Archive for Friends

J _ _ _ _ _D_ _

September 23, 2008 · Filed under Experiences, Expressions, Friends, People · Tagged , , , ,

An unusual mail jumped into my inbox. It asked for volunteers for some J _ _ _ _ _ D_ _. This was the only info and every other detail was kept a secret. I replied ”I’m in.” with a little curiosity of what it could be.
When I looked at the mail again, I found some obvious hints- Mata Amritanandamayi and Juan Mann smiling at me. Oh is it J O Y H U G DA Y? How is it possible? It is not a college yaar, commmmon.
All the volunteers were briefed about the event and given Blue Tees for the J-Day.
And finally Surprise!!!! Surprise!!!!
We actually had plans for celebrating a “Jhappi Day” in office!!! Isn’t it strange? Had heard of pink day, ethnic day etc, but Jhappi day????
The rule was simple – offer a hug and make some one’s day :-) . Spread the hugs, spread the hope.
We were game. An official mail was sent out saying “It is a Jhappi Day-a free hugs day and the ones in dark blue Tees are the official jhappars who would offer hugs. They are all around you.”

R and I were very excited about it. R wore a “Hug Me” on his chest, bold and clear enough to cry out the message. I wore it on my sleeves coolly.
Enthusiastically, we also taped a printout saying “I’m a hug…waiting to happen” (remembering my Prince Charming we had met in the shop) on our backs. We gave each other a jadoo ki jhappi and began for the day on our mission of spreading love and showing that we care.
I hugged everybody in the module…a friend or a foe, an acquaintance or an ajnabi (alien)…everyone appeared pure & His perfect creation. I realized it was so easy to accept anyone with your arms wide open and a smile on your face.
I even had the courage to forgive and ask for forgiveness, the strength to confess the deepest fears…hug…and shower my love, affection and respect on the ones I truly adore.
I admired and thanked…hugged…
I had the opportunity to know few people by their names, people whom I had passed by several times in the corridors and wings.
(I can now name a few smiling faces I see everyday :-) )
The atmosphere had suddenly turned so friendly, so lively. Every one was so approachable. There was no inhibition, only acceptance.
I had learnt in Art of Living “Accept people and things as they are”. In this simple yet effective exercise I found it so easy to learn.
We finished our work and went from cubicle to cubicle, module to module spreading love and giving free hugs. Everyone welcomed us with equal warmth and affection.
I could feel our happiness was almost contagious. Our zeal and spirit transmitted at a pace higher than that of light.

The concept was inspired by:
• Juan Mann’s Free Hugs Campaign
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Hugs_Campaign

• Mata Amritanandamayi- the hugging Saint
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_Amritanandamayi

• Munna bhai ki famous “Jadoo ki Jhappi”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munna_Bhai_M.B.B.S.

I experienced the love that emanated from the bottom of my heart even for a complete stranger!
We were surprised by the feat- R & I hugged almost 500-600 people in a day, something I had never imagined in my wildest dreams!!!
At the end of the day we had a Jhappar’s meet and I saw everyone was in a state of trance-engulfed in the emotions of joy, happiness, satisfaction and peace.
Some moments were captured to be framed in the memories. The Jhappar’s club was officially dissolved with a special note from the organizers – “From tomorrow, we do not want to see people hugging each other.” :- ) hahahaha.

Haven’t you experienced the craving for a jadoo ki jhappi? A tight bear hug that would alleviate all your pains and sufferings? The last hug before bidding a good bye with a hope that you would meet again and then a jhappi on reuniting with your buddies? A hug asking for forgiveness, a hug depicting acceptance, a hug to end bitterness in the relation, a hug full of hope…a hug when you are happy… a hug when you are sad…
A hug that would show that you are loved and cared…the one that gives you the strength to face the world… a hug just like that???
When was it last that you hugged someone you love?
Hug is a connection seedha dilse dil tak (Heart-to-heart). It can transform lives. Won’t you embrace your near and dear ones and the ones who really need a jadoo ki jhappi? After all everyone needs a good hug.
Aa gale lag jaa :-)

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F.R.I.E.N.D.S:-)

August 2, 2008 · Filed under Friends, People · Tagged ,

Friendship..A special bond

Friendship..A special bond

Are all your friends who meant “world” to you, at some or the other point of time, in touch with you? How often do you catch up with them in your busy schedules?
Do you remember them all? The ones in first std? The ones in the neighborhood of your first apartment? Your first friend?
But friends are the ones with whom we connect instantaneously even when we meet them after years.
As a matter of fact, there are many such people who have been my dear friends, but I have no clue of where I can find them now.
But it doesn’t mean that I don’t think of them ever. I do miss them whenever I make friends just like them.

Friends are all the same whatever their age or gender is. Wherever you go with an open heart and wish to look out for them, you will find these species with those common “extra-ordinary” characteristics in numbers which may surprise you.

They are there when they are with you; they are there even when they are not with you.
They are there when you need them; they are there even when you don’t want them around.
They laugh when you laugh; they cry when your eyes show the signs of tears.
They call you up when you are just thinking of them…or make those surprise visits.
They love you for whatever you are, care for you whoever you are.
They may fight with you, irritate you and test your patience at times; yet make you laugh, make funny faces and get you out of your lows.
They make you go that extra mile when you feel you have given your best and feel like a loser. They believe you when you don’t believe yourself.
They are the ones with whom you create or share the deepest-darkest secrets.
They are the ones with whom you love to spend time, share tiffins, go out for movies, for shopping…and hours pass like seconds…
With whom you talk a lot and share silence equally well…
With whom you feel happy about yourself!

To all those divine beings who have made my life worthwhile and added meaning to it,
I raise a toast of love, luck, cheers, smiles, giggles and hugs:-)
Dear friends- May you always have a shoulder to cry on and a hug to share your joy.

Friendship is such a pure relationship, though not a blood relationship(You could be doubly lucky to have yours sisters as your best friends though!) it is very special and I feel that is why God has given us the gift of choosing as many of our friends as we want, who would make us complete.
Friends are God’s ways of telling us that He loves us immensely. They are a family outside our family…rather an extended family.
I will not say Happy Friendship day or a week coz I believe it is something that lasts forever. So, Happy Friendship to all those lucky ones who have friends:-)

Note:- This is one of my favorite snaps-my friends with me: Our hands symbolize togetherness. It shows that friends love, care, support and strengthen you. Let all friendships bloom like the flowers in the pic.

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