This time my post isn’t about relationships, goals, success and money.

This post is about more important factor for our living a life - THE FOOD.🥘 🧑‍🍳👨‍🍳

A YUMMYLICIOUS POST🥘🧑‍🍳🧑‍🍳🧑‍🍳

Food - without which our survival and sustenance is impossible

Salt and sugar both are important to keep our energy levels balanced . Even if one of them falters we tend to become tired.

Salt and sugar are important for energy levels.

But above that, to satisfy our taste buds is also equally important. Some dishes while in the process of cooking itself, its aroma, flavour activates our salivary glands instantly. It could be any dish, sweets or a snack.

Have you noticed when we eat good , tasty and favourite food we become happy and positive.

The reason being :” Tummy Happy, Mind Happy 😃 “

In this post , I have written about a popular dish “AVIAL”, which is staple on a traditional wedding and festival menus in Tamil Nadu and Kerala - Southern India.

Food has always been a very essential part of our life. Each and every continent has its variety of culinary dishes to celebrate and be proud of. These dishes are passed from generation to generation. We may be ahead in the field of technology, but no robot can make delicious food like our grandmother or our mothers for that matter.

The dish prepared can be Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Organic, Vegan etc. It doesn’t matter. The facts and the thought behind the cooking any dish is about the taste and filling both our heart and stomach.

The common thread which connects all of us in cooking is health, well-being and keeping our tummy happy 😃.

AVIAL/AVIYAL 😋😋

The recipe which I am going to share is very popular in the Southern part of India. This dish is prepared both in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The name of the dish is “AVIAL/AVIYAL”.

Like the word suggests AVIAL- means avail all the vegetables to make a dish. Being strict vegetarians , we try to make recipes out of all vegetables as much as possible.

Avial is a thick, coconut-based mixed vegetable curry with roots in Kerala, but it is also a staple in Tamil Nadu. This cuisine is a vital part of wedding/ festivals feast (Sadhya).

History of the Avial.

Did you know that Avial might have dated back to the times of Mahabharata?.

Some legends believe that this dish was invented by Bheema, one of the five Pandavas. When the Pandavas were hiding from Kauravas they took refuge for a while at the palace of King Viraat, in disguise.Bheema worked as cook in the palace kitchens.One day, he had only vegetables scrap to cook some dish for lunch. He decided to give the left over vegetables a flavour and make it very delicious. Also the dish was drizzled with a coconut oil tempering which was a cherry on the cake .

The vegetables used for this recipe are: Drumsticks,Carrot , Beans, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Cluster Beans, Colacasia, ,Yam,Green chillies, Ginger, Curry Leaves and lots of Coconut. For seasoning Coconut Oil is generally used.

Vegetables( cut into long batons/1.5 inch pieces ): 2 cups mixed vegetables like Ash gourd ( White Pumpkin ), Carrot ,Raw banana, Drumsticks ,French beans and Yam.

For the Coconut Paste: 1 cup freshly grated coconut, 3 to 4 green chillies , 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and a few shallots ( optional).

For cooking: 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, salt to taste and 3/4 cup of water.

Dairy / Sour element :1/2 cup well- whisked curd ( yoghurt) or sour buttermilk.

For finishing: 2 tablespoons raw coconut oil and fresh curry leaves.

Prep the vegetables: Wash and cut all your selected vegetables into uniform , long 1.5 inch sticks so they cook evenly.

Cook the vegetables: Place the vegetables in a wide pan or pot. Add turmeric powder, salt , and a 3/4 cup of water.Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender yet for and still hold their shape.

Make the coconut paste: While the vegetables cook, grind the grated coconut, green chillies , cumin reseeds and optional shallots with a times splash of water into a semi-coarse or smooth paste.

Combine paste and veggies: Once the vegetables are about 3/4 cooked, add the coconut paste directly into the pot .Mix gently ,cover and simmer for 3 to 5 mins on low heat until the raw smell of the coconut goes away.

Add the curd: Turn the heat to the lowest setting to prevent the yoghurt fro curdling .Stir in the whisked curd gently.

Finish with oil and leaves:Drizzle raw coconut oil over the top and scatter fresh curry leaves. Cover the pan with a lid and let tit rest form10 to 15 minutes before serving so the flavours infuse.

There is always this request for me from my family members to prepare the Avial.

And guess what?

They want the Avial to be prepared in the same taste like how their grandmother prepares it.

Tough task!

All said and done, I mustered the courage to prepare a delicious AVIAL(like my mom used to prepared I suppose 🤪).

There is a popular phrase:” The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”

I want to re-phrase this :” The way to a family’s heart is through their stomach”

“HAPPY COOKING 🧑‍🍳 N HAPPY EATING HEALTHY 🥣”

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In one of my earlier blogs, I had written about the pinching reality of and the impact of screens in our lives.

This post which I am writing is about something entirely different — something that truly touched my heart. It is about resilience and smartness which I got to observe on an evening of heavy to very heavy rains.

So… let me begin writing about a small incident which was the reason behind me writing this post!!

Monsoon has set ☔️⛈️🌧️🦄🌈⛈️🌧️🌧️🌂!!! here. I love monsoon season. There are various reasons why I love the rains. The first and foremost is I enjoy having a cup of any hot beverage watching the rains. It is relaxing to hear the rain fall on the ground. I enjoy writing listening to the sound of the rain.

I also wanted to publish a post based on these heavy rains. I was thinking on these lines to pick up a theme to write.

It was raining since morning. I had to go to market to buy vegetables. I wasn’t in a mood to go out as it was fun watching the rains from my apartment balcony with a hot cuppa coffee/ tea ( I 🫶🏿 both).

I know, It is easy to order vegetables / groceries online. But, I always enjoy going to shop to buy groceries as well as vegetables. For me going to market means to select the vegetables, weigh them and then stand in the queue for billing, which is something I enjoy. The reason why I like this is very simple. I get to see many people in a shop to observe.

Interesting!!!.

So after a cup of hot ginger tea I left for the market. It was raining heavily. I started booking an autorickshaw to get there.

After rains — I love auto rides! Why??

Hmmmmmmm……… The cool breeze that blows from both sides of the auto is very soothing. The driver of autorickshaw play movie songs from radio stations or via YouTube. The songs they play are with beats , old songs which are nostalgic to hear. And best of all the drivers play songs of any language. I am not familiar with all the songs, still it is always fun to listen to the songs 🎶while in an auto ride.

Now, back to my story — I started booking autos, but not a single one was ready to come. The heavy downpour seemed to scare all of them away. Every ride I booked got cancelled. Still, determined to go out, I kept trying.

Finally, one ride got confirmed.

Since it was raining , the auto was covered on both the sides with plastic sheets , due to the heavy rain. I sat in the auto. With the evening rain and the cool breeze, it was pure romantic vibes for me.

But, of course, no story about Indian rains is complete without mentioning the potholes and waterlogging.

Be it a Mercedes, scooter, or cab — no one can escape them!
To put it in a funny phrase:

“Potholes filled, traffic spilled, patience killed 😬🚦”

Since it was raining, I was peeping to see outside even though the sides of the auto was covered with plastic sheets on both the sides. I slowly noticed to see the driver- it was a lady!
“Wow!” I thought to myself. Such a smart and brave woman. In this weather, where everyone else was cancelling rides, here she was, ready to work!

I wanted to tell her how impressive it was to see her driving in such relentless rain.

So I started a conversation by saying a “ Hello” to her.

She replied “ Yes , Madam”. She was busy riding the auto carefully as it was still raining heavily.

I told her,” I was trying to book an auto for a long time. None of them were ready to take the booking because of this heavy rains. And finally you accepted my booking for a ride in this heavy rains. I am very impressed by your resilience. This calls for an appreciation as you accepted my booking when all the drivers cancelled the booking due to heavy rains”.

With an eye on the road and driving , she replied with a small grin,

“ Thanks Madam. If you don’t mind I want to tell you something .

If I get scared of heavy rain and stop accepting the booking , then how will I run my kitchen, Madam?.

I have to take care of my family. I have two children studying in school. My husband earns very little — it’s not enough to manage all our expenses. So once I step out, I try to earn as much as I can. I can’t afford to cancel trips.”

Her words stayed with me. I noticed she wasn’t even wearing slippers. I could infer that the money she earned wasn’t enough to buy herself a simple pair. Yet, there she was — driving like a pro, skillfully steering through potholes and puddles, undeterred by the pouring rain.

All through the ride, the FM radio played some cheerful songs, adding to the charm of the moment. Despite the chaos outside traffic, potholes, and water logging, that ride became one of the most heartwarming experiences I’ve had in a long time.

Sometimes, it’s not grand gestures but ordinary people with extraordinary spirit who remind us what strength truly looks like. 🌧️💪.

