Padmaja's

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau This line well summarises my love for beaches. I remember the first time I was near the sea. It was Varkala Beach in Kerala. Pristine shore and mountainous terrains makes it one of the beautiful beaches in the country. I do not believe in love at first sight but the moment I climbed down from the cliff to the beach, I fell in love. My relationship with beaches has been my most committed relationship. I remember the kiss of the salty breeze on my face and sunlight shining bright making the water look like pearls afloat. In that instance, the magnificent sea hooked me to its beauty. It has been two years since I set my eyes on the sea. I crave to be near a sea now and then. Thank God, I stay in a city where I can afford to be near my love every other weekend or even on a weekday.   So, I want to share three reasons that make me crave for beaches. It is ‘me’

Have you imagined what it is like to feel dead when the little things fail to excite you like it did before? Nearly a year ago, a guy named Amit on our second date said I was dead. “What the hell does he mean by that?” screamed my mind. I wanted to know the answer.   He said it was my lack of enthusiasm. Although only few things excited me but it was no reason for someone to say I was dead. I showed that his words had no effect on me but I could feel a tsunami rising inside me. His words were like a sharp knife that cut me deep. Now, it seems funny how someone's insensitive comments could hurt me so much.    Amit was not the first one to give those vibes. All my dates have given me subtle hints that I should loosen up and enjoy. I cannot blame them when my mind keeps shouting “Padmaja run”. Photo by  Chad Madden  on  Unsplash I realized that the lack of enthusiasm resulted from my introverted nature. People misjudge introverts. Blame it on

There is no single definition or viewpoint of any particular topic. It is neither white nor black. Keeping an opinion that may be different than 90% of the people does not equate to being negative. The sooner you realise it, the better. If you don’t agree with what I just said then I hate to say but darling you are manipulated and your vision is blurred by spider webs that have formed across your eyes. Of course, one cannot be 100% free of manipulation. So, there is one thing that most employees do not understand. People are shocked or call me negative when I say that we are just better-dressed servants or slaves. Isn't the origin of word service which is servitium mean slavery? I think the problem is that we like to think ourselves as greater than what we really are. Hence, our thought of greatness alters our vision and distorts the reality.    I want to clarify that I understand that being an employee is nothing to be ashamed of but what I fail to underst

Her eyes gleamed when she asked me how does it feel to be on an aeroplane. She had a child-like expression when she questioned me whether one needs to study and get degrees to work in a bank. Isn't it strange how we overlook all our blessings and worry about the things that we do not have? We want things that we do not require to show to people who do not matter to us. Running after that new model of luxury car, that new iPhone and what not. Have we ever paused to give thanks for all the things that we already have received and earned? Some six months ago, I started practising the 'art of being grateful'. So, every day I give thanks to the universe for three things that I already have. Even though I practice gratitude on a regular basis, I experienced another dimension of it in those wee hours of a Friday morning as I waited for five hours to get myself enrolled for Aadhaar. It was around 5 am and the sun was yet to rise. So in order to pass the tim

Disclaimer: It is not a usual love story. Read at your own risk. Isn’t it strange how the universe always has a better plan for us? While we hate to see our decisions fail but there is something better formulating for us. I am not attracted to making resolutions but this year I planned an exception. I made a resolution of not dating anyone (new) in 2018 but alas, I ended up dating a guy in the very first week of 2018. I met him in one of the workshops and we met three times in the very next week. When we say everything happens for a reason, every person walks into our lives for a reason, a purpose. I think the universe maintains a complex log of connecting two people at the right moment, at the right situation, at the right place and in a memorable  environment. Now when I look back I think that three days were enough. I felt as if it was nature’s way of making me the ‘cheerful Padmaja’ again. Maybe the universe was bored with my monotonous life. Maybe the universe wanted