5 ways to keep the skin of your baby soft and safe

Whenever I go to my cousin’s house, time just flies away with my little niece. Babies are beautiful angels and mood healers. Even if your mood is bitter by any turn of event, spending a few minutes with a baby can be therapeutic. You get instantly wrapped in an ambiance of love, joy and warmth.

The little angels who fill our lives with such pure and divine love need adequate care. The skin of babies is so delicate that they are extremely susceptible to rashes and infection. Therefore, we need to follow some simple ways to keep babies’ skin soft and safe. Here are 5 ways by which you can keep the skin of your baby soft and safe:

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     Protect your angel from the sun: The skin of your angel is very soft and delicate. Therefore, you should protect your angel from the harsh sun. You should always use an umbrella when you are taking your angel out in the sun. You can also use a sunscreen lotion for babies on the back of your baby’s hands and on the face, if you cannot keep your baby in the shade. Dress your angel in a hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved clothing when you are taking her out in the sun.

    Give a post-bath massage to your angel: Massages are a great way to keep the skin of your angel soft. So give a massage to your baby after bath. As the skin of your baby stays hydrated after bath, an oil massage will be perfect.

Choose products that have baby friendly ingredients: When you are buying oil, soap, shampoo, etc. for your baby, do not forget to check the ingredients of the products. Avoid products with harsh chemicals such as lanolin and talc as they can irritate the skin of your angel. Choose a gentle detergent for washing the clothes of your baby.

Protect your baby from diaper rash: You need to protect your little angel from the irritation of diaper rash. Change the diapers of your baby every two hours in order to minimize diaper rash. You should choose Pampers Premium Care Pants for your baby as they will be the softest for the skin of your baby.

Choose cotton for your baby: Cotton is definitely the best fabric for your angel. It is both soft and comfortable. Your angel will feel comfortable all day in cotton clothes. It will also prevent the skin of your angel from rashes and infection. 

If you follow these 5 simple tips, then you can surely keep the skin of your baby soft and safe. Create a soft, beautiful and secure ambiance for your angel where there are countless smiles and happiness. 

“Pampers brings you the softest ever Pampers Premium Care Pants. Its cotton-like softness is #SoftestForBabySkin and allows it to breathe, thus keeping baby’s skin soft and healthy, and your baby happy. ”

Make a difference in an innocent child's life!

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

What makes us human is our compassionate and giving nature. We feel sad when we see someone in pain. We want to help when we see someone in need. We feel happy when we can make someone smile. We feel melancholic when we listen to tragic news on television. These emotions are the essence of our lives. Without these emotions, we would be labelled as robots. 

Whenever I see a child begging in the street or selling balloons or crying out of hunger, something pricks my heart so badly. I keep pondering about the intensity of pain that these children are subjected to. I am sure most of us feel the same way. 

Unfortunately, hunger and malnutrition are serious issues that our country is facing. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is like a bright ray of hope for the needy children. The organization is extremely dedicated and is constantly fighting to end child hunger. 

They have the world's largest (NGO run) mid-day meal programme, feeding over 1.4 million school children from 10,845 schools across 10 states in India every single day. I feel really proud and happy about the quality of work that this organization is doing for the underprivileged children.

Recently, the Akshaya Patra Foundation won the 14th Mother Teresa Award in the Best NGO Category, 2014. The wonderful singer and composer, Shankar Mahadevan is the brand ambassador of the organization.

We all know that little drops of water make the mighty ocean. We are like the little drops of water and our contribution in a child's life would result in a better world. When I learnt about this foundation, I wanted to blog about it instantly to spread awareness so that kind and compassionate individuals can support the cause.

If we can contribute in our own simple ways for these innocent children, then the Akshaya Patra Foundation will be powerful enough to eradicate child hunger from our country totally. How beautiful our country will be then, with not a single child starving in the day!

This is a small chance to make a big difference in an innocent child's life. Let's support the Akshaya Patra Foundation in ending child hunger. Let's unleash our kind and compassionate side. Our one act of kindness can paint plenty of smiles on an innocent child's face.

You can make your contribution at https://www.akshayapatra.org/onlinedonations

'This too shall pass'

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Stuck in the arena

Of sharp, pointed thorns

Pricking, jabbing, bleeding

I walk, refusing to halt.

With the thought, 

'This too shall pass'

I know I will survive.

