LIFE IS LIKE DUNE BASHING

               DUNE BASHING 

Life is nothing short of dune bashing as experienced in the vast golden desert of sandy peaks and valleys and mirage of an oasis .Its like peaks of joy,valleys of heartache and hopes of an oasis ...which keep on changing due to the power of the wind and the heat .

This rise and fall is scary and exciting at the same time .There are twists and turns and thrill in the air .Just keep your eyes open during the ride for only by being awake you will live life fully in all its shades .

Some days you’re  heaped high up with the wind favoring you and you seem to be in tune with the universe, life sings and flows in the present moment and it makes  a lot of sense you feel you are on top of the world ..... 

Aaj mai upar aasman niche, aaj mai aage zamana  hai pichhe ...

Tell me o khuda abb mai kya karu, chalu sidhee kee ultee  chalu

But when things get low and the wind blows you down you might become an emotional bundle.That's when you must not give up,but hold on to hope and faith and do all that you can to come back to your center.

Remember you are not your emotions…but as a conscious human you are a luminous and empowered being.You actually have the power and choice to bring the light into any situation that may appear dark and manage them with their fluctuations by not losing your cool while waiting patiently for the wind to change .

Raah  pe kante bhikre agar,uspe to phir bhi  chalna  hai 

Shaam chupale suraj magar ,raat ko ek din dhalna  hee hai 

And then a day will come when there will be no more tears ,no more fears ,no more pain ..only gain ...gain of being away from the  uncertainties of life and a peaceful feeling ..but until that day let us hold on to life with smiling faces ,give of ourselves what ever we can and be grateful for all that we have .

Ek din bik jayega, matee ke mol Jag me reh jayenge pyare tere bol 

Duje ke hotho ko dekar apne geet Koyee nishanee chhod, phir duniya se dol 

Somewhat similar thoughts filled my mind when I went with a lot of excitement on a dune bashing desert safari ride ...

 DUNE  BASHING 

On a thrilling desert safari ride 

Aha ! it was dune bashing time

"take the mild one ",said my son 

"Oh no ! that's not done "

I said ,"it will be no fun " 

I simply had to have my way 

hence took the fast one to play 

for life had taught me to sway 

The jeep swayed speedily up and down 

on deep sand caves and huge sand mounds 

holding on to each other's hands 

with baited breath we laughed and sang 

"Oh No ,Oh No ,Go a bit slow "

on being tossed high and low 

our stomachs churned hard 

and heart beats raced fast 

The golden sands of time 

were piled up and down 

the power of the wind 

had shaped their mounds 

their ever changing colors 

spelling magical wonders 

one moment heaped up high 

next moment the sand storm 

blows away the sand to fly 

Sand dances with the wind 

a new journey then begins 

it happily mixes with new found 

tiny tiny sand grains on the ground  

embracing each other with love 

some piled below and some above 

Its then that I suddenly realized 

hasn't our life taken the same stride 

a rough and tough roller coaster ride 

each sway strengthened our drive 

each dive taught us to survive 

the vagaries of  different times 

with endurance we crossed many lines 

some happy and some so sad 

some made us laugh like mad 

and still we go on on and on 

having emerged reasonably strong 

mingling with all  who cross our way 

trying our level best not to go astray 

flowing with the winds of changing time 

trying hard to rhythmically chyme 

Till an inevitable powerful  gale 

will take us away from this beautiful jail 

with no chance of getting a bail 

to be here to watch the worldly sand 

and dance with the sweet wind band 

so life is short my dear friend 

let's relish  life at every bend 

like the thrill of dune bashing in the sand !!!

DUNE BASHING

 On a thrilling desert safari ride 

Aha ! now it's dune bashing time

"take the mild one" said my son 

"Oh ! that's not done "

I said ,"it will be no fun " 

I simply had to have my way 

hence took the fast one to play 

for life had taught me to sway 

The jeep went speedily up and down 

on deep sand caves and huge sand mounds 

holding on to each other's hands 

with baited breath we laughed and sang 

"Oh No ,Oh No ,Go a bit slow "

on being tossed high and low 

stomachs churned hard 

and heart beats raced fast 

The desert sands of time 

were piled up and down 

the power of the winds 

had shaped their mounds 

with ever changing colors 

they spelt magical wonders 

one moment heaped up high 

next moment wind blows the sand to fly

As sand flies away with the wind 

its new journey then begins 

it happily mixes with new found 

tiny tiny sands on the ground  

embracing each other with love 

aggregating together in hugs 

some pile below and some above 

Its then that I suddenly realized 

hasn't our life taken the same stride 

a rough and tough roller coaster ride 

each sway has strengthened our drive 

each dive has taught us to survive 

the vagaries of  difficult  times 

with endurance we crossed many lines 

some were happy some were sad 

some made us laugh like mad 

and still we go on on and on 

having emerged reasonably strong 

mingling with those who cross our way 

trying our level best not to go astray 

flowing with the winds of changing times 

trying very hard to rhythmically chyme 

Till the  inevitable powerful  gale 

will take us away from this beautiful jail 

with no chance of getting a bail 

to be here to watch the worldly sand 

and dance with the sweet wind band 

so life is short my dear friend 

let's relish  life at every bend 

like thrill of dune bashing in the sand 

Pushpa Chaturvedi 

CELEBRATING LIFE

Life is a gift ,relish it ,celebrate it ,explore it and dance with it .Every  day is a celebration of life ,everyday brings in a new dawn .In younger days there was a desire to push the pedals strongly yearning to mature and become an adult quickly often being enamored at what fun it is to grow up and do all that kids cannot do .

