Wednesday 24 January 2018

BC... Abhi Kya Karein Iss Emotion Ke Saath?

As is evident from the title, my Hindi sucks... but i'm sometimes stuck with this feeling and then I end up just brushing it aside and moving on. Moving on with my day. Moving on with life. Moving on with other emotions that engage.

What do I do about things that can't be changed. Or emotions that I just can't act upon. Emotions that linger with no purpose...

My friend Arvind passed away really suddenly on Dec 1st 2017. He was fit, healthy, newly married and most of all - a universally loved guy. It still baffles me how someone,, like him at age 31 would have to leave us. So much happiness this soul had to spread. He was a good guy - and I'm not just saying that because he isn't with us anymore.

Initially, I didn't really process this. I wasn't overcome by grief. Instead, I felt the need to either be a support and empathize with people around me OR just move on without. stopping.. to... think.

Only two weeks later, at his remembrance celebration, was I overcome by grief. In many ways, it still lingers. It's more a deep sense of sadness now. Grief numbed by time. And the need to move on. It creeps up on me in random moments like an old friend one bumps into when walking on the street... Sometimes, you stop to chat, sometimes it's awkward and exchange a word or two... and sometimes you pretend not to notice and continue walking.

But, atleast I have the choice of being able to function. Of being able to walk on. Of being able to carry my cross. My heart always goes out to his dearest ones on whose shoulders this weight must rest far more heavily.

I fear this crushing force sometimes. But it is important to recognize the inevitable. In fact, I hope I have a heavier cross to bear rather than the people around me.

We all move on. At our own pace. It's surely a good thing. Moving on is good. But yet they also say it's good to let the emotion soak in you - only so that you can move on properly. For his dearest friends, there must be moments when they ask themselves why they must move on. Everyday to ask yourself "What would Arvind feel like today?"
"What would Arvind have said to me in this situation?"
"How would Arvind have woken up this morning?"
"Would he have liked coffee or tea today?"
How to let this pain go. How to fill this empty space. How to forget the memories. I guess time will obviously ensure all of the above. But it's a funny tug-of-war... subconsciously there's a need to move on and let go while simultaneously, subconsciously there's also a need to hang on and always remember.

I hope and pray that the pain eases for all those it burdens. I hope and pray his joy and warmth soothes and comforts those upon whom he had showered. I hope and pray we can all smile and laugh and spread happiness in his afterglow.

Thursday 3 March 2016

Two months and 14 hours of being married...

January 2nd 2016 will always be one of the most special days in my life. And so will January 3rd, 2016.  On January 2nd, in one of the most beautiful ceremonies (honestly) I got married to one of the most wonderful persons I've come to know and on January 3rd, we had a celebration that was overwhelming in terms of the amount of love we felt and experienced from close friends and family. In so many ways she rescued me and healed me. She has a unique wonderful intelligence that isn't about logic or strategy or math but instead stems from an amazing depth of genuine love, nurturing, warmth, beauty and empathy.

We are truly blessed and lucky to have found one another and to have so many wonderful, loving, nurturing close friends. We are blessed to have such amazing families (that make us smile with love and warmth when we even think of them). The list of things we have to be thankful for is long and overwhelming. In fact, through this period, if there's one emotion that we've been overcome with other than love, it is gratitude. I'm not sure what we did to deserve to be so fortunate, but we are. And when one has been so lucky, it's difficult to ignore the desire to share... and to give back. To spread happiness. To make the world a better place.

But making a difference isn't easy. It's infectious but to create an institution or movement that genuinely isn't just vanity is not going to be easy. Sheerly to even keep the desire alive amidst the day-to-day continuum of career, life, socialising isn't sustainable. Everything is finite.The need to give back in a meaningful manner burns within. We have  to have found each other for a larger purpose.

It's 7:19 am on the clock. It's been a couple of hours since I've been awake. I woke up obsessing about some work stuff and had to 're-orient' my thoughts to the important things in life.

The wife beckons. It's time to slink back into bed and hold her and let her know she is cherished.

I'm lucky. Seriously lucky. You should meet her. Even you'll agree.

Sunday 13 September 2015

...Magic...

There's a feeling of disbelief that comes over me sometimes when i think about her... About the fact that she actually could love me! She loves me!!!

We met (funnily enough) through parents but from that moment, we've really got along... It's been almost 9 months since and now in a few months she's going to become my wife!

She's warm, she's loving, she's fun, she's honest, she's a 'good' person, she's gorgeous, she's talented, she's funny, she's unique, she's sunshine, she's adorable, she's committed, she's got strong values and yet somehow she's fallen for me!

