Fight till the last breath!

Fight! Fight! Fight! Don't ever give up! Go down fighting if you will, for the sheer satisfaction of having stood up for your cause...or in more drastic situations, for your life.

Picture credit: http://www.sodahead.com

Haven't we heard that a lot already? Or read articles on such inspiring stuff all around? And it is so lovely to be getting such motivation. Even if just for a millisecond. The hard part is actually putting it in practice. Not to forget, figuring out what it is worth fighting for. 

Now aren't most of us always ready to jump up for ourselves? "I know what is right and I will not bow.", "Why can't they see that this is the right way?...Such sissies!"  It seems that the first step to fight for your cause, is to convince everyone else, come what may. Irrespective of the result, it is of utmost importance that everyone agrees with your point of view.

For the silent ones like me, it is even worse. There is this constant conflict of ideas within, trying to burst out any moment. Even speaking out is such a strain! It is either a silent acceptance or a scary showdown. Neither too sensible. And when the desperation gets too intense, the person is sure to look like someone suffering from split personality disorder or something. Again not desirable at all. 

What then is the right way to fight it out keeping casualties to a minimum? Oh, I wouldn't care much about casualties really. People understand eventually. Now don't they? I sure hope they do.

Be it something as trivial as buying clothes or life altering events like getting married, even choosing the right career path, cannot be given up without a fight. Not for me. There is always someone or the other suggesting I do this or do that just because everyone else is blindly doing the same. And how happy they are now. Heavenly!. Not. The one part I can't fathom is, why do we need to bother convincing others at all? Those who care for us do not need much convincing, while those who can't stand our ideas and notions don't need much of our care.

Picture credit: emslegacy.wikispaces.com

Things get very tricky when the fight is against very close ones, like parents or grandparents. They always wish their kids to be safe and happy. Which is a very good thing, but when it starts to stifle the individual growth of a person or constricts the free flow of ideas and actions, its time for some talking.

Sure it's not  easy to convince someone to change their mindset. If they have been idealizing a set  framework for a lot of  time now, it can be a daunting task to deviate from it. Add to this, a group of people who will egg them on to stick to their point.

But efforts have to be made with determination and persistence, the two most important companions. Things need to be conveyed and attempts made to convince. In the end the worst that can happen is that we lose. Then again, we are left with a sense of contentment. We never know, the experience might actually come in handy the next time such situations arise.

Dilli Meri Jaan

I have always wondered, what is it about a place that charms people towards it, flooring them. Is it the landscape? The infrastructure and development? Career opportunities? Malls and market places? Or the masses? For me it has always been the light moments, fun and freedom I share with my companions wherever I go or live.

Well...thinking of nice places, what better place to start with than home? And that brings us to Delhi!

 I love Delhi. Truly Do. Having spent all my life here, I've come to adore and cherish this city. This might come as a shocker to those who associate the capital with rising instances of rapes and murders.

The reports on such incidents keep flooding the newspapers each day, but that is simply not enough to put down the fighting spirit of the people. The people just move on with resilience, springing with new hope.

Going down the memory lane, I am left with a brimming collection of memories as a child in this huge city. The dusted up DTC buses, the killer blue lines, old styled cycle rickshaws , black and yellow autos...the list just goes on.

India gate was the ultimate picnic destination. Lunch on its lawns on lazy winter noons followed by Frisbee in the children's park.

Both sides of the road leading up to the monument lined up with balloons of every imaginable color and shape floating dreamily in the slight breeze, was a visual treat. Not to forget the monkeys performing their shows, the bioscopes and the fluffy cotton candy.

That reminds me of Appu Ghar, the best amusement park ever in Delhi. Miss it so much. School outings would usually be planned for this place.

 I regret never getting onto Splash though, the ride with the steep rise and fall, ending with water splashed onto the people.

The last few years have been more special, what with college and lovely friends. It is funny how, when in the company of loved ones, the city seems to bloom and sprout up its beautiful wings. I have seldom had a dull moment. It feels as if the same places hold a different sort of attraction when hanging out with friends, making me treasure those memories forever. And making me fall for my beloved Dilli again!

Just Do It! or wait forever

I would like to make small modifications to the famous Shakespearean quote above. How about the new

 "To take the plunge or not, that is the question" 

                                                                                                                                                         ??

No, don't start getting any funny ideas. What I simply mean here is weather one should act on impulse or wait patiently for the right time to come, whenever that should be. 

Why has there always got to be some or the other condition fulfilled for a decision to come through? The most common I've heard is 'I will buy myself a car when I get a job' or 'My dream home is still a few years away, when I've saved enough' or the really funny 'I worked out so hard, time for a treat...a rich sinful chocolate cake should do'. I can totally relate to the last one. Only difference being that I don't even work out. 

So this whole process of waiting for the right time to start with something I like had me thinking. Back when I was in 12th standard, complete with IIT coaching and extra tuition classes, just like others I too dreamt of making it to the prestigious institution. The dream did not end there. I was greatly inspired by Chetan Bhagat who had come out with his first book, 'Five Point Someone'. I am not talking about the book. What had me interested was the novel idea of penning down college memories in the form of a book. 

That is when I decided that once I got into IIT (really hopefully) I would come out with my own novel. And the joke ends here. I did not get in hence never started with that book. That was that. I had buried my dream. Later when I wanted to start my blog, I told myself that I surely would but only after I had achieved something great...like clearing GATE or bagging a challenging job. And that was it. None of the two happened, indefinitely postponing my ideas. Did not seem fair. I had to follow things I liked. So here I am blogging and also enjoying it. I can always put in that extra hard work for my dream job or GATE.  

What I find even weirder is when people turn to astrology to pick that perfect time to do the thing. If you need to find yourself a job, then why wait for the stars and planets to fall in line? Don't they have other important things to do...like maintain the correct angular momentum and path in space. And if you have just bagged that job, you should report on the day specified instead of consulting your lucky omens.   

I agree that it is easier said than done. Acting on impulse can be a very scary prospect. More often than not the outcome might not be a favorable one. Then all that is left is a feeling of satisfaction. Like they say:

"It is better to know the worst rather than keep wondering"

Again...the implementation part is always difficult. Isn't it just so hard or simply mortifying to walk up to your crush and tell them that you like them. And so begins the planing and delaying. 'That day seems nice', 'Or how about after exams?...no no it would be better if I wait till after graduation' and thus goes the endless saga. I can't even bring myself to describe the sorrow of such missed opportunities. Because once its gone its gone forever. 

I think that the worst feeling ever is the 'What if?' If only I had mustered up the courage and gone ahead with it. Things would have been different. 

Then again there is nothing wrong in waiting patiently forever. All the while a voice announcing in a clear tone:      Aap katar me hai, kripya wait kare!