Atheist..

As an atheist, I see nothing “wrong” in believing in a god. I don’t think there is a god, but belief in him does no harm. If it helps you in any way, then that’s fine with me. It’s when belief starts infringing on other people’s rights when it worries me. I would never deny your right to believe in a god. I would just rather you didn’t kill people who believe in a different god, say. Or stone someone to death because your rulebook says their sexuality is immoral. It’s strange that anyone who believes that an all-powerful all-knowing, omniscient power responsible for everything that happens, would also want to judge and punish people for what they are.

— Ricky Gervais

Life....

Around us, life bursts with miracles—a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops. If you live in awareness, it is easy to see miracles everywhere. Each human being is a multiplicity of miracles. Eyes that see thousands of colors, shapes, and forms; ears that hear a bee flying or a thunderclap; a brain that ponders a speck of dust as easily as the entire cosmos; a heart that beats in rhythm with the heartbeat of all beings. When we are tired and feel discouraged by life’s daily struggles, we may not notice these miracles, but they are always there.

— Thich Nhat Hahn

After a while...

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul, and you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security, and you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises, and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child, and you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure… that you really are strong, and you really do have worth.” -

Veronica A. Shoffstall

Some random thought....

"Reading the writing of someone you know in real life —is like a dagger to the ribs, sometimes, an electroshock jumping in your mess of veins back to your heart, a string of barbed wire around your ankles that you don’t notice until you try to get up and trip your skin all over the string; it’s like missing a step down the stairs and getting that split-half-second adrenaline rush of vertigo and then the breath that comes too fast, after; it’s the most uncomfortable feeling sometimes. Because words are never just words, they’re, they are—bowls, windows, vases, thorns, needles, and it’s like having solid objects hurled at you. Especially when you realize that the words might mean more than just what they are. It’s just: They’re this person’s thoughts on a paper or a page, and you have the irrational, weird thought that it’s just too private, it’s just something not meant to be shared, even if it’s been given freely to your eyes— and it feels like having their blood all over, all over, all, over, your fingers, and it feels like you’ve got their heartbeat in tune with yours now, and also. Also, it feels like dying. And every time you see them, now, every time you speak to them or smile or see them update something on a social networking site, all you think about is that one page or paragraph or sentence they’ve written that’s touched you, that’s grabbed you and never, ever let go, never since, and you can’t look at them the same way ever again, without feeling like you know some terrible secret of the universe that, if you accidentally let slip, might turn and snap all of your bones." - Anonymous

(Or maybe this is all just me, m-e, melodramatic as usual. Remember in elementary school when they told you everybody feels the world in different ways? Well, sometimes it’s like I’ve got synesthesia of the thoughts. Always wondered where I’d place on a Rorschach test, seeing bats out of dots and stories out of nothing.)

How to keep your girlfriend happy?

1. One & Only. Your girlfriend should be your one & only. Make her feel special, k guys ? You’re lucky to have her even if she’s lucky to have you too. We know there are prettier out there but we like feeling as if we’re the only beautiful one in your eyes, & the only one you see.

2. “Ladies first.” No. That rule doesn’t apply to communication. Don’t wait for her call, text, IM, why don’t you try talking to her first for a change ? It’s thoughtful & sweet if a guy can actually do that.

3. Surprise her. You don’t have to drive an hour to her house at 3 a.m. to set off her name in fireworks in front of her window, but the little things are big things. A simple, good morning text, is more powerful than you think.

4. What insecurities? For the love of God, all girls have insecurities. Please don’t point them out. For example, today I was looking at food & my boyfriend said “You eat a lot. You probably could beat me at a buffet.” WHAT. THAT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY. Also, let her be herself. If she’s having a bad hair day, don’t make fun of her if it’s hurtful. Let her wear sweatpants & still feel pretty damn cute around you, even when she’s not looking her best.

5. Act the same around your friends. You’re not a real man if you completely blow off your girl in front of your homeboys. When you’re going to hang out with her & your friends you better not run off & leave her standing there to greet them like WUDDUPPP GUYSSS.. NO, you better at least walk with her & introduce her to them if you haven’t already. If you walk with her hand in hand, she’ll love it.

6. When she’s mad. Dude, you better try & get her back. Chase her, whatever it is, don’t let her walk away when she’s mad at you. It shows you don’t care enough to go after her. Don’t let her go.

7. Maintain. If you did a bunch of cute things with her before, try & keep it up. You don’t have to go all out everyday for her, but don’t stop completely just because you got her already.

8. Honesty. If you lie to her, you’re going to have one hell of a time regaining that trust because she’ll start questioning everything you’ve said or done for her, no matter how small that lie was. Fess up or get lost.

