Neha Sharma's Blog
January 3, 2021
Please vote for the cover of Plus Minus
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November 22, 2020
Post # 50
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So, you are living in a rural area and you day-dream of living in a hi-fi locality all your life? You may be surprised to know but there do exist people who are located in posh areas and super willing to shift to a village, but can’t. They are now fed-up of all the challenges an urban life brings and just feel like giving-up all the hustle-bustle and just switch to a rural life but have responsibilities to fulfil and so, just can not do what they want.
And you must have heard of the willingness in people to switch their employed/unemployed status at some point of time. It’s common, nothing new. No doubt, the jobless are desperately looking for a source of employment but there do exist people who are well-paid in their professions but are so tired of their schedule and lifestyle that they just want to quit or take a break. They are just not able to.
Okay, so you are really ill. God forbid, may be suffering from a chronic disease and wondering who would be willing to live a hell life like that. Let me tell you, there do exist people who are so fed-up of serving others all the time, they just want someone to pamper them now. They are ready even if it happens at the cost of their health. They are craving for the attention that unwell people get. And yes, they are all set to bear the physical pain it may bring along.
Sometimes skipping a meal or getting drenched in the rain or receiving scolding from elders or a broken-heart or anything such for that matter, may look like a giant pain to bear but at the end of the day, all of us have something to be thankful for. Yes, everybody does and that includes you. Sometimes you might be having a hard day and life may seem like a steep uphill climb, but then there are phases. There are ups, there are downs. Why not instead of complaining about all your problems, rather count your blessings today and enjoy the positivity it fetches! Why not cherish that sweet delicious feeling even if it’s just momentary? The next moment may be hard, or worse, dark again. But believe me, in that case, there will be light again. Some time, some day, even if not sure when. Just keep up the faith and keep going. Just, believe.
Post # 49
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About a decade ago, a Bollywood movie was released, called ‘3 idiots’. It went through a few controversies and won numerous accolades. Of course, it had brought a lot of awakening to some parents too. About the importance of choosing the right career for their kids, that is. But many of us simply watched it as a movie and moved on too. I and my peers were students back then. By now, most of us have become parents. That time, we had perceived the message given by that movie as students, that is, we learnt that one should preferably choose a career by following one’s own passion. And parents should support this choice. Now, when we have become parents ourselves, we need to look at it with a different perspective. We should prepare ourselves to take care of and support our kids’ choice in the future. The question arises ‘how to do that?’ Well, let me explain through examples.
First, my own experience. Writing has always been my hobby but by now, it has become a passion too. Maybe you will find it surprising to know that till a little time back, I had neither realised it as a hobby, nor passion. Until about a couple of years ago, I used to consider myself as talentless and passionless. I used to dig my own instincts hard, only to wonder how I could be so passionless. I mean, everyone else seemed to have some or the other passion. I used to watch videos with titles like ‘it’s ok to not have a plan’. The particular one with that title was interesting and inspiring. But it couldn’t quench my thirst. I was looking, looking and looking to figure out my way ahead. But all in vain. Then life happened and here I am. Author, Blogger and now almost a Content Writer. Looking back, I feel it’s now that I have got married to my dream career (based on a dialogue in the movie ‘3 idiots’) while earlier I was in a toxic love affair with another field. Even more surprisingly, I have wasted more than a decade in the wrong line. But how did this blunder happen, would you like to know? Let me tell you, it happened because of the incorrect preference. For more than the first half of my school life, I was one of the top-scorer students in my class. But I never noticed that I used to always score better in the languages rather than other subjects. The Vice Principal in my senior secondary years did notice that. And in one of the Parents Teachers Meetings, she said to my parents about me – ‘She scores better in languages than in other subjects. She should go for journalism after 12th’. Now I find it humorous, how it had hit hard on my ego back then. As I was a student of Science and it used to be a matter of societal reputation back then. I know, for some people it still is. But then, as I said, the movie I named above and more like that, has brought some awareness in public. People are now more sensible in choosing a career. Still, I thought of spreading the word a little more, giving my own example. Now is that I feel my Vice Principal was right and I should have taken up a career in languages instead of what I chose. But better late than never. I am now putting my best efforts to explore possibilities in the line of my passion, i.e. Writing. I am all set to push my limits further.