Guess what !!!! I could also write a post based on these heavy rains with a message to convey too.

In my mind, I thanked the lady auto driver because of whom I could publish this post.

Have you ever experienced such moments ?

It would be interesting to read the same in the comments

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I was having a cup of coffee enjoying hustle bustle view from the balcony. I stay in a high rise building, So it is always fun to watch the traffic moving like ants from the balcony🐜 🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜🐜.

While I was observing the traffic with a sip of hot coffee something caught my eye.

I could see a young couple standing at the side of the road . They looked to be a newly married couple. Both of them were looking very cute as a couple.

The girl had a nice Jhumkas dangling from her ears. Also she had a vermilion -red on her forehead. She was wearing a nice georgette saree in dark maroon colour. She had a short silky hair which was flying gently due to the breeze. There were small shining glitters on her blouse which gave a grand look.

Her better half was looking fit an d trim. The specs he was wearing gave him an attractive look. They both were busy talking with a smile to each other.

And suddenly I could see their conversation stopped and they both were looking into each other’s eyes.

A loved- up couple 👩‍❤️‍👨, this is what it came to my mind.

It gives a happy feeling to write a few lines on seeing a loved-up couple.

I couldn’t see very clearly but I could imagine the gaze between both of them.

This gave an inspiration for me to draw a pencil sketch.

I sat with a pencil and drew the sketch within few minutes.

I have to admit that the sketch isn’t up to the mark. But for me the expressions of the sketch is utmost important .

In all the sketches which I have drawn till now, I see to that the sketches i draw are expressive……. If expressions are felt in a sketching then it gives me an ultimate satisfaction for me.

So with a mood to sketch I tried capturing the moods of LOVE, LONGING and ROMANCE between a young couple.

In this sketch the loving gaze shared between the couple is the main crux of this post . So I have tried to do justice for the same in this sketch.a

The title of this sketch is HE ………SHE - 👩‍❤️‍👨👩‍❤️‍👨👩‍❤️‍👨

I have written a simple poem in simple words for this sketch.

Here are the lines:

HE -

the man says to - SHE

Your eyes are hypnotic

Emoting infinite expressions

Learnt what is

Love through

Your eyes

Your tresses flying

Like Floating clouds

Is soothing

And attractive

Your lips

Red And Luscious

Like cherries

Are appealing

Let’s walk

Hand in hand

Towards a world

Of happiness and love

I want to

grow old with you

SHE

The woman says to -HE

I can feel the truth in your words.

I can sense a feeling of belonging

When I am with you

Would love to walk

hand in hand with you

Towards a bright future

Towards a world of love

And happiness

Only both of us

To grow old together

How did you all like this post ? A sketch / poem

If you liked this poem and sketch, it would be nice to read your comments.

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I would like to mention that this is one of my favourite posts. So would like to re-post through this ✨GRATITUDE JUNKIES✨group once again.

The theme is related to “INTUITION “, but not exactly the same. This post is not to promote any religion . It is a post about “ BELIEF “ and “HOPE” which keeps us going.

HOW IMPORTANT IS SPIRITUALITY IN YOUR LIFE ?

Spirituality: A Path Through Turmoil

This is a burning question in today’s times.

The reason lies in the turmoil unfolding across the world.

It all began during the COVID era, when the coronavirus held the entire world hostage. At the onset, there seemed to be no clear road to recovery. In that uncertainty, we instinctively reached for something, something that could offer solace amidst the chaos. That “something” was spirituality.

Slowly and steadily, spirituality began to make a profound impact on many of our lives. For many, it marked the beginning of a deeper inner awakening. For the first time in generations, humanity faced a common adversary one invisible yet powerful and we were forced to confront it together.

Spirituality has always existed within us. However, it often awakens more strongly during times of crisis be it natural calamities, wars, terror attacks, or personal tragedies. In such moments, there is no escape from reality. And so, this inward journey begins naturally.

A deep, unwavering belief in an unseen power starts to take root within us. This is spirituality. It does not demand rituals or labels. One can be spiritual without being religious.

I, too, believe in being spiritual. I trust my intuition and hold on to that unseen force. In moments of helplessness and despair, this belief becomes my anchor. A simple thought “All is well” gives me the strength to keep moving forward.

In today’s world, where conflicts and uncertainties continue to rise, spirituality plays a vital role. While we may not have the power to change global events, we do have the ability to manage our inner world, our emotions, stress, anger, and anxieties.

Spirituality helps us do exactly that. It keeps us calm, grounded, and composed.

When life feels overwhelming, spirituality offers a healthier refuge. Without it, we may drift toward negative habits or destructive coping mechanisms that only worsen our situation.

I believe there is an unseen power guiding us through times of uncertainty.

Every day, I spend a few quiet moments in prayer morning and evening wishing for peace and well-being for all. It is a simple ritual, driven by positive thoughts. The belief that these thoughts will manifest is, to me, the essence of spirituality.

Being spiritual does not mean our problems disappear.

No.

It simply gives us the courage to face them.

In the end, spirituality is not an escape from darkness, it is the light that helps us walk through it.

A SOULFUL PRAYER OF FAITH n BELIEF IS THE BACKBONE OF SPIRITUALITY🙏🏻🧎‍♀️🤲🧎📿🧎‍♂️📿🧎🛐”.

What is your take on this friends ??

Would love to read in the comment section.

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The theme of this month - INTUITION chosen by

A HUMBLE REQUEST TO ALL :

THE FOLLOWING STORY MAY BE SLIGHTLY LONGER. KINDLY READ WITH PATIENCE .🙏🏻

This blog starts with a short story. I want to convey the meaning of gut feeling through this story.

This is a short story about a small family of a Mother, Father and their daughter Ria.

Ria will be going abroad within few days for pursuing her higher studies. Of course, an exciting and immensely happy moment for the whole family. The whole procedure of completing all these formalities involved a lots of physical, financial and mental exhaustion. Finally all formalities over and their daughter is ready to leave to pursue her endeavours.

Ria had made her parents always proud. Since she was in kinder-garden her teachers were always in awe and praise of her. It has always been a moment of pride for Rekha and Ram with regard to Rita’s academics excellent performance.

It was midnight. Sleep was evading both Rekha and Ram. Ram was unable to sleep as he was feeling sad that his daughter will be leaving the next day. He could sense that It will tough for both him and his wife to adjust with Ria’s absence in the house.

With no mood to sleep he turned around to see Rekha sitting on the bed. He slowly asked her in a tensed tone,” what happened? Why are you awake? Are you also feeling sad?. I am unable to sleep as Ria will be leaving tomorrow for higher studies?. It is going to be a tough time for both of us to adjust. But we will have to smile and send her happily for her to pursue her further studies”. Isn’t it?.

Rekha in a pensive tone replied” It is true that I am also feeling sad that she will be going far off to pursue her dreams. I totally agree that we both have to accept this like every other parent. At the end of the day her happiness is our happiness. Isn’t it?”. Ram was happy to hear these comfort words from his wife. There was a stifling silence which made an uneasy calm in the room.

When we are sad or tensed, the regular darkness of the room in the night aggravates our fear even more. This fear feeling goes for a roller coaster rides continuously in our mind. This was how Rekha was feeling. But,” WHY?”. She could sense some strange uneasiness in both her mind and body. She was sure that it was nothing to do with her health.

Restless she woke up to drink water. Ram could sense that Rekha was not in her usual form. With an anguish in his tone he asked” Hey, what happened ? Is everything okay? . Looks like something is troubling you. Can you kindly tell me what is going on?.

“With a lot of hesitancy in her voice Rekha replied, “ I am unable to express what is going on in my mind. Inspite all things going on smoothly with regard to Ria’ s admission and arrangements, I strongly feel somewhere something wrong is going to happen. I am unable to give a reason for my impetuous feelings. My gut feelings say that Ria should postpone her journey to some other date instead of travelling tomorrow. On hearing this Ram was confused.

He replied “ I can understand why such feelings are troubling you. As a mother you are finding it hard to accept her going far away and I can totally agree your apprehensions. But, we have to accept the reality, isn’t it?.” Rekha replied back, “ True that I have already started missing her, but, I want to clarify that these thoughts are not because of her going away. It is beyond that. I am unable to express the reason behind my unexplainable feelings . With confused thoughts in their mind both of them went to sleep were waiting for the Sun to rise soon.

Next day Ria was very happy and excited. Her flight was in the midnight. She had planned to reach airport before hand. Very less time was left for her to finalise the packing. Her suitcases were filled with home made snacks and eatables by her mother. With less time left to pack and leave Ria was busy. But she could notice that her mom was not in her usual self. She could see a different body language of her mother today.