Some of my insecurities and wounds have somehow effortlessly been healed by her and I'd like to believe that I've also helped her heal from some of the baggage that she was carrying... It's like we were inflicted with those wounds only so we could find and then heal each other... It's strange how much has changed for me personally now that she's a part of my life. It feels blessed and a lot more complete. There's reason to celebrate. There's someone to share the happy moments with. There's someone to look to in the not-so-happy times.

Suddenly, there's magic.

I miss her some days. I pine for her on some days. I have imaginary conversations with her in my head... And all this even though we speak almost all the time... There hasn't been a single day (except the early few) where we haven't been in touch since we first met. There's so much positivity in my life that she has brought in like sunshine... I know there will be challenges that we will face, but she makes it worthwhile... and with her I know i'm stronger. I've gone from having 'nothing to lose' to a whole different wonderful place...

I just wanted to drop in a short line to say "Thank you!"... Thank you for the love. Thank you for the warmth. Thank you for the care. Thank you for the magic.

Thank you for her.

:)


Tuesday 18 November 2014

An unworthy homage to an unconditional friend



Saraswati Lollipop, my cat, passed away this morning. It was completely unexpected, accidental and suddenly it feels strange to even imagine a place called home without her.

She was the most curious and affectionate cat I'd come across - with an insane need to investigate anything that looked 'investigate-able'. She wouldn't let me out of her sight from the moment I'd enter home till the moment I'd leave... waiting patiently by my side in bed to following me into the loo to purring softly every time I carried her to getting excited and getting excessively playful every time we played together. It's difficult to know I wont be seeing her dashing ahead of me playfully in sheer excitement and bumping into something as she lost her balance as I walk around the house... 



She was special to me. She loved me. Unconditionally. She was a street cat whom a friend rescued and nursed to good health. She had been with me for only a couple of years. We used to play a strange game - every morning I would crumple one or two flyers from the newspaper and throw them on the ground around the house. Inevitably she would end up pushing these paper balls around and entertaining herself. She also took great pains in keeping Solomon (my other cat) on his toes by constantly 'blading' him to play. Off late, she seemed to get her 'kicks' from moth-hunting. 



You may have or may not have known her but she was something :)

No matter how badly I want or how how much I regret anything I cant change that she's gone.

So while I write this largely to share my love for her (and wash away some of the regret I feel) I also wanted to remind you, my dear friend, that we all have people and friends whom we should love unconditionally. And as definite as there is life, so is it's end. But in the in-between, take a moment, take many, as often as you can, to show these special friends that you love them. Unconditionally. 

And you should know, loving unconditionally is a very difficult thing. And there may be logistical and physical constraints from sharing this love. It's okay. It's honestly the thought that counts. And love has a way... of finding it's way.

Funnily, two or three nights ago, I had a dream (!!!) where she fought off a large tiger to save me as I ran away! I woke that morning and the days to come feeling so warm and protected by her - as silly as that sounds.



Saraswati - thank you for everything. Rest in peace. You are missed already.



Monday 8 September 2014

Chasing Rainbows...

A couple of days back a friend asked me why I had so few things I was passionate about... That seemed like a strange thing for anyone to ask ME... well, atleast to me. At the time...

(well, actually, that's not exactly what she said... she actually called me "lacking in content"!!!)

And then it got me thinking...  listen to any song n you'll figure that love, heartbreak, girls/boys etc are huge inspiration n all but as I thought about it I realised that I'd very few 'activities' that I was into that I was actually genuinely involved in and passionate about anymore... 

I am easily one of the most intense, passionate and involved people I know. So, then why this predicament? Why even the need to ponder upon what may seem like a silly flake-y question? Because... There, could be some truth in the statement. In the process of life's priorities (read paying the bills and generally attending to the near and dear ones), romance, heartbreak, intoxication and rediscovering some level of self-worth I may have lost some of that magic. I may have set it aside temporarily. So, what're the things I enjoy doing... the things I like doing for myself. Not just to be sounding intelligent in some kinda conversation... The little things. And the big things.

Here's an effort to recollect. To remember. To reawaken.

(Gosh, I love lists)