At the same time, today I heard his own story from a friend who was, back then, trying to get into some career but his father forced him to get into some other. He followed and got into the one suggested by his father. And magically, he found his happiness in that field only. His career marriage was arranged by his father but he survived it so well, that it became the reason for contentment in his life. Can’t say whether it was by fluke or what. But I just mean to say, such cases also happen. And this makes my belief stronger that we living beings can put efforts for something to happen, within a limit only. Beyond that, it’s all fate.
I would anyway like to suggest, my readers, to take this matter more seriously. To dig deeper into the field they are looking to take up as a career for self, kids, or someone else. This is a much more sensitive matter than commonly understood. When considering fields for oneself, he or she must search the instincts completely before coming to a conclusion. Never do it in a haste. If needed, make a whole list of your own likes and dislikes. Interests and avoidance. Ifs and buts. Talk to experienced people about it, as much as possible. By tooth and nail, think properly.
Then is that you will enjoy what you do. You will find it fulfilling and be true to your instincts. Then only, life won’t be full of frustration in this matter and you will be able to take care of other things better as well. Then is that you will be married to your dream career and reality won’t suck. You will be on the right track towards the destination. Get set, go!
November 21, 2020
Post # 48
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I had read somewhere long ago but it’s an evergreen quote – ‘Life is like a question paper. But sometimes we forget that everybody has a different set of questions. And often we get stuck in chaos. If we focus on our own questions, maybe we can sail well through but that doesn’t happen, humans being social animals.’
When we are kids, we are mostly resistant to our parents’ instructions for our welfare and become naughty with patterns of fall, get up and repeat. Then we become teenagers, a little more grown-up but while some of us become understanding towards our surroundings, some others become rebellious towards anyone telling the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, etc. That time, all such instructions feel like preaching and we discard them calling names like ‘lecture’. In this age, we are usually in a fun mode and assume life to be easy, totally unaware of what all might be coming up and we proceed. When we get out of teenage, we get into adulthood and then the realities of life gradually start unfolding, one-by-one. At some point of time, much later, we have an urge to take a break and look back at our life journey so far. Then is that, we realize how granted we have been taking our elders and anyone who tried to show us the right way. Sometimes, It’s already too late to make any corrections but sometimes, we do get a chance. And then it’s up to us how we choose to proceed. Then we start learning all those things ‘the hard way’. As hard as a caterpillar trying to turn into a butterfly. On a lighter note, after some time, we have learnt some life -lessons and we may even find ourselves showing the right path to others now. And then those others are taking our words for granted and it goes on like a complete chain. Meanwhile, we also see some of our always obedient peers doing extremely well in life and we can only regret our mistakes.
Why did I bring this up? Well, just to come to the conclusion that while some lessons are better followed as per our people’s instructions, some things are better learnt the hard way. It has an effect like that caterpillar turning into a gorgeous butterfly. And once we have learnt the crucial basic life-lessons, life is beautiful!
Post # 47
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He worked by day and toiled at night.
He gave up play and much delight.
Dry books he read, new things to learn.
And forged head, success to earn.
He plodded on, with faith and pluck.
And when he won, they called it luck.
^ A piece of poetry from the popular book ‘You Can Win’ by Shiv Khera.
Do you believe in luck? Most of us do, in some way or the other. But how much of this belief is true? When is it considered good or bad? When does it become excess? What do you opine about the inevitable spread of similar superstitions in our society?
Well, I know these are all pretty debatable questions and their answers vary from person to person. To reach a generalisation about the topic is tough. Let’s analyse the pros and cons of superstitions today.
