Hold my Heart #AtoZChallenge

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She entered my life when I had everything. And yet, somehow, when she left I had nothing.

Those long walks, the sweet-nothings in my ears, the twinning of her feelings with mine, the wordless conversations of our hearts, the togetherness of our souls - made us etch our love in stone. Our dreams of the future grew with us, from a bud into a flower with fragrance galore.

Then one day she said - “Goodbye” and went away. 

Shocked and overwhelmed with emotion, all I could do was kiss her and say - 

“Hold my heart and I shall hold yours forever.”

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**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Gratitude Series #AtoZChallenge

A month ago, before I had zeroed in on the current theme for the April A to Z Challenge, I had decided to blog about - 

“26 days of Gratitude” 

I had all the letters figured out with a couple of blanks left open for X and U. 

Then suddenly one day, a question dawned on me - “Am I going to be grateful for these things only once on my blog and more importantly, only once in my life?”

No. 

Even if I could include writing about everything I am grateful about, I would still be missing out on a few items in my list, right?

So, just like that, my theme went out of the window.

Until I came across, Vidya’s Gratitude Circle. Now I am sure some of you would have already read and blogged here before. Let’s just say I am a little late catching up with time (or blogs) as always :P 

With life happening and zooming along in a breakneck speed in all circles, I realize I haven't stopped to take a moment and appreciate the goodness happening all around. I haven't remembered to be grateful for all that I have (or don’t have) today. 

Starting off a monthly "Gratitude" series with 5 things (in no particular order) that I am grateful for since the beginning of this year and which personally enhanced my outlook of life.

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1. I am grateful about … WORKING AGAIN !

Sure it is in a new field, in a new profession with new challenges, but I find everything else the same as before. The opportunity to keep learning, to reinvent myself everyday, to enjoy what I do. 

2. I am grateful about … MY HOME 

Yes I am. When we moved into this apartment, 2 years ago, we had a lot of unrest in our minds. Moving from a small town city to being near the most happening and most populous city of the world meant a lot of expenses. But slowly and steadily, things eased out and now it seems to be the best place to be in. I have begun to love this fast paced life not to lose myself in the huge crowd but to enjoy the variety of options to choose from everyday.

3. I am grateful about … BLOGGING 

This one is a biggie and will always remain a constant in this series. 4 years ago, I started out alone in the blogging world with just a handful of friends. Today, I see myself interacting with dozens of people on a regular basis, reading their work, appreciating, getting inspired by great words, connecting with people around the world, at different times of the day and much more. 

4. I am grateful about … MY HEALTH

With 2015 came a couple of unpleasant surprises wherein I saw people both in my family and my friends bogged down with health concerns. I blogged about it last month and felt sorry that I couldn't help my dear ones with anything other than a little optimism and a prayer in my heart. It made me appreciate the amount of power we have while making or breaking our health. So in the end, I am grateful to acknowledge that even though I may not be in the best of health as compared to what I was 5 years ago, I am happy with it and will strive to make better choices health-wise. :)

5. I am grateful about … THIS MOMENT

In the past, I would constantly find myself pondering about my decisions or the situations likely to happen in the future. Well, not anymore. I consciously want to appreciate what is right now and however it maybe. I am glad it turned out like this and not any other way.

Your turn now. If you had to pick 5 things to be grateful about, what would come to your mind ? :)

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Farewell #AtoZChallenge

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Goodbye dear letter, 

It was fun learning to write my feelings in you. 

You were always a treasure, 

Priceless and filled with memories. 

You never failed to gush my heart with emotion

And fill my eyes with tears.

The world now expects, 

To communicate faster, 

By emails, web chats and social media. 

They offer an unlimited array of emoticons,

But I can’t seem to find the one 

Which shows how I yearn

To receive a letter that’ll engulf me in love.

Goodbye dear telephone, 

You were amazing in connecting me,

To my loved ones and family, 

Whenever I craved to hear their voices. 

The few words that were shared, 

Always meant more than what 

A long conversation could ever convey.

The world is now comfortable, 

Using mobiles and video-calling, 

For less or no money at all 

But I can’t find what to say now. 

Suddenly my words look empty 

And seem to have lost their meaning.

Goodbye dear simpler times,

You were a golden phase,

Never demanding and always enriching.

You made everyone a priority,

Family and friends alike, people near and far.

You created infinite memories,

That lingered forever.

Although you evolved gradually,

You changed lives in an instant.

Nothing is the same again,

Nothing will turn back time.

I wish to go back in time.

I wish to return to my old life.

