ICynosure

Six months ago I ventured into a new journey, a journey called BLOGGING.

After quitting my job with a UK multinational, I found the time to multi-task in activities close to my heart - spend time with my pretty princess, photography and writing. The idea of my digital diary took seed in early 2013 and I began my long cherished dream to write for myself.

During the last six months, I’ve realised that Blogging like any other profession is sheer dedication, commitment, crazy working hours and loads of hard work. Having said that, today my Blog is an extension of my life where I unabashedly express my views about everything under the sun… my life experiences, relationships, fashion trends, beauty products, shopping experiences and much more. Today, blogging has made me an all-together different person, giving me the freedom to thrive.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Blogging allows me to express my views about things I relate to. As a blogger I am able to bring in realism and relationships into my writings, connecting them to related topics.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Blogging allows me to do things the way I prefer to do them, without any restrictions. My personal creativity flourishes when I unabashedly express my views through honest and truthful writings.

FREEDOM OF TIME
Blogging allows me to set up my own schedule, without any deadlines. My step by step goal setting has enabled me to achieve my personal goals without compromising on quality due to time constraints.

FREEDOM OF AFFILIATION
Blogging allows me to connect with like-minded individuals. My blog engages readers from all over the world, encourages them to follow different yet related stories. My blog attracts brands and sponsor alike. Sponsors, readers, co-writers, and each individual associated with my blog are individuals I love to connect and work with.

As a creative professional, I always carved for FREEDOM. Blogging allows me to draw shapes I like, colour those shapes with colours I visualise at the time I prefer.

Thus,
#BloggingIsMyCalling as it draws me in and becomes the cynosure of my attention.
#BloggingIsMyCalling as it backs my freedom to create, whilst holding me accountable for the output.
#BloggingIsMyCalling as it connects me with fantastic like-minded individuals who are willing to educate, learn and share.

#BloggingIsMyCalling as it gives me a dais to shine on, through my work within the fraternity earning the respect of my contemporaries whilst bagging desirable prizes and gifts.

Whats your calling? Leave me your comments.

Until soon,
~ Heena

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As she walked onto the stage I could hear the soft caress of her georgette saree and the tic-tac of her kitten heels. The overhead light caught the diamond on her ring as she greeted the audience with a Jai Jinendra. Amidst all the cheering and the clapping I heard a little girl say, "Mum, that’s my teacher." A man at the far end of the row proudly announced, "That’s my boss". A group of women seemed really emotional who weren't able to hide their tears, and continued clapping. I looked around and felt myself rising above the ordinary in the adulation showered. Just as my husband gently tapped me on my shoulder and pointed to the stage, my MOM began to speak.

Mia By Tanishq Blogging Contest - My Mom My MIA

I had coaxed her to take the audience through her journey, writing a brief for her to follow. She practised the speech numerous times…. "Armed with an MA in the late 70's, I went on to become a teacher to fulfil my aspirations of being a change initiator. Motivated not only by my parents but also my favourite literature professor I excelled in my profession, quickly moving on to become the youngest Vice Principal of the school. Marriage and motherhood added springs to my feet and I moved from strength to strength career-wise. Content with what life had blessed me with I wanted to enjoy motherhood. Thus began my best career phase... full-time mommy and wife. Travelling all over with my husband I developed an interest in handicrafts and started a small business venture. As the venture tasted success, delegating responsibilities on the women I decided to go back to my first love. Volunteering with Teach India I am revisiting my past to shape and initiate change in the lives of underprivileged children. It’s an honour being nominated as the Woman of the Year award by the Mumbai Kutchi Jain association and taking home the trophy for what I love doing."

That's what we expected her to say. However when she took to the mike all she said was, "The seasons of life offered me varied opportunities which I grabbed with both hands. The weather chose to shine on me through love and I basked in the sunshine of what I love to do. Whether teaching a student a geometric evaluation, my children the values of life, the women who are my business drivers marketing techniques or my house help a particular dish - It’s never been about work. Teaching is my inspiration, to be the best I can be. Thank you for this. It truly belongs to everyone who was willing to learn, for without them I'd be incomplete."

