The Circle Of Life

As a child and well into my young adulthood I was scared of death, of funerals and then life happened, I grew up.
I realized that Death is nothing but the calculation of life, the finality, the total sum, the finale.
I ponder as I attended my grandmother's funeral, her death bringing everyone closer, everyone having each others back in the toughest time of life. The crowd that gathered for the departed soul, to celebrate the love for the person, to celebrate the life that's no more. I stood there missing her love yet still feeling it all around me in the memories that I will always behold. I stood there watching others some of whom I had never met and yet felt connected with her stories they told. I stood there watching people shed tears, I saw the smiles suddenly appear on some loving deed of her someone shared. As people comforted each other, offered their respect to the departed one, we stood together till the time the burden of grief was bearable enough, we stood together sharing the love and together we stood for her.
As you grow older you tend to see and understand death more, another funeral in the family reconfirmed my belief. Here we were again another set of people yet bonded by one, for one.
Yet again I wondered this circle of life doesn't measure the years you lived but how you lived in the years you had.
The circle of life it starts as soon as a life is created, the amount of love that goes on, that everyone feels, cherishes, nurtures, which doubles up on the birth of a new life, the celebration of a new life coming to this world. Adding so much joy, love and togetherness to the lives of people connected by these loving bonds. The feeling is so pure so raw and so happy. The togetherness of people that a new life brings into this world.
We often talk about this but we fail to appreciate death, to even celebrate it for its in this toughest time yet again another major milestone which brings people together. All those whom we have touched in our lifetime in some way directly or indirectly, all those in whose life we make a difference by our deeds. All those whom we give a bit or loads of love, those who are bonded to us by feelings and not just birth or relations. And for those who have separated and lost in the harshness of life, they too find their way back to the tribe, to celebrate once again to the life that was, is and will be. Life and Death so different yet what they do is so similar, bring people closer, to love, to cherish, to hold - whats most important - the togetherness and these bonds.
And just like that I wonder about the most important circle of life that starts with love and ends on love.
Birth or death, they don't differentiate they just bring everyone closer everyone together. It makes me realize, to think - that's what is the most important thing, that's what life/death teaches us - Love, togetherness - the most important aspects of living. To love is to live to die to breathe. That's what we tend to forget the most while making a living, we just exist. The highest purpose of life on earth is to get people together, to love, to spread love, to be loved to give love.
So why not, in our daily grind just love a bit more, smile a bit more, bring people together a bit more, live a bit more and leave behind a bit more of us in other people.
The love we give to go around when we are long gone. Let that remain in this world long after we become mud, the love that we gave, the smile we smiled on someones lips, the happy laughter in the crowd somewhere for the joke we cracked, the warmth of the hugs we shared so freely let them linger even after we are gone.
We have a grand entry and exit which both mark us in this world. We don't control the entry but let the exit be a Grandeur. Let people enjoy and celebrate our life as a Box Office Bumper Hit.

Let us live longer in the richer memories, I can compromise a bit on my worldly possessions but not in your heart.
Let me celebrate life and death like never before, one day it will be my turn and I would want mine to be the grandest celebration of them all.
Let me live before dying and let me keep living after death in your heart. 

Bhakti Khade Rangoonwala 

We Think We Have Time.

The trouble is we think we have time - Buddha

Its such a short and simple line with the meaning staring at us in the most honest sense however we steadfastly deny to accept it on its face.
We live for tomorrow, we are ingrained to think about future about past mistakes.
We seldom live in today. Whatever we do its always for the betterment of future never today. Honestly, who will see tomorrow do we know. Do we even know how much will we live and in what condition. Then why dont we live in today.
I take rest today and not on the weekend. I deserve that chocolate today. Let me wear the nice dress today and not save it for a special occassion. Take that vacation, learn new things, spend quality time with loved ones.
Who knows how much time do we have. So I will make my time beautiful now. Live life fully now. Not holding grudges, forgiving now, exercising now, loving now, Living now cause time is just a mirage and we are caught in its magic.
Plan for tomorrow but live today.
Don't think about what can happen in a month or a year. Just focus on today and make it beautiful, do the best you can to reach where you want to be cause all we have is now. So why take anyone and anything for granted. Life is unpredictable but beautiful nevertheless, its precious and so are we.
Let everyday be like the last day ever and life certainly will be big if not long and beautiful.
On that note I am sharing an outfit close to my heart and style and easy breezy look in my favorite shade pink and its a pale pink.

