16-year-old TRISH-A’s song MVP is about her trying to regain her own self-esteem, when she found herself frequently ignored by her closest friend.

“Our relationship had deteriorated into one of apathy and I found myself constantly making excuses for her. Writing this song really helped me reinstate my sense of self-worth, establishing that I am the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in this equation. I will promote this song by sharing content that reiterates the importance of self-preservation in such situations”, says the young singer who started singing when she was just 5 years old.

A Top 24 finalist at the Nexa Music Experience, TRISH-A’s main goal is to have her music resonate with people globally, and with her unique 4-octave range, she is well on her way to achieve that.

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The Revisit Project is back with another release, one of many single releases this year. Never Too Far talks about how distance helps the love grow fonder between two lovers.

Taking inspiration from Robert Glasper, Erykah Badu and modern R‘n’B, gospel roots, the writing is majorly focused on how stressors are necessary to grow as individuals, and standing through the toughest period of relationships actually teaches us more than the happier period ever will.

The jazz-funk infused single with intricate lyrics is already featured on Indie English on Spotify, and the band was the cover artist on Wynk Music’s Indie English playlist.

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As I read the above question, I see a lot of statements directed at “he wants”, and rather a very few at “this is what I want” or “I don’t want this”. Every relationship is about two people and never one person. Your comfort is your priority, and you cannot allow anyone to touch you without your consent. If you feel this will salvage your relationship, your thinking is completely wrong. If you are taking a decision in order to please another person, you are going to fall in your own eyes. I suggest you talk to him about this and tell him how you feel. Tell him that you are not sure at this point and wouldn’t want to go ahead. If he is not happy or refuses to accept what you have said, you must know that this is not the right relationship for you.

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We think that a crush is a romantic attraction towards someone. As a matter of fact, a crush isn’t always romantic as much as it is a feeling of being awestruck by someone. It’s a desire to connect at more than a surface level, and your crush could be a potential friend, work buddy, or a future romantic partner, too.

How do I know I’m having a crush on someone?

It will be obvious to the world. When you have a crush, there’s an incessant need to work all your plans around being in the vicinity and proximity of this person. You’ll find yourself matching your workout, evening stroll, morning walk, lunch hour in school or college, or other engagements, to theirs. You would be thinking, discussing, and contemplating about this person most of the time and probably be distracted from other tasks owing to this preoccupation. At a biological level, you will have an adrenaline rush in the presence of this person, allowing your cheeks to turn pink, your eyes to twinkle, and your palms to feel sweaty. In most cases, people break into an unexpected or inappropriate smile that could even be embarrassing, in a charming way of sorts. Don’t be surprised if you fumble or even lose your words in the presence of this person. Your brain chemicals go into a frenzied tango with an urge to do something, anything, to connect with this person in real life or even in a dream. It’s a feeling that you will surely enjoy — a mix of happiness that this person is in your life in some capacity, as well as a restless eagerness to get closer and closer to this person; to change the status quo to something else.

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Say you like to eat ice-cream and I give you the same ice-cream daily for two weeks. What will happen? You will get bored and fed up. Now say I give you the same ice-cream, but one day I add springles, one day I add chocolate sauce, another day I serve it to you with a brownie, and one day I serve it as an ice-cream sundae. Do you think you will get bored that quickly? Any relationship or friendship reaches a point of exhaustion and boredom. How you keep the same alive depends on you and your partner. It is also important to see that the relationship that you are in is a healthy one. Your feelings are normal and many people do experience the same, however, having said that, it is equally important to work upon it.

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The teenage years are filled with newfound ideas, freedoms, experiences, relationships and discoveries about self and others that were never noticed before, as well as learning to create and nurture relationships. They are also filled with angst, self-doubt, insecurities, social issues, school or college struggles and relationship challenges. Relationship challenges can be with newfound friends and old friends whose values seem to have changed, parents and siblings who are themselves becoming teenagers! Sometimes it is through these struggles that relationships become stronger and last a lifetime. Let’s take a look at how we can ensure that we not just retain but also nurture our relationships through mindfulness.

Mindfulness simply means to be present and engaged, to pay attention, to be aware and conscious of your actions. When you apply these behaviours to your relationships, they can only grow stronger.

