About Me

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Archana Kapoor Nagpal is an internationally published author of four books. She often participates in the short story competitions, and her winning stories are now part of international anthologies. She has seen her short stories, poems and Haiku published in other anthologies as well She has also been actively involved in the editing, proofreading and book designing of various anthologies. You can read more about her writing career at the below link: https://www.facebook.com/archanaknagpal/

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Love is Just Love!


I posted this poem last year on my blog. I wanted to end this week with a true love story or a poem worth to celebrate last day of the month of ‘Love’. I read many poems by famous authors but I do not know there is something about this poem that I felt to re-blog it. It completes the definition of ‘Love’ in all terms. It completes the fact that ‘Love’ is ‘Immortal’. I salute all such people who experienced ‘Love’ in this way.



Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose.
And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows.
The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine," like all the years before.



Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year, than last year on this day."
"My love for you will always grow, with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear.



She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away.
He always liked to do things early, way before the time.
Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine.



She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face.
She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture, and the roses sitting there.



A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate.
Then, the very hour, as on Valentines before,
The doorbell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door



She brought the roses in, and then just looked at them in shock.
Then, went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop.
The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain?



"I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call, and you would want to know."
"The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance."
"Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance."



"There is a standing order, that I have on file down here,
And he has paid, well in advance, you'll get them every year.
There also is another thing, that I think you should know,
He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago."



"Then, should ever, I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card...that should be sent, to you the following year."
She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card.



Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote...
"Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome."



"I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real.
For if it was the other way, I know how I would feel.
The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life.
I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife."



"You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve.
I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses will be sent to you for years."



"When you get these roses, think of all the happiness,
That we had together, and how both of us were blessed.
I have always loved you and I know I always will.
But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still."



"Please...try to find happiness, while living out your days.
I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways.
The roses will come every year, and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock."



"He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt,
To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him,
And place the roses where we are, together once again."

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Raabta: Khuda ne iss jahaan mein !!

Month of love is about to end. Though there is no end to love and there is no month that defines love but still February is a way to celebrate love. 
 
Are you still waiting for your Mr Right or Ms Right...lol?
Well, someone somewhere is made for everyone!

Few lovely lines (lyrics of the song ‘Raabta’) to beautifully celebrate almost the last day of month of Love though this is a leap year so we have one more dayJ

Kehte hain:
Khuda ne iss jahaan mein
Sabhi ke liye kisi na kisi ko hai banaaya
Har kisi ke liye
Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishaara
Maano mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye

Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Kaise hum jaane, hume kya pata
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Tu humsafar hai, phir kya fikar hai
Jeene ki wajah hi yehi marna issi ke liye
Kehte hain:
Khuda ne iss jahaan mein
Sabhi ke liye kisi na kisi ko hai banaaya
Har kisi ke liye

hmm Meharbaani jaate-jaate mujh pe kar gaya
Guzarta saa lamha ek daaman bhar gaya
Tere nazaara mila, roshan sitaara mila
Taqdeer ki kashtiyon ko kinara mila
Sadiyon se tarse hai jaisi zindagi ke liye
Teri saubat mein duaayein hain ussi ke liye
Tere milna hai uss rab ka ishaara
Maano mujhko banaya tere hi jaise kisi ke liye
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Kaise hum jaane hume kya pata
Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta

Tu humsafar hai, phir kya fiqar hai
Jeene ki wajah hi yehi marna issi ke liye
Kehte hain:
Khuda ne iss jahaan mein
Sabhi ke liye kisi na kisi ko hai banaaya
Har kisi ke liye
Celebrate Love:)

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Ali Zafar...Love his voice!!


Ali Zafar and Ali Zafar...I am very fond of Ali Zafar. I love his voice and no doubts he is cute (like any next door boy)J

I am waiting for his latest release – something – London, Paris and New York.................

One song that I really like and would love to blog as link below:


So just listen and enjoy. You can also listen to acoustic version as (honestly, this is better and he is too good with his guitar...I am almost deadJ):

Cheers!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Conversation between one of our devotee of AOL & Guruji.

I am sure my friends who follow Guruji would love to read this conversation. This conversation gives me hope that what all happened in the past and what all that is destined to happen has a good reason behind it.

I always feel that if things would not have happened that way that time, life might have been much tough. God and Guruji know how to protect us!

This is a million dollar conversation for me and it might open eyes of many readers that do not regret of what happens as there is a reason indeed a good reason behind it!

Below is a conversation between one of our devotee of AOL & Guruji.

Me: Guruji, can I ask You a question?
Guruji: Sure
Me: Promise You won't get mad ?
Guruji: I promise
Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
Guruji: What do u mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late
Guruji: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start
Guruji: Okay
Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait
Guruji: Huummm
Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call
Guruji: All right
Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?
Guruji: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that
Me (humbled): OH
Guruji: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)
Guruji: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me (embarrassed):Okay
Guruji: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.
Me (softly): I see
Guruji: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I'm Sorry Guruji
Guruji: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good & the bad... And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.
Me: I won't Guruji. And let me just tell you Guruji, Thank You for Everything today.

