January 20, 2016

L for 'Lucid moments'




You and I will meet again
Of this I am so sure
No words on paper or from pen,
Can find for this a cure

I recall not your sweet Hello
Goodbye we dared not say
Drifters we were, you and me
And drift we did away

Yet for certain I can tell,
That you and me will meet
Perhaps in the twinkle of my eyes
Or an over-anxious heart beat

Be it a moment you blink and miss
Or one that makes time stand still,
But I know for sure that in this life
Meet again we will

Silent glances will then reveal,
all we could never say
No whispered words, no signs, no cues
But love will find its way

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L for 'Lucid moments' is the twelfth post in the 'A-Z Series' of posts, a chain of write-up's by me on topics starting with each alphabet of the English language. Read back and forth for the other posts, and please feel free to contribute your thoughts on the subject.

January 12, 2016

All that glitters

I have always been a morning person. I must be having an inbuilt alarm clock within my body that wakes me up at 6.30 sharp, whether or not I need to. Perhaps it is the notion of the early bird catching the proverbial worm that has been ingrained in us since childhood that is responsible for this habit. There is something about early mornings that feels so serene and satisfying that it makes you feel you have woken up from a much longer slumber than the usual eight hours of night's rest.


Have you ever woken up at dawn? Try it out sometime. It's an exhilarating experience to watch the first rays of sunlight hit your window pane and bounce inside the room. I like to think of the rising sun as a harbinger of new hope, a messenger greeting us with a endless possibilities, a new beginning---an opportunity to leave the past behind and start afresh.

Mornings bring with them a lively enthusiasm, a plan of action, a will to kick start your day on a positive note. It is a time when the spirit is abound with fresh vigor, the mind is brimming with new ideas, our soul with new dreams. It is said most creative people prefer to work until the the wee hours of the morning. They prefer the silence of the night to the activity of the morning. Frankly, I have no issues with the night. In fact, it is my loyal companion when it comes to meeting deadlines. Sadly, along with the solitude comes the eerie hallucinations---the strange sounds past midnight, the distant bark of a neighborhood dog, some faint odd tinkle that the mind immediately concludes to be a wraith dancing with silver anklets, the creaking sound of the house gate. It is at night that my mind is most imaginative and my soul is most afraid...sigh!
Now you know why I like mornings better?
 
What's not to love about mornings? I love the entire vibe of wakefulness, starting from the honk of the dairy van unloading packets of milk at the dairy near my house to the clang of the church bells that can be heard from a distance, to the sharp bickering of our otherwise friendly neighbor with the milk man. As the sky lights up, I settle in one corner of the sofa in the balcony adjoining my room with a cozy cup of chai watching enthusiastic joggers with radiant faces and mismatched clothes go out for an early morning jog. As they wave at me, I realize that these nameless strangers are an inevitable part of my morning, a long distance balcony-road camaraderie.

Later, the family and I have breakfast over casual banter---our way of bonding between hurried gulps of toast and coffee. I never say no to coffee, despite having made myself a cup of tea earlier in the morning. What I enjoy more than the flavor of the coffee beans is the aroma that wafts from brewing coffee. It's amazing how much comfort familiarity holds. Sometimes we don't even need to converse. You are just happy sharing the same space, doing the same thing as your loved ones. But coming from a family that thrives on sarcasm, free wit, and freedom of expression, at least a dozen grins get exchanged during the conversation. (The frowns and glares, we prefer to overlook.)

Just today, I was at the breakfast table reading about #Colgate360GoldMornings, when my sis asked me what I was reading.
"How would you change a good morning to a gold morning?" I asked her.
"I'd go to Tanishq," was her straight-face reply.

I smirked. She laughed.
But as I noticed everyone grinning ear to ear in response to her nutty remark, I realized that this was what was needed to change a good morning into a gold morning.

I'd found my #Colgate360GoldMornings mantra:

Pearly whites that sport cheeky grins at humor new and old.
Transforming each morning from good to genuine gold.

Honestly, isn't that what we most enjoy---light moments in the company of people we love?
Uncomplicated snippets of easy conversation are much like bubbles of happiness. Light and frothy, they manage to pep up our mood and make us feel happy. For that brief temporary moment, we forget the tension weighing us down and laugh. Pure unadulterated laughter,  what better way to start off a gold morning?

