my events

So my happenings of the past decade include:

Rediscovering friends/family

Running

Reading books from which I learn

Finding Music in my life

Blogging J

And sketching for the next decade

All the best to all

Cheers

See you on the other side!

31st dec 2009

As all the newspapers of the world are doing a round up of 2009, I feel I should do one as well!

When I was talking to someone dear about the upcoming blog-she says to me- oh! But nothing major happened all of last year! And I think that it’s not the big stuff but the moments which made us smile, laugh, cry. Things which made us pause our daily machinery to reflect, think and ruminate.

But then I realized that the articles all talk about a round up of the decade.

A decade is a long period to encapsulate in one article. Its ok for specific topics like movies, events, sports and the like, but a decade in our lifetime……………

10 years in my life, when I think back overwhelms me.

And then I look around and see my friends, family and all………

And I see huge events in most people’s lives…

This leaves me speechless!

Life happens to all-do we make life happen? Or do we just accept whatever happens to us?

I think what is important is how we react, learn and chose to lead our life determines who we are, who we want to be.

Life allows us only that much.

The day I met my art teacher

One day-on my return journey from work-in a packed second class train compartment, a middle aged lady tried to squeeze herself on a seat-already packed beyond capacity. The hardened women did not allow her, as she also had with a large bag.

In a few seconds there was an opening on the seat opposite to me-and she grabbed it.

The crowd slackened and soon after I looked around to check out the “pushy” lady.

She looked familiar!

“Dipikaben?”

She looks at me quizzically-and asks me my back ground.

“Sudha Kalash”

And she smiles-oh the house where the three sisters in law live together…..and I think ohmigod!

And then she launches into a complete history of me-my family and all and sundry, including marriages, kids et al.

It was great!

I have now learned after many such incidences-that I love reminiscing….

I told her about how we have still preserved all the artwork we did with her…the cards, blankets and others.

I guess she was thrilled too! Happy that I was in a filed of art, and happy to hear that my daughter doesn’t have an art teacher (you can teach her yourself, she said!)

We talked about the old days. I summed it up by complaining……there is no time for art today…no time to pursue a hobby…..to draw, to sketch.

On hearing this she said to me……….

In a day…you need only 5 mins-5 mins to sketch anything that captures your imagination wherever you are sitting…..it will open your mind….will get rid of your artist’s block…and loosen your hand….will train the eye and make you reconnect with your lost art……

Then mount a small part of your sketch –and use it as a card or a piece of art---or simply build your collection……

What a simple idea!

I have actually implemented this-involuntarily for my blog, music as well my running…….

I do what I love for a few minutes each day-EVERYDAY

This lifts my day from its mundanity……..and help me to be in touch with myself and in sync with the soul….

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

special days

Birthdays and friendship

Our special days and special moments-

We like to share them with people who mean the most to us

And it may not be being together physically-but the thought-that they are there for us-and care for us-and remember us-throughout the year-and not only on birthdays-treating each day like a birthday!

And gifts are an essential part of making the day more special than other days-thoughtful ones-pondered over-which enrich the occasion.

Life is a celebration-and the more occasions we use to celebrate the joy of life-the better we feel-unfortunately it takes us too long to understand this……

But festivals,anniversaries, birthdays-are ways to push us out the ordinary and into the extraordinary!

Where’s the party people?????

The friend is someone who knows all about you ,and still likes you.

p.p.m.p.

So as most of you know-I am appearing for my 3^rd grade trinity music exam-and it’s Very hard!!!!!!!!!

As I learn my last song-and its chord, God there is a different chord in every single note! But this was condition 3 weeks-as I practice it regularly-I have begun to appreciate the chord sequence –and the song doesn’t seem as difficult anymore.

When I think about it-I feel really good. In each new project in our life is a victory is really a motivating factor in our life-to be able to master a new skill. To have the courage to attempt something we have never done before-or even a repeat of a challenging task-every time I run-be it a long one or a short one-if I run well-its an achievement-and when we accomplish something we feel good.

Thinking about it further-I have come to realize that each day brings us new challenges and either we chose to face up to them-or carry on with our mundane life……the work we do-is not always as demanding –because of which we are not as stimulated mentally as we would need to be.

As kids we were always challenged in school and college. Learning new things everyday-and constantly being tested-that kept us on our toes-

But now, once we start working life settles into a kind of routine-where things are on auto pilot- we need critical thinking only in very special situations-which thankfully don’t arise frequently.

