..........................and words are all I have to take your heart away! (SONG : Words; ALBUM : A Different Beat (1996); ARTIST : Boyzone-Irish vocal pop group) The first change I noticed in my husband’s home was the presence of sound. All the members would talk animatedly; in fact, sometimes it was difficult for me to get a word in. The radio blared all day long, as if providing background music to all our chores. I wasn’t sure who was listening to what, but surely all did not sound music to my ears. That was because I had been used to the sound of silence in my home. I had a severe and strict upbringing, sadly bereft of music and laughter. I suspect my grandfather carried the Aurangzeb gene, he abhorred song and dance. We possessed a sleek and stylish radio, but it could be switched on only at nine, every night for the news. However, during the Indo-Pak war, we were allowed to listen to all the news bulletins. My mother would wait for my grandfather to leave the house, either ...

Towards the end of December, I started pondering over my New Year resolution. I had one every year, but broke it more often than build on it. I used to resolve – to be happy always, to be cheerful and friendly …only to realize that none of it worked, when I wanted it the most! With time, my personal battles grew….the death of my mother, loneliness, a semi-retired life, foreign shores, relocating permanently in unfamiliar surroudings, loss of familiar chores and roles, boredom, all within the year and it took its toll! One is familiar with the adage - only change is constant, but it requires that much effort to cope with constant change! I was hurt and bitter by turns, sometimes angry and frustrated and these emotions came in the way of my resolutions! How I wished to maintain my sanity, and at the same time enjoy myself, savor life and indulge in all her variety! I could do it all if only I could make some life style changes! I decided to do it at once! It is one mo...