#BergerXP it is!

IndiBlogger.in is close to my heart. Whether it's the competitions they host, the meets they organize, or the innovative thoughts of the organizers, I love being a part of it. When I received a special invite for the #BergerXP meet, I registered instantly, expecting the meet to be fun.

On Saturday, my wife Vidhya and I arrived at The Lalit Ashok Bangalore around 12 PM. Leo and Vidya were already there. It was great to see them again after almost six months. Soon, many other bloggers joined us - some familiar faces and some unfamiliar ones. Since I was wearing a mala for Sabarimala, I restrained myself from interacting with people. However, as more people arrived, I started chatting with them.

The meet began with a heavy lunch - I only had vegetarian options - followed by the registration process. Anoop greeted me with a huge smile and we hugged. Renie was looking for "Someone Special," also known as Sarav, and upon seeing me in my new avatar, he was surprised. It felt like being at home. Of course, for a blogger, IndiBlogger.in is like home.

My wife was a bit nervous because she was unable to register due to technical problems. Once Aaruhsi and Anoop helped us complete the registration process, she was happy.

Anoop, the man behind the microphone, invited Karthik to lead us in some exercises. It was fun and I captured a video of it. The balloon game was especially entertaining - Karthik, you are an awesome man with your moves.

When Chandra took over, he spoke about BergerXP, its tools, and innovations. Unlike other presentations where presenters focus only on the AIDA model, this was a refreshing change. He spoke about innovation, next-gen tools, and Express Painting. Faster. Cleaner. Better. It was fascinating and kept me engaged until the end. I tweeted some memorable one-liners during the meet and created a story using Moments...

⚡ #BergerXP Meet by @FewMileshttps://t.co/acyyE9kyCg

— Someone is Special (@FewMiles) December 13, 2016

If I miss to talk about the tools then it would be a crime. Let me first tell you the names and its features, followed by a TVC made by #BergerXP.

SANDING MACHINE: It is Faster and Cleaner with Dust-Free Vacuum Function.

MULTIPURPOSE MIXER: Quick & Hassle-free Mixing that can help you mix putty and texture of your choice.

AUTO ROLLER: Have you ever seen an adjustable roller with automatic paint pumping, giving a superior sexy finish? Watch it below…

HIGH PRESSURE WASHER: The difference between a worst experience and the best experience is when someone start cleaning the walls. And that’s what Berger has done. A Hi-speed Pressure wash with regulators addition to the nozzle adjustment. It’s just amazing!

AIRLESS PAINT SPRAYER: A sprayer that supports water-based paints and primer giving a classic touch. Experience Berger XP now… Check out latest TVC...

If you're planning to give your favorite home a makeover, use #BergerXP Express Painting. I'm saying this only after experiencing it. Actually, we were asked to team up to perform a couple of activities. Given the choice to select five people for my team as the lead, I spoke with Debolina and Nalini and they agreed to be a part of my team, and Leo and Vidhya were already on the team by default. Initially, we were given a challenge to smooth out a rough wall with putty. We did well. It was more of a test of our patience and to convey the hard work that painters put in. Think about how many times we've said, "What kind of work are these painters doing? They're not even doing their job properly." Trust me, it's hard work and these people do it with a real passion to give your wall the look you desire.

The second set of activities was to paint on a theme and then present it. Guess what, we found our new lead in Aakriti. Her enthusiasm for sketching is unmatched and I see a future IndiBlogger in her. I've always loved sketching and painting, but I never seem to give myself enough time to do either. This meet gave me the opportunity to paint, and along with my team, I was able to fulfill that desire. If I recall correctly, the last time I sketched was in 2013 for an IndiBlogger Character Contest. And this time, too, IB helped me paint once again. I wish I could paint more, but reading and writing give me a good work-life balance.

We then took the Mannqinn challenge and trust me, it was a lot of fun. Once it was over, we took a group photo and retired for the day after collecting the most precious t-shirt (thanks to the sponsors, who allowed IB to print it without their name) and a gift hamper from BergerXP. Since I forgot to bring my bag, I went back inside only to be video interviewed. Thank you, IB Team, for the opportunity.