9. Trust. If your girl really doesn’t like one of your friends, trust, she has good reason to. Girls’ intuition -shrug- So don’t go hanging with your homegirl all the time if you know your girlfriend doesn’t like that bitch. She usually won’t hate for no reason. Respect her.

10. Love her. That’s all

Growing Up...

Growing up...
Your best friend becomes your worst enemy.
Lollipops turn into cigarettes.
The innocent ones turn into sluts
Homework goes in the trash
Detention becomes suspension
Soda becomes vodka
Undies turn into g strings and boxers
Kisses turn into sex
Remember when getting high meant swigging on the playground?
When protection meant wearing a helmet?
The worst things to get from boys were cooties
Your worst enemies were your siblings
Race issues were about who ran the fastest
War was a card game
And the only drug we knew about was cough medicine
The most painful things were skinned knees
And goodbyes only meant untill tomorrow
But to think we all couldn't wait to grow up.

Divine Balancesheet (Via Mani Nanda)

"

A Priest dies & is awaiting his turn in line at the Heaven's Gates.
Ahead of him is a guy, fashionably dressed, in dark sun glasses, a
loud shirt, leather jacket & jeans.

God asks him: Please tell me who are you, so that I may know whether
to admit you into the kingdom of Heaven or not?

The guy replies: I am Pandi, Auto driver from Chennai! God consults
his ledger, smiles & says to Pandi: Please take this silken robe &
gold scarf & enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...

Now it is the priest's turn. He stands erect and speaks out in a
booming voice: I am Pope's Assistant so & so, Head Priest of the so &
so Church for the last 40 years.

God consults his ledger & says to the Priest: Please take this cotton
robe & enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...'Just a minute,' says the
agonized Priest. 'How is it that a foul mouthed, rash driving Auto
Driver is given a Silken robe & a Golden scarf and me, a Priest, who's
spent his whole life preaching Your Name & goodness has to make do
with a Cotton robe?'

'Results my friend, results,' shrugs God.

'While you preached, people SLEPT; but when he drove his Auto, people PRAYED'

"It's PERFORMANCE & not POSITION that ultimately counts.

Lord Shiva & Maa Kaali...Total Awesome-ness!

These are the four variations which I've made with Lord Shiva and Maa Kaali on a Battlefield.

Four boys and a girl

Once upon a time, there was this girl who had four boyfriends.

She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adored him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl’s 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him.

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?

'No way!', replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word.

His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, ‘I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?’

'No!', replied the 3rd boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!'

Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, ‘I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?'

‘I am sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied the 2nd boyfriend. ‘At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.’

His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: ‘I will go with you. I will follow you no matter where you go.'

The girl looked up, and there was her 1st boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!’

In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your lives:

Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul (Conscience). Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world.

However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now without temptation to go the corrupt way, for it is the only part of you that will follow you and continue with you throughout Eternity.

Life post BMM

I graduated from Patkar College Bachelors in Mass Media (BMM) during April 2009.
During that time I was in the mode of completing my graduation and never have I looked past that degree. I was living a dream during that point of time, never to study anything after the degree. I wanted to work in some really good company so that I can have a good work experience which I already achieved. I worked for an event management company called No Bars in Pune after my final exams. It was a really good post as I was working as a creative and marketing executive. It was an intern-level job and a good beginning in the field of Advertising.
My job was to create and design posters for the music events. On top of that I brought about key  strategies which I learned during college and from the books I read during my graduation. To be blunt, it didn’t work out well for me because I had no “on field” experience. I wouldn’t say it was a complete disaster but it proved to be good learning experience and this experience didn't help in my current position.

The good thing about the job was the social interactivity and meeting young talented musicians and people from different fields who had a common interest in the business and passion for music.

A passion for music, this attracted me and that’s why I didn’t regret working in this company. I quit my job during November 2009, when I realized that I am just living a dream and every dream turns into a nightmare eventually. I realized that your degree is a supplement to a social and monetary status. In today’s world an MBA has driven this world to switch into a different position, a position much higher than just a degree.

People look towards more than just a Post graduate and an MBA degree. I realized this a bit too late. I have always traveled this dark road alone without holding anyone’s hand. My parents are there to help me out, however they can, but I never did I cry out for help. Only in few extreme circumstances must have I asked for their help.

Many have had or has a godfather or a godmother to help them out or show him/her THE WAY.

I have also given certain entrance exams but they proved to be futile. It’s been almost a year since graduation. I’m still unemployed and a Graduated BMM student with less than a year’s work experience. It has been a really tough  and long road with shifting from Mumbai to Pune and vice versa in search for a reasonable job with good income and satisfactory condition.

I hope within the coming months I hope to pursue post graduation or work in a place where instead of slogging miserably work in a place where you find happiness because the pursuit of happiness is always internal and externally motivated, that’s what I have learned over the past few months.

Happiness is not to be pursued, it always there, right in front of you. You just have to remove the blindfold and see it.