If you ask me about my say in the context, I’d put it as – Superstitions are good only till they provide us strength without imposing it on others, so much that the aimed person starts feeling tortured. As far as I can recall my conscious believing in some of them, I get only 2-3 in the list. Topmost is whenever I appreciate something or someone so much that I feel scared of evil eyes, I immediately utter “touchwood” after the praise. Talking about whether it works or not, I’d say – I don’t know but every time I utter this, I just mean to say that I don’t want this goodness to end because of any damn reason. So, in a way, it’s not much of a superstition but a message conveyed in very short.
Another one makes me tend to be humble as much as possible in my words and tone. It says ‘Din mein ek baar hamari zuban par Saraswati aati hain’ (Once in a day Goddess Saraswati visits us on our tongue) which means whatever we say at that moment, it comes true. Again, more than being a blind belief, it is my reminder to self in order to be polite in my spoken stuff. Plus I never imposed it on anyone. So, it’s hardly a harm in any sense.
As far as the number ‘7’ being lucky for me is concerned, I never take it too strictly or madly in everything I do. But sometimes when I have to choose a no. out of many and I get confused, then I select ‘7’. So, it only helps and no negativity attached.
Maybe I have a couple more of such beliefs which someone may consider as a superstition. But the point is that no one can claim that I tortured them with my blind belief. What I want to say is – a human belief is good only till it doesn’t become tortuous or harassing for others. So what if a black cat crosses our way! A black cat is as innocent as a cat carrying any other colour. Why cause delay and inconvenience for yourself if it crosses your path? Why do you have to stop if you sneeze while leaving for somewhere? What is your reason for any blind belief you have always been imposing on yourself or maybe others too, for that matter? Genuineness of a belief usually depends on the reason or logic behind them. Are you sure you have not put yourself into a cage of ‘n’ no. of superstitions and yourself suffering subconsciously? Are you really religious, spiritual or just superstitious?
Why not analyse it all today and get rid of the unnecessary beliefs that are causing you only suffering and no pleasure! Let’s make our surroundings more welcoming to positivity and good health while eradicating everything unnecessary. Let’s make our share of effort to make this world a better place to live in.
May peace prevail.
Post # 46
I met a man who had no feet
[image error]Pic Courtesy: http://www.freepik.com
I’m not sure about the giver of the quote in this title. I used to believe it to have been said by Shakespeare but when I searched Google to confirm, I found that quite probably, it could be given by some other significant personality too.
Regardless of the individual who quoted, it’s marvellous! And how true, is it not common between us humans? One more saying goes like ‘today is the tomorrow that you dreamt about yesterday’. In all of our today’s we keep running and running, madly-blindly for a better future. And when that future finally comes, we simply forget that we have always been waiting for this. Even if we remember, it’s momentary. We immediately switch to thoughts about our upcoming future, attempting to attain more and more and more. Well, good thing, of course we should always work hard and smart to do bigger and better things in life but bad is when we forget to cherish what we have already achieved. Some of us subconsciously do it so much that one can find them complaining and cribbing all the time.
If I talk about myself, somehow even in the worst phase of my life, I had a vague flame of hope and positivity alive in my heart. Although it was striving to keep burning and wasn’t very visible on the outside, still it existed. Thankfully, I have always had a habit of finding pleasure in small things in life.
That combined with a sense of gratitude to the Almighty, has worked wonders. During that miserable phase of my life, whenever I used to sit on the window seat of a vehicle while travelling, I had a habit of getting lost in my own world while having a look at the surroundings. Every time while doing that, my eyes fell upon someone genuinely poor and hungry, usually covered in torn clothes, I felt compassion. I say ‘genuinely’ because I feel that these days not every poor person is pitiable.
You never know when they might be faking it. Also, I had read somewhere long back that offering money to every other beggar you come across, promotes the business of gangsters behind begging. So, I always refrain myself from giving money to such people, especially if otherwise young and healthy. But yes, knowingly or unknowingly always a prayer emerged from my heart that may God help the person if s/he really deserved it.
Besides, I used to feel thankful to Him for bestowing all the blessings on me that I had at that moment. Even if it meant just basic necessities, belongings and my angel-hearted people around. Of course, as per human nature, I did wish for a better life and more to call mine but all in all, I felt contentment.
