~ God - Where are You ~

We are funny people and play around as according to our own whimsical ideas and ideologies.. Be it whatever religion or faith we follow, we strongly 'FEAR' him and want HIS mercy at all cost ( though many of us are selfish enough to ask for material possessions instead of peace, tranquility and other non-material objectives which puts are life at ease and fills compassion in us).

What is the use of going to a place of worship if you start to ask for things which will possibly soothe you (though for a short period of time!) BUT did not ask for HIM - you don't love him but want his GRACE which should get after a short and selfish prayer....isn't it too selfish... ??? It certainly is but who cares???

Sit down a moment and start to ponder your long list of Wants that you dont have. after a thoughtful ponderance , you will have a page full of goodies that you are lacking...and want HIM to fulfill... almost all the prayers and mythological text is full of GOD- Character - specific goodies and boons can be given by specific Gods... for kids...worship this Diety, for Wealth worship this deity, the demarcated list goes on and on and seems to be Endless....

You never cared for that tranquility which in actuality is sitting within yourself. The peace and stability you are seeking at the outset is just inside you! - have you ever thought of talking to your being...HE is there wanting to have a conversation with you ...but you hardly care...you want a 'Place of Worship' to pay your deepest requests on specific Days ( Monday for LORD SHIVA, Tuesday for LORD HANUMANJI..)...this goes endlessly until the next Monday comes ...the cycle goes on and on....

On fine day , you will see yourself in front of the mirror and see that you have aged! , the hair have got salt and pepper, the skin has started to loose its sheen...but your world remains more or less the same...the Goodies didn't arrived, the prayers remained unanswerable! 

In the life I have lived, I have recorrected my faith by practicality of living ...for me the ideology of living is "KARMA IS LIFE" and "KARMA IS GOD"...if you are conscious of your day to day actions, you will feel elated, and always energized to do things....melancholy wont hit you...things would remain positive, there is no need to follow strict obeisance to pacify GOD ...He is omnipresent and knows each and every action of yours...who you are befooling?? HIM? who was ever there when you were not.... and will be when you will not be...

What happens when you don't get the results as according to your prayers and worship? I have seen people cursing GOD and changing their faith...on the worse side, I quite often see people keeping God's pic outside PEEPAL tree...fending for itself...getting corroded and ultimately disfigured...What an Irony..., the same pic and statue which was in your heart now becomes oblivious to you as it didn't give you the alms you had asked for ?

Life is uncertain for sure, in your living you start to make airy castles of achievements and aspirations...they may not fulfill but your unflinching faith should remain ...it should be unparalleled without any ifs and buts...Remember there could be far more problems that could have come in your life but they didn't. May be your "KARMA" was good and that have been rewarded but you will never oblige this fact. But one day you will 

Till then let the journey continue...you will learn in the midst of this beautiful life and for sure with age and experience your perception would certainly Change! Enjoy..!!!

Abdul - Boyish Aspiration

 He comes to me with expectations - an expectation that I will pay him some money and it will surely make his day - I indeed did and he went off with a grimace.

I wanted to talk to him and called him back - he responded with a sense of urgency expecting as to whether I would pay him more - but my intent was only for a small conversation regarding his existence and that what he does! - As a street urchin, he is in a playful mood and always on his toes, does practically nothing - their life is revolving around alms and goodies that people give them as they visit a famous temple around.

I caught his attention via some goodies that I had bought from market and started to converse, though earlier he was very reluctant to talk but soon our ad-hoc friendship blossomed and we started to talk

He was equally vocal and started to ask where I belong and from where I had come. I also started to follow suit and asked his name.

"Abdul" was his hesitant reply - after a small lull, he again started to sleep - " I am a localite and stay nearby and generally loiter around here for most of the day!"

As I asked "don't you go to school Abdul and don't you want to study?"  - with gloom in his eyes, he said "N0, as even if I wanted to study, there was no money in the house!"

He further stated "My father is a daily wager and I have three sisters - we hardly make ends meet - if I were to go to school, we could not afford school fee!"

His honest and deep answer was a thought to ponder for me - how many Abdul's we have here who long for education but the tyranny of time, they will never see a classroom and won’t ever wear a school uniform.

 

Abdul has dreams of being a Pilot, he feels like flying and gets excited when he sees an airplane flying - I asked him if he had ever sat on a plane - with a somber mood, he said " NO!"  as if he desperately wanted to take a ride!

Such coincidental encounters with strangers and souls who are not in any way connected to you are pointers towards a comparative life that we all are living - in our own panache, we generally forgot to see these invisible souls around us because they are living in penury - they are countless in numbers and are living in obscurity - living a menial and subsistent life - though many of them have a true potential to achieve big things and compete with us but their living scenario has made them live the way they are existing - with practically no or minimal help, they have got themselves entangled in the vicissitudes of poverty - a trap which they might not ever transgress! 