Anyway-so what I feel is –everything seems really tough in the beginning—almost impossible-but its not really Impossible-nothing is- as no mountain is unclimbable-we just haven’t found a way to do it! All we have to is- find out how it is done- and then keep on practicing-their must be some grain of truth in all the old wives tales-about practice makes you perfect-just that we understand it too late-after all the maths exams are over!

No victory is small-and a big victory is only but a collection of many minor ones-

So keep at it people and one day we shall reach the summit!

ps-perfect practice makes perfect :)

this morning's run

The temperature in Bombay today was at an all time low-it was unbelievable!

And luckily for me…..i ran this morning.

My friend pushed me out of my lethargy….and onto the street at 6 am… it was an experience…..

The chilly breeze,,,,,the pre dawn darkness……..it was like running at a hill station in winter in the early morn.

There was as slight drizzle when we began running from home, but by the time we reached chowpatty it had cleared up…and it was just a gentle cold breeze. I have had an exceptionally bad year running wise….been lazy-not driven-feel bloated and FAT…so all in all…….running this year has been a challenge. Compared to that frame of mind today’s run was literally like a breeze…ran almost non stop for 20 mins…went up the marine drive flyover…looked upon the world….the sea and the other early morning enthusiasts-who like us-were those who decided to brave the weather and continue their morning routine.

As we took a moment to absorb the scene…to feel it in our bones---the lights on the queen’s necklace went off….and then the entire picture changed-magically, it was the soft light of dawn…with the tender breeze…the waves of the sea lapping gently onto the slumbering giant tetrapods. The rain had cleared the air-so the entire vista was clean and crisp….from nariman point to the edge of the world at banganga…it was one beautiful moment.

The run back, too was exhilarating as we realized that this was probably one of the best runs of our lives…and it was all perfect…the weather ….the people….the run….

November rain-guess that’s what we all will call it now……..

Hearing November rain now….the genius of the man….Axl

The sense of the storm in the song…it was replicated in the city today when the authorities decided to be safe rather than sorry….

What is the feeling of panic that we feel in a new situation…….post the 26-7 floods? Can we not be ok about an unseasonal shower? We could attribute it to global warming-low pressure-snow in the Himalayas—and numerous others reasons. Do we really need to treat it like a disaster waiting to happen? Or like the end of the song. It would really end up in doom?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i know i can do better than that....Axl Rose

9th november

So in continuation to my previous post-as I write the date I realize that its my grandfather’s birthday today.

And he is one of the greatest examples I have of someone who lived his life to the fullest.

He lived well and taught us the same. He worked hard and partied harder- which we think is a modern thought. But he followed it back then!

Dadaji was a man we all loved-we could talk to him-but more importantly he could talk to all of us! About things we liked-rarely was there unsolicited advice coming. We were amused about his immaculate taste in clothes – but his knowledge in the field of music was incomparable.

All who knew him- still remember him as a connoisseur of music and musicians. his repertoire extended from the black-n white days to all the latest hindi song- he liked all kids of music.

There is a lot we can learn from his life-his early days in the gujarti medium school-his vision when he taught his children and himself to speak the Queen’s English and to write it even better!

Anyway

I miss him

I wish my children would have seen him

May he happy wherever he is

yay!

So am writing after many days…and what I realize that to do things I really enjoy I need to be in the correct frame of mind

Its not like work-which you HAVE to do-no matter what!

But things we enjoy doing we do when we want to do them

Like my running-or music-or blogging for that matter

Whereas my work

OH GOD HELP ME

Going to juhu is quite an event in my life…its not that hard-but its bad enough……..

I enjoy my work------just that I think all this is so much more fun…….

One day I will be paid to write…….

Ah wishful thinking! Until then……….

Anyway

Thankfully now the music is back in my life…..after a long break-am practicing hard for the exam on the 10^th of December.

Now all I need is to start running properly-don’t know somehow a bout of laziness has struck me…….so…need to wake up and smell the coffee….will hopefully happen soon enough.

So I love the second half of the year-independence day-midterm break-diwali-parties-more parties-finally Christmas and the new year……

I feel this time just flies…then sometimes weddings-so all in all celebration times.

Dress up-faff-gossip-all fun days!

Yesterday is but today's memory, tomorrow is today's dream.”

Live it up!

one more idea!

