Faith – Shilpa's

The Recess is Over – The Blog Lives

Those who know me, know that I like to reflect and reflect a lot. I strongly believe that we are a product of our own experiences and life gives us plenty of experiences. Life as perfect as it is, is very imperfect too. The imperfections are critical for change. When the imperfections go away, life will become stagnant, until then it is imperative that we enjoy life’s fallibility and learn from it. You don’t need an extra ordinary moment to learn. Our daily interaction with fellow humans, nature and ourselves is a learning experience every moment of the day.

45 years is a long time to be on this planet. I have always enjoyed adding a year to my age for it is a privilege denied to many. Today I am thankful that I woke up to see the love and blessings surrounding me. The past years have been rather interesting. They have tested my patience, my thinking and more importantly my belief in myself. I was one of those who lead a simple daily blessed life. No curve balls, no nothing.. life chugs along just fine, until one final year, life looks at you and says, “Ok, you have had too much good, it is time to throw in some bumps.” Try as hard as I did, I was beginning to lose until one final day, when the human core in me wakes up and says ‘Enough! Bring it on” and just like that, you turn on the will power switch and life backs off and I realized I am me and I am ok.

45 years old and sane on planet Earth. That is an achievement in itself 🙂

My top 5 lessons of 45 years on this planet:

1. Be Unfuckwithable: This is very important. You just have to be one, there is no other option.

2. Belive in Pronoia: It is true. There is power in belief. Believe and the universe will work with you.

3. Travel: In this daily mundane life, we (including me) almost always forget we the humans were designed to be wanderers. And here we are living a stagnant life behind a computer screen. Some of you might have read about my trip to Alaska what most of you don’t know is that this trip was a necessity to start breathing again. When life beats you down, the only way to get up is do something that you have never done before and Alaska was just that. A frontier unlike any other and staying true to it’s promise Alaska allowed me to breathe again. Travel because you want to see the wonderful natural creations, travel so you can be the pirate of your favorite childhood story book, travel so life does not escape you.

4. Relationships need more than love to survive: Love hurts, it’s true. Relationships need constant nurturing. Mother-child, husband-wife, brother-sister and any other relationship needs continuous nurturing. Relationships, ebb and flow through the ocean of life, creating their troughs and crests. The crest may be tall and high and yet we look at the trough and forget the crest. We need to train our brain to focus on the crests and ignore the troughs. The flow of life will minimize the trough.

5. YOU can make a difference: As alone as we are, we have the power to make a difference. I never thought I did, until recently. Our simple acts of kindness can become big acts of fortitude for another.

This blog has been my sanity for many occasions. To stay sane, I had promised myself that I will bring the blog back on my birthday, so here it is. The blog lives.

Life I believe is full of Imperfections. It is these little daily imperfections that culminate at the end of a day to make a perfectly beautiful life. That’s how my world is. It’s filled with shades of bright vibrant reds to melancholy yet calming blues.

How is your world?

Love Your Girl Friends.

Born as yourself, you became a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a wife and a mother. You are no longer yourself. You are now a woman. Woman, you are always evolving. You think you are lost, because the evolution keeps changing you. True, you are. There are days, when you miss yourself. Days when you don’t know what your favorite food or color is, because you as pure as the first winter snow have absorbed and taken it all in. They say, evolution is the way of life. Nothing can stop it and yet you want it to stop so you can discover yourself again. But why? Why do you want to discover yourself again? Why not discover this new evolved being? Evolution is not bad, for it gives you a chance to improve again and yet again. You are not stagnant. You are alive for you change every day. You bend, twist and conform to the mold and yet you are supple enough to spring out of the mold when you no longer deemed it fit.

Woman, you love unconditionally. You tore to come into this world. The world applauds you for you are the cradle of civilization. Without you there would be no world and yet, the same world ridicules your decision to feed and not climb the ladder of ambition. You continue to love, ask no questions and love more. You love the parents who held your hand and taught you to stand tall, you love your sister for she is your confidante, you love your brother for he protects you always and you love your friends for they share your tears and smiles alike. You then found a man and you felt complete. You are faithful. Temptation is not your weakness. You are honest and loyal. You fight for your world and make him the king of your little kingdom. You continue to walk hand in hand and you tore yet again to bring life into this world. The world kept evolving and so did you.

Today, as you watch the world go by: Woman, you yearn. You yearn for your friends. You miss the mud puddles, the lunch boxes, the pillion rides, the secret diaries, the hushed whispers, the coy smiles, the side glances and yourself.

