Can you envisage a world without God? I wonder. The idea of God is so deeply engrained in our minds and our lives that imagining a world without Him would seem just next to impossible. Without Him, how will we explain the existence of the enticing nature, the mountains, the rivers and most importantly, of us, human beings, the most wonderful of God’s creations.
If the notion of God did not exist, would we, human beings have been able to decide what was good and what was wrong? Had the words of God not been interpreted to us by His disciples in innumerable books that exist in almost every religion, would the world we live in today been a different place altogether?
Wondering how parents could teach their children to be a good person without the threat of being punished by God and the constant reminder that we are always under the surveillance of God. How would people justify their actions if not as God’s will?
Will a world without God be a place where people take responsibility of the results of their actions and not merely dismiss them by using the word ‘GOD’ as a scapegoat? Will that world be a place where people will be asked to be good humans not because God will inflict sufferings upon them if they do wrong but because doing wrong makes them a bad person which is not permitted by their own inner conscience?
Will that world be a place where humans learn to be more humane without any imposition and only because of their own very will? Where God won’t be responsible for redeeming you of your sins but you yourself have to atone for them by doing good. A world where there is no God and no religion. Where people live in complete harmony with each other, without any injustice or discrimination. A world where no riots will be fought in the name of God. A dwelling where people will have nobody to turn to during despair but them and would learn to get back on their feet if they have fallen, on their own.
Can you envisage such a world? Would you like to be a part of this humane world? Think.
Life is bumpy road, with no signs, road maps, directions or guiding fellow passengers. A road which we need to cross on our own. Our car of survival may get its tyre of hope punctured anytime on the way. The rocky path of obstacles may disrupt our voyage without any alarms of warning. Touching the destination point feels like holding the moon with both hands in reality, and not via the art of photography. But to reach the moon, one needs to travel the exigent journey from land to the sky.
A journey with no seat belts. A journey where will, determination and hopes are the Lifelines. A journey depending merely upon the attitude of the driver. A journey where the fuel is Hard Work and the stepney is Luck. Is a journey called Life.
“Life is a Dream for the wise, a Game for fool, a Comedy for the rich, and a Tragedy for the poor”, says Sholom Aleichem.
But I feel that being rich, poor, wise or foolish are not categories under which we have been put by God. These are mere *Tags* which we ourselves roam around hanging. Ofcourse a poor farmer’s life is more challenging to survive. He may not even get a full course meal every day. A rich spoilt brat on the other hand may get to choose his dinner from an endless list in the Menu. But does that account for success in life? Does that imply anything with regard to happiness?
A poor family that dines together, despite their food consisting of a stale Chapaati or a piece of bread, is much more elated than a busy wealthy man toiling at his job till midnight, unable to see the happy faces of his children before going to sleep. In the lust of material things, many a times we lose the charm of rejoicing every moment with our loved ones. Best things in life are for free! Cherish them before life perishes you.
People crib for useless and petty things. God is remembered only on times of pain and never in gain. Thank him for the love you’ve got. Thank him for the happy times he brought. Apologize for cursing him while being low. Learn to accept what he gives and respect if he lets something go. Life is short. Joviality and success are worth the wait. Don’t let the sand slip out from your hands. Cherish every moment, until it’s too late.
Ever seen a child cancer patient? Most of such children are such inspiring souls that after spending just an hour with them, you’ll realize the art of living and the worth of Life. They too live long. It’s just that there age is counted in moments and not years. All the suicide attemptors out there! If it is thst easy for you to snatch your breath with your own hands, then gift it to the ones who are yearning for few more *days* of life! Isn’t it funny? We get dreaded of Death so easily. But when it comes to chocking one’s one breath, we become Superheroes! I still can guarantee the fact that if you show a gun to a person attempting suicide, he still will get afraid of getting shot. Who doesn’t fear death? Everyone does. It’s just that we have stopped taking our lives seriously.
My father usually says that however old we become, the child in us should never die. Keep it alive, to keep the living spirit in you alive.
A fearless mind, a keen soul; a child is like a bird, flying high is his role. No worries about the future,no tensions from the past ; he knows that lovely memories, are forever gonna last! Big or small- fights with friends; he forgets everything, when the day ends.
