Life @HappyPlace

I call my hometown and my house as the Happy Place. I get a chance to visit my hometown once a year. With the kids, their school, my job, once a year its like an escape to the paradise. I yearn year long to spend one full month with my dad and brother’s family. This year its different. Due to the nationwide lockdown and being at home indoors all the time, I am missing the fun of being home.

So many things have changed in these past two months.

No school, no office, no transport. When will everything  come back to normal. Or should I ask will it ever be normal again? So many are there like me who are missing out being with their parents as it is usually the peak travel time and vacation time.

The only time I could have met all my friends. Not that I don’t have friends here in my place. But the college and school friends have a totally different place in everyone’s heart.

Remembering my days back @HappyPlace, I get tears. I just hope next year there should not be any travel restriction and people should freely live their life without any hassles.

My only wish is, there should be better days for all of us very soon and life should get back to normal. And I should be able to visit my Happy Place.

Guess you too have a story to share about your Happy Places. 

Happy Lockdown Holidays. Lets cheer up and hope for better days.

(Picture from Google Images)

That Moment when Life Freezes, But we move on – Chapter 2

That Moment When Life Freezes But we move on

As we have already read about Victor and Shalom,  continuing from where we left….

Shalom’s life continued without Victor. His memories were always there with her. she knew Victor would never return. She loved spending time with kids. She now was a teacher. She enjoyed teaching at a school nearby to her place.

Every moment she spent time with kids she would forget all her worries and be happy. she was interested in social service and be of help to the needy. She was a part of an NGO (Non Government Organization) which would help the poor and the needy. She started teaching the kids who were under privileged. This gave her immense happiness and her life was good. Shalom had registered as a blood donor. She had a rare blood group. She had volunteered in in blood donation several times.

One day, she received a call from a stranger. The person on the other end was looking for a blood donor for one of his family member. He sounded as if he was in a dire situation. Shalom was willingly agreed and she went to the hospital the next day.

The following day, Shalom went to the hospital where she was supposed to donate blood. She called the number, the stranger had given. He picked the call and asked her to wait at the reception. Shalom was waiting and reading a magazine that was nearby. She was engrossed in her thoughts. A soft voice called her from behind.

She turned around to find a tall, well built man in his mid twenties maybe. He had a smile on his face, his hair a little roughed up. He looked tired or sleepless, possibly because he must’ve not got any rest in the hospital. He asked her “Shalom?”. Shalom nodded her head in acknowledgement and got up from the chair. She placed the magazine back on the chair, took her bag and stood up. The man introduced himself as “Hi, I am Anand. I am the one who called you yesterday.” Shalom just smiled and didn’t speak anything. Anand, said it was indeed a pleasure seeing a lady volunteer for blood donation and also said that he had probably called some 50 people asking for blood. Many did not agree and Shalom was the only person who agreed to come. He was very happy and took Shalom to the blood collection center. There the nurses, checked Shalom for blood grouping and inquired her about her health and any other ailments she had. This is the routine in any blood donation and Shalom was aware of this formality. Shalom obliged for all this and finally she was made to sit on a chair, made comfortable. The nurse pricked her forearm and inserted the canula, in seconds the blood was collected in the collecting unit.

All this while Anand was waiting outside eagerly for the procedure to complete. It took about 45 minutes for Shalom to complete the procedure and come out. Anand immediately got up and ran towards her when she came out. He was very happy and thanked Shalom for her generosity. Anand offered to drive her back home and he insisted in spite of Shalom not wanting to go with him

The drive towards home, changed Shalom’s course of life.

 

To be continued…

 

(Pic from YourQuote app, quotation written by me)

The paths we cross.

In our life, we meet many people. Some people we meet, become a part of our life. We all have families, that are full of people whom we know. We live with them, spend our time with them, share our lives with them. Every person we meet or we live with has an influence on our life. We shape our lives, learn from others. We too influence others with our character. Hence, life is all about learning. Learning what we do not know and probably teaching others what they don’t know.

As we walk the journey of our life, we tend to meet new people. These new people are strangers. Some may be the people whom you meet for just a brief period and may never meet them again. Imagine we are traveling in a train on a long journey. The co-passengers who travel with us to the same destination are strangers. These people however become familiar to us as the journey progresses. We exchange pleasantries and chat a while with them. May be we share a piece of our life with them at that moment. Sometimes, we may even make adjustments of our comfort with them. Once, the journey is over, we both get down at our destination station and take different paths. We remember them for a brief period and then forget.

The time we spent with them in that brief period becomes a memory. In that brief period we may have learnt something new from the people we met.