I love people with a good sense of humor. It's not that they are happy all the time. But they choose to laugh through their pain. Twinkling eyes filled with mischief,  minds full of bright ideas, and more importantly smiles that reflect the dazzle of their compassionate soul---this is the company I like to be in, angels without wings, friends with a heart of gold.

I am sure Colgate must be having similar views on happiness. A pure heart deserves to laugh uninhibited, smile freely, and spread the joy of their golden spirit. Keeping this in mind, Colgate aims to preserve and improve the dental health of our loved ones. It promises to change their (and in turn our) good mornings into gold mornings.

The Colgate 360 Charcoal Gold is designed for effective cleaning of teeth, but it also cleans tongue, cheek and gums. The effect is doubled when it is used with Colgate Total Charcoal Deep Clean toothpaste. Its unique formula with micro charcoal particles act to provide 100% protection of the mouth.
The 360 Charcoal Gold toothbrush is stunning in appearance. Slimmer and softer than before, the charcoal infused spiral bristles promote superior cleaning of the mouth and provide easier access to problem areas. (Slimmer bristle tips reach deep between the teeth and along the gum line.) It also has an ultra compact head that effectively reaches back teeth and helps remove bacteria. The 360 Charcoal Gold toothbrush by Colgate is regarded as the gold standard of whole mouth cleaning, and the simplest and most effective way of brightening up our smiles. 

So celebrate every morning and turn them into gold. Wake up earlier than usual. Stay in good company. Express yourself freely. Lend a patient ear to your friends. Be kind to someone who really needs it. Do someone a favor without expecting anything in return. Cook a special breakfast for family. ...and smile. Smile a lot, not just from outside but from inside too.
Convert every experience into a gold experience. 
Turn every morning into a gold morning.

January 10, 2016

Happy feet #SpreadTheVibe

2015 was hardly a great year at all. A series of catastrophes affected the world---the Charlie Hebdo attack, the mass earthquake in Nepal, the terrorist attack in Paris, Typhoon Melor in Philippines, the deluge that flooded Chennai. I sometimes wonder what is worse, attack by humanity (or by the lack of it) or by nature?

They say that in order to maintain a balance in the world, there should be enough good to counteract the bad, enough virtue to fight the vice, enough blessings to nullify the curse. Until this balance is maintained, we can be assured all is not lost.
The past year proved to me that every cloud, no matter how dark, has a silver lining. The bleakest hours of despair bring along with them a faint glimmer of kindness that begins to stands out like a beacon of hope in the pitch dark skies of sadness---hope of a new dawn.
In 2015, we had reason to fear the balance had gone awry. There was one disaster occurring after another. People were out to kill people. Nature was out to destroy race. We feared for our safety. The balance between human and inhuman seemed to be tipping....until help started pouring in from all around the globe. For every calamity that took a toll of hundreds of people, there were thousands extending a hand to hold on to. The terror attack in Paris was met with shock and retaliation. People from all corners of the world were showing solidarity. Victims in the flood prone areas in Chennai were being provided with food supplies, medical aid, and shelter. Likewise the devastating effect of the earthquake in Nepal were combated in solidarity from neighboring countries making us feel that when calamity strikes, everyone rushes to help.
But does it really take a sudden apocalypse to light that flicker of compassion in our heart?
A part of our country is in a state of constant crisis being subjected to new lows of drudgery, poverty, illiteracy, and sickness? All it takes is a few baby steps in the right direction. But we are too busy to stop and take notice...too engrossed in our own lives to even attempt to halt this gradual progression to impending doom, too tired to believe we are worthy of creating a significant impact. Thankfully, there are a few good people who haven't given up yet.

A simple act of kindness is capable of bringing about a great change. We don't need to be a politician or a celebrity. We just need to stay firm and resolute in our decision to make a difference, to touch somebody's life, to help someone smile. YouthKiAwaaz strives to spread the vibe of compassion by bringing to light such stories that create impact and drive change towards a better future for our country. Selfless souls are always a source of encouragement, their contribution a constant reminder that the world is not such a bad place after all....that humanity still exists, and it does not necessarily show up only at the eleventh hour. They set an example for the youth of our country, thereby motivating them to join in and widen the circle of compassion. Thus begins the revolution of change.

One such an inspiring name is Anam Zaidi, a woman responsible for creating a positive change in the lives of the underprivileged in Lucknow.  A social psychologist at Seth M.R. Jaipuria School, she works with underprivileged children and have been credited with many honors and awards. Zaidi and her team has worked in over 600 slums in Lucknow to provide literacy to the poorest slum children and adults by creating literary Dream Labs from scratch.

