the "broken" cup

Words and its meaning have evolved over the course of time and the process still continues. For instance, "gay" is not "exactly" what it usually used to be; "excited" could drag the conversation into an entirely "forbidden" direction; "hot" is no longer about the weather only. Conversations move around innuendos and subtle suggestions of an "unintended" meaning. Words while understood perfectly in a conversation, can also be twisted and a "hidden but perfectly understood" dialogue run parallel to it. Unfortunately, sometimes, this "hidden conversation" seems to be more "exciting" than the normal one. Do words have an inherent meaning or are they infused with meaning? Just a lay thought, it seems to work both ways. However, we seem to "infuse" it with meaning so much so that a word that perfectly stood for something before can now stand for quite the other. If words could once be use...

Someone said "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” Over the years we have all made friendships. Some are going on strong, some are out there somewhere, hardly in touch, some are probably forgotten (hopefully by both parties!!). How do you define a friend? I struggle to categorize people in my phone especially when I have a group called friends? Who gets to fit into that category in my phone list? Are those casual acquaintances (probably met them on one or two occasions, chit chatted a bit) friends or are they still strangers? Who are friends? I think that's one question we could answer based on how we define the term "friend." Irrespective of how we define who "friends" are, the maintaining of that special bond requires mutual efforts. Friendship begins when "likeness" in the other is recognized - C.S Lewis said “Friendship is born at that moment when one person...

          So the other day these people came to carry out some "medical" tests. Small tests to ensure that everyone's safe. It involved a small prick and a small sample of blood taken. Not the end of the world considering that it did not require anything major or even a small incision. Just a quick prick and it was done. But for some that prick meant their "whole world" had come down.            Some put up a brave face with a thumping heart, others went through it with grace as if it were a daily affair. The "interesting lot" however neither had the brave faces to put up, much less the grace. They were the ones that got the all attention from the others.            This lot came and sat down, looked about nervously, a little unsure of the ordeal they would have to go through. Imagination at its best they dreaded that small prick that would be delivered. As they watched the preparation, they probabl...

            The other day I walked into a store to get me a pair of thermal wears. Nothing fancy, just looking for a decent a pair to keep warm in the cold. The storekeeper struck up a conversation and laid out all the available options. I politely declined the choices because you see I already had something in mind. “Aren’t you buying it for yourself?” he asked. “No, it’s for a friend,” I lied.           Without missing a beat, “We have something cheaper” he hinted. “Thank you, it’s alright,” I said and took leave.          As I walked along the street I wondered “Now why would he comment ‘we have something cheaper’ at my lie?” It did not really imply that I was being cheap, not really directly. But it did reflect a hint of that popular perception –“the best for me, the next for my friend.” No wonder maybe that’s why when gifts are given and received, the joy is missing. This not to chide all, ...