She went and hugged her mom and told, “ Mummy I can understand your feelings. Don’t worry. I will take care of myself properly. And will call you guys regularly “. At once her mom’s eyes welled up with tears. In a whimpering tone she replied,” I have a request dear. Will you listen to me?. I feel you should postpone your trip by a day or two. I don’t know why but I strongly feel you should cancel the flight tickets for today”. Ria didn’t expect this from her mom. In a sombre tone she cajoled her mom and replied “everything has been arranged mom. I cannot change her itinerary now”.

Rekha could sense some uneasiness and butterflies in the stomach. But these butterflies sensation was not a happy one but a heavy and fearful. It was raining heavily outside like the sky was falling down.The weather too also added more to her anxiety. But no on was ready to understand her. She had a premonition of some imminent disaster is in the waiting.

The cab was waiting to go the airport. Ria, her mom and dad stuffed all the luggages inside the car. It was raining so heavily that they got drenched within few seconds. With a sense of melancholy Rekha sat in the car. After driving for few kilometres they got stuck in a traffic jam. It looked like the usual traffic jam for the driver. Seconds, went on to minutes, but there was no sign of traffic clearing up. The car couldn’t be reversed as the there were cars at the back too. Not a centimetre to move. There were many traffic police men standing to control the chaos. Slowly people got down from the car to find out the real reason for this stagnant traffic.

Somebody came shouting” The flyover has partially broken and fallen down. That is why the cars are stranded. We may not be able to move from here for at least for few more hours. It is very chaotic in the place where the incident has happened. So we have to wait till all things are cleared”.

Hearing this Ria, became anxious. She had lots of security and other procedure to follow before boarding the flight. If this traffic isn’t going to clear for few more hours then it will be tough for her to catch the flight. Her parents could sense the prevailing tense situation .It was raining and traffic choc-o-bloc they couldn’t do anything but simply sit and stare at the situation.

With no immediate respite from this agony they could only keep calm. As time passed it became clear beyond doubt that Ria may not be able to catch the flight. Ria started crying inconsolably. Ram and Rekha were feeling helpless and speechless with the sudden unexpected developments.

There was a clarity by then that it was impossible to catch the flight. They had to decide a Plan B. With no mood to decide a plan B the family was sitting and staring out at the heavy rains. At that point , a message came in all their mobiles. They saw the message and all three of them became dumbstruck. It was a heart wrenching news they had received. It was such a depressing news to hear.

At the same moment they could see the cab driver who was with other drivers running towards their car with a shocked expression on his face. He came near the car and told in a loud voice ” Sir, a major disaster has happened in the airport just now. The flight which took off few minutes before dashed into a building near the airport and has blasted completely it seems. Is this the same flight which your daughter was to board?

“ALAS” it was true. They were totally shocked. To their disbelief it was the same flight which Ria had to catch. Ram replied in a shocked and depressed tone ,” yes, it is the same flight my daughter was to board”. With tears welling up in their eyes they were sat still with mind going numb totally. Ria and Ram could recollect how Rekha was hell bent and requesting her to change the journey date.

Rekha in a sobbing tone said,” I have been trying to tell since yesterday that something bad is going to happen. You all didn’t understand. I had some intuition that all is not well for Ria to travel today. But I don’t know the reason for such feelings”. Ram and Ria patted gently on her back. Overwhelmed with sorrow all three of them hugged together and cried. All three of them returned home after the traffic cleared.

And few days after Ria left for pursuing her higher studies. She could reach the airport in time, board the flight and reach the destination safely too. This time around Rekha also didn’t experience any gut feelings of negativity in her mind too.

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL 👍🏻😁.

Now coming to this ,“INTUITION,A GUT FEELING, SIXTH SENSE”, it is a feeling which cannot explained why, when and how these feelings comes in our mind. There is no logic to explain why at times we are able to foresee a situation both good as well as bad. These instincts pop in our head to throw a light on what the end result ought to be. This is a common thing experienced by each and everyone in his/her/their life.

These instincts are rare feelings which do not pop up often. These gut feelings do give us a blanket of security and relief if we foresee a good thing happening. Vice versa, if we foresee a bad thing to happen then there is this gnawing thought which won’t go away and a pit like feeling in the stomach. Once that time passes our mind and body omens back to our normal form.

Astrologers, Soothsayers, Tarot Card Readers predict to give an outline of what is in store for us in our future. Likewise we all seldom become soothsayers for fraction of a second to perceive what the outcome could be eventually in our time of crisis..

INSTINCTS AND INTUITIONS ARE BOONS WHICH HELP US FORESEE THE FUTURE, but , IT OCCURS VERY RARELY THOUGH😌”.

Do you believe in Sixth sense? If so, it would nice to hear in the comments .

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Today I was in a mood to do some pencil sketch . I usually watch YouTube and draw sketches.

I haven’t learnt drawing systematically, so , kindly bear with any errors in this sketch.

Whenever I draw a pencil sketch, I write a small poem for the sketch drawn in my own words.

Again, I am not well versed in writing poems , but I have tried to write a simple poem.

DAMSEL in Dreams

Dreams are FOREVER

BEAUTIFUL Damsel she is

Kohl rimmed BEAUTIFUL EYES

WIDE eyed

Eyelashes like FEATHERS

JET black hair

Like a DARK room

LUSCIOUS lips

LIKE halves of an orange

A warm GAZE

AT a butterfly 🦋

LIKE a blanket wrapped on chilly morning

Watching it FLY

HERE and there

Hey, BUTTERFLY 🦋

A BEAUTIFUL sign of good luck

WHAT are your dreams

TO NAVIGATE thousand miles

Using the SUN

I WOULD like to fly with you

All around this WORLD

CARE-FREE . no worries

Let go of my BURDENS

FIND JOY in life’s

Simple FLEETING EXPERIENCES

I REMAIN calm

Welcome your VISIT

TAKE a deep breathe

And enjoy a QUIET

FLEETING moment of wonder.

A damsel in her DREAMS

Dreams are FOREVER .

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I never had a boyfriend in my life.

Surprised? In today’s world, having a boyfriend almost seems like a normal part of growing up. But for me, life was different. I was brought up in an environment where even the thought of having a boyfriend was considered taboo.

The funniest part? I never had the rebellious streak in me, so not having a boyfriend never really bothered me.

Of course, there were the usual crushes, and that’s perfectly normal when you’re young. Even secretly admiring a boy felt exciting enough. Looking back, I enjoyed that phase immensely.

It would be unfair to say that no boys were ever attracted to me. There were a few who thought I was attractive. Well... blame it on the age! 😉 It was amusing to receive a little attention here and there. For a brief while, it made me feel like a beautiful damsel straight out of a fairy tale. 😂😂

That’s what youth does to you. Your adrenaline is high, your emotions are intense, and for a while you feel as though the whole world is at your feet.

Personally, I believe that whether you have a boyfriend or girlfriend or not, experiencing attractions, crushes and infatuations is a very natural part of life. As we grow older, those feelings slowly fade, making way for something deeper. I too passed through that phase and gradually learnt the difference between attraction, infatuation and real love.

So why am I talking so much about love, attraction and infatuation?

There is a simple reason.

Love can happen at any age.

And yes... I do have a boyfriend now.

In today’s blog, I want to tell you about my date with him. So stay with me till the end to meet my boyfriend.

Well...

My boyfriend is dark, hot and energetic. He is always brimming with warmth and happiness. His energy is so infectious that anyone who spends time with him would surely agree with me. He has all the qualities of a typical Mills & Boon hero—someone almost everyone would love to have as a boyfriend.

This evening, I have a date with him.

The best thing about my boyfriend is that he is never fussy about where we meet. It could be a roadside stall, a cosy café or a simple restaurant. Anywhere is perfect for him. I absolutely love this quality.

Another thing I adore is that he never sets expectations for me. He accepts me exactly the way I am. No demands. No conditions. Just a happy-go-lucky companion. Perhaps that is why our relationship grows stronger with every passing day.

It is now six in the evening.

I need to leave for the café where we are meeting. He must already be waiting for me.

Outside, it is raining gently, making the evening even more perfect for a date.

I’m dressed in my usual jeans and a simple girly top. No makeup. Just a plain Jane. That’s exactly how he likes me.

Off I go...

After navigating through a frustrating traffic jam, I finally reached the café.

It was beautifully lit with soft, warm lights that made the place feel cosy and comforting. Wind chimes hung in little corners, dancing gently to the evening breeze. Instrumental music floated through the air—a soothing piano rendition of Passacaglia—adding a magical touch to the ambience.

I found a quiet corner where I could enjoy some uninterrupted time with my boyfriend.

I settled into my seat, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.

A few moments later...

He arrived.

Hot.

Dark.

Frothy.

Brimming with irresistible energy.

