What is your greatest fear?

Today I asked this question to my friends, and below were the replies: 

• Fear of going blank
• Fear of the word 'FEAR' itself
• Fear of being different from others
• Fear of being emotional
• Fear of darkness
• Fear of feeling insecure
• Fear of losing my skin complexion
• Fear of death
• Fear of drowning
• Fear of my inability to quit smoking
• Fear of being unable to care for myself
• Fear of seeing owls
• Fear of the unknown within me
• Fear of being hurt by loved ones
• Fear of silence
• Fear of being fat/ugly
• Fear of losing my loved ones
• Fear of a thought about falling from mountains or helicopters
• Being a loser
• Fear of staying alone
• Fear of getting married
• Scared of heights
• Fear of being alone without family and friends
• Fear of my possessive nature
• Fear of loving a man, I would love a dog without any fear, because dogs won’t breakup, neither will they wake up one day and tell, “I don’t love you anymore…”
• Fear of air suffocating me
• Fear of the unexpected

Recently read one blog post titled, “Five Great Ways to Conquer YourFears” on ZenHabits.net. In this blog post the author says, “Whatever your fears may be, you can either let those fears form boundaries beyond which you can’t move or grow, or you can face them head-on and allow them to become opportunities to move into new places in your life.  The choice is truly yours. “

Actually this strategy works, first you find out what are your fears, and then you convert those fears into your strengths. Till now, I have conquered few of my fears using this strategy. Try it today people, who knows it might work for you too, or you may find your own way of dealing with your fears while trying this method! However, talk to yourself about your fears; do not feel that you are a weak person if you have some kind of fear. It is very much human to have fears, but slowly we have to learn to stretch ourselves...going beyond our fears, isn’t it?

"Autobiography in five chapters" from Portia Nelson

One of the few poems I really love, "Autobiography in five chapters" from Portia Nelson:

1) I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in.  I am lost...I am hopeless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. 2) I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don't see it.   I fall in again. I can't believe I'm in the same place.  But it isn't my fault. It still takes a long time to get out. 3) I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there.  I still fall in...it's a habit My eyes are open; I know where I am; it is my fault. I get out immediately. 4) I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk I walk around it. 5) I walk down another street.

Experiencing the joy of being alive yourself...

There might be someone in your life who makes you come alive…beautiful!! but also question yourself if you can experience the joy of being alive without the need of anyone in your life, else shit happens :P

When you are experiencing the joy of being alive yourself, then it means you are giving your happiness in some other person's hands, which leads to unavoidable pain.If you want to get away from such pain, better you control your mood, not someone else out there! :) 

Be kind to yourself, and be happy! :)

Flowing with the force of life...

I have realized that we have the ability to choose certain thoughts, and thoughts are connected to our emotions. If we consider our “personality” as a tree, thoughts are different branches of this tree. Certain thoughts are negative and can harm the growth of this “personality” tree. And in such case, it is better to cut that branch or that particular leaf. There is no point in sticking on to negative belief systems or negative thought patterns. Thoughts and emotions are not two separate entities, they are all the same. However, I cannot choose all my thoughts, but if I understand that certain thought patterns are harming me, then I consciously try my best to avoid such thought patterns, and it has worked for me.

What we think about ourselves becomes the truth for us. It took time for me to merely accept this fact initially when I started reading Louise L. Hay’s book “You can heal your life”. What a wonderful experience this book is! You may think that you are a very happy person, and nothing is wrong with your life, then why do I need to read this? But, it is not about who is in need of this book, it is about lot of other things. It is such a wonderful experience reading her book, the way she deals with thought patterns and the impact thought patterns have on our lives. Read it people, it is worth it! Helps people to do mental diet – a diet from negative thoughts! :)

Few people say, “how much ever I try, I can’t be happy, since my happiness is with Mr.X or Ms. Y”, but I believe that happiness should be found within us. Only when we find happiness within ourselves, can we make others happy. Never leave your happiness in other person’s hands, you keep it with yourself. This much of selfishness is required for you to keep you happy first of all! Later, you can try to make others happy.

Similarly, only when you love yourself, can you love someone else. Let’s not look at ourselves through other person’s eyes! The reality is that we have to look at ourselves through our own eyes, create a mirror for ourselves, where we respect the person we see in that mirror, love that person and care for that person – this realization of self worthiness is more important for those who are depressed, finding their happiness with someone else.

