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Unravel Your Sparkles to Wakefulness

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Unraveling Your Sparkles to Wakefulness!

 

This Blog section is all about “Unraveling your Sparkles to Wakefulness". There are things that spur us in life. There are times we are motivated; at times defeated. Sometimes, we stand up for personal and social issues. And sometimes, we are mere spectators. The spools of emotion that remain coiled in us gives us our individuality. Let us embrace the ‘spirit’ that drives us to take action or the lack of it that allows us to be victims or audience.

 

Through the Blog posts, we will cure the venom that runs within us into an awakened state of consciousness. The idea is to use the venom and turn it into nectar. We will extricate the negatives; transform them into positives through our passion of writing.

 

Our write-ups have fire, honesty, zeal, creativity, fun and mischief. We the Toxicologists of life, the 'Slumber-Hunters' of Wake-n-Shine, welcome you to the path of discovery and human revolution.

 

"Existence is the ability to endure while living is the blessing to exert towards perfection."- Kleio B'wti

 

India

Waking the Indian Within

Posted 2 CommentsPosted in Blog, Soirée

In the mumbo-jumbo of our current times, sometimes we forget the meaning of freedom and independence.

August 15- is a day of celebration, pomp, glory, loads of patriotic songs and good food! It is our way of celebrating Indian independence.

However, have we endeavoured to find out what independence really means? Our ancestors forsake their all for a generation that’s losing itself in being ‘western’, ‘modern’ and ‘right’. Sadly, that is not what being independent entails.

When we are unswayed by public opinion, untouched by hate, and confident that we can make a difference without getting carried away by what other people are doing- it is independence.

Sahid Samarak- PatnaWhen PM Modi decided to encourage every Indian to fly a flag in every home, he was probably trying to teach us to look beyond the trimmings of society and follow the heart. What could be the true embodiment of the courage one carries but the country’s flag?

Modi went a step further by sending a gift to every household- a tricolour, nicely packed. He not only shared a vision. He also shared the resources to make that vision come true. That is what a true leader does. And here is how he wants to build more leaders like him- with compassion and generosity.

Patriotism is internal. No one can teach true patriotism. Yet it is infectious. When everyone stands up for the national anthem or sways a flag, don’t you itch to do the same?

This year, when you stand up for the national anthem, don’t do it because the constitution says so. This time when you pick the flag and raise it to the skies, don’t imitate the person next to you.

When you sing, “Hindi hai him, Vatan Hai, Hindostan Hamara…” feel the words, mean the words. Then pick up our beautiful flag and say it with your heart- “Sare jahan se accha!

On this independence day, understand our leader’s inclination. He has sent you the gift of the national flag to tell you that this country belongs to you.

Thus nurture your country. Be the wind of truth that blows from Mount Kailash. Become the quencher of thirsts like the mighty Brahmaputra and Ganga. Be the bells of our sacred temples. Find the tiger in you. And be proud of being an Indian just like a peacock.

Strut honestly. Move with pride. Walk with conviction not to get an international VISA or to the airport but to build India stronger. This year raise your cup of chai to an India we so want to build.

Jai Hind!

Obituary: Larry Binion

Remembering Larry

Posted Leave a commentPosted in Blog, Emotion

Friendship knows no bounds. Age, geography, gender, race, interests, finances, occupation or marital status; nothing matters when there is an intellectual connection and a common interest.

Such was my friendship with Larry. We discussed family, experiences, his love for his wife, Nancy, how deeply he cared for his children and how his daughter was his favourite person on earth! When I was the lowest, he would tell me about her, the lyrical story, he wrote for her- Flea, Fly, Floo and on my lowest moments, he’d make me smile.

A retired teacher, he inspired many, and he inspired me. He wanted to write; compile his life’s work in volumes. He often said, we have to write together! He prayed for all, he loved all and even when he was unwell and in the hospital, he dropped in a message on LinkedIn, “I think I have the COVID virus.” And when he left the world, he ensured, I knew instantly. This was Larry, a true friend, a soldier who lost the war to COVID.

He was a friend I had never met. He was someone I met on LinkedIn. But just like him, I have found the world’s best minds and hearts on a professional social media channel. Can I say more but in a line- The world is a much smaller place now.

Sadly, with all the going on’s, he would send me a message, “I’m glad you are okay. I shall wait for your message.” I shall always feel guilty for not messaging him enough. And I shall always be grateful that I had a friend who was there for me, even when I couldn’t show I cared.

