The Balancing Act

The moment  I enter my house in the evening, there is a distinct smell in the air and it is always hard to miss, it is the mixed  fragrance of sandalwood incense and the rose dhoop which my daughter lights while doing the evening puja. After a hard day and long hours in maddening Delhi traffic, this divine scent gives me so much of calm and peace, it also makes me happy because my daughter does it and I feel good that I have passed on a good tradition and habit to her in this tender age (she is just 11 year old). It also makes me doubly happy to see that  when she lights the diya, does the pooja and let's the calming smells take over the house, my younger daughter (just 5) is also with her, watching her didi and learning every bit of it and praying earnestly with all her innocence and faith. This serene smell also takes me back to my childhood, from where I learned the importance of ‘ namam choll’ (which means offering evening prayers), I remember sitting in th...

Yo u are the sand slipping away Not   stopping , not clinging on , Not even on sweaty, shaky palms The multitude of blessings You bestowed while walking away You are never melted by the gratitude You just do   what you have to Sometimes showering sweetness Sometimes the salty tears You are never shaken by any sight Fresh   mornings, drowsy afternoons And the flashy fast night You are the same you do not pause, only we do, for savouring your gifts or lamenting your harshness But please, please slow down For I need to do a bit more Hug my babies some more Say sweet nothings to my better half Cuddle a bit more Forgive those who hurt me, And, seek forgiveness from those whom I hurt heal the wounds   even if I never gave it Smell the flowers, enjoy the rains Cook some snacks, enjoy my work Read a bit more, write a bit more Please , please slow down I need to...