Secret Wonder

Last night, while surfing through the TV channels, I finally stopped at Romedy Now. It’s a channel dedicated to rom-com movies and it also features situational comedy shows. The Season 6 of the popular sitcom ‘Friends’ was on. Even though I am not a great fan of ‘Friends’ like Siwalik (He’s crazy about the show) I do find it quite hilarious at times. So I watched it for some time until the commercials came on. I shuffled through few channels again, only to find more commercials on every other channel that I browsed through. Surprisingly, some of the commercials are so out of the box that it leaves you wonder at how they come up with such intriguing ideas. From using catchy phrases like “Olx pe bech de”, “Kya Aapke Toothpaste mein Namak hai?” to children acting like grown-ups in the Flipkart ad, the Fevicol’s “Todo Nahin Jodo” during the Cricket World Cup, they have been strategically made and placed, having a lasting impact on the viewers. Certainly, there has been an iconic revolution in the advertising business in the past few years. The commercials don’t just market the product, but are utterly endearing and memorable.

Anyways, I would avert diverting myself from the topic. While waiting endlessly for ‘Friends’ to finally re-entertain my sleepy brain cells with its pills of laughter, I came across the promo of the movie ‘Flipped’. Well, for those who have watched it already know it, but for those who haven’t; Flipped is a well-reviewed rom-com based on the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen. It revolves around the love story of two young people and the teenage love that blossoms into a friendship with time, It is the reverse of conventional rom-coms hence the title. I had watched the movie earlier, so it wasn’t new to me. But what captured my attention was the captivating promo song used for it. I found it enthralling, so I decided to download it. But alas! Only if I knew the name of the album it belonged to. The song was played for a short while so I all I could do was memorize a fraction of the lyrics as I couldn’t find the time to Shazam it. I Googled for the official soundtrack of Flipped but to no avail. The song didn’t belong to the movie. It was just a promo song used by the channel. I struggled for a while and finally found it with much ado. Thanks to a Facebook link for a band called ‘Secret Wonder’ by an ultra-secretive duo Lizzie and Danny. The song is called ‘How the story ends’. It has got a mesmerizing tune and touching lyrics. That made me dig more about the band. So I clicked on the about tab on YouTube. It says “Secret Wonder is the band born out of the love of two people. Secret wonder creates music, videos and secret live performances.” It’s a new band born out of the blue creating ripples online for its indie-electronic music. Do check it out on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=floZzUJTLrg

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The miracle moments !

Sometimes, we come across such moments that awe us beyond imagination. The moments which have the audacity to sway us by its sheer presence. I call them Miracle moments. Miracle. No matter whether you have come across it or not or whether you even believe in their existence. But we are no stranger to this word. So I won’t go defining it. But if you want to learn more about miracles, Google is always there! Isn't? ;)

Some people say miracles don’t exist but then some also say god doesn't exist. Yet we see long queues of people sweating profusely with smothering heat yet profoundly dedicated, waiting outside the places to worship eagerly waiting for their share of blessing. So basically what makes it works is faith. An undying faith that there is someone out there, most powerful of all who will mend the broken, give solace to the restless and above of all, bring miracles! Yeah those wonder-struck moments!

These moments need not be life transforming always! (Though how much I have known, they are!) But it’s like a lingering connection one feels with the nature, with the true essence of the beauty it holds making you feel secure in its lap. Exactly like a newborn makes a profound connection with his mother when he embraces her for the first time. It could be anything that sweeps you of your feet for a moment and connects you to the deeper essence of life.

Recently I came across one such moment when I and my daddy talked unceasingly for 2 hours! We went on talking jumping from one topic to another; discussing nothing to everything and prepared a delicious dinner together (He is indeed an awesome cook). Since I stay at hostel far away from home; we don’t really get much time to have long hours of hearty talk and I was awed that we are so much in common and we had so much to discuss! It was really captivating and refreshing. This miracle moment had surely brightened my day.

As Albert Einstein had said, I would like to quote- “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is miracle; you can live as if everything is miracle”.

And if you believe, they can do magic! No wonder, Miracles happen to those who believe in them! ;)

So, have faith, be grateful, make your own miracle moments and even if you can’t, don’t worry! Someone out there might be weaving a beautiful miracle for you and those who already have experienced it; you know what I am talking about! Smile and let divinity prevail..!

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The imperfect Felicity!

