Don't be dependent on validations

Don't be dependent on validations, 

Seeking reassurance from others,

For, it makes you prone to habituation. 

While promoting miscommunication,

Damaging relationships...

With self & surroundings. 

Self-preservation

Facing distress or disappointments, 

we develop tendencies of avoidance,

when our trust were broken,

it can lead to disillusionment. 

Self-preservation...

It's our natural instincts,

be it physical or emotional,

we don't want it to repeat,

requiring time to adjust,

for strengthening beliefs.

Being caught off-guard,

mind shift to hypervigilance, 

passing through scrutiny, 

even empathy needs clearance, 

before extending generosity. 

Yet, it's not generalized,

limited to specific situations, 

promoting goodwill & harmony,

for, we retain our character,

not letting setbacks alter virtuosity. 

Self-preservation...

We may feel guilt & shame,

still maintain boundaries, not blame,

prioritizing our needs, and aspirations, 

there are times, we withhold kindness,

for, caring doesn't mean...

Taking other's responsibility. 

Fake it till you make it

"Fake it till you make it"

Often mocked for its superficiality, 

being criticized, of the inauthenticity,

still the statement carried wisdom,

of triggering brain's neuroplasticity. 

For, we get anxious, as we fear,

getting exposed, treated as imposter,

with stress of masking true feelings,

eventually leads to emotional burnout.

Yet, we can't deny its role,

in giving us confidence boost,

awakening optimism in heart,

to develop skills, and competence. 

When we emulate habits & posture,

create mental image of ideal person, 

we effectively train nervous system,

to transform rehearsals into real version.

Yet, we have our nature and quirks,

inherited from genetics, upbringings, 

shaping sensitivities or perspectives,

which sets the rules, and boundaries. 

"Fake it till you make it"

We can make conscious choices,

stretching comfort space to play,

a lifetime of continued learning,

becoming the one, we wished to be.

Someone who understands

We can never say, 

What we perceived, 

Is true reality,

But the perceptions,

Is unique to us,

And we would want,

Someone who understands. 

A black cat

A black cat,

on an expedition,

crossing the streets,

walking on the pavement.

I watched her pause,

throw me a piercing gaze,

those mesmerizing golden eyes,

as if mapping secret pathways. 

Twitching nose, decoding scent trails,

tail curved, like question mark,

standing mid-stride, frozen as a statue,

fully focused, investigating surroundings. 

I was intrigued, tracking the movement,

of this shadow, on a secret mission,

fuelled by promise, of delicious treats,

or hunting prey, for its children. 

With a dramatic, toothy yawn,

briefly glancing, resumed its prowl, 

I scrambled, hesitated for a moment, 

then pursued, observing the act.

A black cat,

was too stealthy, 

vanishing before my eyes,

when I was distracted...

Now I will never know,

reasons for its expeditions!

Fair exchange

What does it take,

to override conscience, 

compromising principles, 

for deals we make?

Fair exchange...

Not many take bribes,

when given in the face,

but lowers their guard,

when the stakes are raised.

It's a clever manipulative trick,

framing it as mutual benefit, 

making us believe in good intent,

gives license to bend core values.

There are ways it can be enforced,

by being helpful or be generous, 

invoking spirit of reciprocity, 

pressures us to return the favor.

Fair exchange...

When things non-negotiable, 

are placed on scale for rewards,

moral dimensions of our choices,

were replaced by cost benefit analysis...

And we create internal narratives,

to justify actions, furthering interests, 

slowly surrendering honor & values,

until it becomes unrecognizable!

Fear of being undermined

It's an irrational fear,

something of a scare,

when one is not recognized,

by their staffs or gatekeepers. 

Fear of being undermined...

What is the reason of such anxieties, 

when we understand their duties,

still it annoys, can be agitating,

losing our calm, making them wary.

Is it the pride, air of superiority,

making such queries as humiliating, 

or it captured the awkwardness, 

of singled out, making it embarrassing. 

Our mind seek balance, internal stability, 

avoiding situations, that breach privacy,

when forced to defend, explain, validate,

it activates defense mechanisms.

Fear of being undermined...

There are few who don't take it personally,

making light of situations, putting a smile,

shifting attention from anticipations, 

to communicate positions respectfully.

Alien life

What defines alien life?

Is it made of organic matters, 

or sentient inorganic beings...