It was a fun-filled day. Thanks to BergerXP and IndiBlogger for organizing such a wonderful meet instead of just boring talks. I'm really looking forward to meeting you all again. If I win a chance to have a wall painted by BergerXP, I'll write a detailed review about it. For more info visit www.bergerpaints.com and also watch Express Painting Success Journey

Thank you all!

Day 50 ♥ Happiness is listening to Ayyappan songs

Happiness is listening to Ayyappan songs. I always love listening to devotional songs. My list of favorite songs is long, but Ayyappan songs top the list: Anthanae Prabhuvae, Pallikattu Sabarimalaikku, Harivarasanam and so on…

Love listening devotional songs, share the list please! Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Love is truly devotional,
It's the supreme power;
The original meaning of life.

Love is purely colorful,
It's in every color;
The unique emotions of life.

Love is everywhere,
It's what makes the world,
A beautiful place to live!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 49 ♥ Happiness is holding the new currency… the first 2000 INR note.

Happiness is holding the new currency - the first 2000 INR note. The long queue, the out-of-cash bank, the non-working AC - all the inconvenience was worth it just to grab or hold the new currency. Was it worth the wait? Honestly, I don't know. All I know is that I'm happy and my wife is happy! What else do I need?

Got the new currency? Share your experience! Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Life is really beautiful,
View it from the angle;
That suits you the most,
Because love is life!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

#600 ♥ Day 48 ♥ Happiness is spending thirty minutes for the self.

Happiness is spending thirty minutes on self-reflection. These days, I rarely get the chance to spend time on myself. It's nice to take a few minutes to reflect on my thoughts and think of solutions to my problems. I'm happy to do it and I hope to do it more often.

This is my 600th post and I've asked my wife to write a small poem for me. Once she writes it, I'll post it.

Are you one of those who love to spend time for your own? Join the gang. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

You read my mood,
Just like a book;
‘Dear, I need to reflect…’?
Life is simple!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 47 ♥ Happiness is drinking tea

Happiness is drinking tea. When you have a headache at its worst and constantly talking people around, there's nothing better than having a strong tea prepared by my wife. It not only reduces stress, but also helps me write this post.

At any time of the day, what do you prefer the most? Tea or Coffee? Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Why do I write daily?
Is it to show my love?
Do you think I’ve to do this?
‘No’ will be your answer.

Still I write to express,
My love for you,
And the words I write;
Are especially for you!!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

An open letter to the Prime Minister of India!

Dear The Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India,

I am writing this open letter to express my appreciation for the bold moves taken by you and the government.

There is only one India - Mother India. Hardly anyone would say they hate their mother. It is therefore impossible to hate Mother India. While we may not say it in words, our actions speak louder. From black money to corrupt officials, polluted environment to deforestation, we reveal the true story of our love for our country. Many people have written about the cons of our actions, or have tried to hide the pros, and I do not want to add another blog post to the list. Instead, I will keep it short and simple.

First of all, I want to offer my congratulations on the bold move to make INR 500 and INR 1000 notes invalid. This will seriously impact those who hold black money, no matter the amount. The black money they own - the result of years of careful planning - is now worth nothing. It will be impossible for them to account for or exchange it. This welcome move is highly commendable. The addition of the INR 2000 note - while not a welcome move - still adds to the glory. The NGC chip and its features are truly remarkable. Good job once again!

What else can we do to make India better? There are many things. Here is my list, worth a penny or two:

1. Exchanging old 500 and 1000 INR notes for new 500 or 2000 INR notes should be prohibited. Instead, the money should be credited to the owner's account. If they do not have an account, it should be linked to their Aadhar card. If they do not have an account or an Aadhar card, they should be created immediately. This will prevent people who hold black money from using their sources to swap small amounts (thousands or multiples of the same) for new notes.
2. Any online or offline transaction above 10,000 INR should be authenticated with an Aadhar card.
3. Any payment above 1,00,000 INR should be digital. Cash should not be accepted at any cost.
4. It is not possible to get rid of gold ornaments or bring them to the market. Instead, make gold bars, gold coins, and other forms of gold invalid. Replace them with digital gold coins and bars. This move will bring out all illegal gold accumulations.
5. Stamp papers and documents are another major source of black money. Make them invalid and require a digital stamp for anything and everything. The outcome of this change should be self-evident.
6. Air pollution and traffic jams are major issues in India. Improving infrastructure and public transportation can help solve these problems, but it cannot be done overnight. Instead, we can collect fees from single driver cars. If a person drives a car alone for more than 5 KM at a stretch, they should pay a fee to the government. This will discourage idiotic car owners who occupy the road just because they can afford a car through EMIs, or those who use their car for short trips within a 2 KM radius.
7. Create a government portal for car or bike sharing. People who use it more than 10 times a month should receive tax benefits.
8. Encourage tax payers by giving more exemptions to those who file taxes every year. Tax slabs should be based on the amount and number of years. Award those who continuously pay taxes for 10, 20 years, etc. Update the Indian honors system with more categories.
9. In addition to old age benefits, introduce child benefits. Pay them until they turn 13 and restrict it to only two children, with higher amounts for lower ratios and numbers.
10. Create citizen forums for the concerns and highlights of their city. Designate a special team to address reported issues. A happy home is a happy country!

Media control, removal of TRP ratings, standardization of advertisement, or a cap on money spent on advertisements and much more should be implemented. There are many more pain points in our society, and many people are highlighting them, but what happens is that the time it takes for any resolution to be implemented is what puts us behind. Rapid action, like what we are experiencing today, is the only solution. Keep it coming!

Once again, hats off to The Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for being the first person to act boldly! You are the change, the sun, and the leader that we Indians badly need. Let's make Mother India proud!"

Jai Hind!

Yours sincerely,

Proud Indian Citizen!

Day 46 ♥ Happiness is writing an open letter to Prime Minister of India

Happiness is writing an open letter to the Honorable Prime Minister of India. Firstly, congratulations on the bold move to make INR 500 and INR 1000 notes invalid. This will surely give a heart attack to those who own black money, no matter the amount. The black money they have accumulated over the years is worth nothing and it will be nearly impossible to exchange it or account for it. This welcome move is highly commendable! The addition of the INR 2000 denomination, while not necessarily welcome, still adds to the glory. I am sure there is a backup plan. For now, I am very happy and I hope this will help to clean up India.

Read my open letter here. If you had a large amount of black money, would you be willing to disclose it and follow the rules, or would you try to hide it? Let me know the answer. Spread love!

Let's live in a world
Where people cherish love,
Count the good wishes,
And live happily.

Will that happen,
My love?

Let time be the answer.
Until then,
Let's feel the magic of...
Love and live happily!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 45 ♥ Happiness is receiving positive feedback for my story

Happiness is receiving positive feedback for my story. There is nothing that can match the happiness of receiving positive feedback for my work, even if it is just one comment. Imagine how thrilled I would be if more than a dozen people wrote to me, praising the plot, storyline, and narration of my work. It truly made me feel like I was in seventh heaven.

Read my blog post, RETURN? Let me know if you liked it. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Like a magic spell,
Your words bind me;
Invade my world,
And kidnap me to you!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 44 ♥ Happiness is sleeping on a Sunday.

Happiness is spending a relaxing Sunday sleeping and thinking about when I'll be able to write the remaining 39,000 words for NaNoWriMo. Although I'm supposed to write every day, I'm taking some time to recharge before getting back to it.

How did you spend your Sunday? Share your experience! Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Holiday Jolly day,
It’s my relaxing day.
With you next to me,
Life is always crazy!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

RETURN

This post has been published by me as a part of Blog-a-Ton 58; the fifty-eighth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. In association with ​Saravanakumar Murugan, the editor of Shades Of Life book series.

This short story is now a part of the upcoming short story collection as requested by multiple readers. Thanks for the love!

Happy Endings. If the end is not happy, then it is not the actual end!



The fellow Blog-a-Tonics who took part in this Blog-a-Ton and links to their respective posts can be checked here. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton. Show your support for the hastags #BlogATon58 & #Aativas50. Participation Count: 41.