Yes, you miss yourself.

Woman, you are smart. “You know the loneliest woman is NOT the woman without a man, but the woman without a close woman friend.” You know you need your sister friends to laugh and cry. You know you need them to sustain. Why did you let them go? You realize that you made time for ambition while your friends waited. They could wait no loner and left you to enjoy the view from atop the ladder. You look down and you see no one. You have everything, and yet you feel you are missing. You take down the old chest and pull out the secret diary. You look at the pictures and the smiles, you pick up your phone and pray someone picks up the phone. The phone rings and you hear a voice. You smile. You are in love again; in love with yourself.

Today, you love your children more. Their questions don’t confuse you. Their needs don’t tire you. Today, you are filled with gratitude for a man who lets you be. He notices the smile and smiles back. Today, you realize you have your friends back in your life. Friends who listen to you for hours, friends who make time for you, friends who scream in joy for your success, friends who giggle at your silly anecdotes on life, friends who tell you it’s going to be okay. Today, the giggles, the smiles, whispers and the diary is back.

Today, you realize your girl friends make you better. They empower you. You promise yourself to never let your friends disappear again.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my girls out there!

The Agnostic Believer.

She was born with skin as white as snow and hair that shone like gold. Beautiful like the heavens above, the warriors and sailors were yearning for a glimpse. From the fair skinned Aryans to Alexander the great, followed by the Mughals and the Europeans; it was hard to resist the tantalizing stories of her mystical beauty, so they came and came again and slowly took it all. The warriors knew that a family so old, holds its roots strong so they created walls. Walls that led to barriers and even bigger dividers. It wasn’t until a weak petite soldier stood up one day and said enough is enough and started walking miles to create salt and fight the gold diggers. People laughed and said, break an empire with salt? He said sure, and like a turtle, he slowly and steadily won the race, making her free again. and so was born modern India.

India was free and once again welcomed cultures from far and near; but something was different. The abundance was missing, the brotherhood was gone and there was a new ruler, the people called him God. God he was present in all forms. Some thought he was dark complexioned while some thought he was fair like the Aryans who came centuries ago. There was confusion, but the people of India were used to rulers, after all they had had so many of them, so they followed again and they continued to let their God govern their decisions.

When things went wrong they prayed to him and when their wishes were granted, they thanked him and went on with their lives. When things went wrong again, they believed in him again and prayed, but this time their wish wasn’t granted, so they went and sought advise from a neighbor who claimed to have a direct connection with God. The direct connection said, “to get something you have to give something too.” The giving happened and created huge houses where God lived with his direct connection. They lived in luxury while his disciples sat outside waiting for a morsel; and so continued the story of India, until an alien space ship landed and out stepped an extra terrestrial.

The extra terrestrial was stark naked like truth and he walked the earth with bare feet. He knew no language for the purest thoughts are felt and not spoken. He then saw another one who looked at him, excited he ran to meet him, but this other one, while he was similar did not feel the same. He had wickedness in him. He stole the aliens only possession – his communicator to his home planet and ran away. The alien didn’t know what do now, so he started walking in the hope to find his remote communicator. In his quest, he learnt the language and started asking questions. His questions were confusing to the people of India. They thought he was ridiculing them. The started saying “PeeKay hain kya,” which translates to “are you drunk.” The alien in his innocence thought they named him PK, and he was happy he had a name. His questions continued, and when India got tired of answering his questions, they finally said, “we don’t know, ask God.”

God; thought PK, and so started his journey to find God. He went to the temples, they told him to go to the church, he went to the church, they told him to go to the mosque, he went to the mosque they sent him back to the temples. He thought maybe it was the wrong kind of God. He looked around; he saw people praying to stones, praying to trees, worshiping cows and it only made him more confused. He asked more questions and finally met the “Man of God.” The one man who said he had answers to all the questions for God spoke directly to him. PK challenged him and all who listened to him.

His questions were simple and yet baffling. So is the story of the newest Bollywood hit movie PK.

PK, the movie; brings forth the bigotry of Indian religion in a humane and fun way. Opponents or the puritans have criticized the movie for its attack on Hinduism thus missing the whole point of the movie. The movie does not attack Hinduism, but rather brings forth the point that hinduism like Swami Vivekanand said “is a way of life.” and not a religion confined by set guidelines. Every state in India celebrates Diwali (the most revered Hindu festival) in a different manner, then how can it be a confined religion. Hinduism is more of a belief. Over centuries of slavery and blending of cultures, religion crept into culture of Hinduism. I may be wrong, but at the essence of Hinduism is OM, perhaps you have heard it at every yoga class. What does it mean? Again, its entirely your interpretation, some say it is the Holy trinity, some say it is the infinite universe and the very embodiment of our soul. There are as many interpretations, as there are people.

