No Hate SRK

I am NOT a Shah Rukh Khan hater! Phew! Over the last week or so, I've been putting up links to what various people have said regarding the SRK Detention situ along with my five pence worth of input. However, this has led some people to believe that I dislike the actor-superstar. Not at all! SRK is pretty cool for the most part -- I liked him in Swades, Veer Zaara and Chak De India! I'm not fond of him in over the top roles like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and the likes of that, but hey! He sells just as much as sex does. So once again, I am not a hater but then again, I ain't no SRK patriot either. Talented and hardworking for sure -- there is no denying that. SRK not only pulls in crowds by the millions but manages to keep them on their toes at shoes and events too.

A friend recently said to me she wasn't an SRK fan until she met him. Apparently he is one of the most charismatic men who quickly attracts you and makes you a fan for life. Perhaps I need to meet him to become a die-hard fan. Until then, SRK can attempt to impress me with his gimmicks -- oh sorry, SRK doesn't need gimmicks. Fine then, he can attempt to impress me with his massive acting talent and some better intelligent roles.

But like I said -- no hatred for this Khan. None at all.

Soaring above the Storm

As I sit to write this, I have an excruciating headache, body ache and an itchy throat. All indications that I will most likely be spending my weekend in bed courtesy of the flu. However, if I start to pop a pill or two, I will most likely be able to stop the extent of my illness. It is really sad that when we hit speed breakers or bumps in life, we are never have any hindsight of it nor are there any ways to prevent it from hitting the most extreme of rock bottoms. For the most part, we have to endure it, live it, survive it and finally say, phew! I did it.

It's times like this I wish I was a bird. Not just any bird but an King (Queen in my case) of the birds - the Eagle. Eagles are birds who soar above the rest and views the world from above. They fly to a high cliff and wait for the winds. When they sense that a storm is approaching, it will set its wings to a certain degree which allows the stormy winds to lift it up above the storm. So as the squall below is raging with anger and hate, the eagle stays above it all. The eagle is not scared of the storm but instead chooses to use the storm to lift it higher. It rests on the winds that brings the storm and as it ends uses that very wind to bring it back to ground - high ground.

Metaphorically, "storms" come in our lives in various forms: loss of a job, the breaking of a relationship, losing a loved one, disappointment, failure, heartbreak and so on. When such an incident occurs, we have many choices. We can face the battle face on, we can go into hiding and ignore the situation or we can use that situation to learn and move on. Most of the time, we use a amalgamation of them all. Initially, we go into hibernation as we enter denial stage; then we realise that we have to deal with it and lastly, when we all is said and done, in hindsight, we look back and thank our lucky stars (or the one above) for being kind enough to get us out of a situation that could have been detrimental to us. However, wouldn't it just be easier to head straight to stage three? We eventually have to reach there, so it would probably be easier to head there in the beginning. It is not because we are afraid of stages one and two but merely because it makes no sense in bawling or upsetting ourselves over a circumstance that will eventually mend itself - this is called "Soaring above the storm." A trait from the eagles we should learn to admire and where ever possible, use to our benefit.

Photo Credit: eaglevision.com

Valentines Shmalentines

By Roshni Mulchandani

Yet again another February 14th has arrived, and yes, once again (for the nth time), I am all alone. Although, I have to admit that this year more than ever, I really don't care. However, I'm not sure what the big deal is really about. I agree with the pessismists who firstly, obviously are not in relationships and secondly, claim that V-day is just another money spending, Hallmark holiday. Technically, this is "my" holiday, what with Rati being cupid's wife in Hindu Vedic mythology and the Goddess of Loving[The picture above is Rati and her husband Kama].But if I go by that, I should be pro-love and excited for today. For the most part I love the idea of love, but naturally I have my days.

In the past, my idea of love has been very...childish. As much as I do enjoy being in love, in the past I feel like it has sucked out a lot from me. Most of my foolish mistakes were simply because I was in love with men who knew I loved them immensely. Clearly those men were not ones who would last a lifetime but I think personally I feel blessed that I made the decision to let them go and I think them for leaving me in some cases. Love, in my opinion, can only be handled by mature adults. I think I may just be saying this because I've grown up so much more in the past year. Finally, I have understood the importance of honesty, space and self-respect in a relationship. Those traits build the foundation from which you can pile on heaps, dollops and layers of love. Love nowadays is so "filmy." Everyone wants to dance in the snow, get wet in the rain, be showered with presents. But no one wants to be loved. I may have matured a lot lately, but when it comes to love, I still believe that if you are with someone who cares, loves and understands you, the superficial material "things" mean nothing. I've never cared for fancy cars or big diamonds. Instead, bring on the popcorn and a movie! I'm more than happy with that.

However, since I am alone this V-Day of 2009, I've decided that I will wish for love and peace all over the world. This year more than any other, we need love to help us get through the tough recession and constant terror in the world. I hope my message of love fills the air so people who are fighting can drop their weapons and learn to love instead of hate. Where is the time to hate, when there is so little time to love?

Photo Credit: http://4krsna.wordpress.com/