Been very lazy to write……

BUT I want to climb mount kota kina balu

In malayasia

And reach the summit

It takes 2N/3D

And iw ant to do it

So been researching it

For a while

So I announced this to my kids over dinner today

I want to climb this mountain I say!
and they laugh!!!!!!

Impudent kids!

I was so surprised at their reaction

They say to me

Mom you are crazy

You have these weird ideas…you want to write a book and do all these strange things

I don’t think they are strange!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So anyway

After much research I realize it needs more research for pure economic reasons

I shall need to see……hmmmmmm

Anyone wants to join?

for my crazy trip?

;)

The universal truth

Kabir ke dohe

Meerabai’s songs

Shakespeare’s plays

Shelley’s poems

All great

Different genres

Distinct eras

Varied tongues

All saying the same thing

Essentially teaching us about the way to live

What philosophers teach us

Religions preach

About the fluidity of time

The cyclical nature of life

Effervescence of love

The only definitive –the end

Doing

Doing things for others gives a certain pleasure-and sometimes I feel some people give more than others-because they can, and they want to. Selfless giving is one of the highest forms of love, as we experience it with kids. When we have this relationship with our peers and equals, it changes the dynamics of that relationship. In my mind it has raised some questions which I put forth here:

Until what extent can we keep it completely simple?

Is there sustaining power in this relationship, and more importantly, does it come at a price?

As we try to understand the purpose of things, meaning of life, what we do, and why we do, these become important questions.

This brings me to what I consider one of the most essential points to remember in our lives-a point we all know-

But I am not sure how many of us really keep it in our line of vision at all times

The point being: we live this life once-this day comes once as does this moment

So we should try to do what we really want to be doing right now……

And if that includes doing something for another person it automatically breathes life into the moment…and makes it all worthwhile

But this is not giving-it is doing for yourself what you really want to do-not because the other person asks or you want to give-its because you want to do.

We are doing for ourselves what makes us happy-being selfish in our selflessness

if you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”

-The Dalai lama

MY LIST OF 5

25^TH OCTOBER 2009

I feel I have come a long way

15 days since my first post-10 posts now and still going strong

Let’s see –for how long!

There is definitely a feeling of accomplishment-and I also find it very therapeutic, to be able to share my feelings

i rest today –happy

Have done a lot of work for school-sanjana’s class this time

My restaurant has opened-the new project-a food court at the airport is exciting me

So yes

I am satisfied today

Would have been happier if I had run this morning but it’s ok

Also a movie last night would have added to the fun

So-In my list of top 5 things to do-in the next one year…..

I have found them I think

1. to write a book
2. make 5 new friends
3. coffee alone
4. movie alone
5. need to find (I want to say go on a trek, but I am unsure)

But I think this is progress for 10 days or so

How about anyone with ideas emailing me their lists?

:)

so

want to write something totally irreverent...

something silly

and RIDICULOUS

have been very busy at work-and school

site opening tomorrow.....its a soft launch

and school had an art project to be put together -on display tomorrow and the day after-and of course they cant do without me

so

something fun-have been boring and sombre for a while

something simple

something silly

which will make you smile

and make me look.....trilly(?)

more like crazy

anyway

had no time to write -but my mind was constantly ticking...what will i write and i thought of this video i saw on facebook-women are thinkers-

Agas

My 2 day retreat

Every diwali since the last 4-5 years we have been visiting our religious place over diwali.It is in Gujarat-about an hour away from baroda-a 6 hour trip by train from Bombay.

Each trip, I feel, has been an experience, with which I have grown

The first trip, over diwali, was an escape-6 years ago.An escape from all things familiar and painful

The subsequent years made me appreciate the peace and quiet of the place, and the unimposing nature of the place. There is a routine which they follow-which I never did and neither was I bound to

I did exactly as I pleased

And now…slowly after this much time

I found myself abiding to the rules which appeal to me.

I read the books written by the teacher, I eat their simple food, and stick to the timings for meals, that is, no eating after sunset

We attend a 15 minute prayer session in the evening-from 6-630-“dev vandan”It is a simple ceremony which ends by all the gathered devotees singing a common prayer in unison, a song for thanksgiving to the lord for showing us the path and giving us his teachings.The feeling generated is great-as the voices ring with the exuberance of their faithAlthough I am not as humble to really mean all the words of the prayer….I like the simplicity of the thought.

So last year the outcome of the trip was my bringing back to Bombay with me 3 books, written by Shrimad, his most basic ones, all English translations.

