Of course, taking good care of your skin and exercising regularly is normal, but obsessing over a so-called flaw and trying to be like someone is not. I have often come across comments and conversations, when women discuss how they would do anything to get luscious locks like a particular actress or model. Maybe, that explains the huge demand for fairness products and cosmetic surgeries in the Indian market. This everlasting need to be like someone, to look perfect and to get that right photograph for Instagram (to get several likes and if you don't, you end up buying them) is driving several women into depression and other forms of illnesses. It may hit you, and you will never know. Instead, have you tried asking yourself, "Why do I need to look like someone, when I am perfect, just the way I am!"

Admit it, nobody in this world is perfect and no, I haven't come across any definition of what makes an individual perfect. A pimple on the forehead does not make you look any less beautiful than what you looked like before the zit popped. Having freckles does not make less you pretty, and no, being short or plump does not restrict you from doing anything cool in life. You can still be awesome and rule the world with all these so called 'problems', which according to most of you, are life threatening.  Perhaps, you fear that these so called flaws will affect your future, or maybe, you fear the society!

"Is saal patli lag rahi ho" "What is that mark on your forehead? Last year toh nahi tha" - lines that will make thousands of you cringe. But is impressing the society really your ultimate goal? Is life all about impressing others, and eventually, losing your own personality? No! God has not blessed you with a human life, so that you can just hear random taunts and keep mum. Speak up and learn to answer their questions in a straightforward manner. Keeping quiet will only give rise to more body shaming and notorious comments about a girl's complexion, hair and fashion choices. Someone has to put an end to this circle, so why not you? But before you take the plunge, learn to love yourself first. Because if you can't love yourself, no one will take you seriously. 

I have gone through the whole drill of teenage skin horrors, unnecessary comments passed by extended relatives and societal judgements. But till date, I have never allowed their opinion and my so called 'flaws' to affect me. I simply ignore such conversations with a smile (and then, end up giving a sarcastic response, which makes sure they never mess with me). I have always believed that in the end, it is your work and character that speaks volumes about you, and not your complexion, height or weight. A legendary human being is always remembered for his / her contribution to a specific field of study or the society, not the pimple or freckle on his / her cheek. And please, no fairness cream is going to ensure that you get a job. That's like following a herd mentality. Be happy with what you have and invest in your education instead. 

Wear your favourite clothes with pride, flaunt those curves, stop hiding that pimple and take pride in all that you have. Stop aping people and presenting the girl that you are not. Be yourself, because there is no one like you! You don't need followers and likes to tell you how beautiful you are. Stand out of the crowd and say - This is the real me. Be yourself, and nothing can stop you from being the best! (And the next time anyone passes a taunt, you know what to do).

Being Myself | Outfit Post

Dress: Vero Moda India

Bag: Zara

Shoes: Adidas

Accessories: Aviators - RayBan, Watch - Swatch

Make Up By - Lakme

Hair By - Bed Head by TIGI India

Shot by: Team Dancebee

Love,

The Dancebee

Before I begin, here's wishing all the readers a very Happy Makar Sankranti. "Til gul ghya aani god god bolat raha," is our way of ushering in the harvest season and first part of the festive season in the Hindu calendar. The day begins with distribution of jaggery filled sesame laddoos and a hope - that we keep saying all things sweet and kind all year long. Some live by the promise, while most do not.

It is a lot like the promise we make to ourselves at the beginning of the year (in simple terms: resolutions, that I do not believe in). It ranges from getting back to the gym, sticking to a beauty regime to the best of diets and everything else. But have you ever challenged yourself to get of inhibitions? Maybe not.

We live a life where important decisions hold you back. You want to say something, but end up blurting out something totally different. You muster up the courage to confess your love to someone or collect enough money to join a Belly Dancing workshop after months. But somewhere, you get conscious about the whole idea and start thinking about the consequences. As a result, you drop the plan. Maybe, that's what you think was the correct thing to do at that moment. Things could have gone wrong, you think. Your friend may never look at you the same way or your father will be angry at you for spending money on a 'dance' workshop. But have you ever given the idea of "let go of your fear and risk it" a thought? What if you would have explained the need to learn a new dance form and dared to give the Belly Dancing workshop a try. At the end of it, your father would have proudly said, "I am glad you are trying out new things in life." But hey, you took a step back and now the only thing you would have is regret. The regret of not letting go of your inhibitions and chasing your dreams. Is that really what you want to hold on to? If not, then ward off those restrictions and learn to believe in yourself this 2015.