Now as we age we wish to depress the brakes of the pedals with equal efforts to savor more of this amazing gift of life and continue celebrating it to the last breath by  learning to accept the changes which come with it happily and spreading happiness 

We lose something and gain something as days go by but we must never lose our wisdom .When we see life with eyes of wisdom we learn to let go negative emotions and live with a smile and laughter which emerges from the core of our being this not only lights up our life but the life of those around us .

There is a story about Mullah Nasruddin. Once Mulla was admitted into a hospital with multiple fractures and was bandaged all over. His friend came and asked him, ‘Mullah how are you doing?’ He said, ‘I am fine. It only pains when I laugh’.His friend asked,‘How can you laugh being in this situation?’He said, ‘If I don’t laugh now, I have never laughed in my life’.This is wisdom ,the strength to smile in all occasions. 

Take life not as a struggle, but as a challenge. Take life not as a suffering, but a way to express the multitude of emotions. keep smiling and laughing .

CELEBRATING  LIFE 

Congratulations and jubilations ,

happy  twilight zone life celebrations 

Please let not  age come in your way 

to dampen the spirit of  coming days 

as long as your heart beats continue 

live your life fully everyday as new 

Life is Gods precious gift cherish it till the end 

love self unconditionally you are your own best friend 

let not the past trouble you for it does not exist 

let not the unknown future come in the way of your zest 

live in the present moment and surrender to the divine 

feel  intoxicated with bliss like drunk on old vintage wine 

The best deal is that you are as old as you feel 

mould slowly like wet mud on a potters wheel 

life has been a tough roller coaster ride no doubt 

but sure you are thankful for still being not out 

holding on to the crease of life is an experience 

balancing with increasing age needs perseverance 

Let go the thorns and pricks for they only decrease 

decrease your time  here and take away your peace 

they make your heart sick and heavy filled with unease 

forgive all and forget what hurt ,let all worries cease 

love all as they are ,don't keep expectations alive 

for expectations kill joy and relationships don't survive 

You are an actor on this stage of the creator 

HE is your director and he is your mentor 

listen to HIS voice in silent meditation 

let his wisdom lead you towards perfection 

leave ego ,pride ,greed and selfishness  aside 

let humility love and compassion be your guide 

Increasing age is no bar for pursuing new dreams 

life is more beautiful with exciting new themes 

first innings was dedicated to  family and profession 

now is the time to spend with your creative passion 

love  ,laugh ,play ,smile ,be kind and help those in need 

on leaving this world you will be remembered by your deeds 

Health is wealth and contentment is joy 

being grateful brings more blessings to enjoy 

see God in your fellowmen and treat them right 

your happiness will soar to touch new heights 

know who you are  and nurture your beautiful soul 

life is a  full circle so connect inside and feel whole! 

PS ..this poem has been written on the request of my  dear friend Prakash Bajpai  jee for a senior citizens magazine which he is about to publish ...hence I dedicate it to all the senior citizens on this forum .

All copyrights reserved with Pushpa Chaturvedi 

Please be clear, you do not have permission to take written material from my blog and run it on yours.

A FULL CIRCLE ....SOUL'S VOICE

When you are tired of walking and walking along 

and you want to come back to where you belong

just quietly take your mind inside where an ocean of peace 

is waiting for you to drown in with tranquility and ease 

you just need to direct your wayward mind and vision 

to interpret the  beauty of your loving hearts mission 

You really don't need anything from outside 

the support you require is already inside 

your lamp within you  is burning bright 

how can there  ever be a dark night? 

you only need to accept flow not fight 

dust away the cobwebs and enjoy the light 

Just stop this dazzling journey outside 

recognize understand what you need to abide 

In quiet silence listen to your heart's  cry 

it is  calling you to pry inside and eye 

where serenity and calm are ruling high 

Go far far away from this materialistic world 

let that which is happening not make your mind twirl

these  worldly dreams have no meaning for you 

let them come and go you just witness them anew 

this world has been going on since ages with out you 

don't waste your time brewing a new worldly stew 

Just peep inside and pause for a while 

your minds turmoil will be replaced with a smile 

for your ego to drop and your I to disappear 

surrender to  HIM and do what is austere 

then you will have nothing to  worry or fear 

For than you are no longer the doer 

but only a meager ordinary knower 

knower of HIS blessings and gifts of life

immersed in the ocean of peace you survive

survive to become one with all that is around

your journey becomes a full circle when you drown 

All copyrights reserved with Pushpa Chaturvedi 

Please be clear, you do not have permission to take written material from my blog and run it on yours.