My encounters with zillion Abdul's are a remembrance of this dark reality of life and its offering and certainly makes me pondering towards the goodies life has offered us - the key takeaway is to live humbly and love and respect their honour and dignity and of course put your best foot forward to always help them with whatever we can - be it Money or in Kind , emotionally or by any other means , with a firm belief in mind that

'Someone is Always Watching your Acts and Intentions!"

~ A Young Shopkeeper...~

She is the youngest and the cutest of the shopkeeper I have ever encountered in my life – Radhika was quick on her heels when we approached her and asked like a professional as expected from a shopkeeper “Yes, what you want?” – As she stood just in front of me – not even half of me in height, she was confident enough to face anyone.

As her mother has a small flower shop next to a temple nearby, she has lot of paraphernalia to be sold – as her mother was not around, her question was in line with what she asked – As I reverted that “I want a flower garland “ , she was quick to respond and picked up one and quoted the price – Rs 30” - her answer was short and crisp - to the point.

I was flabbergasted at her training , how on earth a toddler be so upright and a good Smartian, must be her training – I could not see either or father of mother around – this small kid was handling things of her own.

Now the best part – as I gave a Rs 100 currency note, she went running to a vendor next door and quick to ask ‘ Uncle Change De do” –[ Uncle please give me change] – All this was interestingly observed by me – she had something in her – a upcoming early entrepreneur but the next thought was – at what cost ? – Why her parents are making her work? – What about her studies and her childhood.

These were perplexing questions to my mind – the kids of her age and enjoying with their pals , here is a toddler burdened with life in early age…though she is enjoying her journey – the freedom and learning things early.

She truly is the next-Gen toddler - with a smart phone she was well versed and adept in looking for reels and videos - benchmark trait of the Gen Z! - 

As her mother turned up – I asked her the only question in my mind – “Didi, does she not got to school? it’s her age to study and you are making her work!”

She laughed and replied “ Radhika does go to school and study in a nearby primary government school – she comes early and then lovingly sits with me on this makeshift shop – I don’t force her to work, but out of gut she loves to be here!”

These words pacified my to some extend – I could not see a life getting spoiled early as for me this is the right age to exemplify your abilities to learn and educate and certainly not be on the streets – said that, on the contrary I see million such Radhika’s plying on streets, begging, doing street dance, selling petty goods and making ends meet for their parents – unknown to the fact that life would be tough for them in future!

As I said a lovingly goodbye – she reciprocated with a big smile and a “Bye- bye” – it made my day not before promising myself to be a regular visitor and enquire about my little friend – but at the same time pondering about other such souls on Delhi’s streets and also with a silent prayer for their upliftment in life to come!!!

Death wont do us Apart

 

“Kal kisne Dekha ? “ [who has seen tommrow?] this was always his mantra of life and he truly lived by it – Manoj is no more today but what was his steadfast resolution he lived by it – Always !

He died in his sleep may be due to a silent heart attack – may be he had premonitions so he had started to talk on a different tangent altogether – he was fit and fine and had no major ailments but as luck would betray us all one day – the calling will be “final” and we all have to obey it honestly – no escape! 

Manoj was a lovely friend and always chirpy and would crack jokes on life’s situations- as if for him life was just a dream to be lived and one day when you will “Wake” up in true sense – you would be gone – for him, there was no God and he was a total Athiest – life was a beautiful coincidence which just happened on this planet .. “ There would certainly be other dimensions and parallel universes which would have formed via the same coincidences, but science would take generations to unearth the enigma!”  - he would always parrot these lines…. 

I loved his sincere thoughts and clear thinking about his living on this planet – no frills involved a simple life and no greed for money or Power… Life, as he kept so simple was a true embodiment of a “Wordly Saint!” as I would call him always, as we always joked on this topic!

For him “ Life is beautiful till you make it one…there are zillion problems that one would face every now and then and you have to steer your ship of family, finance, health, relationship through the best possible turmoil – But somehow you will have that faith on yourself that You always Will!

My major confrontation with Manoj was with relation to ‘GOD’ and His Existence – he was clear in his thinking about this – for him all the events in this world – where kids are dying and people are suffering – is GOD making them suffer ?? – IF yes, then why were they born at first place – just to Suffer and live in penury , born blind or with no Arms and Legs…. And with All sorts of bodily Ailments…??? 

