BE HAPPY

                                         BE HAPPY

Happiness is what we all long for and work so hard to desperately achieve it. We link happiness to wealth, power, popularity/fame and achievements. Although the following does give one the feeling of elation it is not the purest form of happiness, as it is dependent on factors that if removed from our lives will cause the opposite of happiness ie: despair.

The true and purest form of happiness lies within us, waiting to be discovered. There is so much we need to be thankful for but we take the little things for granted like the air in our lungs, the beauty all around us and our existence in the lives of other and vice versa.

If we focus on the negative aspects of our lives we will never be happy and will slowly but surely slip into resentment, despair and bitterness. Once this sets in, no matter what we achieve in life; we will always be looking for something more. 

"Happiness is appreciating what we have"

Happiness is contagious and we need to make it contagious by spreading it with others, through kindness, patience, understanding and helpful deeds.

It is achieved by making a positive difference in lives of others through our words and deeds. It is as simple as that. A simple compliment to a stranger can lighten up that person's day, Try it... it will make you as well that that person happy.

For those of you that have been on the receiving end of positive deeds, you will know. So appreciate the simple things in life and make someone smile each day. You will see that happiness come back to you ten fold.

Smile and make others smile and you will definitely be happy. 

Beef Ban

BeefBan

I am sure this idea of banning beef was given by a Cow. 

I do not know why some people are upset the government has banned the sale or consumption of beef. The article posted in the Indianexpress has given meat lovers the ‘mad cow disease’.

Now the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill that was passed when the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance was in power in 1995 only protects the slaughter of calves and bullocks, aren’t goats and pigs also animals. 

Why spare the goat and the pig? What about our feathered friends the chicken and duck? Let’s ban that too.

Why stop at this, ban the sale of onions, potatoes and other vegetables grown underground and let’s respect all religions.

It’s funny that the consumption or sale of beef carries a 5yr imprisonment and a 10,000 fine, whereas sexual harassment is only 2years in Jail.

We are living in a highly progressive corrupt free society, run by brilliant open minded, God fearing, honest people. 

It makes sense for these astute leaders to decide what we eat, see, wear and think, cause their decisions will bring our crime rate to zero.

F.U.C.G

F.U.C.G

It's election time and I am excited to vote. It is a tough decision to pick the best candidate, because each one is far better than the rest. The pre-election debates and speeches have left me awestruck and I am befuddled by the wide choice of supremely intelligent, articulate, progressive and honest candidates.

Each one is genuinely looking for the welfare of the public; their selfless act to stand for elections to make a difference is commendable. Only a few such heroes step up and take charge to make a difference for the better. Money and fame is the last thing on their mind, it is these qualities that confuses me when picking from a bunch of 'Angels'.

The crime rate has dropped over the last few years and women are a lot safer now. A few men have made mistakes and for that they need to be taught a lesson. I would recommend that they should write a 100 times that they need to respect women and that they are sorry for what they did. I am sure such a punishment is more that suitable for a small petty mistake.

How can you blame such people ? Everyone makes mistakes and to give them a harsh penalty like death is terrible. I agree with some of our learned leaders running for election, it is also the woman’s fault for being raped. The so called victims are physically present in front of such innocent men. How can you blame a guy for not acting on his natural animalistic urges.

If a woman feels she is going to get raped, she should run faster, or call them brother or try to reason with them and most of all it is her fault for being born a woman. 

In the Delhi rape incident or the Kamla mills incident, it was the woman's fault. It is always the woman's fault. These poor innocent men who were just minding their own business got excited because the so called victim was present at that time.

They committed a small mistake are made to pay so heavily. I also feel sorry for the people who are thrown into jail every day for committing petty crimes like murder, armed robbery, and terrorism. It’s not their fault that they had to kill someone; it is the fault of the other person who presented him/herself to be killed.

Yesterday, the media and a lot of people were angry with one candidate for saying that women who have consensual sex before marriage should be hanged. I agree with him, as it is wrong and these acts should be punished.

