š»Life has really been a challenge in the past few months, so couldnāt scribble anything and post it on my blog āEmoTruth Canvasā (itās link in the bio) – I used to do on every 20th of the month! Today though not 20th, I felt compelled to break both the self imposed cycle and silence – seeing some loved ones leaving Mother Earth š
When love becomes a habit, we risk losing its value. š Donāt you think so? š.
A gentle reminder to cherish the ones who matter most, before they become just a memory. š Sharing a piece of my heart through this poem, hoping it resonates with you.
Bees flit, but collect with glee, Their daily spree – the honey Work and Life: Do they agree? And are they in a harmony! Is work part of our life? Or Lifeās own set pace? A question I often ponder You and me must face!
Life’s a dance of activities, Where we play our part, The work we do defines us, And keeps us distinctly apart Can we separate work from life If it does, would it be a thrill? Or are they intimately blended, As if forever intertwined uphill!
Work-life balanceā¦. a phrase I often hear, But is it just a hype, a fleeting trend, or fear? Is Work simply just a job, Or fuel for passionās fire? An involuntary means to rob Our heart’s greatest desire
No escape from workās grind, Joy only, when passion aligned Why not merge work and life Does that mean to slow down? Or it means to be really alive Find joy in whatever you do and make it a new paradigm To create defining moments As you glide and sync your passion N purpose with pride!
“Unscripted Love” Where vulnerability meets freedom ā¦
(Yet another 20th! And I am back with you exactly after a gap of nine monthsā¦. As if someone has been reborn to share his next set of scribblings! This time to mainly reach out to the Generation Z!
To share my next set of scribblings! Itās your reminders and admiration that has pushed your Rajeev to once again sit back at his desk and put up thoughts that rhyme š„°.
It is also an attempt to know from my audience of feasibility of such love unfolding naturally, without pretenses or expectations. It is about embracing imperfections and individuality. So this poem goes like this ā¦..)
Softly falls, like morning dew, Vibinā high, with hearts anew As if itās a birdās Tweet (not X) Evening breeze that greets Touching soul with gentle ease!
Organic roots deeply grow, Unannounced rain as it shows Pulsating life, in every vein, A pure beat, that echoes plain!
No filters ever, pure and true, No Insta tease, just me N you No DMs, yet unsaid prevails, Caring, possessive, and wild But liberated being never fails!
Nourishing growth, like earth, Fostering blooms, as if rebirth Recreating those emotionsā¦ That are now worn and old, Making rust a glittering gold!
Generation āZā! Let me dare And ask, if its fair to be bare? Or do you really even careā¦ And find it a dramatic flair? To me: A way to remove poison Guiding thee, through erosion!
Yet another 20th, and here are my scribblings for your kind perusal. This time in ‘Hindi Language’ after such a long gap. This 60th D day is not unique in terms of me becoming the magical 60 today but also because of the periodic monthly cycle of my scribblings crossing 60 today. What a beautiful coincidence!
As I go through this transformation of crossing this threshold (a number), I have a mixed feelings…… The feelings of an energetic young college boy (I refuse to grow) being countered by the feelings of a responsible senior citizen. I don’t know whether it’s normal but it gave me some time for self introspection today in the forenoon, and this leads to the creation of this piece in Hindi, perhaps within a fraction of 52 minutes. Even I am amazed at the flow of emotions and words at rocket speed.
Yet another 20th, and here is the time to share my latest scribblings with all wonderful people like you. This time, the prompt has been the recent upheaval generated by a post on social media by one of the top bureaucrats in the country (a principal secretary), where she through a systemic and self introspect, has brought the need of change in the attitudes of the civil servants. Interestingly, despite such candid confessions by the brave woman senior officer, majority of the comments in social media from the past, current and even future bureaucrats, smells of defensive mechanism. It seems that the false sense of entitlement in life has encroached upon the rationale to acknowledge, accept and act in individual capacity to contribute towards the evolution of the esteemed services! Here it is for your valuable critique
To seek ur own truth, a brave heart is the key With little patience and enough sensitivity virtues shall decree!
