A lone tree

In the barren land, 

there lies a lone tree,

left behind by its brethren,

in the passage of time. 

Once abundant, losing its sheen,

dagger of progress, making the kill,

an oasis of the nature's blessing,

paved the way, for road widening. 

First they arrived, on the foot, 

cut his friends, cleared the bush,

then came the drill and excavator,

breaking stones, digging the ground. 

The songbirds stopped singing, 

the flighty critters ran for covers,

as the bees and insects fall back,

even the flowers lost their fragrance. 

The leaves burn, in solar heat,

rain water convert to steam,

forces of gale, putting pressure,

many fell victim to erratic weather. 

Yet, it stood strong, on the sides,

been supported by kind people,

shielded by makeshift barricade,

protecting it from outside interferences. 

And so, it flourished, all alone,

keeping memories of the friends,

life comes alive, under its shade,

smaller scrubs, to bigger vegetation. 

Even now, when the tired men,

seek a refuge, from heat or rain,

its shade provides, welcoming respite,

an oasis indeed, in deserted land.

Decisions we regret

Some decisions we regret,

for, we have seen the end,

as it might have led to success, 

reaching the goals, at the earliest. 

But we made our choices,

out of reasons or some impulses,

and we wished, to make a difference,

showing the world, what we gained. 

Yet, life had some other plans,

so we faced many setbacks,

regretting those missed chances, 

that might have saved our tracks. 

And slowly, we lose confidence, 

questioning those past decisions,

wishing ways to turn back our time,

to prevent mistakes from happening. 

So I wondered, in those days,

feeling down and heartbroken, 

would I have chosen that same path,

given the opportunities for redemption? 

As I contemplated, I found answers, 

timelines doesn't provide many options,

if we aren't willing, to change perspectives,

transforming ourselves into another being. 

It's no use, crying over spilled milk,

don't lament, be envious, if they succeed, 

walking at our pace, facing trials if needed,

and remain true to our inner voice.

Uncanny valley

There are things,

that make us uncomfortable, 

a feeling of 'something not right',

arising from harmless imitations. 

Be it in animated movies,

or characters from games,

a mannequin at the store,

or a doll present in our home. 

Bukimi No Tani...

A theory named,

displayed in x and y axis,

human appearance vs creepiness. 

We love things that look like us,

making them more relatable,

but then it comes, uncanny valley,

when it gets strange and off-putting. 

For, it looks almost human,

yet, it seems more insincere, 

and we notice the subtle flaws,

through receptors for detecting dangers. 

It's something encoded deep within,

developed through the process of evolution,

perceiving threats, feigned emotions,

activating mechanisms of self-preservation. 

And it becomes significant, 

since it's not limited to art forms,

development of artificial intelligence, 

had brought us to a new stage. 

Would we find it comfortable, 

by overcoming feeling of eeriness,

or face distress, unlocking primal fears,

if these advancements lead us to...

Uncanny valley?

Making some wishes

There are times, I make wishes,

reciting within, the desired contents,

yet, getting distracted to mental noises,

of varied thoughts, jumping together. 

It's chaos, breaking the flow,

even sprouting unwanted ideas,

that goes against the nature,

of the wishes, that I invoked. 

So I paused, took some moment, 

To collect self, before starting again,

being focused to the very essence,

of the reasons involved, in my requests. 

Our mind, is a mysterious space,

bringing with it, a capricious climate,

it's difficult to rein, by naive hearts,

yet, can be learned with discipline. 

Thus, I pondered the significance, 

our word plays, in daily dealings, 

showing a clear path to follow,

converging ideas, into meanings. 

For, knowledge is indeed omnipresent, 

like energy, can't be created or destroyed, 

still, it requires a proper channel,

to manifest its true function. 

And the ancient sages knew,

creating verses, to be chanted,

controlling our impulsive mind,

giving it, the right direction. 

Then again, 

it might also be...

That I have fallen victim,

and given a free access,

to my inquisitive brain... 

For making some random wish !

Persistence of memories: melting time

The world is that stage,

where an ever-changing time lays,

flowing from the past, to the present,

going beyond into the future.

Still, there are some places,

perpetual, remaining the same,

be it the sky, cliffs and vast ocean,

memories of picturesque landscape, 

The first impression, that I felt,

browsing Salvador Dali painting, 

were the presence of barren field,

with different natural elements.

A shadow looms, over the foreground, 

as if from an unseen mountain,

depicting the transition of the time,

from daylight to the evening. 

Time, being the main theme,

yet, the clocks were melting,

each having a different meaning,

for us to understand, make theories.

Hanging by the broken branch,

melting clock, might signify lost past,

only coming as broken pieces,

never to be regained back. 

The clock over the table, is our present,

lies neglected, falling downwards,

accompanied by a pocket watch,

slowly devoured, by the ants.

And we, fading figure on the ground,

with closed eyes, in dreamy state,

being oblivious of the surroundings, 

letting the moments slip away...

As the clock melts. 

Still, I do wonder...

