Oceans spreading blue down there,
or may be perhaps up there…
Threads of clouds floating, hanging
Am I Walking or am I flying,
I keep wondering where I am…
and why… why… why…
Real or not, awake or asleep,
Happening or not,
How can I be sure?
Do I really need to be sure…
O dream! O dream! O dream!
—
Nice Dream.
It’s suddenly cold inside
Green lush fields outside
Its all grey and dark and but still
my love, how come so beautiful?
Salted peanuts flavoring my mouth
All I now crave for is your warmth
Little rain drops tickling the glass
I’m listening to our silent comforting talks
I know you are with me right here right now
That’s how I believe love is in me right here right now.- Nandini Dhiman
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A photo from this monsoon, but taken on a different day:
Sudden poetic moments!
I was in the bus while I got the feeling to write. And I did!
Thanks to the rain and thunderstorms.
Not everything lasts forever,
Sunny winter days were here,
but now it’s just the blanket of clouds,
showering freezing water down,
capping the peaks with white flakes,
feels like it’s January all over again.
. . . Golden Touches at the End of a Rainy Day . . .
Clouds throwing numerous shadows
pouring wetness all day along
winds stealing all possible coldness
Winter rejoicing as the mountains shiver
but the warmth is not very far
simply concealing behind the grays
as soon as the winds clear a way
the setting sun steals the evening show
the light brushes through the clouds
making the drenched earth glow in colors
flowers and birds cheer up watching while
everything gets beautified by this make over
Winter still has a reason to be proud
as nature has many hidden surprises
for those who can see and feel
the play between the light and the clouds…
the golden touches at the end of a rainy day!
(Author – Me!)
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Inspirations for my poem -
(I hope you can find and feel too!)
Yay! The Rose Survived
(…in continuation with my post – Snow & Rose: Yesterday & Today)
………………………………………………
The usual life: The rose was a little uncomfortable that day, as if its intuition was trying to tell something, something full of coldness. But it have always known to be strong, content and happy, so it just kept calm and soaked the beauty of the mountains and smiled. And the others who looked at it also smiled with the rose. Smile is infectious
But then very soon, the situations got worse making the rose tremble and feel that soon it might no more be a part of this plant which have been its home since it remembers. It was hard to cope but then the rose decided to just let it be. The only feeling left was “hope”. The rose kept its hope alive.
The rose endured the unexpected and difficult situation it was in, through day and night, and kept praying for more strength. And then when it was least expecting it, its prayers got answered, as unexpectedly as the snow had arrived. It eventually got the sunshine. The rose smiled more than ever. Cheerfully it looked around: the nature was applauding it for the strength it had shown, showering it with its beauty and warm feelings. The rose had got few bruises and wounds, but it didn’t matter much, since it had survived: It was alive!
Here, have a look Continue reading
It feels great to write this one. With smiles.
When I got the fifth blogging award yesterday, I felt that I really have to write the acknowledgment and appreciation post. So here it is…
I have been given “The Versatile Blogger” Award by -
1. Warrior Poet Wisdom (His blog here)
2. Nia (Her blog here - Niasunset)
3. Saarimner (His blog here)
4. Gracie Sam (Her blog here)
I want to heartily thank you all for chosing me for this award. It really feels great to be a part of your blogosphere. It’s always great to visit and look into your amazing world!
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And yesterday, Kate Kresse gave me “The Candle Lighter Award”.
It felt so good. I had posted a related post (I’m never lonely) yesterday, and getting the same award was so precious. You can check her blog here. She is a great writer with words full of hope and love. Inspiring.
I want to give this award to her too, if I may, because she deserves it.
Now I shall write more about the awards.
Here are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:
Random things about me:
This is a really hard thing to do since I am following many great wonderful blogs, but here are my 15 nominations (I’m sure they are going to be more than 15):
1. God is there - http://godisthere.wordpress.com/
One of the first blogs I started following. Kamal has always inspired me, and always will. (This blog has been in hibernation mode since May 2011, but still has a number of great posts.)
2. Katie’s Camera Blog - http://katiescamerablog.wordpress.com/
Katie is a dear friend and one of my favorite photographers. Her work is inspirational, nice & best, great & unusual, and sometimes naughty. She posts daily, and sometimes, we happen to share a lot many ideas. I love that. And I make sure not to miss any post.
3. Photography of Nia - http://photographyofnia.com/
Her work is positive and her photographs cheerful and creative. She loves mountains, esp., Himalayas. She always intends to spread smiles and happiness. I love to receive her love through her comments. She is truly a sweetheart!
4. My thoughts, pics and personal opinions - http://saarimner.com/about/
A blog about a lot many things. I really appreciate many of his ideas and like his photography. Hidden wisdom in there.
5. Warrior Poet Wisdom - http://warriorpoetwisdom.com/
The most inspirational poems I have ever read. They touch me, motivate me. I can feel them, as they reflect my thoughts too. Thanks, Miro.
6. Gracie Sam - http://graciesam.wordpress.com/
Her blog – Simple, beautiful and different every time. I especially like the quotes she share, and the fun stuff she shares. 
7. Pix & Kardz – http://kardzbykris.wordpress.com/
Chris shares her joys, adventures, and her love for photography. Her photos are simple and fabulous, and she shares fantastic photo collages which accompany her words. We share a similar outlook to the simple moments of life.
8. Mufidah Kassalias - http://mufidahkassalias.wordpress.com/
She is surrounded by beautiful things, and she captures them so brilliantly. You can find beautiful nature, creative art, architectural beauties in her photos. Her words accompanying her photos fill life in them.
