Grateful By Ketaki S. Vaidya

The preparations used to start a week before with cleaning and dusting the home the curtains would change to new ones and the wooden chairs would turn into foam Grown ups would start planning budget for gifts and bonuses cause expense but kids would be busy in planning some fun because budget never made any sense The kitchen used to get busy and messy with the cooking of savory and sweet cooking together was so joyful and the idea was festive and neat I remember looking at the lantern lit lanes while walking and chatting with friends there used to be only lights everywhere till the place where the range of sight ends Diwali involved rising very early for detailed and special bath early morning noise of fire crackers and majestic diyas lit path meeting with friends and family exchanging sweets and gifts all stress would just melt down  and mood will have rather dramatic shifts The world used to feel like one family unde...

I read about you in scriptures. so tried finding you around I could see you everywhere  I saw you in the sun shine In the tree and in vine In the fresh monsoon shower In the blooming garden flower You were everywhere in the sky in the wings of birds when they fly I could hear you every where In the sound of waves of ocean  In the blowing wind's motion In the dancing trees'  song in the rivers flowing for long In the baby's laugh so sweet In the happy bird's tweet I found you in the fragrance of flowers in the smell of dirt after rain shower in the aroma of mother's cooking in the ripened fruits while plucking You were always there everywhere In the light and in the darkest hour In the noise and in the silence you were the one without an end How can I hold something that can't have a measure with my tiny mind which looks for closure So I mixed up your five elements and created an idol the way I l...

Scars don't make you look ugly they make you look smart and bright because scars show that you dared to walk in darkness and then walked up to the morning light Don't think that scars make you look like a fool because making mistakes is pretty common  scars just talk about the lessons you learnt and made you a better human Scars are not just a memory of the past in fact scars come very handy to provide you with an action plan when times become harsh and windy So do not be shamed of your scars for scars make you look beautiful they are the certificates for completion of lessons which were important in life's school

"One learns by own mistakes"  It is easier said than done because the lessons that are learnt after mistakes are often the hardest one.  Mistake can be big or small  but you lose your accountability It takes years to clear self doubt  and re-trust your own ability It is true that there is always  some learning you will gain but it is also true that  the loss brings very bitter pain Then people come with advise and a lot of sympathy too but mainly they want to say, "See, didn't I tell you?" We all make many decisions not all intentions are bad but the destiny decides at time whether the end is good or bad So be kind first next time before you judge some one because love is more important and mistakes make us human.  

योग्यानाही जमले नाही  जमून गेले ते तुला राधिके  प्रेमाचे साधन तू करुनि  जिंकिलेस केशवा साधिके  वेदांनाही जो कळला नाही  अंत परी तो तुवा गाठला  बंदी झाला मिठीत तुझिया  ब्रह्मांडात जो असे साठला  भोळा अमुचा जीव अज्ञानी  कर्माच्या बंधात अडकला  परी सुकर तू केले सारे  प्रीतीचा तू मार्ग दावला 

धो धो पाऊस कमी जाहला  सणासुदीचा श्रावण गेला  आता आगमनाची करा तयारी  बोला गणपती बाप्पा मोरया  सजतील दारे फुलाफुलानी  स्वागताची होईल तयारी  रंगरंगुनी नटतील मखरे  बोला गणपती बाप्पा मोरया  वाजत गाजत येईल मूर्ती  मनामनांतून  भरेल स्फूर्ती  मंगलमूर्ती करतील मंगल  बोला गणपती बाप्पा मोरया  पूजेसाठी जुडी दुर्वांची  ओंजळ जास्वदींच्या फुलांची  नैवैद्याला मोदक लाडू  बोला गणपती बाप्पा मोरया  आरतीसाठी सगेसोयरे  हास्यांने भरतील मग घरे  खरीच मूर्ती चैतन्याची  बोला गणपती बाप्पा मोरया 

It is not just another city for me It is my birth place If you lived here you know how beautiful is this mess! People are very busy here They might appear to be rude but I have not seen anybody here having to sleep without food While the whole world is busy talking big talks about being secular Mahalaxmi and Haji Ali have always been here together Monsoon is pretty crazy here always bringing heavy rain but vada paav and cutting chai leaves work commute without pain Mumbai is the city that never sleeps It is always very busy the show must go on  may the weather be clear or hazy It is not only about work though It is also about very serious play With Holi, Diwali and Ganpati we celebrate life's holiday Freedom fighters, sportsmen and actors leaders, businessmen and law It has given a lot to the world both matured and very raw It is the city of different colors the city of rich and poor It always has a special...