Redefining Love

Sometime back I had reviewed a wonderful book called How about a sin tonight? by Novoneel Chakraborty and had said in my review how this book had made me look at love and relationships from a very different perspective. I had also shared a few beautiful quotes from the book with a promise to do a full post dedicated to the wonderful thoughts from this book which definitely deserve much more than a thought. So here it goes:

Source: Google Images

Thought for TODAY: 31st December 2012

This year was like a roller coaster ride for each one of us. I happened to add a lot of people into my life in terms of entry and exit both.

• Some were like winters - they left me feeling all cold.
• Some were like the summer - they spread warmth all around my heart.
• Some were like the monsoon - who drenched me in the rain of their love and then moved away like the passing cloud.

While there were some like the sky, walking along with me, in each step telling me "I am there."

Each one of them truly matters as they made me what I am today. They taught me a lot of things and left me with some good and bad memories both. I have had some wonderful times with each of you and I truly cherish them.

So, whether you are winter, summer, monsoon or the sky, here's a huge THANK YOU from Me to you for everything!

Source: Google Images

Guilty my Lord!

Yesterday when the Delhi gang-rape girl succumbed to her injuries somewhere in Singapore there was something that died in every Indian woman. More than anything else it was the hope, hoping for things to change, hoping to feel safe in her own country and hoping to not be blamed for a crime committed on her.

That girl might have died physically yesterday but actually we had killed her long back already. We killed her when we blamed her for all that she went through. Though if I ask who is to be blamed for this, there are a lot of voices which will say the system and law and order. But there are also many voices which said it’s her fault to be out at this time. Or rather should I say it’s her fault she was born a woman in our country. I am shocked at the thoughts of the society where they surprisingly blame a woman for any untoward incident happening with her. 

When I was abused as a child – I was blamed for it.

When as a teenager some random youth molested me on the road – I was blamed for it.

Thought for TODAY: 30th December 2012

Some people come into your life only to teach you what you should not be.

Silent Saturday

Thought for TODAY: 29th December 2012

In life it is imperative to understand the real intentions of people around you as sometimes this misunderstanding is the mother of all troubles.

Thought for TODAY: 28th December 2012

It is a blessing when a stranger understands your pain and cares for you, but it is a curse when your loved one is not able to do the same.

Book review : The Secret Wishlist by Preeti Shenoy

Introduction

·         ISBN: 978-93-82618-18-8

·         Genre : Fiction

·         Price: Rs. 175/-

·         Pages: 256

·         Publishers: Westland Ltd

Many times in life you are running towards a goal, only to realize midway that it was a mirage. And when observed closely you will see that you don’t even have a handful of memories to cherish, rather you are only left with a fistful of sand and loads of unanswered questions in the name of it. A Secret Wishlist is a book which not only makes you question many things but also makes you realise the importance of simple things like trust and love.  

Behind The book

Source: Google Images

Does true love really exist? Can a kiss change your life?

Thought for TODAY: 27th December 2012

Most of the beautiful and important things in life are left unnoticed like our breathing. We notice them many times when they are no longer there.

Book Review: The Artist of Disappearance by Anita Desai

Introduction

·         ISBN: 978-8-184-00281-2

·         Genre :Fiction

·         Price: Rs. 250/- ( I got this book from the publisher for review)

·         Pages:150 pages

·         Publishers: Random House publishing

The first thing that attracted me to this book was its name. The artist of disappearance sounds so haunting and mysterious that I knew I had to read this book. Very rarely do you come across a book which not only attracts you by its title, but also by the cover page. The cover page in itself seems to tell a different tale. Over all an attractive package making you want to grab it at the next opportune moment and devour it. 

Behind The book

Source: Google Images

In this trio of exquisitely crafted novellas, experience the soaring brilliance and delicate restraint of one of India’s great writers.

Thought for TODAY: 26th December 2012

Most of the times it is not the fear of failure but the fear of being ridiculed upon that stops us from listening to our heart and doing what we want to do.

Thought for TODAY: 25th December 2012

As a child we never have to prove our love and affection to anyone. But as we grow up we have to keep on proving it constantly only to be doubted in return.

Merry Christmas!

Thought for TODAY: 24th December 2012

Letting go of the past was one of the bestest thing I did not for anyone else but for myself as I realised I was holding on to shreds of threads while the rope of hope was long broken.

Book Review: P.S I Love you by Cecilia Ahern

Introduction

·         ISBN: 978-0-00-727010-1

·         Genre :Romance

·         Price: Rs. 250/-

·         Publishers: Harper Collins

Life is all about relationships…Beautiful, entertaining and invigorating relationships. Love is the language of the universe and our heart. Love is one of the strongest emotions in this world. And it is this love which gives us the strength to face any problems that life sends our way.

Behind The book

Source: Google Images

Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly and Gerry.

Thought for TODAY: 23rd December 2012

Sometimes in life you get 99% love with 1% doubt, leaving you perplexed whether to be happy or sad about it!

Thought for TODAY: 22nd December 2012

Life has a strange way of showing you things - one day you are barely noticed and the next day you are a hot favourite.

Silent Saturday

Thought for TODAY: 21st December 2012

Sure shot sign of improvement - when your worst critic praises you!

Thought for TODAY: 20th December 2012

Mistakes are God's ways of showing you your limitations of being a human.

Thought for TODAY: 19th December 2012

Heights of taking someone for granted - Re-entering someone's life long after your exit and expecting things to be exactly the same way you had left it!!!