As an amateur viewer,

if moments are changing,

the clocks, keeps on melting,

should we keep holding memories?

Hoping for it to persist, even without us.

Power attracts, altruism sustains

Power attracts, desired by many,

a strong hand, that holds the reins,

letting us free, of our worries,

make decisions, or fear uncertainties. 

And the one who wins the trade,

in that world of survival games,

would be crowned by the masses, 

to run the place, with iron fist. 

It could be anything,

from groups to communities, 

where the might is praised,

while softness, considered weakness. 

But it needs constant reminder,

not letting the strength falter,

using obedience, as preferred way,

to avoid free will or any rebellions. 

Yet, it's a brittle cage,

not prepared for longer stage,

breaking apart, like a pack of cards,

with a new flow, wind of change. 

It's been shown in studies,

societies that have stability, 

are built by deepening bonds,

listening ears, helping hands. 

It's an art of reciprocation, 

the ones with altruistic heart,

share the burden, raise the trust,

like a large tree, with sturdy roots. 

So, let's value these gentle qualities,

cherishing compassion and empathy,

for, we do get swayed, by displays of valor,

but a stable society needs more kindness.

Subh Deepavali

 In the auspiciousness, of the night,

families gather, with joy & delight,

placing diyas, as their offerings,

with prayers, for the prosperity,

Of loved ones.

Deepa-Awali...

These rows of lights,

decorated in our homes,

dispel negativity, in our life,

when our hearts unite.

And we join, to celebrate, 

triumph of good over evil forces,

we sing, dance, worship & play,

honoring traditions, in our way.

So we celebrate with fervor,

be it child, adult or elders,

making rangoli, hanging LEDs,

or play sparkles or fountains.

And we share, sweets & delicacy, 

a time together, strengthens bonding, 

with friends, relatives and community,

in these moments, of our gatherings.

May this auspicious day,

brings blessings, into our lives,

when we meet, share greetings,

while connecting, with the divinity...

That permeates, in our surroundings!

Subh Deepavali 🙏 🕉 

Firecrackers

 From sparkles to crackles,

heart breaks the shackles, 

holding to these pyrotechnics...

Lighting up the fuse, 

watching spark, as it goes,

reaching the shells, to blew...

Creating colorful displays!

From childhood, I waited,

to get hold, of newer bombs,

pencil, potato, Bijili & bullet,

rockets, spinners & fountains.

It started with cracker guns,

with loud noise, puff of smoke,

we chase each other pretending, 

finally reach home, for rest.

But, we were naive, unaware,

the scale of damage it brought,

spending joyous moments, 

playing with dangers of fireworks.

For, incidence did happen, 

damaging houses and living,

sometimes as unfortunate accidents,

otherwise intentional offenses. 

Firecrackers...

They were an integral part, 

bring joy, into youthful hearts,

yet, I learned as I matured,

risks it carries, for the world.

So, I limited, bursting crackers,

in many festivities & celebrations,

only few sparkles, held in hand,

giving options of easy disposal.

And my home illuminates...

With candles and earthen diya.

My introduction to Anime

I have always loved reading stories. In childhood, spending hours in library. Every genre appealed to my novice heart, be it fairy tales, Sci-fi, adventures, to detective tales. So, I already had the predisposition, to fall for Anime as a medium of entertainment. I mostly consider them as cartoons, just like mowgli, Scooby-Doo, and Tom & Jerry. Thinking back, my first Anime was Heidi. It really grabbed my attention, showing a life, in Swiss alps. Earlier, most of my exposure to European countryside lifestyle charm came from Enid Blyton stories. So, it was one of story based cartoon that I adored. 

I was again exposed to Anime as Pokémon and DragonBall, which I loved very much. Having Pokémon cards and sticker, my school days were fun. But till then, I considered them only cartoons. Yet, I had to reluctantly stopped watching it for my board exams. I lost touch of these ' cartoons' till my life settled as MBBS student. In 3rd year, I explored various Novels and TV series. There, I encountered the series Death Note. It impressed me a lot, but soon I was invested in my studies. 

After I completed my MBBS course, and preparing for PG entrance exams, I needed something to watch, and recover from mental fatigue for monotonous routines. It was then, my sister introduced me into the world of Anime. (Or reintroduce, if we consider my previous history). The first Shonen Anime Bleach, that I watched during my spare time, blew me away. The actions, music and storytelling was all so different. I started it as English dub, but later shifted to English sub. At first, it was difficult to understand, but the feelings seems sincere. And I was hooked up to that subbed mode forever. As the series finished, I felt an emptiness, that I felt when I completed a great novel. I needed new series to watch and started online streaming Naruto. It was another gem, widening my worldview, where each character, had full of emotions, with deeper messages. It impacted me a lot, about how I perceive things. Again, my hunger grew and I completed most Shonen action and adventure stories. As I wanted some variety, I took recommendation from my sister's friends. And I found a complete different genre, slice of life,  that have become my favourite overall now. The first one was Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and the second one was Clannad. Both were masterpiece, from my perspective.  For, one brought me joy, even in my boring routine lifestyle. While other totally shook me, bringing emotions and tears that I never thought I had. There are many more Comfy stories, or Iyashikei ones like Aria, Natsume Yuujinchou, that relaxed and brought peace to my heart. I have watched hundreds of such beautiful shows, even now keep a hour, to watch a few. Still, I don't exprience that magical feeling I had, when I first encountered these shows. 

