Quietude

25 F, freezing rain and icy condition causing the livelihood to still, a sense of silence all around. A temperature drop of 45 deg in two days gets everyone locked up in their houses, strangled without power and food. Such is the blow of mother nature when it just begins to cool and none prepared for that. Looking out from my apartment I still wonder why the roads are not clear yet, why the livelihood is not active yet. But somewhere I see it as a signal, a green one to put the thinking hat on and realize the amount of silence around. The only sounds around one has are the clock's tick and the cell phone beeps.
Despite all these sounds, sometimes it feels there're countless sounds in the mind going on. Does the mind ever take a pause from thinking or passing a thought? A perfect moment to realize the whats, whens, hows and whys. Funny how the emptiness around symbolizes there's no space left in the mind unless all the thoughts are cleared out. And how the cloudy, gloomy weather relates to the mental clouds that need to be cleared to make way for the new day and welcome the bright sunlight. Sometimes in life we wait for such moments to figure out all the questions yet to be answered, all the problems yet to be solved and let mind do the talking. Although we believe nature's red signal to go out and getting locked isn't a good one, but it actually is a green signal for the mind to turn on the cruise control and accelerate. Sit still and let it take you to the highest mountain; no ride will be meaningless, no progress will be straight one and no compulsions will even persuade. Boundless, Limitless let it enjoy the pleasure of consciousness, sympathy and inner toughness. Soon there shall be light, soon it'll be bright and soon it'll be a new day. A new day, a new beginning and a fresh mind to begin with. Let there be sunlight and let the noise begin. Enjoy the Quietude while you can because soon the clouds will start forming. 

Kshay

Haath pakdi ne aagal vadhvani vaat bhuli,
Jindagi ni aa daud ma ekal bhaagi
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Saathe besi jaman karvani vaat bhuli,
Sabhando na swad ne padte muki
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Hamesha sampark ma rehvani vaat bhuli,
Karyart ni samasya ne haathe lai
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Khushi na palo sajavani vaat bhuli,
Nirarthak yaado ne padkhe muki
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Suraj jevu naseeb chamkavani vaat bhuli,
Varsaad ma akarm na ashru ne vehta muki
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Ishwar samakash namvani vaat bhuli,
Graho ni mayajaal no saharo lai
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Maa-Baap na khola ma suvani vaat bhuli,
Mehlo ma rehvana na swapna chani
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?

Khushi na ashru bahavani vaat bhuli,
Dukh ni samasyao ne yaad raakhi
Ae Maanav tu kya kshay thai rahyo che?


 

Our Love's in full bloom

Your dad was 3 years old when he held me in his arms. He nurtured me for 27 years and when I took you in my arms, felt like the circle is just complete yet. Born to two of the most beautiful people on the Earth, you bring us bundles of joy and give us those moments that we wish to re-live every breath we take. There aren't enough words defined in the dictionary that can express our love towards you. Welcome to this world Aanshi and lets get ready for the game, Chachu's gonna take you for the Lakers training camp!!

Message from the Sky

It was thunderstorms all over in Wylie and Roger still had some ground to cover before reaching home. Scattered T-storms, mighty winds, zero visibility and broken posts questioned his mind with how far could he drive. Overlooking the sight of wrecked cars and trees, he decided to take the next exit and pull over to the nearest gas station. Roger tried to check his cell phone to find the nearest hotel but no network. He thought he’ll get into the gas station to see if they had a local phone he could use and get something to eat and drink. Unfortunate the line was dead, neither was the attendee aware of any hotels around. He decided to stay in his car or take shelter under the gas station roof for a while. Bored in the car he walked towards the gas station and he saw a tattered person. Standing from a distance the man asked if he had a light, Roger walked towards him and offered him a cigarette.

Roger: Crazy night huh!!

Man: Yap, just another thunderstorm.

Roger: Just another? Are you crazy? This is like one of the worst I’ve seen in ages.

Man: I have seen worse than this.

Roger: You don’t look that old, what year was it?  

Man: Twelve years ago.

Roger: May be I missed it. I’ve been here for more than ten years now. I haven’t seen anything like this before.

Man: Yap. Born and raised for fifty two years in Wylie. How was your day?

Roger: It was okay. The storms made it worse.

Man: Blame it on the Mother Nature!

Roger: Well I’m not blaming, just had a bad day and thought would relax when I reach home and I’m still standing here talking to a stranger. You think this is a good day?  

Man: Thunderstorms had nothing to do with you having a bad day. Face the problem that you’ve right now and deal with the other one when you’ve to.

Roger: Who are you? Do you even know what happened at work?

Man: No. And do you think I care? Why would it matter if you got fired or had a fight or you didn’t get your lunch or you were humiliated in front of thousands of colleagues? Do you think I care?

Roger: Whatever man. I just had some personal issues and then I actually happen to take it all out on one of my colleague for his mistake.

Man: You paid him for that?

Roger: What?

