Chiropractic Care

Have you heard of a chiropractor? You may not have, if you are in India. But if you are residing anywhere in the U.S, Canada, or even Australia - you may well be under chiropractic care already.

The concept was new to me and I learned about this discipline of noninvasive medical care only in January this year. I researched and read up more and was intrigued by this new perspective to healthcare.

In simple terms, a chiropractor is a doctor who has completed 'chiropractic school' just like an MD has completed MBBS. Chiropractors believe in natural healing and embrace the chiropractic philosophy which states that the human body is all powerful. Our body has the ability to heal itself naturally, without medication or surgery. Whenever there is a disruption in our nerve system, the natural functioning of the body is affected. Chiropractic care helps the body to gain back the momentum and perform at its optimal best. It changes your lifestyle, helps you imbibe healthy dietary habits, encourages you to maintain a daily fitness regime, and focuses on wellness for longer. 

India is not new to chiropractic though. Since time immemorial, we have had natural healing with ayurvedic, fitness through physiotherapy and treatment through homeopathy. Chiropractic is similar to all these disciplines. 

Chiropractors use different 'adjustment techniques' to heal patients -which gives them quick relief from spinal and nerve disorders, chronic ailments and longstanding mobility issues. Chiropractors don't claim to 'cure'. They make the body active by removing the obstacles that are interfering with the normal functioning of the body. The way our brain operates and how our nerve system keeps us going is great to know a chiropractor's perspective. 

Most patients go to chiropractors after they have tried every other medical doctor, surgeon, orthopedic etc. But ideally, chiropractic would be a better first choice. If naturally, our body can get relief from pain, why would we need medicines? Though chiropractic doesn't have an answer to everything and medical help is needed during emergencies, there is no harm in giving it a try. Sportsmen, children, pregnant mothers, people with desk jobs, senior citizens, and people with chronic disorders benefit immensely from chiropractic care.

I hope that in the near future, chiropractic gains popularity in India too.
 

The World Cup frenzy!

The football fever is crazy! Okay I understand that we don't have a World Cup every year, but the frenzy is inexplicable. I get all the more surprised because India is not even part of the tournament! If this was cricket, I would sit glued to the TV for hours together because India plays a huge role there, specially being the world cup champions.

Coming back to football, there is no point in me trying to argue with lovers of the game on this. I don't understand the game nor have ever made any attempt to. I find it quite boring to see 22 people running after 1 football for 90 minutes or more! Unless there is a goal, there's nothing exciting about the game! In cricket, there are 4s, 6s, wickets, different ways to get out, different bowling techniques, batting styles etc which I like. But I fail to be able to watch a football match for more than 15 minutes. And I don't think I'll do any better in the next world cup.

The only reason I may watch the game for few minutes is due to some of the players - Messi being the favorite. 

Today, most people I know, regardless of their age, sex, city of residence, or sports orientation are going crazy about the world cup. Those in service are returning home early, taking a quick nap after dinner and waking up dot on time to support their favorite nation - mostly Brazil and Argentina. 

Even though I cannot relate to it or enjoy it, I deeply appreciate the passion of the people for this game. Also, I hope we always stay this way in India - we love what we love and stand by it, no matter what.


Cheers!

Freedom :)

Freedom means different things to different people. But nothing beats the freedom to dream! We are free to let our minds fly anywhere and dream. Just as realizing a long cherished dream is gratifying, so is the freedom to dream. It gives me a sense of "Ah, I can breathe freely".

The freedom to write everyday on my blog, the freedom to choose any font randomly, the freedom to choose what you want to write on, and the freedom to decide when - enough reasons to make me happy :).

Often the happiness that comes with freedom is ephemeral because freedom itself is short-lived. We don't realize when freedom turns into responsibility that we willingly embrace.

I feel that freedom and responsibility make a great couple. When you enjoy your freedom but also achieve your dream using it as a weapon, life is bliss.

Getting Social

Are you getting social?  
Today everyone just wants to get social - however, with whoever, whenever and wherever. Any reason is reason enough or most of the times, reason is not required. We use hashtags on almost every possible topic we write or comment on, when online. Whether in office or college, we expect people to 'get social'. These days even school children need to 'get social'. In fact, even animals are not spared. They are also expected to follow suit, under the able guidance of their social parents. Even filmstars, politicians, sportstars, artists, and religious leaders - all are in a race to 'get social'. The urban youth is perhaps leading the race by virtue of accessibility to information, technology knowledge and interest to stay connected.

How are we socializing?
Oh, come on! We all know that. Over the internet, social networking sites, instant messengers, voice chats, video chats, and more.

