RITUALS FOR MY BABY

All living beings (at least most of them) need their share of sleep every day. It's sleep that gives our minds and bodies the time to relax and recharge our batteries. Without our 40 winks (or more), we would never have the energy to do any work. Research has shown that man can survive for a month or more on just water, but without sleep, he will SURELY die in 11 days.

Human adults, no matter how busy their lives might be, never compromise on their sleep. They devise innovative methods and put to use all their time and situation management skills to get some sleep. Some of us are fortunate enough to have chilled out working hours. As a result, most adults tend to have more or less fixed sleeping hours. With kids, however, things are a little complicated. They obviously don't follow a fixed sleep pattern, their body clocks are simply not from this world, and adults have to struggle to tuck them into bed so that they themselves don't lose out on their sleep. All parents will vouch for the fact that kids have given them sleepless nights and drowsy days.

My son is barely 15 months old now. But at close to 2 feet in height and enough strength in his limbs to knock out Chota Bheem, he's way past the days when swaddling could get him into slumber mode. Me and my wife have spent sleepless nights dealing with a cranky kid in the wee hours. A cheerful kid on a night prowl isn't any better, what with him practicing hair pulling on the wife and WWE-style wrestling maneuvers on yours truly at 3-friggin-o'clock in the night, or even  simply jumping up and down and making eerie noises or shouting and laughing aloud in the still of the night.

But being resilient adults, we tried and tested a few methods to manage mayday. Some work most of the time, some worked only initially, and some gave the false impression of working only because our son had pity on us and played along. So, for the benefit of young parents, and soon to be parents, here's what we did:-

1) Hum a tune - You need not be a Shreya Ghoshal or a Kishore, or even a sleep-inducing singer from the 50s to be able to pull this off. You don't even need to know lyrics - you could fit the lyrics of Jack and Jill to the tune of a kid-friendly version of a Marilyn Manson track to get the desired effect. Use his pet name to come up with a song like "Shonu boy, sleepy boy" to the tune of the Spiderman song (old tune) for best results. Psst: Avoid taking a video clip of your antics to avoid embarrassing yourself in front of family and a grown-up kiddo in the future.

2) Pretend you're sleeping - This initially seemed to have a wonderful magic wand-esque effect. Within a minute (or maybe 10...patience is a virtue), your kiddo is likely to go into hibernation like you. Beware: This is one game in which he/she can be a step ahead of you and play along for some time before giving you a rude shock later.

3) A head massage - Works wonders, especially when it's done by a favourite grandparent. Here again, it's not a privilege that your kid might have accorded to you, so no guarantee.

4) Hand him/her a feeding bottle - Some kids tend to sleep during breastfeeding. Using a feeding bottle can replicate the effect. Dunno why it works.

5) Entertain the kid - A lot of times, kids are hyperactive simply because they need your attention and want you to indulge them. Reading a story book, getting into an impromptu jig, playing with toys along with them can give them a reassurance of your presence and their well-being. On the flip side, you might end up losing your sleep for the night while he/she bids goodnight.

Watch the video below to see how Pampers can ensure at least 12 nights of peaceful and comfortable sleep for your child.

https://www.rewardme.in/tag/Pampers

FIVE THINGS I WOULD HAVE DONE IF I COULD LIVE BEFIKAR UMAR-BHAR

Source: http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/

There is an English phrase that sounds cliched and done-to-death. It goes "Live Life to the Fullest". A simple phrase, without any difficult spellings, without words that are hard to pronounce, and yet a phrase that is JUST SO HARD to put into action.

Why?

Because our lives have become so mechanical that we hardly find time to do much. Everyone wants a piece of us - our bosses, colleagues and partners, our families, our neighbours, our subordinates, the government, society, and even ourselves. Most of us end up giving 99% of our lives to work and family, with less than 1% left for ourselves. Life is a mad rush, which begins as soon as we begin to work and start setting and achieving one goal after another. Thereafter, we get caught in an endless loop of never-ending worries.