Pic source: Dream Labs page (link at the end of the post)
We are all aware of the unequal distribution of wealth in our country. While on one side, there are children flaunting designer tees and guzzling Gatorade at expensive coaching classes, there is another section of India that struggles to attend night school because they are too busy earning a living during the day. While children clothed in frills and lace are throwing terrible tantrums at their birthday bash in seven star restaurants on one end of the spectrum, there are those at the other far end living in dingy pipes and shanties with barely any clothes to cover their skeletal bodies.

'Shining India' has become a running joke since so long now that we have forgotten to think it funny. There are millions of children in India that are compelled to go barefoot as their families cannot afford to buy them shoes as they grow. Half the times, they cannot even afford a single decent pair of shoes. Helpless and without a choice, these children walk barefoot on dirty and unhygienic ground making them susceptible to dangers of contaminated soil and diseases.

In light of this issue, Anam Zaidi contribution is worthy of note. It all started last year when Anam read an article on 'the shoe that grows' on social media. Mr Kenton Lee (Founder and Executive Director of theshoethatgrows.org) had got the idea when he once saw a child walking to the church, wearing shoes that were too small for her. This caused her immense discomfort, and her discomfort made Mr Lee uncomfortable as well, and so he had come up with the concept of an advancing footwear called the 'growing shoes'. The growing shoes come with adjustable buckles and a strap on the toe that helps it expand to five sizes and lasts for at least five years. 

When Anam Zaidi read about this, a brilliant idea came to her mind. There were thousands of street children in India that could benefit with this idea. Every time she visited the slums for the literary campaigns, she would see half naked children running barefoot hither tither. She'd often worry for their safety. With metal shards, glass pieces and pointed objects lying around loosely, there was a constant threat of cuts and bruises looming high. She knew she wanted to help. But she did not know how to get about it.
Anam would see the kids hop barefoot on roads that were getting baked under the scorching sun. She would often helplessly notice how they would scurry off to school in ill fit slippers that were barely their size. With half their feet sticking out, they would hope to cover the distance from home to school and back without the shoe giving way. This was the future of her country, and she knew it is only by shaping the present of these children that we can steady their tomorrow.

Overcome by emotion and the urge to make a difference, Anam posted a status on Facebook seeking financial support for the cause. She was not sure of the outcome. But when the intention is good, the entire universe carves the path to success. immediately posted a status on Facebook seeking financial support for the cause. The response was overwhelming. The post was liked and shared by people all over, and soon enough the fund raising attracted the attention of a generous donor from the US who got in touch with Kenton Lee and donated money for three hundred pairs of the growing shoes in order to expedite the process. This was an important milestone for Anam Zaidi, to bring joy to the underprivileged children in Lucknow.

The bigger challenge, however, was getting the shoes delivered to India. However, a noble cause always receives a helping hand from somewhere or the other. Some students of Seattle Pacific University, who were travelling to Delhi in December, offered to help. They packed in the shoes in place of some extra clothes in their baggage. It was thanks to their effort that 300 pairs of shoes could be successfully transported to Delhi and from there to Lucknow.
Zaidi's fund raising campaign was a success. Around 150 needy students studying in NavSrijan, a school for underprivileged children run by Seth MR Jaipuria School, received the shoes. The happy faces on finding the perfect fit, could put even Cinderella to shame. They parents were overjoyed too. Anam's noble initiative did receive some media attention, but not as much popularity as it deserved.
However, gathering support for the underprivileged is an ongoing struggle. It is a slow and steady process, just like the cleansing of the soul. Awareness and inspiration are the key elements. Anam Zaidi's efforts have managed to inspire people like me to sit up and take notice.

There are cries of help coming from all corners of our country. If only we'd listen. A small step in the direction of a social cause can make a huge difference to someone's life. Anam has managed to create a keen sense of awareness of issues that need to be tended right at the grass root level. All we need is an active conscience. Each pair of 'growing shoes' will ascertain a child's health and happiness for the next five years, and will provide them more opportunities to succeed.

Anam Zaidi has paved the way for these happy feet. Lets pledge to keep them going...
Spread the vibe by sharing this information on your social networks and email lists, to help a child attain these growing shoes.