And now, it’s finally time to introduce my boyfriend to all of you.

Meet him...

A steaming cup of hot, strong, frothy coffee.

My forever boyfriend. ☕❤️

Love can happen at anytime, sometimes it comes in a cup🤎🤎🤎🤎

How did you like my boyfriend??

Would like to read about the same in the comments??

If you like this piece then kindly share with your groups and friends 😃👍🏻

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Today I received a newsletter from ’s Substack.

The newsletter had about 15 prompts to write. This newsletter was different. It was throwing prompts to spin your imagination and weave a small blog.

Prompts are interesting to write as you don’t plan to write on that topic. You see the word and instantly begin writing your thoughts.

The blog may be short or long. It doesn’t matter.

From the 15 questions I selected one of the question to write my honest thoughts about the same.

Write about the moment you realised you were lying to yourself and kept going anyway.

Interesting question!!!

Well, there is not a single moment but there are several moments when I have realised that I am lying to myself. And I keep going as if I am a brave heart. But , in real I am not. That is the reality. It is like wearing a pseudo face and carrying on as if all is normal. When actually, it is not.

Such moments we get to experience in relationships friendships. Wherever there are interactions this is bound to happen.

I have seen people who speak their mind frankly whenever they face such situations. I have tried to be like them but have failed miserably.

I have faced such moments since my college days. When in college . I was young , so I didn’t bother much.

But, to suppress your feelings, emotions and anger as you grow old is kind a tough. The tragic part is this realisation keeps occurring very often. As we have to interact with a large circle of people which begins from immediate family members to friends and relatives on a regular basis.

Whenever I experienced such moments in my close circle it was tough to accept. There is no other option left, other than wearing a pseudo face and behave as if all is well with you. The other reason is that, the option of both clarifying and arguing to make your stand clear seem ruled out.

So, There is one such experience which I would like to share here in this blog.

We were staying in a society. There was this couple who were very popular. They were popular because they were social and were in good books with all the families in the society. They had this habit of inviting whoever had shifted newly to the society for dinner. They would extend a friendly hand and make the first move to win over the hearts. We had also shifted to the society as newbies. We too got introduced to them. We were also happy to meet a friendly couple who were always ready to help.

It so happened, one evening during our conversation, that lady told me that they were planning to invite us for dinner the coming weekend. Weekend came and went off . There was no sign of any invitation. Next week we both met as usual, but she didn’t tell the reason why there wasn’t any invitation for dinner. Instead she was telling how they were busy the whole weekend entertaining guests for dinner. I listened and kept quiet. Once again this happened the next week.

We were meeting regularly but she never felt the need to say any reason for not inviting us for the dinner as per her plan. This was going on for few months. It became a regular affair for her to say that the following weekend she had plans of inviting us for the dinner and conveniently forget about it. It would never be an invitation for real. There used to moments when we used to meet where she will say sorry for not being able to keep up her invitation as per her plans. Such moments used it be very tough for me to handle. I used to have a plastic smile on my face like an air hostess as if I wasn’t affected.

The height of all this happened, when she told this in front of everyone. It was a party in a common friend’s house. We were all having dinner and chatting in a group. This lady too joined our chat. And in front of everyone , she started telling that she has been having lots of guests for dinner most of the weekends. All of them appreciated her for her hospitality. Even though I felt bad inside, I too put a broad smile like a brave heart and sang along with everyone in the group. Amidst this, in front of everyone, she told me in a loud voice, “ Sorry, I know I have been telling you that we will be inviting you for dinner. And we haven’t invited you till now. I suppose your invitation is still pending. We will soon invite you too”. I smiled and said “ it’s okay. I know you are busy. Also I know you will surely invite us soon”. This was the moment where I was truly lying to myself and kept going anyway as if things were normal. It was such a tough moment to handle. Very embarrassing to utter something that too with a normal smile as if nothing has affected me. After this incident too, we were meeting regularly as usual and used to have regular conversations. The invitation came very very delayed for me. Guess when?? As a farewell dinner when I was to relocate to a new place.

Today when ’s substack posed this question, I decided to give a spin to my experience and pour it in this newsletter. Everyone faces such embarrassing instances in their life at some point . But there are brave hearts who confront them, then and there. That’s the best quality one should have . And I realised this late due to such experiences I have faced in my life .

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

For everyone who has been through such moments, you are not alone.

May we all find the courage to choose honesty with ourselves and others.

Thanks Christy for this prompt.

I feel very nice after writing my experience here.

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Write a poem/story/reflection that includes both “lamp” and “star”. Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Here’s my response:

This is the prompt from ‘s SUNDAY SPECIAL DIGEST.

I always love writing small posts for prompts. I found this prompt /challenge in ’s Sunday special digest.

Whenever possible I try to write a small post for the suggested prompt.

This Sunday prompt suggested is“LAMP” and “STAR”. I gave my imagination a small run to write this small post.

Hope you will all enjoy reading the same.

LAMP vs STAR

An imaginary conversation between à Lamp and a Star.🪔/🌠

Lamp- Dear star, I envy you, because you are high up in the sky 🌌 🌠

Star- Dear lamp ,I envy you too, because you burn with a golden flame 🔥

Lamp- I envy you, because you are shining high up in the sky in vast galaxies

Star- I envy you because, though you are a single flame, you light the entire room to chase away the darkness

Lamp- I envy you because , though you are million, trillion miles away you sparkle like a diamond in the night sky.

Star- I envy you because, people welcome you to their homes with love and respect .

Lamp- I envy you because people gaze you with lots of curiosity , wonder and fascination

Star- I envy you, because you symbolise hope positivity, strength and beauty

The Lamp and Star fell silent for a moment .

In that quiet pause, they realised that neither was greater than the other.

With smiles on their faces, they spoke once more

Lamp- You inspire me to glow and keep shining. Thank you.

Star- You inspire me to earn a place of respect in people’s hearts.♥️

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

The LAMP and STAR are integral part of our lives

One lights our homes, while the other lights the heavens.

Both, the Lamp and the Star glitter, emanate positive energy and give us peace and happiness.

If this post resonates then kindly share it with your friends.

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This word “Temptations” is closely linked to the control of our senses. And wherever the control of the senses comes the will power follows.

But, what does this controlling of our senses really mean??.

To me, Controlling means having strength to hold ourselves back and not getting carried away by cravings and impulses. with a will power.

Temptation is again a very strong word deeply tied to will power. If will power weakens then temptations takes over.

Why?

Because will power and temptations are tied to each other. If we have will power then we can resist any kind of temptations.

Temptation- this is a strong word which includes all kinds of desires.

It involves physical cravings- an urge, yearning, physical cravings and also the irresistible allure of food and appetite. Among the many temptations we face in life, food and lust are perhaps the hardest to resist.

Both these temptations are very difficult to resist. We set goals to achieve in our life. Irrespective of whether we reach our goals or not, this desire or urge to engage in short-term impulses for immediate enjoyment, doesn’t disappear. It stays with us since the time we begin to understand the meaning of the word “TEMPTATION”. We fall into to these temptations even when we know the action is wrong, unwise or goes against our long- term goal.

I, for one have a huge weaknesses for chocolates and sweets. I have tried my best to resist but have failed several times. Also I believe most of us are no different unable to resist the temptation of our favourite snacks, desserts, or little goodies.

“Personally, I feel temptations related to food are toughest to resist, and more often than not, they revolve around food or lust .”

Temptations due to food is the toughest to resist. One major reason is that food is easily available .

For the longest time, I strongly believed that our taste buds are the first to be awakened at the sight of delicious food, snacks, or a tempting meal. But recently, that belief was overruled…..

How ???

A simple incident changed my views about the same.

I visit my mother regularly, though she stays in a different city. She has a maid who is more like a helping hand, doing almost all the household chores at home. Like any other maid, she too takes leave once in a while. But whenever she does, my mother’s temper shoots up like a volcano erupting lava 😂😂😂. My mother behaves as if she has given her a permanent job where she is expected to report every single day without fail. I have tried explaining to her many times that the maid too has a life, responsibilities and problems of her own, but I have never really succeeded in changing her mindset.

One day, the maid called to say that she would not be coming to work. The reason this time was heartbreaking, her younger sister, who had been suffering from cancer, had passed away. Being the elder sister and unmarried, she had to shoulder the responsibilities of the family. After a few days, she resumed her work in our house.

She usually has breakfast and tea at our place. But because of the rituals and customs followed after a death in the family, she was not allowed to eat anywhere except at her own house for a certain period. During that very time, we happened to have a family function at home. As always, a function meant a house full of people, endless cleaning, washing, mopping, and plenty of extra work for her. Of course, she was to be paid extra for all that.

Now coming to the topic—temptations.