When we believe we are responsible for what we are, then we are taking control of our own happiness, but when we believe someone else is responsible for our happiness then we are losing control over our own happiness, giving the control of our happiness to other person.

I enjoy allowing myself to flow with the force of life, enjoying every moment, and living every moment, taking life as it comes but making the best out of it every moment with all my heartfelt efforts.

An interesting conversation!

X: What according to u is the triumph of imagination over intelligence?
Y: What else it can be other than my madness!
X: What? I did not get u.
Y: Love is merely madness! And I enjoy every moment of it!

Raw versus Processed!

One day I was thinking about people with whom I can be just myself, no matter what I think, what I feel, what I love to do and what I dislike...these people accept me as I am and love me so much for being just ME.

While I was thinking about such people in my life, I felt there are two kinds of thoughts raw and processed. Raw thoughts are those which are escaped from the processing in our brain...it is what we feel, it is spontaneous and when you have people in your life with whom you can share such thoughts without any fear, without any shame, without weighing those thoughts, without being worried of consequences...it is a real blessing!

And, next there are processed thoughts - think before you speak type - which are weighed much in our brain, before expressed, thinking if it is right or wrong to express this, and if yes, in what way it should be expressed, what words should be used...how can I communicate it right, all these things.

I do not mean that we can be rude with those with whom we share raw thoughts/emotions...it is just that we are spontaneous with them, sharing trust with each other that neither of us have any intention to hurt, and we share with honesty...what ever we feel...naturally...and this can happen only with a complete acceptance of a person. Moreover, in case of people with whom you share raw emotions or thoughts and just be yourself, there will be love at first place, which is more important than anything!

Be yourself, no matter what you are...if you go on losing your individuality, then you will have to replace yourself with someone else created by others for you! Never let that disaster happen to you at any point of time in your life!

Be careful before you split your tablets!

Here is a small note for those who take tablets splitting them. Even I used to do it often being lazy to search for tablets of dosage that I wanted. However, now I have changed this habit of mine, since there are a range of options available for those tablets.

Many researchers warn that splitting tablets into two or more parts is potentially dangerous (since tablet parts are often unequal in size) and could lead to people taking the wrong dose.  Specifically, with regard to pills that have a narrow margin between a therapeutic and a toxic dose, it is more dangerous. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing has revealed that 31 percent of split tablets deviated from the recommended dose by at least 15 percent and sometimes by more than 25 percent. The study suggested that the pharmaceutical firms should produce a range of options, including smaller or bigger dose tablets.

If suppose the dosage prescribed for you is not available in the market, then I feel it is better to talk to your doctor about it once, and confirm if it is fine to split tablets to take recommended dose.

Take care, and be healthy!

Source: Sify.com

Being FEARLESS is not necessarily the absence of FEAR!

Recently, I read about Taylor Swift's view about the meaning of "FEARLESS". I must tell you that those lines reflected what was in my mind, which I could not explain with words! I was so happy reading those lines, it was as if you feel you are heard, when someone says something about you! I cannot resist myself from sharing those lines, here you go:

"To me, “FEARLESS” is not the absence of fear. It’s not being completely unafraid. To me, FEARLESS is having fears. FEARLESS is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, FEARLESS is living in spite of those things that scare you to death. FEARLESS is falling madly in love again, even though you’ve been hurt before. FEARLESS is walking into your freshmen year of high school at fifteen. FEARLESS is getting back up and fighting for what you want over and over again… even though every time you’ve tried before, you’ve lost. It’s FEARLESS to have faith that someday things will change. FEARLESS is having the courage to say goodbye to someone who only hurts you, even if you can’t breathe without them. I think it’s FEARLESS to fall for your best friend, even though he’s in love with someone else. And when someone apologizes to you enough times for things they’ll never stop doing, I think it’s FEARLESS to stop believing them. It’s FEARLESS to say “you’re NOT sorry”, and walk away. I think loving someone despite what people think is FEARLESS. I think allowing yourself to cry on the bathroom floor is FEARLESS. Letting go is FEARLESS. Then, moving on and being alright…That’s FEARLESS too. But no matter what love throws at you, you have to believe in it. You have to believe in love stories and prince charmings and happily ever after. That’s why I write these songs. Because I think love is FEARLESS."

On a quote by John Sterling

John Sterling  has said "Emotion turning back on itself,and not leading on to a thought or action,is the element of madness", what do you think about this? 