Condoms, birth-control and other sex pills should be banned. You should only have sex to procreate and nothing else, it should not be for pleasure. In fact any married person engaging in this immoral act should take written permission from the government. Like the archaic laws of the west "F.U.C.K" (Fornication Under the Consent of the King). This will be "F.U.C.G" (G - government).

All movies that show women in attire other than a sari or a salwar should be banded. Jeans are evil and all western wear should be banned. Only saris and salwars. Tube tops, spaghetti straps, summer dresses, etc etc should be banned. In fact all beauty products, perfumes should be banned, as women using them entice innocent men to look at them.

Women should also try and work hard to look unclean, disheveled, and down right ugly. She should not expose any part of her body. If an innocent man still rapes her. It is her fault for not trying hard enough to appear unavailable. 

Women under the age of 18 should not have cell phones, and once they turn 18 they should only use one in the presence of a family member (male). If she is out and that is not possible then she should only accept incoming calls from her family. Chats like FB, WhatsApp, BB, and Twitter should be banned.

We are a nation that doesn’t promote such vile and uncultured behavior. We need to protect our motherland from getting poisoned and tarnished by the evil, regressive and backward western ways.

I would also recommend that all foreign trips should be banned. We should shut down our airports to prevent any evil foreigners from coming to India and corrupting our poor gullible and innocent citizens. India should be cut off from the rest of the evil world. Our channel should only air, holy programs and the news.

Computers, the internet should only be used to send emails and all sites that depict women is clothes other than a sari should be blocked by the government.

If we get all this in place and adhere to it. Our country will be the greatest nation filled with only pure, broadminded individuals. 

If we still have men committing such petty crimes like rape. Hang all women!

An Unexpected Gift

A couple months ago I was introduced by a friend to the Marathon Bloggers Group, this group consists of bight, talented individuals and I feel lucky to be part of it.

Recently, I posted my Euro Trip adventure and I left my few but loyal readers with some unanswered questions about my life.

Q) Did I get reunited with my bags?

A) Yes I did when I flew back to Russia to get my connecting flight back home.

Q) What pain did I experience?

A) I will reveal this mystery later

It’s been 4 years 9 months since that trip however it has left an indelible imprint on my mind. Picking up from where I left off … When I reached Bombay the pain subsided and I thought it was a muscle pull and was a little irritated for being so paranoid. 

My early return didn’t raise any alarm bells as I didn’t tell my folks for how long I was going to be away, so they thought it was a short quick trip. I unpacked and asked my dad if he wanted to take a trip to Manali, as I still had 10 days of leave remaining. 

He agreed as long as I took care of the persistent cough I had. I agreed and we went to the doctor she said it was an allergy or some viral flu and I took some meds after a few days when the cough didn’t subside I went to another doctor.

Dr Sajnani (this man is truly Awesome) , checked me and then checked me again, he seemed a bit alarmed, he asked me to get an x-ray done and referred me to Dr JP Jadwani. I got the x-ray and when the doctor saw it, he told me that there was a mass pressing against my heart; this was causing the tiredness, cough and pain.

I can sense some OMG reactions right now and some confusion why I titled this post as ‘An Unexpected Gift’

He then asked me to get a biopsy done. I went to Holy Family Hospital; it was the 1^st time in my life I was in a hospital, I hated going to the hospital, even to visit someone. I was just too terrified.

Post the biopsy, I anxiously waited for the results, I had a niggling feeling that it would not be positive and I prepared myself for the worst.

3 days later the results were back, it was the 2^nd of May 2008, I remember holding the report, looking into the mirror and saying… “Wow James you sure got something interesting to talk about”

I was a 29year old non-smoker, teetotaller and I of all people, was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. The news had not sunk in and I just thought a few chemo sessions would eliminate this disease and I would be back on my feet.

My oncologist advised me about what was going to happen, she told me I would lose all my hair and I was cool with that. She prescribed 4 sessions of chemo. 

Session 1 was a breeze and I thought this was not so bad, however post the session I got the privilege to experience the wonderful side effects, of Chemo. 

I was unable to retain any food for 2 weeks post the session, whatever I ate, drank came spewing out a few minutes later. I would eat so that I could puke food and water, cause if i didn't I would puke bile and that hurt, really hurt. I would vomit on an average 20+ times a day.