Day 43 ♥ Happiness is meeting SOL Family member

Happiness is meeting a SOL Family member. When Pratibha invited us for a meet and greet session, we happily accepted. We met at my place in the afternoon and she surprised us with gifts, which we did not expect. We discussed the launch date of SOL II, promotions and other creative ideas.

Pratibha shared her experiences as part of the SOL Family and the benefits of being published with IndiAuthor compared to other publishers who charge contributing authors. Our conversation also touched upon various topics related to publishing and books. Pratibha's gift of a Ganesha idol touched our hearts. Thank you again. We had dinner at A2B and had a wonderful day overall.

Have you ever received a surprise gift? Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

What makes you happy?
LOVE?
Or the love for you?
You have the answers.

When you know the answers,
YOU,
You are my sunshine...
Love is a gift in itself!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 42 ♥ Happiness is writing a short story

Happiness is writing a short story during NaNoWriMo. My love for Blog-a-Ton inspired me to write a 4682-word story that I hope will keep readers engaged until the end. Happy reading!

Are you a passionate writer? Join us then! Blog-a-Ton 58 is here!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

You are the words
I love to write 50K
Times this month
To show my love for you.

You take shape,
As I type words,
Sentences, and paragraphs
And complete a story.

Love you, my love!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 41 ♥ Happiness is sleeping undisturbed.

Happiness is sleeping undisturbed. It's been 40 days, and every time I have written only about my happiness during the day time. I can't believe I forgot about the most common and simple happiness: sleeping. Of course, I have reduced my sleeping hours to catch up on other things, but it is very true that sleeping undisturbed is real happiness!

Do you agree with me? How long do you like to sleep in 24 hours? Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Sleeping is happiness!

Lying next to you,
While sleeping is
Real happiness!

Hugging you, and
Sleeping tight is
True happiness!

And sleeping,
Undisturbed is the
Height of happiness!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 40 ♥ Happiness is receiving a handwritten letter.

Happiness is receiving a handwritten letter. We live in the Facebook and WhatsApp era, where traditional postcards and greetings have changed to images, e-greetings, and GIFs, or popularly known as animated messages. I'm not complaining that technology has invaded privacy and changed everything to the web. What I miss is the cuteness and sweetness of letters and greeting cards of those days.

I received a handwritten letter of appreciation and it made me smile. It prompted me to pen down this: Happiness is receiving a handwritten letter!

Have you received a handwritten letter recently? Did it excite you? Share your experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Even if I write
100 poems a day
Or blog daily,
I'm not satisfied.

Whenever I write a poem,
Not typing but writing one,
Gives me immense satisfaction,
Especially if it's for you, it's happiness!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 39 ♥ Happiness is participating in NaNoWriMo.

Happiness is participating in NaNoWriMo. In 2010, I took writing seriously and penned my first book, Three Knots. However, I could not write more than twenty thousand words. I was so immature when it came to writing then. Over the years, I started writing more and more short stories, more and more books - Searching Her, Love of an Anonymous Soul, Between the Sheets of Love, Twelve and Half. Other than Twelve and Half, the rest are individual books and I hope to someday edit and publish them in the future.

This year, in February, I penned "Coffee Date" - a Valentine's gift for my beloved wife - in 11 nights, one Saturday, and one Sunday. I have discussed this book with a couple of publishers and received positive feedback. I will soon announce more about it. And I am all set to write the next book in the "Coffee Date" series. The plot is ready and I am starting today. Participating in NaNoWriMo, writing a daily blog, daily 4-12 line poems, working on Coffee Date 2: Believe in Miracles, and juggling office work and family life will be a challenge, but I am up for it. I hope I will be successful.

Are you writing this time? I'm here... Share it with us. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Kiss me in my dreams,
I pen it down, and
I get it published;
Just the way I like!

Kiss me in reality, and
Say "I love you";
All day and night,
I keep it a secret!

Really?

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 38 ♥ Happiness is performing Puja

Happiness is performing puja. In the world of science, where everything and anything is explained by science, performing puja to God or speaking about it is often considered illiteracy. However, many people still post festive greetings and blessings on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. While it is okay to trust in God, it is important not to blindly trust or perform actions that are against humanity. Happy festival time!