Remembering Larry is about remembering true friendship. It is about giving hope and courage to your buddies even when you may be in a dark place. It is about motivating and keeping it in momentum. It is about giving and taking just a smile as a gift in return.

As long as I shall remember the word ‘friendship’, I shall remember Larry.

To Read Larry’s Awesome Work Check this Page Out http://fleaflyfloo.blogspot.com/

Say little mean more

God Complex Attack? Shut Up or Slide Along

Posted 1 CommentPosted in Blog, Soirée

Good intentions can actually sound like a threat to someone.

Have you heard it before? So, a super insecure person can sometimes not embrace happiness or good things coming their way. Instead of rejoicing, they brow-beat those they consider soft targets. However, the truth is, no one in this world is a soft target. When well-wishers are put to task, because of their good intentions, it’s a matter of huge concern.

For who is a human to put another through penance? Isn’t that the work of that ageless Almighty? And the Almighty always wants pepople to celebrate others’ happiness along with our own. Why should a mere mortal put you through a test?

Is this a God Complex?

Perhaps the truth is that people have forgotten that they are mere mortals. Their money or ability to employ many, or their capability to go an extra mile, it is all a blessing that needs utmost gratitude. It doesn’t give them a right to replace the all serving, all-loving, the one and only.

No, God didn’t ask me to write this post. Nor does God want me to tell the great people exuding greatness for the moolah they keep or manipulate others to accumulate. Every moolah is a blessing as in prosperity, respect and abundance. So the pseudo achievers, wannabes and the privileged, need to introspect, they need to change their apprach.

A thin line divides being a blessed human from being God Himself. To forget one’s impermanance in a hue of false greatness can only land one in a moral holocaust and social superfluousness.

The humble ‘newborn’ approach to life with gratitude for all the blessings bestowed, is a good way to check the itch to thrust fleeting loftiness among others. Mortality is inevitable. Nothing will last forever in this world. Thus the preconcieved notion of personal greatness will eventually dissipate into insecurity and sorrow. The only immortal is the one who doesn’t judge, doesn’t hurt, doesn’t create politics just to sustain their self-interests.

To be immortal, make a happy place in people’s thoughts. Don’t get influenced by the travesty of prodigiousness. And in case you are being subjected to a display of God Complex, don’t reason, don’t judge- Shut Up or merely Slide Along.

Irrfan Khan

Irrfan Khan- His Body-of-Work Will Live On

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An artist who captured hearts and was unanimously respected as India’s very best- leaves a legend behind. Irrfan Khan took baby steps and then giant leaps to reach the stature he achieved.
But for me, he was the first MAN on TV I had a crush on. I remember how I forgot to breathe when I saw him in the drama, Banegi Apni Baat! There were some other handsome actors in the serial, however, there was none other like him. All the others were boys but he, he was the man- masculine, strong, perfect! I can even confess, I dreamt of him the days he didn’t appear in the episodes. My mind would create its version of what I saw- only to ensure Irrfan was there in every frame.

Irrfan Khan
Credits- www.pinterest.com/sameeroka

Every accolade for Irrfan was always like my personal victory. He even inspired the young girl in me who watched him on the telly and then on the silver screen when she grew up. The credit goes to Irrfan’s attitude to learn, improvise, sift learning from feedback and learn more. I don’t know how he was as a person in real life, but I am sure his super-strong persona always stood out.
So, it is more than sad- it is actually, devastating to lose my pre-teen dream man. ‘Coz dreams can end, but the feeling it elicits stays forever! Irrfan Khan gave the common ones like me a dream to dream! And he will live through his exceptional body of work- forever!
Janmashtami

Janmashtami

Posted Leave a commentPosted in Blog, Emotion

Janmashtami is the day Hindus celebrate the birth of Krishna the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There are 10 avatars of Vishnu namely Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, (Balarama) or Buddha, and Kalki (yet to be born).

 

Buddha and his philosophies are followed across the world. His intellect and his way of treating life is an inspiration in itself.

 

Yet, Vishnu’s avatar, Krishna stands out. Why?

 

His adoptive mother called Him Kanha out of love. His father and his entire kingdom adored Him. This little child wore a top-knot that had a downward left slide. He wore a peacock feather in His bun. His mother, Yashoda, adorned His crown with pearls. He wore a yellow ‘dhoti’ and a pearl and gold necklace.