Dad: "Manasannu emotional - rational endu compartment madalagadu. Hannolage beeja iruvanthe bhavadolage buddhi - buddhiyolage bhava iruvudu."

Ayodhya verdict reminds me of...

Ayodhya verdict reminds me of a poem by Roumi about an elephant surrounded by a number of blind men in a dark room. Each blind man touches one part of the elephant and describes it accordingly. To one, the elephant is a pillar. To another, it is a table-cloth!

Most memorable conversation from the movie G.I. Jane

Master Chief John Urgayle: Pain is your friend, your ally, it will tell you when you are seriously injured, it will keep you awake and angry, and remind you to finish the job and get the hell home. But you know the best thing about pain?

Lt. Jordan O'Neil: Don't know!

Master Chief John Urgayle: It lets you know you're not dead yet!

Sometimes life drags you down from the clouds & that's good - Lisa

I just read an article titled “Sometimes life drags you down from the clouds & that's good” published in Times of India. Model Lisa Ray who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on June 23rd, spoke to TOI's Bharati Dubey on her struggle in coming to terms with the disease and why she went public about it. In her blog “The Yellow Diaries”, she writes, “Myeloma is incurable. It’s a relatively rare cancer of the bone marrow that affects about 6000 Canadians. Every year, approximately 2100 more cases are diagnosed. I’m a junior Member in many ways, having been diagnosed at 37, while the average age is 65. Makes the disease not quite as ‘Sexy’ as other Cancers. But we can change that. In the industry I’m in, you could say, its motive alone that gives character to your acting… I’m going to do everything I can to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and Cancer Awareness. I believe it can be cured. That’s the Dirty Realist in me…I know I’m not trusting the situation. I’m treating my battle like its inconvenient, managing the stage like a tyrannical Bollywood choreographer, but worst of all, I’m not looking it in the eye. I’m letting the situation tyranise my heart. I need to ask for help and support. They say, name it, then you can recognise it. Then deal with it. Yup. In time.”

I really got shocked realizing her strength & determination while battling against multiple myeloma, which is a very rare form of cancer. I wish researchers discover a treatment for the cure of multiple myeloma with a holistic approach.

Hats off to Lisa for being so optimistic and positive in her battle against this disease! Truly, it’s better to be realistic than being idealistic about life.

This is how I look when I cry according to Raki

My close friend, Raki was drawing some rough sketches of how I will be looking if I cry and requested me not to cry anytime as I look really bad when I cry...lol

Hats off to the greenest firm in India!

Currently, Wipro Infotech is top green firm in India. The firm has been rated as the No. 1 green brand in our country as per the latest edition of Greenpeace’s ‘Guide to greener electronics’ ranking. Also, Wipro Infotech is one among the list of top five global green brands in the world. With this, Wipro has not only reasserted its top position among Indian IT brands, but has also marked a place in the league of top-five global green brands. Wipro could acieve this mainly due to its efforts its efforts in energy efficiency and for managing e-wastes effectively.

The voice of silence...

Why is that sometimes one can understand the feelings unspoken but can't understand words spoken! I really wonder and it is so very strange. Unspoken feelings when understood by our loved ones make us immensely happy. It is a real blessing to find someone who can respond to your unspoken feelings. Sometimes the communication that two hearts have in silence is more beautiful than the words shared....it reminds me of a song…one of my most favorites…“When you say nothing at all”.

Its amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you dont say a thing

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
Theres a truth in your eyes saying youll never leave me
The touch of your hand says youll catch me when ever I fall
You say it best..when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd (the crowd)
Try as they may they can never define
Whats been said between your heart and mine

The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Lets me know that you need me..

(you say it best when you say nothing at all
You say it best when you say nothing at all..)

WWF Earth Hour: Join in...

Citizens from across 85 countries in over 800 cities around the world are switching their lights off on March 28, 2009 for one hour, from 8.30PM to 9.30PM, to raise their voice against climate change. It's now happening in India for the first time. Tell your family, friends and colleagues about WWF Earth Hour and ask them to join in and switch off for a healthy planet.

This year Earth Hour (Vasundhara Ghatika) has been transformed into the world’s first ‘global election’, pitting earth against global warming. For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch to vote; switching off your lights is a vote for earth, while leaving them on is a vote for global warming.Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008, the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with over five crore people switching off their lights.

The Social Forestry Department (SFD) has appealed to all its 9,000 eco-clubs and four lakh student-members to observe the Earth Hour on March 28. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to vote for earth during the Earth Hour, and this number is growing everyday, officials said.