9. Let’s Just Talk - http://atimerncans.blogspot.com/
Raman is a friend of mine and I have been following his writing for more than a year. He writes about several topics which he wants to talk about. You can find discussions on books, TV Series, fascinating science, and technology, or if I may say, anything! He writes creatively and improves with every post and enjoys doing that. All the best, friend!
10. 50 Year Project - http://50yearproject.wordpress.com/
T.B.M and I share similar interests. And his 50 year project inspires me. I’m simply following him through his journey on books, movies and travels. Great posts, full of positiveness and adventures.
11. Moments Clicked - http://momentsclicked.wordpress.com/
She is one of closest friend, and it feels really good to see her on WordPress sharing her photos and creativity. Way to go Tom, Jerry is following you. 
12. The Lantern Room - http://thelanternroom.wordpress.com/
I simply love her photography. It’s simple and natural. She captures nature in its best. As she has said – “Enlightenment Through Photography”. Keep enlightening me as well!
13. Shell River Experience - http://shellriver.wordpress.com
She loves nature, just like me. And knows how to capture it perfectly. Her photos surprise me and take me into her experiences in the woods.
14. Victoria’s Photography - http://victoriaaphotography.wordpress.com/
Be it - birds, flowers, leaves, trees, animals, architectural wonders, she has amazing photographs of each of them on her blog. Just Awesome.
15. Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller - http://bobzeller.wordpress.com/
My Mom loves birds, and so do I. Bob’s blog is surely a gift to me. I always share his bird captures with my mom. His bird photos are just wonderful, and there are so many of them. Thank you Mr. Bob – you inspire me!
16. I have exceeded my 15 limit list, so here are some of my other favorite photo blogs which I visit daily, if I can. They are truly inspirational and amazing:
There are two more blogs which I would like to mention, I really like their work and interesting stuff. Also, I would like to thank them for following my work and appreciating it.
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I still have a feeling that I’ve missed so many blogs.
I’m thankful to all for appreciating my blog and leaving me comments. It surely motivates me. Stay tuned!
Today is Mahatma Gandhi’s Jayanti, i.e., 142nd birth anniversary. He is the Father of the Nation, so this day is entirely dedicated to him. Well, he totally deserves it. This day is also the “International Day of Non-Violence”.
Everyone I’ve come across in my life knows about him or has heard of him. Of course this is a good thing. In this post, I’m going to share what answers I’ve got when I’ve asked people (people I know) this question - “Do you like Mahatma Gandhi?” And to my surprise, all the answers were not in his favour.
For some he was their idol, some just liked him for his philosophies and thoughts, and some people hated him or wanted to hate him . Why was I surprised when I encountered such negative responses? Well may be because I never came across anything negative against him in my history books at school or the movies I watched which were based on Indian Independence. All I knew was that he played a very important role in our independence.
Well then I grew up and found out that there are many people who have reasons to hate him. I won’t elaborate on those reasons because I myself don’t find them right, or in other words, I just merely want to ignore them for they only inflict negativity. Those reasons were actually stupid and absurd, as if one has a limited mind and knowledge. Either they disliked him because of what they have been told by others or just because it was the surname “Gandhi”, or worse, because of what he did in his personal life. I find these talks insignificant and immature. I mean, where is your own opinion? Personal things don’t even matter now as the physical being doesn’t exist. All which is left are the lessons which are more significant. There is a big positive picture which I don’t know how some people just seem or want to ignore.
I just want to believe in all the good things he has said and written. Simple isn’t it? Learn all the good things you can while you live. Criticize the present so that you can improve your future. You don’t have to follow or idolize a person to learn from him. Just keep the good values and thoughts in your heart and apply them often, and trust me, that is all what matters. Even God wants us to do that.
God in Gandhi’s own words:
God Himself is both the Law and the Law-giver. The question of anyone creating Him, therefore, does not arise, least of all by an insignificant creature such as man. Man can build a dam, but he cannot create a river. He can manufacture a chair, but it is beyond him to make the wood. He can, however, picture God in his mind in many ways. But how can man who is unable to create even a river or wood create God? That God has created man is, therefore, the pure truth. The contrary is an illusion. However, anyone may, if he likes, say that God is neither the doer nor the cause. Either is predicable of him.
Goodness is God. Goodness conceived as apart from Him is a lifeless thing and exists only whilst it is a paying policy. So are all morals. If they are to live in us, they must be considered and cultivated in their relation to God. We try to become good because we want to reach and realize God. All the dry ethics of the world turn to dust because apart from God they are lifeless. Coming from God, they come with life in them. They become part of us and ennoble us.
In the end, it all comes down to our choices. Choose wisely. Choose to be good.
You eagerly wait for something and then it finally arrives. Full-on excitement because you do not know what’s there in it this time. Everything new and lots to explore. I was waiting for Coke Studio season four since last year when the season three got over. I have earlier shared several of my favorite Coke Studio songs. I just love everything it provides, the great depths of music, poetry, culture, languages. Let’s see what it holds for us this year. Episode 2 will be aired today.
Here is the link for the pool of soulful music: Season Four
Also, there is something else I was hoping or rather wishing for. An India chapter of Coke Studio. Continue reading
I knew it and now I know it again. That one negative emotion leads to another and then there is no stopping until you deny them to enter in your mind. Here in my case, the negative emotion is “irritation”. I guess, I would have rather sung a song instead of listening to irritating words.
Anyways, I should not talk about it much.
Have a nice time. And here is the smile
It was back in 1994 when I first time went to Kashmir. I was just 6 years old. It was the first long trip of my life. Aah Kashmir. The name itself gives me lots of smiles.
My Dad was posted in Uri (J&K) which was quite near to LOC and very much prone to militancy. That’s why my rest of the family including me were staying at my Grandma’s home in Palampur for those four long years while my Dad was there. So in July 1994, when I Continue reading
