Does your 'Time' lack the Q factor?

But after a while

You realize time flies

And the best thing that you can do

Is take whatever comes to you

'Cause time flies'.... - (Porcupine Tree)

Well...sometimes I wonder, how fast time flies. At times, waiting becomes difficult. Then you see that the moment for which you waited for, all day long... just flew away.

Like what happened with us this past week. Still can't believe the weekend is over...and we are 2 days ahead in the new week. Phew!!! how fast time flies. Well, with this comes the realisation that...make the most of whatever you have. Especially time. I believe it all has got to do a lot with the 'Q' factor. Quality Time.

Giving quality to everything you do really matters. Even to something that is for as short as 5 mins! Stands true in relationships. The bonding just gets stronger when you are able to keep your mind and heart completely involved, in whatever you are doing. For me, the best example of Quality Time is...when my husband who has just slept for 3 hours in a day, makes it a point to give 15 minutes of his valuable time to our daughter, just playing with her....throwing the ball at her and watching her laugh heartily.

As children start growing, mothers expect them to share everything. From what happened at school, to time spend with friends...and so on and so forth. But....few are disappointed and shocked to see that their kids refrain from doing what they expect. Why does that happen? In a recent parenting seminar we attended, we learnt and understood that it seems this has got to do a lot with the time the mothers spend with the kids. We as a couple have got many things lined up in life...but our prayer and desire is to give the best moments to our child and not the leftovers.

Finally I believe all has got to do a lot with the 'Quality' of our relationship with God. If we give him 'Quality', we will see quality in our own lives. If we give 'Quality' to our family, we will be witnesses of great miracles not just in this generation, but in the generations to come.

God bless.

Few masterpieces often go unnoticed!

Metamorphosis: From a Mallu to a Maharashtrian...

Though I am a pure Malayalee at heart, lately I have lost interest in the kind of movies that are being made, down south. Really miss the country feel and the brilliant story lines that conquered my senses once upon a time. All of a sudden ....it is the Marathi cinema that has caught all my attention. So many masterpieces are being made here...which is actually going unnoticed. May be one can blame it to the poor advertising, PR etc. But once I was convinced of the existence of this certain brilliant art form...I decided to share my heart out.

'Jogwa' - The Awakening - one movie i saw in recent times. A movie that touches upon a very bold topic...exposing a heinous crime existing in our society. An inspiration of courage to break down man-made superstitions and find true happiness. Directed by Rajiv Patel, under the banner of iDream Productions, screenplay by Sanjay Krishnaji Patil....this masterpiece has won 5 National Awards(Best Film, Best Actor, Best Music, Best Female Playback singer, Best Male Playback singer) apart from other prestigious awards. Excellent direction, Exceptional performance...above all what a storyline!!! Simply awesome.

Like Mr. Javed Akthar said recently, while receiving the 'Lifetime Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema at Screen Awards; give more chances to new writers, pay attention to the script. As good cinema has got all to do with a brilliant storyline and not colourful set-ups, or expensive locations. Very true...and I very much agree with this point of view. Hoping Bollywood directors would glance through these masterpieces being made in our very own state. And pick up a lesson or two from them.

Marathi cinema truly has some great minds at work..in recent times. Movies like Harishchandrachi Factory-a tribute to Dadasaheb Phalke-the man who gave us the taste of cinema; Dombivli Fast - A middle-class man who decides to fight against corruption, City of Gold-story of lives of mill workers who lived in old Mumbai, Bayo-a heartbreaking love story of the early 1940's, Mi Amruta Boltey-a brutal one-sided love story, Sanai Chowgude - a family entertainer sporting a new kind of marriage institution, 'Mi Shivaji Raje Boltoy' and not to forget 'Natrang'. I simply wonder of the variety of storylines and unseen talent that exists here.

A day back I tried watching a short documentary film named 'Manjha' but just couldn't take it as it can be watched only when one is in a very insane state. And I really don't know when I am gonna be in such a mood.... but the reason I am sharing about this movie is coz I did manage to catch upon the first 15 minutes of the same. It is a story on child abuse. Backed by dark colours, loud background and intense acting...especially by the two kids in the role of street children. This movie is about Rakha - a 5 year old boy who makes 'Manjha' to earn a living and also looks after his 3 year old mentally challenged sister. This 27 year old director 'Mr. Rahi Anil Barve' deserves all praise...and has been rightly bestowed with the 'IDPA Award for the best first film' and the 'Best Film Award in the Fiction category'. Though I cannot go insane to watch this movie...I am sure that I will appreciate this piece of art completely someday... when I gather the courage for the same.

Hmmm....I strongly feel it is an era of awakening for the sleeping giant...the Marathi Movie fraternity. And each of us should appreciate and look up to the work happening here...or else we may just miss upon a spectacular piece of art!!!

He, Me and Her

"And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8.28 ( The Holy Bible).

An inspiration to our marriage and a lifetime promise that his grace abides and he will meet all our needs.

My life revolves around My hubby 'Joe' and my baby 'Blossom'. They fuel my very existence as a wife and a mother. As each day passes, the question I ask myself...is have I been able to give them the best of me. Sometimes I wonder, what is it that a woman longs for....a wife seeks...or a mother contributes. As for me I truly believe the very fact that God created woman after man was coz he knew he had to create a being that could complete his tent. So that the outcome would be a 'Bigger One'. And not two different individuals...as the world looks at Marriage today. I don't need my own space...coz I know my husband knows me more than myself. And there are no hidden corners amongst us.

Before my Joe could enter my life...I already looked up to a man who is responsible for shaping

my identity...the very me. My Dad. I have no words to thank him for all he has done for me.

Of course as a father his love lacks expression at times...but I can always sense the depth of the intense love he has for me. I will always be indebted to my dad for trusting my decision of marrying Joe. There were times when I rebelled against him...times I hurt him....times of trials. But the very fact that when marriage dawned in my life...he gave me to Joe...approved of this God send one in my life...and I realised that Words are not just the only way of expression of 'True Love'. Dad..I love you...from the bottom of my heart. And I will never put you down. I don't know if you will ever come across this blog of mine...but this is just for my heart's contentment.

Coming back to my marriage, as a mother, my contribution to this beautiful world will be a

wonderful human being.... our daughter Evelyn Blossom. God says 'Ask for wisdom and I

will give it to you'. Joe and I keep asking him for the same each day.

My heart cries to see little children being pressurised and pushed into areas which interest the parents more. Reality shows, musical competitions, quiz contests... competition..and constant games of comparison. It's like babies are being forced to lose his/her innocence and behave like adults. What are we trying to make out of them? Why are we enforcing our failures on them?

May God give parents the grace to understand how unique and special each child is. Joe and I believe God selected us out of the big lot...to be parents to our dear darling Evelyn Blossom. And it is our responsibility to shape her into a beautiful human being. We believe our marriage...our life is her mirror. When she sees her dad and mum hug each other to bid goodbye... she will know what LOVE is. When she hears her dad address the building watchman as 'Watchman Uncle'...she will learn that everyone is to be treated with dignity and respect. When she sees her mother care for her great grandmother....she will learn to respect and love old people. When she sees both of us pray before every decision we take....she will learn about God on whom she can blindly trust on...at all times.