What will you be doing at 8.30pm on Saturday March 28th? We're keen to know what you have planned for Earth Hour 2009. If you'd like to share your plans with me, then post it under 'comments' section :)

Greed for money makes a father ruthless!

As I started my day at office, I read this news which horrified me and left me in a painful silence. The Mumbai police have arrested a 60-year-old man from Mira Road area for allegedly raping his elder daughter for the last 9 years. The ordeal began in 2000 when his elder daughter was 11-year-old. The elder daughter, now 21, was allegedly raped for 10 years. The businessman started raping his second daughter - a 15-year-old - just a few months ago. The mother of the two girls has also been arrested for abetment. How disgusting is that!

The man apparently acted on the advice of a self-proclaimed tantric friend who advised him to establish physical relations with his daughter to improve his financial condition. Along with him, the mother of those two girls and the tantric have also been arrested for abetting the incest.

One side we talk of globalization, rationalization, fighting blind beliefs all that and the other side such horrible acts happen! I was just thinking of those two girls, who were exploited for the prosperity of family and to obtain financial stability! How much painful it will be for those two girls, usually if any problem comes in the childhood or teenage, we go to our parents, share with them and feel so happy sharing every little thing…let it be a bigger or smaller. But, where will those girls go, if parents themselves push them into such a living hell!!! How painful it is and what will happen to those poor little girls…how badly their hearts must be wounded along with the physical abuse!!!

Thank God atleast the elder daughter revealed about this insane act! She confided in her maternal grandmother when she saw her younger sister being targeted just as she had been by her father. The girls further disclosed that the tantric had raped the younger sister, who is now 15-year-old. For now, the girls are staying with their maternal grandmother and uncle.

Sources: Hindustan Times & IBN Live

What's the biggest strength of a woman?

Sowjanya Shankar: Her perseverance

Rocksta: Lots of them....I can narrow it down to two: forgiveness and patience

Shilz: “Being a woman”

Usha Gokak: Multi-tasking and patience

Mouli Bhattacharyya: Patience

Suja Meladath: I guess patience to tolerate almost anything…even injustice because she thinks of others first

Sangeeta Ghosh Dastidar: Patience, stoicness.....and tolerance too…and…hmmm can go on...

Namisha Srivastava: Her sensitivity

Prerna Peer: Her patience

Rakesh Kishore: Her patience, her never ending love and care to her loved ones…specially children

Kavitha Kumar: Her flexibility

Prathima: There are many, to name a few…her caring nature, patience, never ending love, tenderness, being soft, forgiveness, great cook, big kind heart, adorable and one can rely on her anytime

Guruvardhan J: Her tears

Anonymous: Confidence, hard work, timeliness, mannu masi etc… idne alwa elru helodu… ah range alli think madake baralla nange

Surprisingly, most of the women, I asked did not know what is their biggest strength! They just said they do not know and did not want to talk about it further.

Koi mil gaya...!!!

Wondering...why I am talking about this 2003 movie now!?

That's because our Indian researchers have discovered three alien micro organisms!

Our Indian scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have discovered three new species of bacteria in the upper stratosphere. Stratosphere is a layer of Earth’s atmosphere and it is layered in temperature because it is heated from above by absorption of ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Three new species of bacteria found are highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation and these species are not found anywhere on the earth! This leads to doubts that if these species are of extra terrestrial origin! These three species have been named as Janibacter hoylei, Bacillus isronensis and Bacillus aryabhata. A 26.7 million cubic feet balloon carrying a 459 kg scientific payload soaked in 38 kg of liquid neon was flown by researchers from the National Balloon Facility in Hyderabad, operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. The payload consisted of a cryosampler (also called as cryogenic sampler) containing 16 evacuated and sterilized stainless steel probes.

Generally, a cryogenically cooled adsorber is used in such a system for maintaining the vacuum. Stratospheric air was collected using this balloon-borne cryogenic sampler. And, the probes were telecommand opened/closed at pre- determined altitudes. Throughout the flight, the probes remained immersed in liquid neon to create a cryopump effect. And, for those who are wondering what is this cryopump…well, it is nothing but a vacuum pump, which is able to trap gases and vapors by condensing them on a cold surface. The cylinders used for collecting air samples from different heights ranging from 20 km to 41 km, were later parachuted down and safely retrieved by researchers.