Daily introspection, unbiased and true Prepares the mind, don’t let time accrue!
Perfection eludes the realm of sixteen arts Though flaws persist, unbound in their parts!
In pursuit of self-growth success leading the race How dark one’s face gets in life’s frantic chase!
Only the mirror can be fearlessly true, and Reflects the essence revealing you to you!
[Yet another 20th, and here are scribbles for your kind perusal. After the last set of UPSC interviews for Indian Civil Services that concluded yesterday, my mentees have been eagerly waiting for final merit results. The anxiety, tempers and even fears are building up. I can really empathise and relate with them. This year 2023 has been special in more than one way. This time my connection with my loving mentees has been the most unique in the last 12 years. It’s beyond wordsā¦ Therefore, I dedicate these lines to all my current, past and future mentees (IAS aspirants). You all continue to be part of me and my prayers. Throughout your life. Amen!]
The goals were really tenacious and bold Fortune does touch where it is self-told! The destination is stubborn And cannot be reached by purely luck alone! It’s your ABC karma – Assiduity, Bliss & Commit That creates final mould
Even storms meet their end Whenever vessels defy fate they simply sail and ascend!
When victory is assured, they sayā¦. Even the timid engage in a frayā¦ It is the brave ones, who stand tall and fight They refuse to yield, till they embrace the light!
There is a difference in ‘worry’ and ‘concern’ Worries mean early burnout As I always tell mentees That you need to visualise yourself in the pilot seat Touch the sky with glory In a commanding feat!
Trust in “God,” they proclaimā¦ Destiny’s script is in His nameā¦ Luck favours those who are in the game!
But if trust lies in “self,” It’s so very true that God scribes your desires All through & through!
So dream well and big simply seize the moments that brings you zing
Failure is a poor percept A far fetched fallacy that needs to auto correct To me its new set of doors that you will keep entering to push your own limits As you rebound to restore!
Discard fears and holds Look beyond horizonsā¦ You will see images of own nameplates at the door of Your future office abode The Sun is about to rise and take off ur entire load!
As you get into service my unsolicited advice is To exercise 03 principles as life soft skills, that is Integrity/Empathy/Excellence even in trying situations… That demands Courage of Conviction, and Diligence!
(Yet another 20th, and I thought of offering these scribblings to this flower in my life. I sincerely hope that you will like it and find it relatable. As has always been the case, your feedback, inputs and critique will be of value to your own Rajeev)
“Zenia – The April Flower”
Here comes the month of ‘Apr’ when ‘Zinnia Elegans’ blooms An annual flowering plantā¦.. in the family of Aster plumes!
Zinnia seed bursts with power Just partial cover of some soil a sprinkle of aqua n sunlight enough to let it germinate So versatile in its forms… and varied colours it drapes That even Sunflowers draw inspiration from its leaf to be called the ‘Creeper Zenia’ because of its unique shape
Named after Professor Zinn, a known german botanist who discovered the flower in Central American region And brought it back to Europe in the 18th century to flaunt in the summer season!
But I discovered this flower, the name of future daughter due courtesy my better half much prior to we tied knot Way back in early 90s, when I planted it in bachelor’s den showering it with affection Least realising at that time that ‘She’ will be born in April to take avtar of a little bud, in our own little ‘Ashiana’ as God’s enchanting creation!
Since then, year after year Both Zenia n Zinnia became a permanent presence both in the garden and our life She is our incredible pride an unassumingly brilliant gal who always creates magic wherever she goes andā¦ touches lives like an angel I could never even imagine that someday she will serve the country of Zinnia’s origin!
Each April has been special but this birthday was more distinctive n highly relatable Walking down memory lane, I feel a surge of emotions for our life journey together of our trials and tribulations of our fears and failures of our joys and despairs and our collective beliefs that restrained our fights to continue beyond hours turning into celebrations!
I fondly remember first time She called me Papa, and the first time she took liberty to refer to me by name Rajeev and how our bond realised beyond a threshold idealised!
