A Roller Coaster Ride called 2015!

“I’m sharing my #TalesOf2015 with BlogAdda.”

As I contemplate about 2015, I feel that it was a thrilling roller coaster ride that I managed to survive. The year was full of highs and lows in equal proportions. And it flew by so quickly, not giving me enough time to contemplate and introspect. It was truly a roller coaster ride. 

In the professional front, the year was quite good. I was busy the entire year juggling with various projects. However, in the mental or emotional front, the year was like a tempest in which I was trapped. Everyday was like a battle that I had to fight with myself. I almost fell into the abyss of depression and was under antidepressants for a month. 

Despite all the turbulence, I kept on working as I believed that without my work, I will lose everything. So I did not let my personal life interfere with my professional life. And today, I feel like embracing myself for being my own best friend and savior in 2015.

On this roller coaster ride, there are 5 important things or lessons that I learned:

1. "A true friend never abuses or blames you. A true friend understands, forgives and gives you the right advice, if you move towards the wrong direction ."

2015 made me realize who my true friends are. You won't believe, but due to the emotional ordeal, I was going, I fought and quarreled with almost all my close friends. There have been some really ugly fights this year, when I thought I have lost so many of my dear ones. But as I said a true friend understands and forgives. 2015 has been a great eye-opener for me.


2. "Hard work has no substitute. If you continue doing the hard work, you will surely be rewarded."

I give full credit to my moments of happiness of 2015 to the hard work that I did, despite the conflicts and turbulence in my life. My poetries and short stories got selected to be published in a total of 7 anthologies in 2015, 4 of which are scheduled to release in early 2016. I also completed penning down my 3rd novel. I won 6 blogging contests. Overall, it was a rewarding year.

3. "Take risks, once in a while. Without a little adventure, life would lose its meaning. You need to listen to your heart beats closely to admire life. And that is not possible unless you dive into an adventure."

When I went to Kalimpong in the summer vacation of 2015, I was not sure I would go for Paragliding. Just before the takeoff, when I was looking skeptical about my decision, the pilot told me that only when I take risks, I can discover the beauty in life and living. And he was so right. The ten minutes when I was flying in the sky amid the hills and trees, I fell in love with life all over again.

4. "It's not possible to undo a tragedy like death. Acceptance is the key, but you can keep the person alive in your heart for as long as you are alive."

I lost my cousin sister in 2015. She was two years younger to me and we both shared the same sun sign, Gemini. We had a lot of similarities and there was a deep bond between us, though we never met on a regular basis. When I learned that she succumbed to depression and had a tragic death, I could not come to terms with it. It shattered something within me. However, as months passed by, I accepted the reality and made peace with the fact that I will keep her alive in my heart always.

5. "There are some people who bring out the best in us and make us better human beings. There are some people who bring out the worst in us and we become a person we can't identify properly in the mirror. It is always wise to surround ourselves with people who make us a positive and a better human being."

Energies of two human beings don't match always and it is not really anyone's fault. Our energy diminishes in front of some people and enhances in front of some people. I feel that our duty as human beings is to evolve and become better with every passing year. So, 2015 taught me to surround myself with those people who can bring out the best in me and help me evolve. 

With the lessons learned in 2015, I am sure I have become a wiser and a stronger person. In 2016, I wish to do the things that will make my soul feel good. These few lines from a poem I had written long back will be my motto for 2016:

Let love be the lyrics

Let kindness be the music

Let your heart sing forever!

Top 10 posts of Love, Laugh and Reflect in 2015!

This year has been a very beautiful year in terms of blogging and writing. Although juggling 2 blogs Love, Laugh and Reflect and Purba's Library becomes a bit tedious at times, I have tried my level best to do so. I made so many wonderful friends this year through blogging and learned a lot. I also attended my first Blogger's meet and won a handful of blogging contests this year. Overall, it's been a very rewarding year.

So today when it's just a few hours from stepping into the new year, I thought to pause a bit, rewind back and cherish my favorite 10 posts of Love, Laugh and Reflect. 

