Stay Fit

It is important for every one of us to keep ourselves physically fit, to meet the unending challenges this world throws us into, day in and day out.
The importance of physical activity should be instilled, right from our childhood itself. With the wide variety of snacks, chocolates, biscuits and soft drinks available, it is really very hard to restrict children. The number of obese children, worldwide, has seen a sharp rise, over the years. Time for physical activity must definitely be chalked out in the school’s timetable. This would in a way, compulsorily make even the less active children engage themselves in some kind of physical activity. Physical activity in school can include swimming, yoga, sports like cricket, throw ball, basket ball, foot ball, volley ball etc.
As we age it is natural for our body to become less agile and mobile. A brisk morning walk will most definitely do a world of good to our mind, body and spirit. A little time set aside for flexing and exercising our muscles, will surely enhance our day’s performance.
Physical activity is the key to staying fit and leading a longer and stress free life.

The Milkman

The milkman who delivers milk in our colony is an excellent example of punctuality. Everyday he delivers milk exactly at 5.30 a.m. That’s exactly even before day break. He is so punctual, that you never have to have a second look at the clock to see the time. Even before the sun could spread its rays and the street lights are turned off, he is there ringing the door bell twice, alerting us about the prompt supply of milk packets.
I sometimes wonder what would happen if he falls sick. But, two long years have passed. He has hardly taken a day off.
I get to see the milkman on and off during my early morning walk. He looks like a chirpy young lad, wearing old but clean clothes. His routine, monotonous work, has never taken away the lovely smile he wears on his face. He hardly wears a watch. But he is so prompt and punctual. I think his mental clock keeps him ticking.
The third of every month, when it is six in the evening, I can always see him, standing at the doorstep, waiting to collect money for the milk packets. He has very few words to say, and he’s off in a second, cycling away to ring my neighbour’s doorbell.
He in my opinion is a classic example of punctuality.

The Colour Blue

My favourite hue is… Let me give you a clue. It is the colour of the beautiful
Sky. Yes, my favourite colour is blue. It is true; I’m in awe of blue.
I like blue because, my baby boy’s life started in blue. His dress, cradle, mosquito net were all blue.
His first birthday dress was a blue jean and a blue striped shirt. The gift I gave him was a splendid blue bicycle. We also held a grand birthday party at the Blue Lagoon. Blue, is also a part of my future dream, when my son becomes the boss of a
Blue Chip Company.
I also like blue because it is the official colour of the Indian cricket team. The Indian cricket team is popularly known as “Men in Blue.” It feels really great to see these men in blue jubilant every time they win a match. The T20 World Cup was a perfect victory for these daring men in blue!
Blue, the colour on a rainbow, the colour of the sparkling sea, the colour of the splendid sky, the colour of the lovely blue bells is definitely my most favourite colour.

The Game I Enjoy

Fascination for cricket began when I was six years of age. It all started watching my brother and cousins, who are die hard fans of the sport. I have been a silent spectator to most of their matches which were played in a nearby ground or sometimes in my neighbour’s backyard. They never failed to watch any match played by India. They would whistle, clap hands, and jump with joy, every time the Indian batsmen scored or the opponent’s wicket would fall.
At that age I always wanted and prayed for India to win because each victory would mean chocolates and cakes which were generously given by my brother and cousins.
As years rolled by, when I reached fifth grade, we were asked to play a sport compulsorily at school. I chose cricket. After the initial hiccups, I began to shine as a great batsman. It felt great to be cheered and applauded by the spectators, every time I smashed the ball to the boundary.
The greatest moment of glory was when I held aloft the trophy we won at the district level championship.
Now I play cricket with my little children but my love for the game has never declined. Today, when India wins I buy my children chocolates and cakes!

Happiness

Happiness – is it easy to define or experience? Happiness is a relative term and is actually a state of mind. It is a feeling of contentment. However, happiness is variable, as what gives utmost joy and pleasure to an individual need not necessarily please another in exactly the same way.
When can one really be happy? When the actual meets the expectation there is bound to be happiness. But when the actual falls short of expectation frustration steps in and there is a feeling of unhappiness.
The boundaries or limits of happiness keep changing and expanding with the passage of time. When a child is given a box of chocolates it is simply overjoyed and its happiness knows no limits. But when the same child is given the same box of chocolates, the very next day, is it likely to experience the same amount of happiness? Well certainly not. The boundaries for happiness would have expanded sub consciously. An additional box of sweets or cakes would have given it more happiness.
Thus, happiness is in the state of mind. Contentment is the key to a happy life. Remember greed is the root cause of all evil and greed definitely leads to grief.

Life in an apartment

Thirty years I had spent my life in an independent house. But now we had to move to an apartment, in another city, where my husband’s job had been transferred. I dreaded the idea of moving to an apartment. But my husband insisted.
I felt I would be unable to adjust to the ever bustling, noisy environment. But surprise. The first day we had a very warm welcome and were formally introduced to our apartment neighbours, by the President of the Apartment Association.
My neighbours were ever willing to help me from finding maids, locating the local super market and familiarising the new environment.
Yes, I thought to myself it is going to be great. My children thoroughly enjoyed the new atmosphere. They were quick in finding friends and settled pretty fast. Evening was fun when the children would gather in the playground, enjoying themselves to their heart’s content.
Six months have gone by. I have no regrets. I am thoroughly enjoying my life in an apartment.

The Beach

It was weekend. We had no definite plans. Suddenly, my cousin came up with an idea of a drive to the beach. We were four. We quickly packed our bags with some snacks, a flying disc, throw ball and left.
The beach was crowded unlike the week days. We dropped our bags on the sand and ran to drench ourselves in the sea water. It was such fun splashing water on each other. After enjoying ourselves in the water, we ran back and pulled out the disc and the ball from our bags, which we had got to play. It was not easy playing as it was a bit windy. Nevertheless it was enjoyable.
We then helped ourselves to the lip smacking, delicious snacks and exchanged the week’s happenings at school.
It was becoming dark. Two hours had gone past in a flash. We packed our bags and drove home. Although nothing extra ordinary happened it was an enjoyable day at the beach.