Perfection is a much celebrated word in today’s world. We want perfect homes, perfect jobs, perfect bank balance, perfect life partner & the list is endless. We are a perspicacious generation and won’t settle for anything less than what we deserve. Imperfections scare us. We can’t accept someone or something with flaws. There this untold stigma attached with them. They seem like loses, a liability to our own character.

This got me thinking that why are we so obsessed with perfection? What would happen if we settle for something less than we desire? Would the world economy collapse or would there be a third world war? I don’t think any of it. But our never ending string of ambitions and the conceived desires shouts at the top of its voice demanding more, every time we open ourselves, taking a vulnerable decision. But is this chase all worth it? Some say for the sake of comfort and future, this is a necessity. But has anybody seen how future looks? What about our present then? Why present has no importance in its presence while the unknown future dominates?

Life will be much simpler and stress free if we take pleasure in little things and indulge in little delights of our lives. A carefree walk every morning embracing the chuckling Sun, a mousy coffee while reading our favourite novel, a small but warm chit chat with an old friend could be the possible delicacies of your life that can make your day sweeter as the day unfolds, before you let yourself caught in the race. Reminds me of a beautiful poem by William Henry Davies, as I dig into my childhood treasure. It goes like

What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs

And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

Sounds Familiar?

No doubt, not every one of us is blessed with the liberty to enjoy the luxury of comforts but if you cherish the small happy delightful moments, each day has to offer and count them since the morning till the time you sleep at night; you will realize that it’s more than you ever imagined. Maybe on some days it would be countless while on some not so good days, it might be little less. A little imperfection here and there won’t hurt, would they?

In my opinion, imperfections would only enhance the beauty of something we always imagined or try hard to bring to reality; perfection because no wonder, imperfections make things human, mortal and allow us to comprehend the incomprehensible.

Then why not leave this chase for once in a while, indulging in the things we love and settle for a less perfect life, celebrating imperfections! Celebrating life!

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guérissez bientôt (Get Well Soon)

For Shilpa, the amazing star that she is, the guiding light of Dreamscape and my best friend. She is down with a bad sprain. :( She's so dauntless and high spirited, she constantly writes, even when she's so under the weather. Bravo girl! Get well soon. 

I know how it feels when,

The devil resides in the bones.

Feeding on your blood,

Slaying every ounce of life.

Excruciating it feels,

Lifeless and numb.

At war with him,

Oh! That satanic strife.

For we’re mere mortals,

We all give in to him.

It’s ignominious for us,

The children of the light.

Wrecking our nerves,

Fighting for the right, we’ll

Gather our spirits, with

Some help from the might.

We’ll rise, we’ll strike, with

Weapons of love, of care,

And we’ll just hang in there tight,

For soon we’ll be at peace,

And we’ll be alright.

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Shadows

The night has fallen

The dark messengers are awaiting your presence

The shadows are your only refuge

Cause you thrive on pain and sorrow

An open wound,

Staring back at me

As its dies every morning

But then the night follows

 Haunting me with its shady shadows

Sharp as a sword they are

Inerasable are the scars they leave

My shallow foot prints

The only evidence of my pliable existence

 The pain of the lies you had uttered

With no guilt, you shamelessly tortured

All the false promises you made

 But still I got all the blame

Didn’t you make it look so easy for me?

Well you are the one holding the champagne

 You behold me with contempt

 But all I see a ghost consumed with pride

Insatiable greed to hunt

The brutality of your unpredictable character

Will soon be publicly butchered 

Cause the evil vanity of your kingly Kingdom

Was always destined to be doomed before it took birth

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Dusky Swing!

I woke up with an uncomfortable sigh, a gush of insipidity perplexing me. A cool breeze touched my face, stirring my sleepy senses, through the peeping window as I looked around; searching my phone hopelessly for 15 seconds all over my bed, only to stupidly realize that it was on my study table safely plugged in to the charger. I hopped out of my bed, feeling better than the morning, my last recollection of fever I was down with. I checked my phone, 4 messages, and 6 missed calls. It dawned upon me that I had slept over little more than I had presumed. I went near the window to shut it but a feeling of nostalgia descended over me as I stared at the overwhelming sky.

Looking outside the window, gazing at the defeating sun with the faint color of blood scattering all over the sky as the nightfall emerged to domination; it struck me how time has passed in a blink of an eye. Since my childhood, I have felt deeply touched by sunsets. They sway me. A small period of ecstasy, when the sun surrenders itself and let its colors paint every time blending into a different, beautiful story. Sometimes fuchsia colored happy times or rose tinted love story or at times crimson colored tale of grief, something lost forever as the sun goes down till the shady colors wipe them off the canvas.