  • Movies... I still love them... I guess in many ways this still remains to be one of my biggest passions...
  • Sports... Playing sports such as basketball, football and squash. I've had this pastime taken away from me recently over the last six months or so due to health (jaundice and then a torn knee ligament which is being really stubborn about healing!) but I hope to get playing fit soon. I really enjoy my playtime... there's something to be said about the amazing ability it has to make me feel. No matter what mood I'm in, a good game leaves me charged. I guess you could also put working out and staying fit in this category. This is a big category!
  • Food... I totally still got this :-) 
  • Mind Games... I loved puzzles and mind tests. I still do. I must pursue this more.
  • Music... I really love listening to good music. i sorta decided somewhere along the way to not spend too much energies into sourcing new and different music but I now feel like I must... I really need to. It's one of those things that i've fooled myself into since I'm never really sure on what I'm missing out on... Maybe it's time to invest in an ipod.
  • Paragliding... I loved doing my first level course. I must do my second sometime soon. I also need to go skydiving!
  • Friends and Family... Spending quality time with them. Helping them. Understanding them. Interacting with them. I totally still got this but I probably need to interact with them more meaningfully socially... I wonder why 90% of hanging out with friends involves alcohol (which I still love even though we've temporarily parted ways)... or movies or dinner... What are the different fun things that people can do together and speak about.
  • Life Goals... and achieving them. I wonder what happened to some of these. I guess sometimes its important to focus on some things and set some things aside so that others can be achieved. But its important for me to re-fraternize with some of these... like the restaurant or the school (well, you may not know what I'm talking about... but I do!).
  • Health... well, I'm not doing too badly here now... But there's always room for improvement. And I've got to take good care of myself consistently... No taking anything for granted.
  • Traveling with friends and family... while I've been doing this a fair bit. I guess there's always room for more... But this has been happening quite a bit actually...
  • Making a Difference... I know this is sorta covered under life goals but I guess I want to just reiterate
  • Challenges... I like challenges of various kinds. I just like the idea of having to prepare and train myself for them. It's how I approach some of my tasks and stuff...
  • This blog - see! I'm writing for me again!

So that's about it for now. I may add to this list. But for now, what can I say... It's good to be back. 

And Chasing Rainbows...

Sunday 15 December 2013

The Wedding Speech (or what should've been)

I was at a close friend's wedding recently and after it was over a bunch of met up in Goa for two days and nights of absolute fun...

On the last night, while we all chilled at Zanzibar, a bunch of people who were really 'really' close (the inner 'inner' circle - that doesn't include me) made small speeches wishing the couple and what it's mean to them etc...

Here's mine (I sent them an email) - 

Ever so rarely you meet someone with whom you wanna share most of the things that life has to offer. Ever so rarely you meet someone that you're also willing to suffer through the annoying and difficult parts of their personality and the attachments that they come along with - ever so rarely these things even become fun. I remember how much I used to find stretch marks terribly unattractive until I fell in love with a girl who had a few... and then I actually missed em! Love has a way of obliterating things that would've ordinarily mattered. And it's wonderful to see it in the two of you. I even remember enviously walking out of XYZ's cabin in office several months ago when I saw how happy he was and wondering when/if I would ever have such emotion...

The funny thing about marriage though is that it needs more than just love. It is possible there will be times when it will feel so difficult to love each other. You guys will need to learn to forgive (sometimes, its possible it won't be easy... and will take time), to communicate (and that includes listening!) and to be insanely patient and strong for each other. I'm definitely not one to take any relationship advice from :) but always place the most importance on the bond that now binds you guys - in times of love, difficulty, illness, sorrow and come what may.

I see such a wonderful happiness in the two if you - you guys make 1+1= Infiniti. It has such a positive effect on the people around you as well. It makes me think it's not such a bad thing to be vulnerable.


From the bottom of my heart (which isn't too deep)- I wish you guys the best and all the things you guys wish for yourselves. Here's to awesomeness.


*skulls whiskey* 

Sunday 29 September 2013

Sometimes, the universe needs to make a choice for you...

I'm tired of choices. Of making em... or not.

The old adages... they seem to all make sense. And I don't care.

Go on, make me an offer I can't refuse.

Thursday 20 June 2013

As there is a void... there is an answer.

Too tired, distracted and un-motivated to write... listless, if you will.

But life, has a way of changing on you. You start off as a child... dreaming. And then somewhere along the way someone says "stop dreaming..." and still you don't. But you realize you aren't necessarily living your dream. A little later... you realize you aren't even chasing em.

And then, on some days, they don't matter.

But you never stop dreaming.

There must be a reason. Hain na?

Monday 1 April 2013

A Prayer

Dear God/Universe,

Thank you for everything you've given me. It's really great and I do value everything a lot. Family, friends, love, warmth, wealth, intelligence, goodness and so much more...

I'm having a few problems and I really need your help on these a little bit. I know you're probably watching me and helping out as it is, but I'm just raising these anyways...

- I need to learn and enjoy moderation - especially when it comes to my drinking. I drink way too much and often don't know my limits. I used to like the madness. I don't know why I did. I want to stop being that way. I cant understand why I needed everything to be crazy... Life is not a movie and I need to understand that its not necessary to be dramatic. I need a little calm.

- I'd like to be a better influence to the world and people around me - there are things about me that're very selfish. I wish I could lose them as much as possible. I'd really like to be able to make the people around me happier.

- The Emptiness needs to go...

Thanks again!