A family function also means delicious food, mouthwatering snacks, and irresistible sweets spread all around the house. There were relatives, guests, laughter, noise, and food in abundance. The aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled every corner of the house, and trays of sweets and savouries were placed right in front of us.

For someone who was already hungry , tired and constantly surrounded by such tempting food, resisting it was no easy task. She was running around the whole day doing all the work, taking care of all the chores by running here and there the whole day.

I thought, watching her move around the house, surrounded by food she could neither eat nor even taste, how difficult it must have been for her.

We all had our lunch, and after that it was only natural for us to offer her some sweets and delicacies to taste. We even thought of packing some for her to take home, so that she could enjoy them later.

When we asked her to sit and eat, she immediately said, “No, no, I cannot eat outside.”

Thinking she might at least have a few sweets and savouries, we made a separate plate just for her and offered it with affection. But once again, she politely refused.

She said, “No, I cannot even taste them. I have to follow these rules until all the rituals are over.”

So we thought the best thing would be to pack everything and give it to her to take home. But to our surprise, she refused that too.

Very calmly and respectfully she said, “No, I cannot take it with me either. I am following these rituals and rules for my beloved sister. I have to respect her death by observing them sincerely for her sake. These sweets and savouries can be relished at any time, but the mourning I do with all my love and affection for my sister cannot be replaced.”

Her words stayed with me.

At that very moment, the meaning of temptation changed for me.

There she was surrounded by delicious food, sweets and snacks after hours of work, hunger and exhaustion. Everything was right in front of her, easily within reach. Yet she refused, not because she didn’t want them, but because her love, respect and sense of duty towards her sister were far stronger than her momentary cravings.

That day I realised that temptation is not always defeated by strict self-control alone. Sometimes it is defeated by something deeper love, values, emotional strength and the ability to honour a bond even after death.

I have often failed to resist chocolates, sweets and all my favourite treats. But that day, this woman taught me a lesson in willpower without even trying to teach one. She showed me that when emotions are genuine and values run deep, even the strongest temptations can be put aside with grace.

For me, that day was not just about a maid refusing sweets at a family function. It was a quiet lesson in love, discipline, grief and strength. She may have refused the food, but she gave me something far more lasting, a new understanding of what it truly means to resist temptation.

What are your views on temptations????Would like to hear in the comments.

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When I am amongst the greenery and a river bend, I am most ………

Use as much imagery as possible through the five senses

I LOVE WRITNG FOR PROMPTS

Why???

Prompts help us to spin a small story, poem, passage or a stanza. Whenever I come across an interesting prompt, thoughts begin to spring up instantly and my imagination starts weaving words around it .

When I read this prompt from Naima’s den’s newsletter, I found it very interesting to pen few lines. What fascinates me most about prompts is how a single sentence or idea can open the door to countless interpretations, memories, emotions, and stories.

Here are my thoughts inspired by this prompt

GREENERY - this word by itself is so refreshing. I start my day with my green friends who are kept in my apartment balcony. When they sway to the gentle breeze they bring a calmness which cannot be explained by words.

When I read this writing prompt by Naima, my thoughts instantly travelled to the recent trip to a HILL STATION. The journey itself felt magical. Snow-capped Mountains stood proudly in the distance while Silver Streams rushed beside the winding roads.

My imagination goes peak when I am in such a scenic place like this.

The mountain looked as if they had wrapped themselves in a thick Warm Blanket of Greenery.

The fresh green shades of green were very soothing to my eyes, cooling my mind like a Soft rain drops falling on me.

The dense forest opens its arms for a Beautiful Stream to flow in between the mountain ranges. The Water looks like a transparent glass laid carefully across in between the ranges . I could hear the Gushing sound of stream against the rocks.

The Gloomy sky added a mysterious beauty to the entire scene.

If I ever happen to be in such a scenic place, I would love to fly like a bird above the mountains and touch the sky.

I would love to have a Bird’s eye view of that whole place. I would soar higher and higher, feeling the cold wind against my face, until I find a peaceful resting place amidst that green blanket of mountain ranges .

Amongst the Greenery and beside a River bend, I would not merely exist, I would truly feel alive.

What would you do if you are amongst such a scenic place ???

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LANGUAGE CAN CREATE LAUGHTER WHEN MEANINGS GETS LOST !!!

I found this topic interesting to write as in my memory I had this unforgettable and funny experience which happened many years ago.

Language plays a vital role in communication. When we are unable to communicate in the required language then the situation can turn in both serious and funny way. My ignorance in knowing a local language took a hilarious turn.

India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories. India is incredibly linguistically diverse, home to 122 major languages and over 1,599 other languages and mother tongues. One can imagine the confusion and chaos that one gets to experience if not aware of the local language where one is staying.

This blog is about one such “Lost in Translation” moment when I was newly married. I began my life as a newly married in West Bengal - the Eastern part of India. Bangla was the language spoken by the locals.

Bengali/ Bangla language is widely celebrated as one of the world’s sweetest languages, known for its melodic rhythm and soft vowels. I was trying to learn to speak the language by observing the conversations happening around me. I could fluently communicate in Hindi, so could manage the shopping of daily needs. I was aware of the basic words and phrases in Bangla to begin a conversation and reply back too.

Before I start with this blog I would like to write the meanings of few Bengali words in English to keep the humour alive.

BOUDHI - this is a word used to address the married lady of the house - Sister-in-law

BIDAAL - A cat

INDUR- A rat

I had started my new journey as a young bride, in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. We were living in the campus in cosy comfy small apartment. The funniest part was that the name of the apartment was “BACHELORS APARTMENT “ , but all married couple were staying in that apartment.

Life was full of joy and excitement as a newly married.

There was a milkman who delivered milk everyday morning. There was a maid, vegetables vendors, Bread wallah to name a few with whom I had conversations on a day to day basis in the local language. With a error in the tenses, gender and pronunciation I was just learning to speak.

Everything was fine, until one night, I forgot to close the kitchen window.

The next morning, in the kitchen, I found potatoes scattered all over the floor — some even had teeth marks! I shrugged it off, too busy enjoying my new life to worry about kitchen mysteries. But that night, I saw something moving… something black and quick! On closer look — a BIG RAT 🐀 — followed by a whole parade of smaller ones! My heart almost stopped.

I grabbed the nearest broomstick like a warrior with a sword and charged into battle! Pots clanged, boxes toppled, and there I was, swinging my “weapon” in panic and fury while the rats played hide-and-seek with me like Jerry teasing poor Tom.

And right in the middle of this chaos — DING DONG! — the milkman arrived! I opened the door, still holding the broom like a battle flag, with my hair messy, eyes wide, and my face twisted in disgust and determination.

The poor milkman froze, staring at me.

“Boudhi! , what happened? Why are you looking like Kali Ma?” he asked in Bengali.

I replied hurriedly in Hindi, “Ghar mein choohe hain! (There are rats in the house!) I’m trying to chase them out — it’s impossible! Can you help me?”

The milkman thought for a second. Then widening his eyes said in Bengali, “Boudhi, kichhu hobe na. Apnar ekta bidaal rakhoon. Toh indur ra chole jaabe.”.

(“Sister-in-law, nothing to worry. Keep a bidaal at home — the rats will go away.”)

Completely puzzled, I asked, “What is bidaal? Yeh bidaal kya hai? Kahan milta hai?”( No Google to search or translate 😂).

The milkman made a serious face, then suddenly went, “Meow… meow!” His facial expression was so funny that I burst into uncontrollable laughter!!!.

That day I learnt new words in Bengali “Bidaal- Cat and Indur -Rat”.

The humour truly needs no translation. Isn’t it??

For few moments I forgot the rats menace and laughed wholeheartedly. Those funny moments not only made me laugh, it also remains fresh in my memory till date .

That moment you lost it, in joy, in absurdity, is life. How did you like this blog?. Would like to hear in the comment section.

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I have this habit of waking up early in the morning . An early riser. I enjoy the calm and quiet solitude with crisp fresh cool air to breathe.

My apartment balcony has a beautiful view. I stay in the 9th floor of an apartment. The best part which I love is, there is no high rise building adjacent to the apartment where I stay.

The balcony faces a main road and small independent houses at the opposite side of the road. There is a church on the opposite side of the road which has a beautiful tower with a Cross at the top. There is this small hill station 60 kms away from where I stay. Famous for its winding roads ,22 hairpin bends and misty views , this small weekend getaway offers a quick and refreshing escape from the bustling city. These mountain peaks are seen like hazy lines from my apartment balcony. On certain days these peaks look crystal clear.

In all my morning clicks these peaks, the church tower are distinctly seen if observed. They are the backbone of all my morning clicks. From a long shot the church tower looks a pointed pencil and the mountain ranges look like hazy lines.