Why we love it?
Ah, when a friend of mine was vacationing in Goa, he was thrilled that each time he 'checked in' to a new beach, he got over 20 'likes'. When he shared a photo at his favorite restaurant, the likes and comments even crossed 100. What's more, he got at least 7-8 new friend requests after he posted his profile picture on a popular social networking site. He was posing on a water scooter and had his new sunglasses on, which he specially bought for his online friends to admire! Each day he returned to the hotel a bit early as he needed to upload fresh pictures. Since the wi-fi was slow near the beach, he couldn't post all the pictures from his cell phone! How frustrating! Such a wonderful opportunity to get social - wasted, I thought ;). When I asked who he was traveling with, he mentioned his family. His wife also loved the virtual world. Since the kid is just 4, they would often keep him busy with their tablets or phones. Thank god for online games! So, the child didn't play on the beach, I wondered! 'Are you kidding me?' he replied. 'My kid hates dirt and we are happy he doesnt create a mess with the sand and stuff!'. 

Socializing
The interaction with this friend and several others often leave me confused. There are times that I don't visit any social networking site. I hate it when a social site reminds me to wish someone on their birthday! I don't even want the list - I know whom to wish and call up. Why should I wish someone who lived in my neighborhood for 18 years but we never spoke? Why should I even befriend him/her on a social networking site? When I am on a holiday - YES, I am on a holiday. If I do not 'check in' every 2 hours at every mall or eating joint I visit, if I don't use a 'hashtag' to express my emotions, am I unsocial? I talk to my family and close friends every day, even if they reside in a different city or country. Some of the people closest to me are not even on my social network 'online'. Or even if they are, they are the most 'unsocial' there.

Loving the virtual world.
We all love good pictures, good reviews, comments on our posts (that includes blogs!). I too love it all -- the colorful and vibrant virtual world around me. Like many others, I am enthusiastic about digital communication, collaboration and partnerships. But I don't understand what it has got to do with me being social! If I don't have my profile updated on a job site, you can call me 'technologically slow'. But certainly not unsocial. If I don't chat with you online but prefer to read a book or play badminton instead, you can call me 'ancient' but not unsocial. Besides, at that time, you are anyway busy multi-chatting and copy pasting similar responses to the others.

Finally...
I think it's time for all of us to 'get social'. By that I mean - spending time with people who matter, enrolling for that long pending 'zumba' or 'foreign language' class, hanging out with friends, laughing our hearts out, physically visiting a charity or animal welfare NGO. Get social real-time. Don't fiddle with your phone when you are out on a date or visiting your parents for dinner after a week! The senior citizens, especially in India silently bear the unsocial behavior of their 'virtually social' children, everyday. For a start, why not switch off your phone and spend an evening listening to stories from their past? 

Are you ready to 'get social'?

My 5 favourite books of 2013

It's already the second half of 2014 and this blog is coming a tad late but then I did want to make a note of my most loved books in 2013. This year, I haven't been up to speed. But I hope to read a lot more starting this rainy month of July. What more can a pluviophile ask for ;)


Here are my top 5 from last year

1. Manuscript Found in Accra - Paulo Coelho
I loved this one, just as I love everything by Coelho. This book reminded me of 'The Alchemist' and inspires right till the very last page. It explores hope, anxiety, knowledge, the future and other concepts with simplicity which leaves a profound impact on the reader. I must have read this book at least 10 times now! If you haven't, do get a copy. What's more - you will never fall short of inspiring quotes with this book in your possession.




2. Lowland- Jhumpa Lahiri
I don't know I appreciated the book more for its beautifully woven story or because of the Calcutta connection. Traces of the city in 1950s are depicted with such vivid eloquence, that I could visualize the story of the two brothers and relate to it very well. I wish Jhumpa Lahiri writes more. This  novel has been such a treat!


3. Best Kept Secret - Jeffrey Archer
For booklovers and mystery maniacs, there are some authors you just cannot miss! It is almost criminal not to read a Jeffrey Archer novel as soon as it hits the bookstores. For those who have been following the Clifton-Barrington series, they will simply love this third book on Clifton Chronicles. Powerful characterization, suspense, intrigue, revenge - Archer presents the narrative in his inimitable style and leaves the reader longing for more.
 



4. The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith
Okay, so I didn't buy this one till I learned that JK Rowling was writing under this pen name. But who would have imagined that the Potter queen would come up with such a gripping suspense novel! She is the storyteller every aspiring writer wants to be! She wonderfully underplays her private detective focusing more on the story than on her protagonist. That's makes the book even more engaging. With the second Cormoran Strike book released in 2014, Rowling has successfully created a new detective who is quickly climbing up the popularity charts.

5. Lean In - Sheryl Sandberg
This is one book for keeps. I would recommend it to everyone, whether they are avid readers or not. Sandberg, Facebook COO talks about why women empowerment is important and how women can make a big difference to the workplace. She starts with her own example, discusses 'pregnant parking' and how women make naturally good managers and leaders. I really like the subtitile 'women, work, and the will to lead'. This is an excellent book to gift to promising new leaders at your workplace, family, and friend circles. I have already gifted 5 copies of the book to women who I know would appreciate the vision. In fact, I too received it as a gift on a day I was feeling low. This book acted as an instant morale booster!

I hope to read more this year and come up with a new list hopefully by end of 2014. Till then, Happy Reading!

New Beginnings...

At some point in our lives, we all endeavor to make new beginnings. In the next fourteen days - I want to make an attempt too. Even if it is as simple as writing a blog every day over the next two weeks :)