The old scars

Which have left their indelible marks

Provide me courage today,

They remind me of my survival tales

So I walk, refusing to stop

I let myself bleed

With the thought

'This too shall pass'

I know I will survive.

Linking this poem to Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Survival

My Dad is #madeofgreat

Everyone has a different definition about a great man. For some, a great man might be a person who is extremely famous. For some, a great man might be a person who is exceptionally rich and powerful. For some people like me, a great man is a person with an extraordinary character.

This post is dedicated to the person whose values, ideals, personality and character has influenced my life and made me the person I am today. He is my Dad, my Mom, my role model, my best friend, my cheerleader, my philosopher and my guide.

I understood his greatness for the first time when I was twelve years old. The love of his life, my mother passed away due to multiple organ failure. It broke him to bits. But he did not let his deep anguish reflect on his face as it would have tormented me. He was determined to fulfill the last promise he made to my mother, that is to give me the best life possible and to raise me up to be a strong, well read and independent woman.

Therefore, instead of detaching himself from everything and drowning in grief, my Dad became my Mom that day. From cooking my meals to giving me company to making me ready for school, he did it all.

He is made of great love

He is made of great sacrifices

It’s because of his greatness

I can feel my Mom’s presence within him

Every single day!

Although my Dad made my life easier, his life was clouded with several adversities and hardships after Mom passed away. Managing work and bringing up an adamant teenager was not an easy thing together. He couldn’t sleep properly at night for the next 3-4 years.

I used to study for my board exams at night and he used to give me company. Again, at the crack of dawn, he had to wake up for making my breakfast and then heading for his work. But he did not lose patience even in those trying times.The smile on his face never faded even for a day. His optimistic outlook towards life made him see the silver lining behind the grey clouds. With a smile on his face, he fought with all his adversities without any complaints.

He is made of great resilience

He is made of great tenacity

It’s because of his greatness

I have learnt to face adversities

With a calm mind and a brave heart!

During my high school days, I became a very quiet and friendless person. I had to get admitted in a new school and as a result, I lost all my old friends. There was a chasm in me, which my Dad rightly realized. From that day onward, I got a new friend in my Dad. With every year, our friendship has strengthened. I can chat with him about anything and everything. The best thing about this friend is that he is such a patient listener. 

He is always my companion in playing outdoor games, in trying adventure sports, in painting, in taking selfies, in singing and dancing etc. Recently, when I tried paragliding, it was my Dad who encouraged me to fly and was cheering me up all the while.

He is made of great amiableness

He is made of great cheer

It’s because of his greatness

I have never felt

The absence of a sibling or friend ever!

When I was doing my marketing internship, I used to stay very annoyed all the time. My Dad could clearly understand that I was not enjoying the work I was doing. He told me to listen to my heart’s calling. “Do what you Love. Love what you do” is the motto he tells me to live by. At first, I couldn’t clearly understand what the calling of my heart is. But gradually, when I started listening to my heart more carefully, I could hear its words. It’s because of Dad’s constant motivation that I dared to follow my passion for writing in various ways.

He is made of great values

He is made of great philosophies

It’s because of his greatness

I could find the purpose

Of my Living!

My maternal grandmother lives with us. My Dad takes care of her the way my Mom would have taken care of her, had she been alive. My grandmother was suffering from breast cancer and my Dad made every possible effort to cure her from the life threatening disease. His efforts, prayers and love could cure her totally. My grandmother is totally cured of cancer today and lives a wonderful life now. I really forget sometimes that my grandmother is my Dad’s mother-in-law. They are totally Mother and Son.

He is made of a great heart

He is made of great willpower

It’s because of his greatness

I believe in the power of

Love, Miracle and Prayers!

Throughout the stretch of years, I have seen my Dad dealing with several ups and downs in his life. But his positive attitude is always there in whatever situation he is in. I have never seen him losing patience ever. He is the most patient and forgiving person I have ever come across. Humming a song of Kishore Kumar and carrying a serene smile on his face, he exudes positive vibes always.

In my eyes, he is the most successful person ever. The way he has brought me up, taken care of my maternal grandmother, worked hard to be a self-made successful man and the way he loves life make me say that he is made of a great soul, a great heart and a great mind.

The inspiration to be a better person

The motivation to follow my passion

The enlightenment to be patient, forgiving and hard working

The vision to help others

The influence to love unconditionally

Stems from the person who is a great, benevolent soul

It’s a blessing to be his daughter!

