Thursday, February 22, 2018

The Emotional Connection

   "The Emotional Connection” — Shradha Rajpal 




“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow." ― William Shakespeare

"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself  — and especially to feel, or not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at any moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.” ― Jim Morrison

"A true friend is someone who will always love you — the imperfect, the confused, the wrong you — because that is what people are supposed to do."
 
Each and every quote written above specifies only one thing, a life without that true friend is incomplete, empty and boring.  
From standing up for us to wiping away our tears; From patiently listening to our heart-break encounters, to be as excited as us when we fall in love; 
From showing us the mirror of our true-self to showering us with compliments. 
At each and every step of our lives that True-friend stands by us and that friendship weathers all storms.

The book “The Emotional Connection”, which is first in the series #EC1, is dedicated to that friend, that friendship with whom we could be totally vulnerable and yet is our strength.

“The Emotional Connection” by Shradha Rajpal is available on Juggernaut Books (In an easy to read Digital Format on their App and Website). Please click on the link to download your copy now (The first few chapters are available for Free as a preview).

Trust you enjoy reading it just as much as I have loved writing it.

https://www.juggernaut.in/books/e6e8d0dcad664c6687803a44ff4689d7

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Wasn't Aware


Wasn’t  Aware

How many changes you go through in life
Wasn’t  Aware
A present the life is offering to me
Wrapped in terms of family and bond

Wasn’t  Aware
A change I would gladly accept
Hurdles thought about wasn’t even there

Wasn’t  Aware
The new dimensions enriching my life
A slight name change transformed my destiny

Wasn’t  Aware
It was a well-designed life map
Not only had it focused on the individual growth but of people around it too.

Wasn’t  Aware
What I was searching for bit and pieces
Given to me on a platter decorated with roses and love

Still not aware of the destination
But the promise to lead with a smile
Is my everyday motivation

Wasn’t  Aware is the poem which helped me overcome my creative block.  Lost for the longest time I feel motivated to write. As when I write I experience tranquility in a way the writer and self-become one. To be aware of this quality one has to be in tune with oneself and that is only possible when one is meditative, happy and has a craving to live for people i.e. selfless.

The feeling of gratitude is immersed in my whole being; I don’t know any other way to live my life. Smallest of things which are unnoticeable to our naked eye is taken care of, which in itself is a miracle for me. Suffice it to say my life is a daily occurrence of unlimited miracles. These miracles keep me motivated; help me see life in a different light, each day encourages me to be a better person than yesterday.

Our mind is trained to say no, we complain about little things so much that we forget the beautiful miracles happening in our life on daily basis. I was no different, but the daily practice of saying thank you to the universe for the things that I have got and given throughout have brought a change in my attitude.

One may think how to go about it, simple things in your life like saying thanks for your health, the house we live in, for the people who love and care about us, for the money we have got in our life and so on. Gradually the shift – in the outlook to live life, the smile to know we have abundance – will appear. One day at a time and soon it would be a habit you would not be able to live without. The stagnant and boring life would start seeming interesting and enjoyable.

I am beginning my writing journey with this blog. The purpose is to make one realize that we already have the blessings in abundance; all we have to do is open ourselves to the blessings showering upon us that is by being grateful.

In the end I hope that everyone gets a chance to live this present / gift we have got in the form of life with a smile and positivity.




Friday, May 12, 2017

A mother - an unconditional Love

Today, I started with writing about a role that once in our life we, females, would all perform. The role in itself is a huge responsibility & adds to our character as we grow. As I was writing, I took a minute to look at my mom who has been running around the whole house making sure dad's tiffin was packed for office? Was the breakfast for her younger son ready as he was late for office? Supervising and shouting at maid for not cleaning properly? And in between all this grabbing a bite of sandwich which has gone cold while she was making sure the errands of the house go smoothly and people around her are happy. 

This blog was supposed to be dedicated to mom's and their hardships but then seeing my mom in the hustle bustle of the home I realized this adjustment and compromise was not just only a few years old, it started the moment she decided she wanted to become a mother. 

From the time when the thought occurred to the first time she conceived. From the first month of the pregnancy to all the nine months till the child was born and the whole process of growing up the child. At each and every step she compromised a little and adjusted a little more. 

It wasn't easy for her, physically her body changed,  mentally she was nervous and excited, both and overall her whole outlook on life changed. With understanding herself and her changed world, she was struggling to understand her baby too. The confusion when she does not understand her babies cry to her fear of not being the perfect mother. The happy moment when the baby first learns to crawl to the restlessness she goes through on the child's first day of school. 

The constant fight in her to let them be or scolding them to be perfect and in tandem with society's do's and dont's. To the feeling of being left behind when your child makes new friends to the lonely phase when college starts. Each and every phase was and will always be a tough decision for mother's to make. 