As soon as the effects of the drug would wear off, and I was able to retain food the 2^nd session was due.

By the 3^rd session I had given up, I just couldn’t take it anymore. Chemo was too painful, the drug that entered my veins felt like injecting air bubbles in your vein and I experience that 24 hours a day for 6 days (per session). I would rather be eaten alive by ants than go through another session. 

The fact that I had just one more session gave me the confidence to fight this incredible pain.

Post the 4^th session I went back to the doc and thought the worst was over, well let’s just say that the worst was yet to come, the doc said I needed 2 more sessions. I refused I just didn’t want to go through any more sessions. I didn’t care about anything. My family tried to coax me but I was just so fed up and tired.

I don’t recall what made me change my mind, but I did. I endured 2 more excruciating sessions and I was done. I dropped from 59kilos to 29 kilos in 5 months. After a few weeks I gained about 5 kilos with all the vitamins I was taking.

I went back to the doctor and the tumor was still present and I had to be operated. I went to Hinduja and met Dr Lala Murad, a fine young doctor who told me that I would probably lose one lung, however I could lead a normal life,  I was not really worried about it.

I remember getting prepped for surgery and admiring the operation theater, the anesthesiologist told me that I would feel very sleepy. I remember thinking this doesn’t seem to be working and then I was woken up … The doctor was smiling as I was wheeled out of the theater … he kept saying "we saved your lung”

I gave him the thumbs up sign and I realized I had tubes all over me. I was in the ICU for 2 days. After a month I was fit enough to walk, although I felt some pain.

I resumed work a month later and in time I gained weight and some hair. If you are wondering why I titled this post as ‘An Unexpected Gift' it’s because I took good health and life for granted.

Cancer wiped out all my savings, but what it gave me is a deeper appreciation of life and people around me. I started to LIVE life rather than just exist. I made it a point to meet new people, interact more often, travel, and have fun.

I spent whatever I earned going out with my team for lunches, movies, dinners, and picnics. In 2009 I had gone for over 20 picnics with my team. There was a point where we would go out every single day of the week.

I got a new lease on life and I am grateful for whatever I’ve got. I have got 6 people to quit smoking and I hope they continue to stay that way.

I learned that life can be planned only too some extent and there is no point sweating over the little stuff you got to take risks, enjoy life and live each day as if it’s your last.

Telemarketers Vs James

Telemarketers Vs James

Have u ever taken that perfect nap, only to have your phone ring just as you've hit that sweet spot in the sleepy cycle.

On the other side you usually get the most annoying voice greet 'A very good afternoon to you' ‘myself Suresh calling from XYZ’. A telemarketer life is not easy and I understand that, as I was also once a telemarketer, however I knew when to push and when to just let the potential customer be.

When I receive such a call I thank the telemarketer and say I'm not interested. I am courteous as I know that they are just doing their job, however if they continue to annoy and get cheeky then I let them have it.

I don’t get into a fit of rage or abuse them; I start to sound genuinely interested and ask them all inane questions

Credit Cards / Loans

1. Do I need to pay the loan back

2. Can I take a 50 lac loan and pay Rs 1000 per month

3. Can I give you a fake address and we’ll split the loan 

4. Do you know how to pay Gin Rummy with Cards

5. Did you say Phone, Blown, Clone and then go to step 1

By this time they either hang up or some say sir that is not possible.  At times I ask them if they are interested in buying a second hand PC or my old pen drive.  I even offer heavy discounts but to no avail.

Holiday Packages/ Time Share

Sir are you single or married, if the caller is a male, I say sorry mate I don’t swing that way, If it’s a girl then I say I am but I need to get to know you better. Sadly most don’t get it.

If the conversation continues I ask them if they could convert my house into a holiday home or I ask them if they would like to come for a holiday with me.

99% of the time I don’t answer unknown numbers, I answer them now as I’m currently looking for a job.

Tip: - Don’t get mad at a telemarketer, If you are busy say you’re not interested and if they don’t heed say you’re currently overseas (this always works) If you have time to spare and have nothing to do, have fun.