 

He is the ‘Laddoo’ Gopal the world has loved for centuries!

 

There is something about the child that He universally loved. Krishna is the epitome of the perfect child. Everyone wants to have a naughty, intelligent, intuitive and humane child, like Krishna. I cannot fail to mention his childhood friend Radha. Kanha’s friend Radha is synonymous with the perfect girl-child.

 

In India, every year, parents rejoice in the joy of parenthood by celebrating Janamashtami. Every year, a young man or woman prays for a boon – the birth of that perfect man, men dream of being and women dream of having as their partner.

 

Let me not get into the nuances of religion. I only want to emphasise how Krishna is beyond religion. Kanha and Radha Rani are about loving kids and revelling in their glory. It is a celebration of youth and the happiness of being alive and thriving.

 

That’s the beauty of Hinduism and Krishna. The philosophy and this person is beyond all boundaries that define living.

 

I love Kanha, aka Laddoo Gopal, aka Nadu, aka Krishna. And I love Radha Rani the epitome of a girl-child. Krishna and Radha define an inexplicable pure devotion. They define the pleasure of parenthood. They define how it is important to celebrate every child who is born irrespective of their gender. Even pets have a Krishna and Radha in them. (Kanha loved all animals and plants. He spoke to them every day and it is believed they talked back to Him)

 

Krishna defines the love of an adoptive mother. His love supersedes species-specific regard. Krishna is about affection as it should be. Pristine, pure and non-judgemental.

 

Krishna and Janmashtami are all about true love, a love that transcends all boundaries and distinctions.

 

 

https://images.newsx.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/atal-bihari-vajpayee-2-644x362.png

Atal Bihari Vajpayee – A Man of Exceptions

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The memory of the poet, orator, politician, statesman, India’s favourite former Prime Minister will live on…

 

As a child, I was interested in politics. I sat with my family to hear politicians speak in the Lok Sabha. And I always waited to hear him speak.

 

His words made my blood rush with a patriotic fervour. His poems were my personal favourite. As a poet, I wondered if I could ever write like him. Or if my words would affect the mass with the fervent desire to uplift the world. His words did that. He made people think. His words always ensured positive and progressive thoughts in one and all. That was the power of his words.

 

His smile to me was the balm of the early morning sun. It brightened me. His winsome smile motivated me. It made me want to contribute in the building a stronger society that was bound by values and traditions. Yet, it drove me to think differently, to break from the dead norms. It made me learn to be modern while respecting my roots.

 

It was when I saw him in those sunglasses that I wondered if I had got it all wrong. That simple man had an evergreen suave. It made me confident that he was a modern man with a traditional heart.

 

I remember Pokhran. I remember the Kargil war. Most importantly, I remember his poise when the going got tough. I remember his peaceful countenance when India achieved its national goals.

 

Today, it is tough to trust politicians. He on the other hand looked and sounded trustworthy. He was a man who had friends, advisors and probably detractors. However, this man had no adversaries. No enemies! How did he manage that? But he did! That was because he was extraordinary. His strong character stood out at times of crisis and at times of joy.

 

Born on Christmas, call him 93 or just a man in his early 20s. The truth is, he was such a young person at heart. The sparkle in his eyes, the serenity of his smile and his salt n pepper look. I liked it all.

 

The only politician I ever admired and look up to is gone. He has left a void that no one can fill.

 

There is plenty of reason why I hold him in such a high regard. The primary reason is that it easy to get carried away when one is powerful. It is easy to get swayed when the stakes are high. Only the strongest person can forgo all the trappings of the world to toil for the nation and its’ people.

 

This man did. He was as his name suggested. He was strong, uncompromising, generous and unmoved by temptations. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, my favourite statesman, poet and orator will always live in my memory. He will consistently inspire me. He will forever push me to be a better poet.

 

The poem of Indian politics has become quiet. But we will spread his lyrics throughout the world by building a strong nation.

 

RIP Mr Vajpayee. You will be missed by the nation.

 

 

The Battered Woman

The Battered Woman

Posted Leave a commentPosted in Blog, Soirée

The battered woman swayed down the street elegantly.

 

With her hair flying around, she strategically hid the wounds. She was a vision in black, the modern day muse of Byron’s ‘She walks in beauty’.

 

With her hair flying around, she strategically hid the wounds. She was a vision in black, the modern day muse of Byron’s ‘She walks in beauty’.