Bag - Victoria Secrets 

Denims- Levi's

Top - Roadster

Footwear- Footin

Watch- Tommy 

Neckpiece - Romwe 

xoxo

Bhakti 

Seasonal Love

Call me confused, can't stick to one thing or can't chose or can't make decision, yet I still will stick to my opinion - I love all Seasons.

In my defense can you compare between two Gods, then how can you compare and to top it all chose one season. Seasons are the most perfect and beautiful things to keep the earth going, without them it would have been one monotonous ride. 

Every season is so beautiful and gets with it the beauty and wonderful things it had to offer. 

I love rainy seasons reason being I think it's so romantic, walking under one umbrella. It's fun splashing puddles, playing in the rain. Oh the beauty of the earth in rains. It's like rainy season is thd bathing season for the earth. Hot pakoras and chai. The fragrance of the wet soil. What's their not to love. Everything is in full life and fragranced. 

Winters bring along with them the cool, breezy and windy nights. Snow I many countries. Beautiful weather, hot soups. Movies cuddled in blankets. Comfort food ladled with cheese. The earth in winters looks at it's best. 

Summer season - the season for vacations, for a dip in the pool. The season for mangoes, watermelons and juices and fresh fruits. A season to relax and take a break. The earth dressed in golden hay and trees all shedding away the years tiredness and waiting to dance in the rain back to life is a miracle. Summer I feel is the month to shed away all inhibitions, eat well, be active, travel and just enjoy. 

How can you compare any one now, the beauty of these seasons is what makes the earth and hence life so miraculous and happening. 

How can you deny me my seasonal love for each one of them. Can you blame me for not chosing one? I think not 😜

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of each.” —Henry David Thoreau ❤️❤️






xoxo
Bhakti

A Buterfly - Yes, Indeed

We keep cribbing over everything, over a puddle of water which is splashed on us, over a flat tire, over all the insignificant event and struggles small or big in day to day life. We keep cursing and trying to blame it on one thing or the other. We even keep blaming God for the minutest of things which are not according to us.
But at the end of the day aren't these things right from childhood, what really shapes us. Struggles and obstacles in life make us strong and the person we are. Life is about achieving one goal after the other no matter how small or big, isn't it ? That's why Life is so beautiful because we have to struggle to make it beautiful. There is no importance of a thing which is not achieved by some struggle or aim, neither is the life without goals enjoyable. Victories over these struggles make us strong and define us as a person.
I personally can't live a boring Life without any challenges or aim and goals to complete in any form. I actually see myself stronger and value myself better when I do things on my own and fight my own battles. Its not that I don't like to take help, just that I enjoy being independent and doing things by myself. I strongly believe in my own work and working for myself. Not that I like others working for me or helping me, its just that I like my work better, or me working better. Now what does this say about myself, I wonder ? ( am I a control freak, or a hedonist, just fiercely independent.. ??) ;p
I came across this beautiful story and just wanted to share it with you all.
Hope you enjoy it.

When he was a small boy, he had loved butterflies. Oh, not to net and mount them, but to wonder at their designs and habits.

Now a grown man with his first son to be born in a few weeks, he found himself once again fascinated with a cocoon. He had found it at the side of the park path. Somehow the twig had been knocked from the tree and the cocoon had survived undamaged and still woven to the branch.

As he had seen his mother do, he gently protected it by wrapping it in his handkerchief and carried it home. The cocoon found a temporary home in a wide-top mason jar with holes in the lid. The jar was placed on the mantle for easy viewing and protection from their curious cat who would delight in volleying the sticky silk between her paws.

The man watched. His wife's interest lasted only a moment, but he studied the silky envelope. Almost imperceptibly at first, the cocoon moved. He watched more closely and soon the cocoon was trembling with activity. Nothing else happened. The cocoon remained tightly glued to the twig and there was no sign of wings.

Finally the shaking became so intense, the man thought the butterfly would die from the struggle. He removed the lid on the jar, took a sharp pen knife from his desk drawer, and carefully made a tiny slit in the side of the cocoon. Almost immediately, one wing appeared and then outstretched the other. The butterfly was free!

It seemed to enjoy its freedom and walked along the edge of the mason jar and along the edge of the mantle. But it didn't fly. At first the man thought the wings needed time to dry, but time passed and still the butterfly did not take off.