As to when a control freak Me during her early childhood took resolve to evolve andā¦ how friendship got added to the well laid and protected environment of fatherhood!
Sometimes she complains Why I am without surname It creates so many issues in issuance of visas/tickets And I always smile and say Zenia! It’s you from whom I draw my own identity ‘Zenia’ is simply all inclusive It reflects God’s great grace
As to how I look forward to spread of eternal relationship Whenever she choose to tie the knot with her man As it would continue to unfold, in unmapped territories that the bright exotic future holds – as an ever lasting expression of someone beautiful and bold!
(yet another 20th, and another scribbling promoted by my long cycle ride yesterday. Whereas the ride was just beautiful, it turned out to be a nightmare due to food poisoning, that got settled about 24 hours later, leading to this hurriedly made attempt now. Hope it’s palatable! Wish you a wonderful life ride!)
“Life is a Ride”
It was just yesterdayā¦ when after an extended heat spell, came salubrious Sunday Beckoning me after a year plus of lazy lethargy and dismal lull To spring into action and recommence cycling for fun!
Stage was set for a long ride but among all potential riders Anita joined to keep the tide The duo moved for Formula 1 scaled through the expressway to explore life’s brighter side!
The ride turned out to be akin to the roller coaster of our precious real life It brought forth wow memories from the thrills of the past full of frolic, bonds and pride!
Life can be like an uphill ride with undeterred headwinds, long lasting damn red lights, bumpy roads N sudden potholes, dead ends N speed breakers, drunken drivers around youā¦. challenging safety N security And pedals requiring extra force perhaps sweat, to be in stride
Then the road ahead can be simply a pleasant surprise Even on life’s downhill side Due to favourable slope accelerated by the tailwinds and smoothened surfaces Making it easy on your lungs as if one is about to elope!
The lush green tree leaves and the flame of the forest – holy and mesmerising Palash The stream of holi colours from Bougainville splashed on sides And meeting even strangers, acquaintances turn into friends enroute this journey by chance And helpful co-riders, who add value to our experiential life!
As I clock 77.15K on my MT Bike, sum totalling the digits as 20 as if to salute yet another 20th…. And hour needle marching too and clicking heels fourth time I am finally done n dusted to reach back home safely Despite little fatigue, there is a sense of infused energy Return of my lost confidence rejuvenation of my soul as if its on a transcendence To learn how to unlearn, and RRR- Relive, Revive N Relearn
(Yet another 20th, and here is my new creation that was prompted by my presence near the sea. It’s a unique oceanic feeling that I get in front of the sea. The feeling is about mutual exchange of energies between the sea and me. Oneness between the two of us. I sincerely hope you like this small piece of scribblings. Would love to have your valuable comments)
The Arabian sea was bright like tales of Arabian Nights As if Sultana too was in a sort of an alluring mood To captivate dear Rajeev for keeping him charmed and herself amused n alive!
As I try to stand upright ahead of the warm waters I consciously realise that, No matter how tiny I am in front of its grand size I continue to empower it with the energy I deploy on its waves to let the glory n splendor thrive!
It’s not a one way trek The sea being life herself is also a science crack, Newton’s third law is at work What goes inside the sea… simply comes back ashore When you feed her happiness Isn’t she sounding cheerful You burden her with sorrows I bet she is angry n resentful Be it my negative energies or any filth thrown around, remains unabsorbed for sure
Whenever I am at a loss or little low and even gross just watching its grandeur makes my energies swell ā¦and that salt driven mist lets lungs rise to capacity and my amour-propre tight
You need to really feel it, to experience the bliss! Purely emanating from it Inhale, imbibe and absorb its sheer huge magnitude And as you watch herā¦.. She too seems awestruck perhaps at your own aura Literally at arm’s length Hugging ur miniscule self And moment your reflection starts bouncing in the waves The two get merged as one in universal love n hope Glowing and growing in their enormity n strength!
EmoTruth Canvas 