 

She turned heads with her poise. But one look at her tear-drenched face would give her beholders sleepless nights. She was a dream for many. But in her home, she was the object that was whipped, kicked, abused and banged against the wall…

 

She was oblivious to the concerned passersby who looked and re-looked at her tortured beauty. The people took a measure of her condition but she was suffering too much to notice. Her painful strides were purposeful. With each step, she evaluated her life.

 

What was her fate? Was her courage failing? Or was she just that drifting wind that people closed their windows on? Who was she? Why was she broken and bruised? Why was the vision so helpless, a putty in the hands of that Satan?

 

Who would rescue her, someone asked. She overheard the question. She wiped the ceaseless tears and said to herself, ‘ I will save her. Because I love her. And I won’t be assaulted and disparaged anymore. I’ll stand up for myself. But I won’t lose my compassion. I’m not weak because I am constantly tortured. I’m strong. I’ve learned from my past. And I’m equipped for the future.’

 

Her statement acted like a magical prayer. She grew wings of pastel pristine shades. The wings flapped. With each flap of her wings, all her bruises vanished. Her pinions swayed and buzzed with courage. With each move, she found a new purpose. She soon felt the sunshine soothe her torn soul. She flew and with that, she freed herself of further doom.

 

“No woman has to be a victim of physical abuse. Women have to feel like they are not alone.” – Salma Hayek

 

 

Blog article: Did Mahatma Gandhi Promote Violence?

Did Mahatma Gandhi Promote Violence?

Posted 2 CommentsPosted in Soirée

Did Mahatma Gandhi promote violence? Did the man who promoted non-violence in the modern era, actually promote an act of violence?

These thoughts have been nagging me since I read an article on Facebook on Nathuram Godse.

The World Health Organization defines violence as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation…” (Refer Wikipedia)

Mahatma Gandhi promoted non-violence by fasting. He also said that if a person slaps you, present him with your other cheek. He urged people to do Satyagraha by sitting out in the sun and protest against the British regime. Honesty, is that what non-violence means? Isn’t harming oneself a form of violence?

Mahatma Gandhi promoted masochism as a way of non-violence. But violence is not always external. It can also be internal. As a person who is born in a different era, and who has never met Mahatma Gandhi, it would be wrong on my part to blame Gandhi. He might not have realised what repercussions his conceptions would have on the nation as a whole. His method was effective enough to get India freedom. But at what cost?

There is a lot that India lost. But mostly, it came up with a generation that likes to shout slogans and waste time fighting over nothing. Agitation is a great way to go about making a change. But how about constructive agitation like they follow in Japan? What is better, to stop production in a shoe factory completely and sit outside the factory and shout slogans? Or is it more productive to make only the left shoe while agitating? In the first case, the workers waste time and sweat to get their demands fulfilled. In the second example, the workers never stop production. Therefore, when the shoe factory resumes functioning, the factory that has no shoes suffers huger loss than the factory that only produced the left foot of shoes.

It is possible, Gandhi never wanted the agitators to stop being productive. But that’s what his non-violent struggle has taught Indians. His kind of non-violence is a violence to the self (like fasting or going through the physical ordeal for a particular cause). It is a violence to the nation (where workers waste time and agitate) and violence to the whole democratic system. It’s time we review our concept of non-violence in India.

What appalled me the most, however, was what Gandhi’s assassination on 30 January 1948 did to the nation. The man who assassinated Gandhi was Nathuram Godse. His ideas were different from Gandhi’s. He shot Gandhi and surrendered, did not fight arrest. He did not fight ridicule. Godse accepted what came to him. He accepted it as his fate. Here are the excerpts on his final statement in 1948

.I do not desire any mercy to be shown to me… I did fire shots at Gandhiji in open daylight. I did not make any attempt to run away; in fact, I never entertained any idea of running away. I did not try to shoot myself… for, it was my ardent desire to give vent to my thoughts in an open Court. My confidence about the moral side of my action has not been shaken even by the criticism levelled against it on all sides. I have no doubt, honest writers of history will weigh my act and find the true value thereof some day in future.”

Nathuram Godse didn’t question the court’s decision. He did make an appeal against his death sentence. That’s all he did. As a citizen of free India, he exercised his right. I am sure he knew his death sentence wouldn’t be reversed. But he wanted to exercise his rights. Every citizen has that right.

