True love?

Our world today is obsessed with 'True love.' How true, though, IS true love. How many times have we been with somone and thought they were our soulmates, but things didn't work out and we ended up with some one else. Who is to define who your real soulmate is? And really, is eternal love dependent on circumstance, rather than emotion?

Some connections are instant, and feel just right. But there is one tiny aspect that does not make it perfect. It maybe long distance, it maybe a difference in life goals,....and we let go. Then comes along somebody else and the circumstances are just perfect. The connection might not be as strong the first time, but with time, the bond grows...and we name it our true love.

In this trial and error way of dating, while we are constantly looking for mates to be our companions for life, we meet new people everyday. A 'Serendipity' does not happen to everyone. All of us are witnesses to such incidents when we met someone, there was that spark, there was the chance..the chance of it turning into love. But, it didnt happen. And Years later, a memory comes back to us and we can only sigh and say, "If only.........."

Life is full of relationships that are waiting to happen, of relationships that could have happened. Is the only distingusihng factor between a relationship and true love, whether it worked out or not? Why has love come to be an end, and not the process, the experience, it is?

HQ

Happiness they say, is the latest to join the 'Quotient' bandwagon. That is to say, the newest parameter of judging a person, in a quantifiable form, is the Happiness Quotient or 'HQ' as it is lovingly (or lazily) called.

Of course, the usual questions have been asked. Is it possible to quantify something as qualitative as happiness. And even, if it can be, is it not relative? The sight of a decadent chocolate cake can make me happy (so totally!) , and the person in front of me in the queue taking it, can make me sad. But of course, when we think about it, these are all questions that can be answered easily, so I will not dwell on them. Anyway, I digress.

The more important thought that passed my mind was this: Is it really our choice to be happy? I've heard that it is. All motivational speakers say that at least. Fortunately, I haven't been through a major depression since I read this quotation. So, therefore, that is why, I will not be able to authenticate the authenticity this statement. But yes, I have had those 'blue days', and yes, I have managed to make myself happy on those days! True story.

There are bigger questions though. If it's true, why aren't all of us happy? If everybody realises this now, will the world become happier? (A recent survey proved that most Earthlings are happier today than they were in decades... I digress again.) These are questions I have no answers to.

What I have realised now though, is that happiness is, indeed, a choice we make. Sometimes, it is as simple as moving our focus on to something new. Something different and challenging. Sometimes, it is about spending some time with ourselves, alone. Sometimes, it is as simple as eating a bar of chocolate! So am I saying that doing all this will ensure happiness? No, I am saying that deciding you will be happy, will make you happy.

You don't believe me? Try it out yourself the next time you are low.

And the battle wages...

It is funny how little things affect our “national pride.”

I lie on bed flicking channels. The stage is set. There is a panel of 3, and the moderator, of course, a well dressed lady who should be modeling, discusses cricket.

Sidhu sits beside her and vociferously talks about how we have been classified as racists. Of course, Indians are not racists. We have always stood against racism. With patriotism in full glow, can we forget Mahatma Gandhi. No, he fought against racism all his life. And they have th audacity to call us, US racists!!

Of course, it’s a small point that nobody has labeled us a nation of racists. The ICC has merely ruled that one Indian made one racist remark in one cricket match. That in itself was an unfair ruling, is something we have even stopped contesting. So, why bother Gandhi after all these years. Really, he deserves a break after all these years of constant calling upon, for absolutely no rhyme or reason!

We can, also, totally do with lesser emotions! Being outraged at blatant unfairness is one thing. But asking India to pull out of a tournament is completely another. And why? Because ‘they’ call us a nation of racists… well , let them call us what they want to? Have the confidence in yourself that you are not. You are visiting another nation to play. Go ahead and do that.

No, I am not going to quote the “Do you karma, and do not be bothered about the result,” part we have grown up on. But yes, I will definitely say that, this tournament, inspite of it “technically” going against us, has proved us the heroes. We were “victimized” and yet, we showed grace. We were “pulled down” and yet, we showed solidarity.

Indeed, we might have lost the match, but we won the game.

The India and Australia spat.

We just lost the second test match in Sydney. Captain Kumble said on TV, "Everybody knows why we lost." It was a composed, matter-of-fact statement. How it could it not be matter of fact? Technology has indeed revolutionalized the way the world works.

It is, therefore, fantastic how Benson and Bucknor have passed the judgments! I am amused beyond words. Did they really think they could get away with more than a million people watching them, a thousand channels broadcasting them, and of course, not to forget the cricketing fraternity itself! I mean c'mon, you can definitely not be that dim witted. Or are you?

Or is it a certain cockiness that says "We can get away with what we want."....I have a feeling you won't. Not this time...And if you still do, you haven't won. Because unfortunately, you have already been branded bad sport.

I cannot help smiling again when I think how insecure the 'greatest cricketing team' must be to take to tactics like this in a desperate bid to win India. (I mean if Aishwarya Rai poisons my drink before participating in a beauty contest with me, I would think I have already won! ) Mr. Ponting, are you sure you think India can only win 20-20s? Why am I not so sure suddenly?

I am glad India went down under. We now know who ICC needs to remove from the umpiring bench. We also know that Kumble's boys instilled fear in the host team's minds. We know our dear Bhajji was a threat enough to be played around dirty tricks with.

We might have lost one series, but have won the game!