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You can know about the #madeofgreat partnership between Tata Motors and Lionel Messi here: http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/

It will surely enthrall you to the core. Go through it and participate in this exciting contest:

Answer this simple question in the comment section and the person whose answer would be the best, according to me will win an Amazon Voucher worth Rs. 750. The winner will be announced on 26th November here. Stay tuned!

What do you think of Tata Motors' Association with Lionel Messi?

Update 26th November, 2015: Thank you so much everyone for your participation in the contest. The winner is Gaurab Mukherjee.

Time, an enigma!

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Have

You seen

The way pain

Makes time stagnant?

Every moment seems

A painful, frosty night

Whereas happiness makes time

Rush away within blink of eyes

Like a sweet, rosy dream of midnight

Gone before we could totally grasp it.

The poetry form, Etheree, consists of 10 unrhymed lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 syllables. Etheree can also be reversed and written in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 order.

Linking this poem to Poetry Pantry #278

A little soul-searching with Liebster Award

I feel glad that this year, I came across some wonderful people through blogging, with whom I could connect so well. It's always a pleasure to meet like-minded people and Sunaina is one such person with whom I could feel that connect. Her writings have a lot of depth and she loves reading, like me. 

I can clearly recall our first conversation when she asked me what writing means to me. We also talked about books and writers and later, she surprised me in a wonderful way by reading my book "The Hidden Letters". When I visited her wonderful blog  When I Stopped to Smell a Rose , I absolutely loved the way she expresses her thoughts. Please do visit her blog and I am sure you'll love your writings.

So, when Sunaina notified me that she has nominated me for this bright, sparkling award known as the Liebster Award, I was really very happy. Thank you, Sunaina.

I am supposed to answer a few questions that Sunaina has asked me. So, here is my chance for a little soul-searching.

1. Which of your blog post is closest to your heart?

A. The posts that I have written about my Mom and Dad are very close to my heart because the words of these posts are drenched with my love and emotions. 
The two blog posts that I would like to mention here are Memories and Stories of my Mother and Daddy's little girl. 

2. Who is your biggest critic?

A. I am my biggest critic, for sure. That doesn't mean that I am very hard on myself. All I try to do is to be better than what I was yesterday. So, I compare my present work with my earlier works and see how much I have made progress. I also push myself to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself from time to time. And once in a while, I also reward myself.

3. What is happiness?

A. Happiness is when your thoughts, words and actions are in perfect harmony with each other. In short, long term happiness is equivalent to peace. It is also about living in the present moment, without worrying about past and being anxious about the future.

4. Which is the most inspiring thing you have read recently?

A.  I am currently reading the book "Big Magic~ Creative Living beyond fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert which is filled with inspiration. I am sharing a few lines from the book that I read yesterday, which is immensely inspiring: 
" A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner, continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you is a fine art, in and of itself."

5. Who is your favorite author, poet, writer?

A. Rabindranath Tagore, Paulo Coelho and Elizabeth Gilbert.

6. When it comes to appreciation, would you prefer a vote for your blog post or a comment?

A. Undoubtedly, a comment that is discerning, authentic and genuine. 

7. Walk at the beach or trip to the mall or a luxury cruise...what is your favorite kind of holiday?

A. Walk at the beach, for sure. I love beaches, especially the quiet ones where I can just drown myself in the music of the waves and listen to Nature's wisdom. It is therapeutic! (And that reminds me that I should plan a small vacation in a beach before this year ends)

8. What are my thoughts about my blog or my style of writing?

A. Dear Sunaina, your blog is a solace for people like me, who loves to read soulful posts. The best thing about your writing is that you write from your heart and therefore, it has so much depth. I really like the way you reflect on simple, mundane incidents and churn out a great post out of it. Keep writing! 

9. Is it easy to forgive or forget?

A. You need to forgive, forget and then move on. It's a three step process to liberate yourself from that unwanted baggage. 
But, here forgetting doesn't imply that you give another chance to the person to betray you. It means that you are clearing your mind off negative things so that positive people and thoughts can enter. So, forgive, forget and move on. 
Life is too short to remember people who have treated you wrong and brood about them. 