It is absolutely okay to be a free spirited person. If there are people around who don't want you to be like that, tell them that it is a positive word and there is absolutely no harm in being a person who expresses himself/herself freely. Don't bound yourself because of societal judgement. If you really believe in what you are doing and are not indulging in anything that will shame your family or name, then why fear? A few years back, I promised myself that I shall never let inhibitions hold me back. So, if I feel something is right and that I must do it, I just go ahead with my family and the almighty's blessings. I believe that both Success and Happiness are a mix of many elements, and letting go of your inhibitions is just one of them.

The outfit in this post shows off my free spirited side quite wonderfully. I let go off everything when I am working out or dancing with the music blasting on full volume. Its wonderful how Puma, as a brand, has always presented varied range of designs, prints and colors in each collection. The gym leggings in this outfit pretty much explains why I loved these graphic prints from their latest collection. They are colorful, bold and yet not very 'in your face'. Its the kind of an outfit that allows you to celebrate freedom -The freedom to run against the wind. The freedom to do an air split in the middle of nowhere. The freedom to train for hours and be unstoppable! The freedom to be myself. 2015 is going to be all about this and a lot more. Let's ditch those inhibitions and regrets, shall we?

Oh! And did I tell you that the SS 2015 collection by Puma looks super lust worthy? Well, we had a sneak peek and shall give you more details very soon. Also, lots of luck to all the participants of SCMM 2015. I will be there for the run. Quite nervous and excited, but I am sure its gonna be good.

Outfit Details

Gym 3/4 Tight leggings

Studio Graphic Tee

Formlite XT Ultra2 Ombre WNS shoes

PR Pure Nightcat Jacket {All} - Puma

Love,

The Dancebee

There are two aspects of God or Brahman : (1) the Unmanifested (Nirgun) and (2) the Manifested (Sagun). The Nirgun is formless, while the Sagun is with form, though both denote the same Brahman. Some prefer to worship the former, some the latter. As stated in the Gita (chapter XII) the worship of the latter is easy and preferable. As man has got a form (body, senses, etc.), it is natural and easy for him to worship the God with form. Our love and devotion do not develop unless we worship Sagun Brahman for a certain period of time, and as we advance; it leads us to the worship (meditation) of Nirgun Brahman. So let us start with Sagun worship. Image, altar, fire, light, sun, water, Brahman are the seven objects of worship, but Sadguru is better than all these. Let us, on this occasion, bring to our mind the form of Sai, Who was non-attachment Incarnate, and Who was a resting-place for His whole-hearted devotees. Our faith in His words is the seat of Asan; and our Sankalpa (determination to start and finish the Puja) is the abandonment of all our desires. Some say that Sai was a Bhagwad-bhakta (devotee of the Lord), others say He was a Maha-Bhagwat (a great devotee), but to us He is God Incarnate. He was extremely forgiving, never irritable, straight, soft, tolerant and content beyond comparison.

Though He looked embodied (as having the form), He was really dis-embodied, emotionless, unattached and internally free. The Ganges on its way to the sea, cools and refreshes the creatures affected with heat, gives life to the crops and trees, and quenches the thirst of many. Similarly Saints (Souls) like Sai, while they live their own life, give solace and comfort to all. Lord Krishna has said that 'the Saint is My soul, My living image, I am He or He is My pure form (Being).' This in-describable Shakti or Power of God, known as Pure Existence, Knowledge and Bliss, incarnated in the form of Sai in Shirdi. The Shruti (Taitiriya Upanishad) describes Brahman as Bliss. This we read or hear daily in the books, but the devout people experienced this Brahman or Bliss in Shirdi. Baba, the support of all, required no prop or support (Asan) from anybody. He always used a piece of sack-cloth for His seat, which was covered with a small beautiful bed by His bhaktas and has a bolster placed by them, as a rest to His back. Baba respected the feelings of His devotees and allowed them to worship Him as they liked. Some waved Chamara or fans before Him, some played on musical instruments, some washed His hands and Feet, some others applied scent and chandan, some gave betel nut with leaves and other things, and some others offered naivedya. Though He looked like living in Shirdi, He was present everywhere. This all-pervasiveness of His way daily experienced by His devotees. 

Our humble prostration to this all-pervasive Sadguru.