Merry Subdued Happiness

Merry Subdued Happiness

There are many people  in life which we take for granted - our mother, our love of life. Not only humans, even materialistic things like that faded pair of jeans which we refuse to jump, that shabby bunny which has to be by our side at night. Happiness is one such emotion which we consider to be our birth right. On the occasion of new year, I have decided to spread my wings and let you journey of 2015 begin.

When we look at people around us who have had relatively smooth and trouble-free lives, we find only few of them stay in joviality. We look at those who have really rough and challenging lives; yet again, only a bunch of them are in good spirits. This seems to suggest the relevance of an age-old...

Hello, I am happiness. I always come to you. But, the onus is always on you accept me. Let’s penetrate deeper.

You may ask me what exactly Happiness is. Well, I am nothing but a good health plus a bad memory. You will be happy if you are healthy. Now, does that mean those who are not well are Unhappy? Well, not exactly. If you are able to put aside this I-Am-Not-In- Healthy-Condition thing or something like that, you will always be smiling.

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. I belong to the self-reliant. There are numerous moments in your life to be happy. My friends often comment one of my followers, "She becomes jolly at so small things we would not even think of...” She is so happy on New Year eve. Even when she was away from my family, she brought a New Year cake and 2 red heart shaped balloons for my room. She cut the cake and enjoyed with all her roommates. Everyone was suddenly smiling at the very sight of celebration. No doubt, I was there, present all the time; but I was bought forward. Like ways, every time, there are moments waiting to be cheered, even without any reason. Action may not always bring happiness to you, but there is no happiness without action.

Well said, “That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.” By cheapest, he is not counting its monetary value. It is the intensity which matters. All I have to say is that there may not be a grand celebration to be cherished. But there is always a little smile lying on your face. There may not be a reason to flaunt it, it may not be Christmas, and it may not be perfect... But happiness is there: big or small. Cherish it.

I am always there walking side by side with you. I am there when a child laugh out loud on stupid sound of tearing paper. I am there when a mother sees her kid copying her. I am there when you find your favorite scoop of ice-cream in the fridge. I lie in your eyes, waiting to be tickled. I am there, with you, always.

Not to admire, is all the art I know,

To make men happy, and to keep them so!

Stay Happy.

This post was originally written as the first post of my first blog - Merrysubduedhappiness.blogspot.com and updated as a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by Blogadda.

Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secret - My Favourite Lines

Below were some lines in 'Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets' which made way to my notepad.

1. Hearing voices no one else can hear isn't a good sign, even in the wizarding world.

2. Celebrity is as celebrity does

3. Books can be misleading

4. Anyone can make a mistake,

5. When in doubt, go to the library.

6. Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backward

7. Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain?

8. The best of us must sometimes eat our words,

9. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

10. His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
     His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
     I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
     The hero who conquered the Dark Lord.

11. Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done,
     You’re killing off students, you think it’s good fun

My favourite lines from  - Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone

This is how I felt after I read -
Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secret

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets by J. K. Rowling

Second in the series after 'Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone', Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets continues  to be favourite among teenagers.
Harry Potter is eagerly waiting for his second year to get started at Hogwarts. Each passing day brings in more hatred to him from Dursleys. His wait is finally over but the adventures begun before he could even board the train at King's Cross Station. Hogwarts suddenly faces a serious warning as mysteriously gleaming, foot-high words on the wall that proclaim, "The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware". Harry along with his best friends is obviously on his to solve the mystery and face several near death encounters - stolen flying cars, giant spiders, giant serpent and many more.

The author, J.K. Rowling, has really built up the characters in the earlier novels so it made me feel as though they are real. I was well connected to them. The flow of story was nice and easy to follow.

What I liked about the book:
1. Easy connection to the previous series.
2. The anagram to "Tom Marvolo Riddle" was really a surprise factor.

What I did not like about the book:
1. I felt the story moved at a very slow pace.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and it was only thing on my mind till I finished it.
Lost in the world of magic, here are some notable lines I could catch while reading it - My Favourite Lines From Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets.

Click at the link to read my views on 'Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone' 

Have you read both books? Have you seen the movie? What do like better - movie/book? How did you like the book? Would you go ahead and read it after my thoughts on it? Write your heart/mind in comments section. I would be glad to read out your end of thinking on the book.

Ultimate Blog Challenge Day 1

A very happy new year to all the readers. Day one of both new year and the ultimate blog challenge. Year 2015 has already brought this new challenge to my life - The Ultimate Blog Challenge.

I would be honest here and must let the world know that this is the second time I am participating in this challenge. Previously, I had registered in October 2014 and failed miserably. I did not even have the courage to flaunt the badge on my blog. Though I am still not wearing it, the reason being same. I am scared to hell if I would be able to survive it. I am keeping my fingers crossed and have promised to myself that I would work really hard to complete the challenge this time.