Does God want his ‘Puppet Kids” to remain like this and make him Happy??? – to this argument, I would always say “ Manoj – It is due to one’s Karma” – he used to quickly revert then “Do Good Karma – why believe in his existence…even if Exists in an iota , he would have to abide by his rules and have to thus honor his creation – why pray for mercy?”

The argument used to go in a vicious cycle with no end or conclusion – now that he is gone, his thoughts and vision will aways remain with me forever and this is a subject I would always keep my search on for valid and rational arguments…May be one day when I meet him in other world, I would win by giving him an argument he would have no counter argument for …Till then enjoy your journey Manoj as I do here …your meeting me in this plane was momentous!

~ Life's Giggles...~

 “So, what was the most Giggling moment of your life today?” – this is the primordial Question that I often ask kids when I meet them – be whatever time of the day or night it is – this has to be asked to start a valid conversation!

Kids being kids, Many a time I get a story of sorts about what happy moments they have lived in a day – be it in school, home or park or college…most of the time I hear all sorts of stories and parables from them which made their day and made them laugh.

If the answer is “Nothing / No” – I cheekily put forward another question “Ah! Life was too serious today …hah! 😊!” – Kidds are all smiles then…

For me there could be no such moment in a day which life offers you and you don’t smile or make you happy – it could be as foolish for people as you wearing different pair socks or shoes to schools and inadvertently notice when you reach the premise – you will laugh on your own self on this folly and you nailed the moment as a mark of true remembrance in your life to come – may be to store in your memory to be refurbished in times to come for your kids or younger ones!

In today’s world of hard core competitiveness and comparison – everyone is trying hard to exist to his optimum – chasing never ending dreams and aspire to get something better and best than what they already have – The journey begins with kids as they are groomed to do their best  and obtain good percentiles in schools and competitive exams – parenting is tough but we all are giving our baggage of failure to them – what we could not achieve, we want them to achieve – for what? ..just to satisfy your own ego and tell the world that you have arrived!

In doing so kids are at the receiving end, see for yourself the cases of depression, suicides and other mental issues kids are facing – in schools, the most sought after teacher for parents is not of Math's / Physics / Chemistry or Economics but of ‘Counsellor” – parents are seeing psychiatric help for their kids in school as they face mental and behavioral issues on day to day basis…the peer and parental pressure alike, kids are turning nerds and stale – often forgetting that life is to be laughed , lived and enjoyed in its journey and not merely be lived with seriousness all the time!

My experiment with kids have been successful so far as whenever I meet kids, they are always grinning and ready to tell their best moments of the day – they have certainly become conscious of the fact the laughter is the best medicine for any sort of depression and tension – once you are in a good mental health, your acts will make things fall in place…

So start doing it – test it yourself and ask your kid this Golden question “What was the most funny moment of the day you lived?” – see the smile on your kids face …resplendent with story about to be told….See for yourself how you turn your kids to a better human being ready to take life’s challenges with equal force as life throws at them everyday….!!!

Celebrate Life...

 I often read on many obituaries “Untimely demise of …."

I question myself, who is deciding the time of our departure? How can we? are we capable enough to do so or to begin with did you choose the time to get born?

Were your parents were thinking of you when they were in the 'Act'? These are questions that comes through deep thought or may be just by observing and thinking at a different tangent!

Just the other day , I heard about a far off acquaintance who left for his heavily abode - ( sometimes I too think that there must NOT be any Hell , as I have not seen anybody writing or going there :) ) - the discussion amongst our peer groups started with a melancholic note - Mr X was a good human being , why did God did this to him - he has a small kid and a family to fend - old parents and all sorts of responsibilities - a home loan and what not. 

My only question to them was - Can you stop your death? - if tomorrow something happens to you, do you have in your control that you can say NO to the happening?  Gods’ plans are 'perfect' and 'Timely' - you cannot predict the accuracy of a particular soul's departure - yes, it is a huge upsetting emotional trauma if one goes from one's life - unannounced or just like that - but again it was all part and parcel of his time and destiny that he had to be in your life for that very time and years.

As Osho always said " Rejoice Life, Why Sulk and wait for your death??" - Live as if there would be NO tomorrow and that you won’t get up the next morning to see the sunrise! - In this percept, you will start to live more deeply and with consciousness - with remembrance of GOD and someone who is channelizing this Universe!

In this short span of your living, live to the best of your abilities and performances - live each day as there would be No tomorrow - you will not rise from the Bed - this way, you will see that you have aligned yourself to what universe has decided for your and that is - just live to the optimum and be Happy! 

Why sulk for things that are beyond your comprehension and control - you can’t change the situation - example 'Death' it is harsh reality and we all have to leave our near and dear ones one fine day - but what have we doing till the time we are alive? , are we thanking his presence and his gift of life as human being - most of us would say "NO" - Start doing it - offer your gratitude towards HIS grace and you will see your life changing - you will be better off many people who Death would choose soon -

Your obituary should speak about how you have Celebrated your life and how you have touched life of people around you and what a human being you were...!!!