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Eloquence #AtoZChallenge

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Elegance is a flair,

Lasting radiance you exhibit.

Ordinary is all too mundane,

Quirky or surreal, I wish to choose.

Ubiquitous as you are,

Expressions comes easy to you.

Nothing surpasses your grace,

Charismatic in your personality,
Everything I am is you.

This kind of poem is called an "acrostic poem" where the first letters of the lines spell out a word or words if you read them vertically. The word spelled out here is ‘ELOQUENCE’. 

Expressions of life are very important to me. I choose to lose myself in activities that help bring out the expressions in me. Be it through dance, music, speech or writing, I constantly strive to express my thoughts and feelings to help capture my emotions. 

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Dancing : My way of life...

In the year 1990, a couple decided to teach their daughter a new language. When the little girl turned six, a language expert was called home to teach her. He arrived one fine day and asked her name. The girl replied with a coy smile. He blessed her and thus began her lessons. He started by teaching her the alphabets of this new language and asked her to depict it. Not using books and pencils but with her hands and legs. Slowly and steadily she learnt the building blocks and in due course realized that she had been led to a whole new world. 

The couple described here are my loving and supportive parents. 

The language expert is my beloved Guru - my first dance teacher who introduced me to performing arts. 

And the little girl is me who had been taught a new language - the language of "dance".

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What started as an initial parental interest later bloomed into an undying passion for me towards this performing art. And that's my answer for this week's Friday Reflections.

"I feel happiest in my skin when… I dance." :)

With each passing day, I wonder how this passion came to be. Sure, I could sum it up by saying I love dancing and stop at that but that isn't self-explanatory of how much this art has given me in return. How it has made me fall in love with it over and over again. 

1. It's a never-ending journey

They say - "Dance is a conversation between body and soul". It's true - over the years it made me realize how dance has grown to be a special part of me and how it defines who I am today. It's an everlasting process fueled by passion. Without passion, you could stop the journey any moment you want to. 

We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once. - Friedrich Nietzsche

2. It's more than just glamour

As a kid, I used to love the lovely costumes, the intricate jewelry and the elaborate makeup a dancer needs to adorn before ascending the stage. Over time, it made me realize that the stroke of the brush to highlight the eye or the cheek was to help emphasize the character I was playing. It made me understand that when I dance, I turn into a story-teller who needs to look different.  

And it didn't matter even if I didn't look glamorous enough. All it takes is a simple hand gesture to convey the expression.

I dance for myself. I dance to forget the world. 

Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free. - Rumi

3. Dance has paid me "a lot"

A friend once said to me - "Why do you dance if you don't get paid for it? If you were paid money or something in return, it would have meant much more." 

The statement did hurt me endlessly but I kept quiet and chose not to answer. Since this was the "only" person out of a million friends who felt it was not fruitful to invest time or energy in doing something worthwhile, my mind chose to rest the issue. 

I feel grateful every single moment of my life to my family and my teachers for their unrelenting support and everlasting belief in me. They steered me into this art and gave me so much more than I ever could have asked for. 

It's a gift for life ! :)

The dance is over, the applause subsided, but the joy and feeling will stay with you forever. - W.M. Tory

4. My favorite form of exercise

I am sure everyone has their own gym routines. Treadmills, weights, cardio workouts and what not. As for me, I enjoy an initial half hour of warm up and then pure dancing. It is the one activity that helps me focus on my entire body (including my mind, thoughts and inner self) rather than just a part of it. 

It helps to focus and improve on not only physical characteristics but also my social, cognitive and aesthetic skills.

Life is the dancer and you are the dance. - Eckhart Tolle

**This post is part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

Dreams #AtoZChallenge

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Could I forever live in my dreams?

Thus slipping into a lifelong sleep.

Always filled with endless possibilities,

To which the mind is ready to leap.

Nights evident of calm and peace,

With open emotions and limitless hope.

Should reality seep in or maybe cease?

Let my imagination run wild and not just lope.

Dreams where virtuality comes to being,

And apprehensions take shape.

Dreams where love isn’t fleeing,

And the eyes don’t just gape.

My mind strives hard to weave,

Stories of then and now.

Forcing unpleasant thoughts to leave,

Tying all relations in a vow.

Life is incomplete without them,

To no one and everyone they belong.

Like a bud from a stem,

They blossom into a colorful song.

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Clement Love #AtoZChallenge

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To look at you isn't easy,

You aren't the same to me,

But I sit here with you,

Wanting my thoughts to stray free.