Man: Did you pay him for that? Did you pay him to listen to whatever your mind exploded onto?

Roger: No!! Are you crazy? Who does that?

Man: Then who explodes on the colleague for his personal issues or small problem?

Roger: Well it wasn’t a small problem. It was his mistake.

Man: That’s your opinion. And you just blasted out everything on him thinking he created a crime just because you were already out of your mind and let the person face it. Why?

Roger: I’m not saying a word to you.  

Man: You think you had a bad day, ask your colleague how horrible his day would be, when for a small mistake of his you created a scene and made him feel like a total worthless douche.

Roger: That’s not right.

Man: It was your personal problem, you couldn’t handle it and if someone came to you with another small problem, you just puked it on him and you think you are having a bad day? No, my friend; your colleague is having even worse day. And he doesn’t blame the Mother Nature. Instead he blames you for making his day worse because you couldn’t control your mind; you didn’t know how to clear your mind off before talking to him. You are responsible for sorrowing people’s hearts because you cannot control your mind, neither can you control your anger nor watch your words. Who’s a total worthless douche now? You won’t have an answer because according to you, someone made it a bad day, Mother Nature ruined it further. But you cannot accept the fact that you cannot handle your mind and your words. Remember a stretched angry mind can never be handled by anyone but yourself, and if you fail to do so you hurt everyone yet think it was their fault.  

Man: When you look in a mirror, what do you see? Do you see what the others see? Chances of that happening are less. You always look at yourself and not what others can criticize you for. When those who know and love you are prepared to be flexible and accommodating, why do you still aggravate to someone thinking you are right and other person’s wrong. Why can’t you have an open mind and say, let it be. That’s precisely the message from the sky to you every single moment.

Man: You would be thinking why even am I listening to this homeless guy, but let me tell you something, few years back when I was as nicely employed as you are, I had a family that I loved. I worked as hard as you do and enjoyed being with my family as much as I could. One fine day I had a bad day at work and had an argument with my wife over the food she cooked for me; I lost my mind and asked her to leave. I didn’t know what was going on in my mind but I just couldn’t stand her arguments because I found them baseless. I thought I was right and she was wrong or she’s trying to defend herself with stupid arguments. When I look back, I realize my arguments were baseless and hers’ were just a way to cool me down so that I can flush it off. I wanted to prove that I was right and she was wrong but what do I see now? A victim of my own mind! All these years I just wished to take back those words but when angry, the words spoken are so loud that the other person never forgets a piece.  

Roger: I’m sorry man. I didn’t know you had to face so much.

Man: It’s alright. I quit my job and I’m still paying her the alimony amount year by year. You think I’m a homeless person? I’ve a house right round the corner. But without them, I would rather prefer sitting here and meet people like you than talk to those empty walls. That is my way to punish myself. That’s the message from the sky I receive every single moment.

Roger: Smirks I didn’t know you had such a past.

Man: It’s not my past; it’s my perception of looking at things. She would have a different perception and so would you.

Roger: Alright, the sky seems to be getting clear now. Seems like a message to me?

Man: I’m glad you start seeing that.

Roger: I’ll start driving then, can I drop you somewhere?

Man: Nah, that’s alright. I’ll be fine.

Roger: Sure?

Man: Nods. You be good.

Meeting days

There are times you may feel like walking barefoot, comforting your friends, or playing with children. Times where you feel even strong despite having forces against you. The love, the care and their hefty blessing gives you enough momentum to stand tall, come what may. There's a tenderness and openness in the air that affects everyone. It would be like beautiful sunny day that you would have always missed, an unhealthy weekend brunch with the pals. There's the cool breeze exciting you all over again, with the late night talks by the cafe. It will be like a wonderful day in the country, where everyone is happy to see each other, hug, and tell old family stories for the hundredth time. Pleasant connections let you tune in to individuals and spread the charm and goodwill. These days make young people laugh and old people smile.

Patience

For the sake of most who lose it at intervals, for some who test it, for some who do not know how to use it; patience resembles your inner self at peace. Patience is a virtue obtained by battling with the negative forces of anger, frustration, depression and downfall. History has it, no battle was won without struggles; such is the victory of patience, never was it earned easily or an early stage.
Be it an annoying person on the other end, vertically down or horizontal road to success, facing a tough time, losing something right in front of your eyes, unable to lose weight, unable to regain form, stuck in the wrong job or partner, everything adds up to the withdrawal of effectively handling situation. The more you dwell in it, the deeper you stride in your struggles. A pinch of patience tweaks the situation, it gives fresh air to the mind, a new direction to thought process, a mode to find an alternate solution. Patience might not guarantee the correct solution but it gives you strength to think of a quasi-correct solution. It gives you few more minutes to think of an alternative. Patience can be all bitter but its fruit is sweet.
Act of patience:
Step 1 :- Silences your mind from negative vocals. -SETS THE GROUND
Step 2 :- Takes a step back from the current position and gives you a broader view of the pit - IDENTIFIES POSSIBLE CAUSE TO THE PROBLEM
Step 3 :- Provides a set of solution that you can take - PREFERRED ACTION
Step 4 :- Makes your mind evolve a step further on what could happen with each action - CONSIDERS THE CONSEQUENCES
Step 5 :- Choose the right path - ACTION
Not always do we think of the consequences before taking the action, but a patient mind catches the upcoming storm and lets you see the real blessings in achieving beyond your force. Such is the virtue of patience, that makes you believe in yourself. Always!
Some might snub you down to an idle, introvert or a loser, but people who point at you are the ones who often annoy you and lose at critical decision making. They like to pull the trigger too soon but do not understand the value of few minutes. Those who lose patience, lose their soul. Patience can and will always give you a better path to chose. For those who do not value the patience, should not risk the fury of a patient man!