God , Freewill , Karma?

 The tussle is between ‘Karma’ and ‘ God’s Will’ or ‘Your Free Will’ – Who will win?

The topic was deep dived with my recent engagements with a priest of a temple I visited recently – his bend of mind obviously was towards ‘Gods Will’ as by virtue of profession he was in – continuously sitting 2X7 in front of God’s idol and sometimes meditating on his mantras and form!

As I put my argument in front of this octogenarian, “ I worked hard and got what I wanted – that was my free will – Had I not worked hard, how would it be possible to achieve what I have?”

The priest’s answer was unequivocal: “ May work hard with great free will But still not able to achieve what they want?, where is the concept of free will then?”

Point taken, but then the counterargument followed immediately “That was their Karma too, they were not destined to get what they ought for! – their karma was not good enough to have the fruits in this life!”

His cheeky smile made me think that he was obviously thinking my arguments as ‘Kiddish” or lack of knowledge – he was born 20 years earlier than me and so might have much knowledge of the world and their working.

He quickly followed with another great example “ People come to this temple with all sort of problems, I listen to every problem and pray on their behalf, you will be astonished to know about the miracles of prayer and ‘Gods Will” – you only have to fall at his feet and ‘Submit’ your ego and knowledge Infront of him and see how he shapes your destiny and Your life!

This was something quite cerebral for me to digest – for sure I knew there exists some ‘Great existential power’ in this universe who is channelizing and governing this world on certain precepts! – He surely is omnipresent in every aspect.

 But still the question from my side was partially answered “ If everything is Governed by HIM and his grace, the why are we trying so much and running around with our aspirations and fluid expectations – many of which don’t get materialized and then melancholy follows!”

His percept was candid clear and quoted Bhagwat Gita – a rule book of life – in which Lord Krishna spells his divine wisdom “ You only have the power to act according to your knowledge and sphere of influence – the end results of your action and Karma is in my hand and NOT yours!”

Your Karma’s from previous life play here and it is also Karma from this life which is in activation – it is a grandeur mix of both these that will bring froth the situation and scenarios you are currently in!

Though you have to live your Karma But you also have to fall at HIS feet for forgiveness for any bad karma which you have done knowingly or unknowingly – the ball is always in HIS court, he might give you according to your aspiration or he might not – you cannot challenge his decision!”

So finally, after arguments and counter arguments, I could only decipher one thing which forms assimilation of this verbiage “Keep on doing your good karma > Without any expectations > knowing fully well that there is some Mighty “Great” who is watching your acts of benevolence and your day to day behaviour towards others ..The story and concept of living life ends here….. 

~ From Kid to a Man ~

 I have seen him in arms to a grow up in adolescence – how life changes and time flies, really.!

Kashiv was the name his father, a general grocer I my vicinity, had given him happily and how as a first born ‘Son’ was rejoiced by his father, distributing sweets to the entire clan which he knew and also who’s who came to his shop!

Now as years have passed, Kashiv turned 21 and today as I saw him after a long time, I made him remind the very day when I ate sweets when he was born 😊 – his cheeky smile was a reminiscent past of his reaching this stage of his life – as his father stood by – still working and getting up at 5 a.m to open his shop which has been an integral part of father and son journey.

Today, the day came when his father again spoke to me about a prospective match, he was seeking to get kashiv married and relieve him of his duties – a typical household mentality in India of every parent.

“The boy is settled in his own might and has finished his graduation and MBA and is working in a company!” – the proudness in his father’s voice was apparent and came from a man who didn’t study beyond class 8^th !

“Sir, I could not study as I lost my father early in life when we came from my native village in Bihar – I had an uneducated mother and two sisters to take care of – being the only Eldest sibling and a Son, I was tasked to run the show!”

“Though life treated me little differently, and I have not much regret, I vowed upon myself to make my children educated and achieve great heights!

The words were surely brewing with wisdom and I guess almost all the father’s in this world would share more or less the same thoughts and sentiments, and it must be, as what more great than a son bypassing his father’s achievements and making him proud!

As we were discussing things, Kashiv came and tried to change the topic, which generally kids do as he wanted to start his career in ‘Corporate world’ and make a mark for himself!

Getting back after my buy, I started to reminisce the life of father, son duo and how time subtly changes, seep by seep, day by day until we as parents realize that you have a handsome hunk and a beautiful damsel standing in front of you as your son or daughter, ready to take on the world and materialize your dreams which you could not due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your reach!