The man was worried and called up his neighbor who taught high school science. He told the neighbor how he had found the cocoon, placed it in the mason jar, and the terrible trembling as the butterfly struggled to get out. When he described how he had carefully made a small slit in the cocoon, the teacher stopped him. "Oh, that is the reason. You see, the struggle is what gives the butterfly the strength to fly."

And so it is with us. Sometimes it's the struggles in life that strengthen us the most.

Author Unknown

 

 

Yes I am a Butterfly, fighting my battles, fiercely independent and flying freely all over.

 

xoxo

Bhakti

Pastime or Dream time

I love to indulge in my pastimes and complete my day.

Its so much pleasure coupled with relaxation and joy. I believe everyone must give in to their pastime/ hobbies and enjoy life to the fullest.

I have loads of pastimes being reading, writing, listening to music, drawing and the list just goes on....

 However my favorite pastime is more like a dreamtime.

Honestly, wait till you hear it out, you will completely agree with me.

I just love to fill my spare and not so spare time, planning vacations.

I love to go through new places and do in detail research on them, find out their itineraries, good places to eat, great shopping, good hotels and homestays, faraway places. I watch loads of videos of the same and start planning innumerable trips wherever my heart feels like.

Its like I visualize myself in that location, doing things, enjoying the food, shopping to the fullest.

Its my dream time and my dream world.

Its how I make all my dreams come true and all my travels a super hit.

I love dreaming and then working towards realizing these dreams.

being in my dream world is what I love the most and I cant have it any other way.

 

as they rightly say

 

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.- T.E.Lawrence

 

This is what I wore for a casual cuppa the other day.

 

 

Neckpiece- Pink Pvssy

Sandals- Carlton London

Top- Splash

Denims- levis

Bag- Esbeda

 

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

T. E. Lawrence

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/telawren130039.html#1f3LtsjmvSvzs97l.99

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

T. E. Lawrence

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_dreams.html#R2FSyBbxaOvdEqsZ.99

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.

T. E. Lawrence

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_dreams.html#R2FSyBbxaOvdEqsZ.99

So now you know my favorite pastime. ;p

 

What is yours?

xoxo
Bhakti

 

Nature with its magical Inspirations #naturesfriends

Nature can weave you in its magical web and inspire you to do the unknown beyond your dreams.

One such story I would love to share with you, so innocent yet so powerful. Nature does wonders we still fail to comprehend to the fullest.

On a hot summer afternoon in Pune, a little girl of 6 yrs of age was playing on the terrace of her home. While playing with her doll, she decided to bathe her and went to one of the small olden drum filled with water in order to water plants. Standing on her little toes and peeping inside the drum to take some water, she saw a black thing in it. Scared to her wits, she let out a little scream and ran back some steps. Curiosity got her back tip toeing to the drum and peeping inside with one eye shut and legs ready to sprint again. What she saw didn't scare her, but melted her heart, a black crow, had fallen in the drum and was trying hard to stay alive. A feeling to help him overtook the fear, she was not that brave to touch him and pull him out.
God alone knows where she got the idea from but the little girl took the small bucket meant for watering plants and dunked it in the drum until she scooped the crow in it, she further emptied the bucket on the floor in a shaded area and out of fear of the creature ran for her life. She did come to the terrace in the evening, however the crow wasn't there. She felt sad on not seeing the bird but was also glad that it flew away which meant that he was alive.
When she descended the staircase she realized there was a crow sitting on the brim, too close for any other crow she had seen. She mustered courage and went near it, the bird stood its ground and didn't fly off. A child's impulse, she stroked the head of the crow and it still sat there. She ran off to tell her mother about her victory, she never ever saw that crow again.
What she didn't know was that incidence had changed her beyond her thinking.
She started loving nature unknowingly, started looking after small insects, giving small grains of sugar to the ants, watching the vibrant colors of the lady birds. She wanted to save nature to safeguard animals, the feeling that she had got after saving the crow and petting it on his head was unparalleled. It made her friends with nature and its creations, the urge to safeguard them, to play amongst them was magical.
after her mother told her that the crow must have fallen in the drum trying to drink water, she
started keeping water for birds in a shallow vessel on the terrace for them to drink and she followed this for years and I still follow this. Yes that little girl was me and that crow was and still is my inspiration why and how I became friends with nature. I still water and grow plants in the hope of saving lives related to it directly, indirectly. I still get really heartbroken when on highways I see mountains being broken up to make way for buildings. I Dance with joy and am happiest with nature, gurgling streams, chirping birds, creations of nature.
That afternoon a crow changed me, helped me understand true love for nature and its magnificent creations. Lesson I learned then but understood now. Inspired by the crow then but understood now.
But isn't it that lessons learned in childhood are learned forever, they get etched in the heart.
Every child should be taught to befriend nature, to love it and safeguard it. Its the need of the hour.
Importance and magic of Nature in its truest form.