They detected 12 bacterial and six fungal colonies, nine of which showed greater than 98 percent similarity with known species on our Earth. However, three bacterial colonies were totally new species! This experiment does not assure the extra-terrestrial origin of these three species but certainly provides an immense encouragement for those who are highly interested in exploring the origin of life!

Lets empower ourselves!

A Woman Should have.....enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to... something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...a youth she's content to leave behind.... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry.. a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family... a feeling of control over her destiny...

Every Woman should know -how to fall in love without losing herself.. how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing... what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Green builidings as a part of green lifestyle!

Thanks to a growing awareness of the green building concept in our country. Trust me, this is such a beautiful concept. A green building uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard building.

Sticking to worldwide standards in constructing buildings, the Tata Housing Development Company Ltd., has built Bangalore’s first Green IT park, Xylem near Whitefield.Tata Housing’s Xylem, an environment friendly green IT park and the only LEED Gold certified building in Bengaluru, is an engineering marvel, which not only saves energy and cooling costs but also gives more lung space and natural light for employees working there.

Xylem was selected for "Project of the year- Bengaluru" award by Accommodation Times, India's oldest knowledge-based periodical on real estate. Xylem, the first of its kind green building in Bengaluru received the trade honor close on the heels of becoming the only building in the city to receive the LEED Gold certification. The award was conferred to Tata Housing at a gala event at the Nehru Centre Auditorium in Mumbai on February 24, 2009.

Green buildings are popping up and for good reason—green design elements not only help save environmental resources, they also boost the bottom line and are good for health and morale. Sophisticated buyers and companies leasing office space are willing to pay a premium for the benefits that green buildings offer.

This IT Park has been designed to tackle the ‘Sick building syndrome’, with its major focus on occupants’ health with an ergonomic design and architecture. The design boosts employee productivity as well as helps reduce the operational cost of the building.

Solar panels cover the 35% of the terrace floor space, which acts as a standby power for the common passage areas providing 23kW of power translating to 27,530 KwHr of annual power leading to a saving of Rs 150,463 per annum.

Xylem uses rainwater harvesting and 100% of the wastewater is recycled for landscaping use. Sensory taps are installed at all basins and toilets that further reduce the water consumption.Overall, the building is designed to be approximately 19% more efficient in operational cost as compared to a conventional building. Other benefits include savings of 26.6% on air-conditioning power & cooling costs, 34.1% saving on water supply and 1.6% on common area power.

So, what you say for the concept of green builidings - YES or NO?

Be truthful but also tactful...

They say, "being not able to tell a lie is a weakness". However, being truthful does not necessarily mean be an asshole. You should learn to be honest, but tactful like Lord Krishna. There is a lot of difference between "being truthful" and "being genuinely truthful" ! If we just stick on to the rule "being truthful" then we become rigid and suffer like Lord Rama!

As Jackie Harvey says: "Never be too honest about yourself. Some things are for you and only you to know. Last thing you should want is for people to be tripping over all your what should have been skeletons in the closet."

Further, he says: "One phrase that comes to mind immediately is “the truth shall set you free.” Does it really. As children we are taught not to lie. Some parents allow little white lies. Some don’t because they believe that it’s still lying no matter what. The thing about little white lies is that they come in handy. For instance, when a friend has a new outfit and you are thinking that it’s the most horrendous thing you’ve ever seen, but would you tell her that. No, probably not. Here’s where a little white lie would come in handy. Assuming she asks you what you think of the outfit, you would reply, “Susan, that’s a great shirt and you look amazing in it.” She’s happy and so are you. Me, I don’t like doing that. I’m brutally honest. I do in fact sort of lie. I usually answer with a “if you like, then I like it.” STOP right there. Most people know that when I say that, it means I don’t like it but if you do, then that’s all that matters. So, did I lie or did I just tell the truth.

Being honest does not mean telling someone whose laugh gets on your nerves to shut up and never be happy. Some things people cannot change and should not have too.

I can’t stand it when people say what they think you want to hear. If the world suddenly came down to a this or that and the choices were being honest all the time or lying, I would hope people would always be honest. I just think that this world seems to be raising wimps. Sure, we all get are feelings hurt every once in a while but at least you know where you would stand with people. People don’t want to hurt others. Ever. I’m not saying we should go around putting others down but when someone asks for your opinion, give it to them. If you come off too mean by what you said, you can always apologize. People should learn to forgive. We shouldn’t be afraid to speak our minds and feel as though everything we say or do will be judged.