The movie shines light on the fact that a very large majority in India are agonistic believers in denial. While we know that God does not want us to walk bear foot for miles to have our wishes fulfilled, we still do it for the fear of God. This includes me too. I know that God is not going to punish my family if I don’t stay hungry and thirsty all day, and yet every year I look forward to Karwachauth (the most sacred festival for a Hindu married wife) but only if you are from Northern India. Wives from Southern India even though Hindu are exempt from this, they have their own rules 🙂

The movie is 3 hours long, but it doesn’t for a moment have a dull moment. It is a brilliant narrative of the adage “faith begins where logic ends.” It is brilliant for its capability to shine light on a delicate topic in a non threatening manner. So the question is why is it generating such a conflict of opinions, I think; because of the ending.. the movie rather than having a “all is well” Happy Ending, leaves the audience with questions in their mind. It does not give any answers, which personally I think, is again a stroke of brilliance, because religion is very personal.

It left me feeling agnostic and yet I am afraid to stop believing.

Blessed I am – are you?

Very excited today to be sharing a guest blog post by a very dear friend. She had asked me to do a blog post on college memories…. and for me college was a mixed bag of emotions, happiness entwined with pain, mystic, confusion, anger and in the end amazing friendships. So I quickly turned it around and invited her to do a guest blog post.. and I have to say, her perspective and and capture of Techno is brighter than mine. So, here you go. The moments from Techno by a very dear friend Seema Abhale. While I was trying to understand why I took admission in engineering ( I still wonder how and why I ended up there :)) she had it all figured out and today is the proud owner of Prakruti Environmental Engineers. The girl has successfully established a business in an industry that has traditionally been dominated my men. She is everything you would a friend to be. I hope you enjoy the innocence of this post.

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BLESSED I AM _ ARE YOU? by Seema Abhale.

“And there I stand in the centre square of the Faculty of Technology & Engineering of the renowned University The Maharaja Sayajirao Universtiy of Vadodara,wondering whether it’s a dream or really I am at the place which I always dreamt to be as a kid!! Ooouch… i am really there!!

10537325_10152562966368104_2786596305459924115_n — The entrance to the College. Little did I know that I will build lifetime of friendships here.

I had always known this place but today as I stand here I am totally lost; as though the place is flooded with same race; can hardly see anyone known! Timid, publicly shy as I am; started my stride through the crowd towards the steps that took us to the lobby where my class would be. My heart is pounding of anxiety; the most exciting day was about to turn to be the most gloomy for not having any known friends around and then my watery eyes saw a face that instantly brought a smile and hurray there I see a girl whom I recognised at once! Not that I knew her since long but she was the one who was ahead of me while taking the admission. We did exchange the names but I hardly remembered but did remember her face – how can one forget such a beautiful mysterious face. But the happy moments are momentary; we were placed in different classes!!! Anyways for a happy girl like me the fact that someone know is around was enough and so the journey began….

Few days passed and one fine day I see a little girl with bouncy hair in a frock and shoes coming to the class along with the boys. Not very clear what but something in my heart said that she is the one with whom I can be friends with. Shy character of mine restricted me from starting a conversation and so few days went by analyzing though started being friendly with the boys – classmates!! And soon made friends with most of the classmates and also with the one which brought smile to my face on the very first day!

I am still trying to adjust in the environment and the exams days were announced. Was astonished to see others getting tensed and I am like – so what! Like time waits for none; exams came and went but the actual fun is when results are out

1969409_10152562970443104_891339446768065412_n — The surveying lab, where we all gathered to TRY and learn. It was more of a break from sitting in the classrooms 🙂

I was never a studios student but always scored distinction in the school so was confident of it while looking to the result sheet on the notice board. And what; my exam number is not listed in for Distinction!! I scrolled down thinking maybe a first class but no I don’t see it…I keep searching for my number but didn’t find it in second class too…. I scrolled to the last grade Pass class and my face beamed like a sunshine – there it is – the very first one!!! Always contented and happy the way life placed me I was happy that I passed and so did my new friends. The days passed with a new learning each day and a remarkable one is that we have to open the window for atmosphere to come in!!! (which I religiously follow today also!!) While I Am still trying to adjust with the university environment, new friends, new learning’s and exploring the ways to find fun in load of term works and the tensed atmosphere; year end is declared and soon we had to face the exam. This time had to give my best shot so can get transferred to a better stream of engineering. Results are out and yes I passed out and also did get a change in stream from IWM to Civil (is it better is still a question) but then am happy as had made my own place in the lobby!!

