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 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
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
But I think this is progress for 10 days or so
How about anyone with ideas emailing me their lists?
My 2 day retreat
Every diwali since the last 4-5 years we have been visiting our religious place over diwali.It is in
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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:
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!
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
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)
I rest my case
I hope I can eradicate “mistake” from my life
A short story I read yesterday from Sudha Murthy‘s book on her experiences as she traveled all over
Her other stories were simple and thought provoking…..about everyday topics and some inspiring…while other was about things we know…but have forgotten…..anyway
This one particularly touched me
It was about a “holleru”-strange kannada word…I didn’t know what to expect as I started reading
So holleru means a stone that can bear your weight……..
She tells us about her grandfather who lives in the village…whose job was to serve water to travelers en route to the neighbouring town…..
He sat all day at the “holleru” (stone)…waited for travelers –as they quenched their thirst and they moved on.
BUT
The most important thing was that when the traveler arrived…he was weary of carrying his load all the distance
So this was a resting place where he relieved himself…albeit for a little while, and talked to her grandfather about all his travails.
Her grandfather just listened…the traveler talked…rested….and then when ready he carried his burden and forged for the remainder of his journey with renewed energy-mentally and physically
This break was essential in the person to reach his destination…..
Which brings us to the human need to have a ear…..which listens and doesn’t judge…….
We don’t need solutions to our problems…but just someone who will share with us…even if momentarily………who will hear it
And smile at the end to encourage you
And say that it will get better
Since time immemorial joint families have provided support like this……today with the family structure crumbling and work pressures building …….this kind of support system has become a rarity
Hence the need arises for a support system built with friends…not with people you are related but with people one chooses to be related to.
Talking is the key here
To be able to talk to a person with full confidence that they will not betray you….and not judge you…but support you emotionally……
And ensure that you look forward to tomo rejuvenated!
