A thank you note. Or maybe not.

I have been an introvert all my life. It's a very recent occurence that I have changed. For the better or worse, I still have no idea. But no matter how much I change, what will always be very important to me is friendship.

Friendship for me isn't sitting with a cup of hot coffee in my hand bitching about all the people I don't like with the people I do like. It's much deeper. 

I must say that I don't like more than half the people I'm friends with. They are superficial b*tches and dogs.  I really feel like typing down their names but I also don't want to get into more trouble than I'm already in, so I won't.

It's not that I hate them. I do like certain things about them. They automatically become my drug when I'm low. But they also complain. So news for them: I don't need your freakin' help.  I have always been a loner and I'll be glad if you walk out of my life.

But to those people who HAVE been there with me through thick and thin, a big thank you. If it weren't for you guys, I would not have had the courage to show the world who I truly am. Thank you Pritish, Prachi, Pallavi, Rimjhim, Srishti, Varun and Kashish. And to my new college friends Pragya, Vyoma and Aditi, welcome to my life! Thank you for putting up with me till now.  I'm trying very hard to be less of a burden on all you guys.

And to the rest of my so-called friends, you all can just f*ck off.  I don't care. Because you people have changed me. So don't go blaming me if I'm not trying hard enough to stay in touch or if I'm fighting with you so much. The truth is that I don't like you. I thought you all were different. But if you want to show me nothing but attitude, this is what you'll get in the end.

Call me evil, diabolical, weird, cranky, or whatever you want but never call me a bad friend.

Is Non-violence relevant in the 21st century?

The name Mahatma Gandhi is instantly associated with "non-violence". He preached the principle of turning the other cheek when slapped. But in today's corrupt, fast-paced and aggressive world, will an impulsive individual take this decision?
Generation X. A generation brimming with hopeful and determined youth. A generation full of anxious individuals waiting with bated breath to get their hands on success. Gandhigiri might be a tempting option to remain out of trouble, but for them, it might mean pure cowardice! But Gen-X is not one to back down from a challenge.But is non-violence really the solution to all our problems? I think not.
Looking back at our freedom struggle, which was largely non-violent, we also remember martyrs like Bhagat Singh who wielded their guns and showed the British that we are not just men of words. Without them, the independence struggle would not have been as successful. It would not have the power to influence the youth of today.
The last protest that we saw on our television sets was the "Save Tibet" demonstration. We saw that the protestors used non-violent methods to get their points across. But then, we also saw policemen with batons using force on the harmless agitators. If protestors are condemned on using violence, then why is the government always ready to show us who's boss?
The only reason wars erupt between countries is that when one country attacks the other, the other does not sit around and watch the fireworks. They load their guns, arm their tanks and get ready for battle! They fight and defend their motherland. Because, actions speak louder than words.
Let us take an example. If your dear one was being beaten up in a fit of rage by someone, would you shout slogans and keep fasts and pray that the man stops? Would you try to talk sense with that person, who is so busy aiming his fists at the right places that he won't notice you anyway? Or would you fight?
Something to think about, really...

Me, myself and her

In the past, I knew I was different,
Set apart from the rest.
I just couldn't fit in somehow,
Lacked confidence and zest.

I looked in the mirror at my reflection,
But someone else stood there staring.
Her eyes filled with unanswered questions,
Her gaze, unwavering.

For once in my life, I had the courage,
To look her in the eye and face my fears.
I shattered that illusion,
Because things aren't always like they appear.

That illusion was how people thought i was,
A person who was nothing like the real me.
Instead, it was a person as superficial as they themselves,
A girl who they wanted me to be.

I held my head up high in triumph,
For me, The world stood defeated.
But their words kept echoing in my head,
I was still the one they doubted.

Then I closed my ears and shut my eyes,
My belief in myself grew stronger.
I could not see them or hear their jeers,
And I cared for the world no longer.