“To err is human, to forgive is divine” A child understands what we adults fail to!
The world is filled with innumerable learnings. Learn how to fly, from the birds. Learn how to dance in the pain, like the peacock does in the rain. Learn how to selflessly care from a mother, and how to stand bold and tall like a father. Even if I mention a hundred things and creatures to learn from, it won’t work. It will come from within you! Because according to me,
To be or not to be,
To learn or not to learn,
To live or not to live,
THAT IS THE QUESTION.
We all have those days… You know, when you basically feel like everything is the end of the world! Days that are dull and make you feel stressed out like you never knew. Yes, we all have those days. But there is no reason you shouldn’t try and make yourself feel better on such a day. You’re stronger than anything that makes you feel sad. Here are a few things you can do to feel better when you’re having a really bad day!
Take a nice long shower – We seriously underestimate the power of a nice, warm shower. How many of us, on days that we are feeling miserable about something, actually bother getting out of bed and taking a shower?! I would say not too many. We sit there wallowing in our sadness. Well, get up and take a shower! See how much better you will feel almost instantly.
Entertain yourself with a light, funny TV show or movie – Like Friends or Sex and the City, or any other favorites you might have! They will instantly lift your mood up – and if nothing else, they will distract you and make you laugh!
Turn up the music… – And dance to some tunes! Listening to music and dancing is known to be a great cure for lowness. Plus, dancing is a form of exercise, and exercise releases endorphins or happy hormones too!
Avoid social media – Social media is taking over our lives. Avoid social media on a particularly bad day. All it does is help you focus more on other people’s lives rather than your own. Be with yourself and shut off from the outside world for some time.
Cuddle – With a pet, with your sister, with your bestie, your boyfriend! Hugs and cuddles have a directly positive effect on your mood. The human touch is therapeutic. Never underestimate it.
Smile – When you smile, a number of physiological changes take place in your body without you even realising it. Smiling releases endorphins in the body, which make you feel happier. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, fake it – because your brain registers the muscle movements in your face and convinces you that you’re happy. So smile, beautiful, and you will soon be truly happy.
Hang out with people who make you happy
Write it down! Penning down your feelings and thoughts when you’re having a rough day can really help you let some of the frustration out. It’s not always important to vent by talking about what’s bothering you. Writing works just as well, if not better.
Go and eat your favorite food – Go for it, eat some chocolate, order that pizza – whatever floats your boat and helps you feel better! Just have a guilt free day when you’re allowed to eat what you want. Food can really help cheer you up.
Take a nice long nap – Taking a nap will definitely help you feel better and lighten up your mood!
Yes, you read that right. You destroy yourself. Nobody else is responsible for that. You have the strings of your life in your hands and nobody other than you is responsible for how your life turns out to be or how you turn out to be.
You think your boyfriend destroyed you by leaving you? But wasn’t it you who let him in, in the first place. Wasn’t it you who made it your significant other and made your life revolve around him? Wasn’t it you who let yourself be affected by what he does or how he behaves? You chose to love him. You chose to believe that he loved you back and maybe, he did then why is it so hard for you to accept that he doesn’t love you anymore?
Why did you believe in his ‘forevers’ and ‘always’? Weren’t you responsible for that? He created a fantasy world for you and you chose to believe in it. You placed the strings of your life in his hand. You chose to do that and from then on, he was the one who played with the strings and entangled them but why did you let him come near the strings? Why didn’t you stop him when he wanted to know about the color, the nature and the shape of those strings?
Now that he has left, don’t spend your time trying to detangle those strings. This won’t help you heal. You might even get caught in them, if you attempt to do so. Cut them! Cut those strings that he entangled, don’t try to detangle them but just cut them. That’s how you will learn to grow. That’s how you will learn how to take the strings of your life in your hands. If you end up detangling them ever again, remember to cut them!
Life is an enigmatic and enchanting journey, filled with unpredictable twists and turns. It is a mosaic of experiences, teaching us profound lessons through its ups and downs. This journey, while sometimes shrouded in mystery, is often illuminated by moments of magic.
