THIS IS NOT THE LIFE I ORDERED

    

Life isn't measured in milestones but in moments. – Rose Kennedy.

“Not this , the other one. Oh O ! The next one please ! This is not the one !” 

When it is the wrong product or a defective product, we have received after ordering it Online , we Grab the product from the delivery person open it and just to say , Oh My God, this is not the one I ordered ! Pathetic you cannot return it through the same person. Well , returning or exchanging products has got its own procedures . Those calls and trouble shooting talks. *rolls eyes*. But even after returning what if it seems that your originally ordered product isn’t available anymore.You order something else. As simple as that.

Now that we also face same circumstances in our lives and make us feel that it isn’t the life we wanted. So you think it is enough that you can just ‘want’ it ? Won’t you strive for it ? Eventually when something makes us feel so desperate about it we tend to fight for it . Nothing comes on our way and if everything you want comes in your way , I think you are on the wrong track. Watch your foot ! You cannot just order life and a life cannot be ordered from the creator. You need to create your own life !  I think you have got to live your life .  Now talking about life , my mind automatically quotes the auto rickshaw saying, “Your life is in your hands.!”  The blockbuster just flashes in front of your eyes, “un vazhkai un kayil.” Yes , those ten fingers are the ones which sow and reap. Be it a believer or an atheist , both believe in KARMA. Goodness will find its way back to you. So will the bad.

It seems to be chaotic when people do not meet your expectations. But the mind has to welcome changes. I am reminded of an incident from my school annual day function, where there were lots of events organized and I wanted to participate in dance but a teacher who saw me and saw something in me , dragged my shirt and made me sit in the singing group. I have achieved nothing in singing but singing has always been my passion . From the sing along songs at home to the choir and competitions in Church,school,college and office. If I hadn’t accepted that change, if I hadn’t sat in the singing group I wouldn’t have realized that singing gives me peace. Yes, the lullaby I sing puts my 5 month old munchkin to sleep and he even listens and reacts to my tunes.What more can give me peace now. So lets start accepting, changes that are for good. A drift in the stream will always make sailing interesting , eventually you become a skillful sailor. Bonus !

Just as you add sugar and spices to that curry , to make it delicious .You need to blend with people of various flavours and various flavours of people to make life a delight. Like Sugar doesn’t question Sour Salt and Salt doesn’t yuck at Sugar’s sweetness . It isn’t about compromise it is all about acceptance.

We all have faced moments in life where everything doesn’t happen according to our wishes and everything doesn’t seem favorable. In all honesty , no person can be the same always. A person who lectures about punctuality might still be a late comer , may be he or she knows what it is to be late and trust me , you can take their advice because they don’t use it. A person who is single may counsel and give the best ideas on relationships but they will only understand when they are in your shoes. Alright , let them be happy for now ! People throw faces you wouldn’t expect. But as you agree to live with it, you will eventually learn to deal with it and it becomes easy. It is healthy to burst out the emotions rather have it all piled up inside as a disorder. After all wouldn’t you eat spices in between those fulsome sweet treats, which is unhealthy.

In moments like these , count on a friend or a person whom you trust , indulge in talks with them. Spend a lot of quality time , discuss life . Nothing like a discussion full of laughter with a companion , which is a therapy for us. We will get to know that the other side is always green and we will have a new spirit to act. Bring the problem directly to the spot light and talk. Talking over a pricking issue or an important decision will easily help to troubleshoot it. You either troubleshoot it or just shoot it and it is finished. Remember that the key is to talk and not argue and do not forget to listen. It means respecting other’s opinion and emotions. So hold on.

As the words of Rose Kennedy goes, “If God were to take away all His blessings, health, physical fitness, wealth, intelligence, and leave me but one gift, I would ask for faith –- for with faith in Him, in His goodness, mercy, love for me, and belief in everlasting life, I believe I could suffer the loss of my other gifts and still be happy.” You grow in life instead of grumbling. It is completely okay to go in search for the hope that has been lost. And I would tell you a magical truth about hope , it is , that be it wherever you have lost it , you can still find it inside you. Like, I lost hope when my first job was denied to me , but with the deep buried hope in me , I was blessed with another one.

I go by Jim Carry’s words, “Everyone should get rich and famous and do all they dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” As a kid , I wanted to have long painted nails , I wanted to go to college soon so that I can carry just two three books . Silly ! Everyone as a kid wanted to grow old , but this wasn’t what we expected right :D I landed here just to understand that long painted nails and college life is not happiness. Here, what we wanted eventually happened , that is growing up old but this grown up life wouldn’t have been our expectation . Have you abandoned all your happiness because of that or has life denied you the happiness it has in store to offer you ? Real happiness lies in ourselves. These are signs of handling life like a boss. So again you handle life and you do not order. Or I can say you learn to handle the life that you have not ordered. Sounds good ! Like a boss ! Cracking unforeseen Challenges is a catalyst to life.