My first job once I wake up in the morning is to open the balcony door to see and greet the open skies. Not a single day the skies disappoint me, as each and everyday I get to watch an unimaginable palette on the sky. When the world is sleeping, I get to see a new palette painted in the sky effortlessly by the nature.

Until now, I must have clicked infinite number of pics of the sky in the dawn. Every day the dawn is a new hues of colours . The nature throws a new palette of colours for me to see and enjoy. This is in my regular daily routine. Each and everyday I have seen an amalgamation of colours on the sky.

There are certain days when the sky throws a special palette like festive celebrations.

This post is about one such early hours of a morning - the Daunting Dawn!!

Few days back, as usual I woke up to greet my friend, sky. When I opened the balcony, I was amazed to see an unusual mix of palette of colours on the sky.

A mix of magenta, Orange and violet blended seamlessly on the sky. When I was admiring this , within few minutes the colours changed to deep crimson orange giving casting a striking outline around the church tower, and the distant mountain range. It was astounding!!!!.

I went about my morning and to my surprise after sometime the vibrant hues gave way to soft grey shades with clouds floating lazily like a cotton candy. I could hardly believe my eyes This was the third time the sky had changed it’s palette all within the same morning. As the day advanced the grey melted was morning the skies became clear blue with white clouds floating like a vanilla ice cream on the sky.

That was a special morning. That morning, the sky was not merely a spectacle of colours, it was a reflection of life's many stages, painted across the sky for those willing to pause and notice.

For me these palette of colours in the sky looked like a newly married bride blushing in her joy. The another picture looked like a lady who had journeyed through life learning it’s the nuances and embracing the realities of life.

That morning, the sky was not merely a spectacle of colours, it was a reflection of life’s many stages, painted across the sky for those willing to pause and notice.

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Human intimacy is messy, beautiful, and inherently untamed.

But we cannot build a life in the margins of what might be.

Relationships are often shaped by attraction, desire, emotions, and choices. Yet many people struggle to distinguish between concepts that appear similar on the surface but differ profoundly in meaning and impact.

Among these are sex and lust, commitment and fling. Understanding the fine line between them can help individuals build healthier relationships and make more conscious decisions about intimacy.

This piece brings together two unique perspectives on the "fine line." Uma masterfully traces the boundary from the exactness of geometry to nostalgic college days, setting a beautiful foundation for Sriasweni to step in with fluid metaphors that dismantle our emotional illusions. Together, they explore what it truly means to choose presence over performance

: Blending math and college nostalgia, Uma beautifully unpacks the fine line between lust, sex, and lasting commitment.

The FINE LINE -the word in itself is a FINE LINE

Friendship- Love

between Lust and sex

between a fling and a commitment

For quite sometime, I had been thinking to write on a different topic completely out of my comfort zone. When my mind was occupied with these thoughts, I got a DM request from a fellow writer proposing a collaboration with me. I readily agreed and the first topic I suggested was this one.

With a challenge ahead to write about this delicate topic , I have gathered my thoughts to weave it into a post here.

FINE LINE

The phrase “Fine line” is in itself, a “Fine line”.

In Geometry ( Maths) and in the drawing classes this FINE LINE is very important. We are taught to draw carefully, thin and accurate. A slight deviation can alter the entire figure.

Life is no different.

It is so delicate that a shift of just a few millimetres can move us into an entirely different zone. Sometimes, that zone may even become a prohibited or dangerous one.

It is like walking on a narrow bridge suspended by a thread. The moment this thread snaps, we find ourselves somewhere we never intend to be.

What exactly is this fine line? Let me share my thoughts.

FRIENDSHIP -LOVE

Since our college days ,we have witnessed friendships that seem to stand on the edge of this fine line. The girl and a boy may share a beautiful bond. Despite the closeness they maintain a boundary.

Why??

If they are fond of each other, why maintain a distance?.

Not every friendships that carries warmth and care needs to travel through the road of romance. Sometimes, It is about being a present in their good , bad, happy and low phases. It is about listening, sharing secrets and becoming a safe space in each other’s lives.

The fine line appears when physical attractions enters the picture .

Friendships thrives on trust and companionship.

Romantic love often seeks physical intimacy, physical attraction and an emotional dependency. Such intimacy and attachments does not naturally develop with every person we admire or care for.

The two emotions may stand very close to each other but they are not a.ways the same.

That delicate boundary between them is the fine line.

LUST and SEX

Lust is something where we have obsession towards opposite sex. This obsession is purely based on physical attraction. It is an urge/hunger which would like to be satisfied with no strings attached. It is just a momentary pleasure and doesn’t need an emotional attachment.

Sex on the other hand is a physical act. It can also driven by lust, but has a longing, respect ,commitment, expression of live and physical intimacy.

This is where the fine line exists .

Lust seeks satisfaction of desire.

Lust may fade as it depends on physical attractions.

Sex is accompanied by respect, emotional bonding.

But emotional connection grow gradually through understanding and trust .

Neither attraction nor desire is unnatural. They are part of human emotions. That understanding helps us recognise the fine line between lust and sex.

FLING -COMMITMENT

Fling is driven by the excitement of the moment or temporary attraction. Fling is something which has neither emotional attachment nor a physical attractions to carry on. It arrives, creates a brief impact and fades away. The connection dissolves without leaving a lasting bond.

Commitment on the other hand is a conscious choice . It is a decision to stay even after the initial excitement fades. Commitment is not about sharing happy moments but also standing beside someone during difficult times as well.

A fling asks,”How do I feel in this moment ?.

Commitment asks, “Can we grow together through all seasons of life?”.

That delicate distinction is the fine line between Fling and commitment

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: Using a beautiful watercolor metaphor, Sriasweni challenges our neat emotional labels to expose the raw, hidden shifts between desire and reality.

The Fluidity of Intimacy: Navigating the Fine Line

We love to draw neat, sharp boundaries around our emotions.

We manufacture labels like “just a fling” or “completely committed” simply to feel in control. But human desire isn’t a crisp ink drawing; it functions much more like watercolor. You can try to paint a strict border, but the moment two people share physical or emotional space, the pigments inevitably bleed into one another.

The Hidden Shift: Lust vs. Sex

When we look closely at the space between lust and sex, or commitment and a fling, we realize the line isn’t a brick wall at all. It is a hidden shift that changes with every breath, touch, and silent expectation.

We’ve all used the phrase, “There’s a fine line.”

We lean on it when things get messy, complicated, or hard to explain. But what does it actually mean?

It means life doesn’t come with warning signs. Sometimes, the difference between a beautiful temporary escape and a total emotional trainwreck is just one small, silent step over a line you didn’t even notice was there.

The fine line becomes impossible to see when we mistake the sheer intensity of our imagination for a genuine physical connection.

The Reality Check: Lust demands a performance; sex requires a presence. The fine line is crossed when the urgency to possess someone’s body blinds us to the reality of who they are when the clothes come back on. Lust is an appetite; sex is the meal. The true fine line is realizing that you can be entirely consumed by the hunger, yet completely starved by the reality.

The Everyday Reality: Fling vs. Commitment

The same shift happens when a temporary spark tries to survive in the real world. We mistake spending time together for actually moving forward, forgetting that a short-term fling and a long-term commitment are built for completely different purposes.

Why We Hold On to the Fine Line

We keep things balanced on this fine line on purpose because clarity is terrifying.

If you look across that line and realize you want a real relationship, you have to open your mouth and say it. And the minute you say it, you risk hearing the words: “I don’t want that with you.”

Illusion: We mistake casual agreements for emotional immunity. We think if we stay right on the edge of the line, the feelings can’t hurt us. Walking this fine line lets us sample the warmth of intimacy without having to pay the rent for commitment.

But in reality, we are just trading the clarity of a clean break for the slow, agonizing friction of a fading connection.

The Ultimate Choice

The biggest mistake we make is pretending a line isn’t there just because we are too afraid to look at it.

If you’re caught walking the wire, you have to stop and ask yourself a very simple, raw, and honest question:

Am I looking for a temporary escape, or am I trying to build something real?

Once you answer that, the fog clears.

You’ll know exactly which side of the line you need to stand on.

Stop trying to anchor a boat with a thread.

Knowing the difference is the only thing that keeps you from chasing a ghost when you should be holding a human being.

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A Final Note from the Authors:

Co-writing this piece allowed us to blend two entirely different perspectives—merging nostalgic reality checks with fluid emotional truths. Intimacy is messy, but it becomes beautiful the moment we stop pretending the lines aren’t there.

Whether we trace these boundaries with the precision of geometry or watch them bleed together like watercolors, the ultimate truth remains: clarity requires courage.

We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments:

Where in your life are you currently trying to navigate a fine line?