10. Who is your best friend?

A. I will name three: My Dad, my school friend Priyam and books. All of them keep me grounded and enriched with happiness


The Rules

1. Thank the nominator
2. Display the award
3. Nominate 10 more bloggers with 10 new questions
4. Answer the questions provided by the nominator
5. Notify the nominees

I love to break rules and therefore, I am nominating 6 bloggers for this award: Gaurab, Deeshani, Maitreni, Arti, Roohi and Indrani

Here are the questions that I would like you people to answer:

1. Tell me 3 memorable moments, associated with your blogging journey. (Be honest!)

2. Can virtual friends be as true and authentic as real life friends? Your take on it.

3. What kind of blog posts do you love to read?

4. Name 3 celebrities whom you would like to meet in this lifetime. (They can be from any possible field)

5. Rank in order of your preference: Money, Job Satisfaction, Fame. State reasons for your answer. 

6. Where and when did you go for your last vacation? How was it?

7. How was your 2015, till now? 

8. If God grants you one super power, what will you ask for?

9. What are your thoughts about my blog and writing?

10. Who is your confidante?

Will be waiting for your answers, dear ones! :) 

Treasure of Nature

(This picture is captured from the room of my hotel in Noorpur, a small town in West Bengal)

Beautify the earth

Be a treasure of Nature,

So that your journey

Reads like an artistic tale

That can inspire the lost souls.

Tanka is a classic form of Japanese poetry related to the haiku with five unrhymed lines of five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables. (5, 7, 5, 7, 7)

Linking this poem to Poetry Pantry #277

Bubble of Tranquility

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Eyes closed

Head feels heavy

The jabbing pain in heart

The fervent ache in body

Crystal clear and prominent.

Sitting in lotus position,

I try to focus

Breathe in, breathe out

Breathe in, breathe out

The breathing matters, nothing else

You are alive and full of energy

That's all matters, nothing else.

After a while,

Peace replaces angst

My mind feels empty

I feel I am floating in the space

Secured in the bubble of tranquility

All my thoughts jumping around it,

But I am nonchalant.

Eyes closed,

A smile of harmony kiss my lips.

Linking this poem to Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Tranquility

Poetry in 2015

"Poetry is plucking at the heart strings, and making music with them." ~ Dennis Gabor

For me, poetry is as essential as love, music and Nature. Poetry is one of the best therapies of the world. When I am distressed or sad, I cannot work on a novel or a short story, but I can write poems on any subject. Poetry is as effortless as breathing to me. Although I have been writing poetries since I was eight or ten years old, I couldn't discover the passionate poet within me until this year .

Yes, this year has been like an intense affair with poetry. I have written more than a 100 poems this year, got published in several anthologies and magazines and got to connect with some supremely talented poets around the globe through Poets United. What a blissful year it has been, with poetry as my beloved!

4 of my poems "Monsters in my bed", "The Bittersweet evening", "Your first hello" and "Years pass by" have been published in this wonderful anthology of poems, Rhymes and Rhythm. 
The best thing about this book is that the paperback version of it is now available globally, including Japan, Canada and the countries of Europe.

You can buy the book here

This book, Melange~ a potpourri of thoughts is a rich potpourri of poems by some talented poets from India. I am so glad that my poem "Forsaken" got selected to be published in this prestigious anthology by Poets Corner. 
The best thing about this book is that it has poems by literary stalwarts like Ruskin Bond, Vikram Seth and Shekhar Kapoor. Nothing can be better than sharing poetic space with people whom you deeply admire and idolize.

You can buy the book here

This book, Kaafiyana is a collection of contemporary soul stirring verses in English and Hindi. The winners of the national poetry contest "The Delhi Poetry Challenge" got featured in this book, which was released on the Kaafiya Poetry Festival (October, 2015). My poem "The Thread and the needle" which is a metaphorical take on contemporary relationships got published in this book. 

You can buy the book here

I recently got an opportunity for writing a poem on my sun sign and my poem "Musings of a Gemini Lass" got selected in the upcoming book, Musings of the Stars. 
The best thing about this book is that it contains poems on all the 12 zodiacs by 24 poets. I loved the concept and I am glad to be a part of this book.

So, 2015 has been a very beautiful and enriching year with poetry. Finally, after completing my 3rd manuscript, I started working on my solo poetry book from 1st November, the Kindle Edition of which is scheduled for a Valentine's Day release.

The book is titled Every Love Story Needs a Song and is divided into 5 themes, each of them portraying a different facet of love. I must thank my dear friend, Gaurab for nagging me to work on my solo poetry book since over six months and also for suggesting the title, which I found perfect for the poetry collection. 

I hope my relationship with poetry strengthens with every passing day and I can create good art always.

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks. ~Plutarch