To make a donation for this special cause, click here.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"- Lao Tzu

Original source of pic: Facebook page 'The shoe that grows'
"These boots shoes are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do..."
Here's hoping this initiative reaches the right feet, and enables them to walk the roads of happiness, experience, and adventure.

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The above post has been written for #SpreadTheVibe contest by #YouthKiAwaaz in collaboration with Indiblogger
You can vote for my post here.

10 myths about Goa

For those of you who don't know where I come from (literally), allow me to make you go green with envy. Hang on! Maybe we can play a small guessing game first.
Imagine vast expanses surrounded by lush greenery, beautiful beaches with warm golden sand and fresh blue water, lots and lots of seafood, and laid back residents flaunting benevolence to everyone visiting the place. Yes, I am talking of Goa, the land of sun, sand and beaches which also happens to be the one place most tourists harbor misconceptions about (special thanks to our very own Bollywood movies).

So without further ado, here are a few things I'd like to clear about my Goa and my fellow Goans.


1) Their life is not a prolonged afternoon siesta, as is depicted in those movies. The average Goan male is just as concerned about his work and wallet as you are. The average Goan female, on the other hand, does not spend her day cleaning fish and making pork vindaloo, nor does she sun bathe on the beach wearing skimpy outfits all day, as is often the typecast in Bollywood potboilers.

2) We got a much better fashion sense than the bright sunflower shirts and gaudy hibiscus dresses that make up the Goan stereotype on the silver screen. The modern Goan's wardrobe will have the same variety of outfits (if not more) than yours. Besides, when it comes to shopping, we can give you a run for your money. Now, you do the math!
Having said that, bikini clad Goan babes are just a figment of your imagination. The only babes in swimwear you'd get to see here are usually tourists. (General fact alert. I'm not judging you.)

3) Not every Goan strums a Guitar and croons over a lost love. I know this is a real downer, and I wish it was a quality we all possessed. Apologies for the disappointment. But we have other ways of getting over heartbreak than bursting into a local song in front of a bunch of overenthusiastic tourists who are all ready to join in the chorus with a heavily accented drunken drawl. Yes, I know Goan men on TV drink wine by the bottle after which they either hurl abuses at their wife or get into a heated argument over the price of fish, or strum an old romantic tune (that sounds like a slower version of 'undir mama aaylo' or 'haav sayba poltodi veta' because Bollywood directors usually do not bother to research and know only these two Goan numbers). However, apologies once again. This post seems to be proving to be much of a disappointment, eh? But Goan men, in reality, do nothing of that sort. At the most, they may reminisce over an old memory, or politely nudge their wife to get the bebinca from the kitchen. That too only if they really like you.

4) Please do not ask us to pass on your regards to some Mr Shirodkar or some Mrs D'souza assuming that we know them all. Goa is not such a small place (even though we might all like to think it is) and unless Mr Shirodkar or Mrs D'souza is the CM or our local pav-wala. Even then, we might feign ignorance and politely turn down your request.

5) Being a Goan does not mean we go for rave parties and do drugs. We do not start our mornings and end our nights with a bottle of beer like you expect us to do.

6) Just because we are friendly, it does not mean we cannot get mean. If you want to check out the wrath of a Goan, try eve-teasing our women. Be prepared for similar reactions on ridiculing any of Mario Miranda's paintings. While we have the right to stereotype Goa, you do not. Why? Well, we are driven by love...love for fellow Goans. We'd like you too, if you respect our women, love our culture, and enjoy life the Goan way. But try taking us for granted, and you'd receive the middle finger salute.

7) What happens in Goa never stays in Goa. So if you are thinking of murder, rape or a one night stand expecting it to stay a secret forever, you might want to think again. Goa has this way of catching up on your deepest darkest secrets at the worst possible points in your life. Bwahahahaha!

8) Those of you who have watched the movie 'Socha na tha', will definitely remember the peppy track shot in Goa that starts with the following lines:
"Ek pyaari Goan main phasau,
Phir usse shaadi banau,
Aur uske hi ghar mein ghar basake,
Jaise bhi ho zindagi yahin bitau...
Abhi abhi mere dil mein khayal aaya hain,
abhi abhi mere dil mein khayal aaya hain..."

To this every Goan girl would have only one thing to say, 

In your dreams!!!