I guess in the end it’s up to you to decide whether you want to be safe and tell white lies or have my kind of truth which is usually harder to have to listen to. My truth is the one that people know they can trust, it’s one they can respect.

If you live a lie and avoid telling others and yourself the truth then, how can you expect anything or anyone around you to be real?"

Fight against crime!

It was so painful seeing in news channels regarding this horrific attack in Mangalore on young women on Republic Day! Pub revelers at “Amnesia” were beaten up by the activists of a self appointed, moral watchdog – The Ram Sena. The trauma suffered by the young women is inexcusable...The State should do the right thing...more over I wish women are empowered soon...such that even if someone tries to molest them...they give back properly!

The sick part is that molesting women is not seen as crime by many men in India and 99% of molestation cases in India go unreported!

Crime against women is not something new in our country. I was shocked knowing that in every 32 second one woman is raped, in every 25 second one woman is killed (including female foeticide) and in every 18 second one woman is molested in India!

Instead of waiting for the Government to take action, if women themselves get empowered to fight against this crime, that's much better!

Hail to Achilles!

“Achilles”, a character I love the most! I always dreamt that my “dream boy” would have those qualities I love in Achilles! He possessed strength, great personal power, and fierce pride, loyalty, courage, bravery, military skills and honor. Yet his conduct was also shaped by anger and stubbornness. The tension between Achilles' larger-than-life virtues and his all-too-human weaknesses plays a role in the mood of heroic tragedy found in the Iliad. Achilles is of mortal-immortal heritage. Although he is often referred to as "son of Peleus" (a mortal), his mother, the sea nymph Thetis, had dipped him as a child in the River Styx causing him to be immortal everywhere except the heel by which she held him. Achilles seeks the wise counsel of the gods and entreats his mother to use her diplomatic skills to gain favor with the other gods. He attempts this when he tells Thetis, "Go to Olympus, plead with Zeus/ if you ever warmed his heart with a word or any action" (I, 468-69).

Achilles is a famous warrior, feared by many, who the Achaians depend on to win the war. Even his enemy, Agamemnon, recognizes Achilles' strength when he declares, "That man is worth an entire army,/ the fighter Zeus holds dear with all his heart --" (IX, 141-42).

Even though overweening pride is a tragic flaw in Achilles, a quality that softens his strong character is loyalty to a friend. Achilles' agony over the death of his warrior-companion, Patroclus, is no less strong as he risks his life and reenters the war in order to avenge his friend's death. He tells his mother,Thetis, "I've lost the will to live,/ to take my stand in the world of men -- unless,/ before all else, Hector's battered down by my spear" (XVIII, 105-07).

In The Divine Comedy, a long poem by the Italian writer Dante Alighieri in the early 1300s, Achilles is shown living in the Second Circle of Hell, a place reserved for those who died because of love. Dante wrote that Achilles "fought with love at the last"—a reference to the legend that Hector’s brother Paris lured Achilles to his death by making him think that he would be meeting a woman he loved. Achilles died in the Trojan War, shot through the vulnerable spot in his heel by Hector's brother Paris, who had started the war by kidnapping Helen.

Hail to Achilles!!!!!!!

First impressions matter...

Today, while browsing health related news, I came across an interesting study, which has revealed that if the trust is broken in the beginning of a relationship, it is more difficult to overcome than a betrayal that occurs after ties are established. First impressions matter when you want to build a lasting trust. If you get off on the wrong foot, the relationship may never be completely right again. It is easier to rebuild trust after a breach if you already have a strong relationship!!!

A light within ur heart...

Love makes u realize the light of peace and compassion that dwells throughout the universe... and within your own heart. Once u realize it, life becomes so very beautiful!

Pratz & poem!

My frnd, Pratz dedicated this poem for me: Felt nice after a long time...someone made me feel so special, loved and needed ;) Love ya prathi...u made my day sweetie.

YOU

I was void and alone…

Looking for someone to belong….

Some one who is special and out of this world…

Creating magic and shining like a pearl…

I searched everywhere, in the woods and in sand…

But you were there very close to my hand….

You seemed like an angel, like a dream come true..

I was delighted that you embraced me thru…

You are mesmerizing like early droplets of the rain…

I promise to stand by you through the joy and the pain….

Wanna thank you but words are hard to find…

Just understand that you are on my mind…

Now it’s a feeling, which I felt never before…

My own...