So, the dry first thought that came to my mind was what am I going to write about everyday. I have following things on plate:
1. Books - I have build a good pile of books to be read. I would try and read as much as possible. This would give me 2 posts per book - what I felt about it and my favourite lines from it.
2. Wings Of Change weekly prompt -  the Facebook page which belongs to myself and my fellow blogger friends definitely need my dedication towards it.
3. Write Over Weekend prompts in blogadda - I have been trying to participate over there since long but have no explanation on not being able to do so.
4. Indispire Topics - I usually write for it depending upon my comfort level.

I seriously hope I would be able to write more frequently this year.
A big thank you in advance for all the support I am sure to get from everywhere.
Wish me luck... :)

Are you also participating in UBC-Jan 2015? If yes, do you have a plan in mind to survive it? If no, what's stopping you from stepping up?

Santa Claus Wishing Merry Christmas In My Office

23/December/2014

"Hello sir.".

"Yes?"

"Sir, we were planning for the Christmas celebrations in office and had a discussion on who fits into the santa's role. You name came into the list. "

"Ok...".

"So, would you do it?"

"Yeah sure".

"Great, thank you sir. I would call you tomorrow morning. We have the Santa dress with us and rest we would explain you tomorrow."

As the call disconnected, I got a chat message from same person. 

"Also, please don't tell this to anyone as there is a guess the Santa contest as-well. Thanks😊"

24/Dec/2014

While changing into the traditional red and white dress, I had no idea what was in store for me. I was the Santa - Dear Santa for 1200 odd staff in my office. The mask made sure no one would be able to recognise me. I was handed a small bag full of candies. The cultural committee explained me what all I had to do and I stepped on top floor of building. 

As explained, the guy with speakers playing Christmas carol in hands entered the premises first and gathered the attention of busy hard working staff. It was my turn next. I marched ahead - "Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas dear, merry Christmas my child". I shouted in top My voice and hugged the first guy in bay who refused to give up his work for celebrations. He was suddenly smiling and locked his machine instantly. I distributed some candies on the floor, gave several hugs and shake hands. I left with the Santa team - my team after some games.

As we entered the next floor- 6th floor, I again gave the first hug to most serious looking person and distributed candies. Two people made me wear the garland of paper pins as the part of game. Winners of each game were given chocolates.

We repeated the same things on all ten floors and I was exhausted.H

At the end of 2 hours, this is what I lost as I became the Santa - 

1. I was left breathing for air and removed the mask in between when no one could see me.

2. I had the maximum pictures clicked and still no one could say that it was me,

3. My manager gave a tilted eye to me for leaving my workstation for 3 hours.

I could not believe, but the things I gained as Santa were far more satisfying and overcome all loss as I stepped into santa's  shoes - 

1. I was the start of day. Everyone wanted to click pictures with me.

2. I made people smile as I distributed hugs and candies.

3. I realised what task it is for Santa (if he truly exists) to spread happiness around the world and give gifts to children- that too as per their wishes.

4. I was smiling to myself at the night time.

~From the heart of guy who took the role of Santa on 24th December in my office.

Thank You Santa

This post is written for the prompt - When I stepped into Santa's shoes in Facebook page - Wings Of Change.

The Long Corridor

This short fiction is written for the prompt - the long corridor on Wings Of Change.

Her eyes were sore this morning. He stood awake with her. Moon completed the bug round circle over their roof. Whole night had passed without a spiked word. They left the house with same anxiety. Anxiety mixed with fear that arrived unwelcome to their lives 5 year back.

***

She ran and picked the receiver. It fell down as fast as it went to her ears. She hated phone calls since that day. The loud rush and cries in the hospital ward could not reach her. She never felt scared when he held her hands. But that day, she felt all alone wrapped in his arms. The doctors came and said sorry. They did not believe. They were so sure that the angel of their life would open its eyes as soon as they pick him up. They held him tight. She kissed him a thousand times. He promised the battery bike right in next hour. All in false hopes. He did not move. That was the day she went passed that corridor along with the stretcher.

***

Today, she was again asked to wait inside a corridor. She dreaded them. They made her remember the same 15 steps journey. Her life suddenly came alive. Only first half Of the four letter word could reach her. She ran again twice as fast as that day. The long corridor was crossed in seconds. "Masi...", the voice echoed. The little princes wipe her tears. He confirmed the lady standing at Other end and he nodded yes. He gestured a sincere thanks to her. That was the last time she was scared of long corridors.

***

The lady who brightened their life now stood lost in same corridor. She was smiling to herself. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her were eyes were red and mist. Yet she was smiling. She held those papers tight in her hands. The paper which read "Cancer". "Some more days, and my soul would then love this place forever. My princess has found her new Ma.". She repeated the same lines everyday. They said that long corridor was haunted. Haunted or life. Haunted for good. No life ever left the body when passing through that wing - that long corridor.