So, the next time you feel that ‘This is not the life you ordered’ , turn yourself into a generous consumer and live and love the not-ordered life of yours. After all , our moms wouldn’t have ordered for us as her children , *laughs* Of course not , but in the end the dear lady loves and handles us anyway. When all is said and done , it is your own , one and only life.

I can also hear some saying , ‘This is not the Wife I ordered’ , sorry folks few errors fall under the Error Code 1287[ERROR_UNIDENTIFIED_ERROR (0x507)]. My husband may write a better note on this topic. :D 

Happiness is not being Richie rich but being Popeye. Generally spinach is a hate food but is an emblem of strength, so are difficulties. Yes , I call it ‘Difficult-ease’. So when life gives you spinach, gulp it and burp bubbles of happiness.

By the way, I heard that there is a book named , ‘This is not the life I ordered’ , so let me go read it and get back. Until then hold your menu card and keep ordering for your favorites , after all we all fall under the same food court by the creator chef under the sky.

MADRAS VASANAI

                          Any pattering noise that is heard , is feared to be rainfall , now in Chennai.Before our heads could turn and legs could run to the windows, our bundle of prayers reach heaven and back, that it shouldn't be raining. Not again. Yes ! The December depression has set such an impression on our land and in our hearts.

                          "Take your umbrella with you dear, it seems to be cloudy and it has started drizzling already. November - Mazha kaalam ma ! Drink boiled water. Cover up ! Heat and Eat your lunch and get back home safe and soon !" - words of a Chennai parent. As we all were immersed in our daily routines,chores and work, we failed to notice that the deity city has already started submerging in the Adam's ale.We all had the windows in front of us, though, our eyes were blind and ears were deaf to the Alarm of Mother Nature.She distracted the technology and workaholic folks , in order to turn towards her as a simple naive human being. Little did we know that the December days were not going to be days, but nightmares. As the blue yonder opened up, bringing to halt all our chronic tasks, all the doors and Windows were to be shut down immediately, yes , including Linux,Unix and Mac.

                           The Capital City was turning into a Tropical City and a TOPICAL CITY.The Monsoon was never too late, revealing the upcoming Venice.Though, we already have our Parrys and Eiffel Towers - The Light house, London bridge - Adyar bridge and Pyramids - The Shore Temple,Churches and Mosques.This time as Mother Nature is against favorism, she had treated all of us the same,shaking not only the coastal homes but also taking away the lake view and posh houses.

                           The land which is simple and classic,celebrating Kollywood releases and festivals,World Cups and Oor thiruvizhas, Coffee shops and beaches, had turned into a river of humans. 

"வந்தாரை வாழவைக்கும் சென்னை", as the name goes, Chennai still supplements to the survival of numerous lives here.Those children who ate only from their Mothers, ate foods brought through brothers from another Mother.The drainage and sewage waters did not bother our rescue souls, rather all they bothered about were the 'tears of bondage' in these waters, it was not the flood they saw but the blood shed of every struggling neighbor. Punctuality,Decorum,Obedience and Dignity, all these were overcome by just two golden words or deeds we can say, 'HUMANITY and GRATITUDE"'. I believe we all witnessed God in every heart which had the unbeatable spirit to feed the hungry and help the needy.

                          Oh Man ! Madras is known for its rebellious ability to shine with even 45 °C or above. We are the Sun's best friend and we out stand Mercury's performance and we still have a cold war with Pluto. The city proudly continues to shine. Here, as you see today's temperature is 29 °C and the traffic sounds are audible, with everybody drying up washed clothes. Oh ! Somebody out there is wearing sunglasses. Whoo ! Sweat or threat - Chennai will master it at its best. 

                     

                       As the pearls of our Subramania Bharathi goes,

 "தேடிச் சோறுநிதந் தின்று - பல

சின்னஞ் சிறுகதைகள் பேசி - மனம்

வாடித் துன்பமிக உழன்று - பிறர்

வாடப் பலசெயல்கள் செய்து - நரை

கூடிக் கிழப்பருவ மெய்தி - கொடுங்

கூற்றுக் கிரையெனப்பின் மாயும் - பல

வேடிக்கை மனிதரைப் போலே - நான்

வீழ்வே னென்று நினைத் தாயோ?நின்னைச் சிலவரங்கள் கேட்பேன் - அவை

நேரே இன்றெனக்குத் தருவாய் - என்றன்

முன்னைத் தீயவினைப் பயன்கள் - இன்னும்

மூளா தழிந்திடுதல் வேண்டும் - இனி

என்னைப் புதியவுயி ராக்கி - எனக்

கேதுங் கவலையறச் செய்து - மதி

தன்னை மிகத்தெளிவு செய்து - என்றும்

சந்தோஷங் கொண்டிருக்கச் செய்வாய்..."