Add-wise/Add-vice

To counsel, suggest, recommend or offer an opinion is way easier than helping. Should someone resist himself in giving the expert aid? Should they be looking at themselves first? As a grown up matured human being, the best you could do to yourself is to know better than advising people. It is easier said than done and often people do not stop before showering advises and walk the talk. Not always is the person ready to listen to you, nor he is in the mood to get it from someone living a similar or a minimal life.
You never know what the person is going through or the condition he fights be it mental or physical. It is easy to speak from a distance, but tough to be in his/her shoes and fight it. Just because the listener is patient doesn't mean you bring him down with your wises. You wouldn't even know but your minutest piece of care or generosity would be aggression and a blow on his face. Stop! Even if you care, there's a way of putting things, there's a time to do it and there are only few instances to do it. Respect the person and do not test his patience with your wises. Your wises change into vices and in the slightest count of hour, you rank the last person he would look up to in any situation.
Have faith in the person the way he handles situation. Truth is, everyone is a self-made person in this world. You were not born genius, nor was the one in the cradle next to you. Let the person live the life his way, on his terms, on his strengths. Unless he serves his misery for food at your place, do not oblige him with your wises. Nobody is interested in knowing how he should carve his life, unless it comes from his family. Let the man live, let the man find the strength and struggle with his patience. He will emerge as a winner. Help him if you care before he starts disrespecting you for your advises. It really doesn't matter if you are an extrovert or an introvert, sensitive or intuitive type, thinking or feeling personality, judging or perceiving. It doesn't make up to the excuse. Unless you lived your life happily for six, seven or eight decades or belong to the clan of superhuman, stop yourself from nagging the other person before he turns his back.
Even in your slightest belief he belongs to the troglodytes, then you belong to the same place in his belief.
You wouldn't be knowing in stabbing someone with your advises; remember silence is a sharper sword.

“A wise man is superior to any advises which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.”

Who am I? - A Sportsman's journal!

As I look through the empty fields; I remember the last shot i made, the last brisk I had on this ground, the last shout out to victory, the last hug by the team, the last walk towards the locker room, the last wave to the crowd and the tidal wave  noise of millions watching me play and the last interview by the reporters. Until today I ruled the game, the team and the center of play. Millions flocked on the ground or television sets to watch me play, to cheer for me, wearing my shirts, posting my images everywhere and talking about me on various networking sites, analysts and critics talking about my game, reporters preparing their questions. This was the roar until I observed the curtains closed.
As I look through the empty fields; I recollect the times I spent right from my first score to the last shot I made, friends I made on and off field, fans cheered in riotous manner, teams eagerly waited for my trade, reporters waiting with their mikes, companies wanted me to advertise the product, changes in the teammates and coaches and my relationship with everyone, workout sessions and moral talks, jaunt from rookie to the leader, a  player to a strategist, a listener to a motivator, a friend to a competitor and a champion. The never ending thoughts pauses for a final thought, Who am I and what will I be tomorrow?
It will be just another morning with my family, friends at gym and practice, but what changes then will be the thought of what I will be tomorrow. This feeling is not the thunderous music of the crowd, it's not the hand-wringing moments of my sweaty palms but an inner voice of reinvention. A voice which makes a smooth move towards the practicing court, the flushed news channel on predicting my next step. Truth is: I am just a normal human being like anyone and everyone and I lived the same life. Stardom came my way to the passion I shared for the game and the determination to go the extra mile. I was just another kid in the neighborhood and as I walk out I see the very next kid as a superstar; not because he wants to play like me, because I was just like him and I had the same twinkling eyes watching the legends play.
To people it would be the reincarnation, to the news reporters it would be getting ready for coaching, to the news channels it would be a stage for being the next game analysts and their approach to sign the contract. But it's not the same for me. It's not what is being portrayed to the rest of the world and not living up to anyone's expectations. When I'll look at myself, it'll be the same person eating string cheese since seventh grade, a friend to count 100 to 1 after 9 beers, a son who drives 350 miles for a family dinner, a dad who crafts kids' life in the disciplined manner, a husband helping in wife's shopping, a brother laughing at the craziest childhood thing and a student listening to the trainer.

