2006-04-03T11:31:00.000-07:00

The Prized(ed) Possession

As 3-4 year olds we were taught ‘P’ for pot and ‘P’ for ‘picnic’ and ‘P’ for ‘plate’. A few years more and the ‘pot’, the ‘picnic’ and the ‘plate’ – all translate into a prize. For, be it in school, among friends or at home – we are encouraged to do things to win prizes. Prizes that we can flaunt among friends and relatives. Prize that we win, and our parents can flaunt among their friends and relatives! That ‘prize’, from then on, starts to mean different things to different people. It takes the form of ambition for some, it becomes frustration for the not-so-ambitious, it becomes passion for others and it may become addiction for the regular winner. What it starts to mean for the person also has got a lot to do with the environment he is in. For the kid, who’s encouraged to win but is not demotivated by people around him when he loses, will most likely become an optimist who can take on life as it comes. But for the kid, who’s always expected to win, but will not, because after all he’s human, may succumb under pressure and may become a moron. The winner in him will always be scared of losing and not face the challenge at all.

A humble prize that has the ability to lift a person’s self-confidence, inspire him and become his prized possession can also become deterrent to his happiness and well being. And that happens when the prize becomes his source of sustenance, because, that’s when the person gets addicted and will do anything to win it.

I wish kids aren’t taught ‘P’ for Prize. Instead, they be taught ‘P’ for ‘Pilot’ for the one who’s adventurous, ‘P’ for painting’ for the artistically inclined, ‘P’ for photography for the curious little brain, and ‘P’ for passion to one and all. For things done with half-heartedness are better not done. A half baked cake will only cause stomach upset!

Edgar Allan Poe had said, “With me, poetry has not been a purpose but a passion.”

My passion – doing something new that gives me creative satisfaction. Be it decorating my house, photography, gardening or surfing the net to look for interesting information and ideas.

My 'Prized Possession' - My 4-month old kid - Pari (fairy) - in the picture above :)

What’s your passion? And, what's your prized possession? Do let me know by replying to my blog.

2006-03-28T03:57:00.000-08:00

Those Admen Were Right

Johnsons baby powder....Huggies...pears - all these advertisements obviously had a baby -playful and adorable and a mom – doting, sentimental, misty-eyed. And I would wonder how on earth can one become so over-romantic as to drop those glistening pearly drops at the drop of a hat. I would find it theatrical ...something that happens only in ads to muster up sales for their products. And now, here I am, with my three-month old baby girl (Parinita/Pari)…my eyes eternally wet with sea of emotions.
I have no control over my brimming love as my little one smiles adoringly at me; as she recognizes me among a dozen other people; as she sleeps in my hug blissfully unaware of the humanity and the humdrum stuff around her. But most satisfying is the moment when she is close to my bosom suckling away with her tiny little mouth. The sweet sound she produces as she gulps; the moments when she stops feeding to lock her eyes with mine with that knowing smile on her face. The smile that seems to tell me “mama, I love you so much..mama pls hold me close forever…” It’s an experience I cannot narrate in words.
And now I know how true those ads are…they are after all glimpses from our lives. Things that we cannot narrate are narrated in those visuals. Hats off to all you ad men…

miles to go before I sleep...