Musings By Ektaa

In these days of chaos keeping the mind calm can be a daunting task. A ‘Zen’ way of living would mean trying to achieve calmness of the mind with the help of a few practices. First of all, whatever a person is doing, he has to do with ‘mindfulness’ which means being completely involved in the activity. If you’re eating, eat with full mindfulness. Chew your food well and avoid eating while watching a show or surfing the net. Keep your mind on the ‘present’ rather than the past or the future. The past is history and the future is a mystery, hence live in the ‘now’ Meditation is another important tool to lead a ‘Zen’ way of life. An early start to the day, with music playing in the background or the chirping of birds can instantly have a calming effect on the mind. Letting ‘gratitude’ be your guiding force is another way to lead a ‘Zen’ life. Be grateful about what is good in your life and accepting of that which is not. Smile at people, and it will come bac...

So what are you yearning for right now?  Walking bare foot on the beach?  Eating Pani Puri at a roadside stall?  Having coffee with your best friend?  Or hugging your sibling? The heart is yearning right now, because it is so deprived. The simple pleasures, right now seem like distant dreams.  We humans are social beings. And the call of the day is ‘social distancing’ so the yearning is bound to be there. Yet, one has to exercise restraint, think of the bigger picture, and wait for the situation to improve. Meanwhile, satisfy your yearning with a video call, a message and a promise to stay connected. Ciao!!

How often have we looked at a person admiringly and said that he/she has the X-factor? This is the inexplicable quality that sets a person apart from the others. That one quality that makes him/her a star. The X-factor has been defined as ‘a noteworthy special talent or quality.’ Or a variable in a given situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome. Very often, as soon as a person enters a room, he/she draws the attention of everyone present. It is as if the person has some magnetic pull that draws people. It may not be necessary that a person has to be extremely attractive physically to have the X factor, although many times that could be one of the reasons. Even an average looking person may sometimes have the much desired qualities like openness, warmth and vivacity that they convey through their body language, tone and gestures. This person may then be said to have the X-factor. The word X-factor originated in the U.K. and then went on to ...

Your wardrobe speaks volumes about you. Your clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, all come together to create your wardrobe. So how can you make it a well- balanced one? To begin with, your wardrobe should have pieces that complement your body shape. Your clothes should be designed in such a way that they highlight your strengths and camouflage your weaknesses. Same goes for choosing your accessories. A woman with a round face should not wear hoops, as they will further reinforce the roundness of her face. She should in fact wear long earrings that counter the roundness and give her a sleek look. The same rule applies to for sunglasses. One should always keep in mind the shape of the face while choosing a pair of sunglasses; else the best pair will also not look good. The size of the bag you use should also be in proportion your body. A petite woman for instance would get consumed if she carried an oversized tote, while a tall and broad shouldered woman would n...

A vibe or vibration has been defined as ‘a distinctive emotional aura experienced instinctively’. Basically it is an inexplicable feeling that one gets when one meets someone or enters a place. Very often we hear people say that they vibe well with one friend and not so well with another. Sometimes we may even meet a stranger and get drawn to his/her positive vibe or aura. In turbulent times like these, it is essential to keep our vibe positive. So how does one do that? Keeping one’s mind calm is the first step to spreading positivity. What we have is what we will impart. When the mind is in a state of calm, the vibe transmitted to others around will also be positive. A jittery person keeps everyone around him on edge. A person with a negative attitude too will make others uncomfortable with his critical words and gestures. A person’s demeanor gives out his vibe. A warm smile can be one of the biggest ice breakers and can put the other person instantly at eas...

Unplug yourself from the world around, Rest, breathe, and rejuvenate. In these turbulent times, Meet your inner mate. Read an empowering book, Introspect while you read, Tune in to some soothing music, Rather than that scary news feed. Look at the beautiful blue sky, Hear the chirping of a bird on a tree, From the fear that is clutching your mind, Set yourself free. Let the mind meander to far off lands, That in the past you may have seen, Call some friends and let them know, To connect with them you’re keen. Family time is the way to go, Sit together and enjoy a simple meal, With small gestures let them know, The extent of what you feel. Let gratitude and generosity, Be your guiding force, Unplug yourself even if for a bit, Let go of life’s woes.