M.P. Sharma's Blog, page 16

No Money? No Worries!

Whenever I think back to all the great times I have had, I often realise that those memorable experiences involved no monetary funds, or flashy, expensive add-ons. In fact, all my “everything is perfect right now” moments included a combination of those I love, happy, positive thoughts and the time to enjoy the World around me.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely not saying that money isn’t important but what I am saying is that it is useless without the “real” raw ingredients to your recipe towards happiness.

Here’s to wishing all of you true glorious happiness! I hope you have your raw ingredients packed up tight to take along with you on this weekend!

We live in a Democracy but … you’re not allowed to say that.

“But” – such a seemingly simple, nonabrasive word, hardly ever recognised for its severe hypocrisy enamoured intentions and the scantily clad evilness it embodies. Often, I hate the word “but” because it provides us with the ability to shift the blame onto some invisible imaginary wickedness outside of ourselves no one else can quite seem to see.

“I don’t hate you but …”, “I’m really quite an open minded person but …”, “That country doesn’t deserve being bombed the way it has but…” The list is never ending, in a painful sort of way. A general rule of thumb that I try to live with every time I hear the word “but” is to disregard every single syllable that unfortunately preceded it, which believe me, is extremely difficult because it is often times someone’s best material. Everything tends to go downhill once that foreboding word “but” is included.

As some of you may know, Australia is going through a very democratic BUT questionable rule at the moment that basically puts a muzzle on everyone else who isn’t a politician. It’s a shame I know (not to mention enormously embarrassing) for a country that prides itself on being a crusader for democracy BUT it is a question of national security after all. Well naturally, that should be explanation enough if not for that one measly detail – all those advocates for truth? You know the ones I’m speaking of – the Julian Assange’s and Eric Snowden’s of the World.

If you were truly off your rockers and decided to believe what’s coming out of our current politicians mouths, regardless of the party they belong to (isn’t it creepy when opposing political members get together?) this innovative rule that basically involves everything we say being censored by the government is actually to keep us safe. Come on, when the words “national security” are mentioned, obviously that should be enough for us to take their word for it. Isn’t that what it’s all about, them verses us?

While watching Q & A on Monday night (a program that encourages free thinking) on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation free to air television channel, a politician actually had the gall, (can you believe it), the ludicrous audacity to promote her vicious, down right undemocratic stance against free speech by telling a journalist (of all people) that an anti-freedom of speech law was required because, wait for it, not all journalists are socially responsible. Aha, that makes sense because I can count on one hand the amount of “socially responsible honest” politicians out there. Hang on – can I call a friend for this question please?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t exactly feel very secure with the idea of global politicians being the gatekeepers of truth, not with the human rights records a lot of countries have, the (often leaked) dismal, inhumane and downright “slave inspired” conditions of our detention centres, and well, some of the nincompoops we have (obviously in a drunken stupor) elected to represent us.

I thought evolution meant we were supposed to get better, not the other way round. Am I on a different page, or better yet, book? Aren’t we supposed to be getting more open minded and better at sharing knowledge rather than keeping the dirty (and often not so little) secrets of corrupt politicians under wraps? Hang on, aren’t you, Australian Government supposed to be representing me? I don’t recall ticking the “please silence me unless I agree with you” check box on the ballot paper the last time I voted.

This is not about who gets whose vote, there are more important issues on hand at the moment. This is not about being on anyone’s side, it’s about standing up for what’s right. The journalist on Q&A said it right, the government can try and lock truth seekers up as much as they want BUT for every Assange or Snowden they attempt to get rid of, a hundred more who are willing to stand up for what’s right no matter what the consequences will mushroom towards the surface. Muzzle that.

It’s not me. It’s you.

Yup, you heard me correctly, sometimes it’s not me, it really is you.

I have struggled for most of my life (till date anyway) with worrying about what others think and feel about me. Deeply buried within the crevices of my soul, I know it shouldn’t matter, in fact better yet, I know it doesn’t matter what others think of me as long as I know it’s the right thing to do at the time and that most pertinently, I can look in the mirror every morning when I wake up without wincing (unless I’m having an abominably bad hair day). ;)

Sometimes in life though, you will sadly meet many individuals who seems to have made it their life’s purpose to bring others down, for no apparent reason whatsoever. To these people I like to use the “It’s not me, it’s you” comeback.