This year I actually read one of them-MOKSHMALA. A very simple small book-120 odd page, containing the principles of Jainism, after which I realized that after all the trappings of falsehood are stripped away from religion, it is dangerously close to my concept of living right and living in the moment.

Spent 3 days reading this book, and talked to the kids about it

As they were also on a self imposed rule about reading only Shrimad stuff-they were bored too

So we talked.

Talked about god-happiness-rules-evolution of religions-and basically a plethora of topics which came up-resulting in several discussions.

So all in all

It was a time for us to slow down

And think about things which we otherwise would not spend time over.

There were 3 things which stand out in my head-

One –the importance of knowing what you should not do or don’t want to do-this is of vital importance so that when you do it –you realize that you are actually doing something you aren’t supposed to be doing or that you don’t want to do.

Two- the essence of learning lies in the ease with which the teacher is able to communicate with his student. The lucidity of the concept comes through with simple words. That is what Shrimad did for Jains-he translated all of Mahavir’s teachings from Magadhi language into the more prevalent language of the early twentieth century-Gujarati-which today is being translated into English.

Three-the people of the ashram greet each other with “jay prabhu”, meaning, you are a god too-or have the potential of being one-by God I assume they mean a superior soul-which I think we all are working towards becoming.

We all need this time- in our life-at varying points where we pause and reflect on a higher plane.

Shrimad said:

Religion does not mean religious differences and set beliefs. Religion does not mean cramming or reading of all religious texts or believing all what is said in them as gospel truth.

All the answers seem to be in the texts-but there in lies the paradox-should we merely accept or should we challenge and question?

The questions remain the same-as do the answers, but down the ages only voices and form has changed.

after the party

So

It’s the end of another diwali party…..

And I will sleep in peace

My kids smiled before they went to bed…said happy New Year to me…….and the very expressive one added “I love you”!

It’s a good feeling-to be with people you can be yourself with…there is no pretence…….or need for politeness…. There was laughter amidst the lights….simple decoration done by the kids…but appreciated by all.

The annual affair was very comfortable this time. All the people there have known each other for a long time as regulars at my parties……

The food was simple Punjabi-as we all know Indian food is not my forte-but I try every year. Also each of the guests brought something so it contributed to a feeling of comfort.

Of course the number at my events has depleted over the past few years…..

But I guess life goes on

We miss the people who aren’t there-And chances are that the void remains

But we smile at a new sun shining on a new day

And in the end, it's not the years in our life that count. It's the life in our years.

diwali

What diwali means to me

Turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary one is the purpose of a festival.

People, since time immemorial, enjoy group celebrations, need social events….to be with the clan, the family, and now, friends.

Diwali is a joyous reason for me for having a get together with the people that matter.

These celebrations could be held at any time of the year…but a festival makes it a theme party! Legends and myths have little meaning today, as the fun lies in interaction and participation. The little touches to a festival……..which mean the most to each of us…for some it could be the food, some -the decoration, some cherish the social visits (ya?).Each of us have our own reason why the festival is special to us…mine being in the details……lights-n-lanterns, diyas-n- decoration.

As regards the food, it is the one time I have to look beyond my regular menu of non Indian food and try to create one with a relative festive touch.

In the larger picture, the kind of festivals celebrated the world over are similar……they are varying ways of expressing love for our loved ones, for thanksgiving, for showing repentance and some others for the pure fun of enjoying the weather-like holi and the spring equinox……..to mark the advent of happy days ahead.

To get rid of the monotony of the daily grind, we need to make the special effort in the way we want to reach out…..and make some days special for the people we love.

Occasions are never special…they become so when we make them.

Happy diwali to all

And have a great year ahead.

The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival...because when you are happy, you also throw happiness all around.

live in the sixties

If you want to be free, be free, because there’s a million things to be.

-cat stevens

Emergence of hope, freedom of speech and thought, rebellions against the establishment…..

this is what the sixties represent to me-that is why I want to live in the sixties.

I love the colours, the images, the psychedelia, the music

All was new

All was vibrant

Feminism was on the rise as was free love

AND

Love was the way to peace….

The present materialistic world didn’t exist

They lived in the moment………….. or atleast they strived to do so

That is the place that I would like to be in

Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people sharing all the world

-john lennon

I like ideas about the breaking away or overthrowing of established order. I am interested in anything about revolt, disorder, chaos, especially activity that seems to have no meaning. It seems to me to be the road towards freedom - external freedom is a way to bring about internal freedom.