Sometimes, a stranger whom you meet accidentally becomes a part of your life. That stranger may have a great influence on our lives. He/She may become your good friend. Life has so much to give. There is so much to learn.

It is always good to be nice with all the people we meet in our different walks of life. We never know where someone can be of great help to you. Always try to be a good person, a person who will be remembered by others as good. Keep a smile on your face when you talk to people. Your smile may brighten some else’s life.

Be happy and make others’ life happy too.

 

Image source: Google Images 🙂

The new me

The tough times that the world is going through is something that no one had ever expected. The terms that we never wanted to hear like “isolation” “quarantine” “lockdown” are here as something we talk about commonly these days.

Life never remains the same. The world is healing everyone says, but why don’t we realize we are healing too. Yes the time that we have with us, the time we are spending with our families, the time we have with our pets, kids and the “me time” we get is incomparable to the times we had earlier. Nothing is more important than the bond we have with families in these tough times.

The time now is more important as we need to be safe and sane at the same time. The sudden change in lifestyle, no going out, no shopping, no work is hard to believe. Trying to stay positive in these times is very important.

I have found the new me:

1. I have developed lot of patience these days. My mood decides the mood in the house. Being a responsible parent, having patience is very important.
2. Reading the books for which I had no time earlier is quite fun.
3. Started working out. No physical exercise leads to lethargy.
4. Practicing Yoga and Meditation.
5. Laughing and smiling more.
6. Sharing and cooking recipes with friends and family.
7. Spending time in the garden, talking to my plants and keeping them engaged.

These are some things that I have found in myself which I wasn’t earlier.

Stay safe and stay home. We shall overcome. The world will be a better place for us. Take care of family dear all.

 

An Open Letter From a Dog to Humans

Dear People,

Since thousands of years ago you have been telling us that we dogs are your best friends. But you truly don’t try to build that bond between us. There are so many such instances that you fail to understand us due to which we get punished by you, mistreated and sometimes even give us away. Please do not laugh at us because we too have feelings just like you. Wondering what it is you do not understand? Here are a few things.

1. When you bought/adopted me, I did not ask anyone that I need you as my master instead you choose me. When you gave me that trust and hope, why you do not keep it that way. Why do you have to behave in such unloving and without any care by handing me over to your cleaners and other helpers?

2. I am not as good in communication as you are, so do give some time for me to understand the things you have learned over many years. Don’t you think it’s bit unfair that we should learn everything at once?

3. We never forget anything in our lives like how you treat us, the love you show etc.

4. Things that you think good may not be good for me and vice versa.

5. Yes! Food, water, and shelter are the basic things that we also need for our survival. But it’s not only these things that we need. We want you to spend time with us, have fun, your love and attention makes us happier. How hard it is just to sit and throw the ball. After all, we are the one who would be running to get the ball you throw.

6. Just like you, we do not wish to be locked outside in the balcony without any shield for the climatic conditions. We find it difficult to handle extreme heat or cold.

7. The only way we know to show our love and affection is by licking you. Definitely, we know that you would not want us to put our paws all over your clothes and make you dirty. Hence we lick because you can simply wipe it off later.

8. If you think we are lazy, then that exactly a picture of yourself. What you teach us is what we learn. We have learned to be lazy by you and so blame you for the laziness we might show.

9. Every time you go out, leaving me alone at home I spend my time worried and waiting for your comeback. Why don’t you show at least 50% of that kind of treatment? I feel so comfortable when you are around me.

10. Even if I am a small breed we have bigger brain and heart.

11. Before you bring another dog into your house, make sure you give me plenty of time to get adjusted. Do not expect me to be friendly and all approachable.

12. When I am strong and ferocious you fear me and keep me outside. Yet you dislike some of us who might be big and huge in size but as weak and silent as we may still be in our puppy stage of our little lifetime.

13. We do not watch TV, don’t read books, do not sit and do politics, or even go for shopping. What else do you expect from us than just lie around and doze off? Well, making us playful and active depends on you.

14. Remember always that I have teeth that can cause serious damage to you if I fight back and when you try to hit me. I chose not to because I respect you and adore you completely.

15. I may not remain a puppy forever. Just like you I grow old, and being old diseases are common to us as well. Take care of me if I fall ill same way as you care for your other human that you call as a family.

16. Do not choose me to leave back when you have to shift to a different place. There is a various way to transport me too. I have stayed loyal to you since the time I was born, and that is least thing I expect from you as not to abandon me.

    You might think whatever I am asking of you is foolish, my dear human. But if you want us to be happy, protective and an active dog, you have to show us how to be one. I hope you do not mind all the things I said now and try to make changes.