I urge you to do the same! I have come across some amazing bloggers here recently that are taking the time and effort to help you in your journey to not just making this world a better place but you a better you, which is the first step to improving everything around you!

Please do take a look, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed :) See you soon my lovelies!

http://lightthelie.wordpress.com/

http://theinvictussoul.wordpress.com/

http://smilebuttercup.wordpress.com/

Does the Weather affect your writing?

Yesterday we had the most awesome thunderstorm ever!

I absolutely adore writing in what the general population may consider as catastrophic weather events, when crackling lightning and the roaring thunder shreds the clouds above you apart. The surging rain as it assaults my windows ferociously and pelting razored balls of ice during a rioting hail storm is the perfect backdrop to writing, especially dark characters like my Adrinius.

What about you? Does the weather affect your mood when you’re working?

You never EVER stop learning!

This statement never hits harder than when I speak with kids (or hear stories about them).

My mum, who is the Head Teacher of the Early Childhood wing at TAFE/Director of the Early Childhood Centre as well as a Professor in Early Childhood studies at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, told me about a conversation she had with four year old Joel one morning.

Mum: What’s the matter Joel, you look unhappy?

Joel: I am not in a good mood.

Mum: Oh, did you get out from the wrong side of the bed this morning?

Joel: Well that’s a silly question. There’s only one side of my bed so how am I supposed to get out from the wrong side of it? Adequate roll of large blue eyes in obvious disdain for adults incomprehensive and useless queries.

:D :D :D

I’m a Girl, you’re a Boy …

This has supposedly been my quirky retort to any argument I couldn’t quite solve since I was a child, having used it on my granddad at the ripe age of three or so when he was unable to comprehend something that was obviously extremely pertinent to me at the time I was “discussing” my stance.

Yesterday, I found that this simple statement still often makes sense in many imperative circumstances. Please allow me to explain:

1. Arguer – “Why do you need as many handbags as you do?”

My answer – “You wouldn’t understand – I’m a girl, you’re a boy”

2. Arguer – “Why do you always have to be so melodramatic?”

My answer – “You wouldn’t understand – I’m a girl, you’re a boy”

3. Arguer – “Why do you always read between the lines when I tell you something I believe is really quite simple?”

My answer – “You wouldn’t understand – I’m a girl, you’re a boy”

4. Arguer – “Why do you always think you’re smarter than me?”

My answer – “You wouldn’t understand – I’m a girl, you’re a boy”

I have more, but I think you get the gist :D

Have a wonderful weekend my “sweet as pie” everybody-ies!!

Why Writers shouldn’t end up with one another …

Okay, so we’re constantly being told about how it’s nice to end up with someone on the same page as you, you know, so you can share your trials and tribulations of a hard day’s work with that special someone.

If you’re a teacher, why wouldn’t you want to come back home and explain how you just received a letter from that student who you thought was your best one yet outlining twelve possible reasons why he wants to kill you slowly and meticulously? On the other hand, as a Doctor, what could possibly be better than coming back home after an arduous twelve hour shift and sharing why that patient you “accidentally” left a pair of scissors in after slicing them open is going to sue you for everything you got?

Hey, at least your partner’s got your back, right? Plus, as an added bonus in the Doctor’s case, your divorce hearing is going to be short and sweet.

Even if you can’t quite wrap your brainy tentacles around why anyone on earth would ever want to get with someone who is most likely to have had exactly the same day as you (unless you are truly aiming for the award for the most boring life ever, then please go ahead), there are some absolutely undeniable facts as to why writers should stay clear of one another – at least in the “relationship” field:

1. Every time your partner politely asks you to go shopping, frantic alarm bells ring uncontrollably in your head because you know the shopping list is going to read like a novel and the last 24 hour Walmart in your area has a restraining order out on you because you never leave the premises. Seriously. It’s not your fault; it just took you that long to get through the list, that’s all.