Here are five tips to strengthen your relationships:

1. Mindful conversations

Try and remember the last time you had a deep conversation with your friends or family. Be mindful of every moment you spend with them. Do you look at your mobile when you are talking with your family or friends? The phone can be a great distraction. When we don’t look at those with whom we speak with, we lose many verbal cues that can help us connect and strengthen relationships. Be mindful of your habit of losing yourself in your mobile. Take the time to connect with your family and friends and see how meaningful the conversations become.

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Anand and Akanksha had found love in each other. In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, both planned to surprise the other with a gift. On 14 February, in the most romantic ambience, Anand handed a small gift to Akanksha. She held it lightly in one hand, and with the other, held Anand’s hand, looked into his eyes and said, “The tranquillity and the protection that I experience in your presence is the most precious gift that I could ever receive from you!”

An increasing number of gruesome crimes in the name of love create a ripple of fear in society. Love gets melted in the face of suspicion, ego, intolerance, unforgiveness, and low self-esteem. In genuine love and companionship, people look for safety and tranquillity more than any prized gift or promise. 

The word ‘love’ has many connotations. Theories of love speak of sentimental love, true love, platonic love, friendship and sensual love. Each of these types of love is defined in itself with its practicality of implementation and execution. Again, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs explicitly emphasizes on the need for love, which can be expanded into striving for love and affection and belongingness. One of the perfect guidelines for love is found in the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:1-13) which speaks about what is and is not love. Love cannot be defined or concised into theories; love is a feeling, which can be stimulated internally or externally.

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I appreciate your honesty. Talking to fewer people may not always be the best solution, because in life you will have to talk to many other people over time. Indulging in daily physical activities is said to reduce anger. You can go for a run or brisk walk every day; this will help you unwind. Whenever you get angry, it is best to take a brief timeout of maybe 10-15 minutes wherein you can hold yourself better and gather your thoughts, too, before you speak. Simple stretching exercises and focussed breathing exercises (breathe in and breathe out very slowly) will also help you calm down. It is also important to have a friend that you can speak to and vent your emotions and fears to.

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When I realised Parents’ Day was around the corner, I set out to ask fellow humans like me what their parents meant to them. Here is bag full of responses I got.

• My mother is my best friend.
• My dad is a great Maths teacher.
• Mom is the best chef in town.
• Mother is a perfect homemaker.
• My mom… seems like she’s a nurse.
• Dad is a rock, forever supporting me.
• My mother is the best critic around.
• My mom and dad complete me.
• My parents are the finest teachers.
• My folks are my greatest inspiration.

In a nutshell, a parent plays the role of a teacher, chef, nurse, doctor, friend, coach, critic, support and a continuous motivator. Parents nudge their offspring in purposeful directions to prevent them from becoming prey to distractions. Most parents genuinely care for their children and are mindful of their needs even when kids tend to overlook them. Mature parents trust their children’s individuality, continually focusing on their children’s wellness, metamorphosing them into the best version of themselves. Yes, sometimes parents could be overprotective and ‘helicopter’ their children, but their intentions are nonetheless positive. A good parent sows the seed for a beautiful life ahead for children at any age.

Those who’ve grown up without parents tend to realise their value way more. On the other hand, many who have their parents around might take their care and attention for granted; assuming that parenting is “just another role” and “it’s not such a big deal” because “everyone does it”.

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Dear Ronita,

You like this guy, but you seem to have doubts as to whether you will be able to adjust to religious and social differences, a doubt that is very valid and well picked up by you.

There are examples of all kinds — those where partners adjust to and accept each other’s religious differences; others where one partner gives up his/her religion and customs to adjust to another; and those where the differences are too many and partners break up.

While the goal of all religions is the same, the paths are many. The reality is that these differing paths and their customs can be quite challenging to adjust to, especially if they are very different from our own. Finally, success depends on a couple’s choice, the ability to work through differences and find common ground. For this, each person must first know what they are willing to adjust to and what is unacceptable to them. And then work through differences by communicating openly and respecting each other’s choices. Else it is best to move on.

You are still young and have a long way to go before getting into a committed relationship. Take your time and get to know each other and your families before you commit to the relationship. So, at present, enjoy your teens and the special friendship you share. Whether this is love or plain teenage attraction, time will surely tell.

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