No Sir! We have nothing against the semi clad gang of tourists rollicking on the beach and partying hard. However, what we find a little amusing is how you manage to take the quintessential Goan girl for granted.
OK. Here's a fun fact: No matter how much you molly coddle, serenade and sweet talk her into your beautiful tapestry of emotions, you just cannot get away with the blasphemous living-off-her-money-in-Goa strategy (irrespective of her undying love for the place).  She may be highly emotional when it comes to the relationship, but rest assured, she has her brain in the right place too. So stop dreaming of her as a one-way ticket to a dream destination. 

Abhi abhi tere dil mein jo khayal aaya hai, 
woh dil mein hi rahe toh accha...

Thank you very much!

9)
Last but not the least, our vocabulary is not half as colorful as you think. Yes, the local Goan might know a few native swear words which he might hurl at you when terribly angry, but isn't that true for people from all states? Our conversations do not start and end with phrases like 'What man', 'Bugger like' and 'I will kick your bum' and neither does our voice have that musical lull that you manage to stereotype a Goanese accent with, in your movies. Hell, 'Goanese' is not even a word in the first place.

10) Contrary to popular belief, Christmas is not the only festival celebrated in Goa. Roughly 30% of Goa’s population is Christian, 65% are Hindu and 5% Muslim. However, we are all united as Goans and celebrate all religious festivals with equal pomp and splendor.

Now that we have finally spoken about the pink elephant in the room, allow me to conclude with a bit of free advice. 
Next time you come to Goa for a holiday, don't just be a tourist boozing and fagging out the north end of Goa. Visit the south as well. Save a day to explore the quaint locales. Appreciate the scenic beauty when sober. Watch the setting sun with a loved one. Dance under the canopy of a star studded sky. Sway to the music of waves. Close your eyes and let your feet sink in the soft white sand and breathe in Goa's fresh night air.
Stop branding Goa a wild party place. It is much more than inexpensive alcohol and blaring music at Sunburn. It is a lot more than dancing away at Tito's and getting sloshed at the shacks by the beach.
And by the way, Albert Pinto and Anthony Gonsalves figure nowhere in our family tree. Neither does Rosemary Marlo. So as much as we enjoy a good joke, please know that next time you pass that wise ass remark, we are judging you already.

Instead, for a change, shed all these misconceptions and drive around Goa with a clear mind--a mind that will allow you to soak the beauty of this place without the filter of bias.
Appreciate the blend of traditional Portuguese heritage and modern architecture. Kneel down and offer a humble prayer at the St Francis Xavier Church at Old Goa, the famous Shanta Durga temple at Kavlem. Be it the high domed roofs, balustraded facades and octagonal towers inside temples or the whitewashed interiors embellished with elaborate gilt reredos, paintings and chandeliers inside churches, the splendid design of our places of worship is not just breathtakingly beautiful but also offer a strange calmness to the holy ambiance.
Try talking to the locals without the filter of prejudice. Share your story with them, and watch them open up a treasure trove of experiences. People in Goa love to exchange notes on life.They are extremely hospitable. But one wrong vibe, and they wont hesitate to kick you out as well.
That is the beauty of us small-townies---we are straight forward, no-nonsense people. What you see is what you get. Diplomacy is not our forte. We either like you or hate you. There is no in between.

So next time you plan a trip to Goa, please make sure you travel light; leave behind a bit of baggage---the baggage of your misconceptions.

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This post has been selected for BlogAdda's Tangy Tuesday Picks (January 12th 2016)

January 09, 2016

A random thought

Back when I was young, we had this fashion of exchanging slam books. Slam books were these diaries akin to autograph books that we'd pass around to our friends and colleagues hoping to get to know them better. On each page was a list of questions they had to answer, questions about their favorite drink, food they like, first crush, their thoughts on friendship, love, life etc.
With the advent of cell phones, Ipads, and other advances in technology, the poor old fashioned slam book silently disappeared.

Today, while I was flipping though this repository of memories, I ran across a message by an old friend. We were probably in the fifth grade then. Life was all about doll houses and ice creams. In her best handwriting, she had written "Life is an ice cream. Enjoy it before it melts."

As I read that message, a smile spread across my lips. My skeptic mind, however, could not rest in peace. The VIMH (Voice In My Head) started off on a tirade of counter questions.

VIMH: "Life is an ice cream, eh? So do you get to choose your favorite flavor?" *smirk*

Me: Well, maybe not. But it's still ice cream.