Yet, I could say, it was one of the best thing happened in my life. 

Our days become special

Our days become special, 

when we are among loved ones,

to celebrate certain occasions, 

sharing our joy and pleasures. 

We have to give importance, 

sparing moments from schedules,

having genuine feelings for the events,

being present in heart and soul. 

Yet, life have its situations,

affecting moods and emotions,

being hurt, we maintain distance,

from other's goodwill and devotions. 

Time...it's the most precious entity,

in our turmoil, we may lose it,

regretting later, of our actions,

hoping to redo, missed opportunities. 

Not all have the required patience,

listening to our whims and fancies,

appreciating gestures, nurturing gratitude,

would only help us in return...

Keeping these bonds alive. 

So remember, our days become special,

as we put effort, in desired direction,

celebrating it together, sharing moments,

only to look back, after years have passed...

Nostalgic memories !

Personality development skills

Today's world has competitions, 

we need skills and validations,

that would give good impressions,

helping in growth and career advancements. 

One might be friendly and outgoing,

but there's things more valued in meetings,

the one, oozing in power and confidence, 

an expertise in the field, our proficiency. 

So, we need to strive for better,

and unlock our true potential,

but the process of self-development, 

involves learning and skill building.

It's a lifelong journey,

going through Maslow's hierarchy, 

from physiological needs, to raised self-esteem,

finally reaching the zenith, with self actualization. 

Let's start with growth mindset,

doing hard work, and facing challenges, 

as we face difficulties, accept mistakes,

a love for learning, promotes resilience. 

We should think like an entrepreneur,

adopting proactive & resourceful approach, 

cultivating creativity, with innovative ideas,

being adaptable to ever changing world. 

By setting higher goals, taking calculated risks,

identifying our strength and the weaknesses, 

striving through discipline & self-motivation, 

we build networks of supportive relationships.

But, we shouldn't neglect our health,

and practice calmness, to avoid stress,

segregating tasks, with time management, 

creating healthy boundaries, for self-care. 

Let's cultivate a positive mindset,

through optimism & practicing gratitude, 

surrounding ourselves with constructive environment, 

engaging in activities, celebrating success. 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential, 

a digital detox, sparing time for disconnection,

by meditating, or spending moments with families,

personal interactions encourages our emotional well-being. 

So, let's keep walking on this path,

a journey of our personal development, 

by prioritizing health and our well-being, 

through sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

Seeking knowledge through curiosity, 

welcoming challenges with optimism,

expanding mental horizon with experiences, 

and widening perspectives, in this quest...

Of lifelong learning.

** The content was inspired from "personal branding blog".

And they walked...

In the hot craggy path,

I watched them walk,

barefoot, with cracked soles,

towards their revered sanctum. 

Faith, can move a mountain,

they were mere mortals, a human,

some were young, brought by parents,

others too old, alone or with children. 

It was chaotic, an ocean of people,

pulling, pushing, moving in a flow,

too cramped, smelly, with sweats,

even the heat, making them dehydrate. 

Yet, they kept on walking, 

that distance, is not hurting,

dampening spirit, for them to fall back,

demanding some rest, before proceeding. 

Just a glimpse, of the sacred grounds,

infuses energy, for them to give a shout,

raising both hands in their veneration, 

praising their lord, of the universe. 

And finally they reach the chambers,

some bow, meditate, or chant prayers,

leaving the place, for another batch,

hours of journey, ends in few minutes. 

A sense of blissful pleasure,

appears in their facial expressions,

having an audience, with their deity,

fills their heart with contentment. 

And I marvel their inner strength,

for, many were weak, old, debilitated, 

even social status were irrelevant, 

within the crowd of religious devotees. 

And they walked,

in their desired path,

to fulfill the spiritual journey,

by keep moving...for pilgrimage.

Let's bring colors

"Let's bring colors into our home,

nothing great about a world in monochrome, 

without them, life is dull and boring,

imbibing them, creates a vibrant reality." 

From the very first sunrise,

morning rays blessing our eye,

with Reds and Oranges, fiery hues,

chasing away, any ongoing blues. 

And we embark, for a morning stroll,

Green whispers, through forest's soul,

nature's promise, a world to explore,

life takes root, beauties that we adore. 

Looking up, at the vast sky,

calm Blue descends, a gentle sigh,

the serene reflection, a tranquil embrace, 

cooling our heart, providing solace. 

Witnessing wonders, as they unfold,

stimulating our brain, inspiring thoughts,

creativity sparks, imagination take flight,

imbibing them all, influencing our mind. 

So, let's bring colors, into our home,

stimulating senses, feelings & moods,

painting this world, with vibrant hues,

enriching our soul, being our muse.