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Cheers, Uma & Sriasweni - Soul Sketch Studio

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Inspired by it, I decided to write a few lines on the same prompt by

“WHAT IF “ is a word which is neither here nor there.

It lives purely in our imagination. These two simple words are used to ride upon our dreams and

There is a famous phrase -

“IF WISHES WERE HORSES I WOULD RIDE THEM!!”

So, I decided to ride these imaginary horses in this small blog.

Wishes could be funny, weird, lovely, strange . Isn’t it??.

So, mine too are mix of all these emotions.

What if !!!

What if, the Sun rises in the West?

What if, plants never shed their leaves ?

What if, there are no waves in the ocean?

What if, the animals could talk?

What if, the birds couldn’t fly?

What if, there is no poverty through out this planet?

What if, there is no caste, creed dividing humanity ?

What if, cars and vehicles could run on water instead of petrol?

What if, there is no war in this whole world?

What if, men get to bear a baby for a change?

What if, there were no diseases in this world ?

What if, there is no pollution through out this planet ?

What if ,there is no social media to connect people ?

What if, I could fly like a bird?

What if I could swing through the skies like Spider-Woman?

What if, I could become a most powerful person on this earth for a day?

What if, I could read everyone’s mind ?

What if, my blog gained 50- 100 subscribers overnight?.

What if, I could become invisible whenever I wished ?

And finally…

What if all this “What ifs” became reality one day ??

There is no end to this “What if “ because wishes are endless and imaginations knows no boundaries.

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Well… relationships, according to me, are delicate like glass. They need to be handled with care. Sometimes, despite all the effort, they crack unexpectedly.

I have experienced a painful breakup in the form of a friendship.

It was a friendship between two mothers adults who, ideally, should understand the value of companionship and emotional maturity.

I had a close friend in my neighborhood. We first met in a park . The park which we used to go regularly on evenings for children to play. Coincidentally, both our sons were of the same age and studied in the same school. Slowly, the children became playmates, and we mothers became good friends too.

Everything was going smoothly until one day when I had to face her temper fierce like an erupting volcano 🌋.

I was completely flabbergasted. Her anger came as a rude shock from a person I least expected it from.

With emotions running high, I calmly asked her the reason behind her behaviour.

What she said stunned me even more.

The previous evening, our society club had organized a fancy dress competition for children. Kids had to come on stage in pairs — a boy and a girl dressed in colourful outfits while music played in the background.

Every pair looked adorable. One after another, the children walked onto the stage with innocent smiles and tiny dance steps, receiving warm applause from the audience.

When my son and his partner entered the stage wearing Hawaiian outfits, the audience responded with loud cheers and hearty applause.

After them, my friend’s son and his partner came onto the stage and were applauded as well. The entire event was cheerful and lively, filled with smiles and excitement.

So naturally, I couldn’t understand what had upset her so deeply.

When I asked her directly, she said:

“Yesterday, during the fancy dress competition, your son received more applause than my son. I saw broad smiles on everyone’s faces when he came on stage. But when my son entered, the applause felt thinner, and people didn’t smile as much.”

I was speechless.

In a soft voice, I replied:

“I cannot imagine such comparisons, especially involving children. They are innocent souls who know nothing about competition at this emotional level. To me, every child looked beautiful and deserving of appreciation. Please don’t think this way.”

But she refused to listen.

She walked away in anger.

And that was the last conversation we ever had.

Our friendship ended abruptly — like a road that suddenly reaches a dead end.

Sometimes, friendships do not break because of betrayal or hatred. They break because comparison quietly enters the heart and leaves no room for peace.

A friendship which began in a park ended due to some silly stupid reason which cannot be accepted or endorsed .

The saddest part is the friendship ended not because of ego between two adults, but due to immaturity and silly comparisons between two innocent kids.

This type of break- ups in friendships can happen to any one at any time irrespective of the age. Isn’t it ??

Life by itself is a competition where getting applauses, victory and defeat are all part and parcel of the game.

If you had experienced such incidents based on comparisons ,kindly share it in the comment section.

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In the prevailing times, I strongly feel we all experience nervousness very often.

In today’s precarious world- There are countless reasons to make people nervous in today’s circumstances.

In our day to day routine, even simple situations like, when the maid or cook takes off from work, too much of traffic woes, cancel of cabs by the apps based taxis etc etc triggers this feeling instantly within us.

Even sending a toddler to a daycare makes parents nervous, as we are not completely assured about the safety and security for our little ones there.

The invasion of screens in our drawing room has made parenting increasingly difficult.

The helplessness parents feel in trying to control the screen time of their wards creates a nervousness within them. This state of worry has become a normal part of life for most of the Parents.

A best example for becoming jittery is the overall influence the social media in our lives. Fewer followers, no likes, no subscribers, all these insignificant issues of social media concerns have the power to make people restless and insecure.

There seems to be no escape from enduring this jittery feelings in such given situations.

This has become a matter of serious concern for all of us in today’s world.

Botox, Fillers, Veneers, age defying tablets, Rhinoplasty

To name a few, are taking centre stage in today’s lifestyle. This clearly reflects how physical appearance plays a major role in the lives of both men and women. The obsession with maintaining a beautiful slim figure for women and six packs Abs for men cannot be overlooked. When people feel they do not meet these standards of beauty and glamour, then it often leads to depression. This in turn plants within us a constant nervousness about how our face and our body appear in front of others.

The insecurities arising from the instability in relationships can elevate nervousness to Himalayan heights. This is one of the significant reasons for the nervousness being very widely seen in most of us. This feeling of uncertainty gives rise to the anxiety which is very common to witness in present times.

This jittery feeling does not spare even the young students, who pursue higher studies in foreign countries.

People who move abroad for career and financial stability are also not free from this anxiety.

The unpredictability of the present times creates uncertainty ,and this intensifies nervousness to its maximum in any individual.

The reason for highlighting the above instances in this blog is very simple

Earlier, nervousness was associated only with significant moments in life like, job interviews, marriage proposals, when becoming a new parent, a major health scare, checking the entrance exam results or Board marks for the first time. These were unavoidable major turning points of life and career where feeling nervous was natural. Slowly and steadily things have drastically changed .

How slowly and steadily has nervousness become the part and parcel of our daily routine?

Nervousness becomes part of our nature, when life doesn’t move as per our expectations. This state of uncertainty is the culprit behind an unsettling feeling experienced by all of us.

It does not matter which corner of the planet we may live, rich or poor, employed or unemployed , old or young -

EMOTIONS ARE THE COMMON THREAD WHICH CONNECTS ALL OF US IN THE SAME LINE”

We are all aware of the saying :

WHATEVER HAS TO HAPPEN HAS TO HAPPEN,

Nonetheless

WE CANNOT STILL AVOID THIS FEELING OF NERVOUSNESS THAT CREEPS INTO OUR LIVES AT VARIOUS TIMES IN OUR DAILY ROUTINE.”.

Isn’t true that, despite understanding this philosophy, the human mind continues to worry, overthink about the uncertainties of life?.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” – Maya Angelou

On what circumstances do you feel very jittery ??

Would like to read in the comment section.

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You must be wondering 🤔, if everything is the same then what’s there to write about in a newsletter??

Isn’t it ??

Well!!!!! Not every story has to be grand. Even a small hiccup can be woven into a story.

So, Lemme tell you about my morning hiccup today.

As part of my morning routine I go to market everyday. We have two lifts in our apartment building.

One is the senior citizen type- old, slow.

The other lift is Genz type - fresh, well lit , bright and everyone uses it.

I always have a soft corner for this old lift . Since no one really uses it , I choose it, call it my kind act of loyalty 😊

Today, as usual, I stepped into the old lift . The moment I entered there was a strange sound ……and the lift stopped.

I pressed the floor buttons again, but, NO!!!!! The lift wasn’t ready to budge from where it was.

And then suddenly the door opened.

I was glad that I could step out. But, Alas!!! The lift was stuck in between 9th and 8th floor. The funniest part??? The door kept opening and closing in a rhythm. All I could see was only walls and wires.

And there I was, alone in the lift 🛗.

I pressed the alarm. The Security guard came running . He figured out I was caught in the midway . And he could catch a glimpse of me through the gap when the door opened .

Soon people from the floor gathered. Even the maids came. I had suddenly become a breaking news😂.

Then the security reassured me , “ Don’t worry madam, I will switch the lift off and on again. Then the lift will start working”.

As he went down, I could hear voices talking about me being stuck .

For me, honestly , I wasn’t panicking at all.

Instead ,this popular Bollywood Hindi number from Salman Khan’s movie “OONCHI HAI BUILDING. LIFT MERI BANDH HAI. KAISE MEI AWOON? DARWAZA BANDH HAI…..” started playing in my mind.