What’s your thought on this? Share your experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Love is to me,
Like Puja is to God.
The more we involve,
The more happiness we find!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 37 ♥ Happiness is eating sweets

Happiness is eating sweets. Can anyone imagine celebrating a festival without eating sweets? Is there anyone who claims to hate sweets? Sweets evoke happiness from within, creating a happy environment. Remember, a happy home is the key to success!

Do you love eating sweets? Share your experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Love thy people,
Cooking sweets for you;
Keeping you happy,
Forever and ever!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 36 ♥ Happiness is celebrating Diwali with family and friends

Happiness is celebrating Diwali with family and friends. The celebration of good triumphing over evil with loved ones is an amazing feeling. We had a fantastic time setting off fireworks, making sweets, and spending time with people. Festivals are a blast!

Share your festival experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

The victory of good over evil,
Is meant to be celebrated;
With family and friends,
It's all fun and joy.

The victory of love,
Is meant to be cherished;
With you,
It's all love and love only!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 35 ♥ Happiness is clicking selfies while stuck in traffic.

Happiness is clicking selfies while stuck in traffic. Traveling to my hometown is always exciting, but it comes with its challenges like traffic, pollution, stress, and hunger. To overcome these challenges, we clicked selfies, shared jokes, and watched movies while stuck in traffic.

I'm sure that in today's world, it is difficult to avoid traffic altogether. Share your experiences with me. Let's spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Let's click a selfie
While stuck in traffic or wherever,
But make sure not to overdo it;
Life is easy, so let's keep it simple.

Let's be in love,
Even when we fight, or whenever,
But make sure not to overdo it;
Love makes life beautiful!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 34 ♥ Happiness is wearing ethnic wear.

Happiness is wearing ethnic wear. Whenever we wear traditional garments like silk dhoti and sari, we feel good and we are proud of our culture. It also creates a positive and festive atmosphere. Such is the power of traditional clothing! So, next time you get the opportunity to wear ethnic attire, do so. If possible, opt for handloom fabrics to support local artisans.

Ethnic or western, what’s your take? Share your thoughts. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Dhoti and sari,
A classic combination.
You and me,
A perfect match!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 33 ♥ Happiness is getting a new hairstyle.

Happiness is getting a new hairstyle. With Diwali around the corner and trips to our hometown planned, a new hairdo is the least we expected. But, there is so much more to do and enjoy.

Have you ever tried a new hairstyle? Share your experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

It's a new day,
A chance to show
My love for you,
And be loved in return!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 32 ♥ Happiness is receiving compliment for the beard

Happiness is receiving a compliment for my beard. In my eight years in IT, there have been many occasions where I was appreciated for my working style and the quality of my deliverables. At times, people have even appreciated my blog and creative short stories. However, for the first time, a colleague stopped at my desk and complimented my beard style. He also revealed that he has tried to imitate my style, but he is unable to do it by himself as it's a bit tricky. I thanked him, and he asked me which salon I went to for my beard. I smiled and told him that I did it myself. A couple of my other colleagues joined us, and he was very eager to know if I used a trimmer or a shaver. He later asked me where I learned to trim my beard, and I told him about the video channel I watch and recommended that he purchase a good trimmer. Our conversation then turned to different topics on hairstyles and beard trimming.

Growing beard is an art. It requires patience, dedication and time. Of course, tools and basic knowledge on beard styles.

#beardlover #instapic #shopping #photoofheday #instagram #dailypic #fun

A photo posted by Saravana Kumar Murugan (@iamsaravofficial) on Oct 16, 2016 at 2:25am PDT

Have you ever tried growing a beard? Share your experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

O my love,
My new-found love;
Is more desirable,
Like you and me,
On the seashore!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 31 ♥ Happiness is receiving a parcel from UK

Happiness is receiving a parcel from the UK. The love for the dress I bought in 2012 for my 25th birthday (I still use it) is the main reason I asked my friend to purchase and send a white shirt and light grey pant from the UK. He accepted the request and bought the dress of my choice last month and sent it through his friend to Bangalore. I expected the parcel to reach me by early October, but later I forgot due to my hectic work schedule.