So what would I do if life was without worries? What would I do if there was no fear of failure? What would i do if I was guaranteed a chance to start afresh after every failure without much damage from a fall?

Here are 5 things I would have done if life was BEFIKAR UMAR BHAR:-

1. Go globetrotting - Those close to me know that I love places of historical importance. So be it a fort, or a palace, or a museum, or maybe even an ancient torturing device, I'd love to take a piece of history away with me on every tour. I wish I could visit as many historical sites in the world - right from castles in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland, to the pyramids in Egypt, to Indian Forts, to ancient underground tunnels, to medieval churches. I'm sure though, that one life isn't enough to see everything.
2. Play a musical instrument - I'm a great fan of music - be it ghazals, or filmi stuff, or R&B, or Gospel, or even Death metal, I listen to a wide range of genres. I always wanted to play the drums, but I figured it would be expensive to buy a drum kit. As a college kid, guitars fascinated me too, like all young dudes I'm sure (they still fascinate me). I tried learning the guitar, but I guess I lost patience too soon when I couldn't pick barre chords or identify chords by ear. But someday I wish I could play an instrument like a pro. And maybe even do a gig with friends.
3. Try out all kinds of cheese - I'm a big cheese lover. I love my cheddar and gouda, and wanna try some other varieties. Unfortunately, cheese tends to get converted to lard on various parts of my anatomy, and so I have to shy away from indulging (besides the fact that some varieties of cheese are too heavy on the pocket as well). But someday, I wanna indulge without a care in the world.
4. Write a book - I always thought that writing a book is a difficult task, but after having interacted with a few writers, I realised that the actual struggle starts after the book has been written. It entails a lot of money (if you want to self-publish), time (writing, proof-reading, editing, promotions, approaching publishers, etc.), and patience. But if life was any simpler, I wish I could write a book - maybe an anthology is more practical.
5. Go on a killing spree - The world is becoming an increasingly horrible place to live in, what with heartless terrorists and criminals gaining power and control, and doing their stuff at will, without any resistance. If life was BeFikar, I'd like to go trigger happy on these scum.

Unfortunately, those who have responsibilities and loved ones depending on them can not feel Befikar, no matter how hard they tried. But there are some things that can give you some sense of security about your dear ones' well being and future, no matter how little it might seem. Insurance is one such thing.

For 5 reasons to be Befikar Umar Bhar with IDBI Federal in association with Ageas, visit the link http://bit.ly/BefikarUmarBhar

This post is written for IndiHappyHours Campaign  #BefikarUmarBhar

‘CUPIDEST’ WAYS TO ASK YOUR CRUSH OUT ON VALENTINE’S

http://cupidgames.closeup.in/

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. For young parents like me whose kids’ birthdays fall in the month of November, this day can make you feel real nostalgia…*ahem…wink*. For younger people, this day offers a great excuse to ask your crush out, and a wonderful opportunity to get away with subtle advances. For those who are really religious, it is an occasion to attend mass at the nearest Church and pray for St. Valentine’s soul which might definitely be experiencing grave unrest as we speak.

So, you came here looking for some real ‘kewl’ ways to ask your crush out on Valentine’s Day. From the perspective of a young parent like me, the best Valentine’s Day possible would be your toddler allowing you to stick to your planned schedule, and finding time to have a quiet dinner somewhere without running behind baby with a bib and a bowl of baby-food. For youngsters, on the other hand, the world is your laboratory to try out anything you like (as long as it does not violate the Indian Penal Code…haha…‘Penal’ ;) )

Presenting some decent/bold/funny/classy ways (depending on your personality, traits and mental balance) to ask your crush out on a date, and some important caveats. Try them out at your own risk, and please remember that we DID NOT have this conversation:-

