Scared to Switch? Don’t be!

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It was a few months ago or maybe over a year when I read about menstrual cups. Initially, there were uncountable questions in my head. 

And there were apprehensions. 

What? How? Why? When? Just like you must be having them. And it is only normal to think of such questions coz we had never heard of them before, let alone anyone talk about it.

But not anymore. I first got to know about it from Shailaja. She wrote an entire post on it and believe me when I read it, I was intrigued… A lot. I then started digging more and more articles and videos related to it. And by the time I was ready to try them, I got pregnant. Months later, there was another video and I was charged again to make the switch. After settling with everything, I finally mustered the courage to order my first cup from Boondh and couldn’t wait to finally try it.

Some of you must be wondering what they are in the first place? Well, the menstrual cup is a type of reusable feminine hygiene product. It is a small, flexible, funnel-shaped cup made of medical grade silicone that accumulates period fluid by being placed inside the vagina. Sterilization of the cup is required during the beginning and the end of the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle.

The first time I used the cup, it was a bit different. It always takes a little time to adapt yourself with something new. And making a change after being accustomed to something for almost two decades is not easy. But it is not even difficult. Believe me.

The first 2-3 times (in the first cycle), the sight of the blood was a bit scandalous but that feeling went away soon. It is all temporary and doesn’t make a difference at all. 

I did feel there was something inside me initially but that too went away and I realized, it is way more comfortable compared to sanitary pads. You may get used to it with as early as with the second cycle (at least, I did) to the level that you won’t even feel you are having periods. Yes! And I am not exaggerating.

Since the time, I’ve been using them, I am bragging about all the pros of it and not even a single con.

They make those days rash free, you can go in waters, do yoga, run a mile, the cramps are gone and let me not get started with the statistics of the garbage that sanitary pads produce and the amount of them that gets collected and the quantum of how much they harm the environment! In simpler words, menstrual cups are THE BEST THING for the environment! I know when it comes to personal hygiene, thinking of the environment would be the last thing on your mind but when something gets comfortable, there is no harm in thinking either. Also, you don’t need to remove the cup while urinating or excretion.

I’m sure you must have heard of the chemicals and bleaching properties being used in making a sanitary pad and how much it affects our body in the long run. A menstrual cup does no such harm and you can use the cup for 10 + years! Good for both body and environment. Not to mention your pockets as well.

Now that I use it, I only feel why did I wait so long? Why didn’t I switch to it earlier and was punishing myself (and the environment) with the pads?! But I am happy and glad that I made the switch.

The videos on Youtube always come to the rescue. From the process of insertion to maintaining it all clean, they are all there. Just check out a few videos and you will be good to go.  

After using it for some time, I felt the need to write about it and make you guys aware of it.

You can always ask questions or DM if you have doubts about them. I’m sure you have a few! 

Cheers

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#Mission1Million... Come and Make a Difference

After say a month, here I am on my blog… where else do you think would I go, eh? But this time, it is not a random rant post. This time I am back with a selfish reason, not for myself but for all those gentle beautiful souls who aren’t as privileged as we are. So why not come together, join hands and make a difference.

So, have you heard of Robin Hood Army? Stay tuned and find out.

What is RHA?

The Robin Hood Army is a volunteer based organization that works to get surplus food from restaurants across to the less fortunate people.

What does it do?

RHA was started with a vision of eliminating hunger and food wastage globally. It has its chapters spread in 45 cities across 12+ countries and have fed close to 20,00,000 people till date.

How does it work?

A drive includes collecting surplus food from their restaurant partners and then hitting the roads to feed the hungry.

So for example, restaurants in Green Park, Delhi will contribute to the homeless of the locality via volunteers who live in Green Park. Their volunteers are largely students and young working professionals. The lesser fortunate sections we help include homeless families, night shelters, orphanages, and patients from public hospitals.

What are the Rules?

At RHA, there aren’t too many rules. There are just 3 things that are non-negotiable--

1. They do not accept any monetary donations. Donations from donors can be made in kind only (food, clothes, etc.). They have a 10,000+ volunteer base, and to keep things transparent they think its best to steer away from money :)

2. If they have agreed to collect food from a restaurant partner / donor, they ensure that they collect it. They work towards preventing food wastage and therefore cannot propagate it anyway.