It's not the end of road or beginning of one. It's about driving on the same road all your life with the morale of being what you are and what you believe in.

Games ended, Passion didn't.

Zeal

Reporter: In conversation with Dr. Chad who releases his new book Zeal this Monday and claims to be his best work so far. Dr. Chad could you enlighten our viewers about Zeal and how it is shelves as your best work?
Dr. Chad: Thank you Sandy, and thank you ABN news for having me here. It's been a pleasure and a great journey over the years scribing this book. Zeal is special to me in many ways because it took me years to compile, I could say I grew up with Zeal and it was tough to pen down everything I knew about myself and the real zeal of my life, my wife.
Reporter: So is it a story of your life or is it how you invented a drug to cure Myelodysplastic Syndrome?
Dr. Chad: Actually both; let me unfold the story when I was still a kid.

My mother nurtured me as a single parent and took care of every need of mine. She loved me and never made my life realize the absence of my dad. But it wasn't for long when we had new neighbors moving in. A bright summer morning and a girl trying to lift a box filled with books and help her father move stuff. I couldn't see her face at the first sight as the sun was glaring right behind my sight, but as she turned I saw a cute little face and an innocent smile to unfold. My mom invited them over for dinner and blended with us nicely as she was similarly raised by her dad as a single parent. I quickly developed my fondness for her and as the summers ended, she enrolled in the same school as mine. Everyone in the class came to know she was the one I wanted to marry until I realized her dad was one of the teachers in our school. My love for her became famous all over and one day her dad called me in his office
Mr. Broad: What are you up to son? I've been hearing stories about you and you've become famous all over.
Scared as hell and considering there wasn't a way forward
Me: Mr. Broad, I'm sorry but I love Samantha and wish to marry her someday.
I was expecting a blow from him but to my surprise
Mr. Broad: Okay son, here's the deal! You have an I.Q. below 100, you rank amongst the bottom four in the class which my daughter tops, you look like a thug and I see no future of my daughter with you, you get beaten up every day by random strangers and at a very young age have started pumping nicotine in your body. (I was assuming a termination letter from the school by then). But here's the deal, you study hard, clear the school with good grades and enter into one of the best Engineering schools; I might think of you getting closer to my daughter.
Me: I surely shall do that sir. But it's a promise right?
Mr. Broad: It surely is!
I was excited! I was motivated! I was determined! I could do anything for that girl and anything to be with her. I slept three hours a day, boiled my blood for things I never understood and prepared well for the exams. Couple of caffeine doses, nose bleeds, undefeated moments and   Days or nights never mattered to me, being with her was all I thought and when I wrote my exams I was confident to clear it with the best grades my mother would have only imagined. The day when I received the admit letter from the top most Engineering school I ran miles to Mr. Broad's office to show him what I was capable of and that I could achieve anything and do everything for her daughter. Samantha was as excited as I was. There was nothing more to having her smile.
Mr. Broad: Congratulations son, I'm happy for you and I understand it takes a lot to stand up for the one you love and for what you've done, there's nothing more but good wishes that I can offer at this moment.
Me: Thank you Mr. Broad and I told you I'll do all it takes to marry Samantha. I love her.
Mr. Broad: You are still too young son, in four years you'll be an Engineer and my daughter will be all yours. Protect her from everything you can in these four years. Don't let her get carried away in this filthy world of lust, alcohol and drugs. Promise me you won't have sleep with her until you graduate. Only then I will have you take care of Samantha for the rest of your life.
Me: I love her and I shall protect her from every evil passing by.