What If?

On one such late night, I and my daughter stood on our terrace holding the telescope that was given in her astronomy class( one of those many classes children convince us to make them join when we know it’s not worth it) trying to look at the moon in an attempt to see all the craters and other things that are seen on the Moon. Are you asking me what other stuff? Sorry, I need to go back to the science books to give that information. Anyways, my daughter had already seen all the things very clearly in a moon watching day through a much bigger sized telescope and she wanted me to see them too ( in her small telescope). As you might have already guessed, I could see a clearer view of the moon and make out the craters, however, nothing other than that.

While watching( it takes too long to focus and to make sure not to move your hands, as you are breathing) I had this thought, what if suddenly one day I wake up and find myself on the moon!! How is it going to be?

Ever thought something random things like that? I do, quite often. My mind is the best friend who always accompanies me in all random thoughts and stupid suggestions. So we (I and my bestie mind) discussed how is it going to be to wake up on the moon.

Imagining, the first thing I open my eyes, probably I will have all sore body parts, you know because of no bed and maybe I was on top of rocks. I see not a single living organism around and am all alone. I start getting up and walk around in an attempt to know where I am. Mind you, when I say walk around it probably might look like bunny hops. But hey, I just weigh like a baby on the moon. How wonderful if I weigh the same on Earth? OK, so I search and search looking for a life or anything else. It feels dark, but you know, one day on Moon is equal to 28.5 days on Earth. It’s like, is the day ever going to end? Everywhere its mountains, rocks and huge craters. Wait they looked so small in the telescope, didn’t they?Time to miss Earth? I still try to find some form of a solution. I decide to gather things on the moon surface to show people down on Earth if by chance I go back alive just like how I woke up. By now I started to feel thirsty and no sight of water anywhere. Suddenly there is a drastic change of atmosphere and it is unbearable. Being on the moon is beginning to feel scary and lonely. Moon is really nice to watch from far. I finally go back to sleep and the next time I woke up, I was back in my lovely king sized bed, surrounded by my family, adorable pet and my lovely daughter who is the reason in the first place for these stargazing thoughts on the moon. Oh! I love my Earth and where I live. Maybe it’s time we all try to respect and save the resources, else it might not be really good to shift to other planets. Just saying!!!

The Observing Child

Dear Readers,

(We at Magicmindz like to welcome our new contributor Namitha Akshanthalu. Your opinions in the form of likes and comments are valued by us and we always thank you for stopping by our blog. Without much ado…please read on her first blog)

On one of those odd days when I went to pick my daughter from school, I saw another parent of a kindergarten child speaking to the class teacher. I happened to sit close by and overheard their conversation. The teacher went like this “He is very good in his academics (!!!) and I have no complaints but he is very naughty, throws pencils, sharpener and eraser at other children in the class.” The teacher went on and on complaining and in between questioning the boy “why do you do that? Won’t it hurt others?” If only the boy knew that it hurts because he has probably seen Tom and Jerry, run around beating each other and it’s so much fun!! Oggy and the Cockroaches are no less. Why are children made to watch cartoons? Do we know that Cartoons were meant for adults and not for children?

Cartoons have been used to depict a wide range of political, religious and social viewpoints and often touch upon topics that may be sensitive. As social critics, these cartoonists work best in times of social unrest and movements towards reform. It is more challenging for them to maintain their critical wit in times of tragedy, uncertainty or the threat of war when the tendency is to invoke nationalist sentiment and comfort the public.

For children, what they see is what they do. Most children these days spend time playing video games or watching cartoons. When Jerry burns Tom’s tail, the tail is charred and Tom screams but the very next minute, he is chasing Jerry with his all shiny and beautiful tail as ever. A child who sees this does not understand pain. Children easily get tagged as naughty, distractive, hyper, liar, brainless, shameless, attitude and what not. But do we try to understand the reason behind their behavior? Whom are they trying to imitate? From where are they observing these?

Our parents were not addicted to television, computer or mobile phones. We spent a good time with family, friends, and relatives. Our only distraction was physically going out on the streets and playing. Hence we developed better motor skills and other life skills without being explicitly taught. Can we empathize with the current generation and their lack of exposure to beautiful life? We embrace modern lifestyle in the name of comfort and then repent for our children’s behavior.

Something commonly heard of “I have given him all the luxury in life and buy all that he needs and more. All that we expect from him is to study well and he cannot do that. He is so lazy and irresponsible”. The child cannot study, only because of lack of purpose in studying as everything that he needs is already under his feet and a command away.