This morning, I received a call from an unknown number, informing me about the parcel that was sent by my friend and asking me to collect it from Lemon Tree. I happily went there to collect the parcel. The man who handed it over to me is my friend's friend, a very down-to-earth person. I thanked him and we exchanged smiles before I returned to the office. As soon as I reached my cabin, I opened the parcel. Seeing the premium white shirt – what class! – and my favorite light grey pant, I was overjoyed. I called my friend on his mobile and thanked him. We spoke for five minutes, recalling the time we spent in Hamburg. I am a very happy man!

Have you received the parcel of happiness? Share your experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

My bundle of happiness;
You mix my life
With love and joy!

My bundle of joy;
You multiply my life
With sweet memories!

My bundle of His;
You charge my life
With positive thoughts!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 30 ♥ Happiness is talking with friends on Skype

Happiness is talking with friends on Skype. I'm very happy today because I got to Skype with a friend and his family all the way from Germany to Bangalore. We talked about all kinds of topics, from the weather to the flea market, with full energy and happiness. And, I always love how these conversations can last for hours without any specific agenda.

Think about your favorite conversations with close ones. Share your experience and spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Skype or Facebook,
Connecting with people
Like Nokia did in the past;
Happiness at its best!

Love and friendship,
You and me;
Are one and the same,
If you know what I mean?

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 29 ♥ Happiness is having food at a Kerala Restaurant!

Happiness is eating at a Kerala restaurant! I used to avoid eating fish because of the bones, but I've learned to appreciate the health benefits of fish and now enjoy it boneless. One of my favorite places to eat fish is at a Kerala restaurant because they always prepare it perfectly.

Do you love fish? If so, what is your favorite type? Share your experience. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

You are my favorite food,
I always love to have;
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
Three times a day!

You are my cup of tea and coffee,
I sip 24x7;
I am not an addict,
Only in love with you!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

To Your Mighty Pen

Looking over the limitless sky
and the clouds passing by
In that fleeting moment
I realized life's secret endowment

Season changes and mood swings
With the setting sun rests the bird's wings
The horizon converge to close its eyes
Draping the black blanket it winks and sighs

The moon then wraps to wake sun up to see
Birds taking another flight and so do we
Time falls short for us to give love and receive
Only if we could learn from the nature to believe

An entrance is only possible after an exit
Keep patience until it turns and exhibit
Things broken apart would come together
Flaunt your mighty pen. May come whatever
-Simran Kaur

Happy 7th Blogoversary, ❤Few Miles❤

Read more

Day 28 ♥ Happiness is Reading Books on Leadership ♥ Top 30 Books on Leadership!

Happiness is reading books on leadership! Writing fiction is an art, and reading fiction is real happiness. That's my philosophy, until I met a colleague who is passionate about reading books on leadership. His recommendations changed my view on non-fiction books, and the first book I picked up was a spiritual one - Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist. Later, I picked up a couple of books on leadership, which inspired me greatly. Therefore, I made a wish list of the top 30 must-read books on leadership.)

1. Bridging the Soft Skills Gap: How to Teach the Missing Basics to Today’s Young Talent by Bruce Tulgan
2. Crazy Bosses by Stanley Bing
3. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
4. Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
5. Drive by Daniel H. Pink
6. Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy
7. Endurance by Alfred Lansing
8. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
9. Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
10. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
11. Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
12. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
13. Leading Across New Borders: How to Succeed as the Center Shifts by Ernest Gundling and Christi Caldwell
14. Leading with GRIT: Inspiring Action and Accountability with Generosity, Respect, Integrity, and Truth by Laurie Sudbrink
15. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel
16. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (Gregory Hays translation)
17. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
18. Stronger: Develop the Resilience You Need to Succeed by George S. Everly Jr. and Douglas A. Strouse
19. Stupid On Purpose: The Art of Ignoring Good Advice, Doing Whatever The Heck You Want, and Actually Enjoying Your Life by Mark Messick
20. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
21. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
22. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
23. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
24. The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't by Robert I. Sutton
25. The One Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
26. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey
27. The Truth About Leadership by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
28. The War of Art by Steve Pressfield
29. Tribes by Seth Godin
30. True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George, Peter Sims

Which one of these are your favourite books? Share the list. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

In less than four,
Words in a line,
Four lines in stanza;
I express my love!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 27 ♥ Happiness is Celebrating Blog Birthday!