The year started with the shuffle of students and I got separated from newly made friends. The new class had more girls then the earlier one but seems they didn’t like my face! Except for one tall slender beautiful girl sitting on last bench with a spark in her eye and slight curve to her lips which attracted me and I shared the bench with her unaware that she would turn out to be my friend for lifetime. I found a new friend but still I longed for the break time when I can meet the other two friends. Days passed by with routine sharing of hi hello and a smile and when did it turned into mingling for short and then long gossips, term works, group reading and sleep over; I also really don’t remember – maybe that’s what is called friendship! and so evolved a gang of four which turned out to be the notorious gang due to its mix flavor of being naughty hotty and intelligent! A gang that dared to challenge the opposite gender, played pranks with both the genders, engaged in day long discussions at times arguments and still managed to be friends with all.

But as we all know that what has started will come to an end and so did these carefree days too. We now gathered in the auditorium to receive farewell party from our juniors; felt as if it was just yesterday that I was standing in the center square of the faculty all alone and today we are seven – seven different individuals with diverse qualities woven in an invisible bond – Friendship: a relation that is created by us which is beyond any expectations. It’s the space where we can be ourselves, speak of our mind; see what we like to see and hear without prejudice; so very eternal. Blessed are those who are able to get connected in such divine relationship – yes I am!!

Seeeemmmaaaa … wake up its morning! Don’t have to go to the office…”

10505437_10152562969238104_4542440920703910958_n — FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING. M.S UNIVERSITY, VADODARA.

O My God! Its all the same.

OMG! A phrase heard one too many a time our modern lives. It is interesting how many “astonishment phrases” are connected to God; Holy Cow!, Jesus Christ!, OMG!, Hey Bhagwan (OMG in Hindi), Thank God and so forth, and yet as a society we claim to be rational and logical.

As humans we claim to be rational, logical and analytical. If that is true, then how and why do we believe in an invisible entity God? Why is it that different religions of the world worship him in different forms? And more importantly, why do we call those who choose to question his existence “an atheist.” For isn’t logical thinking at the core of human existence.

What is your take on this? Is God there? What is religion?

To me religion is an inspiration, its in a sense my back up support system. When all else fails, I fall back on religion. Boring, yes, but it works for me. When things go wrong, I tell myself, its happening for a reason and all will be well again. This simple sentence helps me move forward and the process of moving forward kick starts the process of thinking logically and things start falling into place again.

I was born and brought up in India. The land that cradled civilizations from far never heard lands, is today home to 330 Million gods. Do we know all of them? Absolutely not, We all have our favorites. One god though stands apart.. Ganesha aka to the western world as “The Elephant God.”

How he got his elephant head is a story for another time. But while painting this particular piece of art, I realized one thing, Ganesha is to the Indian mythology what Nutcracker is to this festive season.

The figurine of nutcracker comes in every possible size, color and act. Similarly, Ganesha has been depicted in every way.

This painting was an on demand project. I have never formally learned painting, but have always loved colors, the art of mixing them and creating something. One “just another day morning,” a dear friend, brought a 17 opening frame to me and said, can you make seventeen different Ganesha’s for me and gave me this frame. And that is how Imperfectly Perfect Creations was born.

17 panel Ganesha frame.

Details showing the use of micro beads.

Each image is a hand made background. Some are store bought hand made papers from Paper Source and some painted by yours truly. I used acrylic paint and micro beads for embellishments and Swarovski crystals.

Are all these images figments of my imagination. Not really, the creative use of materials, yes, that is mine, but the images are a result of inspirations from seeing so many different images over the years.

Center Image: Copper Tooling, with 400 Swarovski Crystals.

Having painted so many different images of Ganesha’s and seeing the cross cultural mythological similarities, I am convinced; It’s all the same. This realization was truly a OMG moment!

Do I have proof, no and I don’t need it; because “faith begins where logic ends.”

I hope you enjoy these paintings and if you would like to see more of my paintings, feel free to me at Imperfectly Perfect on FB!

Keep in touch. Its good to hear from you. Till next time, keep believing and moving forward.