Years passed on as I studied through the Engineering school, never did I understand the dipole moment, nor I followed the internal combustion engine or the language of coding; but I went through all for the sole purpose of my existence; to be with Samantha with the rest of my life. Samantha started to mature faster and her urges tend to incline faster but I had my promises in mind and tried to avoid getting physical with her to the best I could. Seasons changed, majors changed, grades changed and came the graduation day where I was handed over my bachelor’s degree in engineering. Happy as always, my friends and family gathered to congratulate me because I knew now is the time to decide on my marriage day. With everyone around, Mr. Broad announced the engagement of Samantha and invited everyone and it was my turn. I turned to Samantha, got down on my knees, looked into her eyes and asked "I Love You Samantha. Will You Marry Me?" A silence of seconds piled on as my heartbeat started racing, before I could jump in joy she said "No, I can't. I'm sorry but I love someone else".
Shattered and shocked everyone raised their questions and concerns to Samantha, Mr. Broad and me. I walked down to Mr. Broad and asked what was it all about? He looked at me and gave me the it'll be alright sight. Samantha ran away and was followed by Mr. Broad. He questioned about her rejection and she couldn't explain anything other than her feelings for someone else.
Days later, Mr. Broad and I teamed as Sherlock and Watson to find out the right guy she was dating. A few outings and we realized she was dating a Harvard graduate and the youngest CEO of all time, an entrepreneur who owned a billion dollar company and employed at least 1000 employees, a martial arts expert, a piano player and an expert at salsa. Compared to him I was just an egg.
We tried to explain Samantha how much I loved her but she was firm on her decision. We tried to portray his dark side (playboy past) but she was adamant and asked me to walk away from her life in a week's time because she was getting married.
I guess it was the signal to move on, it was time to forget everything and concentrate on my career ahead. I had one last drink with Mr. Broad; we boozed as the biggest losers in the world. I drove him home and bid my adieu to Samantha, wished her good luck and left with tears in my eyes. I couldn't stop thinking about her; there was nothing but her thoughts in my mind and the only positive one of me being an Engineer from the tier 1 university.
Next day morning I received call from the medical center and they wanted to discuss with me the case of Samantha. Samantha and Mr. Broad had listed my number as the emergency contact, since none was receiving the call at her place, doctor called me up for an important meeting.
Me: Doctor Stuart, I received your call this morning regarding Samantha.
Dr. Stuart: Mr. Chad, please be seated. Would you like some coffee?
Me: No Thanks. I'm good.
Dr. Stuart: The reason I called you is to discuss about Samantha. She came last week for her blood tests and we found some symptoms of anemia first of. On further diagnosis we realized she's suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a disease that develops into severe anemia and bone marrow failure. I'm afraid but there's nothing at this moment that we can help. It generally is seen in people over 50 but for her to be suffering from this disease could be genetic. Someone in her family might have suffered death due to this syndrome and maybe she got it genetically. There's nothing much we can do in this case.
Shocked, stunned and didn't know what to say,
Me: There would be some surgery or blood transfusion that can cure this disease. There has to be something.
Dr. Stuart: I understand your concern Mr. Chad but there's nothing we can do but over period of time, blood production will decline and the cells will fail further.

There were thousand thoughts running in my mind, I was cold as ice as I saw my life shattering further but I knew what I had to. I ran to the marriage hall of Samantha and stopped the wedding before the ceremony could proceed.
Me: Samantha, please don't do this. Please don't marry him. He doesn't know you are suffering from blood disorder and will lose you. I can't afford to see your life diminishing like this. I will save your life. Please give me one more chance Samantha. Don't do this to me. 
Samantha: Chad, I've always loved you and imagined my life with you just the way you did. But the only reason I'm marrying him is that he can and will fall in love again after he loses me, unfortunately you won't be able to. You've loved me and will not be able to love anyone else after I die. I'll be your wife for few months, years but then you'll be leaving the life of my dad. He lost my mother and I've seen him suffer this loss. I don't want to ruin your life because I know if you lose me, you'll never be able to live without me.
Me: Samantha, few more years and I'll cure this disease. I'll find a drug that will find a cure. Please be with me. I'll go to med school, earn a doctorate and you will be fine. I will. I will go back to school, this time with a different goal. My previous goals were to live my life with you. This time it will be to save my life, to save you.
Samantha took those little steps towards me because she knew I'll do anything to be with her.
She was my inspiration and more than anything her life mattered to me at this moment. We married in a small function with friends and family to support. And the next morning I started preparing for my pre-meds. I kept myself busy reading in the library and taking care of Samantha. Needless to say, I cleared the pre-meds, entered into the med school and here I was facing my new challenge, save Samantha. I worked my way through the researches, failures, and Samantha’s health deterioration. One day I abruptly received call from her and rushed her to the emergency med center. We knew she didn't have more minutes to tick, and her last words were don't stop loving me... ever... if you do you'll lose yourself and the meaning of life. She closed her eyes and left me in the midst of emotions.
Two years later my research turned out to be successful and that's when companies started investing in inventing a drug to cure the Myelodysplastic Syndrome. I feel sad for her not being with me or not save her life. But what makes me breathe is the fact that the medicine can save thousands of Samantha. When I see a single life saved, I see myself loving her again and again.

Reporter: So now we understand the zeal of your life.
Dr. Chad: Yes, she was the zeal of my life. It was for her, I changed from a thug to an engineer and from an engineer to a doctor. I still love her and I will always love her.

The Power of Control - Be Grateful for your little today, for you will have abundance by and by