Life is such for everyone, and that is the beauty of time…waiting for Kashiv to get married but also achieve his dreams which he has so rightly thought so!

~ Life is Beautiful ~

 ‘Life is beautiful…Jiyo Dil se!” – the laugh that followed is a lifetime remembrance- It was surprise as It came from a man which apparently was a villager and of little means!

Everyone has a different percept of life and one is living as according to his beliefs and aspirations, I thought and moved ahead – it was a short stint with a man who I met on a recent excursion in the hills.

Damodaran he loved to call himself and he is a villager and has never travelled in a Car – if he does so, It would be an achievement – again, thinking so , I realised that there are people in this world with little ambitions. 

To fend himself, Damodaran makes ‘Lemon Water’  or Neemboo Pani as people call it in local dialect and thus makes a ‘Decent Living’ – as it was a chance encounter, the heat and humidity accompanied me and made me exhausted – Call it a meeting which was destined to happen and it do so at the right time – Damodar had a bad habit as I could sense and Smell – he had made a Morning Drink for himself – probably a peg as I vividly thought so.

The smell was apparent and staunch and it led me to talk to Damodaran with a whimsical smile back as I asked “ Sir, Subhay – Subhay hi chadda li 😊?, Din tak to ruk jatte !” { Sir, You had a drink in the morning 😊 , could have waited till afternoon at least!}

Hearing this he laughed like anything as there was nothing beyond that – I just left his gist about his laughing from heart – he surely has life a very observant life, as I thought – he matched my thoughts as if it was some kind of frequency match and thus spoke “ Zindagi mein aish karo, kal ka pata nahi – jo mann karta hai karke jao – kal kya baankar aauge wapis is duniya mein, kisko pata!”  { Life is uncertain and whatever you need to do , do it right away and don’t procrastinate – don’t know when, where and as what you would be born again, Who knows ?”}

Hearing these words of wisdom was so in line with my percept of Damodar – he was a man of wisdom – though he didn’t seem much educated and all his life, he had lived in his village and had hardly moved out to town – his simplicity and knowledge of life was remarkable. 

The talk deserved another Neembu Pani {Lemon water} and as I ordered so, he was quick to prepare one with much enthusiasm, alongwith he started to ask me about my whereabouts – what you do and where you work – much of it was sort of over head transmission for him, as I could sense his reaction to my answers.

The second Neembu pani was much tastier 😊 – don’t know why, but maybe Damodar had accepted me as a friend now 😊 – as I paid him and started my journey, we exchanged an open ended goodbyes – “open ended” because, you never know what is store for us – we may meet again in sometime, which both of us wish so – till then ..let seconds pass…

~ And WE Met Again ~

He withholds the test of time – his age and maturity is beyond comparison – just 4 years back when I met him, he looked the same and this time I see him in the same dimension – Alas! , somethings don’t change for good.

Raghu has been selling Tea and local snacks for most of his life – he lives on a plateau covered with lush greenery and to the amazement of everyone, always blessed with pleasantness of weather – the western ghats are truly accommodative to rains in much of the year.

Treading the western ghats with slush and slippery terrain, you can reach his small makeshift shop – He will always be present with his welcoming smile and asking you that medieval question “ Sir Chai?” [ Sir Tea?] – this time I met him after a gap and as a natural human tendency he didn’t recognize me, but thanks to rage of Camera Phones, an old pic gelled the bond – instantly a loud laugh made its way between both of us !

Life is so funny sometimes, you meet strangers and develop a sense of intangible bond and you want to capture those finetuned moments that one can remember back home – seeing the pics and living the moment again and again – this was once such occasion.

I asked him to make ‘Kadak Chai’ [ Strong Tea] for me as a mark of remembrance of this meeting – he readily agreed and offered me a place to sit – it was nothing more than a finetuned rock covered with a neatly labelled cloth – as the meeting progressed, we exchanged pleasantries as now that he had recognized me Suo moto on the basis of last trip’s pictures.

I keenly observed his aura and found he had not changed at all – Raghu was the same man I had met four years back – the only change was his salt and pepper look – his hair was greyed and he had grown and dense beard – his tone and calm and welcoming demeanor was the same! 

As I enquired about his family , I vividly remembered about his two daughters that he had told me last time – both of them were now in local college! – the adage “Girls grow fast!” had again proved itself!

AS I again asked him “What about your wife?, does she not come here to help you?”

With a comatose smile, Raghu answered “ No sir, Who will look after the girls then!, I stay here for whole week and then close my shop on Sunday and go and meet them in the town!”, a routine that Raghu has followed since he got married.

