Two Cups of Chai

Tea for two with elaichi and ginger.

[absinthundblut]

[twocupsofchai]

Iceberg forever. 

[mapsontheweb]

The rise and fall of communism, 1917-2017.

[twocupsofchai]

Kerala missing from the map, but thats ok! :D 

[twocupsofchai]

Bring real back

me

[twocupsofchai]

Sense of self

Where did you go? 

Was it when you decided meeting family was more important than a haircut? 

Was it when you decided a mortgage was more important than an MBA ? 

Was it when you decided time with someone was more important than dance class ? 

Was it when you decided engineering exams were more important than violin recitals?

Was it when you were told you were not good enough ? 

Was it when you were gas-lighted into thinking you didn’t deserve more ?

Where did *you* go ?

[twocupsofchai]

Preparation for change

As a plan slowly takes shape, Like a stream slowly vuilding into a river, Making its way to the sea; Unsaid words are now forever swallowed; Remorseful regrets nothing but a bitter after-taste in the mouth; Saddness falls from the eyes as tears; Love fills the soul with the memories past. Nevertheless, anticipation and faith carries the beat of the heart into the future.

[twocupsofchai]

To add to the breathing issue, now the heart is doing nakhra #brokenheartsyndrome

[twocupsofchai]

To myself

(for others who may be similar - you are fabulous and amazing!!!)

You forgave too much, but that was what you were taught. Keep forgiving, and harbour no bitterness.

You believed in an old fashioned, strong, consistent, slow paced love - and you should always believe in that. It exists.

You had such high standards in love because your parents or people around you set such a wonderful example - never let these standards go, even if you are a happy single woman for life.

You let people cross your boundaries too much, but you did it out of love - don’t beat yourself up about it, BUT don’t allow that again.

You took half-meant promises for real promises, because you believed in the best of everyone - keep doing that, even if you get hurt again, because that keeps you closer to who you are.

You lost, but you learnt a lot of lessons on the way. You are growing constantly, and expanding as a person - that an amazing and positive achievement!

[twocupsofchai]

The jhula under the butterfruit tree

In Bangalore, there is a small galli between a nursing home and a hospital. Down that galli, there is a big house, with a small garden. In the garden, there are roses, hibiscus and a big butterfruit tree. Under the big butterfruit tree, there is a jhula (swing). On the jhula, countless wishes of small children were made to the sky. On the jhula countless yummy treats Amma made were eaten. On the jhula, countless dreams were seen.

[twocupsofchai]

Rumi and the Moon

An old poem I wrote - I remember weeping when I wrote it. Its poignant - as till now I realise, I have been Rumi, in love with the Moon. In the last 1.5 years, has Shams brushed by me, and I may not have even noticed? Something to ponder, indeed...

Rumi stared at the moon and exclaimed: "How it glows, oh how it shines!";

Shams smiled at him and said "But you have me, old bones and face lined."

Rumi continued petulantly "The moon is far, but I still get to see it every night!"

Shams replied, "You may not see me, but my love will fill your soul. I will be with you, no matter where you go."

Rumi said, "But I love the moon so much that it aches!"

Shams laughed, "Can the moon feel like me, can it create magic only true love makes?"

[thegoodvibeco]

[twocupsofchai]

Honour*. But more like good values. Inshallah, I find someone like this one day.

[cyberbird000]

[twocupsofchai]

White roses, always.

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

7 Childhood Issues that Affect our Later Relationships

1. Threats and fear of abandonment. These can lead to jealousy and feelings of insecurity.

2. Lack of emotional nurturing. This can lead to feelings of emotional deprivation – which can feel like a bottomless pit to fill.

3. Growing up with feelings of entitlement. This can lead to feeling as if you don’t have to live by the same rules as others – as you are special, and a bit superior.

4. Being told that you’re inferior or inadequate. This causes you feel like you’re never good enough.

5. The demand to be perfect, and to always get things right. This can leading to being driven – and incredibly high standards.

6. Being betrayed by those you trusted – so you won’t trust now, and you can’t get close to others, or let them get close to you.

7. Being raised is a way that your needs were denied, not allowed, disregarded, trivialised or ignored. This can lead to a doormat type of personality where other people matter – and your needs never count.

[twocupsofchai]

If you were to walk

I wasn’t a poet. I never considered myself smart or articulate enough. I used to write emails of love and simple poetry for him, many a time - he would barely acknowledge my effort. Its simple, childish, cliched, predictable, but I meant every word, as one normally does when in love. The lover may vanish, the love still remains.

If you were to walk on a grass lawn; I'd walk ahead of you, picking up the stones. If you were to walk across a stream; I'd build a bridge, for you to cross. If you were to walk across an ocean, I'd build a boat, for you to sail. If you were to walk on hot desert sand; I'd walk ahead of you, spilling water from a pail. If you were to walk on a cement path; I'd walk ahead of you, dropping rose petals from a basket. If you were to walk on a path of coals; I'd walk ahead of you, stamping hard to crush them with my feet. If you were walk on path of broken glass; I'd carry you using a fireman's lift, and walk the path for both of us.

[twocupsofchai]

Amrita & Imroz

“Usne jism choda hai, saath nahi” - Imroz

[kushandwizdom]

girl is so good at loving everybody (but herself).

Warsan Shire (via kushandwizdom)

[twocupsofchai]

Your poem 'Wonder' makes more sense now than when it was written.

... ok.

[twocupsofchai]

Unending love by Rabindranath Tagore

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times… In life after life, in age after age, forever. My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs, That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms, In life after life, in age after age, forever. Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, its age-old pain, Its ancient tale of being apart or together. As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge, Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time: You become an image of what is remembered forever. You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount. At the heart of time, love of one for another. We have played along side millions of lovers, shared in the same Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell- Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever. Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you The love of all man’s days both past and forever: Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life. The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours – And the songs of every poet past and forever.

Dedicated to my love.