Twenty years before it was not an easy decision and twenty years later still it's not an easy to be a mother. Still, we ladies take this decision and be proud of it. Still, we love the child and are ready to relive that year again and again. 

Why? 

Because being a mother is not a necessity it's a decision our mothers took knowing the amount of sacrifice it needs and be responsible for giving the soul a chance to live in this beautiful world. A chance for the soul to experience, learn and grow. A chance only possible, if they would have agreed and decided to be a mother. 

Being a mother is not a burden or a hassle as today's generation thinks, it's a chance, a rare opportunity for your personality to be blossom and experience multiple emotions which would not be possible if you do not become a mother. 

To conclude my mother often says that we give motherhood a name of sacrifice and adjustments but it's really not that. Honestly, it's an "Unconditional Love" between a mother and her child. 

Friday, February 24, 2017

Being Grateful


Nobody said it was easy, it’s such a shame for us to part – a line from the song ‘The Scientist’ by Coldplay. This song has always made me wonder about the complexities of a relationship and its consequences. I believe the moment we enter into a relationship our expectations, our thinking, choices everything changes. Now whether the change happens due to our own preconceived notions or someone’s influence is a different point altogether. The main crux is that the change does happen.

Today I am not writing this blog to talk about the changes, but I want to take you to the minute details which make the relationship a success. In the morning I read an article where a woman talks about how much marriage have changed her and taken away from her. What I never understood is why people don’t talk about the positive part of the marriage. Like every relationship, marriage does have its pros and cons but that does not mean we only give weight to the cons.

Why don’t people talk about their beautiful time with their spouses, their journey from courtship to getting married, their struggles of the first year and how they came out of it, of how much a mature and independent person they have become after marriage? Why don’t they educate rest of the women of the dos and donts in a marriage so that the newlyweds can learn something? Why can’t they be the support system for the single ladies out there rather than scaring them of the beautiful matrimony?

I too have been the part of the scarred single girls, shying away from marriage until and unless my best friend and her fiancĂ© convinced me that an arranged marriage could be a beautiful bond, filled with love along with minute sacrifices needed. They taught me the importance of sacrifice, unconditional love and compromise one needs to make. Sometimes I agree we girls sacrifice a lot but aren’t we getting the support and love of our husband in return. Aren’t we lucky enough to be having two identities and families taking care of us? Why can’t we bold enough to be what we are rather than wearing a pleasing mask? Why we complain when we ourselves bend way too much in fear of not being accepted.

I believe we only get that in life what we desire or think about. Sometimes we are not even aware of what we want but just because it is available around us and looks pleasing enough our desire is created. Then the question arises how to know what to ask and make sure it’s the best for us. Honestly, I have pondered over this hundreds of time and always came up blank.

Until recently when I came across a book “The Magic” by Rhonda Byrnes, this book taught me to be grateful for the things I have and have faith in the universe that the best would be given to me. At first, I thought it was some kind of marketing gimmick but as I started practicing the grateful technique my life changed 360 degrees. My opinion about life changed, expectations from people reduced and I started enjoying each moment of my life.

It has been two years I am following the grateful technique, honestly, I am living my dream life. I couldn’t have created a much better life for myself the way the universe has blessed me with. The reason I am writing this blog today is to reach out to people and let them know life is beautiful, it’s just we have taken it way too much for guaranteed to enjoy its benefits. Through this blog I want to urge the women out there that there is no end to being negative and to crib about your present situation but one positive approach about yourself and your situation can make a huge difference in your life.

Most importantly the belief that I would get the best in life whatever may happen, the universe or god is taking care of us can bring a lot of change. This is the change we should bring in our life, we should keep expectations from the universe or god, we should be grateful for what all we have.

I am grateful and I am reaping its positive benefits, its high time you should too.




Saturday, January 7, 2017

Being a Friend


A phone call with a friend urges me to think about the various relationships I have in my life. Being the extrovert & friendly in nature, I end up making lots of friends. Few of them have become an important part of the family, most call me for advice & rest are acquaintances hard to ignore. Though everyone has a category & they fit nicely into it, but that does not mean they aren’t as important as others. I keep on shuffling between the categories to make them feel special.

There were times when I might have failed to express properly. There were times when I might not have understood your concern properly. There were times when you needed me and I was not there as promised. There were times when you were just around the corner and I could not see you properly. For each missed shoulder, for each missed moment I have lost a dear friend for the time being. Then there have been few stubborn ones who just refuse to leave my side, however, rude, illogical or stupid I get.

It would be easy to count on my fingers the name of my friends who have been with me through thick & thin but then I would be unfair to the ones who have been silently or through their silly jokes or through prayers have helped me get through the ups & downs of my life. Honestly, I do not want to forget them & would like to say thank you for being there. Knowing the fact I have these people/friends around me, who love me, admire me and accept me the way I am, help me sleep through the night peacefully. It is because of their encouragement and acceptance of my extreme love that today I am able to express it in words.