Never did I think that I would be celebrating the seventh birthday of my blog when I started writing under the pen name "Someone is Special" on this wonderful platform. It feels like just yesterday that I launched the blog on October 20, 2009, using the free internet service available at my office. Time has flown by so quickly! The journey from an unknown writer to the best selling author of multiple books and editor of the Shades of Life book series has been an exciting one, and I hope this journey continues for eternity.

This would not have been possible without the constant support of many sweethearts. I have thanked them countless times, but I would like to thank them again. I would like to start by thanking my wonderful wife and sweet mother for always being there for me, no matter what happens in life. I also want to thank my other family members, close friends, and all the editors I have worked with – from Vinit Bhai (Uff Ye Emotions 2 editor) to all the sweethearts with whom I have worked so far, as well as all my publishers and Sachin.

I also want to thank my blogger friends who have been with me from the beginning – Leo, Zainab, Rachana, Jingle, Simran, Ayushi, Pranali, Aish, TF, Saru, Brian, G-Man, Amity, Vibz, Nanka, Scribbling Gal, Dreamy Girl, Cloud Nine, Sri Valli, Panchali, Norman, Ellecee, Sulaiman, Namrata, Anita, and all my anonymous readers, whose emails I always treasure the most. Without your support, I would not have written posts here. Thank you all!

My roommates (Arun, Deva, Raghu, Siva TK, Sridhar, Vivek, Mohan, Manoj, Atul, Kiran, Aamir, Revanth, and Karthik) have suffered through many torturous nights listening to my idiotic romantic stories, but still provided feedback to make them better. Thank you all. My managers (Saji, Patro, Moses, Rachel, Kittu, KV, and all my colleagues) have trusted my talent and given me opportunities despite knowing that I am a regular writer at night. Thanks :)

Special thanks to IndiBlogger for the grand platform, to Blog-a-Ton for everything I own from them, and to BlogAdda for announcing my name to the blogosphere in 2010. Thanks to Google for providing the blogger service for free and for indexing all my posts.

Ah! How could I forget you, dear Few Miles? A part of me resides inside you and that is what is loved by most of my readers, and is cherished as the undisputed romantic king of the blogosphere. You are my best gift, and my gift to you will be an unending relationship with you, no matter how big or popular I grow in life.

Thank you all for making this journey special!

Remember the first day you started writing. Share your old-gold memories. Spread love!

Yesterday was my Little One Simran Kaur's blog birthday. Visit her blog My Friendship and shower love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

My dream girl,
My real girl,
Makes my life,
Happy and sweet!

You multiply my happiness,
You subtract my sadness,
You add sweet moments,
You divide my loneliness!

You are everything to me... love you ♥

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 26 ♥ Happiness is Love Anniversary!

Every day is a special day in life. As human beings, we tend to find reasons to complain or find fault with others. However, some of us, like me, try to find happiness in things. But are we really happy? Are we enjoying every day?

I can't say "yes" definitively, but I try to smile every day. I love to enjoy God's gift and find happiness through this. Today is a special day for us, like every day, as we celebrate love every moment. However, it was today, on this day, that we first proposed. Therefore, it is special to us. Happy Love Anniversary, Vidhya!

Recall the first day that special someone proposed to you. Share the sweet memories. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *

The stars are filled with love, which she can understand. I am sure she will. Love you, my dear wifey!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 25 ♥ Happiness is smiling even in the worst situation!

Okay, I admit. Despite having a rough day, I try to stay positive and find reasons to smile. I draw strength from the story of Karna and remember that things can always get better. I pray for the resilience and strength to keep going, even in the toughest of times.

Had a bad day, read this inspiring tale of Karna’s life? Have a good story to share? Let us know! Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

A smile is a simple yet powerful remedy,
For all of life's difficulties;
It's free and available,
To everyone on earth.