Sometimes it's the people that you least expect that end up being your biggest supporters in tough times. I have encountered such situations several times. It is strange but helps me to know who are "my lovedones", whom I can call my "own" people, who are always there to support me, even before I ask them ! Life is a blessing with such people. Isn't it?

Kyon judaa hogaye

I heard a song in “Aakaashvaani” last night. This song was heart touching. I tried to download this song but failed :( I really loved the lyrics of this song…but I don’t know it is from which movie!

Here is an excerpt of the lyrics of this song, as far as I remember :)

“Wafa jinse ki bewafa hogaye
Wo vaade mohabbat ke kya hogaye
Jo kehte the hum toh hai zamaane mein sabse usko pyaare
Wo hi aaj humse judaa hogaye

Wo vaade mohabbat ke kya hogaye
Kyon judaa hogaye

Wo itna bataade kabhi paas aake
Mila hain unhe kya, hume yu mitaake
Katha kya kiya maine ki wo kafa hogaye

Wo jinke liye hum fanaah hogaye
Wo hi humse judaa hogaye…”

If anyone can give me a link to download this song, please do provide!

Criticism & me!

I feel lucky that I have been criticized enough that it taught me a lot about myself and about people. I chose to accept the criticism and change, so it helped me to be a better person.

Some of these criticisms I took to heart and made a constructive effort to change my ways. That's because my inner "SELF" told me that it was true. And, I do not care for some of these criticisms because my inner "SELF" told me that it is wrong. We can't just believe every bad thing anyone says to us. If you are true to yourself, that's enough. Isn't it? You must be wise enough to differentiate between criticism that is true and pseudo-criticism just meant to hurt you.

Dostana

Last weekend I watched Dostana movie with one of the best among my best friends :) The story line was horrible but the fun it had was awesome! After really a longtime, I and my friend laughed like crazy watching this movie. It was like an extended version of gay thing in Kal Ho Na Ho…and also a latest episode of Film fair during which Shahrukh & Saif acted like gays! lol (I still can’t forget how funny was Shahrukh & Saif’s dance for piya piya song from Har dil jo pyaar karega – during recent film fare episode)

Abhishek’s story of Venice (a created lovestory) with John, Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam song while Abhishek’s mom accepts John to be her son’s life partner, John n Abhi’s acting while pretending to be gay couple in front of an officer who comes to check if they are a gay couple or not…and their dance for beedi jalile song…lot more…everything was a total pack of fun…Watch it...its hilarious!!!

John says emotionally: ‘Whatever the critics may have had to say in the past, the fact is that I have faith in my audience. That’s because they understand what I stand for; I am someone who does fun films. Some of them may be experimental, different, but my aim is to always entertain them’.

The music by Vishal- Shekhar is just amazing…my favorites are Maa da laadla, Desi girl and Jaane kyon. The gayness in the movie is a little overpowering.... but it even makes the grim moments quite funny..To conclude, it is definitely not a “must watch” kinda movie....but a superb time-pass... especially if you watch this movie with your friends…

Sowji, finally u came out after almost 10 years, to watch a movie! May be that's why, it was raining almost entire day ;) We had lunch together at American Corner, one of my most favourite on Brigade Road, especially when I am with friends...then lot of shopping...Can't forget that panipuri we had when it was drizzling...mmm.. my mouth is watering ;) It was all together fun and a memorable day for both of us :)

A right amount of change

Some people achieve a certain sense of serenity even in the midst of turmoil. Their patience amazes me! They are not immune to the disturbing emotion but they find their own ways to get just the right amount of change…I guess that is what needed for peace in life!

Give a chance for your wounds to heal !

Sometimes it so happens that we confuse dreams with reality and at such stage we fail to see the truth. However, an awful and most painful defeat of life comes when you surrender your dreams to reality. This may stop you from dreaming. You may feel like a bird with its wings being wounded making it unable to fly! Just imagine, how terrible it is if the person whom you love the most cuts your wings…totally disastrous, isn't it? I have no words to explain such pain but I have seen the pain of such people. Now, they are happy, and guess why? That’s because they understood that they are the ones who should take care of themselves and they are the ones who should see to that they give a chance for their wounds to heal!

Remember, if you are the one who never wants your wounds to heal, then nothing or no one can help you!

We face a lot of conceivable troubles while struggling to get the real happiness we need in our lives. I have seen one thing that life is a hell both for an idealistic person and a practical person. A blend of idealistic & practical view is what needed to live a happy life. In my battle to achieve this blend, I have now become realistic! I feel that’s much better!

