Breakaway (Sung by Kelly Clarkson - Not written by me)

Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I’d just stare out my window

Dreaming of what could be
And if I’d end up happy
I would pray

Trying hard to reach out
But when I’d try to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me

Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I pray
I could breakaway

I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly
I’ll do what it takes ‘til I touch the sky
And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway

Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won’t forget all the ones that I loved
I’ll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway

Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean

Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away
And breakaway

I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly
I’ll do what it takes ‘til I touch the sky
And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway

Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won’t forget all the ones that I loved
I’ll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway

Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging ‘round revolving doors
Maybe I don’t know where they’ll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway

I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly
Though its not easy to tell you goodbye
And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway

Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won’t forget the place i come from
I’ll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway

A Tribute to my Babaji (Grandpa)

As I try to write something here, there is so much I want to say,
But it’s so hard to find the right words to express true feelings.
The only way I can put across my thoughts is by recalling my feelings as I grew.

Babaji - When I was 5:
He is so strict. Always pushes me to study.
Let’s me play, but questions too much.
Scared to show him the report card.
He likes Munna bhai more than us.
Why can’t he scold Tauji and tell him that his mother is my Grandmother and not his?

Babaji – When I was 10:
Wakes me up early and forces me to read maths tables.
What’s the obsession with good handwriting?
What’s with the drinking milk every morning? I don’t want to.
Run upstairs and start studying, the minute I see him on the main gate back from office.
How much is a good score? Everytime he just says, Can do better.

Babaji – When I was 15:
What’s with being punctual and disciplined? Big deal.
What’s with early to bed and early to rise?
What’s wrong in reading novels?
Why should everything be done so perfectly?
Why should I always speak in a low tone and obey everyone around?
Why should everything be spic and span?
Why should I always take permission?

Babaji – When I was 20:
Narrates his childhood stories
Calls me laaddo now :-)
Trusts us more than his sons.
Has given us complete freedom, with the confidence we will never misuse it.
Enjoys talking to us more than anything.
Chats with our friends, like he’s chatting with his friends.
Is upset with R, but I guess both are upset with each other for weird reasons.
Takes our opinions and shares his view point. (Open-house)
Sometimes gets upset with Dad, which he discusses with us.
Became ill and got bed-ridden.

Babaji passed away in 2006. I did not cry, because I felt that I haven’t lost him. I knew he will be with me always in some sort of a habit or thought or act and I do feel him around. Today as I look back, I think about all those habits that he inculcated in me. I realize the meaning of that strictness now. I realize the importance of those talks now. I now see the difference he has made. I understand the value of his presence in my life. I understand the meaning of living life with self-respect now. Those words which he said made little meaning to me as a kid, but today when I recall those same words I see the impact that has made subconsciously.

For me to walk in the right direction I only need to ask myself one question, “Will Babaji be proud of me?” and if the answer is yes then it’s THE direction.

My 1st Grey Hair

Today I saw my first grey hair. My first reaction was “Yeh baal maine dhoop mein safed nahi kiye hai” ;-)

I don’t know whether I am wise now. At 23, am I supposed to be WISE? Naaaaa. Am still playful, naughty, funny, slightly responsible and answerable (to myself), learning lots of different things, discovering self, enjoying every beautiful day, and yes I do miss my Resoniaa days (wish I recorded at least one of them), that was the only time I believe we were living in a dreamland (can never erase them).

I see myself being neutral and self-dependent. Thanks to the extra baggage which is now delivered at the right address. I don’t know whether it’s right or wrong, but I don’t miss my family now. I do care for them, but I don’t miss them. I want to live on my terms and I am enjoying this totally.

So what was your reaction when you saw your first grey hair? Please don’t tell me you colored your hair :-)

BASIC Work Etiquettes

This is especially for those who overlook the basics of work etiquettes.

Reach office at 10.30, where you should have been at 9 – FAILED the 1st basic work etiquette

Enter a meeting 5 minutes late – LOST the 2nd basic work etiquette

While in a meeting, wander away from the point of discussion (this happens too often and I hate this) – SCREWED the 3rd basic work etiquette

Lost in personal thoughts (rather affairs) and working absent-mindedly – BOTCHED the 4th basic work etiquette

Postpone important matters/meetings/discussions/decisions – DISMISSED the 5th basic work etiquette

Criticize people. Instead of criticizing the work done (politely) and teaching the right way of doing it. - RUINED the 6th basic work etiquette

Forget to reply back (Don’t care to revert) – CARELESS about the 7th basic work etiquette

Fail to listen – IMPATIENT on the 8th basic work etiquette

My Favorites from Fountainhead

If I found a job, a project, an idea, or a person I wanted – I’d have to depend on the whole world

It’s so much easier to pass judgment on a man than on an idea. Though how in hell one passes judgment on a man without considering the content of his brain is more than I’ll ever understand. However, that’s how it’s done. You see, reasons require scale to weigh them. And scales are not made of cotton. And cotton is what the human spirit is made of – You know, the stuff that keeps no shape and offers no resistance and can be twisted forward and backward and into a pretzel.

The shortest distance between two points is not a straight line – it’s a middlemen

Do you know what you’re actually in love with?
Integrity. The impossible. The clean, consistent, reasonable, self-faithful, the all-of-one style, like a work of art. That’s the only field where it can be found – art. But you want it in flesh. You’re in love with it.

Fraction Of a Second

Have you ever realized the importance of a fraction of a second?
No?? Neither did I until now.

That one fraction of second if once lost cannot be regained,
That one fraction of second if once gained can never be lost.

How many such fractions of time do we live to live for?
How many such fractions of time do we wish to erase?

Sometimes we wait for years to feel that one fraction of second,
And when it finally comes, we are unable to hold it.

How I wish I could just record all those fractions I yearn for,
Only to play, pause, or replay each second, to re-live it till I live.

Blank Happiness

Sometimes when I question myself about what happiness is,
Or what is it that can make someone happy,
I go completely blank.
When I question myself, when was the last time I felt happy,
I go completely blank

It’s a strange thought, but how do I know I am happy today,
What would it feel when you are happy,
Is there a true happiness??
Happiness means differently to different people,
Till date I am unable to discover my happiness.
Is it material, a person, a gesture, a fact? What is it?

Most don’t find time to think about the actual happiness,
And simply believe they are happy.
Some say they are happily married, others say they are happily settled,
Do they really find happiness in it?
May be they want to believe they are happy,
And the belief of being happy makes them think they are happy

Guess that’s why it’s said human mind is tricky
Because only a human mind is capable of fooling itself
And how innocently or rather proudly one lives in this foolish world of happiness
Making oneself intentionally believe that he is happy.