(Translated in English) - The building is tall, the lift isn’t working. How do I come up? The door is locked.”

I couldn’t control my laughter 😂😂😂😂😂.😂.

As I was enjoying my own musical moments, suddenly the lights went off. It became pitch dark.

From outside I heard a mechanic’s voice filled with concern,,” Madam, Are you okay??. The lift will start operating within few minutes. I will soon set the snag. ??”.

I replied in a loud voice” No problem. I am okay. You carry on”.

After few minutes the lift jerked a bit and door opened .

I was asked to jump out.

As I stepped out, I saw a small crowd gathered staring at me, as if I had landed from space. 🚀🚀

For a moment I felt like Sunita Williams 😂.

So this is the morning hiccup I experienced. I had my fun moments to enjoy and also could spin this into a small story too.

Have you experienced any morning, evening or any hiccups in your daily routine ???

If so would be interesting to read the same in the comments section.

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Revisiting my pictures made me realise how deeply connected our thoughts were and that’s what made writing with my wonderful co-author .

BEFORE WE STARTED SCROLLING

Today I was saving pictures to make an album in google photos. The pics were all about my travel diaries . When I was doing this task , I felt like browsing all the albums I had created till now . Most of these albums came into existence only after these smartphones entered our lives. It was indeed refreshing to revisit every memory from the yesteryears.

While I was busy rejoicing my green memories , a thought suddenly flashed in my mind. How did we all manage these concepts of albums when there were no smartphones???

Nowadays it is just a small touch without any effort to get beautiful scenery, girl, boy , baby bride or groom, the list goes endless. But, in those days clicking a pic at a proper angle and processing it into a photograph itself was a task. I still remember carrying a camera , video cameras ,handy cam for clicking pics while travelling.

Why am I telling this ???

Pictures are pictures irrespective of whether taken by a handycam, camera or the smartphones. We all enjoy looking at them and reliving our memories. But somehow along the way , with the introduction of these modern gadgets there has been a silent change in our attitude and expressions.

There are undoubtedly many advantages which we enjoy because of these selfie sticks, smartphones. But , there is a hidden fact that slowly and steadily slips unnoticed into our lives

What is that hidden fact????

Decades ago, we lived in the moments and enjoy it completely . There was no constant urge to capture every second. Our attention was on being present talking, laughing, complimenting each other and heartfelt conversations Pictures were definitely clicked but they were not instantly available for viewing . We had to wait patiently for the photos to be processed and developed.

Birthday parties, wedding, travel, family visits during student life , etc all these moments were felt through presence, emotions and conversations. Life was not “Instagram friendly”.

It was more about human connection and truly being in the present. The compliments were real, not typed mechanically, or generated instantly Smiles carried warmth, feelings carried depth and words carried sincerity.

There were no blue screens to scroll endlessly and perhaps that was the reason people truly sat with each other. Moments were not to be captured for social media. Instead , moments were stored in the heart and remembered through human connections .

Nowadays there is a new trend of not allowing phones at weddings and functions. Perhaps this is an attempt to bring people to essence of living in the moment instead of capturing them through a camera lens.

Maybe people are slowly realising that every beautiful moment need not be posted to prove its existence. Some memories are best enjoyed through the eyes, the heart, and genuine conversations rather than through screens and filters.

After all, the warmth of being fully present in a moment can never be replaced by a perfectly captured photograph.

The Trip I Never Photographed but Still Remember Perfectly

A few days ago, I was sitting with my Google Photos open, organizing albums like every emotionally attached Gen Z person does at 1 a.m. Travel folders, random screenshots. Food pictures with suspiciously dramatic lighting. Every trip I’ve taken recently exists neatly inside tiny digital boxes with names like “Weekend Escape” or “Healing Era.”

And while scrolling through them, I noticed something unsettling. I had hundreds of pictures from recent trips but very few actual memories from them. I remembered the café where I clicked a pretty picture of coffee. I remembered the viewpoint where my hair looked nice in the wind. I remembered asking people to wait before eating because “the food looks aesthetic.”

But the trip itself? Not much (it’s blur)

Then suddenly my mind went back to a family trip to Kodaikanal when I was around ten years old. No smartphones, no insta and absolutely no pressure to document every breath we took and somehow, I still remember every single detail of that trip like it happened yesterday. We travelled in a crowded Tavera car early in the morning while the roads were covered in thick mist. I still remember the chillness of the waterfalls. I remember stopping for hot coffee and crispy vada because everyone was freezing. I remember waiting in a long temple queue for darshan, getting bored halfway through, then immediately becoming silent once we entered inside.

I remember homemade lemon rice packed carefully in steel containers. I remember my uncle making me sit on the car and placing a tiny kurinji flower behind my ear. I remember the homemade chocolates he bought me wrapped in shiny paper. I remember boating at the lake and genuinely believing the boat might flip over even though it was perfectly stable. There are barely any pictures from that trip.

Yet it lives inside me more clearly than the vacations I took last year.

And maybe that says something about the way we experience life now.

Somewhere Along the Way, Moments Became Content

There was a time when people visited their parents to spend time with them.

Now we visit them to update our camera roll.

Mom spends two hours cooking your favorite meal? Don’t immediately tell her it tastes like comfort and childhood and healing. First, move the plate near the window. Adjust the spoon. Take a top-angle picture. Add “nothing beats home food” to your Instagram story.

You can always text her later:
“Food was nice btw.”

Human connection is temporary. JPEGs are forever.

And honestly, this habit has entered every part of our lives so quietly that we barely notice it anymore.

Concerts are watched through phone screens. Sunsets are interrupted by retakes. Friends pause conversations because someone needs “one candid picture.” Food becomes cold while everyone waits for aesthetic table shots.

Sometimes I think we’re no longer experiencing moments naturally. We’re experiencing them with the mindset of an audience already watching us.

Will this make a good story?
Will this become a reel?
Will this look pretty online?

And the strange thing is the more we record everything, the less emotionally attached we seem to become to those memories. Because being mentally present and constantly documenting something cannot fully happen at the same time.

Closing lines :

This blog is special for me as it made me pause for few moments and realise the fact, capturing moments may fetch LIKES, COMMENTS and PRAISE.

But, the real moments which we capture and store in our memories stays with us forever.

Maybe the most beautiful moments in life were never meant to be perfectly captured, filtered or posted online.

Some memories survive not because we photographed them but because we truly lived them. And perhaps being fully present will always feel warmer than any picture we could ever save.

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This is one of the most popular words used by all of us.

This word implies both physical or mental strength. I have been noticing that this word has slowly become a kind of sacred word.

For a person with all the basic facilities and decent living to be resilient is an easy task. The very reason being the strong supporting system surrounding him/her to render all the love and affection he/she needs.

But for a person living below the poverty line, life is different. Such individuals face a lot of struggles and hardships to face in their daily lives. Financial instability is a huge burden. Added to that, many are deprived of the family support system too. A basic affectionate father , mother, sister etc etc may be a distant reach for them. Relationships maybe bitter and circumstances may be harsh but still they continue to survive amidst all these difficulties .

Such people putting a brave front, despite all the odds, are the true examples of resilience.

In my daily life I have not interacted much with such people.

But , I have observed many people while walking through the streets in my everyday routine. We always don’t need conversations to understand people. Sometimes their body language speaks volumes of the inner strength they carry within

The other day I went to buy vegetables. It was 10.00am in the morning. It was very hot and humid. Walking for a short duration too was exhausting Chances of getting a sunstroke seemed very possible.

I hurriedly rushed to the regular departmental store from where I buy the daily essentials. The moment I entered the shop, I heaved a sigh of relief After relaxing in the cool air for a few minutes I started my shopping. I was busy scouting for organic rice to buy. A sudden decision to “go organic” being the latest fad in my household.

While I was searching for the organic rice , I noticed an old man entering the shop.

What is so special about that????

He was carrying a huge sack full of rice on his back. The sack must have weighed around 25 kgs. He brought it inside and placed it carefully on the shelf. Then he went out and returned with one more sack. Like this, he repeated the task for 5 times.

This means, within few minutes, he must have carried 125 kilograms of rice on his shoulders.

After arranging all the sacks of rice in order , he got his wages and he quietly left the shop.

At that very moment, the word “Resilience” echoed in my mind.

I felt that old man was a perfect example of that word.

Why???

He appeared to be from a poor family. Perhaps, he had lots of mouths to feed in his family. Even getting a proper square meal a day might have been uncertain.Yet, despite such circumstances, he continued doing the strenuous work every single day.

It is perhaps the mental strength and will power that help him carry him carry on with life despite all hardships.

That day the old man taught me the true meaning of the word “Resilience “.

Have you come across such people in your daily routine ??

If so, It would be interesting to read in the comments section.

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