 

*Images are subjected to Google

 

Must Have Android Apps on Your SmartPhone

We cannot think of our days running without our lifetime partner (a virtual one), that is our smartphone. Even children today, have a smartphone and can easily deal with a complex technology. Although iOS has the best of things it is still Android phones that rule the market. So, if you have brought a new phone and still checking out which apps you need to download, here is a list of must-have apps that could be useful.

1. Antivirus security app

When you own a smartphone, anti-virus is a must. Using the internet welcomes all kind of viruses that can cause serious damage to your device. I for one, cannot live my day without my phone in hands and I definitely don’t want it to fall ill on me.

2. Google Maps

The Google maps have made it easier to get to our destination. Gone are the days when we had to ask for the address while traveling to a new place and then land in confusions. Instead, we are at that age where our phones or gadgets can guide us the destination perfectly. Now! Isn’t that is handy? Just do not forget to keep your mobile data on.

3. Photo modifying apps

If you are someone like me who is interested in making your casually clicked pictures into a great image, you should have a photo modifying app. There are several of them on my mobile, such as the YouCam Makeup which lets you look great with face makeup when you are shot without, YouCam Perfect and PicsArt Studio are some to name that you must have.

4. Movies and TV streaming app

We all do need entertainment and there are certain apps that let you stream TV shows and movies directly and you can watch them on the go. Netflix is one of my favorite but there are others like Hotstar, popcornFlix, Hulu, etc.

5. Fitness App

Being fit and healthy is the most important thing in life. There are various apps that guide you on being healthy like keeping track of your exercise routine, cardio tracking, meditation with various scenarios, a guide to many food diets etc. Depending on your choice download the app that helps your routine.

6. Music Apps

Although every mobile comes with an inbuilt application of music apps, there are still many other that lets you listen and stream a wide range of choices of music from their albums. If you are a music junkie, check out apps such as Wync Music, Spotify, Shazam, Jango etc. Find what works best for you and enjoy your day while you work.

7. Evernote

Evernote a multifunctional tool is a must-have in everyone’s mobile. It helps in making lists, voice recording, to-do manager, web page clipper, note taker etc. It is an all round helping app that makes it an important app to have.

8. Pocket

Everything is done online these days. People read articles and any other details over the internet on the go. You can save on bookmarks but not much is possible. Pocket, is one such an app that helps you to save web pages to read offline.

Are there any other apps that you think it’s important to have and is useful? Please, do not hesitate to pass the information and let us know about it. Do share your views in comments.

Note: The images used in this article are not copyrighted by Magicmindz. They belong to different sources as found in Google images.

For The New Beginnings

Happy New Year 2017!!!!

So! Finally, we ended 2016 and put it in the bag of history. I understand that 2016 was not really a good year for many, as for me it was ok-ish.

However, when my phone was bombarded with various photo messages and GIF images of sparkling crackers and lights, I wondered why we celebrate a new year Jan 1st (apart from the religious reason) with so much of jubilation and pomp? Is 2017 going to be any different than 2016, 31st December or for that matter a few days/months before? I cannot really see any much changes at least in my life and all I know, no matter what life moves on, be it 2016, 17 or 18 etc. For new beginnings, we need not have to wait for a new day, new month or even new year. It just sounds like another resolution that we all know, we would never follow the minute we make it.

Perhaps, it is the promise of a new day, month or year is another opportunity to start a fresh, do it all again but in a different way, different methods and reach new goals, makes everyone to celebrate and welcome a new year. I hope that stands true to all of us.

Although, I began the very first hour of 2017, shouting on a kid who was our neighbor. Well, I could not help it when he kept shouting “happy new year” for the entire world to hear and burning crackers which disturbed the sleep of all of us at home(pet included). Do not get me wrong, am not so boring that I dislike partying and celebrating. Also, definitely not someone who wants to destroy a small child enthusiasm but seriously this kid kept on shouting endlessly at midnight.

I remember, someone telling me that a new year day should be started with a good laugh, love, smiling with much patience (which I lack) and with all the good things. I started 2017 with not so well, however, the day went on to be good. I hope the 365 ¼ days of 2017 will bring better things to me and to all of us.

So, here I am! Wishing you all for new beginnings, new opportunities, a chance to do it again and come out winning.

Cheers! To all of you and a “Very Happy New Year 2017″

Thanking my Versatile Blogger Award

I know there are some blogger’s awards going on that people, I mean bloggers award each other in their circles whom they think suitable to nominate. I always thought I am here yet getting acquainted with great bloggers and writers and am too far to be nominated by anyone. Out of somewhere comes this sweet friend Lorenza (I believe we are friends because there are at least two things we have in common 1) love to write and 2) love for dogs) and tagged me to this award.