 

 

p.s This post is written for Kissan  #naturesfriends contest http://www.kissan.in/

xoxo
Bhakti

Lessons from Noah's Ark... with a Pink tadka..

I was just going through Noah's Ark story and came across a very unique interpretation of the things we learn from it. I was really fascinated and decided to share it with you guys, of course with my interpretations too ;p

Lessons from Noah's Ark...

My interpretation and take on the lessons in brackets.
One: Don't miss the boat. (obviously all other means of transport too ;p, Respect time.. )
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat. (equality matters, don't underestimate anybody.)
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. (do plan ahead, but don't live in the future)
Four: Stay fit - When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. (someone might ask you to do anything big anytime)
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. (listen to the critics and just polish your act but don't let everything bother you.)
Six: Build your future on high ground. (aim for the moon, you will land in stars, aim for the stars and you will land on the ground)
Seven: For safety  sake, travel in pairs. (no wonder God made us in pairs.)
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. (Don't underestimate anybody, Speed differs for everyone)
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while. (Rejuvenate, Relax, Refresh- 3R's)
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. (Passion is the real mission, just love what you do, its all that matters.)
Eleven: No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting. (if there is no storm, what's the value of a rainbow)
Twelve: You may want to leave the woodpeckers off of the ark. (stay away from unwanted elements in any form)
 

 

 

Wasn't that good ?

 

and now Outfit of the day-- there's still a little chill in the air-- so here goes --

 

This is what I wore for a brunch with friends over a casual professional meet.

 I swear by tees with jackets in winters, so comfortable, chic and warm. :)

 

 

 

I love this Tee and I Love Quirky prints.

 

Jacket - Max

Quirky tee- Fashion street

Denims- Benetton

Wedges- inc5

Bag- Bangkok- Platinum mall

Watch- Fast track

Ring - Pink pvssy

Neck piece- Vero Moda.

 

xoxo

Bhakti

 

A mane story

A screaming toddler being taken to the barbers shop to trim her hair again, short really short, after a while the screams give way to silent sobs and sighs. Till then the barber has worked his hands over the hair which now resembles a freshly mowed lawn. The sequence goes on for years and now the girl who is no more a toddler is habituated to the short hair and the easy maintenance of them(perks of short hair). Time passes the girl enters her teens and all conscious of her appearance now, takes the ever longing task of the once toddler In her hands and thus begins the relationship with my hair.

Yes I grew my hair in my teens till then all my life I had a smart boy cut. Smart though it was it can never match the charm of long hair. And this is how I was the proud owner of long tresses of dark brown hair. I played with them unconsciously when I was joyous, rolled them in my fingers in my pensive thoughts, hid beneath it when wanted to escape questions. It was then I realized how I loved my long silky soft mane. They were my best friend. I tried then to recharge it regularly to keep it as beautiful as ever and this marked my introduction to the charming Sunsilk products and thus started the process of recharging my hair to make it healthy, nourish it and make it grow longer .

This relationship with my hair thus continued, when I met a boy once on entering a class and swished my hair behind with one movement of my head. Then I knew, after that the boy never stopped looking at me or my hair. We became friends and I still remember that he played with my hair once and I swished my hair back again in that same movement, and scolded him don't touch my hair. Years have passed and I still let him play with my hair sometimes swishing and scolding him, as he is my beloved husband now and exchanging naughty loving smiles.
I remember him telling me once that since childhood he wanted a partner who had beautiful long hair, and here he fell in love with me and my hair. hehe  I still hide behind my hair when I have done something naughty, I still curl my hair with my fingers when I am thinking.
I love to feel the wind in my open hair when I ride my bike, my most memorable moments with my hubby on our bike rides with the lovely cool wind in my hair.
We love travelling, me and my hubby and I love to get picture perfect snaps with my hair open
I always keep my hair open, I color it, I make it go under so much treatment, I literally torture it from every thing I do still it never complains and remains the same as gorgeous as it ever was.  I love it by recharging it with the best possible care.