The Dual Nature of Life: Success and Failure
Success: A Beacon of Joy
Success in life acts as a beacon, lighting up our mood and bringing immense joy. It’s those moments of triumph that make us feel invincible, filled with happiness and pride. Success is celebrated, cherished, and often seen as a measure of one’s worth.
Failure: The Unwelcomed Teacher
Contrastingly, failure presents itself as a formidable challenge. It is not something everyone can face easily. Tragically, some find the burden of failure too heavy to bear, leading them to make irreversible decisions. This grim reality reflects a societal flaw where success is overvalued, and those who fail are unfairly judged and misunderstood.
Understanding Failure: A New Perspective
If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying
Failure is often misinterpreted as a dead end, but in truth, it is a crossroad offering new paths and opportunities. It is not the closure of roads but an invitation to explore new avenues. Just like in scientific experiments, where initial attempts often lead to errors before achieving correctness, failure in life is a similar process of trial and error, leading us towards the right path.
Life’s Second Chances: Embracing Failure
Fail your way to success. Quote.
Life has a unique way of offering redemption through failures. These moments should not be seen as defeats but as lessons and guides towards the right path. Surrendering to failure means giving others the power to dictate your journey. Instead, embracing and learning from these setbacks paves the way for personal growth and success.
The Power of Positivity
Finding the Silver Lining
The key to navigating life’s complexities is to always seek out the positives, even in the darkest of times. By maintaining a positive outlook, we can embrace life in a more fulfilling and joyful manner.
Life’s Endless Opportunities
Life constantly offers us chances to retry, to improve, to correct our course. It tells us to persevere, to keep trying, and to believe in the possibility of success. Every day is an opportunity to move closer to our goals, to build gradually towards our dreams.
Overcoming Judgment and Criticism
Handling Others’ Opinions
Inevitably, people will judge and attribute your failures to personal flaws. However, it’s essential to respect their opinions without letting them impact your self-worth. Use criticism as a tool for self-improvement, transforming it into one of your strengths.
Accepting Life’s Harsh Realities
Rather than denying or arguing against life’s difficulties, it’s crucial to acknowledge and accept them. This acceptance is not a sign of defeat but a recognition of reality, a necessary step towards overcoming challenges.
Failure: The Catalyst for Success
The True Value of Failure
Failure is not a sign of defeat but evidence of effort and courage to try something new. It becomes a hindrance only when it leads to giving up. Instead, failure should be viewed as a stepping stone towards success, a necessary part of the learning process.
Experiential Learning: The Ultimate Guide
No external guidance can match the lessons learned from personal experiences. Failure, as a sudden and often unexpected teacher, imparts invaluable lessons. The true failure occurs only when hope is lost and efforts cease.
Perfect Practice: The Road to Excellence
Beyond Mere Practice
The adage “practice makes perfect” is better understood as “perfect practice makes perfect.” It’s not just about repetitive actions but about giving your best effort in every attempt. Success might not be immediate, but with dedication and the right approach, it is always within reach.
Perseverance and Belief: The Foundations of Success
The journey of life requires continuous effort, unwavering hope, and self-belief. It’s about valuing actions over words, constantly striving for improvement, and never losing sight of your goals. In the end, it’s the belief in oneself and relentless perseverance that turn dreams into realities.
In conclusion, life, with all its mysteries and magic, is a journey of learning and growth. Through embracing both successes and failures, maintaining a positive outlook, and persevering against all odds, we find the true essence of life. Remember, every failure is a lesson, every effort counts, and every day is a new chance to turn dreams into reality.
Instead of negotiating the facts, we should accept the harsh truth and reality of life.
No no no! That is in no way a miniature version of the normal sized Guitar. Neither is it a toy! It’s a Hawaiian instrument called Ukulele. Yeah, UKULELE, you read that right! A very different name for a very different instrument.
You all must be thinking, “Why the heck is he telling that? It looks like a toy to me any day.” That’s what I am here for, because this small musical instrument is as phenomenal as your modern day Guitar. It has that ‘X- Factor’, that zing, an upbeat chunky sound and most importantly has the ability to spread smiles.
