We lose softness

We have opinions, and beliefs,

which we follow with conviction, 

there are leaders we support,

community or social issues,

which are close to our heart,

we promote, strongly defend,

using sarcasms & cynicism, 

being flooded with feeds,

pushed by the algorithm.

Have we ever wondered, 

we might lose something important, 

constantly dwellings in thoughts,

which were negative or endorse, 

selective views or judgments, 

even if morally, ethically correct, 

reduces interactions & exposures, 

to gentler, softer, inspiring contents,

by influencing perceptions & interests. 

We lose softness . . .

The more we indulge, 

fighting for perceived injustices,

burns out emotional reserves, 

there's no space for kindness,

when harshness becomes habit,

as if we block our tenderness, 

while sharpening our retorts,

and we stop listening altogether. 

P.S. 

Our softness is not only measured,

When thing are going well for us,

But how we respond or react,

Encountering contrary views.

Mental travelling

I have always wondered why,

real life outing & touring,

doesn't evoke same emotions,

which I could experience,

watching or reading travelogue, 

or when I fantasize journey,

seeing dreams or planning.

Mental travelling . . .

I used to daydream,

transporting self into scenes,

whenever I immerse,

in novels, television, & songs,

even memories lights up,

reminiscing fond moments, 

spent in golden old days.

Yet, when travelling for destinations,

I do enjoy those explorations, 

still, somewhere they lacked,

having some struggles & gaps,

which dampens the sensations, 

influenced by moods & situations, 

affecting my perceptions. 

Mental travelling . . .

It may never compete, 

real life excitements of visits,

still I cherished these wandering,

providing me joy and felicity,

sans the stress and fatigue, 

while saving time and money,

letting me traverse . . .

Without leaving my room.

Selling assumptions

It's so common, when we see,

how some creators, build theories,

presenting them as hard facts,

to manufacture panic or outrage,

influencing viewer's lifestyles. 

Selling assumptions . . .

They don't have the expertise, 

of different field or insufficient practice, 

still they exploited curiosity gaps,

taking advantages of the audience,

to present hypothesis as realities. 

They rely on sensationalism, 

target prevalent norms & practices, 

showing them as ignorance or risky,

damaging health or future prospects,

giving advices on better alternatives. 

Yet, they rarely verify, with peer review,

using words dressed as definite proofs,

or use snippets from larger researches,

which were inconclusive but favorable, 

to provide credibility to their content.

Selling assumptions . . .

They are playing a dangerous game,

just for attentions and ad revenues, 

eroding ability of critical thinking, 

with skewed perception of reality, 

locked in an algorithmic loop . . .

Reinforcing their biases!

P.S : 

There are many genuine voices,

being better than popular figures,

offering data, reasons, arguments,

helping us learn from their knowledge. 

How people resonate

There will be limited understandings,

If we have different state of mind,

Like ones prefering slow, melodic tunes,

Don't resonate with loud, heavy music,

For, one pursue peace & tranquility,

While others prefer power & swag,

Our nature is influenced,

From things that we crave,

Matching or breaking harmony,

Be it aesthetics or vibes,

So, let's be aware of our true self,

What attracts, where we gravitate,

For better communication,

Clarity of our purpose. 

Noble lies

Spoken by elites,

falsehood that multiply,

for the greater good,

of the society. 

Noble lies . . .

They had to justify,

make people comply,

accepting roles given,

respecting ruling authority. 

For, we need shared purpose, 

believing in the narratives, 

bring diverse population,

under common values & identity. 

The foundations are strong,

when there's stability & order,

preventing factionalism, unrest,

by securing faith of the public.

By promoting social cohesion,

the state creates the hierarchies,

limiting potential of individuals,

they prevent social mobility. 

Noble lies . . .

They demand respect and sacrifice,

but once people trust gets broken,

it triggers cynicism and polarization, 

paving the way for newer lies.

Wish, wish, we would wish

 Wish, wish, we would wish,

buried in recesses, not in lips,

drop by drop, making an ocean,

difficult to swallow or spill.

Every time we come closer,

we falter, making it harder,

fighting our fate or surrender, 

to our fears or constraints. 

Wish, wish, we would wish,

going blank, when desires conflicts

expectations clashes with dreams,

and realities suppress our screams.

We are disillusioned, going numb,

follow the routines, collecting crumbs,

maintain a facade, of calm & diligence, 

as we dive, into bottomless abyss.

Wish, wish, we would wish,

to make our hurt, cease to exist, 

to be saved from misfortunes,

by knight in shining armor. 

And we regain, spark in the eyes,

with abundant love, and blessings, 

we don't have to fight, lowering guards,

enjoy the moments, memories that last!