It is 2018 now. Even after 70 years of Gandhi’s death, Nathuram Godse’s autobiography is banned. He is still disregarded by the people. People only remember him as a murderer. People have forgotten what a strong person he was. We have refused to learn from his honesty. Is Nathuram Godse given any importance in India? He only gets derision.

Sadly, the man who stood for non-violence could not preach non-violence. If he had done so, Nathuram Godse would not have been killed by law. He would have got a life sentence along with counselling.

The symbol of non-violence was the most violent man. Because he could not preach the goodness, compassion and forgiveness he so boasted of. Gandhi’s assassination led to riots. After his death, the one who assassinated him was hung to death. His books were banned. He was treated as a villain. Even after decades of the incident’s passing, we are as violent to Nathuram Godse as we were in 1948. Does any person deserve such aggression? I don’t think so.

Would Mahatma Gandhi agree with me?

mental health

Mental Health: The Key to Happy Living

Posted 2 CommentsPosted in Blog, Motley

Mental health issues are as common as flu nowadays. Sadly, there is a stigma attached to it that the common flu doesn’t hold. People tend to talk about an affliction like flu or allergies but avoid talking about what plagues their minds.

It’s important to understand what problems related to mental health sound like. Any unsavoury situation that affects individuals in a way that it leads them to be disturbed, disconnected or so sad that it affects their normal living and normal behaviour is a mental health issue. The obstacle can be a recurring tiff with a co-worker to any situation that makes the individual so uncomfortable that his or her normal living is disturbed.

Because we live in a society, we end up interacting with people. Not everyone behaves or reacts the way we expect them to. There is a line that bifurcates an expected behaviour pattern to an unforeseen one. The onus of our own reactions to a response lies solely upon us.

Job insecurity, failed relationships, a relationship not working as per what the individual looks forward to, a tragedy or an unexpected situation can lead to stress, difficulty in adjustment and more.

Troubled people take the counsel of our friends, family, google search or YouTube videos to find a way out. Self-help is a great way to go about. It shows that they are capable of seeking answers. It also highlights the individual’s desire to overcome stressful situations.

But the best way to go on about it is to seek professional help. Mental health experts are trained to assist individuals to dissect tough circumstances objectively. Mental health professionals instead of emotions, let wisdom govern an individual’s choice. The mental health experts help their clients distinguish between an ideal situation that they long for and the reality of the situation.

With expert guidance, an individual can overcome difficult circumstances efficiently and effectively.

Everyone in today’s world deals with stress. But everyone doesn’t need to deal with it the hard way. Taking the assistance of a mental health expert makes the job much easier.

There is no shame in finding a solution to one’s problem. It’s only a reminder that being happy is the main objective of living. Life is not an obligation but a gift. Don’t feel embarrassed. The only people who feel responsible for his or her happiness and personal well-being seeks professional help.

And every person in this world deserves to give themselves another chance at living happily.

Don’t cower down under pressure. Don’t give up or feel depressed. Mental health experts are here to guide you to live a fuller, happy and peaceful life. Write your own success story with some expert guidance. Consult a mental health expert now.

Used for Blog Post by wakenshine.com

Hear Heart’s Hymns

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There is a voice within that natters to us. Occasionally it’s a persistent prattle that jars our nerves. At other times, it is the voice that guides us through troubled times.

 

What is this inner voice? Is it actually the divine talking to us? Or is it the celestial that is within us? Does this voice exist among the terrorists, murderers, and other anti-social elements?

 

Sigmund Freud called it the Super Ego chatting with us. Some call it the God within. Others say it’s a 'gut feeling'. Sadly, there are plenty in the world today who are hard of hearing their inner voice.

 

The voice of reason essentially means that every person has some goodness and astuteness in them. Even before committing an act of crime for a split second, the heart stops, the mind recoils, the blood recedes from even those who are deaf to the inner voice. Just like we get habituated to narcotics, alcohol and other substance of dependence, people tend to under-hear the tune within as a habit. Those who are deaf need to overhaul their spiritual self.

 

Why? Because being hearing-impaired by choice to the power of self-reasoning is preposterous!

 

Every learned man, all spiritual or religious text requests its readers to look deep within where all the answers rest- the answer to illness, grief, triumph, and harmony. Let's try to take note of that little voice within. I am sure it is whispering the happiest and purest phrases into our spirits, hearts, and intellect.

 

 

Our Song Recommendation for this Blog Post!