I need to recharge my hair with all the care I can get to keep recharging my husbands love for my hair as well as mine. It's my best friend and best friends deserve the very best. Guess in order to recharge me and my life and everything I love in it, I will always recharge them for the rest of my life. I will recharge them to be who I am, to continue being so.
Had it not been for Sunsilk recharge my life wouldn't be the same at all, would it? Thanks Sunsilk for recharging my hair and my life. I owe you big time:)


My Many Mane Moods -- ;p

and thus the mane story continues ......


xoxo
Bhakti

This post is written for Sunsilk contest on Indiblogger.

Holiday hangover - Thailand tales -- Pattaya it is.

As most of you know that I have been ranting about my holiday. Well to tell you honestly I still have a massive holiday hangover which refuses to go.
So here I thought why not blog about the same as I can't keep the thoughts to myself alone ( so typical me hehe)
Bangkok being one of the popular destination of the world. As you all know I being a OCD victim have a habit of doing in depth planning and research of most of the things (eyes rolling) so I was all prepared and well versed with Thailand. Thanks to bangkok.com which is an amazing website which allows you to download a free pdf guide as well as has detailed iteneries, maps, convenient travel, packages, food, shopping and any other think you can think of listed.

Tourism Thailand site which has detailed information about Thailand, everything you need to know and much more.

But Thailand has its own way. It springs surprises at you no matter how well you are prepared.
Thailand especially Bangkok and Pattaya are so similar to Mumbai yet so distant and mystique I felt. Every lane (soi as they call it) had a surprise to offer, something new to discover.

We were there for 9 days in Thailand but every day was a new experience. There is so much to explore, so much to experience and at the end of it all Thailand binds you in the magic unknown, and all you can do is keep reminiscing your experience until you create another new one with Thailand.

Don't worry as you very well know me, I am going to provide you with all the details of my Thailand trip with its beauty, markets, shopping, tips and tricks.

However today I feel like beginning with the last leg and day of our holiday, that was in Pattaya.
As you very well know that I am driven by my whims, so here it goes.

Pattaya- (we were here for 3 nights)

Completely took us by surprise, after much insistence of our peers and family not to take Pattaya and instead go to the pristine Phuket, stubborn that I am, thus here we were in Pattaya and were we glad about it.
Pattaya has its own charm. Active by night more than day, though plenty of things to do during the day as well.
We use to sleep till late, have a huge lunch, take a stroll or swim on the beach, go for a massage, do some shopping, get ready and have a relaxed dinner after which we used to go for a walk at the walking street followed by long hours of shisha till the wee hours of morning.... ahhhh Bliss indeed!!


Have a look yourself---

Lunch at the pizza company, we  had ordered extra large bbq chicken, the quantity was huge, but I found the pizza slightly on the sweeter side, though cheesy. The cheese garlic bread was yum.

 the remains--

 Pattaya beach - the beach is a thin strip in the common area filled to brim with loungers, one can hire a lounger for a small fee and sip beer for hours looking at the sea. Tip - buy a beer from the 7/11 stores located widely all over at short distances, you will find everything that you need in these stores, right from mobile recharge to ice creams, snacks, and everything. the price of everything you buy here is very economical.

 well I wont suggest to take a dip in the sea on this common beach as the water is dirty and polluted, one can swim in the private beach adjoining their hotel, or go to the nearby jomtien beach.

There is lot of street shopping in front of the beach. One can get good deals, I got myself a huge haul of swim wear. Do take souvenir Thailand magnets across the street- cheaper than Bangkok. Vast variety of pubs, restaurants with different cuisines, fast food joints, street Thai food available across the street.

dress- westside

footwear- footins

we- happy happy !

Massages are available in plenty- but do check their license as many times they fool you into illegal activities and take money- the massages start from 120 to 200 baht for feet massage (1 hour)

The walking street is closed for vehicles at night, the action starts after 8-9 pm. exotix shows, beer bars, shopping, street shows,fish market, you name and you have it. One needs to experience the pulse of this street to understand it. Must do ! (obviously not for children)

Shisha places dotting the streets near the walking street. have a beer and shisha and sit for hours watching life go by. All the shisha places are facing the road with chairs and tables put up on street. This was our favorite part.

Till my next Thailand post .

take care and plan up your vacation

xoxo

Bhakti