1. Book two tickets for a movie/concert/Carnatic music recital beforehand and tell your crush that you have an extra ticket. Make sure though that your target relates to the event, or you’ll have to give those tickets out to your friend and his date, for free. Do not give your crush both the tickets, or someone else will be going on a date with him/her at your expense.
2. After a long and tiring day at college, assuming you are college students and have to attend college on Saturdays (poor you :p), ask your crush if he/she wanted a free back massage/head massage/foot rub, and so on. If they comply, you could pop in your question and hope you get a Yes. Of course, if he/she agrees to both propositions, you’re a winner all the way. If he/she agrees only for the free service, you still have your personal ‘touch’ to flaunt. Some of you might lose on both counts, so brace yourselves for the eventuality of weird suspecting and disgusted stares for the rest of your lives.
3. A V-Day card can be real cliché, if it doesn’t have some added flavour. If you make it all yourself – the card cutting, images, sketching, lettering, poems, et al -  maybe you can score with him/her. Don’t try the ‘khoon se likh raha hu, syaahi mat samjhna’ stunt, lest you end up in prison for stalking.
4. Go on a group date maybe, where there are equal number of boys and girls, and everyone goes around in pairs. He/she won’t suspect anything amiss, and maybe after you had a great time, you can let him/her know that you felt it from within. Make sure you don’t have dumb friends who keep giving you the ‘I know what’s going on’ and giggly look from time to time.
5. Go on an adventure sports trip in a group. Try to set yourself up with your sweets for a couple sport like sky-diving (how you ask? Go figure yourself, nothing in life comes served on a platter). In mid-flight, scream your lungs out into his/her ears about how you feel about him/her (you’ll need to scream, the air pressure on your ears while descending makes it hard to hear). Maybe the thrill of the moment, or pure delusion will make him/her ‘subscribe to your scheme’. Make sure you activate the primary and/or secondary parachute at the right time and altitude, lest you miss out on your date and other possible action.

So there you are, choose your option. Let's see if you lie to tell your tale.

For daring ideas on how to get closer to your crush this Valentine’s Day, visit http://cupidgames.closeup.in/

DABUR CHYAWANPRASH - A MOUTHFUL OF IMMUNITY

https://www.liveveda.com/dabur-chyawanprash/3x-immunity.aspx

There is nothing more endearing than the laughter of a child. Nothing sounds better than the cackling of little children, especially if they're your own. A healthy child is an active child, and an active child is always laughing and playing around.

So what happens, when your child becomes sick? Obviously, it's a time of lots of tears, crying, bawling, and a sight no parent would ever want to behold.

I have a son who's just over a year old. A really naughty kid, there's not a single moment that you can leave him unattended. He's always up to some kind of mischief - pulling things out of cupboards, pulling down the bed sheets, opening the kitchen drawers and pulling out utensils, dropping things on the floor, and much more. It sometimes gets on our nerves, because supervising him means leaving all other tasks on the back-burner.

When he falls sick, however, our hearts sink, because all of a sudden there's no giggling, no running around, no pulling of hair or clinging. We'd prefer a naughty kid over a dull one any day. Not to mention the fact that we're extremely anxious about his health whenever he falls ill. My kid falls ill quite regularly. Most of the time, it is cough and cold that puts him out of action. It probably has something to do with the Mumbai pollution or the extremes in weather that the city encounters. Whatever is the case, the home suddenly becomes a dull place.

Every single time he falls ill, we take him to a doctor. Some doctors will JUST NOT prescribe medications for a child, no matter how worse his/her condition becomes. And at the other end of the spectrum are doctors who are dangerously generous in prescribing medications, sometimes for very small things. I've been through both extremes, and worry for my child.

Ultimately, it all boils down to the child's immunity. If the child's immunity is given a boost, illnesses stay at bay for a good amount of time. Medications do the trick, but is it really safe to put your child in a condition where he/she will have to rely on medications for a lifetime. What if there was something natural, without side-effects and safe to boost your child's immunity?

