Mental illness is invisible and often goes ignored.
It takes control of a persons movements and affects the entire body. Unfortunately it still comes with stigma in our society.Mental health of a person is as important as physical health and together they partner to ones wellbeing.
If someone wants to be heard please offer them your ears and try not judging. Constant fear of being judged stops a person from sharing.
Suicides are becoming too common inspite of having so many mediums to stay in touch with near and dear ones.

I may not be with you always but I am there for you always.Spread the love ❤️🤗

It took us covid 19 to bring invaluable changes to our daily lifestyle where children are actually seeing their fathers and mothers partnering and running the household: be it cooking,cleaning,teaching,working.Families are having two to three meals together every day, and spending evenings reading \watching movies – “family reading time” or “weekend movie time” it is.

Life now is described as before covid and after covid – Earlier we had crazy mornings like getting kids ready for school ,then rushing to work,some had kids to drop at day care.Breakfasts were with tabs on or with phone in hand.You were there but actually not.From that busy life and few waking hours together life has come to a pause. Its something happening in homes across the countries that is very positive.Zoom calls have been in rage since the lockdown began – school lessons,meetings,virtual reunions,family get together,coffee time,birthday\anniversary celebrations,that’s the place to be.

Even after this mayhem passes by we shouldn’t forget the positives that this pandemic taught us.Once again when we will be allowed to move around freely without any restriction,we shouldn’t resume to the past chaotic lifestyle.Most of us also realized that retail therapy is just a myth to de stress.The reality is we all needed this pause in our life.

Together we should pledge to abandon our old habits and adopt this learning for life.We do not want things to return back to normal but to get better.

We shouldn’t like or comment on pictures posted outdoors on the social networking sites.Do not encourage people in any manner to not break the chain.It is now proven that social restrictions are necessary in breaking the chain of the contagion. Why can’t we have a nationwide mandate NOW?

Its the need of the hour to stay indoors and stop the virus from spreading.Request one and all to stay indoors and support the doctors and nurses who are working around the clock for us.

It’s everywhere.

Messages\forwards\Memes\Jokes flooded over social media amid coronavirus panic. Everybody is only talking about this.

Each one has his own unique take on this epidemic. Some have taken it very seriously and have started acting upon it by adopting safety measures. The second category of people are the ones making a mockery of the current crisis and have taken social media to revel in their taste of dark humor. Then comes the last set who remain confused over what to do and what not to do and how to react as the virus continues to spread worldwide.

A global outbreak that has killed thousands of people so far doesn’t seem like a likely source of humor. Humor surely relieves some anxiety temporarily.

Prioritize to plan for your family –

·       Plan a daily routine for you and your family to follow.

·       Exchange phone numbers with your neighbors.

·       Have your local chemists’ number. 

·       Set up online shopping accounts to purchase all household items.

We need to be responsible enough to take care of self and stop the spread of virus. It’s never been clearer before that we are all Global citizens, and have a part to play. We all have this responsibility on our shoulders. The virus doesn’t care about the national borders or religion. Its everyone’s responsibility to take the actions we are able to in order to limit its spread. It’s easy to feel helpless but there are actions to take and fight for a world with good health for all.

Action starts with learning the facts about the virus and health measures we all need to take to keep ourselves safe and people around us.

It calls for unity to fight the worst health crisis that has hit the world.

Please avoid stepping out for the next two weeks unless its unavoidable. This is least we can do for our self and for the nation that has given us shelter.

Phone should be out of sight during family time.

For example –

All restaurants should follow a practice of collecting the mobile phones or getting them switched off as soon as you enter. Pictures can be taken before you enter or after you leave.

Long drives should be without phone calls. Sometimes it’s good to be vocal to your friends, colleagues or even your boss – “out with my family on a long drive or lunch or dinner”. You earn respect both sides – sometimes an eye opener to some.We have lived in an era without social networks and gadgets and it wasn’t so bad.

Before the gadget era began kids would look out through the window read signboards and register routes whereas today’s kids either sit behind watch movies or are engrossed in their tabs.

GPS is there for sure but why are we so dependent?

Solving puzzles and crosswords that came with the morning newspaper along with a hot cup of tea was an enjoyable activity with parents which is sorely missed today in most households.

Talking to your family letting them know how your day was and hearing them out is no more a practice as everything is through “WhatsApp”.

When we were kids, we made our own games (more of creative thinking) we didn’t know what the word “bored” meant.

We would play word building with our siblings and parents – good way to increase the vocabulary. Name, Place, Animal, Thing was another game. Remember counting the trees or counting bogies of a goods train passing by.It may sound silly today but it was fun then.

Less distractions and more quality family time!