3. The quality of the food that they accept must be such that you and I should be able to consume it. Spoilt/rotten/old food items should not be collected.

Apart from that, they are all ears for any feedback.

How you can be a part of it?

The most precious thing that you can give them is your valuable time.

What you can do is share as much as you can, join their drive write on your blog, promote on your social media handles and spread the awareness.

Since, it is that time of the year (Independence Day) where all the Robins in India and Pakistan join hands and work against a common enemy- Hunger.

RHA has its wings spread across various cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Agra, etc.

If you wish to be part of the #Mission1Million, simply visit their website or drop a Hi on Facebook and they will get back to you.

I, personally know people who are associated with this organization and I am here to vouch for their credibility. I hope you all will help these robins accomplish their mission in serving a million people on Independence Day!

Other than that, if you have any queries, feel free to ask

http://robinhoodarmy.com/

https://www.facebook.com/robinhoodarmy/

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This is not a sponsored post.

Cheers

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Are you the Change?

“Be the change you wish to see in the world” is one quote that resonates with me like none other.

I remember I was a child when I read this, not sure where but it caught my attention and made so much sense. While growing up, I could see the flaws in our society, especially for the girls and it always remained in my heart. What also remained was the desire to bring the change.

There was a time when I was really adamant at making things right around me, prevent things which couldn’t be justified and wanted everyone to change according to my thought process. And I failed... miserably!

It felt like the moment of truth... I realized it is so much simpler to make kids understand things and tell them what is right or wrong. It’s also easier to make them admit their mistake but at the same time, it becomes quite a task when we talk about adults. Everyone thinks they’re right... even if they aren’t they wouldn’t accept that because they think it will make them small in front of the world.

Even if people are ready to accept their mistakes they hardly want to change. Call it their habit or sheer laziness or pure ignorance but they like the system they’re adapted to and don’t want to come out of their comfort zone. And that is why change is so much resisted.

Everyone has a problem with the system yet no one wants to make the first move. Everyone wants to live their lives on their own terms and yet no one comes out publicly and eventually becomes part of the so-called society!

Everyone wants to be a part of the cattle gait and shoo away even the thought of doing things which might sound quirky or bizarre to the society.

It was never easy... to change things around and so I changed myself. I always opted for non-conventional options and wanted to do something that doesn’t follow the typical societal norm.

I did not like the conservatism around me and I became a liberal. I believe if someone wants to do something (which may not follow the usual path) then it is totally up to them to decide, it is simply their prerogative to make a choice of what they want to do with their lives and head forward... It is not our business. Period. And that is the reason why I never question/judge anyone’s decision for that matter. I totally get it if people do things for the way they do.

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Also, when I face difficult situations, deep in my heart, I always wish if someone understood me better and that is the reason why I try to be the person who understands people in spite of all the odds against them. I always try to empathize with them and make an effort to do my bit... because I believe the rest shall automatically follow.

Change starts with us... within us... through us... by us... for us!

And it is not just about the thoughts and stuff, it is also about doing your part... simple acts like not wasting water, electricity etc, not loitering around, being kind to others and countless things that we do in our daily lives. This bit by bit would bring a huge change, I sense!

As Dalai Lama quotes, ‘If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”

Tell me which is that one quote that moves you and you live by it? Tell me about the quote that shapes you, that you breathe through day and night?

Cheers 

This post has been selected as the WOW entry by Blogadda.

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S- Slow

Ever heard of a house maid who is sincere beyond one can imagine? She is punctual, she is hardworking and soft spoken, she is honest, she is helpful, she hardly takes leaves and works extra if required and doesn’t even ask for extra money, for she is happy with whatever she gets, and she has the integrity towards her work and her employer. Still, she cannot make them happy... there is something that is always left for them to pick out.

Initially, when she joined work, she was bullied by other staff members in the house because of the color of her skin and the way she looked. But slowly and gradually, she won everyone’s heart with her pleasing and genuine nature. She started with 500 bucks a month and then eventually increased her work and now makes 10 grand a month. That’s how she progressed.