The answer has to be Dabur Chyawanprash. Old-timers or elder will vouch for its health benefits. It is known to be a time-tested, age-old formulation. It encapsulates the power of an array of herbs and fruits. Some of its ingredients are Amla, which is a superior antioxidants and a major source of Vitamin C, Giloy (Guduchi), which is known to have immuno-modulatory properties, and 40 other natural ingredients. Dabur Chyawanprash's anti-oxidant properties helps to strengthen the body's immune system, thereby providing resistance to infections such as cough, cold, etc. It strengthens the body’s natural defence mechanism by stimulating the body's 'Natural Killer' cells, which assist in fighting with viruses and harmful bacteria. Scientific studies conducted on Dabur Chyawanprash seem to prove Dabur Chyawanprash's immunomodulatory and anti-allergic potential.

For those who are skeptical, Dabur Chyawanprash need not be used as a substitute for conventional medical care, but to complement the same. Being absolutely natural, there are no risks of an overdose, or side-effects. In layman terms, it can be used as a top-up to heathcare services. 

So adopt Dabur Chyawanprash in your daily life to keep illnesses at bay, especially for your child. Prevention is better than cure after all. 

For more information, visit https://www.liveveda.com/daburchyawanprash/

MAKING A QUIKR MOVE TO BANGALORE

http://homesindallasdfw.com/

Every person has different traits. Some of us are wanderers, who hate the idea of staying put in one place for a long time. On the other hand, some of us would not fancy the idea of relocating, even if our lives were at stake. I, for one, hate change. Maybe it is because I have a sense of attachment to things and places. I had a tough time moving out from my parents' place after marriage to settle with my wife in a different house, even though it was merely a five minute walk away.

This post though is about how Quikr can help me alleviate my relocating problems.

Let's assume a hypothetical situation where I need to relocate to Bangalore with my family, for a few years at least. Although Bangalore is a wonderful city to live in, home is home after all. So I would probably be living in a rented place.

Would I consider buying new stuff for the house? Probably not. I mean, maybe stuff like crockery could be purchased, but not things like furniture, certain electronic items like LCD TVs, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a wardrobe, an AC, etc. These things of daily use would burn a REALLY BIG hole in my pocket if I had to buy them fresh off the market, so it would probably be a better idea to buy them second-hand and save some hard-earned money, no? 'Easier said than done', right? Wrong. Quikr has a solution for such problems. And the best part? They have a separate forum on their website for the city of Bangalore. It's http://bangalore.quikr.com/

So this is what the homepage of the website looks like. I've marked out the sections I can use to find stuff I need.

http://bangalore.quikr.com/

Let's continue with the electronics & appliances section. Here's what you will get if you click that option.

http://bangalore.quikr.com/

So, as you can see, you get to choose from among a wide array of options - kitchen appliances, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, DVD players, cameras, inverters, UPS and generators, home theater systems, office equipment, even laptops and computers, name them and Quikr has them. In other words, they offer a platform for buying and selling everything that you might need, and more.

Another useful feature is the filtering options on the website, that make it simple for finding stuff. As you can see on the right side of the page, you can select the kind of appliance you are looking for from the drop down box. In the box below that, you can select the location, in case you don't want your deal to involve travelling to meet a seller who stays too far. The best part, you can key in your price range as per your budget. There is also a check-box that would enable you to get only those results which have images of the product, after all seeing is believing, right?

Once you are done specifying your requirements, you need not have to revisit the website for a follow up. his is because Quikr will make sure that you get mails directly in your mailbox in case there is a match. How cool! If some of such offers seem attractive to you, you can directly contact the person who has posted the ad via his email ID or contact number.

Why Quikr then? It's a no brainer. It helps you get in touch with prospective sellers without having to scan your contacts list of contacting brokers. It saves you hefty broker fees and ad costs.

The newly-launched Quikr Nxt mobile app lets you get in touch with sellers without divulging your phone number. Instead, you can chat using the website or mobile app, without revealing your number upfront. This helps in cutting out irritating prank calls and semi-interested time-wasters.