Earth is hospitable, 

lies in habitable zone,

with magnetic fields,

protect against radiations,

and insulating atmosphere 

regulates weather & temperature. 

We are made of carbon,

having abundant liquid water,

with solid grounds as foundations. 

What if, these are unnecessary, 

for lives to keep flourishing, 

in extremes of environments.

An entity that process information, 

reproduce without relying on DNA,

adapting to their surroundings,

boiling surfaces to frozen lands,

intense radiations or gas giants,

having their own evolved creatures.

We have made assumptions,

but reality is surreal & astounding, 

when we expand boundaries...

Of imaginations!

 

When instincts were right

There are times we wish,

Our instincts were wrong,

To have faith in others,

For us to trust more,

Yet, as the time passed,

We see how things unfolds, 

And concerns were validated,

From their choices & actions,

But it doesn't make us happy,

Just disappointments...

Heights & standard of living

It was said that height is genetic,

yet lifestyles can also be limiting,

our potential for good stature.

We have seen things change,

in recent statistics, suggesting a trend,

accompanied by economic development.

Where countries traditionally being short,

have seen enormous growth spurt,

living behind less developed countries. 

For, except for the extremes,

average stature is a physical record,

depends upon net nutrition.

While advancements in healthcare,

dietary qualities & better environment, 

accelerates growth, beyond genetics.

Now countries are focusing on ways,

to provide best of the nourishments, 

and maximize the genetic blueprints. 

For excelling in fields of sports,

being more resilient to challenges, 

to reap the demographic dividends. 

So, we can now say for certain,

height mirrors socio-economic conditions, 

with access to better nutrition & healthcare.

P.S. Net nutrition: balance of nutrition left after using it by body physical and growth demand.

A noise woke me up

A noise woke me up,

the continued cacophony outside,

disrupting my peaceful slumber,

of dreams that awaited conclusions. 

As sunlight filters through drapes,

I open window for quick check,

of the chaos happening beyond,

a ripple in the stillness of morning.

What I discovered amuses me,

as a flock of babblers is fighting,

hoping over the edge of the walls,

as squirrels standing on guard.

There's flattened rice scattered around, 

a routine offering from mother's hand,

while clay cup has fallen from its place,

used as means of asserting dominance. 

The babbling of babble is deafening, 

and squirrel barking add to intensity,

while a pigeon watching from afar,

as the event were unfolding.

I decided to restore harmony,

by bringing food as peace offering,

distributing evenly, in different spots,

to stop their untimely clash...

Restoring the calm, 

for my tranquil daybreak!

Hike, hike, people hike

Hike, hike, people hike,

on the trails, immersing in nature,

with equipments & accessories 

to make it feel right,

exploring difficult terrains,

walking in day or overnight.

Hike, hike, people hike,

in the woodlands & forests,

under the shades of canopies, 

stepping roots, leafs, muddy patches,

sometimes there are steep climbs,

mountain ridges testing endurance.

Hike, hike, people hike,

walking through meadows or marshes,

sometimes follow rivers or coastline,

even explore extremes of places,

facing heat in deserts & canyons,

freezing on glaciers or snowfields.

Hike, hike, people hike,

for a break from noises of cities,

having a taste of adventurous living,

clearing our mind, boosting mood,

with benefits on physical fitness,

and a story, worthy of share or post.

Hike, hike, people hike,

increasing traffic in pristine sites,

with influx of human presence, 

degrades sanctuary of local wildlife,

bringing noise, mismanaged wastes,

breaking ecological connectivity...

The vital pathways of ones,

Truly needing that hike!

 

I am not bold

I am not bold,

to be completely sold,

the idea of taking risks,

have never worked,

inside my mind.

I have been told,

of too rigid an outlook,

that seldom welcomes,

newer ideas & perspectives. 

I tried to break the mold,

to avoid labeled being cold,

still, couldn't compromise, 

on values that I uphold...(dear)

Then again, I chose to withhold,

reasons that put me in the spot,

burdened with shame & concerned,

having fear of higher expectations. 

I have always admired,

who could express freely,

unconcerned of scrutiny or ridicule,

capturing, attention of the audiences.

I am not bold,

being happy in the backgrounds,

still, take the lead, when needed,

for ones, who means my whole world.

May be, someday I will be bold!