“Sir, Kamana bhi toh hai!, Ghar kaise chalega agar kaam nahi karenge!” – that was the responsibility almost All of us shoulder in tandem – The living and character of World remains the same wherever you go – it is the essence of human  Nature.

“Raghu, aap chai mast banatey ho!,”[Raghu you make fabulous tea!], as I prodded after having my first sip – in reciprocity, he laughed gently – a general talk regarding customer footfall and business followed – Raghu was happy in his life and always paid his obeisance  to the almighty – indeed, I knew him to be a God fearing man, a point which was proved by the pictures of Gods he had in his shop.

After a brief stoppage, it was certainly time to say a “Goodbye” , until destiny would meet us again – As a token of respect for each other, pleasantries were exchanged and a friend hug culminated this meeting….{don’t worry, I paid him too for my tea cuppa 😊}.

Thanks Raghu for the sumptuous cup of Tea that you always make with all your love – hope to have it again, don’t know when though – but for sure before we say goodbye to this world, hopefully things would have progressed in your life till then….and you would have a different story to tell!!

~ Life's 'Other' Plans... ~

So What is it that you want to control in your life? , you want things ‘Your Way’ – your career, your family and friends, your wife, kids and what not?, but as you grow old you will recognize one fact – “ You cannot control your life!” – the sooner you admit to this sense of wisdom, the better – life will turn beautiful and chasing a chimera of dreams and getting heartbroken would be less!

The Occurrence of events in this world is phenomenal, consider the latest devastation – AIR India plane crash that took lives of innocent people who were oblivious of things which they themselves could not decipher – happy souls going to London, sashaying an ostentatious goodbye to the loved one’s minutes before…and then the tragedy stuck – doom prevailed and people get vapourized! 

No one could decipher what was coming towards them just minutes before – else who would have boarded the plane if they were deemed to be so clairvoyant – that truly is a live example and a remembrance to the fact that , we control nothing in this universe, leave alone our lives.

As the Vedic wisdom trolls, you are just living life as per your ‘Karma’ and ‘Destiny’ which was bestowed to you due to your past livings and ‘Prarabh Karmas’ – the time you are born, your family, situations and various scenarios, your success and failures, struggles, friends and foes, everything – almost everything is pre planned.

Yet, rationalists will strongly argue the concept of ‘Free Will’ – of course in between the jingle of life that you are living, you will always apply your thoughts and do your actions according to your own will and understanding – no one would stop you to do it, for sure, but the outcome again would be subjected to different parameters and not your saying!

Coming back to the tragic Air India Plane Crash that unfortunately happened in Ahmedabad, there were some success stories too – as they say “ Every Cloud has a Silver lining!” – the idiom testified itself – consider the case of Vishwas Ramesh Kumar who was the lone survivor of this tragedy, When asked how did this happen, he was in a state of shock and simply replied “I don’t Know!” – a Godly miracle has saved him out of the blue and none other of the ill fated plane – was he destined to live – now that we have a conclusion, the answer is ‘YES’ while others had to GO ….that is the only human explanation one can soothe oneself from.

Also, sometimes your failures turn out to be a case of success! – what else can proved beyond doubt about another case – Ms. Bhoomi Chauhan, who missed her Air India flight by 10 minutes due to traffic – her innumerable pleads has no ears and she was not allowed to board the ill fated flight – again – the grand design had other plans for her and now that she recognizes this fact!

Summing up, Nature or Grand design, whatever you love to call has always plans for you – each and every minute you live is being controlled and gauged by a higher authority – we as puppets are clever enough to make our own plans, trying to defy the greater good – living consciously and with a sense of hourly gratitude towards what we have been bestowed up will tread this path called life with ease and purpose – till then , let destiny happen for all of us…Amen!

" Nothing is Pending"

 Only until you reach the last day of your life that you may spell these golden lines " Nothing is Pending!" …. 

Was just sitting with an Octogenarian who I know for quite some time now and the best communication one can have with such souls is about Life itself, coz they are a treasure trove of life's ups and downs and full of experiences about their successes and failures.

'Rehman' Saab as we all address him, has been a man of his own stature - he sells seasonal fruits in a local market near my place and is always a talk of the town - as he has a unique communiqué of selling his fruits - for him , he is a 'Free Bird" with NO responsibilities and for him life has been a beautiful ride which bestowed upon him goodies and bad times in equal measure. His two sons and two daughters are well "Settled" in their respective household and that he lost his beloved wife just last year due to age related problems.

As I asked him " What is your age Rehman -Ji"?"

"Babu , 75 saal ka ho gaya hoon is Saal, uski Rehmat Se!" { Sir, I have turned 75 odd years this year, By his Grace!}

As I laughed and popped up another timely question " Aur kitna jeene ke Khwaish hai?" { How much more you long to live?"