But... there is always a but everywhere (I ask why?!)

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In spite of trying her level best, she fails and hears cuss words. She is chided from time to time for something or the other and isn’t treated in a good way,... may be because she is an easy target amongst all the staff members?

She is slow and gets scolded for it all the time. It takes more time for her to complete a simple task and in between the employer loses all the patience. She hears everything quietly, without uttering a single word in return because of deep down in her heart, she knows she is wrong, that she makes mistakes and works really slowly and that is why she feels okay to be vilified all the time!

Sometimes, it breaks my heart to see such scenarios... I feel what have we become as a race?! I get the fact that she works really slowly and it’s only natural for the employer to lose their patience but why be inhuman? And if they have so much of problem with her then why not ask her to leave? They know they won’t get a staff like her, ever! They never have from so many years and now when they have her, they don’t want her to go! Why would they? She takes care of the kids, feeds them food, looks after the plants, cooks food, cleans the house, does laundry and several tidbit things that keep on going 24*7! If she has more work than usual, she doesn’t even take a rest in the afternoons! And after doing so much... she gets berated for one thing or the other!

Sadly, that is how things have started functioning in our society!

Cheers

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Welcome to my Blog! This A to Z Challenge, my theme is ‘Let’s see the other Side’. Through this theme, I'm trying to giving voice lot of things that go around us and yet I can't do much to bring about the change. I feel, sharing my thoughts in my space here will somewhere make someone think and bring about the change we all want to see!
where I’ll be sharing about the daily nuances that we’ve been seeing in the same way since 1990’s! (:P) But this time you’re going to ponder over it a bit differently.

Feel free to express your thoughts and I'd be all ears!

I hope you have a great time here!

Read More

P- Pomp and Show

It was after 15 years of their marriage when they were blessed with a baby! Their happiness knew no bounds. Everyone in the family was beyond happy. Parents decided well in advance to not create hype about anything related to the child. The family had waited for quite a long time for this day and now they didn’t want to fall prey to evil eyes.

They had decided well in advance that they would do things for the child once he starts understanding things around him. So that he can remember and be a part of such occasions. That’s the reason why they didn’t celebrate his first birthday.

When the boy turned 5 that was the time when the family thought of making it a huge event! One, because their boy was big enough to invite his friends and enjoy his day, two, it had been a long time there had been an event in the family.

Birthday parties, these days have become quite a trend. A huge birthday cake, a few game stalls, a clown, a comedian, a magician are a few things to mention.

But this birthday party was different. It was celebrated with full pomp and show. Almost, everyone in town was invited. And by everyone, I mean everyone they know. From their mailman to their friends, from the grocery shop owner to their colleagues, from their laundry man to all the distant relatives.

The birthday invitation card too looked like a wedding card. It was a party for round about 800 guests... a number most people abstain from for weddings as well.

It was a 2-day affair. One day for the guests to assemble, relax and then attend the Mehendi program in the evening. The following morning had a pooja scheduled, followed by lunch, then high tea and then finally the Big Party!

And at the party, the snacks, main course, and desserts were in a variety no one could ever imagine. You name it and it was there! Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai... something as basic as Maggi was also available. The party had a dance floor for the adults to show their moves!

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Most of the guests who came for the party didn’t even know/recognized the birthday boy, let alone wish him for his day. They all came because the parents had invited them so generously.

But this is not why I am writing this post. The peculiar thing about the party was, all the guests who came in were only talking about how unnecessary it was to do such a huge program, that it was pointless to throw such a grand party just for a birthday, that it looked more like a wedding affair rather than a kid’s birthday party, that lot of unwanted/not-required people have been invited to this party when actually, the hosts are not that well-off financially... then why waste money like this!

I feel, yes, the party was a bit overboard for a 5-year-old boy but then at the end of the day, it is nobody’s business! People were invited to give their blessings to the child and not give unsolicited advice. This was a happy occasion for the family and they wanted everyone they know, to be a part of their happiness. They wanted to celebrate because this happiness came a little late in their lives! And all they wanted was everyone to be a part of it and nothing beyond that!