Guruji: You're welcome . It was just another day being your Guruji and I Love looking after My Children. Jus hav faith.. I am always takin care o f u !!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

A Call Centre Executive - I Enjoyed Talking To Him!

Have you ever realised that a call in a day can make you feel so happy.

Summers have approached and the rising mercury is making lives difficult in Hyderabad. It has been 35 degrees for last 3 days and it is a big ‘No’ to travel in my favourite...tuktuks....

So I am left with cabs....

The interesting part is whenever I dial the number, I am connected to the same Call Centre Executive. Out of 8 days, 5 times the same executive answered my call. The usual fact to identify him is the way he starts – Good Morning ‘ABC Cabs’. How can I help you? (He says all this in one breathe that too singing like a bird...Goooood Mornnnnnnnnnnnnning ...lol)

Today, when I called the same guy answered my call and before I could tell the timings he was

“You want to travel from Destination A to Destination B at 3 PM). Your number %%%%%% as flashed on my screen. The tariff is .....”

I interrupted him – “No, I want at 4 PM and I want to travel to Destination Changed. BTW, I know the tariffs.”

He said very politely – “I have to tell the tariffs as a part of my job.”

All I could say, ‘I appreciate your job’

Before he confirms the cab, “Anything else I can do for you”

I was so bitchy to tell “Yeah, a diet coke, a veggie burger and not to forget extra cheese”

He just could not stop laughing as he tells me,

“You made my day. But I have two things for you as of now. You have a nice voice and Thank You for such a good start of my boring day”.

I was like – ‘Good Day’.

After the call ended, I realised that it is such a boring thing to answer calls sitting at a chair and so many times customers could be rude. I faced that situation once and that day I decided we should respect every job. The customer executives who call us for insurance, promotional stuffs are just doing their jobs. We can say a ‘No’ politely. I have seen people yelling like ‘take my name out of database’...blah blah....

Come on just respect their job and say ‘No’ politely without being violent.

A call can make someone’s day a good day.....

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A 'GOOD' Goodbye - Month of Love!

Facebook is the most interesting thing that happened to me. It taught me a lot. For many it might be a social networking when it comes to FB but for me it is like a familyJ

I met some of my old friends and some strangers who changed the directions of my thought process. My chat window is always disabled as if I appear online, I will never get time to blog or write. There are instances where I had to chat with 7 people in 7 different windows. That day, I decided better be offineJ.

But there was one thing, I love the most about FB – it adds to your learning on daily basis. Again it depends upon your attitude and desire to learn. I practice belly dancing just using videos as I want to learn it. I have met people who learn so many things without joining any class or university as they have that desire to learn and grow in life. I salute such people!

I read a very nice quote on FB that made me feel so good. It was very touching to read it and I could relate to it.

“The most painful goodbyes are the ones that are never said and never explained”.

I always tell my sister Sheena that the worst ending of any relationship is when people forget to say a ‘GOOD’ goodbye out of ego, shame or mental blocks. But when years pass and time flies, when they look back the very first thing that triggers the mind is – ‘I wish we could have ended it much more gracefully’ or ‘could have said a ‘goodbye’?

All those lovely people who are reading this post might be able to recall one such instance where you feel that you could have said – a GOOD goodbye. It would have saved the relationship or the person moving out of your life would remember you for good not with bitter memories. At the same time some of you might remember that he or she left without saying even a ‘goodbye’.

I know and I feel it is hard to accept losing people in life. Who knows better than me but it is much harder to lose or end a relationship without a ‘GOOD’ goodbye. You need to be strong to make the other person leave happily if you really respect relationships. You might be hurt when a relationship ends but what makes you happy is the grace with which you ended.

This is month of love, right?

Breakups will happen and you will move on and one should! But just pause and say a ‘Good’ Goodbye and I wish you luck before you move on. I am writing this with experience as I did that and I was not told any ‘Good’ goodbyes in return. But no offences meant as I did my partJ

So...what are waiting for, just scrap – Good Bye! And you will be happy!

CheerioJ

Monday, February 20, 2012

What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School by Mark McCormack

What am I reading these days?

Life is back to normal and all activities are resumed. Back to work and full fledge writing.
I am reading something very interesting these days - What They Don't Teach You At Harvard Business School by Mark McCormack.

My husband gifted this book to me and I am happy that he thought gift me a book. I always wanted him to gift me something of my choice.
I am almost done with this one and I like many things about this book. The practical approach of handling situations at workplace can be equally applied to personal lives as well.

When I was reading the case studies discussed in the book, my perspective revolved more around applying the principles in personal life rather than professional life.
I believe if your personal life is happy you will do professionally well. Though the book is more for professionals but it gave me pretty good insight to handle adverse situations in my personal life.
Grab a copy if you have not read this book. I have kept it in my home library as I could relate to the author and his writings.
Happy Reading!