REAL SOLDIER; REAL MAN

SLEEPY EYES, LAZY LEGS

DROOPY HANDS, SPARKLING SMILE

ALL BECAME ACTIVE AT ONCE.

THERE SHE WAS,

ARRANGED THE BOOKS,

RECHECKED THE NOTEBOOKS,

SHARPENED THE PENCIL,

RESTED THAT BAG ON HER SHOULDERS.

THE BAG WHICH HER FATHER SAID

WOULD HELP HER BECOME STRONGER

THE BAG HER MOTHER SAID

WOULD TEACH HER FIGHT EVIL

THE BAG HER GRANNY SAID

WOULD SHOW HER LIGHT

THE BAG HER SOUL SAID

WOULD HELP HER BECOME A SOLDIER

YES, THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTED TO BECOME

THE SOLDIER - JUST LIKER HER FATHER

THE MEDAL - SHINING PROUDLY ON HER PAPA'S CHEST

THE HAT - SHE SAW HER MOTHER PUTTING LOVINGLY ON HER PAPA'S HEAD

THE GEM - WHICH MADE HER NATION PROUD.

DRESSED IN BLUE AND WHITE,

SHE MARCHED THE CORRIDORS

HOLDING HER MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY CARD

POLISHING LEFT TO BE COLOURED

TUCKED IT SAFE IN BELT.

SHE RETURNED HOME,

DRESSED IN HER FAVOURITE COLOUR,

THE COLOUR OF LOVE - RED.

HER EYES WERE CLOSED,

WHITE PATCH AT THE CORNER OF HER EYE,

HER MOTHER WIPED THE DRIED TEAR WITH HER HANDS.

OH! SHE FELT THE PAIN.

THE MONSTERS STILL HAVE COURAGE?

THEY HAVE THE EXPLANATION LEFT?

TOOK THE REVENGE?

FOLLOWERS OF ISLAM?

MEN OF ALLAH?

MEN???

THE CARD ON HER BELT MADE HER THE MEDAL,

THE COFFIN MADE HER THE HAT,

HER BROKEN BREATH MADE HER THE GEM,

HER FRIENDS WERE MEN.

SHE WAS REAL MAN.

NO WORDS HAVE THE ANSWER,

NO PRAYER HAS THE HEALING,

TO REPLY THAT TEAR EYED MOTHER,

TO CURE THAT BROKEN FATHER,

TO MAKE THAT SMILE COME BACK,

WHAT WAS HER FAULT?
WHY THE SYNONYM OF ALLAH?

QUEEN of Bollywood: 1000 weeks and counting

Movies I have always enjoyed. Ah! Many of them. Below are two movies which I just love to watch again and again.

1. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The Brave Hearted Will Take Away the Bride)

Voted Favruite Indian film of past 100 years, DDLJ is one movie which has made its way to every Indian heart. Believe me, till date, i have not found a single person who did not liked the movie.
Simple family values exxegerted to their length, idiotic comedy, drama and most important love is captured beautifully into it. Mesmerising locations across Europe and soothing sarsoon fields in India makes it an eye candy. Honestly, I have lost the count on how many times I have seen it. even today, if I ever switch channels and DDLJ is running anywhere, my remote stays untouched till it gets over.

• The song "Mere khawabon mein jo aaye" became the anthem of all teenage girls that time. It had the heroine dancing in rain in white dress - best - she looked pretty and not sensuous. I had the full song by heart and ha sung it for years.
• 'Senorita' became the synonym for the words like darling, baby honey etc.
• "It's Ok."- had been the custom reply to sorry. DDLJ changed it to - "Bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hai." (In big-big countries such small-small things keep happening.)
• Every second couple in county has the dream to run and hug each other in the middle of a bright yellow sarson ka khet (Mustard field).
• The copies of poster picture with Simran in green traditional Punjabi bridal dress on the shoulders of Raj has lost it's count over the decades.
• Needless to mention the most famous train chasing sequence. Many attempts have been made to recapture the scene, but all in vain. No one can hold the heroine hand like Raj held Simran. No heroine has ever run with half her heart as simran did.

It is the longest running movie in the history of Indian cinema, completing 1000 weeks of successful run on 12th December 2014. Till date people flock to the ‘Maratha Mandir’ where this movie is screened and enjoy it just as much as they did when it was screened for the first time.