"Arre Kal utha lo, kuch nahi raha , sara kaam khatam kar diya life mein, sari zimmedari nibha li!" { If God May call me tommrow, I am better off as I have fulfilled my family Responsibilities!"}

Rehman ji, is living a dream life, he is self sufficient and is still able bodied and is not dependent on his children for his livelihood - he is proud of this fact - As I further conversed with him , he started to talk about the living Wisdom of life.

It was a crowded flea market where people flock to buy Vegetables, fruits and the sundry, Rehman is a keen observer and talks of his wisdom.

"Yeh jo sare log bhaag rahe hain na, ek din thakk ke chup karke baith jayenge….fir sochenge , itne bhagne ki kya zaroorat thi zindagi mein?" { These people which I see are running around and trying to make ends meet, one day they will exert themselves and then will sit down and ponder about life and that was it all the effort to run around in life for frivolous things?}

As I grimaced in affirmative , I was equally reciprocated by Rehman, I surely knew , I had a man standing in front of me who chuckles about people's life and their follies...

This small 2 minute talk made me ponder over this one life which he stated " Nothing is Pending!" - this thought had a deep meaning for me - as I wonder when that time would come for All of us to say this …

The hush - hush and running around will stop one day, even if you want it or no, Our bodies will wither and with each passing day and a click of a second, we are nearing our last time on this planet...but the race is between time and our responsibilities.

Surely , Rehman has beaten time and has made himself available to be taken back to heaven as and when his time comes, for he has 'Nothing Pending or unfulfilled desire or a Wish which is a leftover for him..", In a true sense, he is a Man of Acceptance of life who internally laughs on all of us running around to chase our grandeur dreams and Aspirations...most of which we have to leave , even if we conquer them... for this is the vicissitude of life ….

{N.B.: Rehman-ji , allowed me to click his 1 picture on special request, though he is not very interested to be published on the internet, when I spoke so regarding this fact! :) }

~ You always Want More...~

 So you want more, but don't you have enough ? - these lines made a tinge in my mind as much of it was true ! 

We all are living with a dichotomy of living a grandeur life by wanting more , loosing the streak of what we already have - we hardly recognize these special gifts which are just around. We don't love ourselves, our bodies - we all are able bodied but how many of us revere it? - ask a soul who was born blind or has lost hands or legs due to an unfortunate accident. All of our goodies are taken for granted and we hardly value our able bodied- ness. 

The best state of living is to honour each and every second of your life - we are not living consciously - and for most of the time we are in a rush to achieve the chimera of aspirations - the mind is playing clever games but it is his nature - it will throw vagaries of thoughts which will bombard your conscience every now and then - this makes us oblivious of the 'Haves' we have in our lives and rather start to focus on the 'Have-Nots'!

My sojourn to the hills this time was full of talking with people who were climbing with great difficulty - many of us were part of the middle of age crisis and had started to have age related problems - a common regret we all shared was , " Why we didn't took care of our bodies when we were alright?" , " We ate anything and everything and at anytime of day or night and that now that our bodies have started to wither, our old habits die hard!"

We could  a little envy with our peers who were of our age and were walking with ease, and with a glowing smile , observing their demeanor, we all could decipher that they have had a very meaningful and disciplined life - for their body was a testament to their decree of fitness.

We All have a human tendency of neglecting what we have, once our body was our best friend and we hardly took care of it, now that it has started to age and show signs of weariness, we are complaining!

Similarly, all that we have got in our life - our parents, friends , buddies, brothers, sisters and education, career is ephemeral and for sure internally we all know this hard fact - still the wild chase is on! 

See our living rooms , wardrobes, clutter around us, we are all gathering , be it thoughts, junk info or anything we love and like for a second, we buy it and keep it in our safehouses to be left their to rot or be a part of the junk itinerary - as the famous saying goes " Whatever you have not worn, used for 6 months will never be used!" , Still the hoarding philosophy rules our mind and we don't have enough of it!

We will never have enough in our lives and as times skips away second by second, we will one day realize our follies to have lived live in harmony and with much awareness and not have set realistic targets which would not give us happiness that we so eagerly aspire for....

Still you have time, live consciously and start to part ways with items, thoughts and many such things that have filled your consciousness till the brim, for the burden was your making. And t is you who has to get rid of it....see what you feel post doing so....!

~ Rejoice Your Failure ~

 Nothing is greater than 'LIFE' as it is the only pretext your living - problems will come and go but your zeal and continuous aim to do something or other will  make you walking unknown paths.

There would be numerous Big defeats and small wins too , something in you will make you stand again and start afresh. There are numerous such examples where people have turned exceptional with failures, I want to quote some examples here to prove my point.

