You're Beautiful

I’m sure all of you have been through situations where you hate yourself, when insecurity grips on to you. When you look at yourself in the mirror, and all you can see is you being overweight or underweight, crazy hair, puffy eyes, dry skin, oily skin, etc. Those times when you feel rejected, when you feel like you've failed. When darkness surrounds you, when you feel like the ugliest of the lot, when you feel you’re worth nothing and your existence means nothing.

I’m just here to tell you, that you’re not alone. All of us feel that way. The purpose of this post is simply to remind you, of life's pure magic, how beautiful, powerful, wonderful you are, and how far you have reached.

You've helped more than you know, you've done better than you realize and you’re closer than you think. And therefore each time you look into the mirror, you need to believe that you are more than that. Look beyond just your face or appearance, you’re not what the world or your friends think of you. You are not even what you think of yourself. YOU, my friend are beyond just labels or stereotypes; you are uniquely created, perfectly made. And therefore it goes beyond just your makeup or hairdo or the clothes you wear. Your age, or weight, eye colour, skin colour, hair colour doesn't define you. And hence, you do not need to live up to some ridiculous and unobtainable idea.

Yes, you are not perfect. But neither is anyone else. People might find you weird, being normal is boring anyway. You have been to hell and back, your resilience is beautiful. You’re beautiful because you take risks. You’re an inspiration and you’re real.

It’s normal to ask yourself “where am I going?”… “What am I to do with my life?”… “Where do I belong?” …“Who am I as a person?”  It’s okay to have angry outbursts, or to be confused about the future or about yourself and the world. Your night-time unvoiced fears, sudden tears, the sweeping highs, and rocky lows are not what define you.

You’re the most trustworthy friend, the best child to you parents, even though they might not think so. Remember, time is on your side and ‘no’ is never forever. Sit back and think of all your dreams that have already come true, I’m sure they are a lot. There, you are a legend already.

You know what is right and you know what is wrong.  You know what makes you sad and hurtful, as well as what makes you happy and fulfilled.  What a wonder it is to be you…

You are who you are. You are potential and you can truly be whatever you wish to. You are possibility, hope and ability. You can do whatever you want, accomplish things greater than you can ever think of.  You are beautiful and special. Nothing that happens in your entire life can stop your thoughts from becoming things and your words from giving you wings. Have faith; forget what everything around you tells you to be. If they don’t notice your good looks, strengths and your sashay, I feel sorry for them, because, you are beautiful.

You’re beautiful because you believe in things. Even when it’s easier to be cynical, skeptical, hyper-rational, you keep believing because you know believing in things is what makes them real. You’re beautiful for that reason, because you can do something lots of people can’t. You have been through things most people haven’t. You have been hurt, troubled and you still stay strong. You are happiness and you give people happiness.

You’re beautiful and you shouldn't wait for someone else to tell you that. You already know it, just see it. Only if you’re able to love and believe in yourself with people love and believe in you.

You are in your journey, writing the story of your precious life.  Each day of your life you write a new paragraph.  Make it a wondrous story, the most exciting and joyous adventure it can possibly become. And always remember, you’re loved.

You are beautiful!

I Love you guys.

xoxo

- Alisha.

Picture Review : January

So, 2014 is now one month old. Yes, so quickly. 

January was lil too good to me. Whatte Start to this amazing year. !!!

Anyway, since I'm such a social person, I'd love to share my month in pictures with all of you. 

Here's a compilation of last month :

The New Years Ball.

My Darling Sister turned 10

Met my cousin after ages.

My First Marathon

Yayy !! Contingent Leader for a College Festival.

Jam sessions with awesome people

Sunburn with Armin !!! So intense :D

My attempt at Smokey Eye Makeup. haha

You cannot say good bye to the month without some whipped cream and strawberrry *wink*.

So, that was it. Not all of it obviously. But a few highlights.

I'm sure you guys had an awesome month too. :) 

Take Care,

Alisha D'souza

xoxo

January, Thank you.

February, be good to us.

Easy Step by Step Cat Eye Tutorial

A perfect cat eye look is forever fashionable and suits almost all eyes shapes. It can give you the desired look. Right from sultry to mysterious and from cute to bold. Just a perfect cat eye with subtle makeup looks fabulous too. You can use any color pencil or gel eye liner to achieve this look. (I use a simple, black eye pencil)

Here are 4 easy steps to achieving the perfect cat eye:

1.     Starting from the inner corner of your upper lid, draw a line as close to you lashes as possible. To create a dramatic look make this line thick, or create a thin line for a more subtle look.

2.     To create your eyeliner wing, draw a line starting from the last lash outwards. You can now decide the length & angle to your eye liner.

3.     After drawing your wing, draw a line back to your upper lash line. This should create an empty triangle on your upper lid. To make you eyeliner thick, draw a bigger triangle, ending at the middle part of your lash line. For a more subtle look, draw a small triangle that finishes in your outer corner. 

4.     Color in the triangle with your pencil.

You’re now all set to flaunt your Perfect Cat Eyes.

Don’t forget to use a coat or two of mascara to complete this look.

Take Care,

Xoxo

Alisha D’souza

PS. Please do let me know when you try this out.

HAS REPUBLIC DAY REALLY LOST IT’S SIGNIFICANCE ?