In the thunderous response that followed, I couldn't see clearly. Pearls were clouding my eyes and through those, a diamond shone bright and beautiful. My MOM, my MIA.
~ Heena

*Written as a part of Tanishq’s “As Beautiful As Your Work” Contest for Mia by Tanishq - the new workwear jewellery range.

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Plan A Trip To Jabal Shams, A Sun Mountain in Oman

There was a time when travelling for work for me was as good as going to work. I will always remember my trip to the Sultanate of Oman for a site visit to an oil rig. It was indeed crazy for a girl to visit a place full of men, with no women in sight. I was thankful when the project essential explorations were over and there was finally some time to just drive around the Jabal Shams, the Sun Mountain ranges.

A site engineer's wife accompanied me with her little son. We zoomed through the narrow lanes around the Arabian Peninsula. With every kilometre, we were inching towards the highest peak at the altitude of 3,004 meters above sea level. It was August of 2008 the weather was mild when the numerous slopes and summits made driving such a dream. Every curve we took each versant we crossed, lead us to yet another finally closing into the mountain peak.

Our local guide Allahudda was such a great person, introducing us to the roads, the peak, the sun rays and the almighty. We stopped driving at numerous places to enjoy the scenic beauty and also take those memorable pictures. Though Allahudda was shy, he was an expert at handling the camera and the pictures he took were astonishingly real.

En-route to the peak, he insisted we stop at a place where three valleys merged to invite a spring water body. The locals believe that the place is a blessed place. The water is considered holy and when we sipped on a palm-full, it tasted beautifully sweet.

The other side of the stream is believed to be a place that directly opens into the jannat (heaven) and one should stand there with open arms and pray.

At the peak, there was a viewing deck called the 'Nakhr Balcony'. The balcony is the most heavenly place I have ever visited. A deep ravine in the heart of the mountain ranges opens into chiselled rock forms sculpted by erosion. A private personal heaven touched by the sun.

As we had started early in the evening we could witness the sunset from the viewing area. I was completely mesmerised by what I saw. Tiny gold dust shimmered in the air, a wave of comforting breeze falling onto the gigantic mountain like a soft quilt and the calmness in the air setting the heartbeats in tune.

Jabal Shams, a sure must visit place that is the first to greet sunlight at dawn and the last to say farewell to the sunset at dusk.

Until, more #iCynosureTravels,
~ Heena

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The season of high spirits, greenery and ecstasy has arrived. Monsoon is typically characterized as wet, humid and sticky climate which is also the breeding ground for fungal, bacteria and other feet diseases. To make things worse, we tend to wear the same dirty shoes throughout the day and bring back smelly and unclean feet home.

Unfortunately, foot care takes a back seat when compared to our other beauty treatments, except pedicures. The most strained and worked out part of the body – the feet, gets little to practically no care or attention.

Read through some tips to keep your feet clean and hygienic during this torrential downpour.

Wash your feet with antiseptic water to keep your feet clear of any infections. Use natural disinfectants like soda and vinegar in a tub of warm water for bacteria-free feet.
Do not scrub your feet during the monsoon, as it will lead to sensitive skin which shall be prone to infections. Cleaning and keeping them dry is enough.
Mix half part lemon with half part water and apply this mixture to your feet with cotton. This helps remove odour and also tightens the skin.
Pay careful attention to the spaces between your toes as these spaces are most prone to fungal infections. Sprinkle talcum powder in between these spaces after cleaning and drying them.
Trim your toe-nails and push back the cuticles. Moisturize your feet with petroleum jelly generously every night before bedtime to get rid of the dead skin.
Avoid tight-fitting closed footwear like boots and shoes as they retain water and make then sodden. Opt for slippers or sandals instead.
Keep a spare pair of footwear in your workplace/college etc. You can then change your wet footwear with dry ones when you reach your workplace/office.
Always wear clean and dry cotton socks and keep a spare pair in your handbag/bag so you can change them when you need to.
Consult your family physician in case of infections, don't neglect warts or lesions on feet.

Hope you liked the tips on foot care. Happy feet! Happy monsoon!

~ Heena

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