2. Your children end up falling asleep before you get through the first line of a bedtime story because you and your partner are too busy discussing the appropriateness of commencing a fable with “Once Upon a Time”. You’re still discussing how Snow White taking an apple from the Evil Queen (and anyway – who would fall for that pathetic disguise in the first place?) is not realistic enough considering all the “Stanger Danger” lectures out there when your kids wake up in the morning.

3. A surprise ending is always so predictable because you understand the way your partner’s mind works for a climatic end. They wine and dine you and it’s already playing out in your head because you’ve been editing their novels for as long as you can remember. The only move that may shock you – the “you’ve been served” rendition when the postman hands you your “out of the blue” divorce request. To top it all off, instead of being devastated, you’re proud of them and you ring them up to say that that elusive cliff-hanger ending they’ve been working so hard to achieve is in the bag, baby!

4. Your partner cooks you (or at least what you believe to be) a subliminal inducing dinner and you are unable to give them false criticism because you take your role as a critic very seriously but you still want to be encouraging about the devastation anyway and end up saying “It’s nice honey. I mean it’s no Pulitzer Prize but just keep at it, You know, practice does make perfect. No matter how impossible it may feel right now. To both of us”.

5. Wait though. There’s more. The most devastating result of ending up with another writer. Your children have been so severely traumatised by having to grow up in a household with two people who believe everything they do (including the act of breathing) should be penned down, when career day comes around, they finally build up the courage to tell you, wait for it – they want to be Doctors!

Now what could possibly be worse than that? It’s settled, you’ve officially failed as parents.

On the bright side though, you may finally have that tragedy you’ve been meaning to write for years but haven’t been buoyed adequately enough for by that gut wrenching experience you absolutely need to feel in order to do so. Nobel Laureate in literature – here I come!

Why I Love October …

1. We’re finally into double digits, which makes me feel like I’ve achieved something, namely close to another year with my brain intact (okay fine, most of it anyway).

2. It’s smack bang in the middle of Spring where everything is starting to awake, ready to p-a-r-t-y!!!

3. This year, it’s when all the celebrations happen for Indians – Navratri, Karwa Chauth, the Festival of Lights (Diwali) and who doesn’t like a good celebration, right?

4. Summer Holidays are just around the corner – Aussie sun, Aussie Beaches, Barbeques (even for vegetarians), shorts and string tops, good, safe tans!!! Oh, and did I mention heaps and heaps of ICE CREAM!!!!!!!

Now explain to me again, how anyone could possibly not be ecstatic about October? :)

Being Good can be Painful …

So, I was a good girl yesterday and finally decided to bravely jump onto the treadmill at my gym after a four week sabbatical.

Let me just say, if you aren’t particularly fond of tragic endings – to stop reading now.

After a horrendous ten minutes (is it just me, or does time conspire to travel at a MUCH slower rate when you’re on the brink of passing out due to a lack of oxygen consumption?), I have made the following discovery:

1. You should be able to sue Mother Nature for feeling as much pain as exercise causes you.

2. There are muscle groups you really, truly should not be able to feel as a general, unarguable rule. In fact, I would like to put a petition in to eradicate them due to their detrimental repercussions. Just like our Appendix.

3. I’d like to also be able to freely reprimand whoever created the wonderful, albeit, sometimes frustratingly useless human appendages we have all been forcefully “gifted”. Don’t get me wrong, I am very grateful for all of them, I would just like to revisit the pain sensors blueprint please. Pronto.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go check if my thighs are still attached to the rest of me.

Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!

So I got up this morning saying to myself that there’s nothing for me to write about today, so I’m going to spare my poor readers because I like them and well, I’d love to keep them, but then I thought – how could I forget?

What could possibly be wrong with this questionable cranium I am constantly poking and prodding to prove to myself exists?

Um, hello. It’s Friday and to top it all – we have a long weekend coming up on Monday! So excuse me while I do my groove thing in front of the mirror (around the cracks that appeared of their own accord the last time I got jiggy with it).

Please feel free to share in my “suave” moves and did I mention YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!

Have a great weekend my sexy followers!