Making the organization fail

How do competitors prevail,

when power remains unchanged, 

where following the system, 

doesn't reward them points,

for, they couldn't convince, 

being known for incompetency, 

and contrasts were very clear, 

giving advantage to the ones,

who won trust through work.

The competitors have no answers,

so they keep blaming others,

using every trick in the book,

to gain advantages for their side,

from harmless, to plots sinister,

they try to bypass placed systems,

undermining the voice of majority,

by using underhanded tactics,

which have long-term repercussions. 

Nothing happens in isolation, 

they rely on weakness displayed,

using the fractures & loopholes,

to set the stage for performance, 

from defiance to the resistance,

building foundations for rebellion, 

where small factions act as diversion, 

putting pressure to gain attention, 

manufacture crisis for reaping benefits.

We have seen many examples, 

where the majority remain ignorant,

when selected few destabilize,

already functioning administrations, 

for, they were swift in their actions,

evade accountability by riding on emotions,

overwhelming even the robust systems,

if not checked by rule and regulations, 

making the organization fail.

Evening sun

Returning home from work,

I saw it in mirrors reflection,

stopping for a second,

I marvel at the view.

It was a mesmerizing sight,

a perfect, unblemished disk,

molten gold in honeyed light,

suspended in a softening sky.

A gentle breeze streams,

cooling the warm surface,

in the hushed rustle of leaves,

daytime noise fades.

And I exhale, forgetting the rush,

soaking in the serene atmosphere, 

gazing the vast expanse of sky,

dipped in delicate shade of periwinkle. 

As the daylight thinned,

casting long and lazy shadows,

air grew still, night takes over,

I witnessed the steady decent . . .

Of evening sun!

Happy Navratri

May the divine energy of Maa Durga,

Guide our life forward,

Protecting us from negativity, 

Bringing joy and prosperity. 

I bow to sacred feminity,

May she be manifested,

Make people humble & kind,

Showing compassion to every being,

Where we protect the values,

That make this world gentler,

Cradled in the grace,

Of Maa Durga.

Happy Navratri 🙏 

I have heard stories

I have heard stories,

from our parent's times,

when they were younger,

living a different era.

They lived in villages,

untouched from developments,

roads difficult to access,

surrounded by dense forests.

The places now being cleared,

farmed for fruits, and vegetables, 

were once territories of wildlifes, 

predators like tigers & bears.

Elephants roamed freely,

causing havoc to the pastures,

with communities being alert,

keeping vigil against dangers.

Still, they were part of adventures, 

children & adult working together,

collecting woods, foraging resources,

traversing through the jungles.

It was risky, there were casualties,

they have to strictly follow directives,

gradually expanding village boundaries,

shrinking borders of forested areas.

I have heard stories,

with a hint of loneliness,

of the subsequent loss,

in the quest of development. 

For now, there's nothing exciting,

those spikes of the adrenaline, 

seeing the glimpses of wildlifes,

every task becomes thrilling. 

They say we fear

They say we fear,

meekly follow others,

but truth is much deeper,

for, we are very clear,

to protect peace of mind.

Not many dare,

take risks without care,

living in the moments, 

letting emotions steer,

ignoring the consequences.

We are not scared,

but control our impulses,

knowing the priorities, 

responsibilities we bear,

to obediently accept directions. 

When we have enough, 

not struggling in our work,

it's natural to avoid conflicts, 

and maintain status quos, 

to preserve harmony.

They say we fear,

but it's sign of maturity,

of making adjustments,

being part of society,

for, rules and regulations . . .

Are binding for all!

We become villians

We become villains,

In someone's else story,

More so, when disappointed,

From conducts, & activities, 

Holding to beliefs,

Pursuing certain dreams,

Which sometimes clashes,

With other's perspectives,

So, let's hope to find,

Someone who harmonize,

Not enforcing their ways,

And open to our thoughts,

Willing to share space,

Understand & experience,

Things together.

Ambivalence

It's difficult to conclude,

when opinions are renewed, 

evaluating someone's actions,

which constantly moved,

sometimes good, sometimes bad,

being on the spectrum,

I struggle with emotional ambivalence. 

Holding mixed, opposite feeling,

Of respecting the good qualities,

still being wary of toxic traits, 

displayed through their actions, 

and I am confused to interpret,

caught between mental tug-of-war,

wanting to avoid it altogether. 

One can acknowledge the intellect, 

certain beliefs, gestures & talents,

but we can't ignore the patterns,

inconsistencies seen in decisions, 

breaking away from the paths,

that build trust, deepen connections, 

for they impact things long-term. 

Ambivalence . . .

When stripped of the comfort,

of sorting them into categories, 

no one is only good or bad,

their nature being multifaceted, 

still, it's not easy to lower guards,

having seen their unpredictability, 

so, I appreciate, but protect boundaries.