So, Today India celebrates its 65^th Republic Day. But except that it has fallen on a Sunday so, no extra holiday for us this year or it being a dry day, does it really matter to us?

Honesty, I’m no different!!I was woken up today morning by my 10 year old sister, she had The Indian Flag in her hand and she very sweetly wished me ‘Happy Republic Day’, I got up cribbing about what a waste of a holiday but like a good child wore an Indian outfit and went to church. I thought, since its Republic Day.. That’s the right thing to do, dress all traditional. But to my surprise, it was just like any other day; I didn’t even see a flag around. What’s happening? Has this day reaaallyy lost its significance?

I’m sure we were all taught the significance of Republic Day in Indian History. But the question is whether it actually holds any significance for us beyond passing an 8th Std history examination?

Let me tell you this, If  the midnight of August 15, 1947 marks the day India  gained independence from British rule, it was only on January 26^th, 1950 that the constitution of India was finally adopted, making the country a sovereign, secular, and democratic republic. India was functioning under the laws enacted and implemented by the British until this day. The constitution was approved and accepted on November 26, 1949, following several amendments and finally came into force on republic day.

It is a people’s day. On Independence Day, the past is re-called , on Republic Day, the pledge is renewed. The essence behind the celebration of Republic day is not only to celebrate India’s secularism and democracy but also to make us feel proud of our culture, languages, social norms, traditions, customs, religions that make India a wonderful multi-cultural country.

But do we realize this attribute of our National culture?

I think we need to stop cribbing about how we are leading the most miserable life anyone can have or how the political system of our country is going down the drains or how the population and corruption is exponentially increasing and maybe start trying a little harder to change these things that are hampering our society. Like its said,‘Be the change you want to see’.

Are we really playing the part of a true Indian? If you take out just 2 minutes from your daily lives you’ll surely get the answer. Have you ever tried to get your work done through the proper channel? Whether it is following the traffic signals or getting a drivers license, we go through the corrupt way. Up to the extent that we even try to get admission to the best college not on the basis of our ability but on the basis of donation.

Our freedom fighters have sacrificed their life for us. They died dreaming of a Free INDIA, but they never thought that although India will be free from British, it will then be a slave of Corruption, Treachery, Illiteracy, Exploitation and many more such evils.

With the rise of corruption and justice being denied everywhere, it is proved that we still are being governed by the evil forces. Although India is rising in terms of technology and economy, it is getting HOLLOW from within.

On this day, let me end this post by a famous quote by John. F. Kennedy, here keeping India in mind -

‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’

                                 

Happy Republic Day.

-         Alisha D’souza

Don't you worry child :)

One night, while I was sitting and sipping on my green tea, I realised that I was humming the tune of ‘Don’t you worry Child’ by Swedish House Mafia. That song is surely one of my favourites, the tune jumps into my brain and bounces there forever. But for some reason, that night ... I completely zoned out and the song took me to a completely different world. Maybe I was over thinking, but I realised that the song has so much meaning to it.

It made me realise how I was so different as a kid, a little more carefree, little less judgemental, a lot more happy ... and then I grew up and reality hit me. Exactly like the song!!!

Have you ever stopped to think about the words? How the song starts with a ‘happy’ time when, as a young boy, he was the ‘king’ , on a ‘golden throne’. And then he comes back to the present and says that ‘those days are gone’ and they are now just memories. He believes that everything changed.

Isn’t life like that?? When you’re a child, you’re safe, secure, loved, carefree and happy and you suddenly grow up and you’re made to face the world!! At least I feel like that at times. Alone in a crowd! I feel that I have suddenly grown up, all independent, I feel that ... one wrong move and I’m finished, I feel judged and yes, scared !

Coming back to the song, he is surely in despair and he is broken but still finds comfort in his father’s words, ‘Don't you worry, don't you worry, child. See heaven's got a plan for you’.

I think we can all relate to this. The older we get, the more we live, the more likely we are to have our hearts broken, dreams shattered and relationships strained. But, in all these crisis whom do we turn to? A fond memory, parents, a friend?

I’ve realised, that for me as a Christian, this song has a much profound meaning. For we have a heavenly father, who invites us to come to him with all our worries and concerns – Big or Small. He tells us not to worry but to pray and tell him all our problems. Peace is ensured.

And, I am assured that God has a plan for us.

“ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope’’ – Jer 29:11

It’s not just that ‘heaven’ has a plan for you (whatever that actually means). It is God that has a plan for you, to change and become a better person and he can even use the heartbreaks and heartaches of life to make that happen.

But all said and done, a father can have a plan for his sons life but the son can chose to ignore it. So, we cant blame God for everything that happens and all the choices we make. He has given us the gift of free will and we need to exercise it well. For example, in a real life scenario a child does have free will, but a good father exercises control over the child and at the same time, allows the child to mature and make choices. He allows his child to learn by mistakes and failures. In the same way God has a perfect will and plan but also has permissive will, which allows us to learn the hard way.


So the next time your heart is broken, your dreams shattered, you feel rejected or relationships strained, remember :

1.    Don’t worry; you have a father who will take care of it. PRAY. Ask him to help you make the right choice.

2.    He has a plan for you. TRUST IN HIM.

3.    Listen to the lyrics sometimes. It got me writing this post.

Take care :)

xoxo

- Alisha.