A sky is indeed like a canvas, isn't it? It has the capacity to absorb each color and portray them into the most captivating, surreal forms, evolving every time I look at the same picture. This thought inspired me to paint something on the canvas, a new story maybe ;)

This what I painted!I am a beginner and I hope to paint many more !:)

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Unheard Silences

Last night while I was browsing through some random articles, I came across an intriguing piece about a young teen who was suffering from social anxiety. Every one of us at some point of our lives must have either suffered or came across a person who suffers from anxiety. When I read the initial lines, I thought hey! This is so common. Even I get anxious at times especially when results are going to be announced, the mind wrecking stress, sweaty palms and the rushing sensation burning our body( Thanks to Mr. Adrenaline!) is nothing extraordinary for most of us.

But when I read further, I realized that the topic of discussion was not just the usual anxiety we get during the stressful conditions but it was much graver than that as the boy unfolded his story.

It started with a small prank played on him by his friends who were ignorant of the fact that their friend was already social phobic. After the incident, everyone forgot about it as a trivial joke but this boy’s life changed forever. In no time, he became more reclusive than ever. He stopped talking or paying attention in classes. He began to avoid any human contact, even his parents. Soon, the matters became worse; his grades dropped, his friends began to avoid him and his behavior became unmanageable due to his unpredictable outburst of anger much to his parent’s misery. Fortunately, His parents took immediate steps and took him to a therapist who diagnosed that he was suffering from acute Social anxiety disorder. He was just 16 then.

“I used to feel extremely helpless. It was like no one could understand my condition, not even my parents”, he, later, confessed when he got better and considers him fortunate that he got the right treatment in the right time. But not everyone is as lucky as him. In India the outlook of people towards a mental patient is not sympathetic. They are termed as weirdo and treated as an outcast. This social taboo discourages the families of the patient to attain medical treatment which further aggravates the problem.

 I found this thought provoking. When I researched further, I found some shocking facts about this phenomenon. Approximately 35% of Indians suffer from anxiety disorders and unfortunately 70% of them are teenagers. Most of them go undiagnosed. Many people think that they are going crazy and weird but isn't the case always.

Generally, we all are well aware of the term “anxiety” when simply put imply a feeling of stress for a period of time. But what most of us don’t know is that there can be acute forms of anxiety too, social anxiety being one of them. An emotional state of inner upheaval accompanied by irrational fear and nervousness continually crippling your daily interactions. A person suffering from it might detect a stressful situation to be intangible and uncontrollable but it might not be the case in reality. Their overreaction to a situation makes them highly sensitive and defensive. In acute cases, it leads to panic attacks. There is a constant apprehension of being brutally scrutinized by others. Physical and social contacts like embracing; shaking hands makes them heavily uncomfortable.

Change in sleeping patterns, insomnia, irrational fears, excessive worrying are some of the initial symptoms and it requires the immediate attention of the elders. If gone untreated it could lead to fatal repercussions like suicides.

If we look back in history, our parents in their younger years were comparatively healthier and these mind crippling diseases were negligibly prevalent. They had a balance in their lives.

 Contrary to that, today’ youngsters always have their plate full of activities, too many competitions to crack and way many expectations to fulfill. Everyone wants to make it big and mindlessly crack their brains till they are out of fuel. No one wants to sit idle. Even on holidays we like to stay busy. No doubt we have transformed ourselves into workaholic maniacs ignorant of the dire consequences in the long run.

Social anxiety might not seem as threatening as cancer but it has got equally bad consequences if neglected for a long time. No doubt, there are many self help groups and therapy centers for the correct diagnosis of this menace but social boundaries and the common mind set “log kya kehenge?” always come in our way. 

But a person having mental problems has to make his way through the social stigma attached with the problem. A mental disorder, serious or not, should be diagnosed and treated like any other disease. It should given medical attention and the patients shown consideration and compassion in the society. 

Parents can listen to the problems that their children face and be the friend and anchor that they can rely on. Parents need to be alert and detect behavioral traits which indicate signs of abnormal behavior, they should never neglect them and immediately get the help of a professional same goes with teachers in school and nothing should go unreported.

We must pledge to make the world a safer place and take right decisions in the right time because sometimes neglected means denied.

courtesy: Wiki

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