Chennai ! We know you will rise, up above the world so high , like a diamond in the sky !

Yes ! Chennai is our Super Star ! We will keep shinning !

"MADRAS MERSELAAVATHU !

MAZHA THAN MADRASEH PATHU MERSELLAAVUM !"

Just like that

"You are too good !

I say this not , only cuz of the love.

Neither cuz of this, nor cuz of that.

To be bad , the chances are fat !

Got beautiful thoughts to sew !

The reason being you !!

After a mess , things still stay good ,

cuS you are too good !"

The mad throb

 

 

The dawn broke!

The long wait was knit!

How I find the meaning for anything so meaningless, which once was not!

Where I start meaning every word I say,

When life's craziest moments seems so serious!

Where I always wish to live in the magical caress

and love to die in that killing look of your eyes !

 

Where every light reminds me of you.

And the silent night, talks to me about you!

Where I could see you with my eyes closed.

How I wish to see you when my eyes open!

To live with you, where our togetherness-moment would be paused!

 

To talk with you at the dusk

and to wake up near you every morning !

God is great,

for He has beautifully carved our fate !

The pursuit of paradise, of mine,

My dear Valentine!

 

-Mary Preethi.S

 

 

 

 

 

 

The mad throb:

This poem talks about the phases a girl would feel when she is in love. When she has just fallen for someone. It says about the craziness of love. I feel love needs to be crazy, because there are many other things that can be ordinary. It continues with the seriousness and the perseverance aspects. The want of both the hearts to be together, no matter what, counting only the blessings. So, there is method in this madness, which is beautiful and I call it love. 

APPEARANCES AS PERSPECTIVE

Young female celebrities will always be weighed, based on their weight. Yes, all the opinion people hold about a woman, will have an inference about her appearance. Any female who is shown funky and fun loving appears to be the center of attraction, be it in any magazine, serials or movies and nevertheless she looks chic and slim.But when the past heroine categories come into the picture, most of them were ladies and not ‘girls’.

                             

                          As mentioned earlier, the perspective of people differs. So in this case it differs from those greenery long shots to techie machinery shots. Media has been making the audience believe all these days, that a size 0 girl always wins over a curvy or plumpy female.

                         Of course, no girl will remain dancing on her toes, singing in the sweet 16 of her teenage. Every girl will eventually become a woman. It’s a fact. But their age which reflects in their appearance, does reflect on their life too, meaning profession or career in the case of cine artistes. Those who have lost their young image can be seen very less in the silver screen, but definitely not as the same old, heart throb. But in the meantime, any act of decline in their appearance will be shot, recorded and displayed the next moment in the data highway. And that’s the sad part, which might bring disgrace to their image. But only, very few women agree with their natural body image while others feel that this cooked up perception that slim equals beauty, bothers them a lot.

                    Exceptions may include artistes like Aishwarya Rai, Vidhya Balan. They have the same fame in the industry till date. But though a woman takes many measures to ‘show’ that she is fit, her face would reveal her age. Face is the index of the age too. But the time which shows them as old and aged, has once showed them spic and span. Those days should never be forgotten. Whatever it may be, a woman is always a woman, at heart.

Life IS what It HAS become

                             ‘Life is what it has become.’ This phrase can be accepted, depending on the phase of life in which one IS. Our lives are designed in such a way that we harvest the fruit, with much of satisfaction and the most important of all, the reason for the destiny. Receiving the fruit of hard work will make people forget
their trouble and toil. Accepting such hardships, will make a person a good sailor.
                         But what are these hardships and toils for? After all for a better future. Future cannot
be predicted. Past cannot be questioned. But the past can be a lesson and the future can be believed,
rather being predicted. Grumbling with a ‘why’ to the past will not fetch anything, while a ‘what’ can
make a difference. So that the mistakes and stepping stones can be rectified. But the magic lies in
identifying ‘the mistake.’ Often people tend to blame other elements or cases for their failure. Here
they fail to spot the exact mistake that is still prevailing. This is dangerous. Faults mistaken are more
dangerous than faults unidentified.
                            Every individual must make peace with his/her own past. Past can be used as a reference kit, to check over our improvement from the past to the present, where repetition of mistakes can be avoided and can proceed doing new mistakes.Of course, mistakes are the secret of success. Life will lose
its next minute surprise if it is sweet from the beginning, it does need spices. Failures add spice to life.
 

                     When life comes to a certain point and appears as if it fails to move, one should keep up

the spirit. So do not give up, the beginning is always the hardest. Constant spirit is all one would need, to
touch the finish line. How a deep breath would caress the toiled lungs, with a respiration of satisfaction
and happiness! That’s the reward. So ‘Life IS what it HAS become,’ because of us. We can make our
lives beautiful with blessings from above. This is God given life for us, which will definitely land us in the
meadows of green pastures, with ample of joyous streams, where the human race would be blessed
with eternal bliss.