You are my own personal medicine,
For all my troubles and strife;
Always there for me,
Throughout my entire life..

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 24 ♥ Happiness is an exclusive invite!

Invites are special, especially if they are exclusive invitations to experience something new. I'm not going to reveal what it is just yet!

Have you got an exclusive invite for something special? Share your experience. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Thinking of invites,
Our wedding invite
Was the one I loved
The most. If given
The chance, I would
Love to create handmade,
Exclusive invites for
Future anniversaries.
After all,
Love is meant to be celebrated, isn't it?

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 23 ♥ Happiness is shopping with wife and mom!

Happiness is shopping with my wife and mom! Festival time is a gift to all. We shop all day and night, right from clothes to gifts, sweets to crackers, and so on. Diwali is one such festival for us. We prepare many sweets at home and burst crackers celebrating the victory of good over evil. I'll detail more about Diwali during the festival. We have started shopping for Diwali and we will continue till the end of this month.

Do you love shopping? How many times do you shop in a month? Share your shopping experience. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

There's a girl,
Who likes to shop,
Trendy like a Barbie!

She prefers to buy,
What he likes on her?
Is this also love?

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 22 ♥ Happiness is watching a movie!

Happiness is watching a movie, and if it is one's favorite movie, there is no limit to watching it again and again. Mom, Vidhya, and I were watching our favorite Rajini movie repeatedly on YouTube. Of course, we had snacks, homemade by our chef Vidhya. It created a happy environment, uplifting our mood.

I have a big list of favorite movies, starting from Dilse to Thanioruvan. My all-time favorite movie is Devdas - Aishwarya, Madhuri, and Shah Rukh keep me engrossed until the climax. I love it!

Do you have a favourite movie? How many times have you watched it? Share it with us. Spread Love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Like a romantic song,
She is a beautiful song;
No matter how busy I’m,
I hum it every day, every minute!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 21 ♥ Happiness is amazon prime membership.

Happiness is an Amazon Prime membership. Most of us have probably signed up for the trial period, like I did. I was lucky to try Amazon Prime in Germany first for 45 days, and now in India as well. I was impressed by the quick and quality delivery, so I opted for the package. I recommend trying or subscribing to Amazon Prime. I'm sure you'll love it.

Are you an Amazon Prime Customer? Share your shopping experience with us. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Prime is a beauty;
Be it in Mathematics,
Or on Amazon,
It’s always unique!

You are a beauty;
Be it in my life,
Or with our loved ones,
You are always unique!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 20 ♥ Happiness is plotting a storyline for the novel.

Happiness is plotting a storyline for a novel. After completing the first manuscript in 11 nights, 1 Saturday, and 1 Sunday, I am back again with the next book: "Coffee Date 2." I have spoken with publishers regarding book one, and I am happy to receive positive feedback. I will soon spill the beans about it. I am all set to write book no. 2 of the "Coffee Date" series and I am planning to start from November 1st, which is NaNoWriMo month. I hope to complete it on or before November 30th. Wish me luck!

Are you writing this time? If so add me as your writing buddy. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Words may flow and dry up,
But the love I possess for you
Will flow like a river,
All throughout the year.

Years may be in double digits,
Days may be numbered,
Seconds may pass at times,
But the amount of oxygen we breathe is not.

Oxygen is for breathing,
You are for my living;
Our love is a gift,
Our words breathe it!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background

Day 19 ♥ Happiness is owning a JIO SIM.

Happiness is owning a JIO SIM. The latest trend is having a JIO SIM, flaunting the fastest 4G and downloading without any limits. I am crazy about trying new things and staying with the trend. It could be a fitness tracker band, sport shoes, new smartphones, or whatever! I am always up for it. Similarly, I am happy to own the JIO SIM.

Are you crazy about doing new things? Share your experience with us. Spread love!

And here is a small poem dedicated to Vidhya…

Stay trendy,
In Life,
And when using words,
Make it lovable!

This post is published as a part of 50 Days of Happiness Challenge. Much Love!

PC Credit: Base background