I was flying back from New Orleans which happened to be a smooth fly until a conversation hit me deep inside. Dressed like a perfect gentleman, he was sitting next to me and reading J K Rowling's Casual Vacancy. I asked about the novel and if he had any reviews or was it worth the purchase. Conversations grew and it made me realize how much of a positive person he was. From everything he talked, I could sense nothing but a vibe of a non-manipulated worldly conditions and values surrounding him. Out of curiosity I happened to have asked him if i he read The Power of Subconscious Mind or Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich and undoubtedly I saw him smirking and give me a 'i know everything' smile. Before I asked further, he made his point to me "Let me tell you something about life; Never let it control you".
"I was told by my doctor that I've but six months to breathe. They discovered me to have an incurable condition and expected me to be in an emotional collapse. But that's not me. I reach office on time the next day morning as usual, find my co-workers shocked when they heard about me. They keep hovering around, morbidly commiserating around me; someone asking what will I do and I tell them the same thing I will do what I have always done: Live with a grateful heart, one moment at a time".
I was touched to hear that and asked how long was that? He said that was five years ago, and "I'm very much alive and well, still living one moment at time with a truly grateful heart. Not necessarily the diagnosis was in error, perhaps it is more a testimony to the healing influence of a controlled life sustained by an attitude of gratitude. The important thing is that these five years have been creative, not just a dreary existence in anticipation of the doom. Someone would feel I now have something to live or be really grateful for; but I controlled my life".
People around him don't realize his controlled life proved thanksgiving not only as a reactionary emotion but as a causative energy. It is an effective key by which anyone may "meet life as a powerful conqueror". The most important asset heart owns is the conscious control of life. Nothing else can fulfill the feeling that comes from a controlled world of mind and emotions. One can be grateful with the same spontaneity as being happy, it will simply flow from within and become a causative energy.

Oh, while I live, to be the ruler of life, not a slave, to meet life as a powerful conqueror, and nothing exterior to me shall ever take command of me. - Walt Whitman.

Wiener Circle

So I was in Chicago over the last weekend and while walking over to the Magnificent mile, I find the Marilyn Monroe's statue removed. Shocked or lost I called up my friend (who knows Chicago more than the players in there) to find out they had removed it in March itself. But here's the brotherly advise - Go to the place named Wiener's Circle. You'll love it for sure. It's a local hot dog stand but for you order some fries. But make sure you go there and go alone (not with your mom). I've heard about it and it's totally the place YOU would wanna go. 
Excited I visit the Wiener Circle in the night telling mom I'll get you some Chicago's deep dish pizzaz. I order the pizzas and meanwhile drove to Wiener Circle. The place was a local stall with bunch of people yelling at the people behind the counter. With the thoughts of "You'll love it for sure". I was wondering what my friend in mind while he asked me to go there. When i entered the small gate, all I could see/hear was the cashier yelling badly at the person ordering and in few minutes snatched cash off his hands, put it in the box and said Get the F**k out of here. I assumed they had a bad conversation or argument over something but who cares, I was interested in knowing what box the cash dumped into. Getting closer, I read "Every bitch must tip" written on the box the cash was turned. Wow! I smiled at myself and understood why my friend asked me to see this place. I looked at the menu, luckily they had the Char Veggie Burger, but i thought I would settle with fries since I was supposed to eat the deep dish pizza I had ordered. So my conversation turned out to be nasty one with just fries to order:

Me: Can I get an order of fries?

Cashier: What the f**k did you just say?

Me: An order of fries? (Assuming she wouldn't have heard the order)

Cashier: You need the f**ken fries? Where are you from? 

Me: I'm visiting Chicago from Denver

Cashier: So you come to Chicago from f**ken Denver to get an order of f**ken fries, you sh*thead?

Me: Yes. My friend told me about this......(before I could complete)

Cashier: Motherfu**ken dude a** you think you funny coming all the way thousands of miles for just an order of f**ken fries? What a waste of f**en money and that f**ken weiner of yours.

Me: I'm sorry I'll go with a char veggie burger as well

Cashier: Did you just say sorry? piss off!! Give it to me dork face. 

Me: Uhh what?

Cashier: Get the f**k outta here and take that order of f**ken fries. Shove your b**ls and next time don't come alone, get some ti**ies with you. Now buzz off  and put $5 in my tip box. 

Me: Okay Thanks

Cashier: I'm talking to you. Do not come here if you don't wanna be vulgar. Get your b**ls on and get vulgar right now.

Me: Uhh what?

Cashier: Piss on me now you dumba**. I'm talking to you bi**h

Me: Alright F**k you 

Cashier: That's the man. F**k off. Who's the next?

What an amazing place. There are many good places to visit in Chicago, but nothing's compared to Wiener Circle. One HAS to go there.

Trinidad - The soul within

It was over the last month when I had back to back two trips to the island of Trinidad. I visited the place to conduct workshops at one of the petrochemical plants. Trinidad has abundant natural gas resources and ranks among the global leaders in the natural gas production and extraction. The manufacturing, production, exploring and refining is one of their key economical factors apart from tourism. The island is one of the investment magnet for foreign nations.

Carib Lager- Brewed in Trinidad

The island of Trinidad (refers to Trinity in Spanish) is amongst the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Having gained their independence in 1962, they still happen to follow the British, Indian and Spanish traditions and their beliefs in Roman Catholics, Anglican and Hindu religion. Some of the famous festivals are Christmas, Easter, Diwali and Eid Ul Fitr. From religion to food, they've a rich diverse cultural mix. The food is savory and Trinidadians love the delicious assortment of food and drink. They manufacture/brew their own Beer (Carib, Malta) Rum, Malta, Coke (brewing, bottling and distribution plant which changes its aesthetics frequently) and dairy products (all of the Nestle products).