Apart from furniture and electronic items, the website also offers real estate, cars & bikes, mobiles & tablets, and home & lifestyle products. In case you decide to relocate for a really long time, it also offers information on education & learning, services, pets & pet care, community & events and entertainment. For bachelors, it also offers a matrimonial section.

In a nutshell, Quikr endeavours to provide to you all that can possibly be offered to make your relocation to a new city easy.

Absolutely No Fikarrr, When You Have Quikr!

The post is written for Indi-Happy Hours …It's just Quikr in Bangalore.

Visit the website now for more information. It's http://bangalore.quikr.com/

TILL DEATH DID THEM PART

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 50; the fiftieth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with ​Soulmates: Love without ownership by Vinit K Bansal. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

The sound of the police van sirens outside could be heard clearly. 'Maybe there were a dozen of them waiting outside', thought Frank to himself, 'or maybe more'. Very soon they'd all be free, unless the madman decided to take his own life and a few more as bonus. He clutched Vicky's hand a little tighter. She responded by digging her face into his chest.

Only an hour ago, the couple, in their late 20s, had stepped into the cafe - The Zorb - for a light evening bite. As usual, they had found the place teeming with humanity, but had managed to get hold of their favourite seats by the window by engaging in a barter with a group of college students. As usual, they held hands like teenagers, sipping their latte slowly and speaking softly to each other between sips. They had met each other two years ago as colleagues. Although they were currently working in different organisations, they had made sure that their offices were in the same building.

Frank had special plans for the day. It was the second anniversary of their relationship, and he wanted to make it extra special by popping the question. A diamond-studded ring lay cushioned in a small box and was safe in his pocket. He was gonna pull it out and do the needful, but this evening a crazy gunman had other plans. He had taken all patrons hostage and threatened to kill everyone until a dreaded terrorist that the government had in its custody was released.  

"I'm scared Frank", Vicky groaned, still buried in his chest.

Frank simply patted her head, unable to say anything. He was scared too. He wanted both of them to live together and start a family. But this dream seemed to be in danger of fading away with every passing minute. He grew anxious.

The gunman finally spoke up after a long time, "I think I'm gonna have to spill a little blood soon." He picked up his wireless phone and called up police headquarters, expecting to speak to the Commissioner once again.

"Hello. The gunman at Zorb here. Have you released him yet?"

"That's not gonna happen. Don't be silly. Cut out the drama and surrender", said the Commissioner. "We don't want trouble."

The gunman kept the device on the table without hanging up, and pulled out his gun. Then he simply walked towards a young student close by and shot her on the temple. Her lifeless body dropped down with a thud on the mezzanine floor, and everyone screamed in horror. Then the gunman picked up the phone again and simply yelled "ONE!" Then he hung up.

Vicky and Frank were both trembling now. The were overcome with a fear that they had never felt before - after all, life doesn't offer too many opportunities to take a whiff of the fear of death.

Outside, police activity seemed to have intensified. They could hear shots being fired and loud thuds - it seemed the police were about to storm the place.

The gunman, however, was defiant. "Who wants to go next?", he barked. Then without waiting for an answer, he pumped bullets into the college students at the table Frank had bartered. Frank and Vicky broke down wailing.

"EIGHT!" shouted the gunman, not minding the fact that the Commissioner wasn't listening anymore.

"Vicky", Frank whispered into her ear, "I wanted to propose marriage to you this evening...."

"Yes!", she accepted, crying, without  waiting for him to finish.

"I want you to know I love you from the bottom of my heart", he continued.

"I know sweetheart, I love you too", she sobbed.

The gunman spoiled their moment. "Lovebirds...how about you two this time?"

The couple hugged each other tight, awaiting their fate.

By the time the police could storm in, eighteen people had lost their lives, including Frank and Vicky. Vicky never got to see the diamond-studded ring. They never even had the chance for a last kiss. \ But survivors said that the couple were one in body and soul even when their lives were draining away.

Even without actually exchanging wedding vows, they had spent the rest of their lives together...TILL DEATH DID THEM PART.