LIVE LOVE LAUGH

LIVE  LOVE  LAUGH 

Life is beautiful only you must know how to balance work with love ,laughter and play so as to nurture your body mind and soul.If you can see and feel the love and beauty around in the magnificent nature and in the sun moon and the stars I bet you would live life with love and laughter .Be so happy that when others look at you they feel happy too 

You don't have to be all figured out to move ahead in life ,just be yourself. 

Don't  pretend to be one of those  extra  goody goody  serious persons who just work hard without ever thinking of  enjoying the gift of life .Don't try and duck from what life throws at you, learn to catch it and throw it back so that you can laugh .

Remember 

Life is a precious gift

Love is a wonderful gift, 

Laughter is glorious gift.

So 

Live life to the fullest

Love with all your heart

Laugh as much as you breathe

LIVE  LOVE  LAUGH 

Life is crazy life is good

Life is everything as it should

Life can be silly like a circus clown

But all work and no play makes you frown 

Live love laugh and spread miles of smiles

Balancing through life's corridors and aisles 

Ignore all wandering thoughts 

Stop getting upset by past knots 

The future has yet to come 

Why think of it and become numb

It's the present moment that is alive 

Give it your best thumping high five

Life at times can put you down 

Kick you badly black and brown

Don't ever think you are a nought

Stand up straight no matter what 

Nobody  can do that for you 

What you  make you have to chew 

You are the hero of your life 

Recover from heartaches and strive 

Push your limits flex muscles hard 

Give life a new knockout fresh start 

Love can do what other things can't

The power of love has no supplant 

Love the goodness in all around 

Accept them as they unfold and sound 

Appreciate and understand 

Drop the heavy ego headband 

For that hurts you and those you love 

Just become love that's more than enough 

Laugh a lot and love a lot 

Enjoy all that you have got 

Laughter is nature's sweet creamy pie 

Rivers flow and clouds pass laughing by 

Make laughter your friend for life 

It's golden sunshine will help you thrive

Life is to  sing swing dance and sway in bliss 

Love laugh play pray and live with happiness 

Pushpa Chaturvedi 

TWILIGHT SAGA

 Twilight is both comforting and empowering ...have you sat in silence at dawn or dusk watching the sun ascend or descend ? Though we know that there is nothing new under the sun but the changing colors of dawn and dusk seem to tell us "we are not new but we are still never the same each day " 

Light and darkness embrace each other before parting ways for where darkness spreads it does not find light. For darkness, light does not exist and for light, darkness does not exist. Yet in twilight the two meet and know one another in a perfect  short beautiful union for " i love you " sounds so very romantic when uttered at twilight rather then at noon. They then separate to unite again in the twilight every day till eternity .

Are not we human beings somewhat similar living with light and darkness face-to-face within a single being and often getting lost in transition .It is very easy to get lost in this transition without realizing. When thoughts, feelings and actions arise during transition they often mirror effort (optimism ) and frustration ( pessimism ) and traversing from one emotion to the other may calm the mind and empower to accept the situation .

On waking up from a deep sleep at twilight my stray thoughts  engulfed  me in the mystery of the twilight saga I share below ....

               Twilight saga 

All the world is in a slumber 

Life whizzes past like thunder 

Suddenly a call to awaken intrudes 

Fears vanish visions get renewed 

The past is left behind in wonder 

It's to the present that all surrender 

The radiant sun is perched on the horizon 

Amazed !!!  Is it setting or is it rising 

Are we gazing at dusk or dawn 

Has the darkness arrived or has it gone 

This twilight saga is the creators mystery 

Mesmerizing lessons since eternity 

Is the glorious sun on the ascend 

Or is it going to rest and descend 

But rest  has never been Suns mate 

Lands far away eagerly await 

For the sun shines after night abates 

Breathing life in all to change their fate 

Red and orange streak the sky 

Mingling to greet the sun hello or goodbye 

Beautiful shades just mix and melt 

An optical  delight so soft and svelte 

Slowly disappear at sunset to herald black 

As dusk ascends you wish them back 

Beauty of the  sunset and sunrise 

A God sent soul awakening visual prize 

Connecting to all in one  loving embrace

Scattering divine energy with grace 

Day and night unite creating a pretty sight 

We are all one they sing hugging each other 

It's time for mankind to realize this splendor 

The twilight saga has lessons abound 

The dawn comes with clarity profound 

Unpolluted pure freshness around 

The dusk fills with dirt of  time 

By exposure to the worldly grime 

A timely reminder to brush away the stains 

Before the dawn of the next day reigns .

This photograph has been clicked by  from a ship at sunset in the land of the midnight  sun .... Helsinki Finland

Pushpa Chaturvedi