Morning story...its not like the bed time stories at all!!!

Trrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnggggggggggg!!!! Goes my alarm! With my eyes closed and knowing where the noise is coming from, my hand automatically goes to the snooze button. The scene repeats three to four times (and hence i purposely keep the alarm half hour early to my scheduled time).

My voluntary muscles start doing the routine involuntarily. I put on my tracks and shoes, take my mobile, observe the time and here i go Left Right Left Right with my eyes half closed. However it opens with the barking of the dog at the milkman and the school vanwalas beeping to pick up all the battons (children) and reach the finish line (school) in time.

I can see a few uncles with their pot-shaped bellies trying hard to roll down. Some aunties in their gowns, hair scattered going to the doodhwala to fight why he didnt stop at the gate for a few seconds? While some rich fat ladies fitted in their tracks and tshirts (all adoring adidas, nike, reebok tags) hoofing like a steam engine, with a determination to slim down before attending Mrs. Chada's daughter's wedding.

Walking past all this hustle bustle, I reach my favourite lane which is serene and quiet. On one side are magnificent bungalows with beautifully architectured designs and a lovely garden in front of each bungalow. I still dont know who lives in those beautiful mansions, because i never see any resident. All i can see is the servants cleaning the cars or the garden. With peacocks crossing the roads and flying over the roofs of these bungalows, and the smell of flowers from each garden, the cool breeze and the chirping of the birds; its just the perfect morning I wish for.

And then there is a small church, which looks more like an abandoned place. Its only once that i saw an old lady in her frock lighting the candles before Mother Mary. Sometimes I take a few moments and sit in front of the picture and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, which I miss the rest of the day.

Jogging ahead I reach an artificial lake, which is a multi purpose lake. In the morning its a jogging place around the lake, in afternoon its a place for collegians to spend time, in evening its time for the old people to have a chit-chat, also for kids to play at the park and enjoy the rides, and then at night its for those love birds who are tabooed to meet during the day light. So at this lake, while others are exercising, or jogging, or doing yoga, or breathing exercise; I just sit on the stairs of the lake and observe the tranquility of water. This is the best time for me to plan out my day. I know some people observe me daily doing nothing and wondering why does she come here when she doesnt want to exercise??? hehe...but who cares...i am too lazy to exercise after the walk to the lake and plus i want to save my energy to go back home too...

On my way back home, I see a man standing with a few calfs and heaps of hay to be feeded to them. Its his business to feed these cows only when some one pays to do so...hmm...thats sad. By the time I return back home, the sun has risen enough to take away that soothing cool breeze around. So I rush back home to have my morning tea with the newspaper waiting for me.

Stress??? Whats that???

Stress...stress...stress...today everyone is complaining of having stress.

It may be because of work, or unsuccessful married or love life, or family fights, or may be unhappy for not being able to do what you really want to do. Why has the degree of stress increased tremendously? Or was it the same a few years ago too??? Or is it that since now we have grown up, we understand what is stress? Did our parents go through the same phase in their times too???

My purpose of writing this post is to ponder upon ways that we can seek to as stressbusters.

1. Love your self - Keep your body fit. Go to a gym, dance, aerobics, yoga, morning walks, beauty parlours (y not men too? caring for your body is important irrespective to your sex).

2. Do a generous act - Feed a hungry child; offer lift to an old lady; join an NGO where you can engage your self every Sunday; donate clothes, books, toys at orphans; sponsor a lunch/dinner at old age homes and make sure you personally serve them; teach poor kids (it may be a kid of your servant coming at home too...you dont always have to get out of your comfort level to help someone).

3. Surround yourself with kid(s) - a child's smile is so relaxing. Trust me...you will forget all your worries. A child's smile is so innocent, pure and beautiful that you will reciprocate the child in the same way. No matter how sad are you or how worried are you, but if a child smiles at you, you will definately forget your worries for a moment and smile back to the child. though you know that the child is never going to complain if you dont do so...

4. Smile - Have you ever tried looking yourself in front of the mirror and smile? try it when you are feeling extremely low. Its scientifically proven that a smile generates chemicals in your mind that makes you feel happy and relaxed. Similarly a frown on face can make you feel irritated and angry. So next time you are really angry or sad, make sure you smile at yourself or even at a stranger.

Ofcourse there are other ways too. As men have a very good reason to smoke and drink. For them this is the best stress buster...Well thats just an another excuse...

You may share your ideas for relieving stress... However stress is all in your mind. If you know how to tame your emotions, you can control stress....Stress??? Whats that???