DDLJ has won following major awards:
Film fare Awards
Best Film - Yash Chopra
Best Actor - Shah Rukh Khan
Best Actress - Kajol
Best Supporting Actress - Farida Jalal
Best Comedian/Comedienne - Anupam Kher
Best Director - Aditya Chopra
Best Lyricist - Kumar Sanu - For the song - "Tujhe dekha to"
Best Playback Singer Male - Udit Narayan - For the song "Mehndi lagake rakhna"
Best Dialogue -  Aditya Chopra and Javed Siddiqui
Best Screenplay - Aditya Chopra


Nation Film Award for best popular film


2. QUEEN

A shy middle class girl Rani, gets the shock of her life when her finance walks out of marriage just two days before the D-day. She decides to set out on her honeymoon alone to Paris and Amsterdam. The journey sets out to be a milestone of new Rani. She rediscovers herself, make new friends and finally kicks the jerks ass.

Although released recently, I just admire the movie. It's a must watch for every girl either married or unmarried.

• The girl gets drunk for the first time - that too to her length. I had this wish for so long - "At-least ek baar pe k talli hona hai". Rani dancing in front of a complete stranger just outside the bar on - "Hungama ho gaya" and confirming - "Ab aayi baat samajh me?" was hilarious.
• There are so many instances, every girl would identify with one or the other - boyfriend asking not to dance openly to be named one.
• It has a lesson for life - 'we always think that we have the worst situation and life had treated us bad. We feel this only till our eyes and heart open up to problems and sorrows of other's life."

"Mera haal na gupta uncle jaisa ho gaya hai. Gupta uncle ko na cancel ho gaya. Gupta uncle ne kabhi sharab nahi pi, cigerete nahi pi, fir bhi cancel ho gaya. Is se accha to pi hi lete."

This post was written for IndiSpire topic - "Let's relive the movies we've always enjoyed..the movies we saw, loved...cherished for life! Blog about the movies we can relive this festive season!" on Indiblogger.

I am sure you would be having some all time favourite movie. I would definitely like to know that. Reply in the comments section.

Walking Miracle

Tiny hands set free,
stood straight like a tree.
Brave inside,
little feet stood in air,
march ahead said my prayer.
one, two, three and four,
there you came falling with roar.
I held you before you touch the earth,
My lips widened to their length.

Oh dear! I wish the time to stop,
I so wish to witness the miracle,
again and again and again.

You stumbled,
You slipped,
You tried again and again,
there you were,
walking and shining,
My heartbeat raised every-time you went lower,
My eyes twinkled every-time you reached my arms,

I could not wait to cherish more,
The first kick,
The first jump,
The first run

Soon you would not need me to reach things,
Remember my dove,
You would always find me,
to hold you,to guard you,
to boost you, to push you.

I still wonder at the feeling,
which one was mesmerising,
Before or after the fall.

Have you ever been confused which one to pick from before or after the fall? Pour in your feelings in comments.

This is written for the prompt - "Before or after the fall" by Wings Of Change

Also linked to:

This post has been written for Prompt of the Month; a feature of Writer's Ezine

Yes to Love

‘YES or NO to Pre-Marital Sex’ is a never ending debate since ages. For me, it’s no big deal until it’s done with both consensus and in complete senses. The taboo word – ‘Sex’ is a completely biological phenomenon. Does the oath of marriage contain precondition – “I have never indulged in pre-marital sex”? No. The most important and common across all cultures is – “I will not cheat on my partner for some other person.” 

While, premarital sex comes with its own set of consequences - Increased sexual offences/ Pregnancies issues: Unplanned-Under-age/ Sexually transmitted diseases/ Associated Risk and Guilt, I still leave the decision to individual. Open up your eyes and make your decisions on what’s best for you. If two people are making love, I would never have an issue with it. But yes, just for the sake of fun/adventure/experience, it’s a big no.

I prefer saying making love than doing sex. I find the term sex very professional and sometimes offending. For couples, they never have sex – they only make love. "If you have someone that loves you, appreciate it... Because since sex came easy, love became harder to find."

‘Love at first sight’

None of them believed it,

Until they saw each other.

She knew it was him,

He was her prince.

He felt like his wait was over,

She was the one.

Together in their company,

They never felt sad.

Her gentle hands made his worries fly,

His warm hugs made her life bliss.

That dreamy night,

Moon was thinnest,

The sky looked spectacular,

Starts of love,

Glittered all over.

Her lips felt softer than ever,

His strong arms melted into her,

Making their moves,

They held their breath.

It's not right,

We must wait a bit.

They turned their back,

Not their hands.

They did not wanted sex,

All they wanted was love,

With that watering kiss,

They made love

Poonaam Uppal has authored a story of a girl finding her true love. Check it out at flipkart – “Poonam Uppal’s True Love – A Mystical True Love Story.”

Do you have your voice for “Yes or No to Pre-Marital Sex”? Speak you heart out for Indiblogger Contest – “Yes or No to Pre-Marital Sex”.