And this always added to my zealful perseverance. Even at my worst, I used to believe in the saying ‘there is always always always something to be thankful for’. Thus, positivity kept getting added to my life, visibly or non-visibly. And the outcome is here, in front of you. I continue to have the belief that I am completely content while giving my best to achieve more and more. Some of you might wonder, if I am still wishing to achieve more and more, how come I am content at the same time. Well, let me clarify.
It just means, I sure am working on myself to be refined and groomed while looking up. But by saying I’m content, I mean I am not restless about the results. I am not worried about getting more. Most importantly, I am not comparing myself with anyone anymore since long back. I do cherish my feet and while I do work on getting a pair of shoes, I am not crying for them. I am thankful, I am content.
What about you?
Post # 45
The Magic of Acceptance
An old saying goes as ‘the trees with the sweetest fruits get the most hit by stones thrown at them’. A simple sentence with quite a deep meaning. Usually the same happens with the most humble, down-to-earth people in our society. They are present in abundance around us. Just that sometimes they are clearly visible to naked eyes whereas sometimes you have to peep behind the mask they carry all the time. This hard mask becomes a necessity to protect themselves to be hit in the face by those stones that I earlier talked of. Carrying this mask just means that they might be pretending to be strong-headed and practical on the outside but actually, they have a soft, emotional, delicate inside instinct. In almost everything that happens with them, they are the givers without expecting much in return. They are caring and adore the most living beings around them, regardless of their size or significance. But often it is really disheartening to see that they are the ones to be the most criticized and blamed at. Even being the most deserving for all the happiness they desire, they are the most suffering ones. Gradually, some of these slip into a dark web and struggle hard to come out. Then is that the magic of acceptance comes in the scene.
Now two things may happen. Either they will accept themselves as well as their adversities for whole life, or their patience and perseverance bring out their sweetest fruit which does all the miracle. In the former case, even if they are not very happy with life, they are content because of acceptance. This is much like getting out of that dark web and settle peacefully at the edge, even if not completely away from it. In the latter case, they completely bounce out and transform. An individual or a team walks into their lives, who perform the acceptance act and the magic happens. First of all, they feel the light emerging from within, which eventually spreads out and may even reflect over the whole world, shining like the brightest huge star above our head that we fondly call as ‘Sun’.
Either kind of acceptance is really crucial and much-needed in today’s world. We are living in a time where it’s a fast life and everyone seems to be racing like blind. Some of us even don’t mind running over others if need be. Also, that’s why the speedy increase in cases of depression, etc. Obviously, many gems go overlooked in the mad rush.
Today, put an effort to give a check whether you have one such sweet-fruits-tree around you and if you have accepted it gracefully yet. If not yet, then when? If you are the one yourself, have you found your magician(s) yet?
May 22, 2020
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Post # 45
No-one is unaware of this pandemic called Corona these days. Unfortunately, still it is spreading more and more. All the measures taken up by the government to enhance the quality of common man’s life have all been going in vain. It’s tough to figure out the actual cause of the disease but a number of guesses and so-called research results have been taken into account believed as some of the reasons it goes in. Most prevalently, it is supposed to be a human virus which spreads by touch. Again, numerous steps have been put into action in order to prevent the occurence of the ailment and keep the consequences at bay. But situation seems far from anyhow coming in control. Many people are being blamed and criticized for their careless ways which add to the number of patients carrying the disease. This number of patients is not coming down significantly, no matter how hard the authorities have tried so far, tooth and nail.