Words which have become food for my soul and luckily a job I am falling in love with. 

So I conclude with a beautiful poem I wrote randomly for a very dear friend –

Standing in the corner,
Waiting to be noticed,
Even if not,
Happily admiring the smile,
I know sometimes is for me.

It’s not new for me,
The appreciation,
It warms my heart,
To see your twinkling eyes.

It’s always simple between us,
I smile you notice,
I trip and,
You bring back the focus.





Friday, December 16, 2016

Being an Auhtor



Recently I read somewhere that being a writer is not an easy task. To put into words the thoughts, emotions, and feelings of various characters take a lot of dedication and focus.  Each story and every character in that story plays an important role and is very dear to the writer. People often dissect the story and characters to their moods and understanding but as a writer, each story, and character is close to the heart.

Some may instantly fall in love with your story, few of the readers may relate to a part of the character in the story and few would not like it. It all depends on how much a person can relate to it or not. Relating is a minor part it also depends on the situation a particular reader is in or have been. You never know how your story is going to be perceived by the end of it.

As a writer, it amazes me to come across the varied point of view about the story. Sometimes it brings a smile on my face when a reader concludes the story the way I want it to be. Rest of the time I am stunned by theirs conclusions. These are the reviews which leave me spellbound and yearning for more. Never thought the story would make a permanent place in the reader's heart.

As a storyteller, I am often asked is the story real. Frankly, I am still struggling to answer this question correctly. Yes, the story took place in my mind, generated observing people around and written carefully keeping in mind the character's feeling and emotions. Would it be right to say it is real from the writer's point of view or place the credit to the fictional part? The irony is if I confirm it is real the reader compares the female protagonist to the writer, thereby losing the essence of the character. Leaving me confused, struggling, and baffled for the right answer.

As an author, I urge my reader's to identify the characters as an individual, be in sync with their struggle and love them for who they are. Honestly, that would be my stepping stone to success. Every story is part true, a part we dream about and a part we have experienced. I believe, as humans, we all go through similar experiences, heartbreaks and have somewhat similar dreams to achieve. As a writer, storyteller, and author I want to put those experiences into words, do my best to emote the right expression and make you fall in love all over again. I think and believe, in coming years if I manage to do that I would call myself as a successful author. If not, I would urge my reader's to bring out the best in me.

I conclude by saying, it is not an easy job but the job where I get a chance to create hope, fulfill them through telling stories and urge the reader's to dream with the characters. I feel nothing compares the feeling of getting lost in a beautiful story and giving the characters a place in your heart forever. I would like to thank the readers for giving my book, Should I..Fall in Love, a chance and falling in love with the characters. It gives me immense satisfaction to read your amazing reviews and a certainty that I am fulfilling my job with sincerity.



Sunday, October 2, 2016

Turning 30

Age does not matter experience matters. A quote I have heard from time to time, I believe categorizing and prioritizing my life into these experiences is all turning 30 about.

It started about 10 years ago with an experience of getting infatuated leading to a one-sided affair in my dreams and then facing the crushing reality of seeing him leave with someone else, that is when I experienced my first heartbreak.

Another experience I encountered when I explored various fields in my career from finance to dance, later on settling on baking and finally diverging into writing. Each experience added to the missing part of me, defining my existence.

An enlightening experience when I was introduced to the spiritual guru, whereby learning, following and practicing the techniques I gave voice to my feelings and allowed the magic to weave its way in my life. One phase which I am still extremely proud of, as it helped me living this life in a much happy and contented manner. 

A time when I experienced lots of health issues which lead to depression, denial and self-loathing. It took a lot of effort and money from my side to get them treated. With the help of spiritual practices and Ayurveda, I worked my way out of depression and experienced a wave of love surrounding myself.

Looking back, on the experiences, I often question myself "Do I regret them?" Still, in thought, my eyes wandered to the girl’s reflection in the mirror. She was standing in her simple clothes wearing jeans and a tee slowly I scanned her body and gazed into her eyes. I found her eyes were bright with life and confidence her lips were split into a wide grin which was lightening up her whole face giving her a much younger look. Placing a hand on the mirror and admiring the girl for few minutes made me realized there were no regrets within me. Then like a lightning, it struck me I have fallen in love, over the years overcoming these experiences have made me fallen in love with myself.

30 years of struggle between head and heart yet the answer was simple that is to love myself irrelevant of people, circumstances or situations, the love which I kept asking others in form of acceptance and praise.


As the quote says “At 30 you finally start to catch up to those dreams you’ve been chasing for the last 10 plus years” by Bonnidette Lantz but I believe at 30 I have not only completed my last 10 years dreams but also found myself in the process and have started creating more dreams to last for another 10 years or so.

With Love
Shradha Khanna