As in life, they remained soulmates in death as well. 

The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Participation Count: 06

PRE-MARITAL SEX : MY OPINION

Everyone has a different opinion on sex. Most people, especially men, might look at it as mere sexual activity. Others, mostly women (or so they say) might define it as a bond between two people that love each other. The world over, more than 90% people admit to having had sex at least once before marriage. In many countries, marriage is not even a popular institution anymore.

In India, people still won't like to admit that they have had pre-marital sex. This is in spite of the fact that many might have actually indulged in it, or at least desired it. Hell, I can admit that I've desired if only I had an opportunity and a willing partner. 

We live in a very hypocritical society. Sex is all around us - in magazines, in the movies, television commercials, in movie soundtracks...many times even on the first pages of newspapers. Sex sells like hot cakes, whether discreetly or blatantly. Skin show is the norm everywhere. Sex is, after all, a part of human nature. But when it comes to speaking about it, most of us Indian will shy away. Of course, it's another matter when people make lifestyle choices and are firm about it - whether they choose to be sexually liberal or abstain. But many of us (including me) are bold only undercover, and extremely prude in the open.

Research shows men to have higher libido (not surprising, or is it?), while women are choosy about their sexual partners. Which means that men seek sex more easily than women do only because their bodies crave for it. In simple words, men are more likely to go for pre-marital sex, if they have the opportunity.

So is pre-marital sex good or bad? I wouldn't want to take a moral or a religious stance. In my opinion, everyone has the right to make his life's choices. But every person should also have the of the capability or the courage to bear the consequences of the choices they make. If you feel that you’re not ready for sex then that is completely fine. Likewise, if someone else wants to indulge, we can’t judge them (unless they're cheating). As long as you make your choices, be responsible, and don't hurt anyone, it's all fine. To each his own.

But I must say, sex after marriage (with your lawful spouse) might be devoid of thrill and adventure, but it sure guarantees you pleasure - both during the act and after, coz you can sleep peacefully without any guilt. :)

Buy Poonaam Uppal’s engrossing tale of finding love - A Passionaate Gospel of True Love: A Mystical True Love Story.

Cheers
CRD

THREE GENERATIONS, TWO PHOTOGRAPHS, ONE EMOTION

That's my dad in both photographs, 'toddler' me in one, and my son in the other. Only the year has changed, but my dad's love hasn't.

Dad was a strict disciplinarian and a terror (I kid not) while I was growing up. I sometimes envy my son when my dad treats him like royalty, but this picture makes me realise he hasn't changed. I guess love is timeless after all. :)

Cheers,

CRD

VACATIONING WITH A TODDLER

Source: www.dreamstime.com

The dictionary defines a vacation as ‘a period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation. Sounds simple, no? Parents of one-year olds, however, will know better. Imagine planning a vacation with plans for travel, accommodation, meals and sightseeing, without factoring in activities like changing diapers, feeding, bathing and managing tantrums. Sounds a little more complicated now, nay?

Till recently, I was not too enthusiastic about a family vacation with a small boy in tow. After all, a vacation should be something that you cherish for a lifetime, and you should preserve the memories. How on earth is a one-year old kid going to appreciate a vacation anyway? A family vacation can sometimes feel like no vacation at all for parents, what with all the chasing after kids that needs to be done. A few interactions with friends, however, changed this view. ‘Why should you let your child eat into your leisure time?’ they opined, ‘…you can have fun and make it fun for him too, so what if he won’t remember?’ That made a lot of sense. I might soon plan a vacation.