VIMH: "What's the point then? Why would you care if it's not your favorite?"

Me: *getting all defensive now* "Because we don't always get what we like. But it's not something we hate either. We might as well enjoy it."

VIMH: "Really? Would you be able to enjoy it with the constant pressure of having to finish it before it melts? How would you appreciate life if you are in a constant hurry to get somewhere?"

I gulped. The VIMH made sense. In life, we had to stop and smell the fragrant roses, watch the magnificent sunset. Of what use would reaching the destination be, if we did not appreciate anything along the way?

Me: *still trying to support my point* "We cannot slow down too much, you know. It would not qualify as a life well lived. There is so much to do, so little time."

VIMH: "You remind me of the hare with the ticking watch in 'Alice in Wonderland'. How far did he get anyway?" *snigger*

Me: "What do you mean?"

VIMH: Who is the hero of story? Who met with the most adventure?

Me: Err...Alice?

VIMH: Exactly! Alice, who wasn't in a hurry to go anywhere. Alice, who chased her dreams down that rabbit hole. She didn't worry about the melting ice cream. She enjoyed it while it lasted.

I slammed the slam book shut. The VIMH had won yet again. Life was not an ice cream. I'd rather compare it to a bar of chocolate---we get to choose the way we want to indulge. We can hurriedly chomp on it and finish it off in a few seconds, or we can savor the taste by nibbling on it enjoying the deluge of sweetness in our mouth, the richness of resins, the crunch of nuts. We can distractedly gulp it down without appreciating its quality, or we can feel it melt little by little with every lick, bite, and twirl of tongue, locking down the memory of the moment for posterity. 

Life, like a bar of chocolate, is made up of tonnes of sweet moments to cherish and save as memories forever. 

 

January 07, 2016

Keepsakes



I thought of 'us' again today,
of how we once used to be
inseparable, you and me

The walk from home to school and back,
the blue water bottle and the red bag pack,
Orange-cream biscuits and hopscotch fun,
those endless tiffs over who'd lost, who'd won

Keepsakes of innocence that couldn't last,
like solemn sentinels guard my past
And see to it that I never forget,
the course of silence and regret.
I told you not, I thought you'd see,
how much you always meant to me

Soon with time, we both withdrew
The friendship bands our age outgrew,
Stealing glances and holding hands
replaced the charm of those plastic bands.
Dance class with our moves so groovy
The ticket stubs to every movie
Those picnic baskets (now threadbare)
Wrappers of toffees and candy we'd share

Time ticked on, we both stayed friends,
You knew you'd lose me to the odds and ends,
But you told me not, you thought I'd say,
We waited until our parting day

Yet, in silence we bid farewell,
Neither you nor I did tell.
My eyes teared, my soul cried,
I refused to let go of my foolish pride,
You reminded me of our friendship band
and then quietly slipped something in my hand.
You stood smiling through the pain;
a half locket on a silver chain.
The 'broken heart' told me that day,
what you until then had dared not say
I stood tongue-tied, you couldn't see
how much you'd always meant to me

With half the heart each in stride,
I still wear mine around with pride.
In memory of moments left behind,
Like all these keepsakes in my mind

Piecemeal, fragmented, yet strong and free
Reminders of who we used to be
Of you and me, and what it means now,
To be apart and still meet somehow
in thoughts, in words, in poetry we make,
in mind, in heart, in each keepsake

I thought of 'us' again today
Of how much has changed so to say
And yet could not have changed enough
for the world to catch our bluff
Or drive us both to make amends,
and go back to just being friends



That horrible homesickness



Those of you living out of a suitcase will be able to identify with this feeling--this hollow void that develops from staying in unfamiliar territory for far too long. You crave to return to the place where you belong, the nostalgia beckons you repeatedly until you eventually submit to the abyss engulfing you from within...that bottomless pit.
That 'homesick' feeling you thought you'd never experience now becomes the main emotion ruling your mind and heart.

You always considered yourself a globetrotter, bitten by the travel bug, a victim of wanderlust. But life never ceases to amaze. The monotony that you thought you wanted to break free from now tempts your every bone to take the path back home. You start missing the comfort, the warmth, the ease at which you could be yourself, the non judgmental attitude,. Each and every fiber of your body aches for the much needed zest and enthusiasm that can only be found among those who really love you.

"Castles or palace though we may roam. Be it ever so humble there's no place like home."

January 04, 2016