In fact, as Lorenza said we met in the blogging world through our dogs. She stumbled upon one of my Bruno articles and expressed her love for dogs as well. By the way, you have to visit her blog to meet her two cute little ones, Buffy and Fluffy. I believe Lorenza is a bundle of awesome energy and we can see it in all her posts. I loved her post on mindfulness and of course the infamous Buffy writings. Well, Buffy tips are so useful if you got pets as well. If not, you will still enjoy reading Buffy write ups. Visit her blog buffyandrenza.blogspot.in. Thank you so much for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award Lorenza.

I and my friend Shalini together started our blog Magicmindz. We have been working on the blog only recently although we created it long before. Since I have started to write regularly, I have met some wonderful bloggers through G+ and also directly on WordPress. Dear all my readers, please accept my heartfelt thanks for always supporting our blog. I like to write on all topics wherever my mind takes me. Working on SEO topics and constrained to the number of words, makes me come back to my blog and write freely. Hence Magicmindz is like a window into my thoughts.

Like all, I did read the VBA Rules and it says that I have to list seven facts about me. After that, nominate other bloggers for this award.

So here are seven facts about me…. I am thinking what to say and what not to……..

Alright here we go,

1. I love to read. I am on my feet most of my day cause of which, I find it difficult to read a paperback. Hence, reading on mobile is easier. I read so extensively that I carry my mobile even to the bathroom and also sometimes in the shower, oops! Well, there is a stand a few inches away from where the water do not fall. So anyone can reach me anytime (It’s just I may choose to ignore the call, now I said it, don’t sue me)

2. I dislike cooking and dread spending time in the kitchen. I and my daughter named every room in our house and I named the kitchen as Anaconda… because I feel it gobbles me up! (My time actually, which otherwise I love to spend it on writing).

3. Am a coffee addict. For me, a vacation will be days alone in my own company with a wonderful book in hand and a cuppa to enjoy. Wow! Just waiting for that one single day… ( am always tagged by my daughter or my dog, who claim to not to live without me)

4. Am a too emotional person. Tears trickle down my cheeks very fast. Well, that does not mean I am weak. Someone said that “Crying does not mean the person is weak, but the person has a heart”. Simple as that!

5. I am a night owl but am awake maximum by 6 AM ( is that late for a good morning? Well I just cannot drop down on my bed sooner than 12 AM. I do not get sleep before that. So I write, I watch Netflix, I read, I browse, etc)

6. I love editing photographs. I have plenty of apps on my phone to edit all our photos and make it look like however we want with make ups and place ourselves wherever we want. Well, we should make use of the advancement in technology you see!

7. I work as a Ghost Writer and write various articles. The reason am on and off with my own blog is that am chasing targets on daily basis. I write on all niche except topics based on technology. I have no idea why technology dislikes me so much. Every time I decide to try it out, those topics makes it harder for me. So I decided it is best we stay apart from each other.

I have got much more to tell about me, but I guess you would get bored. So let’s get on to my nominations.

I have met some really wonderful bloggers but they are already been nominated being the best. So I got to widen my search. After checking out here are my list of authors of really cool blogs that I found it really interesting to follow.

1. Priya Sharma – Her blogs – www.passionatebookreviews.com and http://www.romanceaholicanonymous.com If you are looking for some cool books to read, you have to check out Priya Sharma take on the books. She writes cool reviews on all kind of books, and not only Romance novels. She is also a very good artist.

2. TalkholicMe – Meet Falak Irfan of TalkholicMe. She writes a versatile of topics. Poems, stories, fashion and what not. You will definitely enjoy reading her blog.

3. Thriti’s Blog – Some write in stories, while some express in poetic. Thriti Das is a blogger who blogs beautiful poems as well as other various blogs. I understand she is already been awarded Versatile Bloggers Award and there is no rule that she need to write another post just because I nominated her. Yet bloggers can have a look at her site if you wish.

4. Laugh Your Way to Peace, love, and Joy – I find this blog by energy writer Sharon. D. Dillon a very positive and inspiring one. She covers topics on various subjects but everything with a positive attitude. Check out the blog to get inspired and energized.

5.  Recipe in a Bottle – I would say this blog is as versatile as any other. Because hey you get a different recipe every day. Before visiting the blog, keep your tongue tied. Consider a fair warning, because once you are there you just cannot control your taste buds. Check out some awesome recipes.

Well, although I like to complete the number in nominating, as I said most are already on the list. Hence I like to add to this list some other time when my blog grows and I have an increased number of followers. However, I thank Lorenza for nominating me and all others for appreciating my blog posts with your likes and comments.