What separates a Ukulele and a Guitar is the fact that a Ukulele has 4 strings while the Guitar has 6. Hence, they are also tuned differently. Moreover, there are Ukuleles that are the size of a Guitar, hence it is not the size but the number of strings that differentiates the two.
Many modern day hits like Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Riptide, Banana Pancakes were composed and sung on this tiny instrument. Moreover, many other hits like Hey Soul Sister, I’m Yours, The Lazy Song sound amazing when given a unique ukulele twist. To be honest, any song played on Ukulele is a treat to listen to because it is way more versatile than you can imagine it to be.
Bollywood hasn’t still introduced it in any of the songs I know, but covering Bollywood songs over Ukulele brings peace and warmth to your heart. Songs like Mera Mann Kehne Laga, Kya Karoon and Give Me Some Sunshine are a delight to play on this instrument! Don’t believe me? Go watch some videos on YouTube and witness the magic.
Ukulele lets you connect to the crowd better than any other instrument out there. Playing it and singing brings the child out of you! AND THE BEST BIT, It’s really very easy to learn! All you need is Internet and Ukulele and boom! The world is in your hands. In no time will you be able to play numerous songs on this instrument.
“Ukuleles will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through time with no Ukulele.”
So, I would suggest every one of you to go watch some videos of this instrument in action, fall in love with it, buy one and then see the world transform into a Paradise!
First of all, congratulations everyone for your sky shooting efforts, regardless of the results. @90+ scorers, confused? To be happy or sad? @95, thankful enough? @95+, on cloud nine? Below 90, dead or alive? Am I wrong in guessing your feelings, guys? Well, I don’t think so.
In whichever category you may lie, every heart is surely beating too fast because the *cut-offs* are on their way. It happens every year, nothing new, you see! But this time its meant for YOU, YOUR future, YOUR career, so handle it wisely. 🙂
Don’t fall foolishly in the trap of careers and courses. Choose the one which best suits you. Choose the one which is meant for you. Not the one, which lures you just for the time being. Your choice will be the first cut in shaping your future personality. Its not that a wrong choice today is a definite failure tomorrow. There always lies one way or the other to correct past mistakes. But if the first step is taken a bit wisely and thoughtfully, further steps do become a little easy.
The most important point to ponder upon is the Course vs. College Challenge. It is not as tough as it seems. I faced a hell lot of confusion regarding Course A vs. B matter, but had always clear in mind that College should never be given preference over course. I mean, a student who hates reading novels, seeks admission in English Hons. in Hansraj, just because he’s got a 97! I’d call him an educated fool. C’mon, do what you’re good at, what you understand well, what interests you, what your mind easily absorbs and has the potential to excel upon. Opting for your dream college and neglecting your dream course is not what I would suggest.
Also, choose your courses wisely. I was too damn confused between B. Com and Eco Hons. Being good at economics in class 11th and 12th doesn’t signify that you’ll sail through it in UG course too. Be sure of your interest area and your capabilty to handle further study in that subject area. It’s not that I would not have been able to *handle* eco well. Its just that I wanted to excel in every subject of commerce, and not solely economics. My choice may differ from yours. It may even match. Its just that, be crystal clear about what you choose. I’ve seen people regretting.
Now, to those who feel that they haven’t scored well. No score is the best score. No college, the best institute. No teacher becomes a teacher without his/her students. No student excels without his rigorous efforts. In the end, its all about YOU. How YOU do it. Your grade won’t even affect the most precious aspects of your life. Remember VIR DAS’ video? Watch it again:
Few days back I read, that a guy of a Reputed DU College, gave his 10lac package job, just to chase his dream, which was of another interest area. It simply means, that at the end, your dreams should win. Your interest should shine in your career. You become able to live happily, even if your package is not big enough, compared to your Engineer friend. (3 idiots, Farhaan, Remember?)
Just BE HAPPY people!! And dear parents, please don’t snatch away your child’s precious smile just because of his low grade. I know you’ll still love him like always. But at this moment, love him more, and support him.❤❤
Hingis and Paes after their Australian Open triumph in 2015
Atlanta. 1996. 23 year old Leander Paes creates history by becoming the first Indian since 1952 to win an individual medal at the Olympics. That is definitely the biggest highlight of this 42 year old’s long illustrious career.