Trinidadian Roti

Trinidad offers a variety of savory foods from beach's 'bake and shark' to roadside 'doubles', from the breakfast 'chokas' - baigan choka (roasted eggplants), aaloo choka (fried potatoes), tomato (roasted tomoatoes) to lunch 'roti', 'chana , bhaggi' and 'callaloo'. The blend of spice and style are influenced by Indian, Amerindian, European and Venezuelan cuisines.

Scorpion Butch Pepper

The local spices are abundantly found in the preserves and Trinis end up adding hot sauce in almost everything they eat. Other than the spices and the ingredients , the hot sauces are prepared using the Habanero pepper, the Scotch Bonnet pepper and the hottest pepper in the world - The Scorpion Butch pepper. The hottest sauce prepared/available at places is known as the 'Mother-in-law sauce' made from diced Habanero peppers, onions, garlic, carrots, shadon beni and lime juice. A piece of warning: Eating any of the above sauces could cause heavy stomach allergies to people who do not prefer eating spice.

Apart from the spicy food, the festival food and sweets are special to eat, pastelles and fruit cake (during Christmas), mohanbhog and lapsi (during Diwali), barfi rasgulla, halwa and baklawa (during Eid). Trinidad also has rich natural reserves of fruits and plantations.


When it comes to Sports, Trinidadians follow Football (Soccer) and Cricket as their favorite sport. Brian Lara is respected like no other player in the world. He's often referred as the Prince of Port of Spain or simply the Prince. They've a cricket ground christianed in his name and a huge shopping complex for the people. Most of the functions or parades occur/start from the same promenade.
The transportation system is pretty much accessible and the cars are right hand driven, foreigners often find the traffic heavy and tough to follow because of the reckless, rash driving on the roads of Trinidad. It's more or less similar to driving on Indian roads, The only rule works - There are no driving rules. Often times people take the public transportation to reach work or other places. Most of the public transportation vehicles have their number plates starting with the letter T (TCN-1205), private vehicles have their number plates starting with the letter P (PAH-1389), R for Rental Vehicle (RDF-4356), H for Hired Vehicle bus or taxi (HJD-6396), V for Visitors (VED-3982) and D for Automobile Dealership (DXC-5093). Most of the cars available in Trinidad are imported from Europe and are extremely costly. Honking is a tradition and people do not make second thoughts before honking.

Maracas Bay

Undoubtedly it is one of the most preferred destinations for tourists; Port of Spain, Trinidad has some of the most beautiful beaches around. Maracas Bay, Beach at Chaguanas, Maracas Falls, Western Main Road, Brain Lara Promenade and Royal Botanical Garden are some of the tourists attractions. The place is breathtaking at any hour in the day. Sometimes one would just sit and breathe for months to come, he still wouldn't get tired.
Lastly, the people in Trinidad are very warm, caring and affectionate. They often times help the foreigners and provide them complimentary items to support tourism. It has been heard that crime rate is high in the country but that stays as the word of caution on a piece of paper. The people are well versed, helping, kind and generous in guiding people to the best destinations on the island.
If you ever plan to visit Trinidad, do not forget to do these things:

1. Hot Doubles for breakfast

2. Roti, Bhaggi, Chicken Stew, Aloo and Dhal for lunch

3. Bake and Shark at the Maracas beach in the evening

4. Carib Lager or Stag beer

5. Rum and Chutney Music during dinner

6. Get some hot sauce back home

The Colorado way

 Why does the heart cry when it sees defeat?

 

Courage is to see defeat not as an end, but as a new beginning

 

Why does the heart cry when it sees impossibility? 

Courage is to see impossibility as a dare for a first step, a big leap or a different path

 Embrace every moment with open arms

Faith

If you think you are defeated, you are,

You've got to think high to win,

You've got to have faith in yourself before

You win a game.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger and faster man,

but soon or late the man who wins

Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!

There are no limitations to a human mind, except those we acknowledge. 

The best example of astounding faith world ever saw was in Mahatma Gandhi. He didn't have money, home, suits, battleships, soldiers and warfare ammunition but he had one thing - POWER. And he created power by the ability to transplant his faith in the minds of hundred million people. Gandhi had faith in his ideologies and he attained the astounding feat of influencing hundred million minds to unite and walk ahead as a single mind.
Human mind is the communication guard which is served by seated action of subconscious mind. When God created human being, he gave him the absolute control of which thought to pass through the subconscious mind. Human mind is just like a fertile garden, in which the misfortune weeds will grow in abundance if the seeds of more desirable action are not sown therein. By feeding the thoughts of creative and positive energy and nurturing the crops with the faith, we find our way to the rich garden of the mind. If the subconscious mind knows our absolute faith in the desire to succeed, there's only little in this world we cannot attain. Reaching out to your subconscious mind is not easy, it requires an everlasting persistence in applying the principle of faith. The thoughts might have be reinforced again and again with an absolute faith before they are interpreted by the subconscious mind. When you set a goal:

Feel the DESIRE

Have FAITH

Let go the NEGATIVITY and SKEPTICISM

Gather PATIENCE

Continuous PERSISTENCE to "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul"

Power of SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

Facebook-errrss!!