Knowing you don't love me,

Knowing you aren't mine,

I find solace just being with you,

Sharing my words and some wine.

I fear gazing at you,

Letting my eyes reveal all.

But for once, I wish you would,

And show - how my heart is in a sprawl.

If you knew what’s in my heart,

Our bond would change.

Or maybe it won’t,

My feelings are so strange.

Let things remain the way they are,

Let us meet every day.

I enjoy this time with you,

All I want is for you to stay.

My love for you is eternal,

Like the stars in the night.

All I dream is to love you,

All I want is a better plight.

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Beginnings #AtoZChallenge

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The mind whimpers at the thought.

But the heart screams and jumps about.

A new path is about to be born.

A journey of roses, I hope, with not a single thorn.

Silence the mind, let it stray.

Don’t hold back, excitement is on it’s way.

Anticipate the best, prepare for the worst.

Nothing but the end will quench my thirst.

A river of happiness explodes in my heart.

Look forward to more, for this is a start.

To worry is to just spoil the fun.

Remember “Well begun is to be half done”?

So relax, go ahead, enjoy the long stride.

Life is after all your best guide.

Adrenaline’s pumping, the battle is half won.

Go on, make a start! This ride has just begun.

Today's post marks the 4th Blog-versary of this small space and hence inspired today's poem. It has been a satisfying experience so far but a long journey still awaits ahead.  I have learned so much by being a part of the ever-supporting blogging community. 

My words wouldn't have had a pedestal to be heard if it weren't for you guys who visited my blog and showered me with your love. Each and every blogger I have interacted with has been special to me.

Thank you for being a part of this experience. I look forward to each day to be inspired by all of you.

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Acceptance #AtoZChallenge

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I was born like everyone else,

Having luscious hair and eyes so coy.

It was a day just like any other,

But with no celebrations or joy.

This world was different to me,

After all, I was a special kind.

Others didn't care & ignored me always,

Actions that never yielded meaning in my mind.

Living on the streets was only easy,

With no debts or assets to hold.

No amount of riches lure us,

Not money, not clothes and definitely not gold.

All I want is a little love,

Would acceptance be too much to ask?

Being different wasn't my choice,

If only it was something I could mask.

As an individual I want to be accepted. By my family. By my friends. By everyone. 

Today we find countless unfortunate people living on the streets, in poor shelters in every country. Some due to poverty, some due to sickness, some due to choice. While they may approach us asking for food or money, which is a momentary need, what they really desire is a life-long requirement. To feel accepted, to feel loved, to be treated normally. If only we could learn to acknowledge them the way we are today. 

**This post is part of the A to Z April Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.**

**My theme for the A-Z April Challenge is "26 Days of Eloquent Writing".**

Looking back at March 2015

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Phew ! March was a busy month. At the onset of 2015, LP and I hung up a monthly calendar on our living room wall to plan our days and most importantly record our appointments.

What started out looking pretty much empty during January now looks like a riot of pen colors (in red, blue, green and black) to indicate weekly engagements / weekend outings / doctor visits and more. Actually I have even forgotten which color indicates what ? :P

The dance class schedule, then weekly rehearsals for upcoming shows, catching up with friends over tea-time or dinners, battling the never-ending snow even on the first day of spring (Yeah ! What's up with that, Nature ?) and so much more that just happened to fill our days with activities.

Goes to say how much we enjoyed being busy (excluding clearing snow off the car - that's always a downer!). 

And the best part wasn't even all that. :)

A lot's happened on the blogging front too. Firstly, I am so happy to be blogging more often. *Gives a nice pat on the back for that.*

Then I joined 2 amazing blogging groups this month - Blog-A-Rhythm and Friday Reflections. The amount of inspiration and constant support these groups provide is so heart-warming. :)

For International Women's Day, I shared some of my thoughts on why I wish to be known as who I am and what I do.

I spruced up the blog a little and gave it the end-of-another-year makeover. 

Vidya Sury's post on Did I Smile Today? inspired me to write about my 30 things to smile about.

For my first post for Friday Reflections, I blogged about the most influential book I have read till date.

Another major blogging achievement was that I signed up for the A-Z April Challenge which starts tomorrow ! Last week I revealed the theme for the challenge. As a first-timer, I am super-excited to see how I fare. 

Yet another first time activity was to participate for the weekly Yeah Write Challenge where I enjoyed writing a microstory.

But this is just the beginning. With the April Blogging Challenge, more dance classes, rehearsals, shows and most importantly, meeting new people (both in real life and virtual world too), I look forward to an even more happening and busy month coming right up.

So how has your month been ?