How difficult is that? And yet all everyone did was kept finding out faults in what should or shouldn’t have been done?               

Cheers

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Welcome to my Blog! This A to Z Challenge, my theme is ‘Let’s see the other Side’. Through this theme, I'm trying to giving voice lot of things that go around us and yet I can't do much to bring about the change. I feel, sharing my thoughts in my space here will somewhere make someone think and bring about the change we all want to see!
where I’ll be sharing about the daily nuances that we’ve been seeing in the same way since 1990’s! (:P) But this time you’re going to ponder over it a bit differently.

Feel free to express your thoughts and I'd be all ears!

I hope you have a great time here!

Read More

N- Narrow... Minds

‘I’m really fond of that woman’

‘Yeah... me too... Isn’t she always full of life?’

‘Her smile is contagious! I’m glad we have such people in our office’

‘Me too’

Just when the discussion between two senior persons in the organization was over, a staff member informed them about the issues that had been going in her personal life. She had been married for roughly 6 years with a child and is now getting divorced! Her family too has abandoned her! When the two ladies heard about it, this is how their conservation went:

‘How can she smile all the time?’

‘Isn’t she upset? I can’t see a single line of worry on her forehead! How is this possible?’

‘What is she going to do now? A single mother with no family! Looks like her life has totally ended’

‘I think she should go back to her husband! That is what a true woman does! Never leave the house of the husband’

‘I know! These modern women are totally spoiling things around us!’

‘I wonder, till when we will have such people in our organization!’

‘I’m still not over the fact, of how on earth is she not upset? As if it is no big deal to her!! Here, if I have a small tiff with my husband, I can cry a river over and she... she can’t even manage to look a teeny tiny bit unhappy?!’

‘Times sure have changed around us’

'No wonder!'

Source

This is not a piece of fiction. It is the actual incidence. I wish people could see beyond a smile and not judge people for the way they want to be. They would know how many evil thoughts everyone is fighting inside them but readily wear a smile for the world, to see!

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Welcome to my Blog! This A to Z Challenge, my theme is ‘Let’s see the other Side’. Through this theme, I'm trying to giving voice lot of things that go around us and yet I can't do much to bring about the change. I feel, sharing my thoughts in my space here will somewhere make someone think and bring about the change we all want to see!

where I’ll be sharing about the daily nuances that we’ve been seeing in the same way since 1990’s! (:P) But this time you’re going to ponder over it a bit differently.

Feel free to express your thoughts and I'd be all ears!

I hope you have a great time here!

Read More

J- Judgemental

A couple of days back, I went for an event in the distant family. It was a ceremony conducted to thank God for the new boy their family had been blessed with. Everyone looked happy. So many happy faces and such joy around never fail to lighten up my spirit. But the thing is it didn’t last for a long time.

I met a lot of people with whom I generally don’t get to meet much. But there was someone at the ceremony that everyone was discussing, and I was intrigued to find out whom.

It was a girl in a dress.

It wasn’t just the dress, it was the tight fitted dress and the girl wasn’t... umm... slim let’s say. Well, that’s not it. She had short hair, all colored in golden, loud makeup and the rings on in her hands were more than her fingers, she had her nose, chin and brows pierced and had a huge tattoo on her arm and on the lower neck... you got the picture? Now did you get why she caught everyone’s attention?

So when you know why there was so much attention, you would obviously know the number of judgments that followed! Conversations like, who is she? Who are her parents? Don’t they say anything to her? I’m sure she’s way too forward! And I’m sure she must be on drugs! Such girls are the ones who’re spoiling our culture and the entire generation! And let me not get started with her character!...

While all the aunties gave her a smug look, all the uncles were having a good time watching her ass! 

They loved having such sights at events... at least there was something stored in for them in the holy ceremony!

Apparently, I knew that girl personally. And she wasn’t a bit these women were talking about! Such a light hearted person who never forgets to carry her radiant smile wherever she goes! She knows what people talk about her but she doesn’t care. She knows they will talk anyway and that’s why she chose to live the way she likes.

