with hope and faith...

And out of that faith comes each word of my prayer...

I just close my eyes , knowing that everything is divine surrender ..

And it's beautiful living on a prayer... 

Smile at the Universe!!

Ever since I moved to Kuala umpur, I have been walking a lot to drop my kids to and fro from school. On my daily walks,I see many familiar faces, regular joggers, dogs and of course, school-going kids.

As I walk , it is my habit to smile at people. Even if they are strangers, whether it’s a policeman, a maid on her way to work, I always smile.

A lot of people, smile back. There are some, who wish me “Good Morning” enthusiastically even before I can smile at them.

And then there are some people. They are so pre-occupied with where they are going. They seem to be looking straight ahead at nothing in particular. And when they approach you, they look even further away, as though they are studiously avoiding a smile. I know, they can see me from the periphery of their eye. I know , that they know I’m looking at them, about to smile or wish them.

And yet they move on, walking furiously towards their chores,  their destination. As I observe their faces, and expresson, some are lost in deep thought, some are melancholy, and some are just closed. They don’t want to let anyone in, least of all a smile from a stranger.

I want to smile at them. I want to tell them, Smile at the universe, it is waiting to smile right back at you!

You might say, to each his own. And what right do I have to expect a smile in return.

But , here’s the thing. How often do we go through life like that? Me included. We are furiously focussed on our goal. Walking ahead, so lost in our thought of the destination, that we don’t want to let anything get in our way. The smile from a stranger, A hug from a child, a phone call from a friend who you don’t have the time for.

And maybe we do miss so many things. Some opportunities, Some connections, the ability to take life slow, the leisure of stopping to smell the roses… I can go on and on…..

How many times do we shut out things, people, and so many other moments? Because they are distractions, or we just don’t have the time!!

Smiling at the Universe opens you up to all the good that life has to give you. The mere act of smiling at a stranger, saying yes to a detour, ushers in all the positivity that we deserve to receive. We can focus on our destination, and yet enjoy the path that takes us there.

Here’s something I wrote .and I hope that it may serve as an inspiration to you…

It’s a tough road everyday..

No time to watch the sun’s shining ray..

I know how much it means to you to reach your goal..

As in your life, you play many a complex role..

But STOP, and SMILE…it won’t cost a thing..

The universe wants you to appreciate everything..

You may be in a hurry, you may be running late..

But smile to watch the sweet girl running out the gate..

I know you are busy, and there is lots to do..

But there’s a cute dog on the street waiting to say hi to you…

It’s easy for me to say, I know I don’t walk your path..

But there’s a stranger who is waiting for your smile to light their heart…

Smile for yourself, It’s a selfish thing too

Because, as you smile at the universe, it will smile right back at you…

I need to reach my destination, I know that’s what you say…

And I have a mounting load of chores, and so many bills to pay..

A smile won’t slow you down,  it wont make you come last,,

Because fast is slow, and slow is fast

Just  remember, the journey is the reward!

Smile at yourself, and to no one in particular..

Just yell to a stanger, “Have a nice day! See you later!

Watch the bounce in your step grow

It’s sometimes nice to be slow..

And when you reach your destination, Smile!

Lend a hand to someone who has walked an extra mile..

Watch the magic unfold in your daily life..

All you have to do is just SMILE….

The Fault in our Stars- Book review

Shakespeare wrote: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings”

That may be true for life, but for Hazel and Gus- the principal characters of the book,The fault IS in their stars.

It is easy to understand why John Greene changed the quote for his book title.
Two star-crossed lovers, meet in unlikely circumstances, and love blossoms. Can we call it 
love? Is it love, if it is felt between two adolescents? Can it be labelled a relationship, if the very foundation of it is rocked by Cancer?

On the face of it, The Fault in our Stars seems to be a story about Cancer. Yet it is anything but that. Cancer is relegated to the side-lines like an extra in a movie. It keeps popping up in the most annoying places, but never steals the show.

To me, it is a love story. A love, that’s so subtle, and shows so much maturity and restraint, that one would hardly imagine it to be between adolescents. And yet it is narrated through Hazel’s eyes. The language echoes the sentiments of their age, but their connection defies the years.

The book is peppered with small moments that make it endearing. Be it the first time Hazel makes eye contact with Gus, or the Night of the Broken Trophies, or the moment when they have their first real date.

You genuinely feel for the characters, be it Isaac, and his girlfriend woes, or the parents putting up a strong front, or the other main character in the book- THE book- An Imperial affliction.

An Imperial Affliction is not just a book in a book! What starts off as Hazel’s seeming obsession, slowly becomes a connection between Gus and Hazel, and finally overtakes it all  to become their raison d’etre

As a reader, this book takes you on a rollercoaster. The Ups are filled with witty repartees, and meaningful quotes. The downs are only yours when you realise that the Cancer never goes away.

As a writer, you learn how it’s possible to write moving literature without resorting to melodrama. You learn how a book can be so deep, and yet not take itself so seriously.

I cried when I read this book. Not because of the eventuality, but because Hazel and Gus moved something within me. I felt their pain. Just like Gus says; Pain, It demands to be felt. I felt their happiness. I felt them.

This book has come to mean many things to many people. To some, it serves as an inspiration to never stop living or loving. It helps a mom be honest to their child about cancer. And to some it becomes their own version of “An Imperial Affliction”.

And yet as I write this review, I feel like Hazel. Advertising my affection for the fault in our stars almost seems like a betrayal.

Read The Fault in our Stars at your own risk. It will touch you in places, you can’t imagine, and move you in ways you didn’t know were possible. 

But either way, remember that you will be Okay. Okay? Okay………….

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