If pill has got brains!

You might have heard a lot about iPod, iRobots but have u ever heard about an iPill? Wondering what it is? Definitely not Cipla’s emergency contraceptive!

Philips has developed an "intelligent pill" (iPill), which contains a microprocessor, battery, wireless radio, pump and a drug reservoir. The uniqueness of this iPill is that it can release medication in a specific area in the body.

This iPill capsule can measure acidity with a sensor to determine its location in the gut, and can then release drugs where they are needed. This iPill is especially useful for those who are suffering from digestive tract disorders. Delivering drugs to treat digestive tract disorders such as Crohn's disease directly to the location of the disease means doses can be lower, reducing side effects.

However, capsules containing miniature cameras are already used as diagnostic tools but one disadvantage with these capsules is lack of the ability to deliver drugs. Also, these iPills can measure the local temperature and report it wirelessly to an external receiver!

But I don’t understand why everything must start with “i” ??? ;)

Suffering is stronger than any other teaching

We have to live each day as if it were our last. The past is over & gone, let’s not live in it. If you are lost in the past, you can’t see the sunshine of your future. However, the future is not guaranteed, so we should give the best we can today.

I always have felt & realized one thing that blessings alone do not open our eyes. Most of the times, we come closer to the God within us in the “breaking” & not in the “blessing”. If we look at the positive aspects in every incidence of our life, that’s probably one of the best ways to enjoy LIFE as a blessing and make it worth living!

Suffering is stronger than any other teaching, because it teaches us how we should be…we might be bent & broken, but that’s what gets us into a better shape and helps us fine tune our life!

When you are giving something, you are not at loss...

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back for sure. Do not expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their heart, but if it doesn’t, be content that it grew in yours! Remember that when you are giving something, you are not at loss...that person is at loss, who will go away from you! Isn’t it? Let’s think positive ;)

Commitment, something rare in most of the relations!

Commitment does not mean sticking to a person when you do not have any option or problem. According to me, commitment means keeping a relation with someone you love even though you have lots of better options and hell lot of problems! Such commitment I have seen till now only in parents with their siblings!

“Blessings” vs. “Breakings”

Blessings alone do not open our eyes. We come closer to the God within us in the breaking and not in the blessing. Alas, how lucky are those broken hearts closer to the God within themselves!

Let’s stop acting as if life is a rehearsal…

Stop acting as if life is a rehearsal. Live this day as if it were your last. The past is over & gone, don’t live in it. Stop dancing with the ghosts of the past, it is gone, so be done with it. Don’t dig your past when all it can give is only pain & emotional turmoil! The future is not guaranteed, so give the best you can today!

Problems help...

Problems help us to know someone we love better. Guess why? That’s because problems reveal the inner you, how you react under pressure. When there is a problem, you can know how the real “you” reacts!

People often change…

I think people often change for two reasons; it can be either that they have learned enough that they want to change or they have been hurt enough that they need to change!

However, most people are far more prone to let the bad experiences shape their views than the good experiences!

Don’t wait for happiness…start walking towards it!

For most of the people, the vindication of the loved object is the “best balm” affection can find for its wounds. It hurts to see the pain of such people. .especially if they are our loved ones then it hurts a lot to see them tormenting!

Sometimes it so happens that you may need to live vacant moments, by living inwardly, again & again, through all your remembered experiences and haunting memories, but trust me, it’s you only you, who should get out of it, nobody cares, nor bothers what are you up to! It’s only you, who should take care of your life! Don’t wait for happiness…start walking towards it!

I love orchids

If you can grow houseplants, you can grow orchids. I love orchids a lot. Like any other plant, orchids must have the growing conditions they need to survive…but they are amazingly sturdy and resilient.

Orchids always make me so happy….they are so exquisite! Sadly, many stunning species have gone extinct :(

Several medicinal orchids are being exploited in the wilds. Collectors, nurserymen and other hobbyists should keep in mind that they should exercise sustainable methods while collecting orchids from the wild.

Kerala is a sensible state regarding the value of these flowers and the state is also called as the paradise of orchids. Kerala is using some of these flowers in its local health traditions (Cymbidium aloefolium, Eulophia cullenii etc).

What if circumstances does not favor?

I never believe someone who can take proper action only if circumstances favor. Always believe someone, who can struggle to take proper action & be there for you even if circumstances does not favor!