Has anybody ever wondered as yet, what if there is no such disease in existence in the first place? Sounds shocking, right? Yes, it is. But do give it a thought. If it was to be just a virus, it must have come into control effectively by the lockdown thingy. Because people were no longer coming into contact with each other. Safe families must have been safe because they stayed in home. Yes, the pizza delivery boys that accelerated the number of patients surely sound dicy but where did they catch the disease from? Someone in their office you say. But how did that person in their office get a hold of the ailment? Going backwards and checking all the facts, we come down to someone bringing it internationally from China to India, right? What if no such thing happened in the 1st place? Relax, I don’t intend to give goosebumps to you but this is just a humble reminder to everyone that we are getting all this news from the same media we all were looking down upon till some time back. We were almost sure that our media is of no use, spreading rumours and showing crap all the time just to make money and earn fame. Why do we all of a sudden believe in the same media so much, so trustfully? Ok, you don’t believe me. So, let’s do a trick. Let me know in the comments whether anyone of your known caught this disease evidently yet? Have you really seen someone suffering from the disease with your own naked eyes? Or you are in a throw-the-nose-off fear just by looking at all the statistics in news and forwards that went viral on social media? Let’s see if we get even a single case of someone having caught it by self in the network of the readers of this blog. Even if someone claims to have been suffering from this virus, s/he needs to be re-checked. As people are dying more because of the treatment techniques put to work in such cases, instead of any disease or something. Most often, it is a simple fever, cough and cold which when reported is exaggerated, created a havoc of and taken to the optimum medication level possible. Believe me when I say it’s quite possible that Corona the virus doesn’t even exist in the first place. As about the lockdown, of course it was much-needed for the reconstruction of many natural resources and endangered living species. So, all of us need to be much more aware of our surroundings, keep our eyes extra-wide open and ears all well while not paying unnecessary heed to the rumours that our invisibly united clever media has been spreading so far. If at all, God forbid, any of us needs to consult the doctor for a fever or such thing which ‘may’ turn out to be anything disaster later on, we must be really careful about the symptoms and the treatment we take up post diagnosis. I agree, even Google isn’t very reliable about the symptoms as it sometimes adds to the worry as well but we have other ways out in that case. We can take a 2nd or 3rd opinions of the doctors and confirm whether what’s showing in the reports is true or not. Then and only then we can first reduce and then eliminate the phobia we have been experiencing more than 2 months now.
Be careful, be safe.
Be healthy, be good.
Believe in the credible.
Filter-out the unreliable.
January 17, 2020
Post # 44
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ऐसा भी एक समय था
दोस्तों से मिलते थे रोज़ाना
क्योंकि होता था रोज़ स्कूल जाना
सब चलता था, खोना-पाना..
बारिश के पानी में
काग़ज़ की नाव चलाना..
घंटों बारिश में भीग कर आना,
फिर मम्मी से डांट खाना
कभी किया हुआ होमवर्क भी
घर पर ही भूल कर,
टीचर का वो गुर्राना..
इम्तेहान में नंबर कम आने पर
पापा का भी गुस्सा हो जाना
सारी भड़ास निकालना अपने
भाई-बहनों पर और
दोस्तों को दिल की बात बताना
स्कूल की असेंबली में
साथ आना-जाना
वो गैलरी में गाने गाना..
कभी किसी को कई दिन
बाद देख कर मुस्कुराना
टीचर के सामने शांत स्माइल करना
और उन के जाते ही फिर हल्ला मचाना
किशोरावस्था में वो सब के दिल के मसले
और दोस्तों के लिए वो कोशिशें लगाना
हां भई, पढ़ाई भी होती थी
और कभी-कभी इतनी कि झल्ला ही जाना
कभी क्लास में शोर ज़्यादा करने पर
सज़ा में ग्राउंड के चक्कर लगाना
कंप्यूटर लैब में जूते-चप्पल उतार के जाना
और छोटी-सी भी एरर पर सिर घूम जाना
वो सिंगिंग डांसिंग, वो वार्षिकोत्सव
कभी-कभी स्टेज पर अपना भी नाम आना
यार! कब हम बड़े होंगे की रट लगाना
और फिर उसी बचपन में गुम हो जाना
कैसे बयां कर दूं सारे ही एहसास वो
नहीं आता इतना भी यादें जताना
बस कभी-कभी खूब याद आता है
वो समय, वो दौर, वो गुज़रा ज़माना
आने वाली पीढ़ी भी महसूस कर पाए
भगवान! ऐसा कोई जादू चलाना
अब के बच्चे खुद से निकलें तो जानें
क्या होता था दोस्तों पर जान लुटाना