But the sad thing is, no one knows that she lost her mom last month! And she is battling a war inside her! No one knows the number of tears she sheds in a day and that’s the reason why she wears so much of makeup.

Her mom always taught her to live on her own terms, to do what she liked no matter what the world says or what the society demands, to dress up because this is something that she got from her mom, to look her best no matter where she is heading and every time she pulled the perfect eyeliner, no one would feel as happy as her mom, they were more like friends! And one fine day, she lost her... to 

cancer!

During her last days, one thing she made her girl promise was to never look sad when out of the house, to always leave the house as if she’s going to walk on a ramp, to never let any power in the world stop her from decorating herself, because that’s what she loved doing!

And that’s what she did! It raised a lot of eyebrows everywhere she went but in the end, it made her mom smile and that is what mattered to her!

Cheers

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This A to Z Challenge, season I’m going to give you a ride and take you to all the places untouched! My theme this year is ‘Let’s see the other Side’, where I’ll be sharing about the daily nuances that we’ve been seeing in the same way since 1990’s! (:P) But this time you’re going to ponder over it a bit differently.

Stay tuned to find out what's more in store!

Read More

H- Happiness

Source

Imagine a girl. Beautiful, brown girl with brown eyes, short but looks mature and has long hair. You can see the dark brown color on her hands... its henna (mehndi)! You find it peculiar because the hands are full... from fists till beyond elbows! But it looks pretty. You like the ornaments she’s wearing. You notice the red lips and the pink cheeks and the kohl in her eyes! Her fingers are full of rings and hands with bangles. You notice the red vermillion neatly applied in her hair and then you finally fathom the reason behind her radiant smile! She looks happy and that makes you happy!

You give her countless blessings and wish her a happy life ahead!

Now, take another instance, imagine all of the above with the girl’s age as only 17! You’re suddenly bombarded with questions in your head. Happiness is all gone now and you’re wondering about her future! And she’s not even educated, doesn’t earn much and in a year or two, she’ll be having a baby in her hands! Why in the world did she do all this? Couldn’t she wait, a little?

Well, here’s a clearer picture now. The girl mentioned above is your maid’s daughter and she’s had everything but childhood! All she’d done her life is visit huge mansions where her mother worked, cleaned their homes, cooked them food, watered their garden, take care of their children at the time when she herself was a child!

What about the school you wonder? They were a large family and obviously they couldn’t afford.

And she doesn’t mind anything about it because that’s what she’s seen around her. Her elder sisters, brothers, mother... everyone worked in houses and made their living. She too was doing the same.

In her family, marriage happened a little early to some stranger, with whom they spend the rest of their life, in exchange for being raped and beaten all night after he comes home drunk and doesn’t give a penny to spend! At least that is what she saw around her.

It will be the same for her as well, just like her mother and sisters!

Between cleaning houses from morning till evening, one fine day she met a boy and fell in love with him. The boy worked in a factory and made decent money. He loved her a lot and wanted to marry her. She knew there were going to be issues about their marriage in the family, but she was ready to fight for her love! It’s better than being married to a stranger who wouldn’t treat me nice, let alone love me, she thought to herself. 

She kept the boy’s proposal to her family and the family agreed! The boy’s family didn’t demand a dowry. And there she was... the happily married girl who had come to seek the blessings of the aunties for whom she’d worked all life.

What she realized was everyone gave her advice to work and study but no one was ready to actually help her out. No one would be willing to take that extra step that would make a better future for her. Sure they were right, and she was too young to tie the knot, but then at the end of the day, she was with the man who loved her and had great respect for her.

And guess what, he even wanted her to study after marriage! She couldn’t be any happier!

Do you think happiness is all that matters? Or should one follow the social norms and do things the way they’re done?

P.S: The boy, with whom she got married, was only 18! And he is young, married and Happy!

Cheers

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This A to Z Challenge, season I’m going to give you a ride and take you to all the places untouched! My theme this year is ‘Let’s see the other Side’, where I’ll be sharing about the daily nuances that we’ve been seeing in the same way since 1990’s! (:P) But this time you’re going to ponder over it a bit differently.

Stay tuned to find out what's more in store!

Read More