There are a few things I will have to take care of though, when it comes to vacationing with a small kid. Here is what I intend to do/take care of:-

1. Safety - Safety ought to be the number one priority when it comes to going on a vacation with a small kid. It is very easy, while having fun and letting your hair down, to let down your guard and take your eyes off your kid. Small kids are very curious, and might unintentionally step into trouble. So you always need to be alert.
2. Make sure you factor in child care necessities into your itinerary – So whether it is nappy change time, or feeding time, or just plain tantrum addressing, please be prepared with a decent time-table that would help you beat sudden shocks and surprises, and a whole lot of frustration.
3. Babysitting – If it is feasible, see if you can find a hotel with baby-sitting services or a crèche. It would be great to tag the babysitter along on your vacation. Although it is not such a feasible idea, you could try hiring a temporary babysitter for the trip.
4. A little twist to have some privacy – Booking a room with an attached balcony can be a good idea to get some privacy while the kid is asleep. Just be careful about the kid’s safety in the balcony.
5. The family that vacations together – Taking parents and in-laws along on a vacation is a wonderful idea. Firstly, the more the merrier. Secondly, family members make good and trustworthy caretakers for a child.

So, there you are. Let the kids indulge in all the fun activities, let them soak up the sun, let them have a great time. All this while being safe. They might not remember a thing, but hey, you can click photographs for them to see when they grow a little older. The important thing is you can enjoy yourselves without feeling guilty or worried about their well-being.

It’s time for me to look up a good holiday destination.

Visit http://membership.clubmahindra.com/TeddyTravelogues/index.html to Discover Travel Like Never Before.

SOCIO-PHOBIA

Source: www.anxietywellness.org

Once upon a time, long long ago, Aristotle had said, 'Man (and woman) is a social animal. He can not live without society. If he does, he is either a beast, or God.'

Indeed, humans cannot live in solitude. They need family, friends, their social circles, a good work environment, and society at large. Without the concept of society, we humans would have been no better than wild animals, there would have been no social skills, no learnings, no knowledge sharing, no display of caring...no humanity. Man has learnt to develop relations with other men and women, not just for his own emotional, mental and physical needs, but also for sheer survival. To forge such relationships, he makes an effort to mingle with all social circles.

And yet, there are some people who absolutely avoid situations that require them to be in a crowd.

I was always a shy guy. I simply hated being amidst a group of people unless I knew at least two or three people who could keep me company. Till date, I avoid attending parties. Somehow, The fear of embarrassing myself or looking clumsy was so intense that I would try my best to excuse myself from social gatherings. The fear of not measuring up in comparison to others and of being judged, although they might seem irrational to an average person, are very real for some people, meaning that they can’t help but feel anxious.

Public speaking was something I always abhored. Fortunately for me, through school and college days, I did not encounter too many occasions where I had to speak to a crowd. To walk through hordes of humanity, stand up and face them, and then speak to them while they were all ears - that thought freaked me out. "Are they actually listening to me or are they simply waiting for me to fumble and give them some entertainment?", "Why are they staring at me? Am I a freak?"...thoughts like these flooded my head on the few occasions that I absolutely HAD to speak. It was still ok then though, since till then I managed to keep them short and sweet. But the fact that life's moments were about to get even more anxious in the future didn't dawn upon me till the time I enrolled myself for a management course.

"I'd like each of you to stand up and introduce yourselves properly. Not just your name and qualifications, a little bit about your hobbies, interests and future aspirations too.", our Institute's Director said on the very first day. To say I was stunned is an understatement. My sweaty palms and forehead made me more anxious than I already was.

I simply lost count of the number of times we were forced to speak. Debates, presentations, speeches happened on a daily basis. Although I absolutely sucked at public speaking, I think the sheer number of speaking encounters got me used to the grind. Also, since not many people ridiculed me, and many in fact tried to help me through it, I slowly gained confidence. I also discovered a few people like me and realised I was not alone. Today, although  I still have sweaty palms, I do manage to muster up some courage to speak, and I do a decent job. I can only get better.

The important thing is that my mission to combat my fear is on,and I'm at it.

Here's a Tamil video showing how Mountain Dew suggests you combat fear.

This post is written as an entry for the 'Rise above Fear' contest sponsored by Mountain Dew and Indiblogger. Check out the page https://www.facebook.com/mountaindewindia