Almost everyone I know has a Facebook account, mainly for connecting with friends, messaging, sharing pictures and more. But creeps make it a point to enter into the mindless clicking world and tap on to someone's open profile as if you've known them since your diaper days. They follow them by seeing all their pictures, friends’ comments, and some of hot looking ones in the pictures or comments in the next tab. They rate on the hotness scale and enter in the imagination land in no time.
Facebook has its own tools for catching up with people who mean important to you. The tool status update indicate what's on your mind, so as to know what's happening in that witty, pleasurable real-time window of your friends' life and not about 'I'm gonna tell you every detail'. Frustrated Facebookers found solace with the check-in option but not very long they realized the 160 character status update was replaced with the 'merry go round' options. Long Live Zuckerberg for adding the Hide tool and avoid mundane on daily activities.
Facebook also happened to be a gaming zone where amateurs became chronic inviters for  playing mafia wars, collecting farm-ville gifts, to support a cause or birthday calender and to the worst hit to play quizzes. You would probably mean well to have fun but 9gag is a better option. People get addicted and spend eons of time in the empty scribbling world.
Not very long before when the Like button was introduced to chop off the stupid comments of 'hahahahahaha, some lolzzz, woww and awwww (a non-human perfect feminine expression)'. One way it led to poor non-verbal skills, most of whom whether understood or not but liked the status just because it was from a George Clooney persona. Plus the Like button also gave us another set of weirdos who like their own posts. Liking your own posts (whether status updates or pictures or comments) is the height of identity crisis. FB has it's own set of self-obsessed people who desire constant feedback on their lives. (Seeing how many people liked their pictures, how many actually comment and think Gosh, I'm so sexy.-They need a reality check)
And yet Facebook remains feminist. Have a girl update her picture or a status update and there'll be atleast 40 likes to that. Guess if the guy does that?? 4 likes on the photo and "get a life dude" on the status. But ladies do realize, the only reason 30 guys liked your picture is because they think Facebook is a popularity contest and you're losing it.
What you make out of Facebook is a one way ticket to addiction for some of the common behaviors (annoying yet true) :

• Update the status more than twice a day and then check every ten minutes for how many people liked or commented on it (Facebook's like a bachelor-pad refrigerator - you get bored, keep checking knowing there's nothing in it)
• If you stepped out, you check the page from your phone
• More than 500 friends, half of whom you would have met just once or may be twice or sometimes never (you add them because you have common friends or feel just like sitting in a jail - sitting along and getting poked by people you don't know)
• Change your profile picture more than a 14 yr old girl
• Delete or hide things from your profile page so as to look you spend less time on FB 
• Update every time something happens related to sports, news, weather or even politics for some rare reasons (News travel faster on FB compared to any other news channel or even telling a woman)
• Set it as homepage or is the most visited website in your bookmarks 
• If you ever checked your Facebook  page while reading this, you're an addict.

Belle of the Ball

"The party seems to be boring for you!?!" Rob asked Carol as he found her standing by the porch.
"Oh no! Not at all, I'm absolutely fine"
"I can read it through your eyes hun". 
"Why do you always feel embarrassed?" Someone from the crowd shouts "Hey Rob, can you come over".
"Try to stay good and enjoy the time before we leave soon".  Rob tried to make her feel good as he walked away to meet his colleagues. Rob kept himself busy meeting people but he kept glancing at Carol only to realize how much uncomfortable she was feeling even to carry a fake smile.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, as we gather here for the grand success of our company and celebrate the effort we've put in and the number of lamps burned to fulfill our dreams; I would like to congratulate one and all for this phase." Rob proposes a toast and grabs everyone's attention.
"Also, I would like everyone to know about someone special in my life that's been my motivation, strength and the walk of my life; my wife Carol. She's been with me for almost 45 years now, taking care of me, shouting at me, smothering me with all the love she has and yet she never crumbles to smile.
Carol, your angelic eyes always smile at me and confix the drive of our life, your sweetness trickles my soul, your beauty sums up the unsearchable and secret aims of our life. Often as I walk through the house, I look in your eyes the enlightening dream, a delightful life and the illusional heaven in our life. I remember the first time I saw you in senior high prom; I thanked God for sending my gift - the most alluring girl I had ever seen. You were an angel in disguise carrying a white dress, pink rose and a near perfect smile that faded in my eyes. Your fair soul is the only pure thing in this entire world. It always felt like a dream afar but you're the beauty that completes my dream. I'll always cherish the love of our life."

 You are my Belle of the Ball