1. A stranger's love letter! ~ Fiction

A short story that I wrote in February, 2015. I thought a few times to write the second part, but ultimately discarded the idea.

Natasha buys a second-hand book "Love Poems by Pablo Neruda" to pass the time in a train journey. As she turns the pages of the book, a letter escapes from between. The letter starts with the words "My Natasha"

2. Soulmates and Twinflames ~ Non-Fiction

This is another post that I wrote in February, 2015 and it is one of the most popular and widely read posts of this blog.

I have expressed my own understanding of the term "soul mates" and "twin flames" in this post. According to me, I am a soul with a body. I am a spiritual being having a human existence. Whenever I feel a strong connection with someone, I understand that this person is my soul companion, someone who was with me in another lifetime. 

3. Dad, are you afraid of the dark? ~ Fiction

This is a short story that I wrote in April, 2015. 

A blind girl asks her father if he is afraid of darkness. When her father explains her what darkness is, she exclaims that she knows the difference between light and darkness, despite being blind. 

“Darkness is fear. Darkness is anger. Darkness is jealousy. Darkness is hatred. Indeed, darkness cripples us and makes us helpless.

Light is love. Light is kindness. Light is peace. Light is friendship. Light soothes us and gives us assurance.” Mishti said with a peaceful smile.

4. Memories and Stories of my Mother ~ Non Fiction

This is one of the most special posts that is very close to my heart. I wrote it in May, 2015.

This post comprises some of the most beautiful memories that I have with my mother...how she taught me music, introduced me to the world of books and had been my cheerleader throughout. I have also included the two special poems that I have written for her.

5. The lady at the bus stop ~ Fiction

A short story that I wrote in May, 2015. It also later got published in the September issue of Writer's Ezine.

Rajeev meets a mysterious lady, Meera at the bus stop on one rainy and stormy night. She looks at him intently, as if she knows him for years. As Rajeev goes to buy a cup of tea for her from the nearby shop, she leaves the bus stop, keeping a note that makes Rajeev speechless.

6. Dear Kalimpong, I heart you ~ Non Fiction

I wrote this travel post in June, 2015. This is an account of my wonderful summer vacation in Kalimpong, a remote hill station of West Bengal this year.

I fulfilled my wish of Paragliding and had a wonderful time in this town. The best thing is that this is the place that I have chosen for the backdrop of my 3rd novel which I have completed writing this year. (Yet to finalize a publisher, though!)

7. Beauty: You and your gifts ~ Poetry

A poem that I wrote in August 2015 for the Poets United Midweek Motif: Beauty.

I tried to express the beauty in both meeting and separation through this poem.             

                                      "Beauty was a mystifying term

Until you walked into my life;

Amidst the arena of mist and fog

I saw a canopy of ambrosial sunshine."

8. Remembering Tagore on Baishe Shrabon ~ Non Fiction

I wrote this post on the death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore this year.

Rabindranath Tagore is not only my favorite author and poet, but he is also someone whose writings and songs have influenced me since childhood. This post is a small tribute to Tagore for being the huge influence in my life.

9. The Greatest Healer, Time ~ Poetry

I wrote this poem in October, 2015 and it got published later in the December Issue of Writer's Ezine. This post is very special to me because many people told me that they got motivated to keep faith in Time after reading the poem.

"Let the positive energy flow into your heart

Drop the baggage that robs you off life,

You are stronger than your wounds

Your life is much larger than your pain.

Have faith in the greatest healer, Time"

10. Sunshine in December ~ Poetry

This is the last poem that I have written this year. 

When love is there in life, we can see sunshine in December too. No month or day can be so frozen and chilly if we have the warmth of love in our hearts.

"She digs out the box of memories

Wears the cloak of thoughts

Enamoring

Warm

Crimson.

Now, she can see sunshine in December

A thousand sun rays illuminated her snowy heart"

Thanks to all my lovely readers and fellow bloggers for being with me in this year. 

Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2016! 

Stay Blessed! Keep shining!