Lot of learning happened through play and daily conversations. Many games that we played on the ground or parks are easily available on our phones and tabs – why sweat then? How many phone numbers can you remember? Going to the supermarket and calculating the bill mentally before the cashier could was fun…

We earned less so ate more at home – healthy life style and contended too. Going to the restaurant once or twice in a year was valued and appreciated. Now you are bored and you order for food. 

Everything comes easy so it’s less valued.

Most commonly used word amongst all age groups is “BORED”.

As I write I am also thinking what are the immediate changes I need to bring in for a healthy family life…

Being overly connected to the social networking sites can cause psychological issues such as distraction, expectation of instant gratification and depression.

New trends like Binge TV watch negatively impacts our sleep. To help combat before-bed binging, turn off the TV in the middle of an episode instead of the end. This way you won’t be tempted to watch another episode when the show you are watching ends at a cliff-hanger.

Today we cannot do without our smart phones or tabs it’s a need to survive and cope but who stops us from taking breaks. Take regular breaks. Stretch your legs, move your neck, keep a bottle of water next to you and keeping sipping bit. You will remain hydrated throughout the day plus the regular toilet breaks will give you a forced break away from the tab. It’s a win win situation.

Technology has surely made the world a better place to live but at the same time its ruining humanity. Technology is so pervasive in our everyday life that its just impossible to stay away from it. It’s how we humans are using the technology that is devastating. It’s become an epidemic that is not allowing the newer generations to embrace humanity.

I feel like a magnet for people who open up to me about terrible things that may have happened in their lives .They tell me things they have never told anyone else.
Its normal when people you are close to come and open up.But when someone you barely know or a complete stranger shares their dark secrets or griefs, you just go numb.
They instinctively get comfortable and I can’t just turn them away.It makes me sad and helpless.
This happens often and I believe I
display the ability of being an empathetic listener in my sleeve or put out a subconscious vibe that gives people the comfort.
People don’t want an advice always sometimes they just want to be heard.
Embracing the gift,God has given me.I am at the right place at the right time.
“There is a sincerity in my listening” is something I often get to hear and I count it as a blessing.

See how far you’ve come
How far you have to go
See how amazingly you have
Beaten all of life’s lows
See how you’ve managed
To do the unthinkable
See how all your success
Has made you so exceptional
On your birthday I wish
More expectations you exceed
In life no matter what
May you always succeed
Cheers to you and to all your achievements, goals and adventures.

The boy’s parents visit his place first time after his marriage.They have come for a few months.

Morning wee hours (first day)
Mil wakes up and goes towards the kitchen –
Son and Dil getting the tea and breakfast ready for all.
Mil stands by the door and watches her son clean up,wipe utensils.
Getting stuff ready to set the table. Dil preparing the breakfast.
Dil notices Mil and wishes her “Good Morning” ,Mil wishes her back.Dil notices her Mil’s eyes were little damp and her voice confirmed it.
Son walks out to see his dad.
Dil switches the gas off and walks to her mil and says,”Ma mornings are crazy and so I take his help.”
Mil kept her hand on her Dil’s shoulder and said,”Don’t look at my damp eyes,look at the blush on my cheeks.” I am a proud mother today,I have raised a man!
Dont you think I deserve a pat on my back.
Both of them exchanged a warm hug.
Mil further said –
“Your parents parted with their diamond,gave her to a new family.Its our responsibility to treasure it for life.
I am contended to see you two are taking care of each other.You are as much mine as he is.
Remember one thing always, I am a woman first,then a wife and mother.You can count on me whenever you need me.I will be there for you”.
Dil was full of tears,but she was happy that she has moved out of her family into a family which is as much hers.
Son and Father come in and they enjoy their family breakfast together.

Hope New year brings a closure to what we all seek.

It’s that time of the year when you look back to see what you have accomplished this year.Here we only talk positives and hence “Happy jar” is something to look forward to.Happy jar – my treasure of 2019 only reminds me of all the good things that happened from the beginning of the year till the end of the year.

Each of us choose a colour for the chit.We write a chit with the date and capture the moment.Eagerly waiting for 31st to open up the jar and unfold the chits to recall -reminisce-relive once again.None of us know what the other has written 😊.

The colorful chits will remind us of the happiest memories.Few more days to go and then it will be a new beginning.

It’s not easy to remember all the happy moments but the jar makes it easy and each one is motivated to do something good to share…

It’s an amazing way to capture your happy moments so build your happy jar in 2020 👍😊

Friends tell me …

You are so lucky you are at home

You can plan the day,the way you wish

You can sleep and rest

You can go shopping

You have no tensions

You don’t have a boss

You don’t have targets

You can spend your husbands money

You can spend all your time with your kids

You can live the life of a Queen

You celebrate all festivals and you have all the time to dress up so well…

You are so lucky such a stress free life….

Just that I am unfortunate when it comes to friends…….