One Line

Browsing through my #Twitter (Oh! Pardon the hashtag, which by the way was once better known as octothorpe) TL (Timeline) I found an interesting link by @PenguinIndia. It's the link to a guest-post on their blog where the guest-author speaks of how 'one line' can sometimes change one's world forever and by drastic proportions. It could be something one reads or something one is told...

On reaching the end of the blog post I found myself doing what Aakash (Amir Khan's character) does in 'Dil Chahta Hai' immediately after the opera; I closed my eyes and went on a flash'bike' ride, frantically searching for that 'one line' that may have altered my world at some point.Though I can't remember the 'one line' verbatim what I do recall is that it was a series of conversations with one of my college professors that may have influenced my decision to start  my blog: Cuppa, two years ago.

I had had a tryst with writing before Cuppa though, they were brief stints that I didn't take seriously enough. While in school, there were those one off poems that I'd write on loose pieces of paper or on the last pages of old note books; then there was that relatively systematicncontribution of two short pieces and a poem to the youth section of a local daily. In college there was the writing that I did for the numerous public speaking competitions I had participated in, coupled with a few diary entries. None of this though made me feel like an aspirant writer until that one day in October of 2010. Like most of my decisions, this too was spontaneous. What started as a one off post today stands at over 100 articles and a substantial number of unfinished ones which I haven't put on the record.

I wouldn't call myself a writer just as yet because I feel that I've got 'miles to go before I sleep'. That said, it's what I'd call a good start. This one off incident, so well-planned by Him helped me discover a side of me that I always knew existed but never nurtured. We all have certain things that make us, us and doing those things gives our lives meaning. Writing, for me is that 'thing'. It makes me become more of myself each day.

We all have a purpose to fulfill in our lives and discovering what defines us is instrumental to fulfilling this purpose. I believe that in His time every human being is confronted by that 'one line' which alters one's  life to an extent that one is rendered prepared to embark upon the 'journey of fulfillment'; not for onesself alone but also for others; to make this world a better place.. in my case, one word at a time.

Link:

http://penguinindia25.tumblr.com/post/28822164784/dont-you-think-its-time-by-our-guest-blogger-ashraf

21 Going On 21

All of us have, at various points of time in life asked ourselves the dreaded question 'Who am I?'. As evolving beings, we are always in the quest to find our identity. Just the other day I was rummaging through the junk on my desktop (we all have cluttered desktops, don't we?) and I struck gold! Well, for me it was nothing less than gold because reading that Word document rendered me enlightened on many a level. 

Remember Orkut; yes, that oh so interesting social networking site which gradually lost its charm, thanks to Facebook. I can't tell you the number of times I've edited my Orkut profile content, during those days. I don't really blame myself; I had just turned 21 then and my efforts to figure out my identity were at their peak; though eventually I grew out of it. Turns out that I had saved a copy of my profile and here I was, almost half a decade later, sitting and staring at my 21-year old self.

I must confess that I was embarrassed at the utter childishness of my thoughts and may have even turned a deep shade of beetroot-red by the time I reached the end of the page. Nevertheless, I can't deny how amused I was to sense that the basic substance of my personality hadn't changed despite the emotional growth spurt. It was reassuring to realise that we never change, we just find out more about ourselves as we grow up. I too had unraveled the mystery of myself, still am!

What a wonderful feeling it is; the feeling of maturing over time like the cliched old wine in a new bottle!

Orkut Profile

About Me

I  am a very lucky girl! My life rocks and only good things happen to me!

For instance, once I walked right through two TCs without a ticket because I forgot to buy one and didn't get caught...hahahaha..

Another time I got upset over something but it was already time to sleep and so I din't have to break my head over it..hahahaha..

Yet another time I was confused if I should straighten my hair and I saw myself in a trial room mirror. I looked like 'blackielocks' and so my conflict was resolved..hahahaha..

Like everyday..I don't drink eight glasses of water a day and neither do I work out but I have an amazing skin, no acne..no pimples..no zits..hahahah..

I am an extremely sensitive and emotional person. I take a lot of time to trust people but once I do there is no looking back unless you break my trust. Then I'm the kinds who would just stone wall...

I can laugh at the drop of a hat....

 I am obsessed with Punjabi weddings and brides...(blush--flush--gush)

I don't think a mother loves her child more than a father does...

I like a bunch of flowers; no bouquets or single flowers and they don't have to be roses or orchids, just colourful :)

I am not a goodie goodie. I believe that well behaved women never made history...

If you think it's only difficult to go shopping with a woman, wait till you come with me. I drive the sales guys up the wall...
 
I blush when I'm complimented!!!

I love going to the parlour. It makes me feel beautiful...

I believe that beauty is more important than brains because it's when I look good that I feel good and it's when I feel good that I can get the best out of me....

I love listening to loud music....

I am a movie buff...
 
I love amusement parks. I can sit on the scariest of joy rides if you promise to sit with me...

If you think I can hurt you, smile :) because I can only hurt the people that I love...

I am an orator. Holding the mic and speaking in front of millions..debates...elocutions..compereing...it's just pure ecstasy to me...
   
I feel proud to be an Indian when I read Bharatiya Rail or Indian Railways on the trains...

I fancy the idea of girls riding bikes, jeeps...(I will ride a bike someday!)

My favourite F.R.I.E.N.D.S. characters are Ross and Rachel...

I believe in miracles and the strange thing about miracles is that they happen only to those who believe in them...:)

I aspire to be a beautiful and powerful woman someday...

21-year old me.

Rakhi..

Having resolved the problem of the tri coloured wires Aslam, our electrician finally shut the fuse box close. As my neighbour rummaged through her purse for a fifty rupee note Aslam inquired, "Aap raakhi nahi baandh rahe ho madam?" Smiling, she looked up and said, "Hum Hindu nahi hain." Immediately Aslam shot back, "Raksha Bandhan toh sabka tyohaar hai!"

Today is my most favourite festival, Rakhi. My fascination for this festival amazes me because I'm a single child and having never grown up with a brother it's strange that I should harbour a soft corner for Rakhi. Nevertheless I do and probably not having someone to call bhaiya in all these years makes me teary-eyed each time I think of this beautiful age old gesture. I've always wondered about the kind of person I would be if I had a little brat around; if I'd have to share my parents with someone, if I'd have to forgo the bigger piece of fish for someone, if I'd have to pull someone's hair out to get hold of the television remote...someone who would look like me, may be look up to me. Life would be very different and yes I would be very different.

Six years ago God granted my wish. I have two first cousins in Mumbai and that meant two wrists, finally! I did everything that I'd always wanted to do; peruse the endless lines of colourful rakhis in every other lane, buy Cadburys, set up the thread and chocolate on a steel plate, get my shagun...everything. Last year though I moved out of Mumbai and so today I have no wrists. That said I have a strong realisation of what it means to have a brother. It rises above the symbolic gesture of Rakhi. Today to me, having a brother means having a responsibility; having someone to love and care for; having someone to wish well for. And so I wish, and I pray that God blesses my brothers for all that they are and more..and I pledge to keep that sacred thread tied tighter than ever.

Happy Rakhi Bhaiya!