In today's world of cut throat competition and where students have taken 'suicide' as a route to escapism, I see people enjoying their failures - In recent such example I came across parents who were enjoying with their son who had 'flunked' the Class 10 / higher secondary exams - they were rejoicing because they know the hard truth about life and that is , Life doesn't limit itself to exam results! 

The picture of parents boasting of their son's 'Exceptional Feat' has stormed the internet - at a time when students are ending their life as they didn't clear prestigious IIT / NEET exams , as if they wont be able to do anything in life other than being a 'Cyber Clerk' {as I call software engineer's} and doctors!

As the boy's parents say ' It was disappointing result But you have NOT failed in life, It always give's other chance!" - Though the boy's friends made fun of him and even mocked him for flunking the exams - in all the subjects , his parents were rock solid support for him - as for them this is also not a mean feat! :)  - Why not, this has become a life solving problem for many students who are not much academically strong and are average students - not securing 90+% in exams and securing seat in prestigious colleges wont be an end of life and it should not be! - As I write this ,  "Kudos" to such parents who are standing behind this achievement, what the school had to teach - "the art of accepting and handling failures', parents very neatly did this job and proved a great example to the society!

Another instance I would like to quote is from a prestigious school from Delhi, as the exams results for senior secondary school exams were out , I could see the flashy numbers which the school website had displayed to boast about their academic excellence - almost everyone got more than 90% marks except one - out of heard of high scorers , here was a humble name who had scored in mid 50%'s and that made him so unique - my eyes were scrolling though top performers But stopped at this unique boy's name who proved himself different!  

Suicide wont give life another chance  - you can change your defeats to wins but for that you need to give life another shot - today i write this with somber mood as i know a child who is not in this world because she did not got the result according to her aspirations, rather I would say her parents aspirations - what is life now in those parents life who might have pressurized their only daughter to become a doctor or something exceptional which they themselves were not !

Life is beautiful and consider it to be a batsman standing on the pitch getting bouncer's but you need just one bad ball to hit a Six ! - for me, this has been an idiom which I have lived by and preach - for our motto in life is toe enjoy defeats too and when you that loose Ball comes , come out with flying colours!

~ 'Change' - The True meaning of life ~

 Change is inevitable, what looks stable and in control today will change - the change is for good and sometimes not but every change begets a new learning and a new opportunity. Initially we might think situations going out of control but in the long run , when you are in a position to judge what went past, you will realise and obliged that what change brought was for you
r betterment.

Just the other day , I was in conversation with a close friend who had lost his job due to current global churning - one of fine technocrat from a good engineering institute from Delhi - He was in a state of mental disbelief and shock - just few months back he had bought his second home and a brand new high end model car - life was transitioning smooth, from a high middle class to 'Rich' status , but the change was to happen, know body new and for sure , he himself was oblivious to such a change.

Meeting him after a decade was sure pleasure but he was  a changed man, a sense of comatose had engulfed him - all the running around after latest degrees and self-prophesised certificates 😊was not helping him either.

As I asked him what was the learning curve from this episode of life - he was in wits and laughed at my question - a truthful answer was " Life is unpredictable and anything can happen anytime, beyond a certain degree of measure!" -

"Now my Boy, you are living Consciously! and have started to know true meaning of Life!" - as I laughingly commented on his statement!

Tea arrived in no time and sipping through we were reminiscing our past, the playground which was our 'partner in crime' place and also our old pals, many of them had left the colony , suddenly a gush of emotion passed through my friend and he had teary eyes - he turned himself into a pensive mood and at that very moment he said something which was truly out of wisdom - "Sanjeev, was this all running around so necessary and worth it!"

I had no answer to this direct question though I subtly knew that we all are part of that infamous rat race and the 'Crab Story!" where you put a crab in a bowl and no Crab would be lucky to get out as other Crabs would always pull him down! - As I replied in honestly -"Sameer, We realize this when we get torn apart from our usual running around! , when something exceptional happen to us and we sit down and take stock of the situation - when things go out of control and in spite of our best effort and planning things go haywire - you get to learn the toughest and wisest lesson of life - " It just Happens and traverse without your doing and control!"  

I keep on insisting on this idiom through my journey of life - whatever planning I did , much of it just didn't happen :) , on the contrary I lived a life out of the blue - never ever I thought that I would be living this way and, in these situations, - I am still very thankful to HIS grace - I guess this path is better off in many ways that I had perceived.

At the end, I culminate, 'Change is inevitable! and it would surely happen on its own time!" - love it our ignore it , this would happen and at the fag end of your life , you will be a testimony to it!