Today Is The Youngest You Ever Could Be

I can't wait all my life
On a street of broken dreams.
~ It Could Have Been You, Journey

We program our mind that life would be better when we'll complete our higher education from a reputed university, have a fat job, and then another. When we reach that reality, we tell ourselves that our life will be complete when we’ll get a spouse, a nicer car, or able to go on a nice vacation.

But the truth is that future is always beginning now. It’s the NOW that turns into WON. If not now, when? Life always grows through the challenges. And it's best to admit this to you and decide to be happy anyway.

Happiness isn’t any reward we get by the standard of our way of living. Happiness is the way of living life. So, treasure every moment that you have. Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.

So stop telling yourself: “Let’s wait till I finish school … till I lose ten pounds … till my teeth get whiter …. till I get married … till I have kids … till my kids leave the house … till I retire … till IPL ends … till I get a new car or home … till my car or home is paid off … till Monday … till Tuesday … till Wednesday.”

Isn’t it so painful that we are always getting ready to live but never living? Honey, future isn’t a place to place your better days. Because piling up too many tomorrows gives us nothing but a bunch of empty yesterdays.

The Destiny's Child

THEN

Beyonce Knowledge competed as part of girls group, Girls Aloud, on Star Search but lost to her cousin Kelly Rowland.

NOW

Forget about her influence on being the sailor of the best-selling girls group of all time, or winning 5 Grammy in a single night for her debut solo-album, Beyonce is the first and only female artist to have a number-one album and a number one single in the US and UK simultaneously.

Diablo Cody: A Divorce, A Flash Of Skin & An Oscar

They say you should not suffer through the past. You should be able to wear it like a loose garment, take it off and let it drop. ~ Eva Jessye

I have listened people saying, “It’s your past which shapes your present and will determine your future.” But I kick this philosophy out the memory. Recently I have watched a movie, Juno, a coming-of-age story about a teenager’s unplanned pregnancy made with the budget of only $6.5 million, but within 20 days it has gone on to earn more than 30 times of that amount.

But the best thing about the movie is its screenplay written by Diablo Cody. Now who is Diablo Cody? It’s the same Diablo Cody, after a broken marriage who started doing stripping in an armature night club and also spent time working in peep shows at an adult novelty store.

As writing was her biggest passion and there was no big opportunity knocking, she started writing blog about her own experience as a stripper. Within months, that blog became so popular that Gotham Books signed her for publishing a book. And at the age of 24, she wrote her memoir: “Candy Girl: A Year In The Life Of An Unlikely Stripper.”

A Hollywood producer was so moved by the acerbic wit of that book, he encouraged Cody to write screenplay. After seven hard-working weeks in the back of a departmental store, she completed Juno. And Juno was the movie for which Diablo Cody went on to win the Oscar for the Best Original Screenplay.

Now if you look at her past, does it justify her present or determine her future—the future where she is gonna work with Stephen Spielberg? No! We can’t justify because the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Past? Leave it in the past!

An Interview With A Filmmaker, Archana S. Iyer, Who Didn't Limit Herself

They say, “Don’t use too many words to say few things rather use few words to say lot of things.” The same is of short films, a genre of films that packs imagination and story-telling into 10 minutes, can have powerful impact to make a change in the culture.

That seems to be the case with Archana Iyer's film, “Homemaker” – a film about the priceless bond between a mother and daughter which has been selected to be screened at Tirana International Film Festival, Albania.

Without further ado, I’d like to present Archana’s thoughts on how we can listen to our inner voice and cherish that and have fun along the way.

So, what inspire you to make "Homemaker?"

Archana: I had read a short story "three letters" in my school days. It was so touching, I thought of adapting it into a modern day film based on e-mails!

How did you find producers?

Archana: I would call myself really lucky. In my case, the producers found me. As there were not many projects happening in my office, my bosses came to me with a proposal of making a short film as a learning exercise! And voila, I get myself a film!

What are the challenges you've faced while making, "Homemaker?"

Archana: I didn’t have the budget as I’m a first time film-maker. Then lots of things went wrong – my friend was supposed to shoot it for me, we had a fall-out and in the last moment he dropped out. But thank God for that because Varun Sud, who eventually shot it, is a boon. He did wonders to my film. Most importantly, it's always better to work with people who are enthusiastic than who want to do it as a favor for you. Basically, everything that went wrong with the film, eventually went right!

What's the most exciting part you’ve enjoyed while making, "Homemaker?"

Archana: The shoot. It was quite hectic but I had an amazing cast and crew, and we had a ball.

What do you want people to get out of the film?

Archana: Not to take things and people for granted and everything can’t be measured monetarily!

What are the pro's and con's of making short film in your opinion?

Archana: More pros than cons, it's a great platform for young filmmakers with no budget to bring forward their ideas. But now, with the changing time, short films are a big market at the festival circles too.

Why is it still hard for women directors, in Bollywood?

Archana: It's all in the mind. Women themselves sometimes tend to limit themselves, once they stop it, people would listen!

You do stay alone in Mumbai, being miles away from your home, any challenge for that? If yes, how do you cope with that?

Archana: Lots of challenges— financial, emotional and mental. But thanks to my friends who always make me feel "Mumbai Meri Jaan!"

What's the single most part you are excited about, being an independent woman?

Archana: My freedom – freedom to choose; freedom to decide and freedom to take responsibility for the decisions!

So, what's the mantra Miss Archana lives her life with?

Archana: You get, not what you desire, but what you deserve!

Thanks, Archana, for the wonderful conversation and for so generously sharing with our readers!

Diana Golden: Who Lost Her Leg But Not Her Faith

Running away from a problem is also a problem. Life is about facing the problem, naming it and resynthesising who we are. Just look to Diana Golden, who at the age 12, got affected with bone cancer and lost her right leg.

But she was the one who could fly 65 miles an hour on one leg. She was the one who mounted the podium at the Olympics to claim gold medal and become the poster girl of the handicapped athletics movement. By the time she retired, she won 19 US and 10 world disabled gold medals, and had been honored as one of the greatest athletics – yes, not as disable athletics ... athletics.

It’s all because Diana Golden always used to believe, “Disability isn’t physical, it’s mental.” She believed -- as God has put her into this world, it’s her responsibility to prove how worthy she was. Losing a leg? Nothing, because she never lost her will to dream.

A Lot Can Happen Over Jeannie’s Java ...

On her 72nd birthday, Jeannie Brown, a lonely divorced woman, woke up and asked herself, "What is it that you want? You're getting old." When she listened to her inner voice, it said, “I wanna have a coffee shop.”  So with her lifelong saving, she started a lovely little coffee shop named Jeannie’s Java.

As she didn’t have enough fund or get any bank loan, she brought in all her furnitures from home: the sideboard, the tables and even all the chairs. And today, from a lovely little coffee shop, Jeannie’s Java, has grown up to the much talked restaurant as hot and sweet as like her coffee. Even at the age of 80, with her 100 percent blind right eye, she keeps serving to the customers with her warm smile and generosity (She has put nine love affairs together in Java.) If you are in Tiburon, California, Jeannie’s Java is the best place not only for coffee but for the inspiration as well.

Wanna get a glimpse of the true spirit of this lovely grandma who has always focused what she was looking for? Watch this video and get loaded with the true inspiration served with acerbit wit.