Life Of A Blogger

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

I heard enough about the terrible Life of a poet not to venture into that foray. They are challenged with finding an audience and start losing friends as soon as they start reciting for them. The richer of the tribes throw parties with the hope of gaining a platform to showcase the talent but free food and drinks goes only so far. The artist feels helpless, while others see you as a menace... a threat to the society.

I was not aware that similar fate is destined for bloggers till I had one of my own. When I discovered the world of blogging, I said "now I have a place to showcase my creativity.”  I set one up and started filling in the pages but the eyeballs to appreciate those were missing. The Blogging portals brought a glimmer of hope to the budding writers as they developed a community with like minded people. The trouble is that a selected few are interested in other’s writing. The community operate on a plain and simple philosophy, which is "you scratch my back and I will scratch yours”.

I thought why can’t this world have those kind hearted benevolent folks of  Facebook who will “like” anything and everything that is posted as long as it do not exceed a few lines. I start to participate in all competitions pinning my hope not so much on winning but on the guarantee that at least the judges will take the pain to read my posts. For me that was one confirmed reader and it turned into a routine … all in a day’s work. It perfectly matched Hero Honda bike’s punch line… fill it, shut it and forget it!

Last Thursday I received an email announcing I have won a contest. Firstly it was a state of disbelief and as I was not expecting a result. Adrenal was not running high in my veins nor was I prepared to do palms on the cheek winner act the way the beauty pageants are trained to do.

I went back to the website, verified, confirmed and reconfirmed. Did the “pinch on arm” test to check I was actually awake and uttered.... "OMG, it’s true. I informed my family and went on to ask my daughter, a second grader... "Are you proud of your dad?" She said “yes I am” though I was pretty sure she did not understand much. Once the excitement sank in, I said “this is a watershed moment in my blogging career. This is now going to fly.” While the future reality remains to be seen, this is definitely is an inspiring career high point.

Through this post I convey my thanks and gratitude to the organizers and the judges.

The Winners were announced here Winner Announcement – Parachute Advansed Aromatherapy Oil #SlowDownZindagi Activity! And I am at number 9.

The competition was organized by Blogadda and could be found at http://blog.blogadda.com/2015/03/12/de-stress-and-slowdownzindagi-with-parachute-and-blogadda and my winning contribution can be read at

http://sumandebray.blogspot.in/2015/03/stress-deducted-at-source.html

LIFE IS SHORT, LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Life is short and everyone should live life to the fullest. I am writing this because I had a sad awakening last month when I lost two of my close childhood friends. They were my buddies and left us forever. One of them passed away in his sleep while the other while awake and both because of cardiac problem. They were they were not particularly young but they weren't old either. They were in their mid forties and in word from Arundhati Roy, "Not old. Not young. But a viable die-able age."

Our average life expectancy is increasing and long life is not uncommon these days. But Life is uncertain and one has to be lucky to be alive in good health with friends and family around. It’s true that in the present times there are large number of people taken away from the world everyday by means of war, terrorism, poverty and natural calamities. The latest reminder of uncertainty was when 9000 people perished during the devastating Nepal earthquake. But sometimes passing away of a single person gives even more grief and paralyses our logical and creative mind alike.

Our Earth is a little over 4.5 billion years old and it would hardly make any difference if a man were to live till the age of 85 or dies at 45. The cruel reality is that we human and other earthly beings are mere mortals. However, it makes a world of difference to the people who loves you and depends on you emotionally or economically. It is therefore important to be by their side as long as possible and leave behind some wealth for them to carry on.

Here are a few advices I am taking on board for the rest of my journey called life:

• Strive to have a strong and healthy body rather than a strong ego.
• Go for regular medical exam even when not sick.
• Drink more water even if not thirsty.
• Let go even if faced with grave problems.
• Give in when required, even if I am in the right.
• Be humble even when I have the power on my side.
• Stay contented even if not rich.
• Exercise everyday and even when I am busy.

Come along friends, lets do it together......