The shackles of the world we have around us need to be shed and the true self needs to emerge.

Being true to ones self is of utmost importance. Amongst other things that I read -I found this gem today…..” Don’t disappoint yourself”

Live true

Live honest

Be yourself

joy

Today is Election Day. And I have no idea who the candidates are, and who will get my vote, But I will vote all the same.

The importance of being proactive

I went to vote this morning at 720 am.

It’s an activity that takes only 10 mins.

The election commission organizes it all so well, so as to ensure we are able to get on with our lives after doing our civic duty. Its close to home, arranged by building names and its grossly over staffed…to ensure efficiency.

So why do we need a holiday on Election Day?

We don’t.

As the people who are going to go to vote will go to vote irrespective, and those who don’t…well they just won’t.

This brings me to the moot point

Proactive…..

To be able to make it happen

The daily humdrum does go on

But to make it enriching and meaningful for our selves…considering its the only life that we’re going to have……….We have to get out there and JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!

To enable our life to rise above the mundane

To do what WE really want to do

With the risk of sounding preachy, I say:

That’s what is called living

But one of the most important thoughts which I have embraced in the near past is ,that each day comes only once in our life…to be able to maximize it –by living it up…….and to rise above the grind…..its like a machine in which the sound hums in the background but we mistake that for music…..

Music is what we create with our joy, smile and laughter.

Love, faith and happiness.

All simple words-with simple meanings……

For some of us this comes easily but for most of us its a challenge…but it can be an acquired skill given time and effort so that it becomes a part of our life

So people ..as the diwali holidays approach…….we should make an effort to find meaning in our lives…..not anything profound……..but living in the moment and doing what our heart desires.

11 oct -things to do

11th October

It’s a languid Sunday afternoon and many thoughts float through my head…..as the Sunday papers have varied articles which tease the brain

So the one I chose to write about is a really apparently frivolous one from the infamous Sunday midday: 29 things to do before you turn 30……. I mean what kind of a landmark is 30 in one’s life?

So I ask all you under 30 something what are your top 5 things to do before you turn the magic number………

As for me I think I am beyond that………so I will use the next bench mark to motivate myself towards setting the required goals.

So, this is really about working towards self created targets. The question which follows is essentially, what kind of goals qualify.

I think for me, things I know I can achieve easily are the kind of goals I would set. It’s harder to set the tougher ones…..as they obviously they are harder to achieve; hence the possibility of failure exists.

So now,

I am stumped. Here goes my list:

1. Go for coffee alone
2. Go to the movies, also alone
3. Hmmmm
4. Ok
5. done

So, this is all that I can come up with, but the real ones are about reading some Shakespeare and running a full marathon and the likes I will keep those on hold until I am ready to commit to them.

Also, to come up with a list like this, I need to know exactly what “I” want to do for myself, which I don’t think I have thought about for a while.

That’s why its easer to write about why it’s difficult to make a list like this, than to actually make it! J

Procrastination, here I come!

10th october 09...mistake

10 October 2009

Yet another day in my life

Oh the pressure to write something new everyday

Ok

So today

I can write on something I am not particularly inspired about

OR

Write a collection of myriad thoughts a la busybee…which alas, I am not

Hmmmmmm

So sanjana said a very interesting thing to me this today.

I had been screaming at her all morning-so finally at 11am…(I had been at it since 6.30am)…when I said my usual line-use your brains..what do you think…..

She turns around and tells me…

Mom why must you always shout at me when I make a mistake?

So that made me pause-and examine her statement

With so much truth and clarity she summed up my (and presumptuously-our) response to mistakes.

What is a mistake?

Its just a different point of view…mine versus hers

It’s a thought which is not complete as she is unable to do so at that point in her life……like a half baked idea

Mistake is actually a BIG word for a small child

Why are we in this black and white world……..When we decide what’s white and black as per our standards and expect our children to follow the same

Until we set them free and allow them to decide…but by then they are a little confused to be able to decide between their own original thoughts and ours.

But when is the correct time to leave them…

These are my rambling thoughts…..hopefully you can find a thread running through it

So trying to come back to the point

Mistake is not a word that should be a part of our life

Mistake represents negativity with “mis” as a part of it

Just now I google the definition of google and this is the result:

Mistake :(noun)

1. an error in action, calculation, opinion, or judgment caused by poor reasoning, carelessness, insufficient knowledge, etc

2. a misunderstanding or misconception.

I rest my case

I hope I can eradicate “mistake” from my life