Leander Paes o the Podium. Atlanta Summer Olympics 1996.
Leander Paes grew up in Kolkata and started his tennis career when he joined the Amritraj Academy in 1985 in Chennai and has never turned his back since. Once a formidable singles player, he currently focuses mainly on Doubles and partners Multiple Grand Slam winner and former World No 1 Martina Hingis. He is by far, the most prolific Indian Tennis player having won the Doubles title at Grand slams 18 times over the years.
Paes has had a long and interesting journey in the Quadrennial Olympics thus far. He is aiming for his 7th consecutive Olympic Participation with the upcoming Rio Games. He reached the quarter finals of the Doubles event in 1992, Barcelona along with Ramesh Krishnan. He went one up, and clinched the Bronze medal at Atlanta in 1996 by defeating Fernando Meligeni. Partnering another Indian Legend – Mahesh Bhupathi, he took part in the next three editions of the Olympics without much success. They came desperately close to a medal in 2004 when they finished 4th. Hopes were high on them to bring back the title after their remarkable performances in 1999. With a lot of feud going on within the Indian tennis Federation, Paes had to team up with unheralded Vishnu Vardhan at the 2012 London games and fared miserably. With Rohan Bopanna almost clinching the Men’s doubles quota with his Top 10 rank this time round, it would be interesting to see how the team would fare at the forthcoming Olympics. Lots of hope were on Sania Mirza’s and his shoulders at the London Games. They failed at the big stage losing out in the quarter finals.
Hingis and Paes after their Australian Open triumph in 2015
1999 thus far has been the most prolific year in Leander Paes’s career. The Paes/Bhupathi duo went to the finals of all the 4 Grand Slams of the year and won 2 of their finals. He paired up with Lisa Raymond and went on to win the Mixed Doubles title at Wimbledon. To cap of that Remarkable year he also ended as the World no 1 doubles player. He won the Grand Slams thrice each with Bhupathi, Cara Black and Martina Hingis. He is currently playing with Martin Markowski in the doubles circuit. He was also part of the 1993 India Davis cup team that reached the semi-finals of the coveted tournament. He has a remarkable success rate at Davis Cup. He and Mahesh Bhupathi hold the record for the longest win streak in the Davis Cup. They won 23 matches on the trot between 1997 and 2010.
He was awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1996. He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1990 by the Ministry of Youth and Sports affairs for his remarkable contribution to the sport. He is also a Padmashri Award winner in 2001. He was the flag bearer for Indian at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He has a remarkable record at the Asian Games winning the Gold medal numerous times in multiple events.
He is indeed one of the greats of Modern Era of tennis. His contribution to the sports in India is unparallel. He is a legend of the game. The Sun has not set on his everlasting career. 25 years since turning pro Leander Paes is as strong as ever and he is Hungry for more. Hope he will make India proud at the coming Olympics and other prestigious tournaments around the word.
The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.
–Ernest Hemingway
Did you try to love yourself after he left you? I know how relationships are like. How you give your all to a person, to show him how much you love him and how you end up forgetting what loving yourself felt like. When you were together, you did everything you could to love him and make him feel loved all the time without thinking about yourself even for a second. But, now that he is gone, it’s time that you start falling in love with yourself again. Get you self worth and your significance back that you completely abandoned thinking about him. It’s time that you move forward.
To begin with, let your past go. Don’t hold onto it. Sometimes, holding on does more damage than letting go does. It’s significant that you realize that every person that comes in your life is not meant to stay with you forever. Some come in your life only to teach you lessons and to make you grow. I know that he has taken parts of you with him as he left, but trust me, darling, you’ll bloom in the left over parts and grow. Don’t try to get him back. Use that energy to create a better future for yourself. Don’t regret loving him. Accept what you had with him as a beautiful memory and move on. Don’t hate him, hatred will be just another feeling that you will have for him. If you can’t cease loving him then don’t but don’t try to get him back because loving someone doesn’t mean that the person has to love you back. Love is the purest of all emotions and it isn’t selfish.
Now that you have done all that, start loving yourself. Remember all the things you did for him to make him feel important and loved? Do that for yourself. Love yourself, only then you will be able to love others without being hurt.