Whispering Wednesday

Today's Whispering Wednesday Word  is Change. As they say change is the only thing constant in this world. But I always wondered why we change, till I found this:

Source: Google Images

Book Review : Untruly Yours by Smita Shetty

Introduction

·         ISBN: 978-93-81836-29-3

·         Genre :Romance / Chicklit

·         Price: Rs. 125/- ( I got this book from the author for review)

·         Pages:146 pages

·         Publishers: Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd

Sometimes in life you reach a crossroads where the only thing clear ahead is confusion. With loads of choices to make and some important decisions to be taken, one is reduced to a bunch of confusions. Amidst all the chaos of life, ultimately we lose our own self. Smita Shetty’s Untruly Yours is the journey of one such confused soul who is out to find her own self. 

Behind The book

Source: Google Images

Natasha is compelled to make tough decisions about her love, friendship, marriage and parenthood.

Thought for TODAY: 18th December 2012

Taking a sanyaas does not necessarily mean walking away from everything and leaving life. It also means staying amidst everyone and still choosing to be unaffected -unattached by everything that happens around you.

Dua (A prayer)

Source: Google Images

ख्वाइशो की ज़मीन ~ ख्वाबो का आसमान; न जाने आज ये  जिंदगी लायी  कहा।

रास्ते है हसीन , मंजिलो के करीब; क्या दिखा रहा है मुझे मेरा नसीब।

कितना खूबसूरत है ये  सफ़र, न जाने क्यों मुझे लग रहा है डर।

कई ठोकरों के बाद ये  मुकाम हासिल हुआ है; रेह  जाये यह मेरा होके  मेरी यही  दुआ है।

::::::Translation:::::

A land of wishes and a sky of dreams, today my life has brought me at such a place. 

The way is beautiful, very close to my destination...it seems my destiny wanted me to see this.

This journey is beautiful but I am scared as after a lot of hardships have I come here. I just pray it stays with me forever.

Thought for TODAY: 17th December 2012

Sometimes in life you reach a stage where, when you look back you don't see anyone. Fret not. It does not mean you are last in the race or you are alone. It simply means, you are the performer on this stage of life and people are waiting as audience to see your performance. Just ROCK IT!! ♥

Thought for TODAY: 16th December 2012

I love the look of disbelief in someone's eyes when you say " You hurt me with that" as if to say I never intended that.

Silent Saturday

Thought for TODAY: 15th December 2012

Sometimes dreams are nothing but God's way of letting you know the level of your imagination.

Thought for TODAY: 14th December 2012

It takes only a moment of revelation to make you doubt your entire life!

Thought for TODAY: 13th December 2012

Some lessons in life need to be learnt the harder way as there would be no meaning left had they come the normal way.

Thought for TODAY: 12th December 2012

Some decisions taken a while ago suddenly seem wrong midway - Fret not - its God's way of testing your determination to reach your goal.

Thought for TODAY: 11th December 2012

Misunderstanding love and care is reversely proportionate to understanding it.

Book Review: How about a sin tonight? by Novoneel Chakraborty

Introduction

•  ISBN: 978-8-184-00031-3
•  Genre Fiction
• Price: Rs. 125/- ( I got this book from the publishers for review)
• Pages:285 pages
•  Publishers: Random House Publishers

"We are all a little weird and life is a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”- Dr. Seuss. The moment I read this quote I had fallen in love with. Well, yes I would call it love and weird is how I would like to describe my feelings for this book as. I wonder if this quote describes true love to the perfection. For that matter I wonder if something like perfect true love exists in this world. If I am sounding confused – thanks to Novoneel Chakraborty! His book ‘How about a sin tonight” has left me in a daze as I contemplate various things like love, relationships, dreams, aspirations, desires and life at large. 

Thought for TODAY: 10th December 2012

Life would be much more easier and simpler if we could segregate all our wishes as want or need!

Thought for TODAY: 9th December 2012

Life is like a game of chess  played by rules and defined movements - you are"OUT" if you don't follow it!

Silent Saturday

Thought for TODAY: 8th December 2012

However much importance people give you in their lives, there comes a stage when you come to know your real place which does not match with your thoughts!

Thought for TODAY: 7th December 2012

Holding onto something unnecessary in your life leaves no place for the necessary to enter.

Book Review: The Music Room by Namita Devidayal

Introduction

• ISBN 978-8-184-00054-2
• Genre Fiction
• Pages 310
• Publisher  Random House India
• Price Rs. 295/- ( I got this book for review from the publisher)

Having learnt Carnatic music (instrumental) for 8 years I share a very beautiful bond with music. I believe music is the language of the soul. The biggest example for this is my music teacher - who is suffering from Alzheimer’s today and has forgotten everything but music; the moment you start playing any musical piece her fingers automatically start drumming the talam. Isn’t it astounding?

There are many reasons why I chose this book. Firstly and most importantly for it is about a guru and a shishya, which reminded me of my teacher, secondly it about learning music and thirdly it is about learning much more than just music. It is about learning how to live, love, listen to your heart and most importantly know your real self. All this makes The Music Room by Namita Devidayal a very special read for me. 

Thought for TODAY: 6th December 2012

People talk bad behind your back and say good things on your face - that is when you make a frenemy as you don't know whether they are your friend or enemy!

Whispering Wednesday

Today's Whispering Wednesday Word  is Happiness.Happiness is something which we all want in life and all our actions some way are meant to achieve it. But it always remains elusive to us for some or the other reason. Sharing a secret behind the elusiveness:

Source: Google Images